The perfect helmet for an FJR

[specs95t]

Alright who recommends what when it comes to helmets?

Full face?
3/4?
1/2?
With Bluetooth?

I run a Bell RS1 snell rated full face with a BS2 communicator. I like it because of the fit to my head and the crack the visor position for riding at "city" speeds.

Tell us your favorite - and why!


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[Bigfoot]

I prefer a modular helmet. Easier to get on and off, nice to be able to raise the front at low speed or at a stop light.

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[BuddhaBiker]

Arai Defiant Pro Cruise: Best. Helmet. Ever. Full face. Flows tons of air, comfortable, almost zero wind drag when doing shoulder checks, fairly quiet (with ear plugs). I prefer it over my Schuberth C3 Pro, which WAS my fave helmet. It's quieter than the Arai, but airflow is very weak (too hot).


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[LKLD]

Went from an Arai SignetQ, to a Shoei RF-1200, and am happy. Especially when putting the cheekpads in after cleaning, or changing the visor out. Comfort is similar, but goes to the Shoei with helmet speakers installed. Either would be a great helmet to have, I just prefer the Shoei.

[wheatonFJR]

Full face or modular...dot certified. Pay however much you want for venting/graphics/name. Buy one that fits your head. Buy one that will be comfortable enough that you will always wear it.

[Twigg]

You are going to get my favorite answer .... It depends on the kind of riding you do.

The choice boils down to Full Face or Modular if you value your face.

Modular if you make frequent stops, want to eat and drink while riding, want to wear the thing for 18 hours, etc.

Full face if you don't do that stuff, but simply enjoy riding for a few hours at a time.

[PhilJet09]

I disagree with Twigg on the time-in-saddle part. I always choose full face over modular due to the weight difference...my neck is fragile and benefits from the lightest helmet options. If the ff helmet fits correctly, 18+ continuous hours are no problem at all.

[gixxerjasen]

Whatever you do, do your research. I hate when I hear someone say "I tried an Arai and it just didn't fit me right so I went with Shoei." Not to knock Shoei but Arai has different models for different shaped heads. I like Shoei too, I have one here on my shelf that has some surface rubbed off the side that thankfully wasn't my head. I'm sure others do too, but if you go into a shop and try on one Arai and decide you don't have an "Arai head" then you need to do your research. It's one of the reasons I like Arai is because there is no generic fit and I now know my head shape and their helmets fit me well. Also, I usually change shields twice a day and Arai cannot be beat except by the drop down inside shields.

Do some research, try some stuff on, and then figure out what YOU want. Like Phil says, modulars weigh less, but you might like the idea of smoking a cigarette while you ride. Different strokes for different folks.

Oh yea, and my helmet of choice right now is an Arai RX-Q. Love this helmet and it's in "Look at me yellow."

[PhilJet09]

My last helmet was an RX-Q that I retired after 4 years and 100k miles. I went a different direction with its replacement...wish I hadn't. I may end up buying another RX-Q real soon if my helmet surgery doesn't fix my current lid.

[thompsonian]

My absolute favorite helmet of all time was my Suomy Spec-1R and Apex. Uber plush interior, blows fair amount of air, great graphics. But it was getting up in age so I switched up to a Shoei Neotec modular. I love the modular style for being able to flip up the front and get a LOT of air while at lower speeds. And the Sena 10U unit makes it nice as well. But to echo everyone else, go somewhere and try one every single style they have. Find the absolute best fit. Purchase.

[bungie4]

RS2 as well. The best fitting helmet I've ever found by a mile.

[Hppants]

I don't buy helmets online. I go to the local Cycle Gear and try them on. I firmly believe the manufacturers make different helmets for different shaped heads. YOu simply must try them on to determine what fits you best. I realize that I could try them on the store, walk out, and then buy the preferred helmet online for (maybe) a few bucks cheaper. But that's kind of chinchy and not really my style. If the kid at Cycle Gear is going to take time to help me out, I'll gladly give them the money for my choice. My current helmet is a Shoei Quest, but it's 4 years old and getting long in the tooth. Time to start thinking about a new one.

I also place a lot of weight on noise. I want to the helmet to be designed such that wind noise is deflected as much as possible. That of course sometimes comes at a cost of ventilation, and down in this heat, that is also an issue. Also, at its age, my current helmet is noisier than it used to be, as the padding is getting squished. Of course, that in itself is a safety issue and needs consideration.

