Re: Helmets - Are they worth it?
 

If the lid fits and its comfortable then I think You'll be OK with a cheaper lid.

I wanted a light well ventilated lid and can certainly vote for the Shoei XR1000 which is very light, I'm on my second one. My first one got a little loose after 12K miles, the next one was a size smaller and after the same milage still fits a treat. It's very important that you get a lid that fits correctly and is comfortable. Remember that the padding will compress a little with use (I didn't take this into account with my first XR1000). Both my lids were 'last years' colours being sold off a lot cheaper.

Re: Helmets - Are they worth it?
 

Why I rate arai... My Condor cost me £180, did me for 2 years and about 20000 miles, and was still very comfortable but it took a few more knocks than I was happy with, and the lining had all come loose (the Condor doesn't have a removable liner). In that time it was probably on and off my head about 1500 times, and I'm a bad 'un for sticking gloves etc in my lids, so it had taken a licking. So, I retired it and got a Astro-R (for £250 with a spare visor, at the excel show)

While at the show I got it fitted for me- and what a great service, they replaced one of the pads and tweaked it around and it felt immediately familiar and perfectly comfortable, and still is. But they also suggested I send the Condor back for testing and servicing.

So, I did... Sent it back through Hein Gericke for free, and it came back not just tested for safety, but with a new strap, new cheek pads, the rest of the lining repaired, the chips in the paint touched up, and cleaned. Now, bear in mind I'd not cleaned it for a year, it smelled like something had died in it before.

It basically gets no better than that. Even the testing is an unusual perk, but the rest of it is unmatched IMO.

Before that, I had a HJC ZF-8 which was a fairly good helmet, but after maybe 1/3 of the use that the Condor got it was completely useless, the lining compressed and compromised the fit. It was less comfortable at best than the Arai is now. Even if the 2 helmets protect exactly as well as each other, I spend a lot of time with my helmets on, so I'll gladly pay for comfort. And I'm still a wee bit crash happy, so the servicing option can effectively double the lifespan of a lid.

Re: Helmets - Are they worth it?
 

OK, I can handle that - I think I picked it up from an old copy of Ride, which must have predated your Jan 2005 marker, as they were comparing the standards with each other and their own testing.

Mind you, I do feel smug for actually dragging facts into the thread - it happens far too rarely :rolleyes:

Re: Helmets - Are they worth it?
 

Credit to you for that, and I'm not afraid to add any facts that may be relevant. The whole testing issue might be boring for some, but when it all boils down to, it it's a very important part of why we have and buy certain helmets.

Re: Helmets - Are they worth it?
 

i've learned that choosing a lid is similar to any other purchase. you get what you pay for. i'll use cars as an example. you can buy a bargain, like a kia. it's ok as long as you're just going to and from work, but if you're in an accident, that car (and you) is likely to not hold up as well. Then there's the mid levels, like a Honda, Toyota, or GM. They'll be completely sufficient, with some flaws and lack of features, but solid and reliable nonetheless. Then you can step up to the luxury models which will have solid construction as well as the creature comforts, not quite as barebones as the midlevels. After having tried on just about every lid available, I will always buy Arai. They offer several different shell shapes and sizes as well as different thickness cheek pads to ensure a good fit. Many other manufacturers have just a couple shell sizes and then just add padding, and if you have a small dome it will be bulky and cumbersome. You also want to look for things like a removable and washable liner (very important after those 90 degree summer rides) and ventilation. Not only do you need to worry about the quality of the shell itself, but also the quality of construction in the face shield mechanism, vents, chin vents, etc, and ease of changing the face shield. these are the little things that can break that will really annoy you. I would definitely strongly urge you to not purchase online. I would recommend you try on the lid in a store with a knowledgeable salesperson who can check for fit, and then you need to wear it around the store for at least 20 minutes. That's when you'll find out if you're going to get hot spots or if it's too loose in certain areas. a poor-fitting helmet makes a ride become sucky really fast, and also breaks your concentration on what you're doing with the bike and instead you focus on the pressure point on your forehead (or wherever). so i guess my point after all that is to take your time choosing a lid, and don't get the cheapest, find something that has an established reputation for quality and make sure it fits properly. the end.