Need Help Choosing A Helmet!!!

[GixerJockey]

I would stay away from any lid that has outside gadgets and obstructions that could catch and "hook" something in a get off.

I hope none of you visit a friend in the hospital with a broken neck, and a lid with the goofy vent design thingy ripped clean off.

Better to have a lid clean and round than to take a chance.

Gman' any input here?

When a manufacturer puts cosmetic design ahead of safety and functionality, that helmet is automatically crap in my book...

[Honclfibr]

All I know is that if someone told me that his helmet was exactly like the AC12 (or whatever the latest top HJC lid is now) that you or I can pick up off the shelf, I'd have a VERY hard time believing it.

Other than perhaps a custom fit liner, what would they change? Do you think he gets the "good" EPS liner or something?

[GMAN226]

The vent system on the arai that I was wearing didn't have anything to do with the busted neck. It was all compression, like diving into a pool. I don't know if this helps but in my opinion and what I have found, anything that is on the outside of a helmet will detach far before you break your neck, it isn't easy to do....

G-man
"who will wear another Arai, cause my brain is still in one piece"

[legalspeed]

[SVRACER01]

for future reference to all people thinking purchasing a new helmet

if you are not posting about a Shoei, Arai, Suomy, Shark, AGV or any other "mainsteam" brand then dont bother or prepare to be bashed.
being a racer i find it appalling that people are against "other" helmet manufacturers. if a racer doesnt wear it then its no good. what would it take for Icon to get some respect? Ben Spies to wear one? even then people would spout "am i supposed to believe that hes wearing the same one i can get off the shelf?" i dont know...are you? am i supposed to believe that my E-Boz Shoei is exactly the same as Erics because its a Shoei?
i realize that Shoei and Arai and the others have been around forever and have built a reputation for making quality stuff...but that doesnt mean that others cant do the same. replying that something is "JUNK" with no proof of such a statement is ridiculous.
if youre gonna voice an opinion on something then make it something that is legit. for example: i dont like Shark helmets because i think the big hole in the forehead is stupid looking. or X brand shields are difficult to change, or X brand interiors arent washable, peripheral vision was impaired, wind noise was too much, i thought it was heavy, not enough ventilation. these are all valid opinions. saying that something is of inferior quality when SNELL and DOT show otherwise is just snobbish and arrogant. you cant realistically rate something any higher than SNELL. maybe one day there will be different levels of snell ratings like star ratings for cars but for now..if its got that little sticker on it then its just as good as the others.
i would gladly race in an Icon (i think stupidhawk did) or an HJC AC-12, or a Scorpion if it was the helmet i wanted and it met the regulations that i require. i was actually going to buy a Icon last year based on price and the fact that i think they have an outstanding art dept that most companies lack, but i managed to get half off of the Shoei X-11 that i wanted thus putting it into my price range. cost is usually a deciding factor in my purchase (as it is for others im sure). i have a hard time believing that a $700 Shoei crashes any better than a $300 Shoei. ive owned and crashed HJC, Shoei and Arai. they all performed as they were designed.
i whole heartedly agree that one should buy a helmet that fits properly but still be comfortable. one should take the time to really try it on. when shopping for one i wear it around the store for 10-15min. the helmet should be snug enough that it would be difficult to chew gum without biting your cheeks. cheek pads can generally be changed in some helmets so if you get the crown to fit but the cheeks are loose you might need to change the pads. find someone who knows what theyre doing to help you.
my opinions on what ive owned are as follows:
i will say that my Arai interior was very soft and plush and very comfortable but my Shoei vents better but my X-11 is much louder than my RF. my shoei visor is stupid easy to change and i can do it without taking off my lid, but my street X-11 is a PITA to keep adjusted properly (could just be the visor) the Arai shield change isnt bad but doing it while on would take some practice and even though i know what im doing it still feels like im breaking it. i like my Arai but feel that most of theyre artwork lacks originality. Shoeis art dept isnt much better. its been a while since ive had an HJC so i cant really comment on it, but i didnt hesitate to point my dad and mom to them when it was time for them to get new helmets.
Bottom line
get what you want. find a helmet that has what you want from a helmet (lots of vents, no vents, cool graphics, no graphics, SNELL, DOT, both) then get the one you like the most that is within your price range. no matter what you get someone is gonna say it sucks.

[SVRACER01]

When a manufacturer puts cosmetic design ahead of safety and functionality, that helmet is automatically crap in my book...

what about the Arai RX helmets..they have stupid vent thingys on them. and just because a company has a decent art dept doesnt mean that they didnt consider quality first. i highly doubt that any company puts out a helmet (that is SNELL/DOT) with the sole purpose of looking cool and not being safe.