The helmet designers have shaped their helmets to fit the type of bike that one rides. If you look closely, helmets designed for sport bikes have the frontal area tilted significantly such that the face shield is more perpendicular to the road when the rider is in the normal riding position for that bike (which is of course tilted forward). This gives the rider the best view of the road without glare from the angle. That was one reason I chose the Quest as opposed to the RF1200, for example. The quest has a little tilt, but not much - IMO, perfect for the ST bike.

I believe their is some merit to buying a helmet that is BOTH DOT and SNELL approved, but I freely admit that this is more of a feeling than (thankfully) deduction based on empirical research.

Finally, until recently, I was dead set against a modular helmet. My feeling was that no matter how well designed, a hinge would never be as effective as solid material and under the wrong conditions, if the hinge failed, the results would be devastating. However, after the senior Redfish crash in February, my opinion is absolutely changed. He hit his head and circumstances quickly led us to consider CPR and we ultimately had to unobstruct his airway. We were rightfully concerned about his neck and the consequences of removing his helmet. Regardless of that, removing the helmet takes precious time, which we didn't have. Thankfully, the modular helmet he was wearing allowed us to get to his face without removing it. That experience has me thinking about my next choice. The Shoei Neo-Tec Pops was wearing is both Snell and DOT rated, one of a very few modulars with that distinction. He's with us today, alive, kicking....

.... and riding.

Just my $0.02 worth.

[Uncle Hud]

Has anybody mentioned these factors?

1) Must fit comfortably. Bell and Shoei fit me.
2) Must vent well. Vital for Southern riders. Haven't found a good one yet.
3) Must be DOT, or what's the point of a helmet?

a) I like Snell; just because.
b) I like modular; LD rides are quicker when you don't have to remove the helmet, eyeglasses, and earplugs to eat/drink/talk/go inside the gas station to pee.

[bungie4]

The source for all things helmets, including comparison matrixs!

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle- ... elmets.htm

[gixxerjasen]

Has anybody mentioned these factors?

1) Must fit comfortably. Bell and Shoei fit me.
2) Must vent well. Vital for Southern riders. Haven't found a good one yet.

I mentioned the first one. I didn't believe in the second one prior to getting my RX-Q. This thing vents like no other helmet I've ever owned. Used to be I could only tell the ventilation was working was in the winter when I left one of the vents open. I can actually tell in the summer when I've left something closed and sometimes can even feel the air flowing through.

Of course, just because it's ventilating doesn't mean it's cool inside the helmet because here in Dallas as the vents are just letting hot air go out it's letting the hot air come in. It's all hot air. I need me some crisp cool mountain air.

[raYzerman]

My review..... no comparisons to full face. I have had a few modulars, and noise levels were higher on the cheaper ones... HJC, Scorpion EX0-900, Nolan 104... Schuberth C3 and Shoei Neotec are quietest modulars and better made, and pricier (worth it, IMHO after having the others). No problem with those two having integrity in the event of a crash. A new one has caught my eye for next time (don't need one right now), the Klim TK1200 Karbon. Carbon fiber is going to be much lighter. I'd like to get a hands-on look-see one day..........
http://www.klim.com/TK1200-Karbon-Modul ... T-3768-000

[gixxerjasen]

That's a pretty reasonable price for something with a Klim logo on it.

[Twigg]

The best helmet is one that fits!

There has long been criticism of the Snell standard. The "double-blow" part of the test is considered by many to be unrealistic, and causes shells to be made too stiff to absorb a blow correctly leading to excessive shock-loading on the head. There are currently zero modular helmets with a Snell sticker.

The issue with the DOT standard is that it isn't a "test". It is a declaration by the manufacturer that the helmet meets the standard, but don't go looking for test results, you won't find them.

The other standard is the ECE 22.5. This is a test and the helmets have to pass it to get the sticker. Many helmets in sold carry dual certification, with both ECE and DOT stickers. SOme helmets sold in the US (Nolan) only have the DOT sticker, but the identical helmet sold in Europe carries the ECE.

Schuberth has the DOT sticker on the outside and the ECE label sewn into the chin strap under the padding.

[bungie4]

I remember seeing something once that helmets are tested with a maximum velocity of 14mph. The same potential speed you would have if you hit the deck while running. After that, its finger crossing time. That being said once you pass the spec, be it DOT/Snell or ECE, you passed, and your paying mostly for features and graphics.

[rbentnail]

FJRs aren't required to wear helmets in my state. It chooses to go without.