Featured Finally Have A Good Helmet

Discussion in 'Clothing & Gadgets' started by OsteKuste, Nov 13, 2019.

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  1. Dartplayer

    Dartplayer Crème de la Crème

    Aug 8, 2018
    6,912
    1,000
    New Zealand
    Now I have finally invested in a Shoei, I no longer have sore shoulders :tired_face: and the breathing is far superior to previous “bargains”. :poop: Money well spent :cool:

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  2. Wessa

    Wessa Cruising

    Apr 27, 2016
    11,317
    1,000
    North West England
    Yep I love my GT Air @Dartplayer
     
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  3. Pegscraper

    Pegscraper Elite Member

    Jun 12, 2020
    2,930
    800
    Yorkshire
    #23 Pegscraper, Nov 14, 2020
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2020
    For years I couldn't get an Arai to fit due to my head shape, Shoei's were fine but Arai's were always too narrow, even the biggest sizes. Strange thing is my junior school teacher used to call me "fathead". Anyway, I digress but Arai must've changed the shape of their shell at some poing because I eventually found one of their new range that fitted. My first one, can't remember the model, was fine and I had it sprayed in Joey Dunlop colours. the last one I had was a RX7 in black, about 12 years ago but found it very noisy. I decided I wanted the convenience of a flip up shell and bought a Schubert C3 Pro but I'll not be buying another one, I think they're over priced for what they are. Next helmet will be a Shoei Flip up.
     
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  4. skmark

    skmark Member

    Sep 24, 2019
    45
    13
    St Albans
    I felt the same about my GT Air.....until it was stolen along with my bike! That gave me the opportunity to look at alternatives.

    I went for the Shark Spartan Carbon.....all the same features, much lighter and a fraction of the cost. 2 years later I'm still so pleased with the helmet....won't be rushing back to Shoei anytime soon (except maybe for an Ex-Zero ;))

    https://shark-helmets.com/pulse/spartan-gt.html?___store=english
     
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  5. Highwayman Nico

    Highwayman Nico Well-Known Member

    Nov 7, 2020
    73
    68
    Denver, CO USA
    Those are nice helmets, I've been impressed with the Shoei's I have tried in the past.

    I have never fit in an Arai, but I do fit in a Shoei large. I think I have more of a round oval, where the Arai are long oval (at least traditionally). I'm trying to find a new retro-inspired lid to match the look of my Speed Twin (and work with my glasses), but so far it's just frustrating.

    I love the look and the fit of a Bell Bullit, but not the price, especially considering it doesn't have a seal around the visor. All reviews I've read say it's loud and leaks, what a shame. The grey one with black stripes is beautiful in person. I didn't like the fit of the Torx T1. I have an AVG x3000 and a Builtwell GringoS on order coming for me to try. I am really hoping the AGV works out. No option to find a Shoei Glamster on this side of the pond yet, and I'm not keen on paying return international shipping.
     
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  6. Stramasher

    Stramasher Senior Member

    Jun 10, 2020
    475
    113
    ex-0141
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  7. Red Thunder

    Red Thunder Crème de la Crème

    Dec 2, 2014
    2,035
    1,000
    High Wycombe
    I have the Spartan Carbon too
    I love the internal sun shield visors, nice nad light and look good
     
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  8. andyb57

    andyb57 Senior Member

    Apr 15, 2017
    280
    113
    Devon
    Great helmet OsteKuste.

    I've had 2 Arai, both comfortable etc, but was disappointed in the drop in quality of the interior of the newer helmet, even though it was supposedly the same level in the range. I find Shoei don't quite fit so I've gone to AGV - having looked at the SHARP ratings, reviews, etc, they offer the same safety standards so I'm happy with the switch. Designs though are either too lairy or a bit bland!
     
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  9. Markus

    Markus Crème de la Crème
    Subscriber

    Oct 28, 2020
    2,822
    1,000
    AUSTRIA
    I used a "SHARK Speed-R Blank" the last years. The integrated sunshield is one of the biggest on the market I think. But I was not satisfied with the wind noises, especially at higher speeds.
    Therefore I bought some ear plugs which you can see in the following pictures. A few months before I changed to my actual Triumph I also bought a new helmet. Now I am using a "SCORPION Air 1400". This helmet has a very big visor. Because of that my riding is much safer than before. It is also equipped with a integrated sunshield an a Pinlock anti-fog visor.

    Shark_1.jpg

    Gehörschutz.jpg

    Scorpion_1.jpg
     
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  10. Rspete

    Rspete Elite Member

    Jun 17, 2018
    1,794
    743
    Durham
    You lot sure love the helmet. :joy:
     
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  11. Highwayman Nico

    Highwayman Nico Well-Known Member

    Nov 7, 2020
    73
    68
    Denver, CO USA
    It's a personal thing, you gotta love your helmet!

    My HJC is like a girlfriend you stick with only because nothing better has come along and you need one, once and a while. Still keeping an eye out for that supermodel tho
     
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  12. Rspete

    Rspete Elite Member

    Jun 17, 2018
    1,794
    743
    Durham
    So your saying, you have a smelly helmet :eek::joy:
     
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  13. Highwayman Nico

    Highwayman Nico Well-Known Member

    Nov 7, 2020
    73
    68
    Denver, CO USA
    It's a worn and reliable helmet, but it doesn't excite me!
     
