your opinion on best helmet

[hoblick]

i have tried quite a few helmets and currently have
KBC (dunno what it is)
AGV(dont know the model number)
Nolan N84
Icon alliance SSR
M2R stealth

those helmets.. although nice Nolan being probably the quietest and best built , KBC being the best flowing just arent suiting my needs.
none are very stable at higher speeds (not that im doing 150 mph)
none are super quite, and none really ventilate all that well. and to top it off most are particularly heavy.

so i was looking at the new bell star (getting a great deal on it)
and the shoei x-eleven (also getting a steal on this)

also looked at a suomy spec 1r

i have decided to go with the Shoei x-eleven.. the helmet is top notch, the bell is a great helmet as well, but you just cant beat a shoei.

so far i think the x-11 is by far the nicest helmet on the market.. very light, comfortable, great features, ventillates very well, and wind noise is down from the other helmets i have.

[CandyRedRC46]

ive got this in standard carbon

HJC FS-15 Carbon Fiber Helmet

[Scubalong]

I guess you already make up your mind with Shoei :)
There is a thread from Drewl rating which helmet is get more vote and the Shoei were on top. Search around for it (Some thing about Your lead)

[hondajt]

hands down the Schuberth S1 Pro or R1

Schuberth GmbH | Deep black <---link
Schuberth GmbH | Red Spider <---link

The R1 weighs: 3.262lbs
the S1 Pro weighs: 3.362lbs

Noise at 100kph:
S1 Pro: 85dB(A)
R1: 88dB(A)

[Action]

It all depends on the shape of your head. What is a great helmet for you is crappy for someone else. As long as it is approved by DOT or meets the European spec then it will protect your melon. I personally like Shark helmets.


Action

[FJ12rydertoo]

hands down the Schuberth S1 Pro or R1

Schuberth GmbH | Deep black <---link
Schuberth GmbH | Red Spider <---link

The R1 weighs: 3.262lbs
the S1 Pro weighs: 3.362lbs

Noise at 100kph:
S1 Pro: 85dB(A)
R1: 88dB(A)

I'd love to get the C3,I have had a C1 and currently have the C2, but WOW the price is sooooooooooooo outrageous.

[Pliskin]

I guess you already make up your mind with Shoei :)
There is a thread from Drewl rating which helmet is get more vote and the Shoei were on top. Search around for it (Some thing about Your lead)

I think this is the link.

http://vfrworld.com/forums/polls/16789-your-lid.html

[jay956]

the best helmet is the one that fits you best.

[drewl]

You gotta try it on and wear it around the store until they tell you to take it off or buy it.

[RedRover5683]

My VFR is equipped with an Autocom Super Pro AVi kit, along with in-helmet headsets. I always wear 20 Db earplugs in conjunction with two full-faced helmets, those being the Shoei TZR and RF1000.

In my experience with these two Shoei helmets, the TZR is the most quiet, partly because it has only 2 air vents, one at the chin, the other at the forehead. It has no rear air vents, so air flow inside of the helmet is quite limited, and this is partly why it's more quiet. That said, the TZR's relative lack of airflow also makes it rather warm to wear during the hottest days of summer.

On the other hand, the Shoei RF1000 has 3 sets of air vents-- one at the chin, two at the forehead, and another two in the rear. When all of these vents are closed, the RF1000 is quiet, but as you would expect, the more you open its vents, the more wind noise you'll hear. I find that the RF1000 is a good choice when riding during the hottest of days, in which the increase in air flow is not much offset by any dramatic increase in wind noise.

I'v also owned the Shoei X-11 with an Autocom in-helmet headset, and it was about as quiet as the RF1000, but at least for my head shape, I found that the Large size was too small and it consistently gave me frontal headaches even after a season of use, while the XL size was too big and loose fitting. That said, if the X-11 fits your head well, its an excellent and quiet helmet.

I'll also mention that way back when, the first helmet I used that incorporated Autocom's in-helmet headset was the Nolan N-102, which is a modular, flip-face helmet. It was so noisy, even with the Autocom rig set to max volume, that I soon got rid of it in favor of the Shoei helmets mentioned above, which were rightly reputed to be most quiet.

Moreover, while I've found that all of these Shoei helmets fit a bit tightly to some extent, this is also partly why they're so quiet. On the other hand, when I recently wore my old, large-size Nolan N-102 helmet just for comparison with the Shoei's after a long hiatus, the Nolan was so noisy and loose fitting that I couldn't wait to take it off and get back to a Shoei full-face helmet.

Modular, flip-face helmets offer some conveniences, but by their very design they are more likely to leak air and to be much more noisy than well designed full-face helmets such as the Shoei's. At any rate, always wear earplugs if you value your hearing, regardless of the helmet you choose.

[deepdish]

shoei.....................period.................. i have had at least 20 helments through my years dirt road etc .. shoei...............................................i have a suomy that cost 550 my shoei rf100 200 bucks was better .. i will sell you my suomy eagle paint job so i can get another shoei.. did i say shoei ok shoei...........

[steven113]

The only new helmet I have bought was a shoei rf 1000. I did this after a month of research and trying on different helmets for fit. After my purchase I couldnt be more pleased with my purchase. Quiet, well ventilated, light, almost no fluttering at speed looking in any direction, DOT/SNELL approved, and many paint styles to choose from at an affordable price ($270 and up). My budget allowed for me to spend $250 more than I did and I still chose the RF1000.

