It would be interesting to hear why each one of us prefers a specific make and model of lid. I have used Shoei(RF200), AGV(Ti Tech) and Shark(RSR 2 Carbon) over the years for different reasons with function and comfort first and price second in most cases being the determining factor. Graphics and style is also important but for me almost always playing second fiddle to above mentioned. It's always a good day when helmets shopping and al these factors combine into your personal preference
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I've bought ICON for No Noise ,Comfort, Looks replaced from my Shark RS-2 which replaced my noisy M2R.

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I only use Arai because my head is worth it.....

Every Arai helmet is virtually 100% handmade. But the obsession goes even deeper than that.
Every Arai helmet must go through three separate quality-control departments: one after the shell is made; one after painting and graphic completion; and one after assembly. This attention to detail isn't performed on every hundredth helmet, or every tenth one, but every single Arai helmet. (This kind of thing could give a profit-driven, cheaper-price helmet maker a heart attack.)
And it still goes even deeper than that: The community of Arai workers who build your helmet are so involved it's as if their family name was on the front. Their level of pride, care, and understanding of what they do - and the rider they're doing it for - is so visible you can see it in their eyes, in their concentration. They actually sign the inside of the helmet they work on. It's part of the Arai "culture," honed over those three generations. It's part of who they are, too. The Arai worker. Arai alone.
Do you think you're worth this degree of attention? Do you really think it's something you can get with just any brand?

No preference here.

Actually, that Shoei on the far left was the first high quality helmet I ever purchased... haven't purchased another brand since.

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Vemar CF.1500 grams.My "other" is an Arai Profile Force.

This Vemar is far and away the most comfortable helmet I've worn.Side vision is excellent,and the weight is very noticeably lighter.The aerodynamics are slippery and the noise level is below the Arai...so that's saying something.UNFORTUNATELY...this particular model is no longer in production.She lists at 1000.00.Yep...that's keerect.Got this "last one" at 499.00

Vemar's "Eclipse" is the "next" one in the model lineage.Very popular.(just not around here! )

* Last updated by: blue07 on 2/16/2011 @ 1:00 AM *

DogoZX
My first quality helmet was also my Shoei and it think it was the same model than yours. BTW, I like the background of your photo. They say eating is just wear and tear on the teeth, it's better to use a liquid diet. LOL. just kidding.

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DogoZX
My first quality helmet was also my Shoei and it think it was the same model than yours. BTW, I like the background of your photo. They say eating is just wear and tear on the teeth, it's better to use a liquid diet. LOL. just kidding.

That's cool... gotta love the pinks and purples from the 90's. lol

Don't use the bar nearly as much as I used to... but got a cool chick that still doesn't mind that the dining room is a bar and half of the living room is taken up by a pool table.

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I have to agree with BrianK. Even though there is not much inside my head, gotta look after the bit there is! ARAI for me.
Paul 37, where you from in SA?

* Last updated by: harleyzx1400 on 2/16/2011 @ 1:43 AM *

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harleyzx1400 and BrianK

I'm from Port Elizabeth. That is one huge "guard dog" in your avatar. I normally wear a XL size helmet and has found that certain brands doesn't fit as well for someone with a big nut. I have tried a few different models of Arai over the years because I really like the brand but unfortunately the fit for my personal taste was not satisfactorily(must be my head shape). I think we are real lucky nowadays to have so many different makes to chose from. The AGV Ti Tech gave me execptional service with the snuggest fit I 've experienced yet (for my headshape and size, other people might have different opinions). I replaced recently it with Shark RSR2 Carbon
(got it for half price from Full Throttle due to the eminnet launch of the new range from Shark) and my initial impressions has been very satisfying and I really like the white?black and mirror finish. I will only have a proper verdict after spending more time in the saddle with it.

Blue07

Like the naked carbon look from the Vemar.

Bean

Heard some good things from Icon but unfortunately not a brand readily available in SA

Here is the TiTech

* Last updated by: paul37 on 2/16/2011 @ 5:53 AM *

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Arai corsar Monster addition!!!! Fits great and the ventalation is great!!!

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I have loved and currently continue to use ARAI helmets, however, the side shields suck, they are noisy, and I can't 'get it' to change the lens'!

Years ago, in the mid 80s I had BELL Moto III M/X helmet, and a BELL Star street bike helmet; the best of that day. BELL went into the toilet soon afterwards and made crap, and no my M/C lids.

However, I just waded back into the BELL world! I am impressed with the fit, finish, quality, and comfort of their new model, this is the lid I got, it fits really well, better than my ARAI RX-7, seriously!

One thing about business is that you have to constantly change, adapt and be innovative. Sadly, ARAI has not done this to keep their brand fresh and new; they still make a great lid, but, the $$ is really steep for that make. I don't think the new BELL models are cheap and inferior either, I am sure they are NOT making money yet on these lids. Remember Hyundai cars in the late 80s and 90s? Cheap and shitty, then, they got good and expensive! I don't think this BELL lid is cheap in quality, I think it's pretty good.

http://www.bellsports.com/powersports/helmets/street/vortex I got the matte black one, and the new gradient shield is awesome, it's nearly as expensive as the helmet, but, it's one shield, and, changing the shield is wicked easy!

