NoFault
Novice Class
Posts: 75
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posted February 09, 2009 06:19 PM
Helmet Buying
So I got the new bike... Wife says "Hey I am not wearing that old helmet on a new bike its white and blue and this bike is black and red" and she snubbed the $400 ICON that is not even 2 full years old yet... I have an old HJC that I refinished by painting it flat black then sprayed gloss black flames over it with a stencil kit, its old man... old.
So thats the story that has me looking for helmets. The problem is there are alot of good helmets out there that are priced very reasonable. Should I drop the money for an Arai or save a buck by getting the Scorpion, the EXO 700 felt pretty good on. Or do I stay with a treid and true SHOEI, oh wait the KBC feels good too a bit heavier but not enough to bother me and whole lot less money. Oh and I went out and treid some AGV's as well just too make it more difficult. Wife wants hers to match the bike, me not sure really... Its just a helmet....
Who wears what and what do you think of it?
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The ones I care to acknowledge;
2008 ZX14 (as of Feb 07/09)
2002 Roadstar Warrior
1999 Yamaha R1 (You are Missed)
1996 ZX7R
1989 Honda Hurricane (Rem those)
  
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Red1
Expert Class
Posts: 442
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posted February 09, 2009 06:27 PM
Scorpion is one of the best helmets for the money! I love my crackhead!!!
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Red12/Blue14
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted February 09, 2009 06:31 PM
Well.. gotta agree that if you can't afford an Arai, Scorpion is a good bet.. however I've always bought Arai... they're handmade ... love them... worth every penny IMHO.
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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NoFault
Novice Class
Posts: 75
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posted February 09, 2009 07:06 PM
Its not really that I cant afford it I just feel stupid if it isnt that much better.. Keep in mind I am buying two here. 1300 for helmets just makes my stomach hurt...
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The ones I care to acknowledge;
2008 ZX14 (as of Feb 07/09)
2002 Roadstar Warrior
1999 Yamaha R1 (You are Missed)
1996 ZX7R
1989 Honda Hurricane (Rem those)
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pazx14rider
Zone Head
Posts: 953
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posted February 09, 2009 07:07 PM
Icon is the only helmet i buy you can get any repacement parts cheap and good price at a very good quality.
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted February 09, 2009 07:11 PM
I dont think you need to shell out 1300 for a helmet? just which arai are you looking at?? 
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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NoFault
Novice Class
Posts: 75
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posted February 09, 2009 07:13 PM
quote:
I dont think you need to shell out 1300 for a helmet? just which arai are you looking at??
I have to get two... and she will settle for no less than what I get lol.... I looked at the Jolly Rodger... forget what model it is on..
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The ones I care to acknowledge;
2008 ZX14 (as of Feb 07/09)
2002 Roadstar Warrior
1999 Yamaha R1 (You are Missed)
1996 ZX7R
1989 Honda Hurricane (Rem those)
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zixxer14
Pro
Damn that was Quick
Posts: 1233
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posted February 09, 2009 08:53 PM
Got HJC, Scorpion & 3 Shoei's. Scorpion was ok for a couple years & then got uncomfortable, even got new liner, HJC always felt weird, loose, Shoei always comfortable, X-11 best ever, great airflow, doesn't lift IMO
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smokehouse4444
Zone Head
XX to ZX
Posts: 648
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posted February 09, 2009 09:14 PM
I don't think you could ever go wrong with an Arai or Shoei, but dammmmnnnn, you can buy 5 or 6 of the "mid" level helmets for the price of those two. The mids do what they are supposed to do, without as much of the creature comforts. I have an older Arai RX-7 and a Scorpion exo 700 and they don't feel all that different.
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2008 Atomic Silver ZX-14, Brock's this and that, some other stuff, 260 in full gear, powered by Cheese
2005 Ducati 999 with all the goodies
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted February 09, 2009 09:16 PM
Scorpion helmets are good quality but heavy as all. Good for 15 laps around a track (I wear an EXO700 on track).
I use comfortable helmets, shoei and arai both on the street.
