Wicked Posted May 7, 2011 Report Share Posted May 7, 2011 I've been using my buddy's helmet he bought for tracking his car and never used. I've been looking at helmets online to get reviews, pricing, designs, etc. My question is this, is there any brand(s) I should avoid? I want a good helmet, but I'm also not wanting to drop several hundred at the moment, saw a few with msrp $800+... Scorpion and Shoei seem to have great reviews and I've seen many members mention them. There is a GMax helmet that caught my eye, anyone have experience with them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NinjaN8 Posted May 7, 2011 Report Share Posted May 7, 2011 My first helmet was a GMAX. It had a light on the back that would flash. It was a fairly decent helmet but after a while, I had some trouble with the light. Other than that it's still a good helmet. I still have it in my closet in case I need a back up. The next one I bought was an Icon Alliance SSR in black rubbatone. Love that helmet. I bought the Yellow Hi-Viz version of that helmet and that's what I rock right now. I love my Icon helmet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wicked Posted May 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 7, 2011 The GMAX I noticed also has a light lol. Not that I'd use it but it's white/blue which is what I'm looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue03636 Posted May 7, 2011 Report Share Posted May 7, 2011 Haven't used the gmax but I'm a big scorpion nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
imprez55 Posted May 7, 2011 Report Share Posted May 7, 2011 Icon, Bell, Scorpion, Shark, Arai, Sumoy, Shoei and many others are good brands. The more expensive the helmets get the better the noise cancellation and lighter the helmet gets. Buy one based on comfort and certification (my personal preference is ECE 22.05 and Snell2010) and then you can figure out how much you want to spend. How much are you looking to spend? Don't forget this is your head we are talking about, its the least likely to heal well after a crash (I am not saying you must buy an $800 shoei; just saying don't skimp and get a $20 no-name because its DOT certified) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rctaylor Posted May 7, 2011 Report Share Posted May 7, 2011 I had a HAWK. Wore out quick.I mustered up and bought a Shoei, not everyone likes em, but it fits me perfect. A tad snug and very quiet. I would buy it again in a hearbeat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BonkerS Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 (edited) I have a Shoei RF-1000 and love it. It's very comfortable, has adjustable/replaceable pads (if needed), visor adjustment/removal is simple, effective, and easy, and the ventilation works well. Nice thing is, you can probably find a good deal on them since Shoei is selling the RF-1100 now.Unfortunately, I also got to crash test it two weeks ago. I low-sided and nailed my head pretty hard on the pavement after rolling about 15 feet. The helmet held-up beautifully, and while I knew I hit hard, it seemed like it was nothing. All I had to cope with was some pretty heavy whip-lash for the next several days.So yeah, definite thumbs up for Shoei from me.Either way, I highly suggest making the trip out to some shops and try on the different helmets first and see what seems to fit you best. imprez55 pretty much hit the nail on the head. Edited May 8, 2011 by BonkerS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likwid Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 Stay far away from HJC.I have an Icon Alliance as well, much higher quality than the HJC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
natedogg624 Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 HJC is coming around. There bottom brands are still bottom of the barrel, but there new RPS or whatever the Spies replicas are on are pretty close to top of the line i'd say in comparison with that of agv, suomy, shoei etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 (edited) back in the day... Bell only. Too expensive now.I like Nolan and Scorpion. And I'm sure the Shoei is worth the extra money I won't spend.Both Nolan and Scorpion (the ones I've looked at) are polycarbonate instead of fiberglass, and can get banged up and dropped without ruining the shell. The interior foam is sometimes damaged, which does degrade performance instead. The bad news, polycarbonate is heavier than fiberglass.edit: Reviews I've read say you get a lot for your money with the Scorpions. The review liked the EX-400.New helmet safety rating system (SHARP) review at webbikeworld with helmet ratings.http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/sharp-helmet-rating-system.htmFrom what I can see, certain model helmets should be avoided. Helmet brand names generally aren't the deciding factor.Exceptions are: CMS, KBC, NZI, Schuberth, and Harley-Davidson helmets have nothing to offer on the list.Some of these are Euro helmets. Some helmets have multiple brand names. Edited May 8, 2011 by ReconRat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jagr Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 back in the day... Bell only. Too expensive now.I like Nolan and Scorpion. And I'm sure the Shoei is worth the extra money I won't spend.Both Nolan and Scorpion (the ones I've looked at) are polycarbonate instead of fiberglass, and can get banged up and dropped without ruining the shell. The interior foam is sometimes damaged, which does degrade performance instead. The bad news, polycarbonate is heavier than fiberglass.edit: Reviews I've read say you get a lot for your money with the Scorpions. The review liked the EX-400.Agreed, Love Nolans. And FYI I picked up a Bell Star for $250 shipped. Best helmet I've tried on so far. Deals are out there if you find a model that fits well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wicked Posted May 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 Only problem I have with trying on, is that there are only 3 shops I know of out here around Dayton. Middletown Cycle pretty much only has Scorpion and Bell. Vista Kawi is Bell/HJC/Scorpion, and I have yet to go to Competition Accessories in Springfield. Most of the helmets are S/M for some reason. Hardly any XL and only 1 or 2 L. