Motorcycle helmet.

Oakesy2001uk · 4 Sep 2006 at 11:57

I am in the market for a new lid, my Shark RSR is looking a bit tired and dosent fit like it used to. Previously I have always wanted and Arai, but AGV and shark were the only lids that fitted my head.
But now I have tried on an Arai Viper GT and Astro R, and they feel amazing, the only helmet to get anywhere near it is the AGV ti tech, which feels as good, the shoei does not fit my head, suomi and shark fit, but not in the same league.

But the Arai has a 5 year warrenty and free servicing, countered by the rossi factor of the Titech (I'm a rossi fan and love the rossi gothic lid)

http://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/content_prod/410
http://www.hein-gericke.com/uk/product_info.php/products_id/2777

Im sure I can get the Ti tech a bit cheaper not really looked. The arai is very cheap on there at £300, loving the retro schwantz design! should be £400.

Does anyone own either lid, have any comments or know of any helmet reviews/tests that could offer some insight? need to order it this week before I go on my motorcycle trip so need to make a decision.

Oakesy2001uk · 4 Sep 2006 at 13:52

all the bike guys hiding today?

My brain is telling me to get the arai, but I just love the look of that Ti tech rossi gothic!

AlexG12 · 4 Sep 2006 at 13:57

Whatever fits mate, only worry is that £300 on a helmet seems a lot, I know no price on safety etc, but your going to get wound up on chipping it etc. They both deffo have ace paint jobs though

Scuzi · 4 Sep 2006 at 14:01

Get whichever one fits best, they're not fashion accesories or about brand names, they're there to stop your head getting smashed in

Oakesy2001uk · 4 Sep 2006 at 14:05

AlexG12 said:
Whatever fits mate, only worry is that £300 on a helmet seems a lot, I know no price on safety etc, but your going to get wound up on chipping it etc. They both deffo have ace paint jobs though

I like my head and don't mind spending £300 on it, could be life and death! The difference between the AGV ti tech/arai Astro and a £100-£200 helmet is night and day. If anyone can suggest a cheaper helmet that fits as well I will give it a go for sure, im not in the practise of wasting money! :-)

Oakesy2001uk · 4 Sep 2006 at 14:09

Scuzi said:
Get whichever one fits best, they're not fashion accesories or about brand names, they're there to stop your head getting smashed in

I had narrowed it down to these two helmets in the shop on fit/ comfort, then picked those colours in that lid (this shop hasnt got a massive selection, just arai/shoei/AGV/suomi.

A cheap helmet that fits you right isn't going to give the same protection as a £500 arai just because it fits right! There is a reason they are expensive and cheaper ones are cheap and its not just a paintjob. The different between a solid black Astro R and the shwantz one is £40 (if I wasn't getting £100 off the schwantz), I dont mind paying that extra for a cool paint job, but thats not why I'm buying it!

Does anyone know of any websites showing helmet safety tests results? I know arai's are the mutts hazlenuts, but the Ti tech is an unknown.

Sagalout · 4 Sep 2006 at 14:17

A well fitting cheap helmet will give you better protection than a badly fitting £500 helmet.

I agree you get what you pay for, but its not necessarily extra safety. You're paying for better ventilation, lighter materials, better quality padding etc. I'm not saying a £300 helmet isnt safer than a £30 jobbie, but most of the extra cash is going towards comfort and style rather than outright safety.

Back to the original question, assuming both fit ok I'd go for the Arai for the servicing and general customer care etc, but I'd imagine both will be very good lids.

Oakesy2001uk · 4 Sep 2006 at 14:29

Sagalout said:
A well fitting cheap helmet will give you better protection than a badly fitting £500 helmet.

I agree you get what you pay for, but its not necessarily extra safety. You're paying for better ventilation, lighter materials, better quality padding etc. I'm not saying a £300 helmet isnt safer than a £30 jobbie, but most of the extra cash is going towards comfort and style rather than outright safety.

Back to the original question, assuming both fit ok I'd go for the Arai for the servicing and general customer care etc, but I'd imagine both will be very good lids.

Yea, like I say the difference is comfort and fit is night and day from cheaper helmets, even the top of the range shoei is no where near. And I am never having a helmet that does not have removabe padding ever again, nothing wose than a smelly dirty helmet inside. Cant comment on the vetilation, or quietness of them as I have never ridden in them (was hoping someone had one).

I'm leaning towards the arai for the warrenty and the servicing, but there is something about that AGV

Akira · 4 Sep 2006 at 14:32

My AGV only cost about £150 but it's comfier than beanbag boobs and looks the business. I can't remember the model name but it has a V in it.

Demon V-Top

Oakesy2001uk · 4 Sep 2006 at 23:34

I got the shwantz Arai, I think I have made the right choice! got some braided lines, sintered pads, double bubble, carbon hugger and a couple of other bits and bobs while I was at it.
I have made a load of changes since I last posted the pics, so I will post some before and after piccys! Just need a single seat cowl and an exhaust hanger to complete it now, they will have to wait until pay day!

mrgubby · 5 Sep 2006 at 09:13

Oakesy2001uk said:
got some braided lines, sintered pads, double bubble, carbon hugger and a couple of other bits and bobs while I was at it.

Tart

, I bought my R6 in 1999 and all I've done is fit small indicators and a Oval carbon can

Oakesy2001uk · 5 Sep 2006 at 15:37

mrgubby said:
Tart , I bought my R6 in 1999 and all I've done is fit small indicators and a Oval carbon can

I know I am a self confessed bufty with my bike, gets cleand polished and waxed at least once a week, and is my pride and joy. I just need to stop spending money on it! :rolleyes:

It still gets a good spanking regulartly though! :-)

Akira · 5 Sep 2006 at 16:24

Braided lines make a hell of a difference, they should be standard on sports bikes.

Oakesy2001uk · 5 Sep 2006 at 20:08

Akira said:
Braided lines make a hell of a difference, they should be standard on sports bikes.

its not that the brakes arent good! but yes, they are normally my first upgrade, my dads mille had them standard!

mrgubby · 5 Sep 2006 at 20:47

Oakesy2001uk said:
It still gets a good spanking regulartly though!

Has to be done or the God Of R6's will visit you with Boils

SgtTupac · 5 Sep 2006 at 22:22

I got an AGV helmet! Lovely fit, tried on loads before i picked it. However only an Aria come to fit better, however the one which was perfect was £450!

Not much point on a DT125

Von Luck · 5 Sep 2006 at 22:28

My RX7-XX Arai was £450 when I got it (ageeeees ago), brilliant lid though, made everything else I tried on seem like some kind of torture device.

Oakesy2001uk · 5 Sep 2006 at 22:29

mrgubby said:
Has to be done or the God Of R6's will visit you with Boils

its true, one day I wason the way home from work I got stuck behind a lorry, got past, then a tractor, got past it, then I came round a corner to find two horses (termignoni = loud) so coasted past :mad:

I was about 2 miles from home and thaught fine I'll cruse home behind a car at 60 really cant be****** the journey is jynx'd.

Then a dark figure appeared in my mirrors and a scary voice said FEED ME 16000 revs NOW!!

I had to obey it officer, it was scary

Oakesy2001uk · 5 Sep 2006 at 22:30

Von Luck said:
My RX7-XX Arai was £450 when I got it (ageeeees ago), brilliant lid though, made everything else I tried on seem like some kind of torture device.

yep, the feeling I got after I tried this on, cant wait to get it now, wearing my shark has been horrible since!