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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | Hi all,
I've been riding off and on for several years now and I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a big fan of helmets. Maybe I'm getting old or perhaps wiser but I've really been searching for a good helmet (I also can't get my gal to wear one unless I do). I've spent many hours online trying to sort out truth from hype. Locally, my shops are sparse and offer very little to try. I think I'll keep my full face Shoei for Winter but the FF is not an option for me in summer (+the eyeglasses w/full face doesn't really work well and FF behind a fairing is kinda sufficating). I was looking at the previously mentioned Scorpion Helmets but I'm wondering if the flip-down face shield will interfere with my script lenses. Coming up on a 3K mile trip when I get back in September. I'm not afraid to invest $ in a quality helmet that is comfortable and well ventilated. Compiling a list, I could find dealers and try them out before I buy. Feedback from the tour crowd is greatly appreciated.
-Will
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 29
Strongsville, Ohio | I use a HJC 3/4 style helmet with flip down clear visor. Fits well and clears my glasses too.
On the highway I usually bring the helmet shield down and windshield up all the way and then back down about 1", it helps from getting pelted from the side. The only drawback is the tunes sound slightly muffled. Play with the treble controls a bit and it sounds pretty good.
Try any helmet on for size. Sizing varies between companies.
Jerry |
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Cruiser
Posts: 296
Central Florida | I use the Shoei Multitec modular flip up year round. Very comfortable, good ventilation
and easy on and off with Glasses.. you can also flip up and talk at stop light with ease..... |
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Tourer
Posts: 340
Regina Saskatchewan Canada | Both the wife and I have the Scorpion EXO 100 with the built in flip down visor. So far I love it. It's comfortable and looks great. The best part is the flip down visor, I don't have to worry about having to change to my prescription sunglasses just flip down the visor, it protects my eyes but still allows a breeze over my face. You can also get amber visor and it's easy to snap one out and the other in, great for night riding. The helmet isn't that expensive but it seems to be very well thought out and well built.
Here is a link to a video on youtube about the helmet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOEfZ7iUieg |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | I love open face helmets with a sun visor; esp now that I'm riding the Vision. Simply adjust the windsheild to about chin level, put on a good pair of sunglasses and roll. No worries about bugs, rocks from truck tires, rain (yeah, like it ever rains in Southern CA). The envelope that the rider sits in on this bike is amazing. My helmet is an HJC CL-5 and its worked for me for a couple of years, since you have a Shoei and apparently like it, look at their RJ-Platinum R open face. Its my next helmet purchase.
I have never used a face sheild since I dont really like the idea of veiwing the world through three layers of plastic (presription glasses, helmet sheild and the windsheild the distortion and fogging drives me nuts.
I'm not qualified to argue the relative merits of the protection or lack thereof afforded by the various styles of helmet; but I do have personal experience that a good helmet is the best money you'll ever spend; in the form of a Bell Magnum (circa 1974) worn clear through to the liner.
I also serve on the board of H.B.I.C. (Help For Brain Injured Children in La Habra, CA - http://www.hbic.org ) where we see kids who's only mistake in life was riding a bicycle with out a helmet condemmed to struggle with activities the we take for granted. It doesnt take much of a wreck to change your life, permenantly. The La Habra Lions Club helps us with a Poker Run each year to help raise money if any of you are in the area and free we would sure appreciate your joining us next year.
Buy a helmet that's comfortable and wear it; end of sermon - sorry if I sound like I'm preaching. |
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Tourer
Posts: 423
northwest florida | check out
www.helmetharbor.com
tons of info
Edited by a99miata 2008-08-14 7:15 AM
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Cruiser
Posts: 294
rhode island | Hot weather: H.J.C half helmet
Warm weather: H.J.C 3/4 helmet
Cold or bad weather: H.J.C carbon fiber full face. 
Edited by sandman 2008-08-14 7:29 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | Cold weather: HJC modular helmet
Bad weather: HJC modular helmet
Hot weather: HJC modular helmet
Alabama summer at 110 degrees and 98 percent humidity: HJC modular helmet
ATGATT for me; but each to his own. I'd rather sweat than bleed. Yes, this includes leather overpants, leather jacket, gloves and boots every day, year round - you get used to it. Besides, my wife likes how it looks  |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | I have the HJC carbon fiber 3/4, and its great!
