Looking for a new helmet

[redneckK20]

I currently have a Sparx dual sport helmet, which cost me about $100 and has served it's purpose for the last 18 months. I need a new helmet, and I'm willing to drop a chunk of change on a new helmet. My head is 60cm and I have a long oval headshape. The XD4 is absolutely out, as much as it pains me to say it. My head does not fit it in the slightest. I should wear a large, the large XD4 gives me a headache after about 5 seconds due to the extreme pressure at the front and back of my head. The XL doesn't, but it also flops around when I move my head. I tried on a Shoei Hornet today, and in a large, it felt pretty good. I hate that it only comes in solid, boring colors, but I like the fitment pretty well. Not quite perfect, but good. I really like the AGV AX-8 DS, but could only find a medium to try on. It was obviously too small, but the shape felt like it might work. I really like the Icon Variant Carbon but can't find anywhere that has one in stock to try on.

In short, I have a long oval head and want a good dual sport helmet. Any recommendations?

 

[~TABASCO~]

That ICON is a cool helment. Where are you in the state? Motoliberty in Dallas has/had them.

 

[Rasher]

Avoid the Schuberth C3 - biggest waste of money I have ever made on bike kit.

I now have a Shoei Neotec and it is really nice, I also have an HJC R-Pha max, a very good lid for the money, the only downside is very little room for speakers, so the Shoei is my toruing lid, and I use the HJC for local blasts as it is very light, well vented and has a decent sun shield.

The HJC is not Shoei quality, but is still damn fine and a fair bit cheaper, the Shoei is beautifully made, I got a deal at the Bike Show, but at full whack they are crazy money and probably more than I would spend on something that needs changing every few years.

 

[nondairycreamer]

A good place to go..........

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm

 

[Boris]

Hi

After years of Arai's, I tried an X-Lite 802R, the Checa rep version. It's a great lid, very light, vents work a treat, easy visor change mechanism...........only negative - a little more noisy than the Arai.

Overall though....recommended!

Boris

 

[Philistine]

I had the same problem so I went to a road helmet lot more to chose from, I got a Shoei gt air and love it, wear it all day, sleep in it sometimes ::025::

 

[macca]

I had the same problem so I went to a road helmet lot more to chose from, I got a Shoei gt air and love it, wear it all day, sleep in it sometimes ::025::

Another vote for the Shoei GT Air. Bloomin maverlous lid. I still have my Hornet DS (its a rather nice black stripe and metallic white) but its for short hot trips only these days.

 

[Rasher]

I forgot to mention my Mrs bought the GT Air and it looks like a damn fine lid, she prefers the cosier fit, I was originally looking for the Air, but preferred the roomier feel of the Neotec when trying them on, I also find the Flip style handy, but as my other lids were flip front and I wanted a lid for longer touring runs I was not so bothered.

IMO fit is probably the most important aspect, and unfortunately a shop fitting does not always show up how well a lid will feel after 30 minutes on a bike, and reviews are no good either.

I do like the web bike world reviews, about as a good as lid reviews get - but they failed to notice the Schuberth C3 visor stops holding the part open positions after a few weeks use (probably because they only use a lid for a few days)

I have also liked Arai's in the past, but they are too race-rep focussed for me and tend to be noisy and do not offer sun shields or flip designs, I know they claim they are all safer without them, but at the end of the day if I wanted to be entirely safe I would sell the bike and buy myself a suit of armour to walk about in, and a helmet is predominantly there to stop your head wearing away in a crash and they all do that to a fairly similar degree.

 

[redneckK20]

That ICON is a cool helment. Where are you in the state? Motoliberty in Dallas has/had them.

I'm in Denton, I went by there yesterday with no luck.. They had 1 AGV AX-8 DS but it was a medium.

 

[redneckK20]

A good place to go..........

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm

Thank you! This gave me a ton of info.. It's got me leaning more and more towards the AGV. Even when I squeezed the medium on my head yesterday, the shape felt right..

 

[advswede1981]

I have a Icon Variant for sale. It's white, size large, and I only worn it for about 25 miles around town before I decided to stick with my Shark R-Vision instead since it has an internal sun shield in it + a dual sport helmet isn't really my thing anyways. A new helmet runs for around $350, but I'm asking $300, which will also include three extra shields that I bought (x1 clear, x1 light smoke, x1 dark smoke = $120 value)

 

[redneckK20]

Very tempting, but without knowing fitment, I can't buy it.. Plus, if I was going with the Variant, I'd go with the carbon because I'm tired of having a heavy helmet. The AGV is actually lighter than the Carbon Variant, another reason I'm considering going with the AGV.

 

[RED CAT]

Depends what you are after. Quietness and comfort are the most important for me. Looks is last. My Arai Vector is great in this respect. Made for an intermediate oval shaped head. Not made any more but replaced by the Signet Q. I'd love a modular like the new Schuberth C3 Pro but not comfortable on my head and I worry about the noise factor compared to a Full Face. My tinnitus is bad. Hope to try on a few new ones at the Bike Show in a couple of weeks. My Vector is getting ratty. ::001::

 

[redneckK20]

I almost bought an Arai Vector a couple years back but I was too broke at the time.. Ended up ordering one of these today at work, and a light smoke shield for it.