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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martay
Parking Attendant
Posts: 1
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posted February 10, 2009 01:37 AM
Just bought a KBC and am quite happy with it. A little heavier than the primo Arai and Shoei brain buckets, but for good quality at an affordable price( especially buying more than one ) I think it is acceptable. I had a noisy HJC prior to this so this is an upgrade for me. True enthusiasts will tell you to go with the higher end stuff, but if you are not on the track, then go with what fits your head. Just my 2 cents---i'm not advocating KBC---It just fit me pretty good and so far i'm happy with it.
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Rook
Pro
Posts: 1125
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posted February 10, 2009 05:04 AM
 Edited By: Rook on 10 Feb 2009 13:06
Helmet shopping has to be the most important motorcycle related expense there is. I think just owning a couple helmets and wearing them is more important than which brand. I've never heard of a helmet shell breaking. I might consider just getting a can of black spray paint and a can of clearcoat and making your 2 year old helmet match the bike (I know they all say "do not apply paint to helmet shell" but you see an awful lot of custom painted helmet out there, regardless.)
I don't have a thorough knowledge of various brands but my feeling is that the padding is really what you pay for in safety features. The padding is a little bit thin in my Icon and its huge vents look cool but they create more noise than my smaller vented KBC. My KBC also fit tighter (both helmets were size M) and the padding seemed thicker and more dense.
I've heard Shoe and a couple other more expensive helmets have different sized shells for different size helmets (the size Small helmet has the smallest shell). less expensive brands have the same size shell for all sizes.
Rook
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slates
Expert Class
Posts: 377
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posted February 10, 2009 05:21 AM
I've had an Arai Quantum and a Shoei RF1000...and both were nice helmets. I've tried on almost every top of the line helmet and nothing compares in comfort to an Arai RX7 Corsair or their new Corsair V. I currently have the RX7 Haga Fire & Ice.
If you want to save money buy a solid color helmet for you and the wife. I'd go with either the top of the line Arai or a Shoei X11. I know that I got a great deal on my RX7 from Indysuperbikes.com during one of their sales.
good luck.
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black zx14 - Brock's Gen3 Carbon, PCIII, no secondaries, Carrozzeria wheels, Sato rearsets, Pazzo levers, GPR V4 steering damper, Puig windscreen, Tiger Racing chain guard
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted February 10, 2009 05:27 AM
A good friend of mine once said to me "If you've got a cheap head then get a cheap helmet" That's the kind of thing you tend to remember. Also consider that people do spend thousands on their bike and still ride around wearing bottom-of-the-range helmets, why do they do that?
I wear a Shoei, the only reason it's Shoei and not Arai is because I have a head shape that suits that brand. Last August when I fell off the bike my helmet was grazed. Now it's in the rubbish bin and I have a new one. That's my approach, I don't have a cheap head.
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Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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Beondwacko
Expert Class
Posts: 393
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posted February 10, 2009 06:24 AM
BobC, Good posting. I appreciate your logic with this one.
I too am in the market for 2 new lids. A converable for the wife and I'm all up in the air with what I'm going to end up with. I currently have 2 Icon alliance mainframes and I wouldn't buy them again. Granted, they are now each 4 yrs old, but the non removeable padding makes me crazy. They are also very noisy. I think I may end up with an X-11 from the various people I have asked about them.
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08' Atomic Silver, PCIII, Brocks pipe,BMC, -1, strapped front end
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BobC
Pro
Posts: 1736
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posted February 10, 2009 06:30 AM
Too right, most full face helmets are noisy and it's like white noise with a wide spectrum and very damaging to your ears. I also wear earplugs to preserve my hearing.
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Candy Thunder Blue 2006 ZZR1400
Stock wheelbase
Max: 205.4 mph in 1.25 miles
2012 ZZR1400 in Golden Blazed Green
Brock CT Full System. etc
Max: 203.1 in 1 mile (so far)
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SteveWFL
Moderator
Posts: 27920
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posted February 10, 2009 06:33 AM
uber-cheap lids ---- http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/hot+deals/hot+deals+-+sport
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2010 Concours14
'08 R1 YAMAHA
ZX14 gone!
