\*** Helmet Choice ***/

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jjs777
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\*** Helmet Choice ***/

Post by jjs777 »

<FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>I'm surprised no one has come up with this POLL yet...err oburn ? <br><br>I've been using the same Shoei X8-Air Daryl Beattie replica since...I dare say 1995 I think. I just haven't seen that many designs that I like to make me want to upgrade. I also like the Shoei style I have as it is shaped differently, very snug to remove or put on, but it slices thru the wind better than any of my friends helmets that I have tried - but I've yet to try Suomy. And this slicing thru the wind thing I would never want to give up - if you don't know what I'm talking about then your missing the boat IMHO.<br><br>So what do you folks prefer? What helmet manufacturer is your top choice for a FULL FACE HELMET for motorcycling OR what are you using now for your main go to lid?<br><br>VOTE NOW!<br><br>If your helmet make is not in the poll choice then reply with your favorite. Also...like I said, I want something different...so whats your favorite design? Okay if I was a kwacker rider (kawi) then I would no doubt have chosen the Indian Feathered lid replica of Scott Russel. But I dont do green yet...so what else?</FONT><FORM method=post action="http://p072.ezboard.com/fexupbrotherhoo ... ic"><table border=0 cellpadding=3 cellspacing=0 width="55%"><tbody><tr><td><input type="radio" name="choice" value="1"><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>Suomy</FONT></td></tr><tr><td><input type="radio" name="choice" value="2"><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>Shoei</FONT></td></tr><tr><td><input type="radio" name="choice" value="3"><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>HJC</FONT></td></tr><tr><td><input type="radio" name="choice" value="4"><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>ARAI</FONT></td></tr><tr><td><input type="radio" name="choice" value="5"><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=2>AGV</FONT></td></tr></tbody></table><P><input type=submit value="Vote"></form><a HREF=http://p072.ezboard.com/fexupbrotherhoo ... s=on><FONT FACE="Verdana,Arial" SIZE=1>Show results</FONT></A> <p>-John<br>95 FZR1000<br>90 FZR1000</p><i></i>

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FZRDude
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Re: Skid Lid

Post by FZRDude »

I have the Arai Quantum e (Black) and have had it since '98. Love it. Easy to maintain, sheild swap can be done while wearing (if you're good), and has replaceable liner and cheek pads. One drawback to the Arai's is the cost of a replacement shield. Something like $40 for clear and $70 for tinted.<br>I have a old Shoei RF-200, (got it in '91) but it is retired and sitting on the shelf. It never fit just right.<br><br>I too am looking for a new lid, so this poll serves many purposes. <p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... <!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:red;font-family:times new roman;font-size:small;">There are some who call me........Tim?</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:white;font-family:times new roman;font-size:small;">Director of Entertainment <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://eddieandthecruisersmc.com" target="top">Eddie & the Cruisers</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></span><!--EZCODE FONT END--> <br><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;font-family:times new roman;font-size:small;">1994 FZR 1000</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br><br>I find that the Excitement Level is in direct proportion to the position of the Needle on the Tachometer.</p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p072.ezboard.com/bexupbrotherhoo ... FZRDude</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... snoopy.gif" BORDER=0> at: 12/17/04 12:18 am<br></i>

orionburn
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Re: Skid Lid

Post by orionburn »

Yeah I missed the boat on this one Mr. JJS. In fact I think I have yet to create my own poll....hmmm....<br><br>I'm looking for a new one as well. Helmet came with the bike when I got it. It's a Vega...not bad, but nothing great. Fogs over easy and is a bit small for my big ol' melon.<br><br>Planning on heading to the shop soon and trying everything out till I find what fits best. Then it's off to eBay for some shopping. Might give Claire a call as well and see what kind of pricing they have.<br><br>I had been looking at HJC, but want to start checking out the Shoei now. <p><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:navy;">Nate - 87 FZR1000</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br><br>Have <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>you</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> seen my fairing?</p><i></i>

