New helmet
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
You get what you pay for. I used to wear HJC helmets that were about $150. For my birthday I bought myself a $500-$600 Arai helmet. It fits much better than the HJC helmets, weighs less, and vents extremely well, which helps prevent fogging and sweating in corresponding conditions. A helmet is something you don't want to skimp on so that you save some money at the sacrifice of comfort and safety.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: Japan
You may want to just take a trip to a local Cycle Gear if you have one nearby. Try on what they have (they carry a lot of the brands listed so far). Plus, they have a 7-day helmet exchange, so you can try it out for a bit to make sure it's a good fit.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 103
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta
Fulll Face? Blashphemy!
There is no way I could wear one. I think I'd rather be driving a cage.
I need to be wide open to feel free. I can't see out of any full face helmet. reminds me of wearing some crappy Halloween mask when I was a kid. I ialso have a hard time breathing in a ff. The open freedom I get from a little salad bowl thing that I wear is un paralleled. I feel the breeze and bugs and rocks and other road debris just the way I like. Someday maybe I'll lose a tooth - would go well with the look I'm going for. I'm that kind of guy.
I need the smell of the trees and the road and the smog and the garbage truck in front of me. No full face would allow for that.
FF also ruins my whole look/theme that I put together when I suit up in my full biker costume. I think I would look funny - and I already put lots of time and money into having the right biker "look". I'm not about to ruin it with any FF.
I'm wild like an animal and can't be contained so if you want to fo full face - go right ahead I'd rather be free. If god forbid the need for a helmet becomes a reality one day when I go down, doctors can easily build me a new jaw if that happens to be a point on impact. Modern Medicine is great.
BTW - I wear Nolan N85 that I bought about a year ago. Seems to be a good comfort to value helmet
There is no way I could wear one. I think I'd rather be driving a cage.
I need to be wide open to feel free. I can't see out of any full face helmet. reminds me of wearing some crappy Halloween mask when I was a kid. I ialso have a hard time breathing in a ff. The open freedom I get from a little salad bowl thing that I wear is un paralleled. I feel the breeze and bugs and rocks and other road debris just the way I like. Someday maybe I'll lose a tooth - would go well with the look I'm going for. I'm that kind of guy.
I need the smell of the trees and the road and the smog and the garbage truck in front of me. No full face would allow for that.
FF also ruins my whole look/theme that I put together when I suit up in my full biker costume. I think I would look funny - and I already put lots of time and money into having the right biker "look". I'm not about to ruin it with any FF.
I'm wild like an animal and can't be contained so if you want to fo full face - go right ahead I'd rather be free. If god forbid the need for a helmet becomes a reality one day when I go down, doctors can easily build me a new jaw if that happens to be a point on impact. Modern Medicine is great.
BTW - I wear Nolan N85 that I bought about a year ago. Seems to be a good comfort to value helmet
Last edited by bdawk; Jul 12, 2013 at 08:49 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
I have a modular hjc - it is heavy over very long trips and does not always vent the best when it is raining or foggy. However, it is great in winter and makes riding in subfreezing temps possible.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 23
From: Connecticut
The most important thing is to go to as many bike shops as you can, and try on as many different helments as you can.
I would also suggest you take along a small notepad, and write down the name/size of the helmets that have the best fit.
http://www.webbikeworld.com is a great source for helmet information. Pay special attention to the page they have that lists helments by "head shape".
Even if you decide to spend $400+ on a full-face, it's no good to buy one that's the wrong shape for your head. Takes all the pleasure of wearing it and turns it into annoyance.
If you have a "long-oval" head shape, try on an Arai "Signet-Q" and don't even look at the price tag....
I would also suggest you take along a small notepad, and write down the name/size of the helmets that have the best fit.
http://www.webbikeworld.com is a great source for helmet information. Pay special attention to the page they have that lists helments by "head shape".
Even if you decide to spend $400+ on a full-face, it's no good to buy one that's the wrong shape for your head. Takes all the pleasure of wearing it and turns it into annoyance.
If you have a "long-oval" head shape, try on an Arai "Signet-Q" and don't even look at the price tag....
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 938
Likes: 22
Also, no offence, but how do you have time to ride with over 15,000 posts in under a year? Thats like 60 a day. Laptop on the handlebars?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,335
Likes: 328
From: Arizona
A good FF is like having your head back in the womb, all comfy and ****. You wont get that feeling for $250. And a great vented FF will be waaaaay cooler than a no vent 1/2 or 3/4. Guys on here always bitch about FFs being uncomfy, then they post they tried on crap helmets. Its your head, spend some money...
Study videos here... revzilla.com
Study videos here... revzilla.com
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 676
Likes: 1
From: NOVA
Ditto on comfy. I'm Mr Roundhead. HJC, aka, with a HD Sticker ~$100 more for the same gear. I'm looking at their new FG-Jet. I own the HD version of their IS-33. Fit for me is great, the flip up visor helps when I want the wind, and the added internal sun visor was a life saver on an early morning journey across the vests of Arizona with nothing but sun in my face. Just to add insult to injury for you true-bloods, I also added a blue tooth intercom. The area around the ear is, well, around the ear. Perfect for the internal mini speakers and no pressure against my head or ears. A great helmet for me, but, before you say you love or hate any helmet you need to decide is you have a football head or a basketball ball head and buy a helmet that's designed for the sport your head resembles.
Good luck. And remember, you have two feet and one head. Hobbling works when if head still works. Get a decent helmet. Oh, and good boots too.
Here's to staying on this side of the grass as long as possible.
Good luck. And remember, you have two feet and one head. Hobbling works when if head still works. Get a decent helmet. Oh, and good boots too.
Here's to staying on this side of the grass as long as possible.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 52
From: Highlands, Texas
So...how do you know what shape your head is?!?
I'm also in need of a new helmet and am seriously thinking of a FF. I went to the local Cycle Gear today and tried on a Shoei Neotec. Coming from a HD half it was quite a change and sticker shock! Plus I need a size small they didn't have in stock so I'm still not sure how it would actually feel.
I'm also in need of a new helmet and am seriously thinking of a FF. I went to the local Cycle Gear today and tried on a Shoei Neotec. Coming from a HD half it was quite a change and sticker shock! Plus I need a size small they didn't have in stock so I'm still not sure how it would actually feel.