What Helmet???

[Buzzkill]

I was just wondering what the dual sport guy's are using as a helmet, my last one was sold with the bike and now I need a new one and have no idea what I want.

[AZ200cc]

my only advice is, Don't go cheapest, And make sure it fits right. As far as brand I have an MSR Assault and a KBC KAT, Can't tell one from the other. But I trust them because they are not bottom shelf.

[Jim]

When I had my gy5/gy6 I always used my full face HJC helmet that was passed down to me from my uncle. When I got my atv I got a FLY dirt style helmet off of ebay. I have also gotten a new ZoX Corsa R full face off of eBay that I use on the street now. Some times I also wear a half helmet, though I'd only ever recommend a full face helmet...

I would say making sure the helmet is a proper fit is very important.

This is a very long, but good read on helmets, http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...iew/index.html

And this is a video with Jay Leno and an Arai rep on proper fit.
http://www.jaylenosgarage.com/video/...tml?vid=283819

[Wild_Alaskan]

if you do lots of off roading. i would recommend the motocross style helmet so you can easily switch goggles when they get scratched up.

[katoranger]

I always used a full face for the street and then I have an HJC dirt helmet for offroad.

I had a modular style helmet which was nice for dualsports. My typical offroad ride was slow in first gear. I could just flip the front open. Also great for drinking coffee.

Allen

[vtr99]

I strongly suggest getting the best helmet money can buy... Arai
Yeah they cost more, but how much are you worth?
I have a VX for my enduro, and a Vector for street use. You can find a nice used Arai for less than $100. Watch F1, and the only helmet you will see is Arai simply because they are the best protection you can get.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-A...Q5fMerchandise


http://motors.shop.ebay.com/__?_from...=m39&_nkw=arai

[phil]

I use a nzi trivent but i dont go fast and its not legal, but at the rate ive been going seems the bucket would have to get really damaged to catch the rest of me on the plus side its light and cool every thing else is a downside

[frostbite]

While the Arai fit/finish/comfort may be superior to all/most comers, it isn't necessarily the safest. Recent research show a SNELL-approved rating does not necessarily mean safest.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...helmet-faq.htm

As for buying used, I'd pick up a new DOT or ECE approved helmet before a used Arai. Just because it looks good doesn't mean it hasn't had an impact in its history. A used helmet is a question mark with regards to safety.

Originally Posted by vtr99

I strongly suggest getting the best helmet money can buy... Arai
Yeah they cost more, but how much are you worth?
I have a VX for my enduro, and a Vector for street use. You can find a nice used Arai for less than $100. Watch F1, and the only helmet you will see is Arai simply because they are the best protection you can get.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-A...Q5fMerchandise


http://motors.shop.ebay.com/__?_from...=m39&_nkw=arai

[Jim]

Yeah, if you read that blowing the lid off article it has the same conclusion about Snell... Actually it is referenced in the article Frostbite posted.

I would choose a cheaper brand, new helmet before going used, used helmets are not a good idea.

[vtr99]

I've owned Bell, Shoei, HJC, and Arai helmets. In my opinion Arai puts them all to shame in both quality, and funtionality.

I went up to our local bike dealer the other day, and most of the guys there thought my China bike was a joke... That is until they noticed I was wearing a VX Artco . The guy at the parts counter made numerous statements about what a great helmet I had. I noticed they had at least 100 helmets on display, and virtually all of them were plastic junk.

Arai paint jobs make it very hard to conceal a damaged helmet. You can always send it back to be inspected. Arai has the best warranty in the industry. All of their helmets exceed all current safety standards. You don't need to take my word for it, just do some research on what most pros wear. If it's good enough for the F1 guys, it's good enough for me.

If you actually try on an Arai, and compare it to any helmet for comfort, features, and quality. I think you will find Arai is a bargain.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Arai-VX-Pr...iew&id=3139769

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motor...lmet/arai-xd3/

http://www.easterndirt.com/3/pages/arai_review.htm


http://hubpages.com/hub/Arai-VX-Pro3-Helmets


http://www.bikeland.org/story.php?storyID=50999

[FastDoc]

My Gold Wing helmets are color matching top of the line Arais with integrated headsets but I'd not use them in the dirt.

This will sound strange but any DOT or Snell certified helmet will protect you about the same if you compare full face to full face, etc.

They all have to meet the same certification criteria.

There is evidence that Snell ratings are LESS desirable for street use, but maybe better on a racetrack.

What you pay for is fit and finish and comfort and features. The safety is about the same.

My off road helpmets are Shoeis (still an expensive lid) and I always wear only full face helmets, on Q, the ATV or the street bikes.

I'd have no problem with an HJC, Nolan, Bell, or whatever.

[Wild_Alaskan]

^totally agree with doc on this one

[MICRider]

I have an AVG full face... Really nice fit, but it was prohibitively expensive. I wear glasses too, so its a PITA to have to take the glasses off and put em back on once I have the helmet on. When I buy a new helmet it will be one of those full face modular jobs so I can flip the front section up and down.

I'm a firm believer in full face helmets as well, they're the only kind I will wear.

[vtr99]

There is evidence that Snell ratings are LESS desirable for street use, but maybe better on a racetrack.

Virtually every decent helmet has both DOT and SNELL approval. The exceptions are the cheap plastic helmets that only have DOT approval. The difference with SNELL ratings is they break down to more exact usage ratings for both street and racing applications. Obviously the racing helmet ratings are much more demanding, and harder to earn. SNELL is a non-profit organization run by doctors who are experts on the subject of head trauma. They have no one to impress, and don't play favorites. I'm not going to get involved in much of a debate here, but there are reasons far beyond sponsorship why Arai is the only helmet used by F-1 drivers, and is the number one helmet selected by the majority of racing professionals. If you want to believe a bargain DOT approved helmet offers you the same protection, more power to you. I would advise anyone interested in the truth to read all the documentation offered on the SNELL website.

http://www.smf.org/

[Jim]

VTR you should read that blowing the lid off article I posted a link to.