School Me On Helmets

[Zach!]

I obviously need a new helmet.

I've had an HJC and hated it, moved to the Icon Mainframe II and loved the padding and quality of construction, but the shape sucked.

Also, I have a very, VERY large head, so I need something in the 7 7/8-8" range.

Would like something with the padding like Icon's, anyone know of anything comparable?

[jayswat91]

5 gallon bucket

[Zach!]

Sigh.....yall are dicks

[jayswat91]

Sorry...prolly fit ur head tho...u u

[TallyCannon]

I have two Scorpion EXO 700's and love them. My next one will be an EXO 1000.

[mike848]

Arai helmets are more oval in shape - may fit your head better and be more comfortable, quite pricey tho..... 

[Zach!]

Tallycannon: how's the padding in those? Is it spongey or kinda flat?

Mike848: I've been looking at those too, need to go see one in person though. Don also said they're kinda loud, what's your thoughts on that?

[TallyCannon]

Ah...more towards the spongy. They are very comfy. Finding a good fitting helmet is just going to take trying on every thing you can and find the one with the shape that fits your head the best. Some fit round heads, oval heads, etc.

[anezay2004]

Well if you didnt know this I'll rep Icon until I die, but I wore a friend of mines Shoei and I swear it was so light and fit so well you almost couldnt even tell the thing was on from the weight (or lack of, I should say.) Icon did just release there Fall Catalog and if I didnt have that issue with my rectifier going, I was gonna get this one. http://www.rideicon.com/product_details.jsp?category=3427&id=12395

[Zach!]

I was honestly impressed with the protection my Icon gave me, but its geared more towards street riders. I wouldn't want to wear one on a track day or anything. The only style they have I'm considering buying is the Airframe, seems they don't make my old Mainframe II anymore.

[Mark]

I've used both HJC and Scorpion, and I've tried on several brands. Finding the right helmet "for you" truly is a matter of trying several on and seeing what feels best. For instance, when I compared Suomy, Shoei, and Arai (the most expensive brands), I found the Arai noticeably more comfortable for me.

Unfortunately, I don't think we have a single store around here with a large selection of brands, but I think Cycle Gear in Orlando (or was it the one in Daytona Beach?) had nearly every brand all lined up on the same wall when I was looking a couple of years ago. That's great when you want side-by-side comparison.

I'm going to add a +1 to Scorpion, though. I have an EXO-700 and love it. It fits great, it's feels light, and the pads are all easily removable for cleaning. It also doesn't "whistle" like my old HJC did. I hated that about the HJC, as well as the 3" gap between my mouth and the helmet.

[Zach!]

I had the same problem with me HJC and the whistling. Man those things are loud.

And you brought up another factor in a helmet I forgot: the chin area. I've yet to find a helmet that my chin (not just my beard, but my actual CHIN) doesn't hit the front of the helmet when I bite down.

Man, I just got a big freakin head. Maybe Jayswat was right.

[mike848]

Arai can be kind of loud, with a whistle, depending on the angle your head is at.  Padding is medium firm, they have different sizes of pads.  I don't know how they compare to others as this is the only brand I've owned, they just fit me better than the others I tried on.

[spadoc79]

i'd have to go with Shoei or Scorpion

[whitecl0ver]

I'm wearing a SparX now.  I think it's a great helmet.  Lining is soft, and spongy feeling.  The sizes runs about 2 sizes smaller then normal.  I normally wear a large, this helmet is XXL.

Check them out Orion carry's them