What Helmet works best?

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What Helmet works best? - 8/9/2007 5:16:07 PM

tomc1965

Posts: 238
Joined: 7/14/2007
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I have a new to me 2004 CBR1000RR I just picked up in July.

I noticed my HJC AC12 is pushed around quite a bit on my rides, especially when I turn my head. It has all kinds of "air foils" for in the wind to keep down turbulence but it is one of the noisiest helmets I have ridden with and it gets pushed around too much for my liking. It does not move around on my head it moves my head around.

I tried my old Shoei RF800 just to see if the rounder smoother profile would be better at speed at when my head is turned but I didn't really notice a difference.

Is there a helmet style or a particular round profile to slightly oval profile helmet that will not get pushed around in the wind as much as others?

Thanks

_____________________________

1985 Suzuki GS550E first bike sold in 1991.
1995 Yamaha FZR1000 sold in 2000.
In February 2006 bought 2006 Kawasaki Concours.
July 25th, 2007 Bought a left over 2004 CBR1000RR4.
http://community.webshots.com/user/tigertom1965

Post #: 1

RE: What Helmet works best? - 8/12/2007 9:24:19 PM

ApexClipper

Posts: 82
Joined: 6/23/2007
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You'll get plenty of opinions on this but if you have a Shoei type of head then the X-11 is the absolute best for managing wind buffeting. I was amazed the first time I rode with one. It also has firmer cheek pads then many helmets, including high end ones so you get minimal sloppage as you turn your head side to side. I own two of em'...ain't cheap though.

(in reply to tomc1965)

Post #: 2

RE: What Helmet works best? - 8/12/2007 10:17:41 PM

Vermino

Posts: 1201
Joined: 1/28/2006
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kind-of wish a dealership or brick and mortar place with helmets would have an air tunnel tester so you can actually test them out.. i like my Icon battlecry helmet except for the fog build up.. but i have heard shoei X-11's and Arai's are the best in the business...

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06'' CBR1000RR Blue/yellow - Stock

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Post #: 3

RE: What Helmet works best? - 8/13/2007 10:41:04 AM

TXCBR07

Posts: 63
Joined: 8/4/2007
Status: offline

I have the Shoei RF-1000 and the X-11. For me the RF-1000 was great - comfortable/secure. I found the X-11 on e-Bay one day for about $100.00 cheaper than anywhere. I was just goofing around on e-Bay and not really looking to buy another helmet as I am completely satisfied with the RF but saw this and couldn't pass it up. Got the X-11 and went for a ride.....Holy *. Big difference - except the windnoise- ventilation right on, weight is perfect, and the aerodynamics are superior. If you've got the money, do yourself a favor and give this one a go.

(in reply to Vermino)

Post #: 4

RE: What Helmet works best? - 8/16/2007 6:25:01 AM

tomc1965

Posts: 238
Joined: 7/14/2007
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I saw the X11 Bostrum. Way cool for my 04 silver and black but >$550 is a little out of my range. Maybe next years tax money?

What about the Arai Quantum II helmet? How is that in the wind?

I lost 11 lbs in the last month and I swear it is coming off of my face. Either that or my helmet pads are shrinking. My HJC Ac12 is really starting to get annoying at speed. The wind lifts it upwards and all around now and the noise levels are much greater even with earplugs. My old Shoei RF800 is really snug but isn't worn evenly on both sides. I wonder if it was stored funny.

Are there any inexpensive helmets with a round profile that will work for the rest of this season that are better than my AC12?

What about the Scorpion EXO 400 or EXO 700? The Shoei RF1000 or TZR?

Any of these the right shape.

_____________________________

1985 Suzuki GS550E first bike sold in 1991.
1995 Yamaha FZR1000 sold in 2000.
In February 2006 bought 2006 Kawasaki Concours.
July 25th, 2007 Bought a left over 2004 CBR1000RR4.
http://community.webshots.com/user/tigertom1965

(in reply to TXCBR07)

Post #: 5

RE: What Helmet works best? - 8/16/2007 10:35:59 AM

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Joined: 8/2/2007
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I have used and would reccomend the Scorpion products to anyone. I have absolutely no complaints about mine.

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If speed was a drug I'd be dead by now. Wait...that doesn't make any sense...I'm hooked on all sorts of sh*t and that never killed me. OK...if speed negatively reacted with drugs and alcohol....DAMMIT!!

(in reply to tomc1965)

Post #: 6

RE: What Helmet works best? - 8/16/2007 4:27:17 PM

goracer

Posts: 17
Joined: 8/13/2007
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Make sure you measure your head instead of just trying them on. It did the try on test with my last bike and after it broke in it was loose. It was a Shoei, great helmet but I wear L now instead of XL. I just bought a Shark Duhamel edition $700. It is "the" lightest helmet available (carbon/kevlar). After that I would recomend Arai RX7 Corsair, Shoei, HJC Carbon and then Icon Domain (I like the Decay model and it's a carbon hybrid). Shark, Arai and Shoei have the chin spoilers the reduce noise and prevent helmet lift. Their high end models also have strap pads and a holder for the strap so it doesn't flap around in the wind.

(in reply to Ty)

Post #: 7

RE: What Helmet works best? - 8/16/2007 7:32:49 PM

tomc1965

Posts: 238
Joined: 7/14/2007
Status: offline

I was looking at the Shark RSR 2 Duhamel also. By the way Ridegear.com has it for $566.96 plus free shipping.