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Re: Skid Lid

Post by RiceRocket1 »

Shoie - ZII for my self<br><br>Arai - Quantum for the Mrs.<br><br>Both are excellent lids.... <p>Jim<br><br>95 FZR1000</p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p072.ezboard.com/bexupbrotherhoo ... Rocket1</A> at: 12/17/04 4:08 am<br></i>

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Re: Skid Lid

Post by exupupstart »

its got to be arai guys.i had a giga in my 125 days and its stuck since then.they make everything else feel like cheap tat.currently on doohan rep rx7rr real nice when vents fully open.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :cheers --><img src=http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... Cheers.gif ALT=":cheers"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> <p></p><i></i>

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shoei vs nojan

Post by jjs777 »

Nolan on Left Shoei on Right<br><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/ ... 010001.jpg" style="border:0;"/><!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br>The front of the helmet's are toward the top in the pic. Note the narrowness of the Shoei design toward the top of the pic. This is why it slices thru the wind so easily AND notice that the helmet is hard to fit into...look at how snug the material is at the base of the neck (read as NO wind noise). I'm sure there are competing brands similar to this..I just have used AGV, ARAI and HJC and although they were easy to get into, they had more wind noise and strained my neck at highway speeds when looking around. I don't know if they have changed designs, as my experience comes from several years ago circa '02. Oh and the nolan lid on the left is a Medium for my wife, compared to a XXX-Large in the Shoei for me on the right. The medium looks gigantic against the xxx-lrg shoei no?<br><br>okay the material on the shoei is hard to see in the pics due to contrast - but trust me its hard to get into. <p>-John<br>95 FZR1000<br>90 FZR1000</p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p072.ezboard.com/bexupbrotherhoo ... >jjs777</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://home.comcast.net/~john.stempien/ ... larger.gif" BORDER=0> at: 12/17/04 7:52 am<br></i>

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FZRDude
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Re: shoei vs nojan

Post by FZRDude »

Nojan? Never heard of it. Sure your not talking about a Nolan?<br>No doubt that Shoei makes a fine helmet.<br><br>OBurn, be prepared for sticker shock if you haven't been pricing helmets lately.<br><br>John, what is the cost of shield replacement on the Shoei? <p><!--EZCODE IMAGE START--><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... <!--EZCODE IMAGE END--><br><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:red;font-family:times new roman;font-size:small;">There are some who call me........Tim?</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:white;font-family:times new roman;font-size:small;">Director of Entertainment <!--EZCODE LINK START--><a href="http://eddieandthecruisersmc.com" target="top">Eddie & the Cruisers</a><!--EZCODE LINK END--></span><!--EZCODE FONT END--> <br><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:blue;font-family:times new roman;font-size:small;">1994 FZR 1000</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br><br>I find that the Excitement Level is in direct proportion to the position of the Needle on the Tachometer.</p><i></i>

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Re: shoei vs nojan

Post by jjs777 »

no wonder I could never find shields for the NOLAN when I was searching for noJan<br><br>ok delete this (Admin-Dude: Nope) <p>-John<br>95 FZR1000<br>90 FZR1000</p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p072.ezboard.com/bexupbrotherhoo ... FZRDude</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/ ... snoopy.gif" BORDER=0> at: 12/17/04 8:03 am<br></i>

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Re: shoei vs nojan

Post by jjs777 »

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>John, what is the cost of shield replacement on the Shoei? <hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>I've paid between 25-45 for clear and tinted/high def/mirror<br><br>nothing more <p>-John<br>95 FZR1000<br>90 FZR1000</p><i></i>

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Pricing

Post by orionburn »

<!--EZCODE QUOTE START--><blockquote><strong><em>Quote:</em></strong><hr>OBurn, be prepared for sticker shock if you haven't been pricing helmets lately<hr></blockquote><!--EZCODE QUOTE END--><br><br>I admit the first time I saw prices I about had a heart attack. Grown "used" to it I guess, though I really don't want to shell out $300 for a helmet. But it is one of those things where spending a little extra is well worth it for the protection of your head. I've seen some good deals on eBay, along with other ride gear so I'll be doing a lot of shopping over the next few months. <p><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:navy;">Nate - 87 FZR1000</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br><br>Have <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>you</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> seen my fairing?</p><i></i>

