What helmet are you wearing and why?

[TSPAraiTech]

Hey guys,
I've been working for about a year now at a shop in PA that specializes in selling Arai helmets. I can tell you all about the product and how in my opinion it is the best helmet on the market. As a shop we provide an awesome custom fitting service that you cant find anywhere else. We get you in the right size helmet and shell shape to protect your noggin.

But I'm posting because I want to know what you guys are wearing and why you feel it is the best helmet for you, or why you don't like the helmet you own..

[Cablebandit]

Shoei's.....they fit my head.

[bikefreak47]

I've owned  some Arai Quantums and three RX-7RR's. Beautifully crafted and extremely comfortable. But over the last few years I've bought four Shark RSR-2's and find them to be every bit the equal of the Arais. Comfortable, great fit and finish, much thicker face shield, much easier to change shield, and something I can't quite quantify- the Shark seems very robust without being heavy- very confidence inspiring. Another plus is the fact that a non current paint scheme is a lot less money than an Arai- current or not. Also have a couple of current Bell Stars- a lot of helmet for the money if you don't have to have the most recent paint scheme.

[Tyrroneous]

I've got a scorpion right now because I haven't found a helmet that fits me better.  Never owned an Aria or Shoei though.  My only gripe is that the EXO700 is on the heavy side.  But, it fits great, flows air better than average and you can find them for really good prices.

[Dan K]

I use 2 helmets, own a 3rd but it is on loan to a helmetless rider.

I have an Arai Corsair that I paid through the teeth for, but which fits my head very well (was fitted at a moto show, of course my noggin only fits the most expensive helmet on the planet...).

I have a Scorpion EXO-1000 (or 100?) that was $100 on clearance that I use for track days.  I like it because it has an internal drop down sun visor - don't think I'll ever buy a helmet without one again.

I also have a ... can't remember the brand! Caberg! Justissimo helmet, it's getting old, but it's a flip face helmet that also has the internal sun visor.  I like that one for touring that requires quick gas stops - nice to just flip the lid as opposed to pulling off the helmet for a quick break.  I also like the justissimo for my commute, which at times becomes very stop and go and slow.  When it's really hot out, it's nice to flip the entire front up when going less than 10mph on the "express"way.

- Dan

[bubba zanetti]

I had to replace my Schuberth as it was getting rather ratty. If I had the money, I would have bought another as it fits me beautifully and really like it. I ended up with a Vemar Jiano mostly for price point. But it is a very nice helmet, not quite up to the Schuberth but it will do.

[Tejasbusa]

Shoei's.....they fit my head.

+1

It is my second Shoei, first was a Suzuki Badged Shoei which I had on during my wreck and it is now 9 years old.  The new one is 2 year old X-11.  I LOVE it.  It has lots of vents, is light weight and doesn't lift at speed.

[FiremanBob]

Shark. Very comfortable, light and quiet.

[Scratch33]

  Helmet?

[Bryan217]

I had an Icon, too heavy. Moved up to a Suomy, super light but very noisy and wrong shape for my head. Now I've got an Arai Vector and love it! It's not as light as the Suomy but is much more comfortable as it fits my head properly. And much quieter than the Suomy. I wish it had a removable liner, though. (I know the new Vector does).

I'm interested in the Schuberth as it's just about the lightest modular (would be great to be able to take the helmet on/off without having to take my glasses off) and the internal visor is also great for those of us who wear glasses.

[ST-DocLizard1]

Arai Rx-7 Corsair. Best fit for me and a great finish.


Doc

[vfrrwb]

Scorpion EXO-700, it's neon yellow gets me noticed, fits well, has good flow and it was cheap. Looking at reviews and crash tests I just don't see Arai rating that much better for the price.

[Blunder]

I've had mostly Shoei and Arai. My favorite was the old Arai something or other Wes Cooley replica. My last one was a Shinya Nakano replica that broke the side plates every time I switched shields   Had an Arai tech check it out at a bike show and he couldn't explain it even though it happened again when he tried it. Never could get it fixed but it's a great hat. The white NR-2 was good but it got old and is now an emergency backup.

Currently using a Shoei TZ-R. Very comfortable.

Other lids don't fit.  

[motormike]

I'm a new rider.  I have a Scorpion EXO-700 in  Hi-Viz yellow.  To be honest I bought it because it was a better value and had good features than Shoei although Shoei is what I wanted.  I think my next helmet will probably be a Shoei.

[squeezer]

I'm wearing a Shoei Multitec. Good combination of features, comfort and price. I did not pay full price - got it online at $345 - and I think a helmet damned well better cup my balls in a pocket of love and heavenly wonder if I'm ever going to pay north of $500 and more.

Ditto. I prefer a modular. This one fits me and is comfy.

Fit and comfort are really the things that matter in my buying decision. That's going to vary across individuals, so I find it impossible to make a general recommendation among helmet manufacturers. You have to put it on and wear it.

[McRider]

I just switched back from my relatively new HJC Symax to my relatively old HJC CL -15.  I tried to like the Symax but in the end I just couldn't deal with the problems.  It had features that seemed desireable, like flip-up, sun shield, and big vents, but the helmet seemed cheaply made.  I noticed it was made in China as opposed to Korea like every other HJC I've owned.  The face shield of the Symax was flimsy and didn't close properly.  The method for lowering the sun shield required me to reach way to the back of my head to find it, and the release for the flip-up front got balky and would sometimes not unlatch or latch.  The real deal breaker was the fact that something about the ear pockets made my glasses ride high so that the line of the bifocals was in my line of sight when looking forward.  I had to constantly raise the face shield and push my glasses back down.  I even cut away some of the padding at the back of the ear pockets, but no joy.  The old CL-15 works fine and like all HJC helmets, fits me perfectly.  

[Croak]

Bell Star.  Going on 3 years wearing them.  It's light, it's durable, and most importantly, it fits.

Even before the Star was released, I'd kick an Arai or Shoei out of my way to look at something else, because I KNEW they wouldn't fit.  Still don't.  

[Cricket1]

I just got a new Nolan N90, and love it! Perfect fit, and a big improvement over the last two Nolans I've had, an N100 and N102. The internal visor on the N90 is just right, the vents in the chin bar do a great job, and the interior is more plush than the N102.

Webbike world has made the N90 one of their products of the year. It's fairly quiet for a modular, and the weight about ave. for a modular too. Pinlock insert so no fogging up, and the chinstrap buckle is very easy to use, even with thick winter gloves on.  I think its a great helmet, and at $233 delivered, very hard to beat.   And made in Italy.

[Uncle Leo]

Shoei RF-1100, Shoei Multi-tec, Shoei Hornet.

Because they fit and are comfortable.

HJC IS16

Because I was stupid and got sold on the internal shield. I don't wear it because it's noisy, uncomfortable and built like crap.

[cognosticator]

Right now a Shoei Multitec, I wear glasses and it is convenient not to remove my glasses.  Also Shoei fits my head great, as does the Bell Star, EXO700, JR Carbon, and the Schuberth C3 was a great helmet, except it put pressure on my forhead that caused unbelievable pain, so I had to sell that one.

I have worn about every helmet make except Arai.  I have heard that changing the visor is a real PITA, and I ride with a dark smoke shield so I have to change shields occassionally, or take it off to clean it.