What's a good brand for helmets?

Question

I want a full face one, not one of those dorky *** little beanie things that won't do anything.

Answer 1

A helmet is a very personal choise and no one can answer that question but you. The reason is that every helmet company has their own shape. Arai tends to be more round than a Shoei. the best fit for my head is an HJC.

You have to try them all on and see if they fit properly.

Get a sales associate to help you while in the store. Never buy from the internet unless you know the make model and size you need. A large from one name brand could be a medium in another.

Also buy a helmet with BOTH Snell and DOT stickers.

I have a Carbon Fibre HJC full face and it is by far the best helmet I have ever owned.

I would advise you to go try one on and see if it fits.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I have to go with kiffin # 1. Bell it is. They not only make full face, but they make the "dorky little beanie" that I wear. The same kind I was wearing when I went down and had a few pieces of metal put in my left leg to hold it together. I should have had the helmet on my leg! My nugget got through just fine. (Some people will debate that!)

Anyway, it's the same dorky little beanie hanging on the bar of my scoot in the avatar pic. A Bell. It's about due for replacement since the chin strap is a bit worn, and I can't get the stink out of it anymore. (Oh, by the way. A full face don't get the ventilation a half-shell does. They tend to stink after a while.)

To make things a bit more clear, I ride every day. I live in Florida, and don't own a car. My helmets get worn and stinky faster than those of a person that just rides every now and then. I tried cheap, no name helmets. I went back to Bell. Good on you for wanting to go full face. It shows you want to ride safe. I feel safe in my half-shell, since if I go nipple surfing, I'm pretty sure my ability to hear, and see better to the sides, will keep me from getting in a bad one.

P.S. By the way, if you look at the "avatar" you may notice that I am also wearing a leather jacket, long denim pants, and boots. The helmet ain't the only thing you need to worry about. I wear all that stuff in 90+ degree weather. ain't worth saving the nugget if the body is shot.

If you ride, ride safe. Ciao.

Answer 3

Okay, hands down Arai is the best helmet you can get. That being said, pls read the following.

All helmets have to have DOT certification to be sold in the USA. So in theory, all helmets have to pass the same safety test so they are all just as safe as the others.

There is another test to higher (or some say just different) specs that helmets can pass and this is the SNELL test. Helmets do not have to pass this but it is usually a good thing that they do.

So, with all helmets passing DOT (and some also passing SNELL) the main difference in price is the features you get on the helmet.

The best 3 helmets in the world (in my opinion) are Arai, Shoei and AGV. Arai is definitely top dog. Again, this is just my opinion but if you look up these manufactures and compare with other helmets you will see why most other brands can be considered 'Budget Helmets'.

A good indication of this is to look at what the worlds top motorcycle racers wear. You will se the Arai, Shoei and AGV lead the list. Keep in mind, if you buy a Arai RX7RR Dani Pedrosa replica it is the EXACT same helmet that Dani wears in the race. THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE.

It is the same for most major brands race rep helmets. Keep in mind tho, sometimes companys put their racer sponsered graphics on different models that the racer might not actually wear. Check the companys websites to determine if it is the same one the racer wears. This goes for Arai, Shoei, AGV and also Suomy and Shark.

Just remember, always wear a helmet. That is the important thing. Arai's rock tho...awesome fit and finish, high tech materials, and very very light...which can make the difference on a long ride.

Plus, I just got my Dani Pedrossa Replica signed by Dani at the Moto GP. I think his signiture adds about 5 horsepower. LOL.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Here is your answer. DOT Helmets are best and should be bought over fancy looking Helmets any day. Fancy won't keep you head from cracking like a egg should it hit pavement. The US will not allow Helments to enter the US without it being EPA/DOT approved. Those that do get in are coming in under the radar.

There is only one significant rule for DOT Helmets.

1. If for some reason you should drop your helment, remember one thing. There could be tiny structural fractures that could prevent the Helment from doing it's job fully should you get into an accident.

I will tell you this, if you are one of those speed demons, invest heavily in a excellent DOT approved Helment, not a cheap one. Not many people walk away from riding a Crotch Rocket doing over 125 MPH. Best to up your odds on your safety, and quality of life.

As for those beanies (again, I stress to take into account how fast you like to ride) I was doing 45 miles per hour in a rain storm when I took a spill. Scraped my forearm, scraped my little beanie helment (smile), and my cheek actually smacked the pavement, my shoes came off, and I did see a white light. However, I got up, picked up my shoes, picked up my bike and rode to the nearest drug store for some ointment and cleaning supplies. That beanie helment saved my head from cracking like a egg. Didn't keep me from cracking a rib, but I will take recouping from a fractured rib over a cracked head any day.

Go to "wholesalecentral.com" and take a look at what they have.

Happy hunting and
Good Luck

Answer 5

A Shoei motorcycle helmet saved my dad's life in a motorcycle mishap he had a few years ago. He skidded on gravel when going up a hill, the bike fell and threw dad into the path of an oncoming car. The car slammed on the brakes and swerved to miss him... dad, meanwhile had slid across the road on his face... came to a stop when his head hit the car's tire... Dad was unconscious at first when EMS arrived, then confused and disoriented. He made a full recovery, no cuts or abrasions to his face or head.... though the helmet face was completely scraped and banged up. He had to chuck the helmet, but invested in another one right away. If not for the helmet, Dad's face would have been that banged and scraped up.

http://www.shoei-helmets.com/

Answer 6

Go HJC. DOT certifed and not as expensive as shoei and arai. Be sure to try one on at a dealer, don't buy over the internet until you confirm your size. All helmets fit differently.

Answer 7

If your looking for something that is fancy you can get shoei and arai helmets with custom art jobs but for just a full-face, shoei is practical and arai is race-natured.

Answer 8

Check out the Shoei Multitec or Syncrotec.
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/flip_face_helmet_comparison/

Answer 9

Arai & HJC are the most comfortable in my opinion. They both have slightly higher wind noise than some others though.

Answer 10

Traditionally, Bell makes the widest selection at pretty reasonable prices. Good luck!