What's your helmet choice and why?

[steve_wicks]

Very often the shell of a 'cheap helmet' comes out the same factory as a known brand, but things like linings, vents, visors, buckles etc are the big difference.

[Justin B.]

I have a couple of 3/4 Rodia helmets.  The first ones actually were fiberglass but I think the newer ones are a polycarbonate of some sorts.  They have flip-up shields and cost around $50 - I think they are a good value in a helmet.

[weasel01]

Thank you for your responses!

I've looked at all suggested models and though the Shoei looks great it's out of the range for what I feel that my heads worth...

I have more of a $200 head.

I used to use a Nolan full face that was a great helmet but it was heavy had non removable panels and the visor fogged way too easily
and mostly it was HOT.

I'm using a very cheap 3/4 helmet w/ sunglasses now and I'm getting tired of being force fed large bugs ...so I'm looking at the regular full face VS. a modular.

I've had the full face so I know what to expect but the modular looks like the heat relief I've always wished I could get with my Nolan.

On a modular , does the visor flip up too? that would be perfect!

Is their a downside to the modular?

Also some people said the HJC was noisey is this true with all HJC?

[Dave 2]

Back in the 60's and 70's I used a Bell open faced helmets, because the Bell was the only helmet the was comfortable for me, and they didn't have full faced helmets back then [smiley=beatnik.gif]. I rode Honda's back then, my first bike was a used CB160 and then I went to a 305 Super Hawk, and ended up with a CL 305 Scrambler. In 1972 I bought my BMW R 60/5 and stayed with the Bell. After I sold the BMW in 1974(Big mistake ) I did not ride for a few years, until the itch once again took over and I went through a Yamaha 500 single, a Suzuki 550? 4, and then settled on a 1981 Suzuki GS 850 shaft drive. For these I used an Ari full face helmet, which again was a matter of comfort and fit as well as Ari's reputation. Now, 20 years latter I bought the Shoei Multitec. The reasons being dealer recommendation re. its quality, and for me the fact that it is not made in China. The fit and comfort are perfect for me. I debated about getting the Shoei full faced helmet with the Snell approval, however I felt to claustrophobic in it. If I crash I'll try to remember to turn my head so I don't land on my face . The salesman at the dealer claimed that the main open faced portion of the helmet is identical to the regular Shoei open faced helmet which does have Snell approval. So I think I safe enough.

[msbuck]

Once I tried the BMW modular helmet back in the 80's there has been no turning back for me!  I'm now using an Arrow Modular (don't make those anymore, I'm afraid) and my husband has the Nolan Modular.  He just took out the lining to wash it and he's very happy with it.  You might want to check them out again.

I have even landed on my face (I watched the pavement bounce 3 times) and my helmet held up fine.  Can't remember exactly which modular that one was.  I know the modular aren't SNELL approved, but they are DOT approved and I've been completely happy.  I'll never go back to a standard full face.

 I just use earplugs for any helmet/wind noise I get while riding.  

[Justin B.]

Amp, I think most (if not all) modular helmets are considerably noisier than a full helmet.  My HJC is quite noisy but not overly so.  As far as your 3/4 helmet and eating bugs goes there are numerous 3/4 helmets on the market that have a flip-up face shield.  Nolan even makes an N-Com helmet in a 3/4 style with a flip-up shield.

Oh, at least on the HJC Symax the visor also flips up...

[Yikes]

I have a white full face HJC SP-CL, which I havew been pretty happy for the last couple of years since I got the bike.  It has a nice flip open visor which I keep open a lot in the mostly city-riding I do.  I haven't tried a lot of other helmets, so I can't say how quiet it is compared to other models.  It was quite inexpensive for a full-face DOT & Snell rated helmet.  I also wear glasses and have gotten adept at putting my helmet on with the glasses on.  The secret is to look up and put your face in first, then rotate the helmet back and down on top of your head.  The glasses do have to pulled off tho remove the helmet.

The helmet is quite large (I'm 5'-11", 165lb.) and on the occasions I see mself in a reflection, there is definitely a Power Rangers look to it.  I've been thinking of maybe getting something smaller and lighter for hot weather - a Suomy Nomad open-face, but that is going to have to wait until after the fork springs, rear shocks, seat cover, frame paint....

[MrRiden]

I'm using an HJC full face that is about 3 years old. H1 I think is the model. It is extremely noisy and wants to ride up when I look over my shoulder despite using the included pads to form a better fit. the cheek pads squeeze my face like a grandmother pinching a child. The visor screw cover promptly broke on the first visor change. It has vents that don't circulate air well but do whistle like a pipe organ in a hurricane. There is no flip down shade, blue tooth, Fax or Wi-Fi built in. The strap does have a little snap to secure the loose end once buckled and this works flawlessly. I use it 'cuz I'm a poverty rider and got it on clearance for $98usd. I need a real Helmet!

[weasel01]

What about speakers?

do you guys use them?

 I doubt I would use them for communication but music on the highway sounds appealing...or maybe distractingly dangerous?

[montmil]

Being a bit worn down by the years plus a life-long love of things that are really noisy, I'm forced to wear electronic audio enhancement devices along with custom visual acuity lenses...  Okay, the old guy has hearing aids and glasses.

A Fulmer modular is almost mandatory for me to gear up without unplugging everything. Yes, Ampy, the visor flips up independent from the face piece. Face shield defrost vent is nice along with the top 'o the head vent. Noisy? What? Huh? Say again, please.

Guy at work says modulars are too heavy but he's a pencil-neck geek whose idea of exercise is a brisk sit.

[smiley=happy.gif]Monte
    

[sixfifty]

What about speakers?

do you guys use them?

 I doubt I would use them for communication but music on the highway sounds appealing...or maybe distractingly dangerous?

in my previous helmets, i would buy some over-the-ear headphones from radio shack, cut off the head piece, and velcro the earpieces into the helmet.  run the cord under the headliner and out the back.

wear earplugs when you listen to music in your helmet.  sounds odd, but you can still hear quite well.

even with earplugs, music tends to get as fatiguing as wind noise after a while.

[Justin B.]

We have a couple of helmets that I stuck in the Chatterbox mic/earphone kits to go along with the Chatterbox radios.  At speed I can just make out what somebody is saying if the volume is all the way up.  

What I have been doing now that I'm riding a bike without a radio is to use "ear buds" and MP3 player.  The helmet slips right on...

[msbuck]

We have the Collett communicators and both use speakers in our helmets, no problems.  Don't listen to music, just each other on occasion - no chit-chatting, just important stuff like, "ooo - did you see that deer?" And we use earplugs with the speakers as well...it actually blocks out more of the background/wind noise and makes it easier to hear what you need to hear.

Sometimes it takes a little finagaling to get the speakers just right.  Some of the helmets have niches built in for speakers.

[Altritter]

Amp, I think most (if not all) modular helmets are considerably noisier than a full helmet.

I've not noticed any in from my Shoei. Of course, spouse says I can't hear a thunderclap.  

[nhmaf]

No music for me - I find it too distracting.   I often wear earplugs to cut the wind noise on long rides even with a full face helment, but some helmets are reasonably quiet even without earplugs.