[Lgn001]

As several members have already suggested, try them on. Every manufacturer uses a different "head model", as far as I can tell. The only one that fits my noggin is KBC.

[TOE CUTTER]

I am an Arai guy all the way......drug over from the dark side (shoei).....Drewls plan is a winner but I would like to throw in the winning twist.....pee in it.....they will give it to you ..........I will put money on it.

[ken98043]

I have a Shoei RF1000 which I really like and I also have the HJC FS-15 carbon fiber which is lighter but there is more wind noise. I wear the HJC more because I like the looks of the carbon fiber.

[KC-10 FE]

the best helmet is the one that fits you best.

X2

KC-10 FE out...

[joshbea6]

I've got an Icon Domain 2 SHA_DO.

Here's the link to the review that I did on it...

Icon Domain 2 SHA_DO Review

Josh

[Knife]

Very happy with my Caberg Justissimo GT Modular (flip-up). Great fit, quiet, excellent features, e.g., flip down sun shade, no D-ring to fuss with, neck shield (removable).

[squirrelman]

ARAI

.... has been doing it longer than anyone else, and their company philosophy and dedication to research and improvement can't be surpassed.

Quietness should not be a deciding factor since you should be wearing earplugs.

[RVFR]

Yep, sounds like you all ready picked a winner, you wear what fits and what you like at the right price too.

[runnerhiker]

I have had a Shoei X11 and now I have an Arai Profile. Here is my comparison.

Both are great helmets, I find them equal in comfort, ventilation, aerodynamics, quality of material and construction.

The Shoei's face shield system is much, much, better than the Arai. It's much easier to take off and put back on, it's easier to flip open and close on the bike with gloves on. Advantage Shoei.

The Arai's shin curtain is built in and thus available all the time, the Shoei snaps on/off and it's in the way, thus it stays off ten months out of the year where I live. Advantage Arai.

Both current models have an easy snap to hold the end of the chin strap in place, but the pre 2008 Shoei's had a very difficult snap so pre '08 this was an Arai advantage.

I was perfectly happy with my X11, which is now 5 yrs old. I replaced it with the Arai only because I wanted professionally installed CB radio headset and that is only available on the Arai Profile. Otherwise, I would have bought another X11.

But both are great helmets and I am happy with the Arai. I only wish the shield install/remove was easier.

I'd say go with the best fit and make sure you don't get one that's too big. A loose fit is a very common mistake, it should be very snug when new.

Ron

[Raro]

I went to a bike store that I knew had a good selection of helmets from different makers.
I didn't care about color and didn't look at the price. I just started trying them on one by one. Finally, I narrowed it down to a couple. I then just walked around the store wearing each one.

I chose an Arai Signet (I think now its called the "Profile"). It just fit my noggin the best. Luckily the price was within my budget and the color I wanted was in stock.

They all have a ton of colors or graphics so don't focus on that aspect.

[diVeFR]

Ok I'd have to say the Superlite 17k (25 lbs) with the option of the SL 37 whiskers. They also have more void space for breathing and it feels great. Any of the Miller helmets are significantly lighter (22-23 lbs) but it doesnt give you the a great view like the SL 17.......Oh wait wrong forum...Shoei RF 1000.

[jay956]

Ok I'd have to say the Superlite 17k (25 lbs) with the option of the SL 37 whiskers. They also have more void space for breathing and it feels great. Any of the Miller helmets are significantly lighter (22-23 lbs) but it doesnt give you the a great view like the SL 17.......Oh wait wrong forum...Shoei RF 1000.

HAHA i was thinking no way did this dude say his helmet weighs 25lbs, then i saw the avatar

[madduxca]

i have a shark rsr2 "muggerridge" and love it! super comfy, super light, good ventalation (due to a huge forehead vent) and the easiest visor swap around. they can be found, brand new, on ebay for around 250. this is a high end lid and a steal @ the price.

[Rick123]

If I had more oval head I would go for Shark. Very light, good ventilation and excelent face shield system. Saying that have some sugestions about Shoei. X-11 excelent vents, but becouse of number of them I found it noisier than RF-1000. A lot of turbulance while you tourning your head to the side. RF-1000 better. And I agree different fit of the same size. I coudn't wear X-11 for more then an hour . No problem with RF-1000. In my opinion X-11 is a more track oriented. RF-1000 for every day street use.

[Heretic]

I bought an Arai Quantum 2 a couple of months ago - great helmet.

[rodm850g]

Guys,
I'vebeen an Arai guy for a while least since 97....Had a Quantum E then I got an RX7RR4 and love it fits my goard well, good ventilation, peripherals,haven't had need of ear plugs for a while.....but if it don't fit your head it don't matter....if it fits thats your helmet.....I like my Arai....
Rod

[FrankoQ]

Arai Quantum FTW!!!

[bitterpil]

I would start by the helmet that best fits. Then you can look into features.
Arai has several head shapes and different sized replaceable pads all meant to custom fit the helmet to your head as much as possible.

Fit/Safety
Features
Style

in that order

Lots of brands to chose from
Arai
Shoie
Shark
Scorpion
HJC
Others