Author Topic: The search for my next helmet (Read 9732 times)

Juvecu · « **on:** August 16, 2011, 14:38:35 »

So after taking a not so graceful dive off the bike on Saturday and hitting my head so hard that my cheek bone and jaw are only starting to feel normal again now, I need a new helmet.

The helmet that saved my head was a Shoei Qwest and it did a grand job of it. However, I don't want to spend that kind of money on a helmet again. The Qwest is an excellent helmet, very comfortable and very quiet, visibility is great with the extra wide Pinlock and it doesn't weigh much. The grief I have with it is that it doesn't have an internal sun visor. I'm done with stopping on a motorway to change visors just so I can see where I'm going because the sun has come out (I'm light sensitive, I go blind or I have tears streaming so that I can't see anything.)

The idea then is to find a helmet for less than Â£150, well, maybe I will up it to a max of Â£200 if I really can't find anything at <Â£150. I figured I'd start a thread so that others looking to get a new helmet has the benefit of the input from everyone rather than me just going around and finding a helmet myself.

The requirements are:
- internal sun visor
- Pinlock compatible or possibility of fitting it
- as quiet as possible
- as light as possible (ideally <1500g)
- double D-ring preferred
- space at the ears for speakers
- vents that work
- full face
- highest possible SHARP rating (if it has been rated yet)

Seems like a tall order for a <Â£150 helmet, but there has to be something out there that ticks most the boxes and fits me well. My chin often seems to be too close to the front of the chin bar in helmets, otherwise I have a fairly normal head. I will probably only use the helmet for a year then it will get replaced.

I'm hoping that there are people out there that can read this and think "my helmet is like that and cost <Â£150". If you are one of those or you know of a helmet that fits the list, please post here. If you own the helmet a mini review of it stating what you like about it and what you don't would be helpful. I don't care which brand it is as I will narrow the list down and then go to a shop to look at them and to see if they fit me. Even if your helmet isn't a perfect match (lets say it weighs a bit more or it doesn't have a double D-ring, cost a bit more or something) still post about it as I accept that I will probably have to compromise on some of the "requirements" in the end.

Edit: In the meanwhile I'll be searching for helmets myself and hopefully I can get some feedback on them here.

Piglumps · « **Reply #1 on:** August 16, 2011, 16:25:03 »

What about an AGV S4 SV,? Â£150ish for plain ones at Henry Gherkin at the moment..... My current one is a Caberg V2 407 which I've found to be comfy but isn't double D-Ring though....

willbo · « **Reply #2 on:** August 16, 2011, 16:58:36 »

I had a caberg justisimo, now replaced by some other one. It was OK, but very noisy, and hot. Felt plasticy and not very very good. I wouldn't get one of their helmets again if I could avoid it. I have a shark evoline 2, a much better lid

Piglumps · « **Reply #3 on:** August 16, 2011, 17:21:58 »

+1 for the comments on the Justissimo, OK at first but very noisy but probably OK for a maxiscoot. I found my chin to be right up against the chinbar too. Gave it to my bro-in-law who rides a Gilera Runner 50cc 3 miles to work in Oxford..

Dracula · « **Reply #4 on:** August 16, 2011, 17:33:03 »

Glad you posted this as I'm looking for a new similar lid.

Piglumps · « **Reply #5 on:** August 16, 2011, 18:04:53 »

Quote from: "Dracula"

Glad you posted this as I'm looking for a new similar lid.

HAsn't your cape got a hood then Dracula?

SimonW · « **Reply #6 on:** August 16, 2011, 19:26:59 »

Quote from: "Piglumps"

What about an AGV S4 SV,?

AGV have a 25% off deal on at the moment in lots of places.

carlos · « **Reply #7 on:** August 16, 2011, 20:14:49 »

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed-motorcycle-products/shade/
may help if we could find something similar this side of the atlantic

Oldie · « **Reply #8 on:** August 16, 2011, 20:23:23 »

What are you doing with the Shoei? I could do with a spare visor or cheek pads if you've still got them?

Locky · « **Reply #9 on:** August 16, 2011, 20:40:48 »

I've got one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI. ... 0220104799

Fantastic helmet , never got on with Shoei and don't like spending Arai money . I've got a AGV shaped head , had AGV for years and tried a HJC . Very comfy and comes with two sun visors ..

