Which Helmet?

[indigoj]

We are looking to buy 2 helmets, one for me (female) and one for my partner, I would like any information on which (apart from the obvious 'best fitting') you would recommend. We will be riding a 125 Shadow for leisure and commuting.

thanks in advance, Jenn

[Bendy]

Best fitting is the only worthwhile bit of info.

The rest is just personal taste.

[Dazbo666]

[indigoj]

Ok, but are there any particular makes that have tested best (ie safest) that would be a good starting point, I've not been on a bike for over 10 years and my partner for 4 years so a bit out of touch on recent safety tests. I've read the fitting guide and having ridden horses for years appreciate the real value of getting the safest possible head gear.

[Dot_Comm]

Again, hate to repeat what you don't want to hear but the safest is going to be the one that fits your head properly.

You can spend £500+ on a top-of-the-range Arai track-spec helmet, but if it doesn't fit your head then it's worthless.

Arai do have fantastic testing methods, and test their lids to a higher standard than required. They're my manufacturer of choice, but their lids fit my head perfectly!
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My bike: Suzuki Bandit 600 (33bhp)
Previous bike: Peugeot Speedfight 2 100

[krebsy]

I've tried shoei, Arai, shark, roof etc.. for fit and last time went looking to spend 250 quid+ on the new lid. tried on the 110 quid KBC forceRR, it fitted like a glove so bought it straight away.

Mrs K, as pillion, has a 200 quid Shoei...

fit and comfort first,
quietness/east of use with gloves on etc. next. Then, Integrated visors, no. of vents, type of chinstrap etc...

Finaly, colour...

Think about getting a flip fronted lid if you need glasses etc. as they make it so much less of a hassle.

K.
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What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.

[truslack]

I got a £50 Nitro Racing helmet but it is a pain with glasses - hoping to get contacts soon
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Current: Suzuki RG 125 Gamma, Honda H100, Triumph Tiger 800XC, Suzuki SV650 (minitwin)

[feef]

[ncrn]

Any helmet that fits well and has the gold sticker on the back will do its job.

From what I can tell the more expensive they get the better they look and/or the more features they have. I'm quite happy with my kbc lid that I got for £70 with an iridium visor (end of line). I feel safe in it, and hopefully I'll never test how good it is at crashing.
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Past: 55 Sym Jet, 91 ZZR250, 03 NSR125R. Present: 97 ER-5.
https://www.nsr125.co.uk - NSR Owners forum.

[truslack]

[ncrn]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

I use an AGV TiTech. It's great. But get the most expensive you can afford and the one that fits best.

*Waits from debate about expensive ones not always being safest*
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[gixasix]

Try on loads then go for the one that fits best! I've had Shoei AGV,HJC,Caberg, and Premier lids.

Out of them all the Shoei and AVG lids lasted best as the padding didn't compress much or fall apart they was also the comfiest lids i've used so i've ended up buying another Shoei.

HJC was a good helmet but the one i bought didn't come in different shell sizes so it looked like i was wearing a beachball on my XS head!So if you have a small head it might be worth looking at helmets that come in different shell sizes rather than the ones that have one shell size with different padding for each size.

Caberg lid was ok for fit but the lining was falling apart after 3 or 4 months.It was also the noisiest lid i've owned.

Premier lid lasted 4 weeks before the visor broke and the place i bought it from discovered that they couldn't get spares anywhere in the UK so i got a refund.Whichever lid you decide on check that you can get spares easily if something breaks.

[indigoj]

Thanks for the advice! I got a Takachi Flip-up and the other half got a Box full face. (as they were the ones that fitted best- tight but comfortable) Now just need to collect the bike.....

[GodzGift]

Isn't it E4 supposed to be UK, and E3 Europe, or was it E5 for uk and E4 for Europe.
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Bike Level: Amateur | CBT Passed

[Honda babe]

I tried on a few helmets yesterday and the best fit I found for my small head was a shark one plus it was reduced and not too girly....
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Its nice to be important but more important to be nice

[Jenks]

Ive tested Bieffe - Wasn't too keen on this, just felt solid on my head.
Caberg - Nice helmet, look quite cool - Very noisy, not to well fitting
Nitro - Fantastic fit - looks awesome - very quiet!
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1978 MZ TS 250 1 Supa 5
1992 yamaha fzr1000 exup
1998 aprilia af1 sintesi

[Jeneric]

I think the best advice is to buy for quality not for looks. You see some lovely looking helmets out there with custom graphics and all that rubbish, but at the end of the day if you find a decent bike shop in your area, they should be able to tell (and show) you all you need to know about safety rating ect. Dont be afraid to ask. Also take the time to try a few different manufacturers/styles (openface, full face etc) as every manufacturer has a slightly different fitting size and different styles may differ also.

Keep in mind while your trying them on that they are not only to possibly save your life, their also something you may be wearing for long periods of time, so make sure the one you choose fits comfortably! Hope that helps a little

[Morg]

Airoh S4

[faddius]

All that matters is that it fits, well, all the way round, snug round the head and face, even if its slightly uncomfortable to start with as it will break in.

Make sure you can do the fastening without trouble, and that your line of vision is absolutely clear and your happy with it.

Make sure you talk to a member of staff, they can advise you whats best, but dont let them pressure you into buying, go round and try everything you can get your hands on.

It doesnt matter if a helmet is worth £500, if it doesnt fit you perfectly it wont do its job. Whereas if a £100 helmet does fit you perfectly itll do a lot more for you than the £500 ever will.

Suomys are good helmets, as are KBC. Rule of thumb, if Suomys dont fit you, Shoeis probably will. Also Suomy do two fits, standard one which is in the spec-1r models, and a larger one in the superbike vandal one.

If in doubt about a fit, dont buy, when you find the one that fits well, you will know straight away.

I used to sell and fit helmets all the time, its surprising how many odd things happen, such as one helmet wont fit, but try another of the exact same model and it will.

[Kaben]

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

[braddahmarv]

I think one must decide if a full face, a beanie or a 3/4 helmet is the right helmet of choice. Having fancy graphics on a helmet means nothing if it doesn't provide adequate protection to the rider. After the choice is made, then next comes the price.

For myself, I like the half helmet from HJC. I'm a little claustrophobic and can't stand being able to breath properly, which is why I went with the half helmet. Sure I get wet ears and neckline during down pours, but at least I can still breath okay.

But truthfully, I think nothing beats great protection than a full face product. And in case anyone's wondering, I do use a helmet while riding. Since I was only taking a picture, I didn't use one while sitting on my bike.