I can get a brand new Shoei Z-Two helmet for $181 with free shipping from Sierra Trading Post, it looks like the cheapest anywhere else is at least a hundred bucks more, plus shipping.

I'm gettin ready to finally ride, and I am going to need a good helmet soon. Is this worth the money or would I better off with something else as a new rider? Suggestions for other less expensive helmets are welcome

7/25/2006 3:27:48 PM

hjc cl-14, no complaints besides the lack of a thermal lens. motorcycle helmet manufacturers need to take a que from paintball mask makers

[Edited on July 25, 2006 at 3:30 PM. Reason : $99 or less]

7/25/2006 3:29:54 PM

thermal lens?

7/25/2006 3:31:20 PM

I thought Noen knew everything...

7/25/2006 3:44:48 PM

Well let this serve as notice that I don't, not hardly

7/25/2006 3:54:22 PM

HJC's are pretty good helmets. I got mine for about $200 and like it so far. As far as the actual purpose for a helmet they are all going to protect you the same. Just look on the back of the helmet and make sure it say's DOT approved or better yet Snell approved and you're straight. When you see a $600 Arai or Shoei you're paying for the comfort and looks, not the actual safety of the helmet. It all just depends on what you're looking for. Like I said, I've got an HJC and it fits me good so I'm not gonna spend the extra cash for a Shoei or Arai. But for $180, that's a good price.

7/25/2006 3:56:31 PM

damn

There's something Noen isn't a self-proclaimed expert on!

7/25/2006 3:56:48 PM

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4376,74824_HJC-AC-11-CREATURE-HELMET.html

How about that one, the HJC AC-11, meets DOT and Snell and it's only $78 bucks including shipping? I like the price on that a HELL of a lot better, but if there's really going to be a lot ore comfort in the Shoei, I'd consider it, I will be making several LONG road trips on this bike before too long

7/25/2006 4:10:32 PM

any helmet, jacket, glove combo is going to suck on a long trip in the summer. that hjc will protect you as good as any and (atleast in the case of the cl-14) breathes fairly well to keep you as cool as possible. I'd like to try out a $1000 motogp arai helmet one day to see how much lighter and how much better it breathes, but for regular consumer helmets I dont see a reason to spend the extra money.

[Edited on July 25, 2006 at 4:46 PM. Reason : ^helmet shows up as $109 for me]

7/25/2006 4:44:59 PM

yea, theres coupons for 20% off, AND another 10 bucks off on top of that for anything on the site.

So you think I should go for that one?

7/25/2006 5:42:35 PM

I wouldn't buy a helmet without trying it on.

7/25/2006 6:37:59 PM

I have a HJC Raven size large with two screens one smoked and one clear only worn it 2 times not a mark on it ill sell it for 120

7/25/2006 6:57:12 PM

I just bought a AFX helmet from Triangle cycles in Durham. It was like 60 bucks and DOT approved.

I think i made the mistake of going in and saying "Im about to take the beggininer class, so I was looking for a beginning helmet.

The helmet fits...I think. I got a full hemet (terminology?) and they had to order a 4X for my big ass dome.

However, the sheild seems to fog up too easily. Is that common? If I put the shield up a little bit, it ok, other than that, my breath becomes too humid.

I figured I can deal with it for the class, and I can blow the 60, but I think I will go with a Semi-full helmet and glasses after the class.

Any opinions or comments are appreciated.

7/25/2006 6:58:43 PM

Get the anti fog wipes. They seem to work well

7/25/2006 7:02:52 PM

definately go to a store and try on helmets before deciding to buy one. leave it on for a while too as the weight of some of them can get to you.

I started out with an HJC and it was somewhat heavy and fogged up easily, especially in cold or rain at low speeds.
then i got an arai and they've got that cool vent feature where you can vent the visor but it is still locked down. fixes fogging instantly when it's cooler.

7/25/2006 7:19:22 PM

^^just make that thing your passenger helmet and get yourself a decent one.

also, i always buy helmets to be slightly uncomfortably snug. they'll loosen up and conform to your dome after you wear them some.



personally, i like full-face helmets. my dad has 3/4 helmets for his Gold Wing, and I feel really exposed and vulnerable when I ride his bike (unless I bring my helmet home with me and wear it).

7/25/2006 7:33:43 PM

yea this helmet has the air vents on the sides and seems to be pretty darn good for the money, all the other full face helmets ive found for under a hundred bucks are reaaallly basic and dont have the vents or removeable lining that this does.

plus its kevlar and fiberglass composite, which should be much lighter than the cheaper thermoformed plastic in most basic helmets.

http://www.hjchelmets.com/ac11.htm

theres the specs, seems like a damn steal for 80 bucks.

[Edited on July 25, 2006 at 7:42 PM. Reason : .]

7/25/2006 7:40:44 PM

there was an article a lil bit ago about how to do the padding for the helmets.. more full force brain protection or soft fall brain protection. scorpion helmets had an excellent balance between the 2 and performed well in their tests. some hjc's and kbc's failed i believe (shitty ones)

get snell and dot not just dot.

7/26/2006 2:07:38 AM

yea its got both, i went ahead and ordered it.

read a couple hundred reviews on it and they were like 99% rave reviews.

7/26/2006 9:47:48 AM

i've tested a few kbc helmets against asphalt at various speeds, and i can't complain, i'm still here to talk about it. the first gear summer mesh padded jackets arent worth a shit though, still got god awful road rash, the winter belstaff jackets and pants are the shiznit though, i still wear the same ones i slid down the road about 100 feet wearing, hardly any damage. if i can stress anything, it is good gloves, your hands take a long time to heal, and its about as debilitating as anything not to have skin on your palms

7/26/2006 9:54:32 AM

thanks for the heads up on that, next up on the list are gloves and gear

7/26/2006 10:31:15 AM

I've been wearing a scorpian exo-700 it is a kevlar/fiberglass helmet, so it's light and very comfortable. I got it new from powersports for $180 (snell/dot)

I'f you are doing any long rides on a bike with no fairing, your neck is going to hurt either way from the wind. I've done asheville and back a couple times on a gs-500e and my neck never feels great afterward. I'm not sure if a heavier helmet would be better,...anybody have a thought on this?

7/26/2006 11:05:39 AM

well im takin my baby on a trip to texas come september, so i guess we'll find out huh

7/26/2006 11:22:35 AM

go to a shop and try on helmets first

everything i can say here has already been said

and i'd go with the Shoei unless you wanna pop for an Arai, but thats just me

7/26/2006 12:11:57 PM

Anyone else have a big ass head and can suggest a place with 4Xs in stock? It kinda unnerved me to have to order one sight and feel unseen.

7/26/2006 12:15:35 PM

Z1R - GOOD inexpensive helmet. Under a $100. Highly rated in testing even in comparison to helmets 4 times it's price. That's my street helmet.

7/26/2006 3:47:39 PM

do us all a favir and don't wear any helmet

7/26/2006 4:04:05 PM

Quote :

"the first gear summer mesh padded jackets arent worth a shit though"

I've got one...Have been fortunate enough not to need it. It's so nice for summer riding though.

J_Hova...Is your head really a 4x? I thought I had a fat head, but my 2X helmet is way too loose to be safe (it came with a bike I bought, so I took what was free.) I can't imagine actually needing a 4x helmet.

7/26/2006 4:31:35 PM

I measured my head and its sized for an XL, i can imagine what kind of big gord head youd have to have for a 4x

7/26/2006 4:35:22 PM