Thankfully there is no helmet law here in Idaho.:clap: Lately I have been thinking about a full face helmet for winter riding. Any reasonably priced recomendations? what to look for for? I see cheap ones on Ebay but im sure you get what you pay for
I got mine from HelmetCity.com. I got the HJC CL-Max2. Excellent customer service and free shipping!!
I got a big melon so finding helmets in XXXL is hard. This flip up/full face HJC is probably the most comfortable helmet I have found!!
Consider getting a modular full face helmet. They are real nice for when you've stopped and want to talk or take a drink but don't necessarily want to remove your helmet. I got one last year and have put about 10,000 miles on it, including a cross country ride where I was continually stopping for gas, etc. and just flipping the helmet up when wanted or needed. In the up position, which is not recommended for riding, the bottom part can be used as a sun shade for when the sun is very low in the sky and otherwise directly in your eyes. The one I have I got from Cycle Gear. The store name of the is Bilt. It's fine and not expensive.
@greegree:
I like modular, aka "flip up" helmets too. Another nice thing about them is that they are much more user friendly than a solid full face if you wear glasses. I have a Shoei Multitech that I like. You can get a pinlock fogless faceshield insert for it that really works. Certainly there are other very good choices out there. One feature you may want to consider is an inner sunshield. The IS Max by HJC is a modular with this feature. Basically it is a built in sunglasses of sorts that you can flip down over your regular glasses or sunglasses for extra glare reduction. Do some research. Things to consider are noise and ease of use. I like this website for research on all kinds of stuff including helmets. Good luck!
Also give Shoei a try, I find that Aria helmets are better for a round head as Shoei are better for an oval head. I have a modular helmet too, real convenient, as mentioned, however they are also real noisy, anytime there is a pivot point, or an opening, there will be wind noise too.
HJC, Bell, Scorpion, Icon, and many others make good (cheap) helmets, just try a few to see what you like, fiberglass helmets are going to be twice the price as plastic, but they are lighter too. Good luck!
If you are in Idaho, go to Big Twin on Orchard. Try them on. Fit is everything. Support your local business if you can. Ask him to match the other's price ( watch shipping?)or show you why the other helmet is not the same. Good luck.
I thought mine was Arai , but I can only see the words Symax. I have had it for 5 years but with my head in it I can't see the name. Comfortable, quiet, feels plenty safe, yet not too heavy. Get the helmet your head deserves. Gotta worthless head ? go cheap.
I agree about the modular helmet. I bought one for cooler weather riding and it is great. I wear glasses so it is also much easier to put on without taking my glasses off. Most of them have additional air vents also to help keep you vented.
Arai and Shoei make excellent helmets, however if you are looking for something less expensive yet not lacking good quality check out Scorpion Helmets. They are light and quiet.
Modular style helmets seem nice too, but I have no experience with them.
Check out Motorcyclecloseouts.com or motorcycle-superstore.com both have a great selection and a clearance section.
I have Shoei RF1100 that I like a lot. Ventilation is pretty good and Shoei makes different thickness cheek pads that ensure a good fit. A little pricy though. Another good helmet is the Scorpion EXO 700, which is both DOT and Snell certified. A little heavier that the Shoei, but a good helmet for the price. It can be had for a little over $100 at some of the online places when on sale.
Helmets are a very user friendly choice, all of our heads are different shaped, for my head I've always liked Shoei helmets, have had several different styles and models and they've been the most comfortable for me. Shoei's are a bit pricey compared to some but I've deffinately got he extra use out of mine. If it's not comfortable the less likely you are to use it.
I have a Shoei Multitech that I like. Not reasonably priced. But it is comfortable and fits good. I had a Nolan modular, but when they came out with the new style, the noise in the helmet was too much to take. ( I wear ear plugs everytime I ride and this was with ear plugs)
Also depending out what mufflers you have, you will find that they reverberate inside your helmet. I put a set of V&H mufflers on and the noise was bothersome. I didn't make it 40 miles. I installed a set of S&S SPO's and no problem. Good luck.
I have the Shoei -F1000 also. I like it! It's the first full face I've ever worn and I bought it to use in the cold/wet weather. I liked it so much that I used it almost exclusively this summer.
However, my next helmet will be a modular for the convienience of the flip up. Plus, the new the new ones now incorporate a flip down sun sheild that I like.
i bought what was on sale. leatherup has some for like 40 bucks but the downside is you cant try b4 u buy. I picked mine up for 80 at a bike accesory shop. real comfortable snug fit but not too tight. Those things are way hot. Def. a must for winter riding.
