Full face helmet ?
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Full face helmet ?
I'm looking to purchase a black full face helmet for the colder riding seasons and wanted some advice. Which brands should I be looking for and where to buy? Also, will a full face helmet fit in the 2014 tour pack?
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 132
Likes: 7
From: Ma.
I like Shoei's the best, I think they and Arai are the most comfortable. But you can probably buy 3 HJC's which is a good helmet for same price as one of those. My next helmet will be a Shoei Neotec modular.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 364
Likes: 8
From: Newberry SC
I ride with a FF helmet all year long. Two Arai Profiles and an XD-3.
I think the best advice is to go try some on. Don't feel bashful about sitting in the store with it on your head for a good while either. A helmet feels different once it's been on your head for several minutes. Cycle Gear usually has a good selection of good brands along with their house brand helmets. If you'd prefer to do the mail order route, then Revzilla is hard to beat. Sportbike Trackgear has a similar deal going on their new Scorpion helmets (free return shipping if it doesn't fit). Study the videos online about the features, like the shield, if the pads can be removed to wash, if there is a strap retainer, and the air flow.
Arai's "long oval" fit just fit my noggin better than the HJC's and the Scorpion's I've had in the past. Arai's shields have an unusual (and awkward and dated) attachment procedure for their shields. It takes a little bit of time to understand how it works, but once you "get it" you'll be able to change your Arai shields blindfolded.
Shoei's fit feels pretty comfortable too, along with the Bell Vortex helmets I've tried on at shows in the past. Shoei's and Bell's shields seem easy to deal with in comparison.
Hope this helps,
'fooz
I think the best advice is to go try some on. Don't feel bashful about sitting in the store with it on your head for a good while either. A helmet feels different once it's been on your head for several minutes. Cycle Gear usually has a good selection of good brands along with their house brand helmets. If you'd prefer to do the mail order route, then Revzilla is hard to beat. Sportbike Trackgear has a similar deal going on their new Scorpion helmets (free return shipping if it doesn't fit). Study the videos online about the features, like the shield, if the pads can be removed to wash, if there is a strap retainer, and the air flow.
Arai's "long oval" fit just fit my noggin better than the HJC's and the Scorpion's I've had in the past. Arai's shields have an unusual (and awkward and dated) attachment procedure for their shields. It takes a little bit of time to understand how it works, but once you "get it" you'll be able to change your Arai shields blindfolded.
Shoei's fit feels pretty comfortable too, along with the Bell Vortex helmets I've tried on at shows in the past. Shoei's and Bell's shields seem easy to deal with in comparison.
Hope this helps,
'fooz
Last edited by harfooz; Mar 5, 2014 at 03:52 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 826
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
I like the HJC I bought. Great for the colder weather. Could use a little more ventilation in the warmer months. Might look at a diferent helmet next time. I like the fact that the padding can come out to be washed and can interchange differnt sizes for a more custom fit. Price was affordable at the time. Remember when trying on helmets they should be snug, real snug.
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 364
Likes: 8
From: Newberry SC
I like the HJC I bought. Great for the colder weather. Could use a little more ventilation in the warmer months. Might look at a diferent helmet next time. I like the fact that the padding can come out to be washed and can interchange differnt sizes for a more custom fit. Price was affordable at the time. Remember when trying on helmets they should be snug, real snug.
You really need to feel the "squished chipmunk cheek" thing going on or it's too loose.
'fooz
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Northern NJ
I prefer a FF to anything else. Shoei/Arai are top notch and both offer the best ventilation vs an HJC or lesser brand. That said I currently wear a Shoei Qwest, which is their 'entry' helmet at about $300. I have a 2nd helmet which is an older HJC FS-15...great helmet, but the Shoei just fit me better.
If this helmet is for cold weather only, then an HJC, Bell, Fulmer, etc in the the $150 range would do you fine. As others have said...you MUST try before buying. Most good shops will let you bring it home, wear it a few hours and as long as you didn't 'ride' with it...will let you return it if you find it has bad pressure points.
I can fit my size L and my girl's size S FF helmets in my 2013 tourpak with room to spare...sorry not sure about the size diff going with a '14
If this helmet is for cold weather only, then an HJC, Bell, Fulmer, etc in the the $150 range would do you fine. As others have said...you MUST try before buying. Most good shops will let you bring it home, wear it a few hours and as long as you didn't 'ride' with it...will let you return it if you find it has bad pressure points.
I can fit my size L and my girl's size S FF helmets in my 2013 tourpak with room to spare...sorry not sure about the size diff going with a '14