Help Helmet Shopping...

Exactly and at the end of the day i'd rather have a helmet that fits perfectly than one that doesn't and has a better rating. As a bloke in HG put it so eloquently when I tried on a high rated AGV, come off at 30 and it'll be on back to front. Fit is far more important than anything else in the first instance

shoei raid 2 50 mph off was looking at the tarmac while sliding along. no cracks, visor stayed on (eyes were 1 inch from ground) not even a headache am buying another asap

[Dave20046]

Originally Posted by davepreston

shoei raid 2 50 mph off was looking at the tarmac while sliding along. no cracks, visor stayed on (eyes were 1 inch from ground) not even a headache am buying another asap

Did you hit your head on anything or did it just protect you from the sliding?

[Drew Carey]

As per Badgers superb writing's I agree, look at Sharp etc if you want to, but IMHO the fit of the helmet is the most important factor.

I also have an Arai RX7 and yes it is noisy, however, the lid is consistently rated highly in magazines, worn by racers and I know more people with Arais than any other helmet type. Solution to noise......wear ear plugs.

As for other makes, I chose a budget, then tried on Arai, Shoei and the top AGV within that budget range. AGV felt scratchy on my forehead, Shoei I found my temple was hurting (the next size up was far too loose). The Arai however is snug, has a close cut chin bar for good vision and has top features and servicing. With an Arai, you can get it serviced at any 5Star dealer and if crashed can be checked over.

I am biased obviously, but try each one on within the budget range (get a shop assistant to help as they will rattle your head etc and check for movement), see which is more comfortable, then weigh up the visual / functional benefits of them. Then finally, once happy with a brand / model of lid, shop around different places (as HG can be a bit over priced) for the design of your choice.

If you do look at Arai RX7, they have just released the RX7 GP a new version. I am not sure, but you may find some deals to be had on the standard model.

Buy the one which has the best rating and within your budget, but most importantly buy the one which fits best!

Originally Posted by Dave20046

Should we be bothered at all what SHARP say?

No because even the people behind SHARP admitted they misinterpreted there findings and thus leaving there final, and published, results incorrect.

Originally Posted by Dave20046

Did you hit your head on anything or did it just protect you from the sliding?

landed head first full impact on head then skided down the road. top bit of kit and i ve seen one for 159 quid online come on payday

[embee]

The SHARP tests rated the Schuberth S1 Pro at only 2 stars for some reason. According to claims by the UK importers (Oxford) teh head-form used was not the correct fit due to sizing procedures and a higher impact speed was used to compensate. I don't know what the truth is behind all this, it just smells a bit fishy to me.

I've had Arai and currently a Schuberth, and wouldn't worry about having either again to be honest, regardless of what SHARP say. Plenty of examples of people crashing in both and they've performed well.

Paying a premium price for a helmet tends to get you better quality finish and materials, Arai's particularly in my experience will look like new for years if cared for. You don't necessarily get better protection than cheaper helmets, but in the end if it fits well then you pays your money and takes your choice.

I love the internal sun-visor in the Schuberth, I'd think very long and hard about a helmet without one now.

Originally Posted by xXBADGERXx

Years ago I had an Arai Giga and it was the best Helmet I have ever owned

arai giga reggae - best helmet i ever had, ahh, the memories of the ambulance crew passing ot back to me wrecked in A&E

got a Arai viper-gt now, well comfy ! and for £299

[Dave20046]

Cheers everyone visiting hein gericke on lunch today having a peek at what they've got and try some mofo's on (and actually find out my size). Then if nothing jumps out at me I'll see what the overprice 2009 version of my old beemer helmet's like.

[Dave20046]

Little update dropped into my local indie shop on the way home (for some nuts originally) but thought go on then what lids have you got, looked at a shoei xr1000 that was a year or two old for a couple of hundred quid it fitted well but I wasn't convinced. A bit heavy too. He gave me a shoei brochure anyway which I've had a quick flick through, liked the bowling ball look of the raid 2 anyway he said I could ahve roughly 20% off anything I see in there so what do we reckon are shoei up to scratch?
Something else that bothered me about them was they didn't have lots of different sizes they just seemed to have small, medium and large