[OreoGaborio]

for future reference to all people thinking purchasing a new helmet

if you are not posting about a Shoei, Arai, Suomy, Shark, AGV or any other "mainsteam" brand then dont bother or prepare to be bashed.
being a racer i find it appalling that people are against "other" helmet manufacturers. if a racer doesnt wear it then its no good. what would it take for Icon to get some respect? Ben Spies to wear one? even then people would spout "am i supposed to believe that hes wearing the same one i can get off the shelf?" i dont know...are you? am i supposed to believe that my E-Boz Shoei is exactly the same as Erics because its a Shoei?
i realize that Shoei and Arai and the others have been around forever and have built a reputation for making quality stuff...but that doesnt mean that others cant do the same. replying that something is "JUNK" with no proof of such a statement is ridiculous.
if youre gonna voice an opinion on something then make it something that is legit. for example: i dont like Shark helmets because i think the big hole in the forehead is stupid looking. or X brand shields are difficult to change, or X brand interiors arent washable, peripheral vision was impaired, wind noise was too much, i thought it was heavy, not enough ventilation. these are all valid opinions. saying that something is of inferior quality when SNELL and DOT show otherwise is just snobbish and arrogant. you cant realistically rate something any higher than SNELL. maybe one day there will be different levels of snell ratings like star ratings for cars but for now..if its got that little sticker on it then its just as good as the others.
i would gladly race in an Icon (i think stupidhawk did) or an HJC AC-12, or a Scorpion if it was the helmet i wanted and it met the regulations that i require. i was actually going to buy a Icon last year based on price and the fact that i think they have an outstanding art dept that most companies lack, but i managed to get half off of the Shoei X-11 that i wanted thus putting it into my price range. cost is usually a deciding factor in my purchase (as it is for others im sure). i have a hard time believing that a $700 Shoei crashes any better than a $300 Shoei. ive owned and crashed HJC, Shoei and Arai. they all performed as they were designed.
i whole heartedly agree that one should buy a helmet that fits properly but still be comfortable. one should take the time to really try it on. when shopping for one i wear it around the store for 10-15min. the helmet should be snug enough that it would be difficult to chew gum without biting your cheeks. cheek pads can generally be changed in some helmets so if you get the crown to fit but the cheeks are loose you might need to change the pads. find someone who knows what theyre doing to help you.
my opinions on what ive owned are as follows:
i will say that my Arai interior was very soft and plush and very comfortable but my Shoei vents better but my X-11 is much louder than my RF. my shoei visor is stupid easy to change and i can do it without taking off my lid, but my street X-11 is a PITA to keep adjusted properly (could just be the visor) the Arai shield change isnt bad but doing it while on would take some practice and even though i know what im doing it still feels like im breaking it. i like my Arai but feel that most of theyre artwork lacks originality. Shoeis art dept isnt much better. its been a while since ive had an HJC so i cant really comment on it, but i didnt hesitate to point my dad and mom to them when it was time for them to get new helmets.
Bottom line
get what you want. find a helmet that has what you want from a helmet (lots of vents, no vents, cool graphics, no graphics, SNELL, DOT, both) then get the one you like the most that is within your price range. no matter what you get someone is gonna say it sucks.

Damn cops.... So you're gonna fight it, right?


Oh sorry, I thought you were talkin about something else there for a second

[Honclfibr]

What it comes down to is this, the last major innovation in helmet safety was the invention of styrofoam.

A SNELL rated helmet is the best thing you can buy to protect your head in a crash, but when push comes to shove it's still better that push doesn't come to shove. By which I mean, you should absolutely buy and wear a helmet to protect you in a crash, but you shouldn't expect it to protect you in a crash. The laws of physics are not on your side.

["Dangerous" Dan K]

I personally am a big fan of HJC. They make some solid fiberglass helmets that fit me well. If not for LRRS not allowing them, my next helmet would probably be an HJC. Since they don't, I'll have to find something else I like that fits me well.

[Honclfibr]

LRRS allows HJC helmets with fiberglass shells, they do not allow HJC helmets with polycarbonate shells. The only helmet I have ever worn in my racing career is an HJC, first an AC-10 and now an AC-12.

["Dangerous" Dan K]

LRRS allows HJC helmets with fiberglass shells, they do not allow HJC helmets with polycarbonate shells. The only helmet I have ever worn in my racing career is an HJC, first an AC-10 and now an AC-12.

Sweet! That's some good news for me, HJC is back on the table (and quite likely to be my next helmet).

[nixoid]

Icon are for squids

Flame on.

[Kurlon]

Guess I'm a squid now. I'll be sporting an Icon Mainframe 'Hooligan' this season. Anyone know where I can get a crash cage and 12 o'clock bar for a GS500E that'll pass tech?

[Pittenger5]

Guess I'm a squid now. I'll be sporting an Icon Mainframe 'Hooligan' this season. Anyone know where I can get a crash cage and 12 o'clock bar for a GS500E that'll pass tech?

Crash cages wont pass. But I BELIEVE the Race Rails will. 12 bars shouldnt be a problem.
I guess I'm a squid in the sense I have an Icon Jacket, Boots, and 2 pairs of gloves. But no helmet.

