Which helmet manufacturer to choose?

[Wonko The Sane]

Can't get a peep out of HJC regarding fixing the bit of my helmet that's broken so going to replace it tomorrow at race leathers, Darwin near Burnley. (recommended by the place I did my tests with)

Just had a look on the website and have these makes to look at:

Spada - ranging £55 - £100
Lazer - ranging £70 - £150
Caberg - ranging £75 - £150
Shark - £160

https://www.raceleathers.co.uk/content/pages/shop/clothing/Helmets.htm.htm

Now, I know fit is more important, it's not going to do it's job if my head rattles around like kate moss in a suit of armour, but which is the 'better' make if choosing between two that fit equally well?

Not fussed about flip front, avoiding open chin and motorcross style.

Need to get one this weekend so will be purchasing from here, not other brands or online.
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[Islander]

I like the Shark helmets and find them to be an excellent fit. You'll have to try a few different ones on to be sure of which make fits you well though.

[sidewinder]

Buy the one which fits your head the best

[Tungtvann]

I've got a Shark, wore it for a year but found it lost some of its 'tightness' and didn't feel so snug. Got a Shoei as now and so far it feels very snug.

Still, the Shark was okay until I broke the visor and the replacement one whistles like fuck and lets loads of wind in.

[-Matt-]

Personally - fit, full face, basic approval - checking it over for damage if its an ebay seller/somewhere accepting returns etc - All I care about.

Smashing your head into a curb at x-mph isn't likely going to end up any better by paying an extra 100 quid for an expensive helmet. Theres no brand-specific miracle compound that makes certain helmets superior.

I'd much rather put the saved money into other gear once a general helmet is sorted.

[bladerunner]

Usually buy shoei as they last ages and wear well but bought shark this time as it fitted better and after 12 months it's doing ok! Have a caberg flip lid for when I used to do instructing and apart from not liking flip front lids for out of town speeds it's also done well..just visors are £50 a go and quite a lot of £££ to buy for a mid range lid. Lazer have also been in the bike lid business for a long time my first road helmet was a lazer back in 1987! Check the fit and style and price up spares like visors etc before you buy
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Current bikes...cbr929, KDX200's, Rd125lc mk2, RGV250's

[darkhorizon]

I've just bought a new helmet. Was convinced I wanted a Schuberth S2 (on offer at Helmet City) but when I got there it didn't really fit my head shape. So spent about an hour trying on all types & makes of full face. Tried to ignore the brand and concentrate on what fitted best. Ended up with a Shoei GT Air in matt grey. The guy in the shop suggested some ways to make sure the fit was good which were things I wouldn't have done. Haven't bought a helmet in about 5 years and things have come on a bit as well.
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2009 CBF600 - London hack - stolen then recovered - still going!
2006 CG125 - Was SORN'd, now back on road - sold Nov '16

[arry]

My Shoei XR1000 is still going strong after 4 years

Wifey has an Arai Quantum which has bust a vent within 20 uses. And Arai are being all hissy about fixing it!

Anyway - of your list I'd look at Shark, they're seemingly good quality and value. It's what I would have bought for the wife but she liked the colour of the iridium visor more on the Arai - yes really....

[MC]

[Tungtvann]

Not on the replacement, I've got the S700s but when I went to buy a new visor, the shop gave me the S700 visor. Not sure if there's any difference at all, but my eye lids flap a bit at high speeds when it didn't on the original. I also find the visor mechanism isn't very tight, turning my head at high speed sometimes makes the visor lift a little. Can it be tightened up?

So, it was an okay helmet, but didn't wear very well.

[chickenstrip]

[_Iain_]

[pinkyfloyd]

I bought a HJC IS17 the other month, just before Xmas. Cant complain about it, it's as snug as a snug thing and at motorway speeds its quet enough. It's pretty light and it even comes supplied with a pinlock visor with insert. At £160 it was a good buy.

But as said above, more important than make is fit.
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[UnspeedySam]

My old Shoei Qwest was getting a bit worn out after 3 years and I dropped it, so went helmet shopping before Christmas. I wanted a Shark but they just don't fit me it turns out. Ended up getting a Shoei GT-Air. I now have no money but it is super comfy and insanely quiet.
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Riding: BMW R1150RT `02 bought mildly crashed
Fixing: Also the BMW as I get less broken bits
Gone: ZZR600 '00, TRX850 '97, RXS100 '93, JS125-6B '07, BMW R1100RS '93, Kawasaki ZX-6R-J2 '01, Honda Bros NT400 NC25 '88

[Wonko The Sane]

The shop and staff were great, lots of time and help looking and checking fit etc

First question asked was what my budget was and at no point was I directed to a lid more than £10-£20 above it.

Got a Shark S700S + pinlock (fitted for free) as it was the best fit out of my budget.

The dealer I got my HJC from is over 100 miles away from where I now live as I've moved house since - I'll look into getting the part and keep it as a spare / pillion lid
____________________
Looking to pass your CBT / Bike tests in Bury Lancashire? try www.focusridertraining.co.uk Would recommend.
They're also on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Focus-Rider-Training/196832923734251

[darkhorizon]

Left the stickers on until I have sat around house for an hour or so with it on...

https://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/lozstlouis/ECF00FCB-F4F0-4F9C-881A-142A8E74859F_zps3rbhvwvr.jpg

Just in case it needs go back...

https://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/lozstlouis/FC4C318E-82F6-4B8C-9ABB-8B9375986591_zpssycyv0n2.jpg
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2009 CBF600 - London hack - stolen then recovered - still going!
2006 CG125 - Was SORN'd, now back on road - sold Nov '16

[_Iain_]

[Dave70]

My first lid was a Nitro and I found it pefectly good for the price (around £50ish).

My second lid was a Caberg and again it was okay but, nothing special and is now far too loose on my head. Cost around £100 or £120.

I bought a Shark lid around 8 months ago and I have to say, it's by far the best of the three of them. The only problem I've had with it was at some point the visor got slightly warped. (I blame being stuck in the searing sun for hours on end during delays on senior race day at the TT). However, a new visor was purchased and its perfect again. It still fits like a glove too, but I've noticed that the insides starting to get a bit whiffy , so need to take it out and give it a wash, which is something I couldn't do with my other lids.

[Seigi]

I got a Shark to try on but found that it was too tight on my temples and forehead was a bit uncomfortable. It was a lovely design though and I'm sad I couldn't keep it.

This was the one I had:

https://www.ekipmoto.ru/data/big/shark_s900_prime_air_pump_fujing_.jpg
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2008 Honda CBR125 (sold) / Suzuki DL 650 V Strom (Current bike)
Mod 2 Passed: 03/09/2013

[martyn107]

Just waiting for my new Shark Speed to be delivered. I found them to be decent (should be for the price anyway) and fit my noggin the best.

[Clanger]

[Ed Case]

Didn't realise that they were made by the 'Frogs' !

[TheSmiler]

[_Iain_]

[TheSmiler]