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Re: Pricing

Post by Nbot »

I've been trying some on lately b/c I have to pick up a new one, and I can't remember what brands, maybe arai and suomy but I don't seem to have a head that fits their helmet....my chin was about a centimeter from the plastic and I just didn't like the feel of it at all...made me think that if I crashed I'd take a big shot to the chin....is this how its supposed to be? My last helmet was HJC's Symax which i absolutely LOVED...so nice for running around town b/c you didn't have to take your helmet off at each store or gas station...very nice...just flip up the lid....Snell doesn't rate them b/c maybe the flip could fail (joint), but snell rates 3/4 helmets so what gives?? Anyways, they are great if you wear glasses too, you can slide the helmet on w/ your glasses on....Oburn, they are now making them out of korea which means they are actually cheaper than the earlier symax's (~$150?) but from my local dealer better quality..... <p><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:lime;font-size:medium;">Nbot</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>'94 Fizzer Litre</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><br>Be alert ... the world needs more lerts ... :)</p><i></i>

orionburn
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Re: Pricing

Post by orionburn »

Seems like we have the same trouble, Bot. I run into that problem as well with the chin being too close. I thought the same thing...if I wreck my jaw is going to be broken into a bunch of pieces from the helmet smashing into it. I also seem to have a problem with it fitting properly around my ears with newer helmets. There's so much padding on the inside that it always catches the top of my ears and folds them downward making it uncomfortable.<br><br>The Symax was the first helmet that really caught my eye because of the flip up feature. I think Shoei makes one like that now as well don't they?<br><br> <p><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:navy;">Nate - 87 FZR1000</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br><br>Have <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>you</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> seen my fairing?</p><i></i>

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Re: Pricing

Post by wslonger »

Right now I use a KBC Wolf , decient helmet for the money the biggest gripe I have with it is wind noise is high. the last shoie I had was a RF-200 thats a good indication on how long ago it was that I used a Shoie helmet. I loved that helmet but couldn't justify spending alot of money on another when all the reviews I had seen on KBC's rated them as good helmets. <p></p><i></i>

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Re: Pricing

Post by jjs777 »

oburn and nbot...chin too close? I know that feeling and hate it.<br><br>And you definitely won't get that with what I have (shoei) - and I can only assume shoei has something in there current lineup that is similar to my almost 10 year old lid <p>-John<br>95 FZR1000<br>90 FZR1000</p><i></i>

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Re: Pricing

Post by YZFRob »

The Suomy Spec1R I have fits me alot better than teh Arai Quantum/e I had before. After Arai's little BS about selling online, I say fudge em. Never got an answer from their rep about who is going to certify every parts counter and sales person on fitting an Arai helmet correctly and how. And I WONT pay $700+ for a helmet I can get online for $375-400 (local shop wanted $750 for the same quantum/e I got for $335<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :rolleyes --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/eyes.gif ALT=":rolleyes"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> . Glad I didnt want the RR-7). <br><br>John, you should replace the helmets when they are 5 yrs old if undamaged. The styrofoam in the helmet starts to breakdown a little after that. 1cm in teh chinbar area isnt a problem. But the rest should fit rather snuggly and it should not move around when you shake your head. Even if you order online you should try one on at a dealer. The Suomy dealer around here sells them pretty much close to alot of the net prices. $20-$30 more isnt a big deal for me. Just alot of times they dont have the one I want in my size (and I have to support my own sponsors a bit too.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> ) <p>Rob <br><br></p><i></i>

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Re: Pricing

Post by jjs777 »

