Quiet comfortable helmet recommendation

[snoone]

I know everyone has an opinion about this subject but can I get some feedback on your favorite allround hemet . Has anybody found perfection?:dunno

[kbasa]

Originally posted by snoone
I know everyone has an opinion about this subject but can I get some feedback on your favorite allround hemet . Has anybody found perfection?:dunno

It really depends on the shape of your head. Arai's fit me better than my Shoeis did and my Signet fits me better than my Quantum did. I don't have a problem with either brand, the Arais just fit me better.

Some folks like the convenience of Shuberth or other flip up helmets, but I prefer a traditional full face.

It's kind of like buying shoes; there is no perfect shoe for everybody.

dave

[MCMXCIVRS]

Some folks like the convenience of Shuberth or other flip up helmets, but I prefer a traditional full face.

I have been curiuous about the benefits of the flip front style helmets. They seemed like they woud be more convienient to put on. I recently tried on a HJC flip front helmet (the only one that is available in Canada) and found that it really was not any better than my Shoei full face, plus it did not fit me well either. Am I missing the point of these things? What real benifit do they offer?

For now I'll stick with my Shoei, a brand that I always seem to end up with as they always fit me best.

[snoone]

I'm mostly concerned about noise. HelmetsI've owned fit meok . I have a shuberth and have owned Shoei's as well. Any thoughts :confused:

[MCMXCIVRS]

Earplugs

[MrsKbasa]

Personally I found the Arai to be quieter than the Shoei, using both with earplugs.

[basketcase]

"Arai" says it all.

A bit pricy, but well worth it, IMHO.

[gararnett]

Originally posted by MrsKbasa
Personally I found the Arai to be quieter than the Shoei, using both with earplugs.

You are the first person I have ever heard/read that thought the Arai was quieter than a Shoei. Everyone else I've ever talked to says the Shoeis are considerably quieter.

I love the Shoei helmets, they just fit me better. I also like the HJC AC-10, which is very comparable to a Shoei RF800, but costs much less. I am very sure that Arai helmets are excellent products, they just don't make one that fits me just right, like the Shoei.

[RevWillie]

My vote goes goes to Arai for best fit and the most quiet.

I have had Bell,BMW,and Shoei helmets,and none of them comes close to the Arai. I try to wear earplugs most every time I ride, but the Arai is the best, plugs or not.

[LegendGirl]

I got an Arai Signet GT (Cathcart replica) for Christmas, and find that it fits better, is quieter, and LIGHTER than my Shoei. This is my first Arai after 15 years of Shoei's, and I really like it.

:thumb

LegendGirl

[TheSuperScoot]

I had a crummy experience trying to buy a new Arai to replace my old Quantum/e, now that Arai won't let them be sold by catalogs or internet companies. Two of the approved Arai dealers tried to get me to order a Quantum/f without having one in my size to try on.......no better than internet purchasing, I think. And they wanted full retail. I found a decent discount at a Honda dealer (If you're reading this, thanks Glen.)

That said, I find my Arai's to be quieter and more comfy than my Shoei. The Shoei is a fine product, but putting on the Arai is like sticking your head in a very small Lexus.

Terry B
Pittsburgh

p.s. the quietest, lightest, helmet I've ever had was a Kiwi (made in Switzerland, go figger). What ever happened to them? It was a great helmet and it was inexpensive.

[cuervo]

I just went from a Shoei RF700 to a Shoei TZ-1.

IMO, the TZ-1, though less expensive, is better than the RF series. It fits better, is lighter, and is quieter.

Maybe it is just me, but Shoeis seem like they are the only ones that give my chin any space from the chin bar.


This is especially true with the flip-up helmets I've tried on.
Whenever I closed the visor, it would hit my chin--and I do not have a big chin.

[longwallman]

I use two helmets. A Schuberth Concept for cold weather and highspeed interstate work, and a Bell open face for nice days and just cruising on back roads.

Schuberth: expensive, suprisingly noisey for a full face, but comfortable and has many nice features including a buillt in sun visor that slides down when needed. It also provides decent rain protection.

Bell: less than $100, comfortable, good hot weather helmet, no protection from rain.

A guy needs more than one helmet. My wife doesn't follow this line of thinking though.

[Jon]

I have worn an Arai 3 quarter for a solid 8 hours and could go longer. I like my Nolan full face flip up. They now make it with 1 hand flip up button.:cat

[Magic_Rat]

Originally posted by MCMXCIV-RS
snip..I recently tried on a HJC flip front helmet (the only one that is available in Canada) and found that it really was not any better than my Shoei full face, plus it did not fit me well either. Am I missing the point of these things? What real benifit do they offer?

