What's the best high-quality Helmet?

[DH2ML]

I'm looking to buy a new helmet to replace my OOOLLLDDDD (1989) Arai Signet Kevin Schwantz replica.

I'd like to buy another Arai, but the $400+ price is killing me.

Are there any other helmets out there of similar quality, that are a bit easier on the wallet? Noise level is a big factor for me, as I like a quiet (little wind noise) riding experience.

Last year I bought a $180 AGV helmet, and found it to be wayyyy too noisy.

Thanks!

[bretsv650]

at south shore motorsports we have kbc's top of the line helmet on sale for 190.00. we have many colors, (we stopped carrying this model) and we also have some arais on clearence for under 400 too. I use my fathers shoei occasionaly and it isnt loud, just pretty heavy.

[wastedincome420]

JC'sgrly made some awesome points
I just bouight a HJC which I do like as it fit my face very well but, A:It does have some high wind noise B: I use a XS and what I dont like is the shell of the helmet seems big
Im told that the higher end companies such as Arai use a small shell on the smaller size helment and Larger shells for the large sizes
All in all you get what you pay for. Since I was on a budget I went with HJC. When the budget allows I plan to step up to an Arai.



PS: A tip I was told when I bought mine was try em on and when you find a size that fits good, get the next size down as they tend to lose the snugness as they break in

[WW]

Originally posted by JCzx12
I would only take people's advice as far as quality/ventilation...etc. For fit, find a dealer with a lot of helmets and try them on. I thought I was a Shoei guy until I got my Arai, and now I realize how poorly the Shoei fit my head.

BTW, Arai ventilation is awesome.

Different models within the same brand fit differently. For me, the RX7 is more streamlined in the crown toward the rear creating the feel of a high chin bar which obstructs my view. Both the Quantum F and the Signet GT fits great. Signet GT is just a tad more comfortable but the opening is a tad smaller compared to the Quantum F which means more wiggling and dance to get the helmet off. Fit and comfort will dictate which brand and model you buy. You can get Quantum F and Signet GT at Brockton Cycle for under $400. Solid colors are around $330.

[JJ]

Check out Splathat.com. They have Vega helmets for $119 shipped right to your door and it's the best helmet I have ever owned and the best looking as well. Never fogged up, very nice ventilation, and very very comfortable. Mirrored visors are $19 and come with new ratchet locks which is nice if your old ones get broke or worn out. 20 times better than HJC,AGV,etc....

[03f4ichick]

Originally posted by wastedincome420
B: I use a XS and what I dont like is the shell of the helmet seems big
Im told that the higher end companies such as Arai use a small shell on the smaller size helment and Larger shells for the large sizes
PS: A tip I was told when I bought mine was try em on and when you find a size that fits good, get the next size down as they tend to lose the snugness as they break in

i definately agree with u on this one! i got an XXS quantum F Arai and its the best helmet i have ever owned. i had a hjc previous to this one and it stretched out before the season was even over and it fit really really snug when i bought it. the Arais do have a smaller shell so it doesnt make ure tiny bean look like u got a space helmet on!

and thats a great tip too! i thought i was gonna have to bring mine back it was so tight but it fits perfect now!

[Borislav]

I don't have much experience, but in the year that i had my bike i tried 3 different brands and i liked Shoei the best. Arai was nice to. HJC wasnt nearly as good as the first 2

[bemused]

I've heard that Shoeis-- by and large-- tend to be quieter than Arais... but have no experience w/ Arais. I have found my Shoei RF800 heavier than most lids... but there may be a connection between weight and noise damping.

my KBC Racer-1 Comet is much lighter, much better ventilated... and noisier at all speeds. there definitely seems to be a connection between ventilation & noise (duh! )

gotta chime in w/ everyone else... MOST IMPORTANT aspect to consider is: fit. a $200 lid that fits right is a much better investment (and will protect yer noggin better) than a $600 racer replica that's too loose, gives you headaches, etc.

one way to save $$$ w/out cutting quality is to buy last year's model. got my RF800 for about $200 bucks off MSRP @ Brockton Cycle... 'cuz Shoei had introduced the RF900 that year...

[Matt K]

I'm pretty sure that the Arai's are not the quietest helmets out there. The guy who sold me my Signet GT said that it's like the 2nd or 3rd quietest helmet in Arai's line, and it's not particularly quiet. I wear ear plugs on long rides. It fits awesome though, it's pretty light, well vented, and it looks pretty damn cool too I'd definitely buy it again. (f'n EXPENSIVE though )

[stoinkythepig]

Cannot believe no one mentioned this. Helmet noise in moot when you wear earplugs. You should all be wearing ear plugs. Wind noise, even in a quiet helmet, IS DAMAGING YOUR HEARING. The difference between a quiet helmet and a loud helmet is probably < 6 dB. Ear plugs knock the noise down 30 dB or so. Aonther benefit of ear plugs: they greatly reduce fatigue on long rides. I wear them all the time.

