Helmets??

[Falcorob]

I've been wearing AGV lids for some time now and have crashed heavily in 2 of them without any apparent damage to my head. I find them comfy and they seem to fit my head shape properly.

The biggest bugbears are misting - though a Fog City or similair would fix that - and noise. I can't ride without earplugs unless I want to feel like I've been to a Motorhead concert after every ride.

What do you wear? And why? Any problems?

[BikerGran]

I have an old AGV that I'm very reluctant to part with - tho TBH it was never as quiet as my cheap Kiwi one I had before.

I always ride with my visor slightly open which helps with the fogging, and sear by washing-up liquid!

[HowardQ]

Over many years I have only really had Arai and Shoei, Arai for the last 8 years or so.
Currently have an Arai Chaser, (see Avatar), bought last year.
Got it at a great price and I am very happy with it.
Even better compared with latest price, since the pound dropped
It has a quality feel that you notice every time you use it.
Not the quietist, but I always wear earplags, so no problem.
Also no problem with misting, but have had a Pinlock fitted since I got it.
The Pinlock does intrude on the vision area, because of the brow vents, but you get used to it, and it is no problem. Again don't mind as I use the brow vents a lot.
Actually the venting is the best I have had with any helmet.
Recent Shoei helmets don't fit me as well.

[Aladinsaneuk]

currently i use a multitec - it fits well and is flip front - and insist on that for safety reasons

[Falcopops]

currently i use a multitec - it fits well and is flip front - and insist on that for safety reasons

Interested in the flip front for safety reasons. I understand you can open the front for resus without removal, but I also thought that a flip was not as safe as a one piece construction.

I used to use the S3 BMW helmet mostly because I wore glasses and I could bung the open face on without removing my specsit was easier to get me specs on. When it was time for a change I'd had my eyes lasered and heard that the BMW's were prone to flying apart on impact so went full face.

I'm sure there will have been huge advancements since the S3, but my feelingis that anything that can open must have an inherent potential to separate in an impact. Also the mechanism must add weight where you want less.

This is merely my resoning and nothing factual, so I'd be very interested in others thoughts and facts on this as there are some impressive flips on the market that I'm prejudicing, perhaps unreasonably.

[T.C.]

I have some Shoei's, Arai's, Lazers, in fact a whole variety of brand new hats, but I always come back to my AGV's.

It comes down to personal preference at the end of the day, but I have never ever worn a hat as noisy as the Arai, and I always wear ear plugs

[D-Rider]

I've worn HJCs for a while now - quality helmets at a reasonable price.

I love my carbon shell HQ1 - the light weight has really helped to drastically reduce neck ache - I would never go back to a heavier helmet.
It is noisier than my previous HJC though.


There is a helmet manufacturer I met recently that are not that well known outside Spain - NZI.
Jorge Lorenzo, Alvaro Bautista and Alex Debon have all worn their lids.
I came across them at the ITS World Congress this year and had a very interesting discussion with their technical director. The technology they are developing to go in their helmets is very leading-edge and very impressive ... but I'd better not say too much about that as I'm not sure what has been announced publicly.
I tried on one of their prototypes (the shell etc was not proto - the technology in it was though). The helmet seemed as light as my carbon HJC and it was extremely comfortable. One of it's features was inbuilt Bluetooth so I asked how, with speakers in the helmet, and the need to wear earplugs at speed, how you would hear the speakers.
I was told that has been solved by making it an exceptionally quiet lid in which there is no need to wear earplugs. I think that is partly due to aerodynamics but also the way the padding is placed and the way it seals around the bottom. In particular it attenuates in the most damaging frequency range. Having tried it on I believe it - though, of course, I still would like to confirm this on a bike.
I know what helmet I will be going for next .....

I would seriously recommend that people take a look at them if they get the chance.

http://www.nzi.es/

[BikerGran]

Care to explain 'flip front for safety reasons'?

I ask because last year my daughter and son in law came across an accident where a rider had left the road into a ditch, and because the front was flipped up the bike screen had cut his face from ear to ear.

[Aladinsaneuk]

is for resus - with a flip front you can clear and maintain an airway - that simple

(A lot of people who die at the scene, die for that reason....)

and especially some of the cheaper flip fronts would make me nervous - poor latches etc - am happy with the shoei though :)

[Firestarter]

Shoei XR1000, had it for about 5 years now (due for a change), good fit, and much quieter than the cheap FM job I had before. Still wear plugs, mind.

Only my 2nd lid ever, so can't really comment on whether I'd have it over another, but it fitted in the shop and the Shark I tried on didn't.

[T.C.]

is for resus - with a flip front you can clear and maintain an airway - that simple

(A lot of people who die at the scene, die for that reason....)

and especially some of the cheaper flip fronts would make me nervous - poor latches etc - am happy with the shoei though :)

I may have covered this before, but more head injuries and fractures to the base of the skull are directly caused by flip front helemts than any other type of hat even though they comply with EC22/05.

I will did out my original article and post it up.

[GregD-UK]

Hi all,

Just bought the new shoei xr1100, having rode with a shoei raid II for the last 4 yrs. I am way impressed with the view out, hardly have to turn my head to watch for traffic. A smidge bit noisier than the raid II. But, very light, comfortable, and way better seeing out of, well chuffed Got a free dark visor with it as well....

[MartDude]

Have been using a Schuberth C2 (flip-up) for a few months. Very quiet, comfy, and practicable for specs wearers. Slightly heavier than some, ut I don't notice that now. Not as well ventilated as others, e.g. my Arai Chaser (noisy!).

I'd be interested to see TC's follow-up post onflip-fronts, though.

Does anyone here wear open-face lids? If so - please don't. Crashed last year, and my Arai Condor had some nasty gouges across the visor & around the area of my left cheek, jaw, & temple; I wouldn't have wanted to go through that in an open-face.

[ligloo]

you all know 'm not a major biker now BUT I have been into it and still ride albeit not legally, I have a shoei, have had it for years and don't know if I should change it now (no accidents with it, worn infrequently and most importantly, its PRETTY AND PINK ) .... any biking I do now or in the future is in the middle of a field or pillion...

however naive I am, and I haven't looked into this per se.... SURELY flip front lids have to be way 'unsafer' than full helmets? the mere fact that they have a 'give' point as in the join has to make them less 'hitproof'???

I'm not an expert by any means and am purely raising/asking a question so don't slate me! I'm genuinely interested in opinions!

I just cannot figure out how a helmet WITH joins is as safe as those without, am I missing something?

Ps I was gonna quote the person saying they wore them for safety but I can't for some reason

[ligloo]

currently i use a multitec - it fits well and is flip front - and insist on that for safety reasons

there it is.... see above Pete x