Helmet's Mmm, which one!

[sprout]

Hi all, I'm looking at changing my lid, its a toss up between the Arai tour x3 and the shoei hornet Ds not sure myself as they both look like good buys, could anyone give me advice, happy riding

[StumpyFingers]

Have you tried either helmet?
Everyone has a different feel when it comes to comfort.
What might be great for me may not be for you, so best to try them both on and see which one you could live with day in, day out.

[jasonbc]

Hi all, I'm looking at changing my lid, its a toss up between the Arai tour x3 and the shoei hornet Ds not sure myself as they both look like good buys, could anyone give me advice, happy riding

I thought about both of them and then went out and bought the HJC cl xs same style comfortable water beads of the visor well al for £99.

[sprout]

Have you tried either helmet?
Everyone has a different feel when it comes to comfort.
What might be great for me may not be for you, so best to try them both on and see which one you could live with day in, day out.

I have tried the Arai which was a nice fit comfy too, yet to try the shoei, looks just as good similar price tag, the fella at the shop said the arai should last up to 8 years, will have to look into that, if its true its not a bad price when you spread it over that time.

[sprout]

I thought about both of them and then went out and bought the HJC cl xs same style comfortable water beads of the visor well al for £99.

I have seen one of these, it looks like a nice lid , good price, i've got a flip up at the mo and not too happy with it thats the reason for the change, they wanted £109 in the shop near me for that lid and £119 with the graphics, so thats a good price you got your's for .

[jasonbc]

I have seen one of these, it looks like a nice lid , good price, i've got a flip up at the mo and not too happy with it thats the reason for the change, they wanted £109 in the shop near me for that lid and £119 with the graphics, so thats a good price you got your's for .

Those were the prices i was quoted but i bought it in plain black and was then given the 10% discount for being in an affiliated riding club

[Farky]

Looking at exactly the same thing for a trip at the end of the month.

I was told that ALL helmets have a 5 year usability life - something to do with the foam loosing its cushioning with time - though you can get more, its just a matter of who wants to prove it untrue!! Im not taking the chance.

Ive always fitted Arai helmets as they are the only manu who make a hat specifically for UK/European skull shapes - they may 1 for Japan, 1 for USA and 1 for Europe I think.

Tried the Shoei anyway, nice quality but cant believe its so much more than an Arai! Left me with pressure points on my forehead so not an option anyway.

Tried the Arai and the correct fit of Medium is too loose on my head - looks like I just need thicker cheek pads to push my head back into the helmet - dealer ordering them in so I can try them first.

I actually tried ALL the Arai range while I was there and the cheaper ones gave my pressure points whilst only the top 2 models fitted off the shelf - I own a Giga which they done make now, its the Joey Dunlop limited edition - never wouldve paid that much for a helmet if it wasnt for it being a JD design and a donation of profit to his trust -now I would never buy a cheaper helmet - it fits soo good, is soo light and the noise is reduced from my previous Arais and Shoeis.

Will be interested in which you go for...and what colour.. I aint paying more for a Long Winge Down design!! eejit!

[StumpyFingers]

I was told that the FIVE year life is due to the sweat deposited when we wear the helmet.
It is responsible for rotting the internal padding and structure of the helmet.

[pdsquire]

Stumpy's right: try them on. Wander round the shop for a while, move your head and feel where the helmet presses. If they mind, go elsewhere: any proper bikers should care that their customers are comfortable and therefore safe.

That said, there's a half-price deal on Schuberth C2s at Hein Gericke which is worth a look. I bought one as it was rude not to: a real quality helmet, but to illustrate Stumpy's point, Whealie had one and didn't get on with it at all!

Good luck.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

I'd be surprised if there's such a thing as a European-shaped head etc. People used to say they have either an Arai-shaped head or a Shoei-shaped head, but even that has changed in recent years as the manufacturers have altered their designs. It's difficult to advise Sprout about crash helmets since everyone's requirements, head shapes, priorities etc. differ. In general though, those enduro-style helmets are good for keeping the sunshine out of your eyes, but are noisy at speed. Also several members in the past have complained about how the peak catches the air at high speed making glances over the shoulder difficult. Surely that compromises primary safety?

Farky, you say one helmet was medium-to-loose fit. Because the lining is likely to compress a little in the first few weeks the general advice is to buy one that's medium-to-tight fit; you'll also benefit from better sound insulation if it's snug. I don't think altering cheek pads is the solution since they are too soft to hold the helmet firmly in place in the event of a high-speed accident.