I ride in a full-face exclusively since there's no windscreen on the bike and I am most comfortable with the closed in cocoon feel and protection. This has served me well over the past decades and I never even consider any other helmet. I might get a modular flip-up in the future, that's what Mrs. Scrubs wears.
I spend what it takes for comfort and protection and have had several different brands...Arai, Shoei, Vemar and HJC. The 2 that are in use now are the Vemar ($$$$) and HJC ($$-$$$), both are carbon fiber and ultra lightweight.
The HJC fits comfortably and a bit more snug than any I have worn before, but with some wear-in this summer it is fitting like a glove. Wear that one mostly during the windiest of days, however it transmits more noise from wind and pipes than the Vemar.
As far as full-face fit, they all fit a little differently because of differing head shapes. Some of the mfrs just don't fit me like Icon (ouch!), Scorpion (not a fan), and some cheapo brands. The more expensive brands fit me best...go figure.
I always tell new riders to visit your nearest sportbike dealer or accessory store like CycleGear. Keep trying on the different brands/models and take notes in preparation for buying on-line. Helmet House and Helmet City are good internet stores, although you may end up buying from CycleGear during their frequent sales or using a discount (e.g., military).
I just ordered a Nolan N 43 Trilogy. It is somewhat of a convertible helmet. The chin bar is removable so it can either be a full face or a 3/4 helmet depending on your preference. The face shield seals on the sides of the helmet so it should work well in cold / wet weather.
Please post a review of N43. This is the only (almost) full face helmet that I am considering. I like the modular features, and for me all the visibility the helmet promises. I have a good Shoei FF, which I will wear in heavy rain or really cold weather. However, I do not like the fact I cannot read the speedo and tach on the tank.
+ another recommendation to try before you buy. Poor fit sucks. You can tweak the fit a bit with foam weatherstrip pieces under the liner, but if it's uncomfortable or moves around when you pass big trucks coming in the opposite direction on a 2 lane highway, something's got to change.
I'm a full face helmet guy year round, and really like my Shoei RF-1100. Good in the rain and wind, decent ventilation even above 100 deg, although stoplights and stop n go traffic require the shield to be flipped up.
One thing to consider also is - whether you can still 'see' your speedometer & tach with the full face helmet on. I bought mine, but have to tilt my head down & take my eyes off the road to see my speed.... not good !.
I use modular HJCs and love them. A full-face is great for riding in the rain or cold weather and on a warm day you can ride with the chinbar up for more wind in the face. HJCs are the only ones that fit my fat head, size 8-1/2, with their 4x model. I originally got one for snowmobiling and liked it so well I bought another one for the bike in a color that matched my FLHTP. I've done 700+ mile days and have no lack of comfort issues. The only feature that I miss on the HJCs that some other modulars have is the internal flip-down sunshade. I got the last HJC on-line for a much better price than the local store since I knew which size was comfortable for me.
I picked up the Harley 3/4 helmet with retractable sun shield last month in preparation for the colder weather. I was actually kind of surprised it was only $160. Definitely recommend it. I generally don't wear a helmet and this thing is pretty damn comfy.
I'm a Suomy advocate. Had seven of them, down to five now. Also have a nice Vemar and a couple Sharks. Suomy I would say is in the same class as Arai and Shoei, its made in Italy though and so is Vemar and Shark. For my noggin, Suomy has always fit well, which is critical in any helmet. You might want to look at a helmet with an obvious spoiler on the back, they help cut the wind and minimize buffeting. I like wearing a full face when riding without a windshield. Weight is an important issue as well. The lighter the helmet the less you are affected by wind blast and buffeting. The cheaper helmets are usually heavier. Most painted graphic Suomys, Arai and Shoei are expensive; Suomy being the best looking for graphics. One of mind I got custom painted, its awesome, even has the face of my Bulldog on both sides.
I have used the beanie for 30+ yrs and always pushed away the full face. I must have hit my head on something because I have decided to go for more coverage. WE got a pair of Shoei Multitecs and Dam I wish I would have done this yrs a go, everthing I though the full face was or were , I was wrong. I can see and hear and stay warm or cool, we can talk, drink and shovel sunflower seeds as we ride. I can't believe I waited this long. The adjustment took about an hr and we are totally happy. Very versitile and east to wear glasses with, easy on easy off. Try it you'll like it.
I have worn a 3/4 for forty years. I recently bought a Shoei Qwest. It is a light and very comfortable full-face helmet. I bought it primarily for cold and wet weather. I don't mind riding in the rain but I hate getting my face wet.
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