Best beginner helmet?

[Heed]

Shoei seems to be very common, but from what I can tell, they're considered to be more high-end.

I know that they all offer virtually the same amount of protection if they're DOT/Snell approved and they get more expensive when it comes to weight, ventilation, aerodynamics and whatnot. Plus, a lot of it depends on the shape of your head, but what do you think? Is there an ideal helmet for a noob?

I hate to admit I'm picky when it comes to shape/color =p. I think Shoei and Arai look really good. Some of the graphics on the cheaper helmets look pretty damn ugly if you ask me and might not really coordinate with the color of your bike. I like solid colors. I think white is proven to be the best.

[W8INLINE]

...but from what I can tell, they're considered to be more high-end helmets...

Beginner rider's sculls crack just as easy as advance rider's sculls do.

I would get the best helmet I could afford no matter if I was a beginner or not.

I agree with you on the DOT approved thing, beyond that my decision would be based on comfort weight and looks.



I have an ICON and a JOE ROCKET helmet, both are large and both purchased in a few months back. The Icon has less wind noise, is more heavy and the pads inside are so "worked in" that the helmet now feels like an extra large (no, I have not washed the pads on either helmet yet)

The joe rocket was recommended to my by the girl working at the store I bought it from..so maybe they were making more commission? I actually was holding the Icon I ended up buying later on, only because it was the high vis one vs. the joe rocket that was the flat black

[WhiteRice]

Originally Posted by W8INLINE

Beginner rider's sculls crack just as easy as advance rider's sculls do.

I would get the best helmet I could afford no matter if I was a beginner or not.

.

[Heed]

But then what's the difference between a $179 helmet and a $330 helmet?

I thought they had all the same quality of protection, and that the extra money goes to ventilation and stuff.

Just wondering if it's not the greatest idea for an absolute beginner to spend $330 on the cheapest Shoei, or even $400 for an Arai..although I love the Arai Profile in white :P

[setasai]

This is going to turn into another thread about $ vs protection. The concensus as far as I am concerned is, get a helmet that is certified and is a decent brand name. There are many helmets that fit into this category.

Scorpion is one of those that many feel are a great value for the level of comfort and features given. One thing is for certain, try them on because your head is unique. Get the helmet that fits those criteria and most importantly fit your head well. It should slide on snuggly and you should have this feeling of "oh this is tight but comfy all around". If you feel at all "uhhh it fits ok i guess... eh" then you probably should try another one. Goodluck.

[WhiteRice]

If the helmet passes DOT/SNELL, then extra money goes into design and materials; which translate directly into weight, features, and graphics basically.

[lux]

Like people have already posted, the "best" helmet is the one that fits properly (regardless of your skill level). Whether it's the greatest idea may be debatable. When I first thought about riding I purchased an Arai RX-7. When I actually began to ride I purchased a Shoei RF-1100. Bought another RF-1100 the next year. They fit me well and, as far as I could tell, were light and provided good ventilation. As a new rider I figured I'm not used to wearing a helmet (or any of this other gear), might as well get a light(er) one. They're comfortable too. So, my reasoning was that if it's light and comfortable, it shouldn't be very distracting, and I could focus on learning to ride.

[gfloyd2002]

There has been significant discussion on this topic elsewhere in threads. To briefly summarize:

*Not all DOT stickered helmets offer the same protection. DOT allows companies to self-certify, and less reputable brands cheat. Some companies put stickers on without ever testing, so don't buy some off-brand off of ebay. DOT has done some random spot checks, I've discussed these somewhere in these forums but I'm too lazy to find it right now from work, and there are some themes with companies that regularly fail. For this reason (and not because of the theoretical quality of the certification), you may want to look for an ECE or Snell certification, or go with a big name brand DOT only helmet that you can trust.

*In this blog entry on gear colors, there is discussion of a study that concluded that compared with wearing a black helmet, use of a white helmet was associated with a 24% lower risk of accident. And wearing a generally light coloured helmet versus dark coloured helmet was associated with a 19% lower risk of accident. So buy a brightly colored or white helmet.

*Many of the features of very expensive helmets - venting, sound dampening, quality of inner liner, weight, etc. are comfort rather than safety features. If you are thinking purely safety, you don't need to spend $400. But I've had inexpensive HJC and expensive Arai helmets -- the extra money is worth it to me, particularly on long rides.

