New helmet suggestions

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JollyRoger

Wannabie Member
I'm looking to buy a new helmet around the $300 mark, I welcome recommendations and reviews. I was looking at some of the Scorpion / Icons but always open to suggestions.

Price is not set in stone, I don't have any mandatory features other than it needs to be full face (not modular) & switchable visors.

So, tell me what to buyyyyyy!!!!

Cheers
 
All I can say is try a lot on, many helmets are made for diffrent shaped heads. I was dead set on on Shoie Qwest but it didnt feel right on my head and ended up with a Shoei XR1100. Same brand but very different fit.

Also is it hot where you live? Need good venting.
Humid/cold need a pinlock as standard.
Off road or on road?
Where do you mount you cam ;)

For the record tho the XR1100 AKA: RF1100 is a nice helmet, good venting for hot days, light, gaps in padding for ears and glasses but it may seem a little noisy at first if your used to your ears being right against the foam of the cheaper helmets.
Oh also comes with a pinlock as standard and its easy to switch the visor out.

Not saying its the best but I like it.
 
I'm like Thunderous - I went dead set on an Arai but none of the Arai's seemed to fit (a lot of them had my face bashed up against the visor which was odd) - but the Shoei XR1100 was perfect. Great ventilation, little noisy but not too bad and great fit.

As he also said, you've just got to go and try a bunch of them on and see what fits well first (no significant pressure points) and then what you like the look of.
 
Agreed with what you guys said there, of course I will try lots on!
I was just trying to get an idea of what people tend to recommend / rate highly.

To answer a couple of questions thunderous:

- hot and humid in the summer here in Ottawa so venting is key
- will be used for on road riding only, unless i wipe out or get creative :D
- camera position, the most important feature by far - on the side haha!!
 
In the States at least, both the RF1100 and the Qwest do *not* come with a pinlock ready visor. Here are a couple other variations:

The Qwest is more of a round fit, while the 1100 is a more slight oval/egg shape. The 1100 is designed more for sportbikes and naked bikes/streetfighters, while the Qwest is more for touring and bikes with windshields. This doesn't mean you couldn't wear either one, but the 1100 will be louder if you have a windscreen and/or you are in a very upright position. This has to do with the type of ventilation and intended use design. It's an amazingly well vented helmet, though.

Those are the two biggest differences. You couldn't really go wrong with either one, though...unless neither fits you properly.


Key things to remember when trying on a new helmet:

Try not to be too distracted by how tight it is in the cheeks. That will have the most give, and is changeable in many helmets (especially higher end helmets). Focus on how it feels around the crown of your head. Is there an even pressure? Does it feel like there's a hot spot, or a pressure spot where it's pressing more than the rest of your head? This can indicate the helmet is the wrong shape. For example, pressing a lot on your forehead often means the helmet is designed for a more round head than you have. Be sure it's all the way on your head, and that it cannot move independently without first moving your whole scalp with it. A new helmet should feel as snug as you can stand without feeling like it's going to give you a headache in 20 minutes, and this snugness should be even around your whole head. A brand new helmet should not be "comfortable." A broken in helmet will be comfortable. If you buy it this way new, it will usually be a little too big once it's broken in. It should *not* be painful or have any pressure points, but it should feel slightly too small (just not *way* too small). If you think you've found your size, try on one size down, just to double check. You'll often be surprised. I see too many people buy a helmet that's just one size too big.


Specific helmets I'd recommend, in order:
-any full face Shoei or that fits you well
-any full face Arai that fits you well
-HJC's new RPS-10 (**this helmet has a ridiculous amount of break-in. If you normally wear a large, you'll need a medium, and if you're between medium and large in most helmets, you'll probably be a small in this one... if the shape is right for your head)
-Scorpion's EXO line: either the 500 or the 700. Heck, even the 400 ain't that shabby. 500 has the best features and best bang for the buck, but they all fit differently.
-Speed and Strength's SS1500. The 1500 rocks. Drop down visor, cheek pump, great venting, ECE rated... Basically competes with the EXO-500, but lighter and a different fit



Warning on Icon helmets: They allow a LOT of size discrepancy in their "quality control" (something they've let slip a lot in the last few years). Two mediums of the exact same model and even same color can fit totally different. If you land on getting an Icon, buy the one you try on. Ordering one will not guarantee the same fit. It's maddening. I despise this issue with Icon. Same goes for their gloves.
 
I tested a friends brand new Scorpion EXO1100 today and it is definitely the next helmet for me. Out of the bag it fits better than my RF-1100 Shoei. Comes with the cheek pad pump, flip shade visor, face shield like my RF-1100 has a three way adjustable setting, and incredible air flow with vents open all at $300 shipped compare to $550 for the Shoei. It is much lighter than the Exo1000 it replaces.
 
might get some white leathers while I'm at it too :D

My feelings are so-so with that style, I do think it looks good but not sure if I prefer it over a 'normal' shape.
 
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