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  14. Rspete

    Rspete Elite Member

    Jun 17, 2018
    1,794
    743
    Durham
    :joy::joy::joy::joy::joy:
     
  15. Foxy1

    Foxy1 Crème de la Crème

    Aug 31, 2018
    1,251
    1,000
    Sheffield

    I kinow that feeling. My Shoei X-Spirit is about 15 years old. I'm lookin for a new un, and have mi eye on a couple of winter bargains. Seen a couple at Motorcycle Live, but don't know whether to wait til t'post Christmas sales.
     
  16. Rooster

    Rooster Grumpy Member
    Subscriber

    Sep 14, 2015
    1,639
    800
    Droitwich, Worcestershire
    I went for a modular helmet for a change last time and chose the Shoei Neotec, it has a 4* Shark rating. Comes with a built in flip sun visor. Very please with it, I doubt I would go back to a normal full face.




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  17. Highwayman Nico

    Highwayman Nico Well-Known Member

    Nov 7, 2020
    73
    68
    Denver, CO USA
    I gave up on retro styled helmets.

    I finally admitted I am 45 and fat, who the hell am I trying to impress? They look great but just lacked fit and features for the price - so no supermodels for me!

    Settled on a Nolan N1000 modular. I found one in large in gloss black on Amazon for $325, so I jumped on it. I was considering getting silver or white for better visibility, but not for +$85 (or more) Ordered it Monday and it arrived today, took it out for a spin before everything iced back up. I still have some reflective sheet vinyl, thinking I may throw some stripes on it for better visibility like I did on my last helmet.

    I tried one of these Nolans on at the stealership ("on sale for $449!") and liked the fit, snug but no pressure points. Thought it had a lot of features for the price, including a Pinlock in the box.

    The thing that really sold me was the NCom with the ESS light. I figure a flashing brakelight easily makes up for a black hat. Pretty trick piece of kit they way it integrates into the helmet. I found the 901LR on a black Friday sale for $230 shipped. I never had a com on my bike before (still not taking phone calls, that is part of the joy of riding for me) but music or gps directions would be nice.

    I loved the look of the AGV x3000, but the fit wasn't quite right, ventilation was poor and wtf is up with the $80+ visor cost and no Pinkocks on the amber or smoke? That was the deal-breaker for me. It fogged the visor and then my glasses just walking around in the cold of my backyard. Instead I got the Nolan and the NCom kit for about the same as the AGV with another clear visor (only option for Pinlock) and a Pinlock.
     
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  18. Highwayman Nico

    Highwayman Nico Well-Known Member

    Nov 7, 2020
    73
    68
    Denver, CO USA
    A little follow-up on the Nolan N1000 and N901i now that I have about 600mi with it. I love this helmet. It broke in just right and fits great. Visibility is excellent and it only fogs slightly at stops in the coldest temps (35F/1C) so I consider that excellent. (I am using the neck roll and chin skirt too, so it is pretty closed up. The functionality of the visor is great. Sometimes it takes a second push to get the front to lock in place, but I think that is just an issue of muscle memory, which will probably go away in the spring when I pull the chin skirt off as I think it catches my beard.

    Sound quality on calls for the com set is excellent, ppl only know if I am on a bike when I rev the engine hard (Speed Twin w/cross pipe so yeah they should hear it!). I didn't realize how much I would enjoy listening to music while riding! I wouldn't say the speakers are audiophile quality, but for my heavy metal-damaged ears, they work just fine. Nothing like listening to Maiden, Priest and Motorhead while riding a Triumph through the countryside!

    It may be subjective, but I seem to notice less people riding up on me from behind when I engine brake since adding the ESS light. It's a real problem in the US, where 98% of drivers don't know about, understand or accommodate for manual transmissions and engine braking. For me this was a major safety factor and I have had several people ask me about it at stop lights, so it is obviously getting their attention.

    My one complaint is the control pod for the com doesn't seem to click tight enough into the helmet and it created a slight whistle and vibration. It goes away when I hold it, and I am going to try running a bead of rtv silicone around the pod to address this. The interior sun shade could be a tad darker for my liking, but in Colorado we typically drive straight into the blinding sun, so it is probably just fine anywhere else. Overall I love this setup.

    One note for ppl in the US if you are ordering the com from overseas: I got mine from a vendor in Spain and the instructions were in Spanish and the charger is a euro style 2-prong plug! The usb charger cable fits any standard charger and I found a manual and videos online, so that wasn't a big deal. Just something to think about.
     
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  19. QuadumphUK

    QuadumphUK Noble Member

    Aug 14, 2014
    425
    313
    Boscombe
    Many years ago I had a Arai Giga in the Kwaka Green colours. Best helmet I ever had. When you popped open the air vents that went through the visor you could feel cool air flowing over your head. The colour scheme was spot on with all the right proportioning of the Green, Blue and White. Wish I still had it, be abit old now having though, bought it in about 1998
     
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  20. johne

    johne Standing on the shoulders of dwarves.

    Jan 16, 2020
    1,674
    643
    Where the Wolds meet the sea
    I've got a GT Air Shoei and an NXR. They aren't cheap, but they are excellent IMHO. I used to buy Arai's, but always found them quite noisy, even wearing earplugs. Helmets, like tyres and bikes themselves of course are a personal choice, but I'll stick with Shoei for now.
     
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