*More important than anything is fit. Try on helmets before you get your heart set on one. The Arai Profile you mention below, for example, won't fit the majority of heads -- it is for narrow heads. A more neutral fit would be the Arai Vector or Shoei RF1100, with the Arai Quantum for round heads. I fell in love with the Kali Naza Carbon, for example, only to learn it was too round for me.

*Check out http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm, which has the best information on sizing, safety and reviews of helmets anywhere. Fantastic site, I wouldn't buy a helmet without checking with them.

*Lots of good helmets out there. But if I had to put out a short list, good reputable value brands include Scorpion and HJC if you are trying to save a buck and still get a very good helmet. Best deal out there right now on inexpensive, good quality helmet probably on a Scorpion EXO-700, you can get for about $100 or $125, and it has a neutral shape. (Still, try one on first.) Arai and Shoei are the industry standard if you have a couple hundred extra to spend.

[setasai]

@Floyd I'm starting to get the feeling you have responses all typed up ready to go. Always so detailed, organized, and unbiased.

[gfloyd2002]

Anything to avoid working, Brian. 4:50 on a Friday right now.

[burningscooter]

I think the best entry helmets are the AGV K3 and the Speed and Strength SS1000.

Both offer a lot of helmet for the price. here are the reviews done by revzilla.

Speed and Strength ss1000
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D69PHCtkBXY

AGV K3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNMgWBQtHZI

[Mr.E]

I wouldnt think of gear as a type of, best for noob vs pros kind of thing. Im a new rider, and i got the shoi rf1100 (amazing btw). The question is like me asking you what he best food is for a beginer to use the microwave (anything really, as long as its made and safe for the microwave).

You want to think in terms such as safety and features. love my shoi because its safe (snell and dot approved) and has great features (quick removabl faceshield, amazing ventalation, great looks, light, aerodynamic, ect).

Honestly, Id say go for the shoi or arai. Great helmets. You get what you pay for, often.

[burningscooter]

Originally Posted by Mr.E

I wouldnt think of gear as a type of, best for noob vs pros kind of thing. Im a new rider, and i got the shoi rf1100 (amazing btw). The question is like me asking you what he best food is for a beginer to use the microwave (anything really, as long as its made and safe for the microwave).

You want to think in terms such as safety and features. love my shoi because its safe (snell and dot approved) and has great features (quick removabl faceshield, amazing ventalation, great looks, light, aerodynamic, ect).

Honestly, Id say go for the shoi or arai. Great helmets. You get what you pay for, often.

I agree that you get what you pay for, but, you cant disregard other helmets solely on the basis that they arent in the 390+ range and/or arent SHOEI/ARAI. There are plenty of entry helmets that offer great protection/features at great prices.

[rusninja]

Originally Posted by Mr.E

The question is like me asking you what he best food is for a beginer to use the microwave (anything really, as long as its made and safe for the microwave).

Or like asking whats the best condom for a virgin.

[DerTeufel]

Get the best quality gear that you can afford and make sure that it fits properly. There are a lot of helmets out there that are both affordable and are of good quality.

I, too, will cast a vote for Scorpion or HJC.

[nickjpass]

Here's a new helmet that I found. I now like this more than the AFX-100.

HJC IS-16

[Heed]

Originally Posted by Mr.E

The question is like me asking you what he best food is for a beginer to use the microwave (anything really, as long as its made and safe for the microwave).
.

lol.

ok thats a way to put it

I like the Shoei Quest/RF1100

[blink]

anything you can afford

[massacremasses]

a bicycle helmet

[nickjpass]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

a bicycle helmet

[Magz]

I wear a Hawk helmet. Definitely not one of the "brand name" helmets, but it fits well, is comfortable, and feels as solid and safe as any helmet I've worn. And the price is good.

This is the one I have

Same company makes modular helmets that I've heard a lot of people like, but I'm pretty anti-modular.

[kaiserz]

Get the shoei I got a white one with silver shields, damn that thing is hot.

[gfloyd2002]

Originally Posted by Magz

I wear a Hawk helmet. Definitely not one of the "brand name" helmets, but it fits well, is comfortable, and feels as solid and safe as any helmet I've worn. And the price is good.

This is the one I have

Same company makes modular helmets that I've heard a lot of people like, but I'm pretty anti-modular.