CBR600RR track bike
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Old Guy
Expert Class
Posts: 470
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posted February 10, 2009 09:52 AM
quote:
A good friend of mine once said to me "If you've got a cheap head then get a cheap helmet" That's the kind of thing you tend to remember. Also consider that people do spend thousands on their bike and still ride around wearing bottom-of-the-range helmets, why do they do that?
I wear a Shoei, the only reason it's Shoei and not Arai is because I have a head shape that suits that brand. Last August when I fell off the bike my helmet was grazed. Now it's in the rubbish bin and I have a new one. That's my approach, I don't have a cheap head.
+1 
Go test fit helmets. Buy what fits snug without tight spots!!
If you to, order the color you like ,just get a good fit first!!
Arai makes several models in different shapes.
I dont fit any Arai, Suomy, or Scorpions, so I wear Shoei. 1st a RF1000, now a x11.
For street I actually prefer the less costly 1000.
I got a fresh 11 at a good price and liked the superior venting for track days.
The 1000 didnt fog as quickly in rainy Western Wa.
Hey pazx14rider.
You can get parts for the Sheoi and Arai at most dealerships. I tightened up the fit for my RF 1000 with off shelf cheek pads. Was nice to have it tight when I bounced it at 120!!
My Icon Manic would have broke my frickin neck!!
The Manic is a cool looking helmet that sits on a shelf as its a older model that packed out way too quickly and I COULD NOT get parts for.
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Living the good life...,
On a XZ !!!!!
Tsukigi stainless full system
pcIII w/custom map
NO freakin flies!!
GP suspension forks
Penske rear shock
Rich's custom seat
And a whole bunch of other stuff.
97 zx6r full race bike with all the
good stuff
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21894
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posted February 10, 2009 09:52 AM
quote:
A good friend of mine once said to me "If you've got a cheap head then get a cheap helmet" That's the kind of thing you tend to remember. Also consider that people do spend thousands on their bike and still ride around wearing bottom-of-the-range helmets, why do they do that?
I wear a Shoei, the only reason it's Shoei and not Arai is because I have a head shape that suits that brand. Last August when I fell off the bike my helmet was grazed. Now it's in the rubbish bin and I have a new one. That's my approach, I don't have a cheap head.
agree 100% with this - for me, I've tried Shoei, but they don't fit... Arai Quantum fits me exactly the same 100% of the time...
I never bought the BS of that "buy cheap chinese" helmets article and since it was published I've found out so much crap about it, and the fact that they were supposed to print a retraction etc - I can't believe they were allowed to publish such BS - endangering lives at the same time... I can assure you that none of those journalists wear cheap chinese helmets .. they all wear either arai or shoei...
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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juicey69
Novice Class
slowpoke
Posts: 44
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posted February 10, 2009 10:48 AM
I have an Icon and also Scorpion,nice lids imo
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Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles ..." - Hunter S. Thompson
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted February 10, 2009 11:46 AM
Edited By: Ninja_Knight on 10 Feb 2009 19:49
Dude! She's matching a helmet to the bike and that is her ONLY concern? Bah! Get her the Black Dahlia Red Rose Scorpion helmet, and you get yourself a nice Shoei X-11 buddy! She won't complain because the Black Dahlia Scorpion helmet will match EXACTLY with your black and red beast: http://parts.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/4900-exo-700-black-dahlia-helmet-scorpion.html
Edit: When you click on the link be certain to select the BLACK color because the WHITE color is the default shown.
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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Hawkman
Zone Head
Posts: 747
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posted February 10, 2009 11:47 AM
I don't believe in the buy expensive because expensive is better bullshit. I've got a Shoei RF-1000 and it's not all that. That's not to say I wouldn't buy an expensive helmet. I'd just try to find it for the least amount that I can. I got my Shoei for $250 delivered.
Buy what you like and fits you well.
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted February 10, 2009 12:05 PM
quote:
I got my Shoei for $250 delivered. Buy what you like and fits you well.
