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i like the new HJC C-15 helmet style. i like the $70 price more but dame they don't have blue or black.
HJC CL-15 "Orbit"
"fuckit!"
personaly i think budget helmets suck... but they are better than nothing.
Buddha was wearing a Polycarbonate helmet when he crashed in 3. Ask him what he remembers about it.
"I'd rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow"
Bikes: Ducati: 748 (Track) Honda: RC31 (Race/street)/ CRF 110 Mini Moto/ Hawk Endurance Racer Kawasaki: ZXR1200R
BOMO Instructor
EX# X
i wasn't implying that it wouldn't protect your head... just that budget helmets suck. the vents, the fit, the faceshields functionality, that sort of thing.
...and i'm still not convinced that a polycarbonate helmet is as good as a composit one, despite what snell says. i've seen and heard enough first hand accounts at the track that i'm convinced i won't be putting my head in one.
...than again if that's all you can afford, go for it. a cheap helmet still beats none
"I'd rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow"
Bikes: Ducati: 748 (Track) Honda: RC31 (Race/street)/ CRF 110 Mini Moto/ Hawk Endurance Racer Kawasaki: ZXR1200R
BOMO Instructor
EX# X
HJC helmets fit my head better than any other brand. I have one that is five years old and I can't stop wearing it because its so comfy.
they're about $150 at the store. i have (2) CL-14 but i'll buy a CL-15 if it's half price and newer slicker model.
the one im using right now only scratch little bit from last crash test.![]()
"fuckit!"
For What it is worth, I have had a cheap as crap Vega helmet that sucked, and an HJC Cl-14 that i thought was awesome and the best helmet in the world until i bought my Suomy Ventura and it is a much smaller shell, lighter, better vents and also better wind protection on my chin/neck when it is cold. The best part is that you can fine them brand new online for about $150 shipped if you look hard enough.
i own this helmet in silver/black
didn't get it for 70 bucks though![]()
With out getting into brand vs brand war here, there is no doubt, at least from my observations of 22 plus years of riding and racing, street, track, woods & MX, the more expensive, well known brands have fewer head injuries than the discount brands. The polycarbonate shells are fine for football and hockey, but I wouldn't put one on my dog. I know they pass the Snell & DOT tests, but most of the head injuries I've seen happened to people wearing discounted, off brand and/or polycarbonate shell helmets.
Head injuries are about the only thing that really scare me. Once you have one there is no going back. Broken bones heal, (I've had several) soft tissue damage can be repaired, even most spinal cord injuries can be worked around, (I build shocks for a mono-ski manufacturer that supplies several US Disabled Ski Team members), head injuries are a different deal. If you're not afraid of being spoon fed Gerber carrot puree and getting coloring books every Christmas, then buy the cheap helmet, put on a tank and flip flops and wheelie all the way to head injury hot line.
I will aways buy the best helmets from the most reputable manufacturers. Even my off road helmets cost several hundred dollars. Kham's statement is true there is no guarantee that any given brand WILL protect me better, just the fact it MIGHT is good enough for me.
Don't even start the whole street vs. racing bullshit either. Head injuries (in fact most injuries) are not caused by how fast you are going. They are caused by how fast you stop. Thirty MPH into the hood of a Buick is far more violent than 130 MPH into a gravel trap. Trust me, I've done both.
As far as I'm concerned you should buy the best helmet from a reputable manufacturer, that fits correctly. (Maybe we should have a helmet fitting seminar at my shop?) If you can't afford $500-$800 dollars to protect the one part of you can't be repaired or replaced, then you can't afford this sport. (brutal I know, but true).
I've been to one to many dead/injured rider funeral/benefit to argue about it. This will be my only post on the subject.
Hey Peter... A helmet fitting seminar would be a good thing. I have seen too many helmets roll off the head during a crash/accident on the street.
Either it was too big, strapped too loose or not strapped at all.
Nice having it off the head to scoop the brain matter back into but I would rather the brain matter had stayed in the head.![]()
"I'd rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow"
Bikes: Ducati: 748 (Track) Honda: RC31 (Race/street)/ CRF 110 Mini Moto/ Hawk Endurance Racer Kawasaki: ZXR1200R
BOMO Instructor
EX# X
Serious question for gmdboston and anyone else with useful knowledge on the subject:
My head has never fit well in anything other than an HJC. I have an AGV right now that was roughly $350, but it seems to shallow, like my chin pokes out the bottom. Before that, I had a $700 Arai, which was too narrow no matter what I did with the foam inside. I have tried on Suomys and Sharks, and neither seems to fit me well either (though I dont remember how.)
So - which is safer? An HJC that fits well and carries the same ratings (higher end HJC, if there is such a thing) and fits perfectly comfortably, or a spendy Arai that is uncomfortably tight but presumably made better?
HJC makes fiberglass type helmets.
HJC AC-12 Elbowz Carbon Motorcycle Helmet :: New Enough Motorcycle Apparel
Also (and I am sure you know this) Arai has different shells. My head fits in a Arai Quantum but not in an Arai Profile... Have you tried different models?
"I'd rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow"
Bikes: Ducati: 748 (Track) Honda: RC31 (Race/street)/ CRF 110 Mini Moto/ Hawk Endurance Racer Kawasaki: ZXR1200R
BOMO Instructor
EX# X
HJC is for round head people.HJC CL-14 - webBikeWorld
i'll read these when i have time.
Motorcycle Helmet FAQ - webBikeWorld
note:
"That issue contains a detailed article on an extensive test that was conducted on 16 different motorcycle helmets, ranging from the $89.00 Z1R (wBW review) to the $700.00 Schuberth S1 (wBW review). Their conclusion is that the inexpensive, polycarbonate shell Z1R transferred an average of 152Gs to the head-form, vs. 211Gs of the Snell-approved Scorpion EXO-700. "
the lower the G the better i take it and "polycarbonate".
Motorcycle Helmet Design, Helmet Standards and Head Protection - Gear Box - Motorcyclist Online
"fuckit!"