Hawk helmets have a very mixed reputation for quality, which is being kind. Don't be fooled by reviews on Leatherup, which not only attracts a crowd that thinks skull caps are good helmets and leather vests are protective gear, Leatherup removes negative reviews on their stuff. Very misleading, since no one else sells what they do, so you don't get an fair appraisal of the products on their site. Leatherup buys factory direct from sketchy factory in China, leaving you with no manufacturer to rely on for warranty or liability, and no one to contact about safety testing procedures. 30 day warranty only should tell you what Leatherup thinks of their product.

Could still be safe in a crash, might be a good helmet. So no intent to bash your helmet or choice at all. But in a thread about recommended helmets for newbie riders, I think it important to emphasize the benefits of steering away from the uber-cheap helmets that aren't backed by safety data and a strong manufacturer reputation (or warranty). This is particularly important with DOT-only certified helmets because of lack of DOT actual testing.

[Mr.E]

Im begining to agree with Brian about your posts Floyd lol. I never knew that about leather up, which would explain why the gloves I got from them wernt the best.

Also, refering to someone else, when I said you get what you pay for, there are indeed exceptions. I also agree with others about the scorpions. I bought a scorpion online before I ever got a bike, I thought it fit rather wierd but wasnt sure at first. Then aftr the MSF course, I knew for sure it was a bit different. I went to try on a few helmets after that and decided on the Shoi because it fit my head perfect. I now have a scorpion helmet for if I ever take up a pasanger I guess.

Learn from my mistake, go and try on some helmets before making the ultimate decision. I tried on the rf1100 and knew right away it was good. where as the scorpion i was iffy, because the shell shapes of the two are different. Youll never know exactly what will fit until you try a few on. Ask for assistance too, those guys are pros and helped me alot.

Just me rambling on though. a side ramble is you will, to the larger picture.

[massacremasses]

this is my next helmet

http://www.revzilla.com/product/gmax-gm68-helmet-solid

[burningscooter]

I ordered a new helmet friday. cant WAIT!

[gfloyd2002]

Originally Posted by massacremasses

this is my next helmet

http://www.revzilla.com/product/gmax-gm68-helmet-solid

Great choice, and one of the vest value helmets out there. WebBikeWorld helmet of the year for 2007, and it is less than $100! Great ventilation and a rear safety LED, too. Please don't get the flat black, though. Helmet visibility the most important of all your gear according to studies, with up to 25% lower risk of accident just by wearing a white helmet.

As a bonus, even though DOT doesn't pretest before companies can claim DOT certification (a major problem with the standard), the NHTSA does spot check on a few random samples. The GMAX GM68 happened to be one of those, and it passed. I've attached a copy of the report, which is quite a luxury to have. Usually when companies decide to save the money and not pay for Snell certification, you are left wondering whether their "self-certification" for DOT is reliable. Here, there are no worries at all.

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by gfloyd2002

Looks like one of the vest value helmets out there. WebBikeWorld helmet of the year for 2007, and it is less than $100! Great ventilation and a rear safety LED, too. Please don't get the flat black, though. Helmet visibility the most important of all your gear according to studies, with up to 25% lower risk of accident just by wearing a white helmet.

ha to late!!! thats the one ive had my eye on!

if it was a matte or flat white Id be SOOO down. I figure the LEDs with a flat black will help. Also I maybe doing some experimentation with the paint/vinyl that lights up when reflects off it

My gear is all black and white. and Im prolly gonna paint the bike white as well...

[choneofakind]

Bottom line: get a helmet that fits your head the best and is certified to protect you. For visibility, bright colors and reflective stickers are good. But the most important thing is that the helmet fits your head. No matter how cheap or expensive a helmet is, it's never going to give you as much protection it can if it doesn't fit you right.

[kaiserz]

Originally Posted by burningscooter

I ordered a new helmet friday. cant WAIT!

What did you get ?

[burningscooter]

Originally Posted by kaiserz

What did you get ?

@ kaiserz



Should be here Wednesday. Will post actual pics when I get it

DOT/ECE22.05/Sharp 5/ACU GOLD.

[kaiserz]

Ooooooooooooooooo sweeeeetttt mother!!!! Nice!

[Magz]

Wish I'd come across that GMax helmet sooner. If I find myself in need for some reason, I'll definitely be going for that.

[burningscooter]

Originally Posted by kaiserz

Ooooooooooooooooo sweeeeetttt mother!!!! Nice!

yeah man, i was considering the new Elements helmet also, however, I like the look of this one a lot more.

[ruben5]

Fit is great, pretty quiet, has DOT, and the price was just right!!
http://www.revzilla.com/product/spar...7-retro-helmet