I normally ride around town in a 3/4 open face Daytona helmet, which I love. But I am looking to do a lot more highway riding and want to road trip in the fall to my first big rally. I would feel more comfortable with a full face helmet and I am trying to decide on which helmet to get. I want something Snell rated to insure I am getting the best protection.

Right now I am looking at these two, but I am open to suggestions and advice. The Bell Vortex and the Shoei Qwest. I like the price of the Bell but I know Shoei is a good brand too.

 

Shoei is the best in my opinion. The Qwest is an excellent helmet.

I wear an rf1100 and I love it.

 

I just bought both my wife and daughter Shoei Qwest helmets this past weekend. They tried on every helmet in the shop and both picked the Qwest. They both like how comfortable it is and I like that their heads are protected when they ride with me.

 

Fit is everything and it seems each manufacture has a little different idea as to what a
human head shape is. An ill fitting helmet can really ruin your riding day. imho.

 

Yeah its funny you say that. My wife was pitching a fit because I spent so much on my daughters Qwest on Friday. So Sunday I take my wife down to the store and told her to try on the Qwest first before she tried on the other helmets. She did and at the end of the visit we walked out with a Qwest for her. I told her the same thing you just said. If a helmet doesn't fit right you either wont wear it or be miserable when you do.

We went for a ride right after buying it and when we got home she said she loved it.

 

This is good to hear. I was leaning more toward the Bell because of the price, but I wouldn't mind spending a little more for a more comfortable helmet. I just dont want to spend $600 for one.

 

I have seen street legal Bell helmets at Walmart going for roughly $50.00, but I don't remember if I ever saw that model. I'm not saying I know anything about, nor have I done any research on Bell's helmets, but my opinion is that if Walmart is selling a manufacturer's helmet, then I would say they are on the low end of the quality range. Meaning, just passing the minimmum of standards, comfort will leave alot to be desired, etc.....
BTW, I have been happy with Nolan helmets over several years, comfort and fit wise.

 

Shoei and Arai are the only ones I'd consider.

If you're limited by budget, just look for one that's Snell and DOT approved.

 

Heard that full face fit different than 3/4. I am XL in a helmet, should I go true to size or a size bigger. Unfortunatly no place around me sells full face so I dont have the option to try it on. Going to order from Rezvilla I believe.

 

They all fit different . I have two shoei's (neotec and j-cruise), jcruise is medium, neotec is a small. Revzilla sent me two helmets and I return them util I found the right fitting 3/4 (j-cruise). No penalty.

BTW I love my bell 500 and it is really comfortable and cool, but when you put on a shoei 3/4 or other better brands you can feel the difference in protection and ventilation. I can wear the j-cruise on a 90 degree day and the ventilation keeps me cool as a spring day. In traffic they are not forgiving.