What is the Hamer of Motorcycle helmets?

[JGale]

Buddy wants to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway on a pair of 30 year old Honda 125s and sleep intense. My last new helmet was a full face BMW about 20 years ago (figure it's wasted due to age). What is the new?

[ZR]

You get a lot of bang for the buck with HJC helmets. The Scorpion helmets have pretty good reviews but seem a little heavy.

[cynic]

I can't recommend a U.S. legal helmet, but I am fully qualified to say that ride is phenomenal!

I've been using a BMW Sportintegral helmet since its first release around ten years ago. It's the quietest and most comfortable helmet I've owned (various Shoei/Aria) and is also the most stable in buffeting winds. Venting isn't the absolute best, but it's more than adequate and I've logged many Summer miles in the CA/AZ/UT/NV heat. Unfortunately, they never bothered with DOT/Snell certification so it's not legal for sale in the US, even though ECE testing is more strict. Anyway, since the rumors all say BMW contracts Schuberth to make their helmets, my recommendation would be to start there.

At the North end ready to start:

Half of it looked like this, the other half went left:

[carfish7]

HJC, yes. Arai if you don't mind shelling out. Some people have "Arai" shaped heads, others "Shoei". Test-fitting is essential as they all (duh) size out a bit differently it seems.

[tbonesullivan]

seconded on the test fit. HJC CL series seem to fit my head nicely, size XL. Helmet production methods have also been reducing the prices a lot over the past 5-10 years, so you don't have to spend 300+ anymore for a good helmet. Important thing you will want to consider:

Style of helmet: open face, full face, convertible, etc

Visor anti-fogging system

Ventilation system and adjustments for cold vs warm weather

removable liner (so you can wash it)

Also, As much as I like cool colored bikes, I prefer white helmets for visibility reasons. If they had a helmet that was entirely retroreflective white, I would get it.

[polara]

The one that fits. I ended up with a Nolan. Italian made, the whole front flips up, washable pads, fit my head. Not cheap but I bought for fit.

[Tres Aardvarks]

At the North end ready to start:

Half of it looked like this, the other half went left:

Right up the road from my new home (we can literally see the trees of Shenandoah at the top of the hill). I was surprised how much worse the pavement on the Blue Ridge Parkway was compared to Shenandoah (guess that's the difference between National Park and National Parkway funding).

My full-helmet Bell auto racing helmet was less bulky and lighter than my HJC open-face moto helmet. They are cheap yes, but it sure was clunky (and ugly).

[jettster]

Shoei RF-1100

I don't feel comfortable skimping on safety equipment and although the flip up design looks pretty cool and convenient still not too sure about how those would hold up. (That's not to say that I think this is better than anything else) I picked this up when I bought my bike almost two years ago, 12,000+ miles later there is nothing I dislike about it. Seems pretty light, provides great ventilation, no buffeting, plenty quite and that's on a naked bike with no wind protection. The better half and my brother both have the same model and are just as happy with theirs. Definitely try on whatever you buy beforehand. Oh yeah and sun glasses are a breeze to put on or remove.

• Q.R.S.A. (Quick Release Self-Adjusting) Base Plate System
• CW-1 Shield
• AIM+ Shell Construction (Snell M2010-Approved)
• 5 Shell Sizes
• Shell-Integrated Spoiler
• Variable Ventilation System
• Dual-Layer EPS Liner
• Interior System
• Chin Curtain
• Breath Guard
• 5-Year Warranty

[carfish7]

Speed Triple!

Sorry, back to your regularly scheduled posting.............

[jettster]

Speed Triple!

Sorry, back to your regularly scheduled posting.............

It's actually the Speed's little (slow) brother.. Street Triple

[BadgerDave]

I have a Schuberth C3 that I was able to expense through work. Good thing, since it was over $750.00 with the comm system installed! Absolutely perfect helmet - good ventilation, the interior sun shield is a joy to use and it's light and comfortable. Unfortunately, I can't keep it at home, so I needed another helmet for personal use. I chose a Nexx Cafe Racer. It doesn't have all of the features of the Schuberth, but it's much less expensive, lighter, fits great and looks cool as hell.

Lots of great options out there.

[ZR]

I have a Schuberth C3 that I was able to expense through work. Good thing, since it was over $750.00 with the comm system installed! Absolutely perfect helmet - good ventilation, the interior sun shield is a joy to use and it's light and comfortable. Unfortunately, I can't keep it at home, so I needed another helmet for personal use. I chose a Nexx Cafe Racer. It doesn't have all of the features of the Schuberth, but it's much less expensive, lighter, fits great and looks cool as hell.

