Best Helmets ?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 20
From: Indy
I hate heavy helmets, and I have to wear at least a 3/4 helmet for my MSF coaching , so I bought a Joe Rocket carbon fiber full face, and so far I like it a lot, it weighs about 3 pounds, and fits me really well. I don't know if you can add comms to it, but you might be able to do so.
Sena Cavalry, Bell Mag 9, Essence Sun Shield and HJC maxbit come to mind for communications. OP: You didn't say what style you wanted.... Full? 3/4? Half? Since I have a windshield that deflects the wind, I have carbon fiber half helmets with Sena 20s bluetooth. They look funny with the pod on the side, but the sound is wonderful and we can communicate well.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 283
Likes: 44
From: WV
Just went through this process myself. Went with the sena 20s for communication and couldn't be happier. It will do it all. As everyone has said the best way to choose a helmet is to go to a show or a big dealer that have lots of options and try them on. We ordered some online and had to send them back so I went to a large Metric Dealer that had hundreds of Helmets in stock and tried some on. They did not have the color I wanted to fit me so I came home and ordered them online. I ended up with an HJC IS MAX II Modular and IS cruiser half helmet for when it just too hot for the modular. Wife went with the HJC IS 33 II 3/4.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
Agreed with Shoei and Arai. The Arai fits me better. I just bought new helmets in the past 3 weeks.. Here's what I also found.. The Scorpion units were not bad and alot less money - they had a great field of vision. Bell has a Snell line at under 250.00 which is a bargain. I had used Shoei 1100's but I bought a new Arai. The fit was great and the unit was super light (and its also a Snell)
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 395
Likes: 28
From: Dallas, TX
Yep - that's my main "go to" helmet. Yep, I look like The Great Gazoo with it on lol.
Also have an HD half-helmet that i'll toss on to go to the 7-Eleven and an Arai Defiant Jolly Roger 2 that fits like a dream...
Like bikes, one helmet is never enough.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 203
Likes: 50
From: Greenville, Kentucky
The best helmet is one that fits you properly so you will wear it. The very best have both the DOT and or the Snell or the European safety certification as well. I am talking about the best for your protection. Never ever skimp on your helmets certification standards if you are going to use one, which I do. I know from experience that a really good fitting helmet with more than just the DOT certification can make a difference. 28 years working as a Paramedic and leaving the highway at 60 mph, into a ditch, separation from the bike and airborne before landing in a field. Then find a communication device that will work with your helmet. Just my 2 cents worth.