I was waiting for someone to mention the deal about replacing - but I disagree with your 5 year statement - isn't it more like a 1-2 year replacement routing is recommended to adhere to the saftey rating ? I mean I can understand the 5 year thing...but like I said...I've heard of it being MUCH less than that. talking about guaranteeing future sales growth.<br><br>And whats more...even if you drop the helmet (who has not dropped their helmet?) the safety rating is nullified...from what I have read and a repleacement is necessary. Although get this...I have heard of Suomy REPLACING the helmet after purchase after someone had dropped it. Now that was nice.<br><br>So far in the vote tally...I would have guessed Suomy would be in the lead. Figuring their huge <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>whos who</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> in riding is wearing their lids. <p>-John<br>95 FZR1000<br>90 FZR1000</p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p072.ezboard.com/bexupbrotherhoo ... >jjs777</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://home.comcast.net/~john.stempien/ ... larger.gif" BORDER=0> at: 12/17/04 6:18 pm<br></i>

YZFRob
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Re: Pricing

Post by YZFRob »

No the 5 yrs is actually what alot of the big name ones recommend is the longest you should use the same helmet.<br><br><br>As for dropping one it being ruined, well that can be yes and no. When I crashed in 99 with my arai, I sent it to arai along with a description of the crash. They sent it back stating the only damage was paint. They said otherwise they cut the chin strap and send it back if its damaged. I still got to send the AGV back to have it checked sicne I went down on mothers day. Want to replace it anyways with a Suomy. <br><br>When I raced cars I got new helmets every year, although I went through them ALOT.<!--EZCODE EMOTICON START :lol --><img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/laugh.gif ALT=":lol"><!--EZCODE EMOTICON END--> Back then I wore a Simpson for 87 then Bell the rest of the career. The Bells were very comfy but the radio's speakers didnt fit well. <p>Rob <br><br></p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p072.ezboard.com/bexupbrotherhoo ... >YZFRob</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://www.rpracing.org/trouble1.jpg" BORDER=0> at: 12/17/04 11:13 pm<br></i>

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Re: Pricing

Post by jjs777 »

I haven't looked at the big names...but I'm sure your quoting accurately...but this is what I found:<br><br>Motorcycle Safety Foundation recommends a 2-4 year replacement cycle depsite visual appearance of the helmet.<br><br><!--EZCODE AUTOLINK START--><a href="http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/helmet ... <!--EZCODE AUTOLINK END--><br><br>After googling, I found NHTSA and the Snell Memorial Foundation recommend similar replacement schedules starting at 2 years. Some of the reasons are<br><br>chipped helmets lead to fatigue<br>frayed straps<br>the material within the helmet when exposed to excessive heat in sunlight deteriorate the material<br><br>and one oother inetresting reason...<br><br>they say that since the quality of helmets would normally improve in a 2-4 year time period that it would simply make sense.<br><br>I guess I'm overdue in repacing my lid lol<br> <p>-John<br>95 FZR1000<br>90 FZR1000</p><i>Edited by: <A HREF=http://p072.ezboard.com/bexupbrotherhoo ... >jjs777</A>  <IMG HEIGHT=10 WIDTH=10 SRC="http://home.comcast.net/~john.stempien/ ... larger.gif" BORDER=0> at: 12/18/04 1:26 am<br></i>

orionburn
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Re: Pricing

Post by orionburn »

When I took my Abate course earlier this year, they said that a drop from mirror height, which they preached and preached about not hanging your helmet on a mirror, would be enough to null the safety rating. <p><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:navy;">Nate - 87 FZR1000</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br><br>Have <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>you</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> seen my fairing?</p><i></i>

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Re: Pricing

Post by Nbot »

1cm clearance in the chinbar is okay? it just feels so wrong...but it won't smash my chin? <p><!--EZCODE FONT START--><span style="color:lime;font-size:medium;">Nbot</span><!--EZCODE FONT END--><br><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--><em>'94 Fizzer Litre</em><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><br>Be alert ... the world needs more lerts ... :)</p><i></i>

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