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Arai mainly, and Shoei for me. There will never be another helmet unless one of these two makers decides to drastically change the crown shape. As BrianK said , the attention to detail for the Arai is, bar none, above and beyond any other helmet.

One thing about business is that you have to constantly change, adapt and be innovative. Sadly, ARAI has not done this to keep their brand fresh and new; they still make a great lid, but, the $$ is really steep for that make.

Just not true. Here's a link to a review that talks about the Arai Vector 2 which is the updated version:Vector 2

When you find a recipe for perfection, why fix it if it ain't broke?

Not sure why you're having problems changing out the lens on the Arai. Basically, you flip the visor all the way up which reveals the gray tabs at the base of where the visor attaches to the helmet. Lift them all the way up, gently push down, then back up and out. It just takes some practice to get used to it. Here's a video for you:
Arai Visor Change

I believe the two main factors for helmet choice should be safety and fit. I've seen way too many folks choose a helmet on price and looks alone without performing the helmet fit test. Please people, this one step can seriously be the difference between you eating from a tube and living normally. Here's a link to this as well in case you're YouTube search challenged:
Helmet Fit HOWTO

* Last updated by: loadedmind on 2/16/2011 @ 8:37 AM *

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I've settled on an Arai profile and love it , but I still miss my old simpson bandit. Pool table in the living room is cool, and I have a pretty cool chick myself this is one half of the kitchen

* Last updated by: otrfab on 2/16/2011 @ 1:49 PM *

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Wanna trade?? J/K

That is a frickin' SWEET KZ!!!

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Dogo has it right,look at all the awards he has,must be a displaced Canadian.I see 4 crown royal bags.I personally prefer shoei over arai,I find shoei fit me better,my rx7 is nice but noisey and sheilds are easier to change on the shoei rf 1000,will be going to the rf 1100 this year

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Dogo has it right,look at all the awards he has,must be a displaced Canadian.

Not quite... Washington native... As a teenager, I spent many, many weekends raising hell up in B.C.

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Arai mainly, and Shoei for me. There will never be another helmet unless one of these two makers decides to drastically change the crown shape. As BrianK said , the attention to detail for the Arai is, bar none, above and beyond any other helmet.

[img][/img]

I have tried on all the diff Arai, just can't seem to fit me noodle properly lol.

Very fussy about my Helmets. The high speed Manners of the Shoei are to die for, Sweeeeeeet.

* Last updated by: Romans on 2/16/2011 @ 4:46 PM *

My No. 1 helmet criteria is comfort. For me, that means fit at 70 MPH and ventilation since I live in a warm area. I give a lot of consideration to appearance, design schemes, and reputation.

I have two Shoei X-11, an Arai Corsair RX7, and an Arai Profile. I have had three HJC helmets that seemed to fit at the store but not at 70 MPH - they left a significant indent on my forehead. And the HJC were noticeably inferior in ventilation.

And they way I've always understood it... Shoei for a round/block shaped head... Arai for an egg/peanut shaped head.

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've bought ICON for No Noise ,Comfort, Looks

Not all Icons are he same. I have a Domain.Solid black. Bought it for looks and IMHO, that is what it is best at.....but ventilates extremely well at the cost of being noisey as hell. You really should wear earplugs if you do over 35 mph with this lid. But it looks pretty mean.

I just waded back into the BELL world! I am impressed with the fit, finish, quality, and comfort of their new model,

Always had the impression that BELL was cut rate and cheesey but The latest line is really hot from an aesthetic viewpoint. Looks like they are putting a lot more into there helmets as a far as aeros and comfort, too.

Shoei for a round/block shaped head...

Just tried on a Size M Shoei RF-1100 and it fit my flat back mellon very well.
The shoei RF-1100 has all the bases covered....Good protection, cool looking and reasonably priced. I would love to own a white one and if I could get the transparent dark smoke vent covers on it that would be perfect. The Shoei X-12 like in Romans' post above is also very cool. If they would have stuck with the same vents as the RF-1100, that would be the lid I wear some day when i can afford to spend over $700 on a helmet.

* Last updated by: Rook on 2/16/2011 @ 6:25 PM *

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This looks like a good deal... if anyone is looking for a new lid.

Joe Rocket 101 Carbon Fiber

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I Might be lucky rook at 195kmph it is really quiet , That is without tucking behind my d/b screen( before it was installed )+ don't forget im only 5'7"

* Last updated by: bean07 on 2/16/2011 @ 6:42 PM *

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Arai and BMW! You have to protect your head with the best!!!

[*] Hi, Paul37,I know a few guys from PE who ride ZX14's. My son-in-law recently sold his red one. (my first zx14) His name is Leon. You know him? The guard dog is a Brakpan lion!!!

* Last updated by: harleyzx1400 on 2/17/2011 @ 3:01 AM *

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This looks like a good deal... if anyone is looking for a new lid.

Lol, That is the Helmet wife wears. Dog how did you know, hmmmmm. Light weight.

* Last updated by: Romans on 2/17/2011 @ 5:04 AM *