New helmet need, recommendations?

[Bugster]

Hi guys

My work has recently changed and spending a bit longer on the bike for the commute. So am taking this oppurtunity to get a new lid. The journey will be mostly motorway so nice and light with good sound proofing is a start I suppose,

Cheers

Bug

[AJC]

Generally folk will just tell you what helmet they have, but it's all about which fits you best really. For me it's an Arai, fits very well and quiet. Tried Shark ones which were okay but a bit loud and AGV which for me felt horrible altogether, so it's really subjective.

Try ones on and find which ones fit best, then read reviews and see which one of the ones that fit are quietest.

[Swin]

Do you have to go through security checks to get into work?

The reason I ask is that I have a works car park, but have to stop and show my pass to get through the barriers, so for me a flip-front lid is extremely handy, as I just pop the front up and they can check that its the same ugly mug on the card as in the flesh :)

I find the Caberg lids fit well, aren't too noisy (but they are noisier than a "solid" lid, and are a reasonable price too

[jambo]

If you're doing a lot of motorway miles you'll struggle to find a lid that is quiet enough that you don't need ear plugs. I've really rated my last 2 Arai's bot they've definitely needed earplugs once out of town. As AJC so rightly says these sort of recommendation lists often just show what people currently own.

Regarding Swin's post, it's a good idea, but check the testing for various flip types, some have passed tests as both an open & full face, some are only actually tested as an open face with the flip down being considered weather protection. No judgements either way but you'd want to know how yours was classified I reckon.

Jambo

[atassiedevil]

Caberg every time for me. Been very impressed with mine.
Can't comment on arai/shoei lids, as my budget doesn't extend to being able to afford them.

[nutzboutbikes]

AGV fan here I find it fairly light/quiet, has a built in sun visor and air flow is great for those hot sunny days.
As others have said its best to try a few different makes as they all fit slightly different.

[7755matt]

I like my shoei - arai seem to be the wrong shape for my head.

I think it may be time for me to get a nerw lid as well. Always wondered about a flip fornt, but concerned about the test results. I do tne dot do a lot of online research first, but need to try them on to check the shape fits.

I tend to go and look somewhere and see what deals they have on. I like cheap - but not that cheap.

[carelesschucca]

Generally folk will just tell you what helmet they have, but it's all about which fits you best really.

This is very true. Try on as many lids you can in your price range and pick the one that fits the best. Also learn how to know when a lid fits properly took me a couple of tries.

[NTECUK]

Fit is king
Of to the shops you go!
ps
My £70 kbc is the quiest of all my lids
(Aria, Shark s900 and lazer Monaco pure glass flip front..)

[Redmist]

The HJC helmets were on offer from lidsdirect recently. I got the RPHA plus which Lorenzo and others use so they're well specced and are pretty quiet compared to others.

[Bibio]

i can tell you Shoei are noisy helmets. my Bell lids are quieter but the Shoei are better made.

as others have said FIT IS MORE IMPORTANT than noise levels, get used to wearing ear plugs. it took a while for me to get used to them (head under water syndrome).

[littleoldman2]

On the subject of fit. My Caberg Duke was nice and tight, but 20000 miles and 6Kg weight loss have made it loose. Luckily Caberg Duke only has 1 shell size so I just need to bug a new liner. All the helmets I've owned have become looser over time so better to buy one on the tight side.

[Bugster]

Cheers, for all the replies,

totally agree fit is number one option first. My caberg is a very nice fit but never seemed that quiet. Was trying to keep away from ear plugs but looks like I will need to go down that option

[NTECUK]

Yes ear plugs if you want to keep away from a hearing aid.

[Jayneflakes]

My other half always told me that Shoei were great and to be honest I just thought that a helmet was a helmet, until I tried one. It made me realise just how poor my excellent Vemar was in comparison.

Due to being a little claustrophobic I prefer a flip front, this way I can pop the front when I need to, but it is also handy when fuelling up because some of the garages I have used are fine with them despite asking that full face lids are removed.

The Vemar was around £200 and was comfortable, not too heavy and had a built in sun visor. On the down side the flip front mechanism was very weak and would not stay open at all. Not that it is recommended that you ride with it open, but it used to drop down when I was stood still at the garage.

The Shoei was a revelation, it has instant comfort, excellent cooling vents, fittings for an intercom/bluetooth kit, is very quiet even on the motorway and the flip front has an excellent mechanism. However it did cost over £400.

The great difficulty for me is justifying such a huge sum of money on a lid, but in this case the extra comfort was worth it.

[Vik_93]

In my personal opinion , the AGV K3-SV Lid that I currently have (Around £160) is the best lid I have used! Its light, quite, good looking and above all fits really nicely. Its also got one of those flip down visor's so no need to buy an additional tinted visor (Around £50)!

[Fruity-ya-ya]

In my personal opinion , the AGV K3-SV Lid that I currently have (Around £160) is the best lid I have used! Its light, quite, good looking and above all fits really nicely. Its also got one of those flip down visor's so no need to buy an additional tinted visor (Around £50)!

Yep, I've got the Comic and I must admit I'm starting to prefer it to my flip.