Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Helmets and Gear Helmet Advice

Hey were an opinionated bunch so give me yours.
I'm looking for a new lid. I pretty much wear only half helmets, currently a Nexl. Great helmet and very light but.... I aint getting any younger so I'm looking to move to full coverage. I've looked for a long time but just can't seem to find what I like. I do have an older full HJC I wear when it's cold or I'm feeling venerable .
Not a bad lid for the price.
Anyway here's what I would like. Modular,light weight,and this is critical, peripheral vision . That is the one thing that bugs me. I feel confined with the loss of the side vision.
And lastly, I want to be able to remove the manufactures name plates. ya know I dont mind wearing a label but is it necessary to have the name plastered in white ovals on three or four sides of the helmet!
Couple hundred bucks US. Help me out here, am I looking for something that does not exist?
mike

The HJC-CL Max seems like your huckleberry my friend:

and Ride Gear has an attractive price. I'm also looking to warm my chin a bit as it's gotten quite nippy this week on the way to work...

I had a half-helmet and a skid lid. Ditched both in favor of Scorpion 3/4 Helmet. Gave the half-helmet away, I could never again wear such an uncomfortable helmet. The Scoprion EXO-200 is so versatile and comfortable, wish I'd have bought it two years ago. Full shield when you need it, with no reduce peripheral vision. Warm weather, the shield gets replaced with a handy visor. I LOVE this helmet. The helmet is very well finished and the price is reasonable. They also offer a full face version for a little more cash. I'm very impressed with this manufacturer. (plus DOT & Snell rated)

Scoprion EXO-200 from Helmet City

The wife and I also have the Scorpion EXO-200, great helmet at a good price. It's lite weight with plenty of peripheral vision, and has a fog free flip shield for the winter, or a replaceable visor for the summer. It works great with your IPOD if thats your pleasure.
Bob and AmyLee

Not sure you can get them over there but I use a Schuberth J1. It's a jet helmet with chin bar. If you get one of the black ones, the stickers are barely visible, being (reflective) black themselves. A decent compromise between the light weight and freedom of an open-face and the protection of a full-facer. Fantastic visibility. Drop-down sun visor-at first, I thought it was a bit of a gimmick but it's pretty much indispensable now, especially if you're riding in alternating dark and light areas. (Along a tree-lined road on a sunny day, for example) Good vents. Great aerodynamics; turn your head at speed and it stays right where it is.

Not cheap but I'd suggest you try one out.

Schuberth

Review

Thanks Ed, the HJC is a possibility.

Nice SS, I dont believe they have a modular design but I like the Scorpion.

Echoance, The Schuberth is a very interesting design. Very European look. I do not believe it is availible stateside.
I bet thank one hits the wallet pretty hard also.
Mike

Keeping em coming gang.
Mike

I bought a 3/4 "classic jet" Davida from these folks in Florida four years ago..

http://www.britishcycles.com/

Yes, it cost a few dollars (~$300+ ouch!), but the service was excellent. The first one (after careful cranial measurement) wouldn't come down past my ears. I sent it back, they replaced it no questions asked. Leather liner, quiet, smaller profile, high safety quality. They carry a full range of colors (colours), or make up your own.

jh

I'm happy with my Z1R lid. It's light enough, comfortable, and doesn't try to fly away with my head at 70 MPH like my old one.

Come on gang, we can do better than this. What brain bucket are you wearing?
Mike

Greetings All! My first post... Ive been doing a bit of reasearch for my upcoming bike purchase (def getting an america) also helmets...I wanted the safest helmet made and came up with this article...The ZR1 Strike..retail $79.99, yes a real shock considering its price... also found a link where you can get em for $60.00...heres both links, safety article and online store...best of luck! http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/ and bike bandit...http://www.bikebandit.com/nav/helmets?a=622688+622674+624033+613737+622987

I have an arai signet GT. Feels safe but gives up a lot of peripheral vision. I sure like the idea of the schuberth.

Hi beebop,welcome to the show. Nice article with some interesting information. I'm still studying reviews but I'm leaning towards the HJC Sy-Max, Vega Summitt II and the Z1R.
The reviews and safety test make my eyes cross after a while.

I normally wear my carbonfiberhelmets half helmet, but when I want the full one, I love my Shoei RF, its light, great vision, and bright yellow.

There's a source on ebay that sells Vega Summit II helmets setup for snowmobiles for less than $100.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-VEGA-...sspagenameZWDVW
The helmet is the same as for motorcycles. The only difference is it comes with a double layer face shield and a removable breath guard for cold weather service. Trouble is, their stock of size and color is a might limited at the moment.

This source is a might higher in price, but still a good deal
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Vega-Summ...sspagenameZWD1V


I've had good luck with my Summitt II. I did order one size bigger. It's not as fine and finished as a $400 helmet, but good enough for a po' boy like me.

FWIW, the logo on the helmet back is non-removable. Some cons tape can cure that though.

Always an area for debate. For me, most of what I have read, including your article has said that all helmets are getting better, and are leaps and bonds ahead of where they were 10 years ago. No longer are riders having to pay $400+ to gain a quality helmet. For me it came to comfort and quality of construction as compared to the price. Just as with anything else, there is a certain amount a consumer can tell about a product's quality just from a gut check. Besides, the helmet can be the safest one on the market but if it is so uncomfortable it becomes a distraction while wearing it, leaks, prevents vision, and/or loses pieces riding down the highway, what is the point.

Oh, by the way, many people have posted what they think of Scorpions here. That is what I ended up with and it has been an outstanding helmet.

HJC SY-Max
http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed-motorcycle-products/hjc/symax/

Got the Shoei TZ-R. Been very happy with it. Cost $290.