I have a new Shoei RF-1000 (Crest), and I love the helmet! Then again I am coming off of a Shoei RF-900, so you can see my judgement may be off. I went to the local Cycle Gear and I tried on every helmet that appealed to me, and then I had them order a couple they did not have in stock and I tried those on as well. Cycle Gear lets you WEAR the helmet for a week to see if you like it with a full money back guarantee so I buy most of my equipment through them.
Between the Aria and the Shoei the Shoei line fits me best. Like Hawkman says, you can still get top-of-the-line helmets at a decent rate so you do not need to spend the big bucks unless you want the very latest. A helmet is a helmet. It will protect your noggin in a crash, and that is all that matters. When you head to the top of the ladder you get a more comfortable helmet which in return gives you a more comfortable ride.... but for the people riding bitch, the rider blocks all the wind anyway, so they get the cheapies! 
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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NoFault
Novice Class
Posts: 75
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posted February 10, 2009 02:16 PM
quote:
Dude! She's matching a helmet to the bike and that is her ONLY concern? Bah! Get her the Black Dahlia Red Rose Scorpion helmet, and you get yourself a nice Shoei X-11 buddy! She won't complain because the Black Dahlia Scorpion helmet will match EXACTLY with your black and red beast: http://parts.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/4900-exo-700-black-dahlia-helmet-scorpion.html
Edit: When you click on the link be certain to select the BLACK color because the WHITE color is the default shown.
No dude its not her only concern.... But she is a chick and they do like to match.
Shoei's dont fit me right.... Arais do and so does the Scorpion. The scorpion fit her well as well however to my surprise that cheap damn KBC fit her best, I like her hearing and want her to stay way away from that one. She liked the padding in the Shoei 1000, its softer. She wants it to match because she likes tough looking stuff, this bike in matte looks pretty tough to her so she figures the helmet should not look all happy and gay.
____________
The ones I care to acknowledge;
2008 ZX14 (as of Feb 07/09)
2002 Roadstar Warrior
1999 Yamaha R1 (You are Missed)
1996 ZX7R
1989 Honda Hurricane (Rem those)
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Ninja_Knight
Zone Head
Posts: 666
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posted February 10, 2009 02:34 PM
quote:
quote:
Dude! She's matching a helmet to the bike and that is her ONLY concern? Bah! Get her the Black Dahlia Red Rose Scorpion helmet, and you get yourself a nice Shoei X-11 buddy! She won't complain because the Black Dahlia Scorpion helmet will match EXACTLY with your black and red beast: http://parts.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/1/4900-exo-700-black-dahlia-helmet-scorpion.html
Edit: When you click on the link be certain to select the BLACK color because the WHITE color is the default shown.
No dude its not her only concern.... But she is a chick and they do like to match.
Shoei's dont fit me right.... Arais do and so does the Scorpion. The scorpion fit her well as well however to my surprise that cheap damn KBC fit her best, I like her hearing and want her to stay way away from that one. She liked the padding in the Shoei 1000, its softer. She wants it to match because she likes tough looking stuff, this bike in matte looks pretty tough to her so she figures the helmet should not look all happy and gay.
HA HA HA! I get you! She’s all skulls and cross bones, eh? The black and red bike is SERIOUSLY bad ass so I guess I can't blame her for wanting to look the part. Personally I do not care so much what a helmet looks like, but rather how it works.
As for preserving her hearing nothing beats a good pair of Moldex Pura-Fit 6800 earplugs! Even the quietest helmet is too loud to not hurt your hearing. If you get accustomed to wearing earplugs every time you ride then you won't care so much about helmet noise. It was annoying for me at first, and I would tend to forget them in the beginning, but now I just keep them in my jacket pocket and I am good to go.
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2009 B&O Special Edition, Brock's CF Gen 3 Exhaust, Dark Smoke ZG Double Bubble Windshield, PCIII, Muzzy Fan, Heli Risers, Throttlemeister Heavy, Nautilus Stebel Horn, Waiting on HID's and Tinted Signal Lens
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