Helmets need to buy some

[Joliet Jim]

Ok, I'm in need of replacing several helmets that were damaged along with the house when the water pipe burst under the upstairs sink. There are a lot of new and even some old new brands that have surfaced since I last bought helmets. Trying to keep under $200 per helmet. I need to replace my daughter's full face HJC, Cheryl's open faced HJC, my modular HJC, my 3/4 shielded HJC, and the open faced Scorpion.

Now Scorpion or HJC would be the easy pick since I know I'm an XL and both daughter and wife are S and these have fit well.

But I see Bell, Biltwell, Shark, LS, etc. in the same price range.

In the past I would have gone to the local bike shop and tried them on and bought them if they fit, but they all seem to have closed over the years. 

Any recommendations? It seems a lot of the new ones don't have any noticeable ventilation which I definitely need.
 

[Dirk_S]

I have two LS2 Strobe modular helmets (M and L)

worn only a couple times to check fitting. Neither fit me perfectly. Selling them for $75/pc. No drops, no scratches.

[Ncdan]

Do your research then act accordingly 👍

[Rick in WNY]

In my experience, all helmet brands fit a little differently. Did the water pipe bursting change the shape of your head? I ask because if the HJC fit before, they will still fit after. Yes, I'm an HJC guy, not by choice, but rather because they are what fits my head and that is what is important.

This gets batted around by the MC writing community fairly often, here is one of the best guides I've run across in how to select the right helmet for you.

https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/how-to-buy-and-size-a-motorcycle-helmet

Now for you, the difficult part will be not having access to try on the helmets. Sure, the local dealers have a few, but I am fortunate to have a helmet shop about an hour away, More than 3,000 helmets on the shelves, and yes, you can try them on... Was there recently to try on my new helmet, and HJC RPHA 90. Not a $200 helmet, little more than twice that actually, but worth it in my opinion. Do some searching, see if there's someplace within a days travel you can go try on helmets... that's the best advice I have to give you.

Good luck and ride safe.

[bad Chad]

Do your research then act accordingly 👍

Yea, what he said!  Ha Ha

[coast range rider]

Do your research then act accordingly 👍

New safety standard, ECE 22.06 is now being approved. ECE 22.05 has been in effect for around 20 years; it is outdated and long due an overhaul. Over the next 3 years helmet mfr's will be advertising meeting this new standard and in 3 years it will become a requirement in certain areas.

[JJ]

I have two LS2 Strobe modular helmets (M and L)

worn only a couple times to check fitting. Neither fit me perfectly. Selling them for $75/pc. No drops, no scratches.

ery

These are good helmets, if you like the modular flip-up style.  I bought one recently for my Victory.  Fits well, and very versatile.  I believe these are about $230-$250 brand new, so that is a good price, (IMHO)

[Joliet Jim]

No the flooding didn't change the shape of my head, dealing with contractors is making it swell.

I'll probably replace with either hjc or scorpion because I know they fit my head. Just looking for opinions. I'll probably just order from motorcyclegear.com and replace with updated models of what I had.

[Rick in WNY]

No the flooding didn't change the shape of my head, dealing with contractors is making it swell.

I'll probably replace with either hjc or scorpion because I know they fit my head. Just looking for opinions. I'll probably just order from motorcyclegear.com and replace with updated models of what I had.

I hear you there, get yourself a new helmet before your blood boils so you can go for a ride... best of luck with the unplanned remodeling.

[TN Mark]

I recently bought a Bell Mag 9 which is a 3/4 helmet with a built in sunshield and a flip down clear shield. It was made to work with the Sena SMH10 communicator which is does beautifully. If you have a Sena SMH10 or would consider one at some point, the Bell Mag 9 is awesome. The Sena makes communicating with the passenger or listening your phone or an iPod effortless. I found the helmet fit true to size. The fullface Bell I looked at was the DLX which after trying them on I would have to purchase one size larger for a proper fit.

[LowRyter]

this is a great reference for the helmet safety and performance.

https://sharp.dft.gov.uk/

[Tusayan]

I'll probably replace with either hjc or scorpion because I know they fit my head. Just looking for opinions.

I haven’t recently found a reason to buy other than HJC.  They are the largest selling brand for a reason: not perfect, but 90% of perfect at 1/3 the price.  I think I paid $120 or something for the last few I’ve bought. 

I used to buy Icon, but they changed for the worst.  Before that a long string of Shoeis, but their prices are now laughable.

[Ryan]

Several years ago, things were tight and I needed to replace the Arai. After reading several test and reviews, a cheap Fulmer transmitted less force to the brain than other brands. I bought one. It fit very nicely, but was bare-bones and a little noisey. Replaced it last year with an AGV which fits my head size and shape well. It was nearly three times the money as the fulmer, but I still got change from my 2 $100 bills. Much quieter, built-in sun shade, great finish. I tried several brands and models, and the shape is so different between them, if you can't try a new one on before purchase, I would stick with what you know will work until you can test fit a few.

[Dave Swanson]

After many years with nothing but Arai I decided to try a Shoei RF-1200.  So far I am really liking it.  It is a bit lighter and quieter than the Arai.  The face shield is super nice and detaches much easier than the Arais I have had.  It also gives you an option of using a "Transitions" face shield.  Since I am a glasses wearer the Transitions shield will be handy.  I wont have to switch back and forth from sunglasses anymore. 

[kirkemon]

I'm a diehard Arai fan.
I have the Pro shield visor, let's you have clear or tinted with the same visor - no need to switch and works better than a drop down. The Transition visors I've tried never really got dark enough for our California sun.
My Arai has a built-in Sena 10U. Arai make different shapes because not all heads are the same, and the make different size cheek pads in 5mm increments to make a perfect fit. These helmets are very nice (even some F1 drivers prefer Arai).