Stepping down from my soap box...

I ride with a Shoei RF800 and like it a lot. HJC seems good for the money. Have yet to find an Arai that fits me well and am reluctant to spend that kind of money anyway.

[benVFR]

I am extremely impressed with my new Shoei Z-II that I got like a month ago.

I went from a large RF-800 to a medium Z-II. Shoei uses different size outer shells for the various helmets, as my old one definitely looks a lot bigger sitting on the shelf.

I couldn't decide whether to get an Arai Signet or the Shoei Z-II, they both fit pretty well, but the Shoei was cheaper and seemed better built. The cheek pads on the Shoei were tight at first since I didn't get customized pads like I would have on the Arai, but now they have broken in and fit great.

The Z-II is quieter than the RF-800, has much better fog-resistance, and the ventilation actually works extremely well. The little vents on the top of the helmet let in enough air to dry your hair if you sweat sitting at a stoplight and hten take off, and if you close them you can feel the helmet get a lot warmer. (And quieter) They don't seem to let in water when riding in the rain either. The RF-800 did seem to let in water.

Both the Arai and the Shoei had removable liners, which is the main feature I was looking for.

Ben

[RevHappy]

I swear by Arai for reasons mention aboved, I do have a friend that went off a telephone pole at 55mph he lived to tell his story and he was wearing a HJC. So I guess HJC are alright by me.

[rui93]

Same here Arai is the one, but as mentioned the fit between the Shoei and Arai so see which is better. Look for additional approval besides the DOT. Especially SNELL the Snell requirements are among the most stringent in the world and much more then the legal DOT standard.

[03f4ichick]

this maybe a stupid question but wouldnt ear plugs cause more of a danger because u are reducing the amount of noices? for example..hearing cars, horns etc?

and rach...if it wasnt for u id still be riding around in a sweatshirt at night instead of my coat! thanks!!!!

[jsven007]

Wind noise, even in a quiet helmet, IS DAMAGING YOUR HEARING.

Speaking of noise in helmets:
http://www.msgroup.org/TIP150.html

"OSHA has set guidelines for the maximum length of time a person can be exposed to continuous sound levels, beginning at 90 dB and not exceeding 105 dB.

Sound Level Maximum Exposure Duration:
90 dB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 hours
92 dB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 hours
95 dB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 hours
97 dB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 hours
100 dB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 hours
102 dB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1/2 hours
105 dB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 hour
110 dB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ½ hour
115 dB+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . extreme risk!

Heavy Traffic 80
Automobile (at 20 meters) 70
Vacuum Cleaner 65
Conversational Speech (at 1 meter) 60
Quiet Business Office 50
Residential Area at Night 40
Whisper, Rustle of Leaves 20
Rustle of Leaves 10
Threshold of Audibility 0"

Prolonged exposure to noise over 80dB+ (and lower) WILL damage your hearing. Most stock exhaust must be under 80dB to meet federal standards I believe.

If you have an aftermarket exhaust on your bike, you really should wear earplugs. Actually, I really should wear earplugs

this maybe a stupid question but wouldnt ear plugs cause more of a danger because u are reducing the amount of noices? for example..hearing cars, horns etc?

Ya, I have tried earplugs before. Its a whole different experience, I felt like falling asleep, hehe.

[Rice-rocket1]

Originally posted by 03f4ichick
this maybe a stupid question but wouldnt ear plugs cause more of a danger because u are reducing the amount of noices? for example..hearing cars, horns etc?

You'll find that you will actually be able to hear more of what is going on around you. When you have the ear plugs in the will cut out most of the "white or loud background noise" that you hear, When riding you have to listen through the wind noise to define the sounds that you want to hear, cars and horns. When you get use to wearing them, which doesn't take long, and forget to put them in before a ride. You'll more than likely stop to put them in. Also, all you need are the cheap foam plugs, you don't have to go out and get any special hearing protection ( custom fit ).

[Rice-rocket1]

Originally posted by jsven007
Speaking of noise in helmets:
http://www.msgroup.org/TIP150.html

"OSHA has set guidelines for the maximum length of time a person can be exposed to continuous sound levels, beginning at 90 dB and not exceeding 105 dB.

Sound Level Maximum Exposure Duration:
90 dB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 hours
92 dB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 hours
95 dB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 hours
97 dB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 hours
100 dB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 hours
102 dB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1/2 hours
105 dB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 hour
110 dB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ½ hour
115 dB+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . extreme risk!

These time frames do not have to be continuous, they are times allowed in an 8hr cumulative period at that noise level. Meaning that if you subject yourself to a level of 105db for 15 min at a time, 6 times in 8 hrs. You have gone over the 1 hr allowed time by ½ hr.