XRover

Another newbie here needing advice.

Sort of the same situation as before. One of my clients is able to order me a new helmet at wholesale and I am not sure if it is even worth it.

Here are the brands I can get.

Rockhard (I had not heard of this one until today).

O'Neal Street (I can get the one with bluetooth but doubt I would use it).

Bell - The only ones I can get here are the Vortex and the Arrow.

Alright let the advice roll in.

Update on my previous post about boots. I finally got time to run to MotoCorsa and try on the sidi Verts. THIS IS A SHOUT OUT AND THANK YOU TO MotoCorsa. They sized me up and shared their knowledge with me for free. I did an employee purchase directly through Sidi on my boots. Otherwise I would have bought from them. They are only five or so blocks from where I work.

Then I went across the street to Portland Bikes (their used bike shop) and spent twenty minutes or so talking with their sales rep about finding me the exact used bike I want. This also was done for free. SHOUT OUT TO Portland Bikes.

Ok one more question for the commuters. Do you carry a pair of normal shoes with you to work? I sit at a desk all day but I think wearing my boots 10 hours is going to get old real fast.

PS: Hopefully the above corrections will clear the air of what really happened. The rest of the story tonight at 11!

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scollins

Not to be an ass (well, maybe.....), are you buying the boots from MotoCorsa? Or did you just try them on there and decide to buy online to save a few dollars? Sounds like they had your size if you were able to try them on, why not just buy them from there? You took advantage of their expertise and availability, isn't that enough to earn your business?

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timbang

I have 2 pairs of dress shoes at my desk -- one brown, one black. OK. I'm sorta anal about my shoes. When I wear my Dainese boots, I change into dress shoes at work. When I wear my Red Wing boots, I keep 'em on and go hunting for someone I don't like so I can stomp their toes into a nice waffle pattern.

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LostTheFront

Not much worse than a helmet that doesn't fit right. At least try on and buy from a shop your first helmet. If you need to replace it in the future you might buy your second one sight-unseen, or better yet find a deal on closeout or at a motorcycle show. Even different models of the same top-shelf brand names fit very differently.

Unless you feel like wasting your money on one that fits crappy, only to be replaced when you're finally fed-up.

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Pvster

to what lostthefront said. key point for helmets is that they fit PROPERLY! not how much YOU paid or what the retail price for it is. if it doesn't fit your head, it's a waste of money whether it's $100 or $900.....

you need to go try on helmets, run a few tests to ensure fitment (look these up if you dont know), and find the one that is the most snug in all areas. you must remember that as the helmet ages/gets used, the padding will get compressed and wont be as snug compared to when you first bought it, so you'll want it to be almost too tight. finding that "almost" is tricky. just try stuff on.

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Jims08Z06

The Bell Arrow is only DOT rated, and around $100.00. Next step up for less than $200.00 is the Vortex, which is both Snell 2010 & DOT rated. Measure the circumference of your head bout 1" above your eyebrow's and around the largest portion of the back of your head. On their web site these measurements can be converted into sizes, ie small, large, etc. A rejuvenated company, with a quality product. Then there's the Bell Star Carbon, in it's natural format. In my opinion there is none nicer
...AJ

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Echelon

Start googling all those brands and seeing what looks the best.

I normally go with the bigger known brands because you can almost always find options for the helmet at your local Moto store. It's annoying trying to buy new face shields and pads online and having to wait because the store doesn't carry them.

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Texasl

^^^^^

Get to a reputable shop, with educated sales staff, and try the helmets on.

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Runout

If you're going to prodeal them, let the staff know so you're not wasting their time on someone who won't be spending money at their shop. They'll help you anyways, and you won't be misrepresenting yourself.

Consider buying something from them anyways. Reputable shops with educated sales staff are becoming more and more scarce. Gotta keep them in business.

To answer your question about helmets: yes! Try them on first. And the difference between a $100 and $200 helmet isn't in the safety ratings (they all have to pass the same tests) but in comfort, how noisy they are, how well the ventilate when it's warm and how good they are at keeping air out when it's cold.

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XRover

I corrected my initial post to clear up any questions about my integrity that you might currently have...

No actual helmet advice though? Just curious I am trying to get as much info as possible from all good sources.

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XRover

I like the star but the price is a little more than I want to spend this purchase.

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Runout

I dunno...just on simple principle I say anything you're relying on to protect your brain from impacts at highway speeds should cost more than dinner for two at a TGI Friday's.

I'd say go with as much as you can afford.

And I, too, kept two or three pairs of shoes under my desk at work.

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scollins

The edit sounds better. I wasn't so much calling your integrity into question, but as a small business owner myself, I like to support local whenever possible. You indicated you were a new rider, so I was hoping to help set a basis on not just using the local dealers as a showroom, but as a place to support as well (if they deserve it!!!!)

Many complained about RMC here locally, but I always found gear and parts there I could buy. Now they are gone. If the Wal*Mart of motoshops can't make it, you wonder how the single brand shops will be able to survive long term.


As for helmets, not a whole lot of help other than suggesting Arai or Shoei, although I've actually never worn nor owned either. I have tried on some Arai's, and they are very nice and fit well. My current helmet usage is a Scorpion EXO-400 (first helmet) as a backup and a Roof Boxer V8 as my main helmet. But since the V8 is a modular, I'll be looking at picking up an Arai or maybe a Bell Star for track days.

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Texasl

The Shoei and the HJC modulars are both fairly good everyday lids, although the HJC does have a bit more wind noise. If you are planning on doing some track days get one of the traditional full face ones.

On the more important question, I keep at least one pair of dress boots under the desk.

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DM47

The RS-1 sits between the Star and Vortex. They are very nice.

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Jims08Z06

I thought that's what we have been giving? OK I liked my Arai and before the Arai I had a Shoei. Liked them both. Each has features that I liked, and didn't like as much. But realistically what is your head/life worth? If you feel comfortable in a $90.00 helmet I guess your somewhat better off than the states where no helmet is required. I picked the Bell Star Carbon because. I wanted light weight, Snell 2010 rating, and no paint. Is it better than an Arai or Shoei, depends on what your expectations are. Or even the shape of your head, as some brands fit more comfortably than others. The rejuvenated Bell Consortium of companies has a quality product, in the style and materials that I wanted.

Agreed, I actually almost purchased the RS-1. Then decided that I no longer want a painted helmet. That and the weight savings of a full carbon. It also comes with a real helmet bag, and the auto darking face shield standard. There's even a extra add on spoiler for the back, if the helmet tends to lift at extreme speeds. The materials, fit & finish surpasses anything I've ever had in the past. CORRECTION; The auto darking face shield is not standard, but an extra $119.00lldd
...AJ

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JayD1981

I really like HJC helmets. They fit my head very well and are very affordable starting at under 100 for a quality helmet. I wear a carbon fiber HJC that is ultra light and very comfortable. They can be found in the mid 200's I believe now.

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dizzle

Truth.

How much is your brain worth to you?

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Chrishil54

How much is "to much" for something that is going to protect your head?

As for shoes, I keep a pair at work as its easier to just leave them there instead of the carry back and forth.

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nakedrider

You really need to try them on, Aria and Shoei fit totally different. I'm sure the other brands do as well. Wind noise is a huge issue for me, it will get to you after awhile.

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