There is plenty of room behind the face shield (although I usually ride without it), but what I really like about the helmet is its light weight, and the fact that you can't see any of the helmet out of your peripheral vision (sides or top). The back is also cut up a bit so I can move my head around without any interference from the helmet. (Many helmets today seem to be designed to be more like fighter pilot helmets, which seems to offer much better visibility and movement, at least in my opinion.)
There is no buffeting, and air flow through the helmet is good on hot days. I have ridden with it in it in the heat (well over 100 degrees) on trips lasting 11 hours, and never really noticed it on my head. And I come from the school of no helmet or brain bucket, so anything that is noticable is not good for me. (My transition to a "real" helmet is fairly recent as well.....I guess I am just getting older, and don't want to keep pushing my luck.) I have a large head, and it fits me perfectly, with my ears actually in the ear pockets, not being squished by the padding around them (and I have tried enough helmets to start my own store). I have even used it in cold weather (with the face shield) and it is almost as good as my full face (which I only wore in extreme weather).
This helmet is DOT and SNELL, is the closest thing I have found in a real helmet to feeling the freedom of not wearing a helmet, and great in all weather (including the wind and rain). I highly recommended it.
By the way, I got mine at my local Harley store, but they are also easily available on line from several sources. |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | Crawford - 2008-08-13 11:54 PM Both the wife and I have the Scorpion EXO 100 with the built in flip down visor. So far I love it. It's comfortable and looks great. The best part is the flip down visor, I don't have to worry about having to change to my prescription sunglasses just flip down the visor, it protects my eyes but still allows a breeze over my face. You can also get amber visor and it's easy to snap one out and the other in, great for night riding. The helmet isn't that expensive but it seems to be very well thought out and well built. Here is a link to a video on youtube about the helmet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOEfZ7iUieg[/QUOTE] I'm riding with the EXO100 also and plan on using it year round. I had a half helmet that I rode with year round last year, the EXO100 will fit the bill more because of the side flaps that also has speaker pouches for the intercom. I think the styling and features are in line with a world class touring bike. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | I appreciate all the recommendations so far! Does anyone here use the Scorpion with glasses on? I have the 3/4 HJC AC3, it might be too small for me but it doesn't seem comfortable for my face. I should have also got one that wasn't solid black (matched my old bike though). I was thinking about the FS2 halfer as well but can't find any in stock to try so far. All comments are greatly appreciated. These all seem like great tour helmets. Do the modular helmets seem really heavy after a few hundred miles? |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | Many HJC helmets have removable cheek pads - if yours does, then you can order the pads from the next size up helmet to get a looser fit around the face. This is what our dealer recommended for my wife's Symax. Problem solved, much more comfortable fit and ended her ride induced headaches.
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Cruiser
Posts: 140
| devilboy - 2008-08-13 9:57 PM
I use the Shoei Multitec modular flip up year round. Very comfortable, good ventilation
and easy on and off with Glasses.. you can also flip up and talk at stop light with ease.....
I like mine too. Only thing...pay thay much for a helmet and you expect a removable liner. |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Cleveland, GA | bigwill5150 - 2008-08-14 10:56 PM Do the modular helmets seem really heavy after a few hundred miles? The furthest I've ridden so far is 550 miles in one day. Never noticed the weight, but then, I only use the modular helmet and I use it all the time (45,000 miles in 2 1/2 years), so I'm used to it. And I wear glasses under it (that's the main reason I got the modular, instead of a full-face. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 294
rhode island | My opinion is 3/4 H.J.C high end is the best for touring helmet, the windshield negates the need for
face shields and is the most comfortable. H.J.C is one of the best values in the helmet world.
My full face makes me feel like im in a sound chamber, It is the way to go in extreme weather,
cold or heavy rain. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1436
| I recently purchase a Bell Mag 8 http://www.bellhelmets.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&ca...
This helmet is soooo lite even my beanie is heavier and its one of the litest on the market. The drop down shield flips up under the visor so it doesn't get scratched or bugged up when not in use and I notice ZERO distortion using the shield with glasses. The drop down shield provides good coverage all the way down to the lower chin, and hasn't fog up on me in rain. I use to wear a Zeus modular which was extremely comfy but they are hard to find these days, but the best modular in my opinion. I own a HJC Symax modular as well, but the field of vision isn't as good as the Zues or Bell. |
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Helmets for touring