What can I say – I missed your sassy asses (helmet query)

[Tigerlea]

Er... Hi guys!
I know you probably didn't miss me much.
But I'm back. And idly skimming over the forums again.
And being all green-eyed reading about your fun rides, and modifications, and general bikery.

And envious of every bike I've seen on the road during the glorious weather we've been having. And even some of the not-so-nice weather.

So it's time to fix the bike. I've got all the parts. It's just a matter of womaning up and actually taking tools to bolts.

Wish me luck! If you'd be so inclined..



In the meantime:
After my spill my boyfriend has offered to replace my helmet as a birthday present, since he doesn't like the idea of me getting back on the bike without a new one (seeing as his mate was recently killed on a ride I'm amazed he's helping me get back on the bike at all). I had an X-Lite which was brilliant, and would replace like-for-like, but can't find one. My eye was caught by a Tron-like Scorpion helmet
https://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/media/3678/3678.original.jpg
How do you guys rate these? It's about half the price of my last helmet and I know price!=quality, but I don't want to get a cheap piece of uselessness either...

Cheers!

[kgm]

A girl I've ridden with a couple of times has a Scorpion and rates hers but I have no experience of them personally, don't suit my head shape.

[Ste]

"I know price!=quality"

Maybe but the most important point is always how well it fits you.

The helmet which will offer you the most protection in a crash is the one which fits you the best. Therefore you want to go to some shops to try on as many lids as possible and make your decision based on that. Don't just find somewhere where you can try on that Scorpion lid and a couple of others.

[Rogerborg]

The Air 500 is Sharp 4* rated, and presumably the 510 is just a minor respin or rebrand, so there's no safety reason not to get it if it fits.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[Confusion]

[haroman666]

As has been said; Fit, above all is the most important factor.

So on that basis, go to a shop, try some on and find out for yourself.

Take the shop-assistant's advice with a large pinch of salt as there's no telling whether they actually know what they're talking about.
My current helmet is one size too small and I bloody well knew it when I bought it, but for some reason I still felt obliged to follow the shop-assistant's advice. I'm now stuck with £200 helmet that's mildly uncomfortable to wear.

YOU are the judge of good fit. Not somebody yanking a helmet around your bonce trying to secure a sale.
____________________
The mistresses: 2000 Honda CBR600f, 2000 Honda VTR1000

[Rogerborg]

[haroman666]

[Tracer1234]

[Rogerborg]

[Alpineandy]

[SDFarsight]

As a new biker I don't have much (anything) to compare it to, but I've got that exact helmet and it suits me very well.

The 5 ventilation flaps are good for de-misting my glasses* and it has a nice drop-down sun visor inside. All of these things are easily locatible with gloved hands.

As for fitting your head size, the lining can be inflated or deflated with a couple of buttons inside the helmet. Having said that, I contantly have it on the lowest inflation and I still feel like my jaw is a bit compressed after an hour-long ride. It's not painful, it's just a strange ache, as if a mildly angry nanny is holding your chin to gain your attention.

*I'm still not sure why I bought a pin-lock when my glasses are going to mist-up long before my visor ever does.
____________________
Riding: 2009 Kawasaki ER6f
Previous: Sym Wolf SB125Ni, 2008 Kawasaki ER6f

[Alpineandy]

[SDFarsight]

[Tigerlea]

Thanks guys.

Obvs a proper fit is necessary – liked the X-Lite, tried on loads of helmets to find it in the first place. Shame it has to go – and in less than a year.

When buying for fit I tend to go for the following:
- does it slide about (side to side); if yes, then too big
- does it slide up (or down) over my forehead; if yes, as above
- does it crush my face (rarely does this ever happen - I have a small head); too small
- does it start giving me a headache within 2 minutes of wearing it (as above)
- can I get my glasses on once it's on
- does it feel like I'm wearing a bowling ball on my head (ie: is it too heavy - this was the fantastic thing about the X-lite; it actually was light!)

If it has a sufficient amount of chipmunk face (because, be honest, it does have to be a snug fit) and doesn't make me feel like I'm a bobble head, then I find it's a good fit. I did try on a couple Scorpions when I was at the shop and one fit perfectly and one seemed a bit big. Sales gal said it was due to loads of people trying it on, and of course the style I was interested in they didn't have in stock. Hence the query as I would have to put a special order in.

Am I missing anything re: fit? I agree with haroman666 about being skeptical of the sales people.

PS ~ thanks for the links. That Sharp thing is handy!!