new helmet time

varmint · 08-25-2008, 01:41 PM

have had about a half dozen arais over the years. was pretty happy till the last one. the trim peeled away, and the side panels kept popping off. this means i'm open to something new.

i ride every day. so comfort and ventilation and washability are important. what do you all suggest for a guy with a xxl round head.

have been looking at a schuberth s1 on ebay. nice, but more than i want to pay on something i've no experience with.

SergioK · 08-25-2008, 02:13 PM

The S1 has lots of features as you probably know already. I went from a Shoei RF-900 to the S1. I found the S1 has a different internal shape than the Shoei and it does not fit my head the same (at the back/top portion of my head - I think my skull goes flat there). I can't compare to an Arai since I've never owned one. All in all, the S1 is feature packed enough that when I had my off last December, I replaced it with another S1.

Bill Vining · 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varmint

have had about a half dozen arais over the years. was pretty happy till the last one. the trim peeled away, and the side panels kept popping off. this means i'm open to something net.

Like you, I had worn Arai's for 20+ years of riding. My last one fell apart - trim, interior, etc. I switched to the Shoei X-Eleven, which fits me identical to the Arai, and is holding up very well for 2+ years of use. Extremely comfortable (like an Arai), excellent ventilation, complete interior snaps out for washing - interior pieces come in various sizes for different shaped heads/faces, various choices of colored visors, arguably light. Noisey, but well vented helmets tend to be. I wear plugs all the time, so that's not an issue for me. I especially like the visor system - just lift the visor, click the release latch and pull. No side panel removal like the Arai. They are not cheap, especially with the weak dollar. But, I recommend it.

FWIW.

bv

PFFOG · 08-25-2008, 02:34 PM

From a fellow FAT head, stick with Arai, or Shoei. I wear an XL in Arai and a XXL Schuberth barely fit my head and was painful once it was on, no way I could wear it for more than 2 minutes. I have tried 10 or 15 helmet brands and none fit like Arai, Shoei is a close 2nd.

Nothing worse than an uncomfortable helmet, ESPECIALLY when you use it every day.

varmint · 08-25-2008, 02:34 PM

the current quantum fits pretty well. looking for some sort of table that lists hte model numbers for various head shapes across brands.

i could just stick with arai. this is only $200. wonder if i could handle the shame.

mn2007 · 08-25-2008, 02:42 PM

I got a new arai corsair rx7 to replace my 10 year old one- it is holding up well (I think it is the highest end.) My local BMW dealer (of San Francisco) used to sell the solid colors for $400 (loss leader).

m

Guest24 · 08-25-2008, 02:46 PM

The trim around the bottom of my Arai Signet has been reglued so many time it looks like the gorrila glue commercial. The Profile has replaced it. I just wish the visor change system was a little more user friendly. BTW I have seen all the youtube flicks on how to change it. Still, it sucks. Also, the vents come off to easy. Still I consider it one of the top helmets on the market. Mine is comming up on a time change.

Guest24 · 08-25-2008, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mn2007

I got a new arai corsair rx7 to replace my 10 year old one- it is holding up well (I think it is the highest end.) My local BMW dealer (of San Francisco) used to sell the solid colors for $400 (loss leader).

m

After 6 years you're wearing an ornament. Arai won't support the halmet after 6 years. They say it offers little or no protection. They said this not me so don't shoot at the messenger.

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

web bike world has a very comprehensive helmet review section:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm

I just bought a HJC A12 Carbon Vader, super light and super trick, $235 eBay!

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

This one!

MaineRoads · 08-25-2008, 03:32 PM

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/4376,83603_Schuberth-S1-Helmet.html

S-1 Deal. $279

AZ-Twin · 08-25-2008, 03:38 PM

I upgraded from a Shoei RF-900 to an RF-1000 after I recently smacked my RF-900 on the ground pretty hard......... my head was in it.

The new helmet is lighter and a bit more comfortable. I also like the newer vent design. I wore it to/from TOR and it was great, but it could be a bit quieter. My RF-800 was a very quiet helmet but it had no vents.

I am very satisfied with Shoei helmets.

tm1100s · 08-25-2008, 09:00 PM

One of my goals this year for the motogp was to try all the helmets. The top 2 for fit were the Arai RX7 and the Shoei X11. Could have gone for either and the RX7 I wanted wasn't available any longer (last year's model). The Shoei was nice and I hadn't had one for years and the price between the two was about the same. Until I found a place on ebay that sold last year's Arai models, brand new in box, for $399. Price being the same I would have gone with the Shoei. Very happy with the Arai, too.

08-25-2008, 10:07 PM

+ 1 on the Shoei X11
very good aerodynamics, venting and the liner is very easily
removed so that you can wash it as often as you want.
But it really depends on the shape of your head, I have
always found Shoei to fit me better.
Price shouldn't be a consideration.

varmint · 08-25-2008, 10:11 PM

have been hearing that you need to order the schuberth a size larger. not really an option when already at xxl. looks like arai or shoei. am hunting online now. seem to be some fair solid colors in the $350-$400 range. just have to bide my time and strike.

there are bargains on last years helmets. mostly with abortion paintjobs that were too ugly to make it on the store shelves.

nail24, what glue are you using? right now i've got the trim held on with a bit of tape. looks horrible.

PFFOG · 08-26-2008, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by varmint

..............., what glue are you using? right now i've got the trim held on with a bit of tape. looks horrible.

3M super weatherstrip adhesive available at any auto parts store. They make yellow and black. Sticks to anything and stays pliable, not brittle, so a litttle bump will not send it flying off again.

Rapid Dog · 08-26-2008, 06:26 AM

Arai Q2 is my favorite for comfort....though the little shield cover popped off last week...$30 for a new pair...

ergomoto · ergomoto's Garage

After years of Arai RX-7's this HJC aint bad. I was glad to see though that Arai seems to have solved the lower rubber trim band issue by fusing the ends in place hopefully ending the strip from coming loose and flapping unflatteringly against your chest. The HJC CF models are super light, but a bit loud due to shape, vents, and just being a lighter shell surprisingly. Great Shoei like visor mechanism is admittedly easier than Arai. Very impressive at sub $300!

You havin' a tough time getin' extra visors for yours though shreddr?

shreddr · shreddr's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by ergomoto

You havin' a tough time getin' extra visors for yours though shreddr?

I haven't tried, why are they rare? I do love the helmet, as far as noise, it doesnt seem any worse than the SyMax I had, and I always ride with earplugs anyway.

Guest24 · 09:01 AM

I fused the ends that flap on my Arai withblack duct tape. Hehehe

Varmint, my latest attempt was Gorilla Glue and it has held up in driving rain.