Helmets?
 

Good day,
I am inquiring about motorcycle helmets and their cost. I am currently in Dakar Senegal and it seems as though my choices are limited. I will be looking for a motorcross helmet, something I can fit goggles over. What does a new helmet of this type cost?
Thank you

If you're willing to spend $350.... I'd highly reccommend the Arai VX-Pro. Extremely light, very comfortable, survived an asphalt face plant, and available in muted colors such as silver and white. Top of the line!

You can get a range from $60-$450
for a good and not too expensive one you should go for O'Neal wf-541 $110 a cheap helmet which exceeds Snell 2000, DOT(US) ,ECE22/04 (Europe) and AS (Australia) safety standarts

Well, if your selection is limited, go for the best you can afford - if possible, avoid injection molded plastic helmets and go for a fiberglass/kevlar helmet. I've had an adventure in cracking open helmets, and luckily it was a very good helmet. If I was wearing a cheaper helmet, I'm certain I would not be here today typing this email.

The more expensive ones will also have better ventilation to keep you cool.

Best of luck,
Wright

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Wright Bagwell
http://www.geocities.com/wwbagwell/

I don't think NOLAN sells any cross-helmets. But if they did I would think twice before buying one. I have a touring-helmet from NOLAN and if its rains longer than 15 minutes my front head gets soaked...
The ventilation on top of the helmet takes in water and there doesn't seem to be a solution. I am thinking about making it waterproof with some waterproof glue.

Try duct tape instead of glue - at least it's temporary, and you can have the ventilation when it's hot.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I'm planning a trip from UK to South Africa (see http://www.cotgravetocapetown.co.uk ) and I'm looking for a new helmet as my AGV R3 was stolen from my garage last week. Do I go for something cheap (as it may get stolen/damaged during my trip) or a more expensive option? I'm thinking about one of the flip-top, combination jobs that convert from full face to open face, (BMW or Nolan make them) although I seem to remember seeing a MX style one which could use a visor (Arai?)- but can't find anything like this. All suggestions welcome - thanks buddies!


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Fuzzy Duck

[This message has been edited by Fuzzy Duck (edited 27 December 2001).]

To me it's a simple question "What's your head worth?"

Buy the very best helmet you can afford, and look after it so it can look after you.

Brand of helmet is personal, but for most long distance touring mostly on-road, the flip front are imho the best, but if you're riding something like a KTM and want to spend most of your time off-road, go for the good mx-style helmets with goggles.

Plain white is the coolest, and get one with the best venting possible. Cold head is rare, but sweaty head is common.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Hai,

Be carefull with glue on your helmet. The solvents in glue and tape can weaken the shell of the helmet. This is not nice when you hit the road.

Maarten

Hi Ted:

I have two Arai's, one open face which is a SZ/M and one full face which is a Quantum/f.

Both are ventilated, and have a lot of vents on the top, and they are very 'cool' helmets - very comfortable in hot weather. But, the downside of this is that they are both very noisy - I need to wear earplugs when I ride.

The Arai's are expensive, but they are lightweight and very comfortable. You can further customize the fit by purchasing different size cheekpads for some of the Arai models.

I had a look at a Shoei Syncrotec today - a nice flip top helmet, but the vents look small and fiddly - and the top flips quite high, making it difficult to ride with the helmet open. The Nolan N100 looks like a better deal as it is half the price of the Syncrotec and can be ridden open (so they say). I hope to have a look at one of these in more detail soon. I've been told that the local cops use the Shoei Syncrotec as it's such a good lid, light and quiet, it's made of fibreglass and the opening/locking mechanism is simple.

Has anyone used either of these or any other flip-top (or hinged chinbar) helmet for overland trips? If so please post you comments - I'd really like to hear what you have to say...

PS Ted - what did you get in the end?

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Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)

I've used Arai full face and BMW System flip-front, and now have a Schuberth flip front.

For long distance overlanding I love the flip-fronts. For serious off-road, not so good though.

You really don't want to ride any distance with the face up - over 20mph the wind drag is bad, and it's not safe anyway. I think the risk of a serious neck injury is high with the front up.

But for 2mph work over an obstacle, stopping to talk to someone, quick cooling at a traffic light, it's terrific.

And for those of us who wear glasses, or even sunglasses, it's a no-brainer.

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Grant Johnson

Share the Dream!
at: www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Anyone tried the Roof Boxer?

Seems a bit too stylish for our kind of activity, but I love the idea of the face mask flipping around the back - so it can be used as an open face helmet. The only draw-back is the lack of vents, but then with all these features, do you really need vents?

Have a look at the website at www.t-child.com and see what you think - click on the 'Roof' button, and then the 'Boxer' button, and check out the animation...

Is it a gimmick - or something really practical?

PS If anyone is interested there's a place in Nottingham, UK that is selling the Shoei Synchrotec for £140 GBP (half RRP!!!) - email me if you want the details.

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Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)

[This message has been edited by Fuzzy Duck (edited 20 January 2002).]

Hi folks

I've had a look at the Roof Boxer - a nice flip-top lid, but the chin guard was too tight against my chin (shame) and it's a bit expensive. I think replacement visors are a bit pricey too.

I've finally bought a Caberg Just One Plus for £99 GBP (very cheap) - it has had rave reviews in a product test conducted by Motorcycle News and fits me well. The ventilation looks reasonable, the flipping chin guard works well and can be ridden open upto 40mph fairly comfortably. The chin guard can be removed and the helmet ridden as an open face type.

If you're interested you can get them for only £85 GBP (+ £8 carriage in the UK) from Bridge Road Motorcycles in Liverpool, UK.

I've only had it for a day - but I think it's a good, budget-priced lid.

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Fuzzy Duck
(I'm quackers about bikes)

[This message has been edited by Fuzzy Duck (edited 01 February 2002).]

I had a negative view of flip fronts from ppl at my local shop and fellow posters on other bike forums. I almost bought the nolan, but a full face HJC felt so much niver on my head for the same price. Safer too , I think. I imagine the flip fronts are louder and not as good in the rain. also they are not the quality of full face helmets. One nice one i am seeing though is the schuberth helme. its 400 bucks i think but boy is it nice and quality - even has a retractable sun shade! its made of carbon fiber. For more discussion of thses modular helmets go to http://boards.gamers.com/messages/ov...sp?name=KLR650 and look under the post "modular helmets".

for 3/4 helmets (moto) i like the fox pilot. they are clearing them out right now for around 100 dollars - it was a 300 dollar helmet when i bought one.

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Ian aka "Maniac"

93' KLR650


[This message has been edited by Maniac28 (edited 14 February 2002).]