Helmet suggestions

Discussion in 'Product Reviews' started by GinoMachino, Dec 22, 2014.

  1. GinoMachino

    GinoMachino Rides with no training wheels

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    well I busted up my Bell rs-1 helmet by diving head first into the pavement last year.

    I am shopping for a new helmet and started wondering if the helmet performed as designed, if I put it up to its limits, and if there is a better helmet or if I should stick with this brand since I didn't crack my head open, after all.

    Is carbon shell better?

    whats the word on the streets?

    Edit: whats the word in the pits?
     
    #1 GinoMachino, Dec 22, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2014
  2. GinoMachino

    GinoMachino Rides with no training wheels

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    I am looking at bell star and star carbon helmets...
     
  3. Knolly

    Knolly What's an apex?

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    I've had the RS1 and the Star Carbon and honestly... The RS1 is such a good helmet for the money that I didn't think the Star was worth it to upgrade from it.

    That said I'm snagging a Nexx XR2 helmet this winter to see how that fits me since I liked my XR1R in the past.
     
  4. GinoMachino

    GinoMachino Rides with no training wheels

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    why are Arai and Shoei helmets so much more expensive? will those keep mu head away from the blacktop better?

    or is it like a Harley, you pay for the name?
     
  5. Mott Power

    Mott Power Rides with no training wheels

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    I've only ridden with Arai for the past 6 years and it's very hard to consider any other helmet again. The overall comfort, breathability, and lightweight construction is outstanding - I've never been disappointed with an Arai. The same seems to be with Shoei owners; if it works for you then why change brand? However, I just wrecked my Corsair V and am looking for a new helmet; been considering the Bell Star since I've heard great reviews about it. I'm planning to go try one on but am curious if anyone can give a comparison?
     
  6. JustinFRC

    JustinFRC track day backmarker

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    I've been happy with my HJC RPS-10... They're called RPHA-10 now and are a carbon/fiberglass blend.

    You can pick one for $270 and they're apparently a good enough helmet for Ben Spies and Jorge Lorenzo.
     
  7. aniolpl

    aniolpl I like motorcycles

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  8. CHINO52405

    CHINO52405 Rides with no training wheels

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    http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

    FYI - I found this site extremely helpful when buying my first helmet and trying to save money. Basically showed me my $180 HJC FG-17 crash tested as good or better than any other DOT and SNELL approved helmet - which was my biggest concern when buying gear on a budget. I'm wishing I hadn't just looked up my current RPHA-10 though when digging up this link...apparently it's terrible at high speed side impacts.

    EDIT: ^^^ those closeout prices at STG may have me impulse buying.
     
    #8 CHINO52405, Dec 22, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2014
  9. GinoMachino

    GinoMachino Rides with no training wheels

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    my main concern is protection. i don't remember anything from the day of my crash except a few stills from that morning - flags from the meeting, taking off tire warmers, getting an IV in the ambulance, then evening in the hospital room. apparently i was conscious the whole time.

    So I wonder if I could have been wearing a better helmet...
     
  10. rdecae

    rdecae Rides with no training wheels

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    well not sure why Arai gets a premium on their mid oval or round helmets, there is such a good supply of equally quality helmets it would seem supply and demand would level out pricing. But the old Profile and new Signet Q, are (for my head fit) the only TRUE long oval shaped helmets on the market. So if you have a long oval shaped head and want comfort you have to pay. Even Arai does not make a long oval dirt bike helmet. I wear a mid oval dirt bike helmet and I typically have a headaches at about 2.5 hours of riding. In my signet Q I can ride all day, and never even feels like I have a helmet on. Also my Signet Q is a large, and my mid oval is an XL. Just all in the shape of the helmet. If you do not need the long oval, there are lots of helmets that are equally safe. The link above is great for checking impact ratings.
     
  11. Nick_OMC

    Nick_OMC Think Faster

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    Consider the EXO-R2000 as well. I think its been the best helmet I've ever worn on the track.
     
  12. Dave608

    Dave608 Let's Ride!
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    In my opinion there is no perfect helmet. There are so many types of impacts that are possible that compromises have to be made in the design and balanced out. A helmet that is designed solely to take a major hit is not going to be very efficient dealing with a softer impact, build one to 100% absorb that softer impact and it's going to transmit way too much energy in a hard sudden hit. I think a helmet engineer would tell you "tell me how you are going to crash and I'll design the best possible helmet for THAT scenario".