Lots of great options out there.

What do you do for work?

[BadgerDave]

Corporate attorney, why do you ask?

;-)

One of our businesses provides emergency roadside services to BMW owners, including the Mottorad group. We attend the Motorrad International Rally every year and three of us ride to the event. We have a custom painted BMW R1200RT as well as the customized Schuberth helmets. Pretty nice perks!

We'll be riding from Reno, NV to Salem in July. If anyone wants to join the ride, let me know.

[carfish7]

Might be this very one..........

http://www.bikebandit.com/shoei-rf-1100-rollin-full-face-motorcycle-helmet

[RCM78]

Anything that is Snell certified is built to the standard. The difference between most helmets aside from the rating is fit, and comfort.

I have an Arai head. Been using them for quite a while now...

[JGale]

Corporate attorney, why do you ask?

;-)

One of our businesses provides emergency roadside services to BMW owners, including the Mottorad group. We attend the Motorrad International Rally every year and three of us ride to the event. We have a custom painted BMW R1200RT as well as the customized Schuberth helmets. Pretty nice perks!

We'll be riding from Reno, NV to Salem in July. If anyone wants to join the ride, let me know.

Dave. You're being modest again.

He is also a world-class hollow body Tele builder.

Not sure he actually plays them though......

[ib2010]

Arai -- got one a while back --- $$$ -- but easy, accurate control of venting, which eliminates fogging issues. Nice air flow. Super quite and well designed. I got a simple white, to show up at night. I'd say it's the Hamer of helmets.

[diablo175]

What's a helmet?

In PA we don't have a law requiring them but I still have my skull cap and my HJC full face. The skullcap is not DOT approved and thus, is not much good aside for scooping up my brains if I were to ride it in.

And yeah, I do ride without a helmet sometimes.

[JGale]

WTF! A rear view mirror in a full face helmet. Anyone experience this?

[ib2010]

That might be very cool.---- In full motion, seeing things both come and go at the same time might take some getting use to.----- not to mention lean angles ----This could help keep the surprise idiots off your tail . They should have demo helmets floating around for testing. Is it battery powered ?? Must have a camera in the back ???

[JGale]

Update: It's not Honda 125s anymore. He traded them in for a Goldwing (him) and a Concours (me). It's a bucket list thing for him, although he is not dying. His adopted kids turned out to be juvenile offenders working towards felon credentials, his wife is in denial and debottle. Repairing exotic cars all day is getting old, this is how he copes and I'm the only one fool enough to accompany him.

HLC helmet and textile vented Joe Rocket (cuz the Kline is just too dear) jacket and pants seem like the best available locally.

Keep you updated. Thanks for the help.

J

[ZR]

I've had a few HJC helmets and they are great. A lot of bang for the buck. Maybe try some Draggin' Jeans or similar Kevlar enforced jeans for pants. Be safe, have fun and take lots of pics!

[Boomerang~Junkie]

I'm a lifetime rider of dual-sport and street (mostly motocross when I was younger). Still have bikes, but have had very little seat time lately though .

Shoei actually makes a top notch helmet, but I've used Arai's since the 90's and still wear them. The are some of the highest quality helmets made and offer some of the best protection as well. Probably splitting hairs between Shoei and Arai, proper fitment is critical and comfort are the key. Most people do not know how to properly fit a full faced MC helmet. All Arai dealers are trained to fit their helmets.

I actually had a moderate, "unplanned get-off" while wearing an Arai and the helmet got rashed badly but the old coconut inside remained in good shape. (My wife may beg to differ).

Drayko Kevlar jeans are awesome. I was wearing those during my, "unplanned get-off"as well and no rash AT ALL. Sore as hell and bruised, but no rash.

http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/cruiser/chaps+&+pants/drayko_renegade+riding+jeans

[JES1680]

+++ on the fitment thing I did Shoei for a few years and finally noticed that everytime I took it off i had a big red spot right in the middle of my forhead. Pressure point from the helmet. Turns out I have an Arai shaped head Love my Arai.

[Boomerang~Junkie]

I forgot to add, Arai has different model lines for various shaped heads - oval, round etc.

[jim777]

Love my Arai helmet, and loved the three before it too But if I had a Shoei head I'd wear them. I wouldn't get a cheap helmet to save money personally. I ride in leathers or other protective mesh/armored gear regardless of the temperature and I wear boots as well. Might be hot, but still better than sitting in a box