Helmets - up to ?120 Which are good?

[Bomberman]

Hey,
If (unlikely) you've seen my other posts here, you'll probably have realised that I'm a total n00b at this biker lark. So I have a question or two about helmets.
I've decided I can spend up to £120 on a helmet (can only argue with Mr Wallet so much). In this price range are they much of a muchness? Are there specific makes/types to avoid? Would anyone like to recommend a helmet in that price range? (Got to be full face though)
Also, I'd like opinions on the AGV Open GT if anyone has one, or knows about them. That flip up chin appeals to me as it would make things easier when stopping for a smoke
Cheers
____________________
'Allo! My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!
'89 TZR 125 - '94 GPZ500s - ZK3 GSXR600 Alstare

[Ste]

The best helmet is the one which fits best. GO to a bike shop and try on lots of different helmets and then get the one which fits best. A helmet which fits badly can cause nasty injuries in the event of an accident so get one which fits well.

They're all much the same and the only things you need to make sure is that they conform to the british safety standard (BSI 6658) and it will have a sticker on the back to say this.

Flip up fronts is just another weakness in the helmet and it is better to have one without it. It doesn't take long at all to take a helmet off and ot put it back on again so just get a normal full face one.

Read more about helmet information here.

[Bomberman]

Fair enough, cheers for that mate I think a shop in town is having a sale this weekend (Cusworths) so I'll bob down and take a look.
____________________
'Allo! My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!
'89 TZR 125 - '94 GPZ500s - ZK3 GSXR600 Alstare

[Trunecka]

I've worn an HJC lid for about a year and like the quality.

I think they do a full-face for about £120, and it's not their base model, so should be quite good. But as ste said, it must fit right or it isn't the one for you.

I was very much a noob when i bought my first lid, and didn't know how to tell if it fit right.

I would suggest you ask the guy/gal at the bike shop what to check to make sure it does fit right.
____________________
"I'm gonna get free, Ride into the sun..."
-The Vines

[TheShaggyDA]

From www.handleitorloseit.com :-

[Gazdaman]

I've got a nice dainese lid, not sure how much it cost.

Since I've got an uncle who has to have every new gimmick so I get all the old stuff.

mine fits quite tightly, but it's snug. It's not going to go anywhere in an accident.

Gaz

[Ste]

It would be much better to get a helmet which actually fits you, rather than something your uncle had and has now replaced. You only get one head and it's quite a useful thing to have working correctly so it's a good idea to look after it.

[Gazdaman]

It was still in the box....

and in regards to an earlier thread, I do look kinda like a hampster when wearing it, so I can only assume it's a perfect fit.

it has a tinted visor, any comments on the legality?

Gaz

[Bomberman]

[Rhino]

Gaz

The visor will only be illegal if it lets in less than 50% of light, as far as I know. I hope this helps, but I stand to be corrected.

[Gazdaman]

thanks guys, I'd hate to get pulled for something as silly as that.

Gaz

[Ste]

If the visor is road legal it has to have BS4110 ZA marked on it somewhere, so if you've got that then you're okay.

[T.C]

Here is part of a report that I prepared for a Government body, and which I then used for an article in Motorcycle Voyager which you may find of interest.


Around 80 per cent of riders killed in a motorcycle accident will have sustained major head injuries. Although there are likely to be other injuries as well, it is those to the head which are most likely to have led to the fatality. Head and brain injuries can be sustained even in low speed accidents, and although bike helmets offer good protection they are still no guarantee of your safety – but they are definitely better than just wearing a flat cap.

A crash helmet is the only item of protective clothing that must be worn at all times by UK law when riding a powered two wheeler. Until July 2000 all new helmets had to conform to BSI standard 6658–85 and carried either a blue type A or green type B kite mark. From the 1 July 2000 it has been perfectly legal to wear a lid purchased anywhere within the EU, providing it conforms to a similar European Standard, meaning it has a CE mark (EC22/05).