    I've had one concussion back in 2006 where I was unconscious for 7 hours and that was wearing an Arai Quantum. Do I think the helmet failed to do it's job? No, I'm still alive so it's all good. I do think the previous Snell 2005 standards caused multiple manufacturers to build the shell of their helmets too stiff in order to meet those standards which were largely built around repeated hard impacts which might be the case in a car with a roll cage but not quite as likely on a bike. That's partially why Snell 2010 standards came about which brought the standards a little closer to the ECE standards you see in a lot of the Euro countries.

    There are a lot of good helmets out there by multiple manufacturers. The most single important thing is proper fit of the helmet. If it is too loose on your head (and a lot of people wear too large a helmet) it will not be as effective in dissipating energy in a crash plus it will be a distraction when riding. Different brands have different shell shapes so fitment can be an issue in given brands. From experience I cannot wear most of the Shoei's for example as in order to get the helmet on due to the shell shape at the bottom it is too loose once on.

    I'm currently wearing Bell RS-1's as they fit me extremely well and seem to provide a very good level of protection at the price point. Are there better out there? Who knows, all depends on when and how I crash, only after that could a determination be made and it would be solely based on that crash, not my next potential one as it could be very different.

    To distill all my rambling down, buy a reputable brand of helmet that fits you properly and you feel safe in and take care of it properly.
     
  13. GinoMachino

    GinoMachino Rides with no training wheels

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    That makes sense. It is interesting that you mentioned the fact that a shell can be too stiff. So, do you think that a carbon fiber shell is too stiff? and the plastic shell is better?
     
  14. ekraft84

    ekraft84 What's an apex?

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    Both to some extent. Shoei and Arai are made in Japan. Bell conversely, is made in China. It costs a fair bit more to keep operations from going over to China.

    For my money and experience in a variety of helmets over the years, I would go with either brand you mentioned. They are the two best brands out there and I wouldn't advise saving a few dollars when it comes to protection - especially your head.
     
  15. sheepofblue

    sheepofblue Rides with no training wheels

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    I love the Corsair V except the price. For me it is a great fit and VERY comfortable. It also does seem to have better aerodynamics (I know that is always hyped with each new one). It is the only helmet I have tried that the spot/speed on my CBR1000RR tends to shake my head has no effect at all. Also at speed it seems more stable.

    That said I currently have a Shoei RF1200 that I got as a backup road helmet and it has become my main through attrition :crutch:

    Oh and I hate the feel of the Bell's on my head.

    That said take a look at yours. If you got wacked that hard what did it do to the helmet compared to what the manufacturer says. For instance Arai says foam inner then a combination of crushing the exterior and hard foam shell next if I recall. A plastic shell absorbs some energy through flexing but does not crush like fiberglass. Look at yours and how it absorbed energy vs the amount that made it to your head. And as stated above fit is a bunch of the equation so be careful basing your choice on others advice.
     
  16. aniolpl

    aniolpl I like motorcycles

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    I don't know why, but I don't trust carbon fibre helmets.
    Also I would never put a Chinese helmet on my head.
     
  17. Dave608

    Dave608 Let's Ride!
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    Not necessarily, it all depends on the layup used, resin to fiber ratio, weave of the fiber, etc. Too may variables to make a blanket statement like that.

    And the RS-1 is a fiberglass layup like a lot of other helmets. When I think of "plastic" helmets I think of the very low end thermoplastic helmets.
     
  18. Dave608

    Dave608 Let's Ride!
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    It's a global economy. It all depends on the quality control put in place by the manufacturer. Whether built in China, Japan, Thailand, or the US it all comes down to whether the specs were followed and QC is in place to verify that.

    I wish a lot of stuff was made in the US, I prefer buying from US manufacturers but helmets is one of those things that to my knowledge no one makes a high quality helmet here.
     
  19. flylikechris

    flylikechris Wait, how tall are you?

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    EXO-R2000 would be my suggestion. It's a very "crash budget" friendly helmet. You pay much more for much less with other helmets.
     
  20. Shamrock

    Shamrock What's an apex?

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    I have a red Bell Star, and it is too big for a medium.

    Little did I know, Bell had made a bad batch of mis-measured helmets in the 2009-2010 models, and guess who got one! ME! No matter what I changed, it wouldn't fit right.

    It will be a long while before I touch Bell again.

    I love my Shoei. In fact, I like the RF-1200 better than the X-12. It's cheaper, too.
     

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