Helmet - what should I buy?

The justissimo is noisy, heavy, and (IMO) looks crappy. As above: shoei and Arai are good, best you can afford, go for good fit etc.

It looks like my budget is going to be around £150. Are there any other brands I should be looking at other than Arai and Shoei?

I can find Shoei's at about that price (£169 for a Raid 2), buy Arai's at about that price don't seem to exist (I would not buy a second hand helmet).

Originally Posted by jamessunhill

(I would not buy a second hand helmet).

good idea

i would go for an arai but i think they start @ £200 ?

but go to HG or somwhere & try a few on

I've been doing some more looking.

I still like the idea of the flip up front and the internal sun visor.

What do you guys think of the HJC FS-MAX. I know HJC are a well known brand and according to the advert, it's a proper composite shell (not plastic/polycarbonate).

I'm planning on spending most of tomorrow morning just trying on different helmets (I've got a few local shops to try).

Right.

I've been out today and after trying on lots of different helmets, I've bought myself a lovely Nolan N102 Overland.


Flip front as I wanted, but in a decent quality helmet. The helmet was priced at £189.99, but as it was the last one in the shop with a design on, I got it for the same price as a plain one (£179.99).

i've got a nolan and its been brilliant. Did you get the bluetooth system in it? i'd be interested in hearing how good they are

I didn't get the bluetooth kit (too expensive and I wouldn't really use it anyway), but I am getting the basic kit (speakers & mic) so I can have my MP3 player running through it and a 2 way radio when I'm out on a ride with mates.

I'm getting that fitted when I get the rest of my gear (jacket, trousers, boots, etc) next week (I'm getting them to do me a deal on the whole lot).

All I have to do now is pass my test on Monday.

I've got myself a bike lined up, but i'll have to get the train up and ride it back (it's in Glasgow), so I'll need the MP3 player on the ride back.

Hi, too late you bought it. Your Nolan is made from polycarbonate, it will need to be replaced in a couple of years because it becomes weeker over time, UV rays and the like. It also weighs more than most shells, which in the case of an accident can increase the risk of neck injury. Not even ACU approved.

I think you should have gone for a composite shell like the Shoei Raid II everyone was recommending to you. I paid £150 for mine, it came top of Ride magazines helmets test. To my mind less is more - less features = more protection. Composite helmets also last 5 years.

If you do the maths Nolan = £90 per year & Shoei = £30 per year.

Why did you ask for advice then ingore it . And why a flip front - this is an SV site not BMW? I don't mean to come down on you, your money, your choice, your life. Don't become a statistic.

To be quite honest, it was the only helmet i tried which fitted me properly and that I could afford!

I tried Shoei Raid II and it didn't fit correctly (was too tight in places).

The Arai helmets I tried were a better fit but were out of my price range.

I tried this and it was perfect!

I didn't buy it because of the Ncom system or particularly because of the flip front (although I like the idea and find it useful).

I bought it because it was the best helmet I could afford at the time which fitted me properly!

[Gets down from soap box]

Originally Posted by BigBaddad

Not even ACU approved.

If that's the case, how do you explain the gold ACU Approved sticker on the back of my helmet then?

And if they need to be replaced after 2 years why do they have a 5 year guarantee?

I suggest that next time, you check your facts before you jump on your high horse!