Quietest helmet is shoei. Don't go cheap. I had shoei's forever. Bought a Bell, a lot of wind noise. I also have the hard wired headset. I can have a phone conversation at highway speed and the only problem is that it doesn't get loud enough for me to hear (Bell helmet) but they hear me fine.

Good skid lid will run you $500-650's

 

wow amazing advice!

Well having never worn a helmet here is what i want it to do

Be able to answer the phone with bluetooth and hear music from my system on the harley (not have to listen to it through the bluetooth)

I think a half helmet would be better for that but i notice not many halfs have a drop down visor. Is that uncommon?

I would think that long rides might be best with a modular so you get some of the best of both worlds, is this generally true?

thansk so much all

 

This is the headset I bought. I'm just happy that there's no batteries. Cord doesn't get in the way at all. Phone sits in trunk.


I've only had Full Face helmets. last open face I had was in 1983 & I didn't like the face full of gravel while riding in the woods with friends.

 

Modulars' are a great option. Opening when you want to talk or drink, closing when you want more wind protection. The caveat is that they are still rated as a 3/4 helmet in most cases. They are also noisy when closed compared to a full face helmet which are much more quiet. I have the Sena 10S and they have worked out great. I cannot imagine riding with my wife without it.

 

Bought 2 SENA CAVALRY BLUETOOTH HALF HELMETS

Cant wait to get them! Thanks for all the help!!

 

I have 2 shoei helmets, the neo tec modular for touring and cold rides and rj platinum for rides around town or long day rides in the warmth. Both are great and very comfortable. I use the Sena SMH 10 comms to communicate with my passenger, wife or daughter. can make phone calls or have phone read me my texts. I can play music from my phone also. I have the Sena SM10 bluetooth connector so I can hook up my stereo and ipod so I can listen to the game or playlist. All works great.

 

I have a Nolan N104 Absolute and it quickly jumped to the top of the list of all helmets I have worn over the years. Modular, drop down sun shade, comes with pinlock lens, great vents. Went with their Ncom system that is made to fit in the helmet with nothing attached to the side of the helmet. The Ncom plugs right into my RGU, music is clear, I can hear phone calls fine and the person calling never realizes I am on the bike cruising 75 down the highway.

Your best bet is to find the manufacture or model that fits your head the best as all helmets are made to fit certain head shapes better. When you find one that fits snug but you can go all day with no pressure points on your head from the helmet then its great, the Nolan N104 does that for me.

As far as certifications DOT, SNELL, ECE etc.... Basically DOT is a minimum standard and it is self compliance meaning the helmet manufactures test the helmet themselves. In other words I don't put much faith in the DOT certification.

In the US SNELL is a private firm that test helmets and its voluntary meaning in the US a manufacture does not have to have a SNELL certification to sell. A lid with SNELL certification is going to be safer than DOT. My issue with SNELL is it requires to impacts to the helmet in the same spot and then the liner is tested. As a result SNELL leads helmets to being to rigid. By having the helmet to stiff or rigid per SNELL testing you end up with helmets that make you more prone to preventable head injuries in low speed crashes.

http://www.michaelpadway.com/gear-an...et-you-can-buy

I much prefer the ECE testing on my helmets as it more closely resembles what can occur in real world crashes. In addition for SNELL a sample of helmets are sent in and if they pass they model can carry the SNELL sticker throughout the life of that particular models production life which is often many years. ECE requires 50 sample helmets of a model to be tested and passed before the model is offered to the public, then that model has to be retested yearly to keep certification. ECE is the accepted standard in over 50 countries and is the standard standard for every racing association including the AMA.

Here is some good reading on the subject
http://www.michaelpadway.com/gear-an...et-you-can-buy

http://lanesplitter.jalopnik.com/eve...hel-1733731498

Here is an interesting abstract that was written years back and commissioned my Motorcyclist Mag which took a look at the various certifications.

Their conclusion
http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/ims...mets-Paper.pdf

In short pick a helmet that has the features you want, that best fits your head shape. Go with the certification you feel the most confidence in, for me that is the ECE certification

 

Can I ask how the RJ Platinum fits? True to size? Looking at getting one but nothing locally, in stock. I have in the past worn Harley half helmets that are XL but according to how Shoei says to measure, it recommends a Large.

 

I have several 2 xl helmets and the platinum fits the same, just more comfortable.

 

thanks for the info. going to order one tonight