[OreoGaborio]

You guys like my new helmet? I got the black one. I hear it has good ventilation.













































I just gotta get one of those eBay DOT stickers for it.

[nixoid]

You guys like my new helmet? I got the black one. I hear it has good ventilation.

I just gotta get one of those eBay DOT stickers for it.

[Bmak]

Scorpion all the way

[GreekR1]

No knowledge I can input really. I have a HJC I bought for like $40 4 years ago. Crashed it last year-- pretty much direct hit to the back of the helmet going straight into the curb and hit by the bike. It survived. No cracks, just two deep scratches and a few other smaller scratches.

I actually still wear it (which I know is a big no no) and spray painted it the other day. I am in the market for a new one but figured I'd use this in the mean time. I have been looking at the $100 Icons on eBay. That's really all I can afford or care to spend on a helmet. Figuring if something THAT bad was to happen that would break any regulated helmet, I'm screwed anyway.

[Doc]

No knowledge I can input really. I have a HJC I bought for like $40 4 years ago. Crashed it last year-- pretty much direct hit to the back of the helmet going straight into the curb and hit by the bike. It survived. No cracks, just two deep scratches and a few other smaller scratches.

I actually still wear it (which I know is a big no no) and spray painted it the other day. I am in the market for a new one but figured I'd use this in the mean time. I have been looking at the $100 Icons on eBay. That's really all I can afford or care to spend on a helmet. Figuring if something THAT bad was to happen that would break any regulated helmet, I'm screwed anyway.

[Doc]

Oxx makes good points.

I think the Icon's look good. BUT I think that they spend too much in paint to make an inferior helmet sell better.
I have an AGV Stealth that I use on the track, it was cheaper than a Ti Tech or the two XR-2's I have and it shows. I think I am going to get an HJC AC-12 next. I have about 4 helmets that are less than 4 years old.

Shoei's don't fit my head and only one Arai does (and I can't remember which).

I say buy a helmet that has a Snell rating and FITS first. Worry about graphics after that.

[GreekR1]

Oxx makes good points.

I think the Icon's look good. BUT I think that they spend too much in paint to make an inferior helmet sell better.
I have an AGV Stealth that I use on the track, it was cheaper than a Ti Tech or the two XR-2's I have and it shows. I think I am going to get an HJC AC-12 next. I have about 4 helmets that are less than 4 years old.

Shoei's don't fit my head and only one Arai does (and I can't remember which).

I say buy a helmet that has a Snell rating and FITS first. Worry about graphics after that.

Doc I think you were the one that sent me a link on the agv stealth helmets. I think that's the one I wanted to buy last year but wrecked before I could order it. Any chance that you know the site that sells them? If I remember correctly, Ebay is selling them for more than that helmet site.

[GreekR1]

GeezI have a good memory.... It was DOC

AGV stealths at Sportbiketrackgear.com

[Doc]

[lrrs699]

i like my new scorpion exo700 it is a bit heavier then my old helmet(kbc) but it isnt that bad, definately a great fit thou

[rider]

Wow, this thread came close to needing a re-categorization to "Controversial Topics".

Couple of points from a real noob.

I could care less about Stunt vrs race or street vrs sm or trail vrs pit etc. I like riding... hence my forum name choice. I even have a china bike that I take out for a spin now and then because I think it's fun.

If wearing an Icon jacket makes me gay, then I guess I learn something new every day. My wife of 12 years might be disappointed (not to mention the confusion for my three kids).

Quite frankly, in my opinion, if your basing a helmet choice because some other dude wears it and he is cool or not cool, that just seems really lame to me. Please don't confuse with not taking any advice from veteran riders, I would listen and learn all day, unless they spout some marketing crap and step on anyone's ideas but their own, then I loss respect for them.

Reputation of a brand matters to me to see if they can put out quality consistently. If they can do that, then your odds of a good product from them are better. But it's just one of the KPI's that I look at when researching a product.

Real world, real people, first hand reviews are King to me, hard fact media reviews second (as long as it's a real test and not some propaganda), and customer service a very important third.

Even though it's apparent that many here have bought in to the marketing machine's of a few companies, I must be immune to the marketing propaganda because I don't care if tweeny's rocking out to tunes in their Fox duds or some dude on superbikes is throwing gangsta signs while sporting his Icon lid. If I like it, it does well in reviews, and fits the need, and the price is right, I might just go ahead an buy it, despite what anyone thinks of it.

(rider steps off soap box)

I do have a question that I think could be even more helpful to a noob like myself instead of comments on how Icon sucks and anyone who wears them must be gay.

I remember reading an article on the web someplace quite a few years ago on how someone had ranked the helmet companies by the shape of one's head and offered good suggestions of which brand's to look at depending on the profile of your noggin.

For example, I have a bit of a rectangle head front to back looking down from the top. Any advice on a company that would match that type of profile for my cranium? I know some companies will offer profiles for different shaped heads. I am guessing more must be doing this?