There’s no denying the value of a good quality bike helmet, with the risk of a fatal head injury being halved when a rider is wearing one. It is sometimes suggested that a helmet’s weight can actually increase the risk of neck injuries, but research has found no evidence to support this.

Of the two main types of helmet available, full face and open face, both have points for and against them. Ultimately, it really comes down to personal preference which you choose, with the most important consideration being its condition and the way in which it fits. It is an unfortunate fact that many riders, particularly the young and inexperienced, are riding with helmets that are poorly fitting and, in many cases, in a very bad condition (generally too old, damaged or worn out).

You should also only ever buy new helmets, not second-hand ones you don’t know the history of. Crucially, every manufacturer has its own idea of a standard head shape. It is therefore important that you try on a variety of helmets before you make a purchase. If your helmet does not fit correctly it can:

• cause rotation upon impact, which may lead to broken neck
• come off in the event of an impact
• cause excessive wind noise
• lift at speed causing you to lose sight of the road.

When new, a full-face crash helmet should be a tight fit, even to the point where you are just about biting the insides of your cheeks. In addition there shouldn’t be excessive pressure on the forehead. A new crash helmet will mould to your head and will give by about half a size over the following weeks, resulting in a snug comfortable fit as opposed to a loose and noisy one providing no protection.

Generally you should try and apply the following basic rules when buying a new helmet:

1. Decide on the maximum budget you can afford. Although a cheaper helmet offers no less protection than a more expensive brand, the dearer helmets tend to offer higher levels of comfort and fit, better build quality and more features such as venting and quick release visors. Of course the extra money could be just going on an expensive paint job.

2. Try on a variety of sizes and makes until you find one that best fits you. A brand of helmet your mate finds comfortable may not suit you at all.

3. If you find a helmet on the dealer’s shelf that fits, ask if you can try one that is still in its box. It is possible that the helmet on the shelf has become misshapen after being tried on by too many people, and won’t eventually mould properly to your own head shape.

4. When the helmet is on your head, and without securing the strap, try and lift it off from both the back and the front. Also try and twist the helmet from side to side. If it fits correctly you should only be able to remove it with a degree of effort. If the helmet can be twisted or moved up and down easily, then it may be the wrong size or shape for your head.

5. With the helmet on and securely fastened, ensure that you can easily turn your head from side to side. Try the helmet out on your bike to make sure that its shape does not restrict your movement or vision, which can happen with certain riding positions.

A comfortable well-fitting helmet will give you good service and provide maximum protection when it is needed most. Don’t forget that your bike can always be repaired or replaced, your head is a dam sight more difficult to put right. In short, a £40 helmet that fits properly will be far more protective than a £400 helmet that fits badly, and at the end of the day there is no difference in the level of protection regardless of cost!

The last issue is in respect of visors. A visor must be BS4110 approved and must allow in at least 50% of ambient light, unless you wear goggles which are EN1938/98 approved which only have to allow in 20% of ambient light, in other words they can be legally as dark as a black visor.
____________________
It is better to arrive 30 seconds late in this world, than 30 years early in the next

[Bomberman]

Good read, cheers for that
____________________
'Allo! My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!
'89 TZR 125 - '94 GPZ500s - ZK3 GSXR600 Alstare

[veeeffarr]

Very helpful and well written, thankyou.

[Jaz]

Indeed very helpful.... me thinks my lid is too big

I do get the hamster feeling from my cheeks but it does move a bit on my head. At speed it moves into my face but does not feel as though it's going to lift off at least.

I tried on a load of helmets in a number of shops.

This one felt the best fit for the price but because I hadn't worn a helmet before I think I went for a slightly too relaxed fit.

Others that were tighter pressed too much on my forehead or caused me to bite the inside of my cheeks.

I have had it for 2 months now and it feels the same as when I bought it so at least it doesn't seem to be getting looser.

TBH I think I'm just fretting over nothing but it's one of those things you want perfect.