Ed....I wear an HJC Symax Flip Helmet...the benefit to me is lighter weight (haven't weighed it, just feels lighter than my old Shoei full face did) and for example, a couple of weeks ago while cruising through some small towns in S. Texas in 100 degree heat, it was really great to flip the helmet up with one hand and get some air.

My .02

[rottenbiker]

my vote is for the Q3 Pro as well as X-Vent made by AGV lightest, quietest, most comfortable helmet I have owned

[snoone]

Who did the graphics on your AGV. Nice Helmet!!!!!!:cool:

[rottenbiker]

this is a Rossi Imola replica, they are done that way at factory,...bright and very visible in traffic flow

[lorazepam]

I have a Shoei Syncrotec, flip up, andI have found that I can get a tighter fit with it than a standard full face helmet. with the chin piece up, I can spread it open slightly, and when the chin piece is is down, if feels very secure, and is suprisingly quiet. I like having the option of opening it up for extra air in the summer, and the security of the full face helmet. It sure was a pain to but in my headset though, and you have to use the open face style.

[jmrosie]

I bought a new Shoei RF900 to replace a Nolan Rapid flip, looking for something quieter.

The Shoei was remarkably quiet, with and without plugs. Very light and comfortable and the ease of shield change is dandy.

This helmet actually has a ventilation system that works.

I got mine for $252.00 shipping included from www.helmetharbor.com.

Warning! The XL doesn't fit into my RT's top case.

[abmwrider]

I had a nolan n100 flip up that I thought was comfortable, then I tried on an Arai Signet GTR and now I know what comfortable is. I was unaware that Arai makes different shapes. Round, oval (front to back) and oval (left to right). Now when I put the nolan on I feel almost unprotected due toi the difference between the flip up and full face. I can ride all day with the Arai, 2-3 hours before I have to take the Nolan off. Mostly because the Nolan isn't the correct shape for my head. Try on as many as you can before you buy.

[lancew]

My last Shoei felt great, until it was on my head for an hour, then it was like a chinese torture device after that. Big red painful spot on my forehead, headache that wouldn't go away, felt like circulation cut off to my brain. My Arai is just plain awesome all day long. Not that Arai is better, I just have an Arai-shaped head. Go to a dealer, try a bunch, take your most likely candidates and wear them for 20 or 30 minutes each to make sure you find the best fit.

(then support your dealer, he's had to suffer through the sight of you wearing his brain-buckets around the shop all morning long)
:eek

[dgs1958]

I'm in the market for a new lid myself. I've read all the posts, all of the test results, and checked the pricing on almost every site that sells them. I was going to go for the HJC symax until I read a test report that warned about the fact that with the chin bar in the up position they can roll right off. I tried this at a dealer last night, I tightened the strap and then rolled it towards the front and sure enough it comes right off with little effort. I heard quite a few good comments on the Nolan. With safety, quality, and price as my main concerns, I think I'll end up with one of these.

[abmwrider]

Before you emabrk on your quest to purchase a Nolan, I would make sure you have a Nolan "shaped" head. I found them to be very round (vertical axis). If you decide you do, I have a Medium in Red with little wear (jpegs available) that I would part with inexpensively.

[longwallman]

KBasa got it right on the first reply.

Helmets are like shoes.

Keep trying them on till you find the right one. Even then you won't know for sure till you wear it for a while.

[BradfordBenn]

I have two helmets, my wife had two and now has one (we gave the 3/4 to a neighbor who just got a Honda 50cc Spree Scooter).

I have an Arai Quantum/f and a Schueberth Concept. My wife has a Nolan. She loves her Nolan - I can not stand the fit.

I love my Arai, especially for long rides. Quiet, good cooling/venting, can get a drink tube in. Fogs a little to easily at a stop light for me, can crack the shield but that is not as easy as on the Schueberth that has the nice little tab sticking out. Can easily get straight ear piece sunglasses on.

Schueberth is easier to put on even when wearing glasses, and is very handy when going to through drive throughs (bank, pharmacies, toll booths...) The shield rattles too much for me. The helmet does not seem to be as stable in the wind. The sun visor though makes in invaluable for commuting to work. Work is east of the house; morning into the sun and shadow, evening, into the sun and shadow. So I deal with the other items for that convinience.

Most dealers will let you walk around the store for a while wearing the helmet - I walked around with the Schueberth for about an hour. The Arai about 30 minutes. Some will let you take a test helmet out for a spin to see how it feels. Always ask for that. What is comfortable in the still air might suck on the road.

YMMV.

[dgs1958]

Originally posted by abmwrider
If you decide you do, I have a Medium in Red with little wear.

I tried a medium on in the show room and it fit great. What model do you own? Although the grey classic plus is more to my liking, for the right price I may find a red one to be acceptable... :brow

Write me and let me know your asking price, maybe we can wrap this up.

Don

[R_George_RT]

Arai 3/4.