Modular Helmet Reccomendation

[Trackr]

I've been to several stores and have tried more than 10 helmets.

Overall, I can't tell much difference between them.

The expensive ones (>$500) are more cushy and comfortable.

Otherwise, they're all about the same.

So, I would appreciate some reccomendations.

[kerr]

The general rule of thumb is the helmet that fits your head is the safest.
You pay more for comfort, noise cancelling, design etc not necessarily for more safety.
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aprilia 125 Af1 Futura >> Suzuki gsxr 600 srad >> J1 zx6r >> cbr 600rr >> Speed Triple

[Trackr]

[kerr]

To be honest helmet chat is a minefield, as long as its got the appropriate sticker on the back it'll do me.
Edit :

If your looking for mid range brands have a look at agv, my K5 cost me 250 iirc, but again that all depends if an agv will fit your head as they tend to suit people with more oval shaped head's.
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aprilia 125 Af1 Futura >> Suzuki gsxr 600 srad >> J1 zx6r >> cbr 600rr >> Speed Triple

[Alpineandy]

I bought a Caberg Duke 6 months back as 'flip up' helmets are easier to put on/take off with glasses.
I'm quite happy with it but the few times I've cruised at motorway speeds it's very noisy so I'm trying to work out the best ear plugs at the moment. Luckily I don't do too much of that type of riding at the moment but ....
I've heard that all flip up helmets are noisy but have no experience of any others so can't really comment on that.
I tried 5 or 6 on in the shop and 2 of them fitted me best. The duke fitted just as well as another one that cost more than twice as much. All the others didn't seem to fit my head properly...
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[Trackr]

If your helmet was noise proof, how would you hear the oncoming traffic?

Another issue is that every store seems to have a couple brands they work with, so you have to compare helmets at different shops, which is difficult when you're trying to feel subtle differences.

I was just hoping there was a popular helmet everyone was getting.

[kerr]

[talkToTheHat]

Consider Shark? I've not owned a flip-front as i have little use for such, but i have been impressed with the quality of their range, and their aftersale support. I had a minor fault with my speed-r and it was dealt with on shark's 5 year warranty. Shark sent a loaner lid to my local J&S whilst this was being done, which was a complete surprise to me and the store.

I particularly like shark's lining material, it never feels damp, even when piss wet through, unlike either hjc ive had that felt horrible given a drop of stray rain or a bit of sweat.

The visors are good to. Hjc ones last less than a year with me before being scratched to fuck and needing replacement. My shark visor is still looking brand new after 18 months. Really thick visor with optical correction too.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[Alpineandy]

[Holdawayt]

I have the AGV Compact. Had to go for this one over the Caberg Duke because my mouth was resting on the helmet of the Duke. Compact has a longer chin piece meaning you have a bit more room.

Noise is only really an issue when turning your head, life savers or a quick glance over your side can be noisy but in normal riding head forwards it's absolutely fine. Comfy too.

[someotherguy]

[NJD]

[Trackr]

Thanks for the reponses, guys.

In order..

1.) I want to hear the traffic around me because I live in Israel and people here drive like lunatics. I'm usually being overtaken by two cars and a motorcycle doing 250 KM/h at any point in time.

2.) I have no idea what head 'shape' means. Logically, since everyone has a different head shape, you'd need a custom helmet made specifically for you, but since that's not an option then I have to assume that most helmets have a generalized way of conforming to any given person.

3.) I'm currently considering three helmets.

MDS MD200 - $180
Caberg Duke - $280
AGV Compact - $380

The MDS is the best looking (though not by much), and the AGV is by far the most comfortable.

4.)People tell me that the helmet should be so tight you can't move without the helmet moving with your face.. but on the other hand it shouldn't be uncomfortably tight.

That makes zero sense to me. It's like saying "You should make sure you oven temperature is high enough to cook your food, but not to the point where it's too warm to touch."

As someone who rides a street bike for speed, any helmet feels horrible. The AGV feels significantly better though.

5.) I only measured my head when I got home, and I think it's 59-61, which puts me right between Large and Extra Large.

I tried the Large and it passed all the tests I've seen people use, but the Extra Large felt a lot nicer.

Is it really that big of a deal to have a slightly larger helmet? I mean I have the chin strap so it's not like the helmet is going to fly off my head during an accident and 99% of the time I'd be more comfortable.

Unless, like people are saying, it would be more noisy and I can't experience that until I buy the damn thing, so..

[talkToTheHat]

If you can wear a large for 10 minutes on a warm day without it pressing somewhere so hard it hurts, then it fits, and the extra large is too big.

My helmets properly push my cheeks out of shape and don't move around a lot. The less movement you can get without pain, the better, although you should be able to get your thumb up to but not beyond the first knuckle between your forehead and he helmet if you press HARD against the back of the lid with the other hand.

My first helmet was a bit big, didn't roll off but if i shook or nodded my head vigourously it would move. My next helmet was a size smaller. It fits really well but i have to be careful getting my ears in. This and subsequent helmets have takent a few hundred miles of riding before they got really comfortable. They stay put on my head though.

I nearly bought a lid that was too tight. I tried some on a cold day. Came back the next day, the sun was out and i was uncomfortably sweaty in my leathers. Tried the lid i planned on buying one last time and it was painfully tight quite quickly.
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Bandit. does. everything.

[kerr]

[Alpineandy]

There's a big difference between hearing traffic around you and being deafened by wind noise. You can wear ear plugs and still hear the traffic around you, the plugs just cut out the 'interference' noise.A number of racing schools give lesson number one as wear ear plugs so you can actually hear the bike and what's happening around you instead of being deafened by extraneous noise.

Every head is different but most helmets are different. One helmet that suits my head shape is probably different from the helmet that suits your head shape. You will only know which is best for you by trying them on your head.

The look of the Helmet should be secondary to the fit.
When you wear the helmet hold the chin piece firm and see of you can twist your head without the helmet moving. If you can then it's not the correct fit. In the event of an accident you don't want the helmet moving on your head.

You'll find plenty of stories (usually of dead people) who had the wrong helmet which came off in an accident. It even happens with MotoGP riders occasionally and they have experts fitting their helmets. The chance is very low if you have the right helmet.
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[stinkwheel]

I have a truly modular helmet (removable chin bar). An Airoh J106.

Very pleased with it. I particularly like the very low profile of it, small shell, low wind resistance.

It's not for sale in the Uk. I took a chance on it fitting and it does. It's approved as both and open and full face helmet in Europe and so is UK road legal.

I reviewed it after I got it. Still wearing it. Still pleased with it. Chinpiece covers a lot of face making it excellent in the winter. Also looks like a ninja facemask.
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=3975814
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Val]

[stinkwheel]

[Holdawayt]

Must admit I don't actually ride with the helmet in the up position. I use it mainly for when I'm filling up with petrol, chatting to people at traffic lights or if I'm popping to a friends house and know I won't be staying long (driveway chat etc). Plus it looks pretty cool at lights when the lights change and you flick the chin bar down and zoom off.

The fear of falling off with an open face helmet and doing some irreversible damage to my face put me off.

[Trackr]

[Trackr]

[Nomad Z]

[Alpineandy]