Helmet Selection between Boston and Providence

[Petorius]

Any recommendations for a shop with a good helmet selection between Boston and Providence? I will be driving up 95/93 this afternoon.

I tried HJC, Bell, and AGV at Adrenaline Cycles. The fit wasnt even close for the Bells and AGVs, HJC I could work with if I cant find anything better.

From looking at helmet shapes/head shapes on Revzilla, I think I need to try Arai, Scorpion, and Shoei.

[Pigman]

You can try GBM in Arlington......they have a few Arai's and Bells

[The Snowman]

Bummer on the AGV not fitting. My GP Tech is THE most comfortable helmet I've ever put on my head.

Also try Shark and Nexx, they make some really awesome and extremely light helmets.

[loudbeard]

Riverside in Medford is an Arai dealer. They have basically all sizes and models for fitting purposes and can order whatever you want for graphics. They're at 357 Mystic Ave, Medford. Literally right off of 93. I've been dealing with them for a couple of years, they're good guys.

Edit: they also stock Ducati underwear...if you're so inclined.

[tsorfas]

If you make providence drive a bit extra and go to Adrenaline Cycle. Justin is the best guy around to deal with and he has the biggest selection of gear iv seen in a store in MA

[Petorius]

Riverside in Medford is an Arai dealer. They have basically all sizes and models for fitting purposes and can order whatever you want for graphics. They're at 357 Mystic Ave, Medford. Literally right off of 93. I've been dealing with them for a couple of years, they're good guys.

Nice, I got all my first street gear (including the helmet I just trashed) from them a few years back. I only remember them having HJC, but I will definitely go check out some Arais. 5 minutes from where I'm staying this weekend too.

- - - Updated - - -

If you make providence drive a bit extra and go to Adrenaline Cycle. Justin is the best guy around to deal with and he has the biggest selection of gear iv seen in a store in MA

That was my first stop, unfortunately I dont fit great in any of the brands he carries.

[tsorfas]

AGV, bell, hjc, suomy, NEXX, arai?
I'm not even sure what's left..

[Petorius]

AGV, bell, hjc, suomy, NEXX, arai?
I'm not even sure what's left..

I didnt see Arai when I was there? I forgot about NEXX, he was getting those in the week after I was there.

[tsorfas]

I almost bought a NEXX yesterday lol. I'm gonna go with bell though due to better fit and a possible sponsorship lined up.

[02redhawk]

While not in the same class as the high end helmets if you are looking at HJC you may want to look at the Scorpion helmets. The liner materials were better and the anti fog coating on the visor the best. For the price point it was an OK track helmet (great for NHMS). I think Bettencort in Bridgewater had them.
Regarding the fit of the Bell helmets, I have both the Star and the RS-1. IIRC both are listed as intermediate oval. The RS-1 fit tighter than the Star. Length was the same but the RS-1 felt more narrow than the Star.

[tsorfas]

I also have like 8 scorpion helmets if you want to try one on

[CBR929RE]

Adrenaline didn't have any Suomy? that's all Justin wears. odd. great helmets.

[tls25rs]

Little further North than Boston in Southern NH where you can save a decent amount of money on the no sales tax thing depending on what you buy.

Exit 3 in NH off of Rt 93N: Nault's Honda usually has a great selection of Arai helmets in stock and are usually willing to work magic with different cheek pads etc. to get the proper fit.

A little bit further North: I have also read that Seacoast has been extremely helpful to people needing helmets and has decent stock.

[tsorfas]

They have everything I just said and more. I was there yesterday lol

[Petorius]

I forgot about Suomy, Justin has them but didnt have any in my size last time I was there. Looks like I will be heading back over there first.

[Garandman]

Who would carry the Shoei off-rad helmet around Boston?

[loudbeard]

Give Greater Boston Motorsports in Arlington a call, they stock Shoei.

[boosten lebaron]

I'd try looking for a shark if you can. Crazy nice helmets and I'm coming from arai and shoei's.

[jwm2k3]

Ive had great fitment with Shoei, Suomy and Scorpion.....Shark feels like shit, Arai just does not fit me.

I suggest trying the Suomy before you buy anything

[Petorius]

I'd try looking for a shark if you can. Crazy nice helmets and I'm coming from arai and shoei's.

Any idea where I can get my hands on a shark? I ran out of time yesterday, about to go hit some places up now.

[Petorius]

Is this shell type allowed for LRRS?
Painted HIR-TH (high resistant thermoplastic) resin

[Jewcati]

Whatever you do, don't buy a shoei x-12, vents like shit. Very comfy and good vision, but I had to sell it because it was so hot.

Arai is the best. Another plus is if you get an rxq or signet they come with a max vision pinlock visor. ZERO fogging on those chilly mornings.

My hjc rpha 10 is great, but the lack of the max vision pinlock makes me wear it less because in certain corners the pinlock insert cuts through your vision.

[The Snowman]

Arai is the best.

if you like wearing a brick on your head. They're some of the heaviest sport helmets made.

Having 2 compressed cervical disks forces you to find the lightest helmet possible. Aria usually hasn't scored more than 4 stars in SHARPS testing. In fact, the Corsair V scores 3 stars.

All 3 of the helmets I use score 5 stars: AGV GP Tech (trackdays and occasionally street), Shark Race-R Pro (racing), Bell RS-1 ("B" helmet for both). All are under 1.6kg (3lb, 6oz). The Corsair V comes in at just under 4 pounds. 1/2 a pound doesn't sound like much, but wearing it for a few days in a row on the track and I'm using my traction device for a week to relieve the damage those extra ounces do.

[Jewcati]

I agree that the arai is slightly heavier, but it is so well balanced and the weight is lower on the helmet so I feel that it feels much lighter. You may not notice this due to your issue, because weight is higher.

I also wanted a agv corsa which is super light, but really wanted the max vision pinlock. I may try one next time.

If you think the arai is heavy, the shoei is even heavier!

if you like wearing a brick on your head. They're some of the heaviest sport helmets made.

Having 2 compressed cervical disks forces you to find the lightest helmet possible. Aria usually hasn't scored more than 4 stars in SHARPS testing. In fact, the Corsair V scores 3 stars.

All 3 of the helmets I use score 5 stars: AGV GP Tech (trackdays and occasionally street), Shark Race-R Pro (racing), Bell RS-1 ("B" helmet for both). All are under 1.6kg (3lb, 6oz). The Corsair V comes in at just under 4 pounds. 1/2 a pound doesn't sound like much, but wearing it for a few days in a row on the track and I'm using my traction device for a week to relieve the damage those extra ounces do.

[Jewcati]

Furthermore SHARP test ECE helmets, not DOT / SNell, so in all fairness the SNELL Arai may fair better.

That is also why the Arai is heavier. Snell helmets are always heavier.

The SHARP standard seems to be more in line with snell rather than ece.