I read the "Boots" thread with great interest, as I'm in the market for boots. I'm also in the market for a new helmet.

So, what helmet do you use? Pro's & Con's?

So far I'm looking at either a Shoei XR1000 or Shark RSR2.

Shoei RF1000 is my favorite. Arai makes really nice helmets. In the in end it will be a matter of personal choice. The shape of your head plays a big role in the decision making process.

i've got a few icon helmets and a shoei x11. i wanted the icons for the looks and i got the x11 to find out what all the fuss is about. the icons are heavier, bulkier, not as well vented, and less airodynamic. they are also a tad bit quieter though because they offer less ventilation. i would assume the rf1000 would be quieter than the x11. needless to say, i wear the x11 exclusively now. the icons only come out of their boxes on biker posing bike nights

After trying a few others I settled on the Shoei RF-1000. One of the quietest best fitting helmets made.

I agree with Romans. I have always had Shoei's because of the shape of my head. I currently have an X-11.

And because I know they work.
The black 1 - Bridgehamton Road Course. Got off at about 120mph when another rider tapped the rear wheel of my RZ350.
The white 1 - Lost the front end at about 70mph on GSXR1K during a 3 hr endurance race going into turn 1 at Daytona.
Watching the pavement go by 2" from my face was interesting.

In both cases, no trauma, walked away.

* Last updated by: CycleJunkie on 5/18/2009 @ 8:25 AM *

I'm not sure if this is the case in other countries, but the "RF-1000" you guys have mentioned in branded the "XR-1000" here in Australia. Good looking lid, cheaper than the top-shelf X-11 but above the TZR.

Thanks for the feedback! Although I hope I don't ever test out my helmet like CycleJunkie has!!

I have the scorpion exo-1000. Great fit, snell 2005 rated, and it has lots of vents. It also has a tinted inner sun visor that retracts up into the shell when not needed. At $310.00, its not exacly cheap, but it is a very good helmet.

Another SHOEI fan here. Had Z100, X-8, X-9 and now X-11. I have tried several others, including ARAI. I just can't seem to like fit of anything else. Now I do not even try anymore.

Scorpion Exo-1000 here too, great quality, lots of ventilation and quiet too.

Shoei RF900 here. But that's just me.
How do you tell a good helmet????
If it fits perfectly with no tight spots....it's a good helmet....FOR YOU.
It's GOT to fit perfectly and every head is different.

Seeing as the X11 is rated as a "racing" style helmet, has any one done long days with it on? In other words, is it OK for touring, or just as a "sports" use helmet?

RE: Helmets
05/18/09 10:28 AM
Shoei RF900 here. But that's just me.
How do you tell a good helmet????
If it fits perfectly with no tight spots....it's a good helmet....FOR YOU.
It's GOT to fit perfectly and every head is different.

So does that mean if you find a $150 lid that fits, it's as good as a $700 one (that might fit just as well)? Open face vs. full? Flip up vs. solid? Personally, I think there is more to a "good helmet" than fit. I've worn Shoei, Shark, HJC and others and all have seemed to fit me well and have been comfortable enough to ride with. Arai doesn't fit me well, so yes - I discount them based on fit alone.

Overall, I'm more interested in best comfort, low noise, ventilation, safety (of course) and quality. If more than one different make fit, then there has to be more factors to help me decide. Price comes into it too, but when it comes to my brains...I'm not taking any unnecessary risks!

First "nice" helmet I bought was a Shoei RF700. Liked it so much, I replaced it with a Shoei RF900. Liked it so much, I replaced it with a Shoei X-11. Bought the X-11 over the winter and so far the longest day with it on has only been around 350 miles. No complaints though. The ventilation of the X-11 is superior to my previous Shoeis and my GF's Shoei TZR.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDMHkorwwOA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9mkQkWzb9E&feature=related

Use to have a simpson bandit and loved it but to hard to find up here in canada then was using hjc for a couple of helmets but finally got a good deal on an arai profile and love it the fit and the light weight is amazing I will probably always have an arai the shoei has never fit my head , so what ever feels good on your head.

get a Scorpion is the best bang for your buck,not too fancy graphics like Icon though.I have 2 scorpions (Exo 400)and 1 Icon(airframe model lots of air flow)

The helmet that fits you best is the right one for you. I replaced my old Shoei with a Shoei RF1000 and love them both. I probably tried on 10 different brands and the Shoei fit the best.

Don't be confused by the prices. There are some really good helmets out there were $150-$200, and some good, but over priced ones for many times that.

I have a Shoei RF1000 and a Nolan Modular.
Both are great, I wear the 1000 more as it is quieter and more comfy, but if I ride in town with buddies i wear the Nolan as it is a Flip up for talking.

X-11 all the way, I have also had Arai lids but the Shoei fits better and has excellent ventilation. It is louder than others Ive had but its worth it for the air flow. I wear earplugs on long rides or extended freeway trips, my next helmet will be another X11 or newer model if they come out with one. The best helmet for you is the one that will fit your head the best with features that you like. There is no one best helmet for everyone. Try on as many as you can and see what fits you the best.

Arai RX7 Corsair.

Air flow is incredible as well as the fit. The price is the only bad part... I'd also look at Suomy as they are Italian made and almost identical to Arai - except the price is lower.

I always go for the solid colors, usually saves at least $200 for the same helmet.

Seeing as the X11 is rated as a "racing" style helmet, has any one done long days with it on? In other words, is it OK for touring, or just as a "sports" use helmet?

aussie,

if you want quiet and comfortable get the rf1000

if you want superior ventilation and comfort get the x11

i'll probably get the rf1000 next to find something a little quieter than the x11

I always go for the solid colors, usually saves at least $200 for the same helmet.

Good tip!
I always look at closeouts. I'm not too picky about color. I got my x-11, just like the picture I posted, for $300. And yes, it was new.

Shoei ZII is what I have now for 6 years. Looking at getting another Shoei RF 1000. I also have a Scorpion EVO 700. Its a nice helmet that is comfortable and good finish but heavier and doesnt vent as well. Also it gets banged up easy where the Shoei protection coating is much better

Been doing some more research and trying on some helmets. The Shoei, Shark & HLC helmets all seem to fit nicely. The Arai not so much.

"Shark" brand helmets are gaining popularity here in Oz. They are from the UK, and conform to the Euro safety standards - which some say are superior to Snell.

The RSR2 is their top shelf helmet, and costs around the same as the RF1000.

Apparently they aren't well known in the US - check out this video review if you want to hear more...

I wear a Shark RS2R - It is much lighter than several helmets I tried and it is very quiet - also the silver matched my factory color perfect