_____________________________

1985 Suzuki GS550E first bike sold in 1991.
1995 Yamaha FZR1000 sold in 2000.
In February 2006 bought 2006 Kawasaki Concours.
July 25th, 2007 Bought a left over 2004 CBR1000RR4.
http://community.webshots.com/user/tigertom1965

(in reply to goracer)

Post #: 8

RE: What Helmet works best? - 8/17/2007 2:32:45 PM

dwhite645

Posts: 1989
Joined: 1/21/2006
From: OldFatGuy's garage - stealing parts
Status: offline

Don't cheap out on a helmet! I had a crash in my shoei RF-1000 last year and it held up very well. Since then I moved up to the X-11 and it's even better. No wind buffeting, fairly quiet and a full removable liner for washing. Great ventilation too.

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Post #: 9

RE: What Helmet works best? - 8/28/2007 9:07:55 PM

tomc1965

Posts: 238
Joined: 7/14/2007
Status: offline

I just tried on a Scorpion EXO700 Large and it fit but was snug. Felt like my Large Shoei RF800 I have taken out of my closet but the cheek pads were tighter. Maybe it will feel exactly the same when the pads break in. The EXO700 had the same round fit of the Shoei.
Web bike world said it is very noisey on sport bikes and others with fairings. What do you say?
They had a Suomy Vandel but it was the wrong shape helmet for my head.
My HJC AC12 just doesn't fit anymore. Even with ear plugs it is loud with wind noise and moves around so I need something soon.
I just need to try a bunch more on. Local place had Shark helmets but I didn't see any rsr2 or I would see what kind of fit it had. Is it a round fit or an oval?
I heard the Shoei X11 is an oval shape and not a round shape. Is that true?
Near my brother there is a place with Arai helmets so I will ty them. I just know that over $300 is going to be too much money for me until taxes come back or I find a better job.

_____________________________

1985 Suzuki GS550E first bike sold in 1991.
1995 Yamaha FZR1000 sold in 2000.
In February 2006 bought 2006 Kawasaki Concours.
July 25th, 2007 Bought a left over 2004 CBR1000RR4.
http://community.webshots.com/user/tigertom1965

(in reply to dwhite645)

Post #: 10

RE: What Helmet works best? - 8/29/2007 11:31:24 AM

nfamousdevil

Posts: 108
Joined: 4/2/2007
Status: offline

If the cheek pads are the only issue on the 800, can't you just replace them? I found a bunch of sites with replacement pads, but found none for the rf800. Maybe you'll want to give a call to shoei and see if they cross reference with any other helmets.

(in reply to tomc1965)

Post #: 11

RE: What Helmet works best? - 8/29/2007 12:03:23 PM

tomc1965

Posts: 238
Joined: 7/14/2007
Status: offline

I bought the RF800 in 1998 so its time to update it. The liner is not removeable by the way so the cheek pads can not come out.

I believe the cheek pads in the EXO700 can be replaced with those from a XL but I don't remember. Work kind of does that to me from one day to another.

< Message edited by tomc1965 -- 8/29/2007 12:07:23 PM >

_____________________________

1985 Suzuki GS550E first bike sold in 1991.
1995 Yamaha FZR1000 sold in 2000.
In February 2006 bought 2006 Kawasaki Concours.
July 25th, 2007 Bought a left over 2004 CBR1000RR4.
http://community.webshots.com/user/tigertom1965

(in reply to nfamousdevil)

Post #: 12

RE: What Helmet works best? - 8/29/2007 1:19:25 PM

CBRYDR

Posts: 82
Joined: 8/23/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: dwhite645

Don't cheap out on a helmet! I had a crash in my shoei RF-1000 last year and it held up very well. Since then I moved up to the X-11 and it's even better. No wind buffeting, fairly quiet and a full removable liner for washing. Great ventilation too.

Along with the Shoei X-11, if you have an 'oval' shaped head, the Arai Profile is excellent! I have a 58.1cm dimension and the Medium size is 57-58cm. I picked up an M and it fits like a glove! Reasons for purchasing: comfortable fit, excellent ventilation, and extremely quiet. My $0.02

(in reply to dwhite645)

Post #: 13

RE: What Helmet works best? - 8/29/2007 4:11:00 PM

will_f3

Posts: 85
Joined: 2/10/2006
Status: offline

My old helmet was a HJC AC-11, and back in May I bought a Shoei X-11..... man, what a difference!! I highly recomment the X-11. The first time I went on a ride with the X-11, the first three things that I noticed are (1) the ventalation... just amazing!!! way better than the AC-11. I can feel the air flowing over my head. (2) my head does not get buffeted around, it stays very stable. The only time my head gets buffeting is when I am behind a van, suv, truck, and semi. And (3) the lack of weight of the X-11. With the AC-11 after a few hours of riding, my neck would be worn out, but with the X-11, no more sore neck.

So, if you can afford the X-11, buy it!! You will not regret it. I bought mine from imotorcyclestore.com in the Bostrom graphics for around $490.

(in reply to tomc1965)

Post #: 14

RE: What Helmet works best? - 8/30/2007 9:44:39 AM

invader_zoom

Posts: 45
Joined: 8/17/2007
Status: offline

I choose a Scorpion EXO-400...picked it up yesterday..so I can't comment on durability....Things I like: the ventilation is great, dosen't jerk my head around going striaght or looking around, it is the right shape for my head (protects my chin, and get good pad coverage all of my head), seems quiet enough...I can hear what is going on around me and the bike...but it keeps the vast majority of wind noise out, and it was fairly cheap paid 150 with tax. On the down side...I have felt lighter helmets, and I do still get some wistling when I'm tucked..but I can probably fix this by making some changes to my vent settings

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''''''''''''''''03 CBR600RR

(in reply to will_f3)

Post #: 15