Oh and it is MUCH cheaper than the Aria $4000.00 all carbon-fiber helmet....:)

* Last updated by: tclogston on 6/5/2014 @ 11:28 PM *

As mentioned. To start with. You must buy a helmet with proper fit. Not everone that fits a shoei, can fit an Arai or bell or whatever.

Oh, and I didn't mention. If you haven't checked out the revzilla.com or tv reviews on gear, they have an awesome amount of info and clips about the fit finish and quality of gear on their site.

Seriously, for the money; I don't think you can get a better helmet than the Airmada. I realize Arai, Shoei, Bell etc all make great helmets but I really think that some of the other manufacturer's have come up to their level. Without paying the premium for the name. ten years ago, this wasn't the case. my first two hjc's were pretty crappy in comparison (in 2000-2002).

On the airmada. my friend has one, and I've checked it out. its awesome for a sub 200 helmet (solid color).

One review: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/icon-airmada-helmet-gloss-solid

another review: http://rideapart.com/2013/01/gear-icon-airmada-helmet/2/

Heck, one of the bike magazines (motorcyclist?) did some testing and some of the lower priced helmets did better on g force actually transmitted to the head than the pricey options. Also there was the dot vs snell ratings battle. So the old adage, you get what you pay for isn't always true.

Anyone know why almost all bike sites have the RF1100 on closeout?

all top of the range helmetys will be relatively noisy, they are designed for raacing! they are worn by racers, for wjhat 40 min at a time? with ear plugs,
if you want quiet for all day trips, but a raod /tour version
...arai rx7... i owned one for a month, noisy, wind catching pods over visor mechanism,
i am currently using shoei xspirit 2
do you guys get Shark helmets there? a few friends say they are about the quietest those and caberg, but caberg are usually heavy

RPHA-10...

Wicked light, great venting.

Zx14rider345, if I knew that XXL would fit I would buy it in a heartbeat, but my current helmet is Large.

I would consider other brands but there is nowhere around here that I know of that sells anything high end for me to try on. We had a nice bike accessory shop here but it went out of business. I would hate to order an expensive helmet and it not fit very well. My current helmet is a shoei TC-1 that ive had for far to long, and its a large.I really like the look of that Bell helmet alot though. Decisions, decisions.

* Last updated by: Nastynotch on 6/6/2014 @ 4:03 AM *

Revzilla ships and returns for free. Showroom is in philly.

X12 doesnt have a pinlock shield. You can modify it tho. Rf1200 does, X13 will.

* Last updated by: fatsix on 6/6/2014 @ 6:29 AM *

Nasty if you wear a large then the XXL will be way to big for you.

I think the X12 would look awesome on the Green or white ZX14!

http://zx14ninjaforum.com/messages.cfm?threadid=7B53ED58-1372-66AE-3BB3E3D6E57A6891

I have a Shoei head, so tend to stick to those. I have an RF1000 that needs replacing. I'll probably get a GT Air.

HJC RPS-10's for me, nice and light, fairly inexpensive now (old model) Snell approved......and they fit my head just right!!!

* Last updated by: johnnyo on 6/7/2014 @ 5:02 AM *

I have 2 Bell Star series with Photochromatic shield..
It's a pretty loud helmet but has tons of airflow! Very nice helmet

I can't afford to buy a Shoei or an Arai so HJC it is lol. Well, I can afford one but I shouldn't buy one lol

HJCs are great helmets. I had one, but it just didn't fit me right. They have great customer service as well. I lost a piece of mine on the highway and they shipped me new parts for free, no questions asked.

If I remember right, my old HJC Ac-11 was not noise at all. But crashed 2 weeks after buying.

* Last updated by: mrwoo on 6/7/2014 @ 11:34 PM *

"Anyone know why almost all bike sites have the RF1100 on closeout?"

RF1100'S have been replaced by the RF1200, all left over RF1100's are on closeout

this is what i would have bought if it was out at the time when I bought my GT-Air, but it wasnt

* Last updated by: carabuser on 6/8/2014 @ 8:16 PM *

Ended up getting the RF-1100 Chroma TC-4. Matches my bike fairly well. Thanks for all the input fellas.

Carabuser, it's a sick looking helmet but over priced for how loud it is.

Thanks for the heads up mrwoo, I do think the Marquez is sick looking, but I was after quiet, so I quess
The GT-air was a good choice, because it is very queit... Still like that Marquez though !

Oh, nice jacket and gloves too !

* Last updated by: carabuser on 6/14/2014 @ 10:56 PM *

I have a Shoei XR 1100. Got it new in January.

Wish I didn't listen to the dealer though. From memory was like $800 AUD but now shoei website has them retail at $649. Will have to check on pricing when I find receipt.

Sure enough it fits well. isn't that heavy considering it is glass. but it does not vent.

With all vents open, I have to ride with visor open to first notch.

I have a crappy under $200 helmet that vents a lot better than the XR 1100.

ATM I only have the stock clear visor, but since the cooler weather has come in, it just fogs up.

Rating = Not Happy

I forgot. the XR 1100 is noisy.

With visor completely down it whistles and howls.

Was told you can get them adjusted but I am going to buy a different helmet.

I highly reccomend adding a pinlock to the face shield. Helps tremondously with the fogging. It basically makes your faceshield a double pane with an insulated layer of air between. I rode through a thunderstorm last week. The area where the pinlock as not was fogged, but my field of vision remained clear. If i were to crack open the shield, i would have rain dumping inside my helmet. Works the same way in cold weather with hot breath. I have them on every one of my shields so i can quickly swap shields and not worry about scratching the pinlock.

Just to rehash, the race versions will be louder. They are cut smaller, have less insulation and are lighter and have better aero. They generally vent better too. Open vents will be louder. The neck roll and chin skirt also play a huge roll in the noise department. Gotta pick your poison.

Beleive it or not the windscreen also plays a large roll with the noise and turbulence. Every helmet will be noisy if air is being dumped at the chin/ neck area. Wind hitting too low on the face shield will cause turbulence.

Why are race helmets loud? They are racing at high speeds so why would they want a noisy helmet?

Smaller, lighter, less insulation. They wear ear plugs. They are also tucked in behind the windscreen, which makes the most difference. I would think you would want to hear the other bike coming up on you as well. Im not refering to the leaking whistling face shield either. 100 mph+ You can hear the wind pressure differences. You should be wearing ear plugs anyway.

If you ride 3/4 upright touring style most of the time. You probobly shouldnt buy a race helmet. If you cant get down behind the windscreen, you probobly shouldnt buy a race helmet. If you dont go over 100 mph, you probobly shouldnt buy a race helmet. If you only spent $200 on a helmet, you probobly shouldnt compare it to the high end ones.

* Last updated by: fatsix on 6/15/2014 @ 12:05 PM *

Fatsix..Good info. I wish I would have known this before I purchased my helmet. Got a unreal deal for the helmet when I bought my bike. Lessons learned.