Best bet is to try loads on and see what's the best fit..

Juvecu · « **Reply #10 on:** August 17, 2011, 12:55:32 »

I've been using the SHARP website as a guide on what to look for. I set up the search to search for helmets with a 4 star or higher rating and a price range between Â£100 and Â£200. I do it this way because the real cheapy helmets seem junk and none of the cheap ones have a sun visor. I set it higher at Â£200 because the prices on the site is higher than what I can find most of the helmets for. This link will show you the same results I get. I've narrowed things down a bit and my list has the following helmets on it so far:

Caberg V2 407
Caberg V2R-R
AGV Stealth SV
AGV S-4 SV
Shark S900
Nolan N85
Lazer Breva

The Caberg helmets both have 5 star ratings, but my past impressions of Caberg were always that the quality wasn't that great and for some reason I think they are noisy

The trouble with the AGV helmets is that they tend to be too close to my chin, but I will try them on anyway, 4 stars.

The Shark S900 looks good for the price, one of my favourites at the moment. I might be biased as I had an RSI before that was very comfy and the good lady also has a Shark that is very comfy (definitely on par with the Qwest for comfort and fit), 4 stars.

I've never considered a Nolan helmet before, but the N85 looks like a good helmet for the price.

Also never considered a Lazer helmet before, the Breva looks decent.

If anyone has any suggestions to add to the list, please let me know and I will look at them (must have an internal sun visor.) The HG-15 doesn't seem to have an internal sun visor, else it would be on the list, it looks like a decent helmet.

So now I'm looking for anyone that has any of these helmets to point out the good and the bad about them. Things I'd specifically want to know about is how noisy the helmets are, any whistling or rushing wind noises and such is something I want to try avoid (also if I turn my head.) I doubt the helmet shops will allow me to go take a ride with a helmet so the noise thing is something I will have to judge from other people's experience, even though it is something that everyone has different opinions on. Would also like to know anything that I would only find on a test ride, eg. how well the visor seals, if any of them leaks water, if vents work or not, etc.

longman · « **Reply #11 on:** August 17, 2011, 13:32:06 »

hi
I had caberg 407. very poor quality and noisy. didn't like it at all.

Juvecu · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2011, 15:23:27 »

Anyone know of a place that would have a lot of helmets in stock so that I can go try a few on this weekend? I'm willing to ride about an hour to get there if I have to.

Edit: I'm in Warwick

<----

Locky · « **Reply #13 on:** August 17, 2011, 18:01:10 »

Quote from: "Juvecu"

Anyone know of a place that would have a lot of helmets in stock so that I can go try a few on this weekend? I'm willing to ride about an hour to get there if I have to.

Edit: I'm in Warwick
<----

Take a ride into Birmingham and go to J&S , Hein G , and you could also go to Bikers World.

J&S ain't that good though but woth just going there to try on..

Juvecu · « **Reply #14 on:** August 17, 2011, 19:43:16 »

No way I'm going into any J&S ever again, you can go see why in the Dealer/Supplier Feedback section. The HG there didn't have much last time I was there. Will check out Bikers World, thanks

Mad Phil · « **Reply #15 on:** August 17, 2011, 19:58:21 »

There's a HG about 10 mins from Castledines & also MCA in Leicester.

Oldie · « **Reply #16 on:** August 17, 2011, 20:12:49 »

My Nolan Air is noisy although that might be down to the design of the removable chinguard which lets lots of air come through around the chin/jaw area.

Juvecu · « **Reply #17 on:** August 17, 2011, 21:10:21 »

Might drop into that HG then, never heard of MCA before, but the website looks good so I'll drop in, thanks. Looks like I have plenty of options now

Edit: Ooooh! MCA has Alpinestars gloves

Been looking for a place nearby that sells them, need new winter gloves.

Piglumps · « **Reply #18 on:** August 17, 2011, 21:46:23 »

Course there's a HG in Reading, 730 Oxford Road so not too far from work for you....

George White, Swindon, mebbe just over an hour away?

Juvecu · « **Reply #19 on:** August 18, 2011, 11:59:33 »

The Reading HG is a mission to get to when it's rush hour (and I can't go at other times), it's on one of the busiest streets in town. George Whites isn't an option this time, they only have 1 of the helmets I'm looking at.

ps. Whoever is doing the rain dance, I'm going to wring your neck if I find you!