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likwid Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 I tried on a Bell at Iron Pony... it fit well and was under $200... but the chin didn't go down far enough, so I nixed it for the Icon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wicked Posted May 8, 2011 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 I need to make it out to IP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 (edited) Agreed, Love Nolans. And FYI I picked up a Bell Star for $250 shipped. Best helmet I've tried on so far. Deals are out there if you find a model that fits well.I just noticed that all models of BELL helmets on the new SHARP safety rating system are listed as the max 5 star. It's what I would expect from a helmet manufacturer that used to make all the military helmets. Buell (one listed) and Caberg helmets are also maxed out.edit: I would do $250 to have a BELL again. Edited May 8, 2011 by ReconRat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmh_sprint Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 I just noticed that all models of BELL helmets on the new SHARP safety rating system are listed as the max 5 star. It's what I would expect from a helmet manufacturer that used to make all the military helmets. Buell (one listed) and Caberg helmets are also maxed out.edit: I would do $250 to have a BELL again.I love my Caberg, I just wish you could still get them in the States. Another vote for Nolans too. My snowmobile helmet is a Nolan rebranded as a BRP. Both have build sun visors, an absolute must for any helmet I will buy in the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue03636 Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 I just picked up a bell vortex for $100 and it fits well. I will find out next weekend how well it works on the bike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Likwid Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 On a side note, I grabbed a really cheap helmet off eBay... I definitely wouldn't recommend buying any helmet without trying it om. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2talltim Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 I love my AFX FX-90...it's hi quality with out the high price..only problem i have with it is at hiway speeds and the vents open all the way it whistles slightly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C-bus Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 If it's blue and white you want, go on line to iron pony and they have a clearance scorpion exo 700 in blue/white for serious cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gixxer_joe08 Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 I have a exo 700 and i like it. Kinda loud but only paid $250. the pads are replaceable too. the newer scorpion helmets (not the exo 400) have a system built in that you can "pump" the helmet to make it fit tighter, like the old pump shoes. Kinda of a cool system and the price is still the same i believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 (edited) Once you know what fits and works, there are helmets sales on line everywhere.Usually it's last years model, or even the year before.I like motorcyclegear.com, which is the old newenough.comI picked up a nice new Scorpion EX-400 in Med for 49 bucks there. As a spare passenger helmet to have around.edit: Found one on closeout. Scorpion EX-400 for 49 bucks, XL, XXL and XXXL only. All others sold out.http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/helmets/scorpion/exo_400_scar_motorcycle_helmet.htmlThey also have a Scorpion EX-700 on closeout for 129 bucks, that's cheaper than an EX-400 at most places.http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/helmets/scorpion/exo_700_predator_motorcycle_helmet.html Edited May 8, 2011 by ReconRat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Butters Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 i wore cheap helmets and had no problem with them....then i bought a good helmet and will NEVER go back. shoei rf-1100 was the most comfortable helmet i ever wore...made my KBC, HCJ, and Bell all feel like trash.....i am a diehard shoei fan from the moment i put one onbuy a good helmet, you wont regret it....lighter and more aerodynamic the helmet is, the more your neck will thank you on longer rides Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue03636 Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 I have owned and Arai, then picked up a scorpion. There was no difference in noise or comfort. As for weight, I never noticed a difference if there was much of one. I just have a hard time paying $400+ for a helmet you may only use once. A good quality helmet will meet the same safety requirements and function the same as a more expensive helmet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Butters Posted May 8, 2011 Report Share Posted May 8, 2011 I have owned and Arai, then picked up a scorpion. There was no difference in noise or comfort. As for weight, I never noticed a difference if there was much of one. I just have a hard time paying $400+ for a helmet you may only use once. A good quality helmet will meet the same safety requirements and function the same as a more expensive helmet.hes looking for a helmet to wear every day....what do you mean "I just have a hard time paying $400+ for a helmet you may only use once." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.