Hi,

I'm about to become an Adventure Biker and am wondering if anyone has any advice on what helmet to buy. Initially I will be doing much commuting between Wales and Norfolk but I am planning some adventures in the near future. I am getting a 1200GS but an confused by all the helmet options. Any advice guys/girls? Thanks.

Welcome!

My personal view is that if you are sticking to the tarmac a decent road helmet is the best bet, but try a few to find which are best fit for you and get properly measured - size matters!

I had an Arai which i loved - now i have a Shoei which is also good. I also have a Uvex adventure helmet which makes my ears hurt! You'll quickly know what is comfy (but the lining will give so it should feel a little tight on purchase - hence the importance of measuring).

Look for an Acu gold sticker and search online for the latest RiDE best buy analysis for an explanation of what good and bad looks like.




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Buy one that fits! Comfort is paramount above all - if it niggles, you'll not concentrate and enjoy the ride. Secondly, buy the highest quality you can afford. It's your head, and it's contents are REALLY important!

After a few purchasing errors, I'd always go with the above.

Yep. Buy one after lots of trying on, then wear in on ya head
I have 5 helmets for different occasions My adventure is a Bell flipface & it's as uncomfortable as you can get !
Tried the shelf model & it was brilliant. Ordered one in & it's substantially tighter & causes pain after just 2hrs
That reminds me, I must take that one back

It's a critical decision & there are thousands of choices, good luck

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My memory is becoming that good, I should be able to organise my own surprise party soon

5 helmets, wow, i am so jealous I only have the one, different occasions!? Birthdays and Christmas, now I am stuck.
Ref the tight one which causes pain, maybe it just needs loosening up

off topic... sorry but couldn't resist.


Back on topic

I have the Shoei Hornet and think its a really good helmet. But like everyone has said go in to a shop and try before you buy

Wayne

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The Balkans
https://new.horizonsunlimited.com/poi_entity/8417

I've got the Shoei Hornet DS. Good helmet with excellent ventilation. The peak does a good job shading the sun, when its low in the horizon. At highway speeds 100 km/h + you can feel the wind on the peak (no fairing) and it can emit a whistle too. The difference with peak removed is noticeable both wind and soundwise. Only gripe is that its a bit cool riding under 10celsius. I'm happy with it and would recommend it.

The only product you'll likely never get to say, "I wish I'd bought a better one".

Go try several on and get the best you can afford. I've heard it said, some people have Shoei-shaped heads and the rest have Arai-shaped heads. Either way, I use an Arai Tour-X. I like it.

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Paul "Every county of England, every country of Europe and every (part of every inhabited) continent of the Earth" 94% done! What's left? Central America, East, Central and West Africa, Australia & New Zealand

I can't recommend a specific brand, simply because as others have already pointed out, different manufacturers tend to make different 'shapes' of helmet, and not all brands are going to feel equally comfortable on your head.

As general (not brand specific) guidance, you might want to consider the following:

1) Full-face, flip-up, or open face? Personally, I can't bear full-face helmets, after having spent 30 years riding with an open-face helmet, I switched over to one of the Schuberth 'flip-up' helmets, and can tolerate it.

2) Ventilation - if you plan to do a lot of riding in warm climates, this is a very important consideration. Some helmets ventilate better than others.

3) Ability to replace components (and cost of component replacement) - if you ride a lot, certain components such as the clear shield and the cheek pads will need replacement long before the helmet itself needs replacement. Are these components easily available, and if so, are the prices reasonable?

4) Can it be locked to your moto? Some helmets don't use the traditional D-ring and strap, and therefore cannot be locked to the hooks provided on most motos. This can be a PITA, because it requires that you take the helmet with you, or have sufficient space to put it in a pannier.

Michael

Currently using Arai XD3, its my second Arai & i like it for its fit & comfort.

My first helmet was a Bell open face in the mid 70`s.

Try a cheapie on first, then try an expansive one, learn to feel the difference in build quality between cheap & pricey.

One you have narrowed down your choice Google that make & model & read the reviews on all the forums.

I paid more for my helmet than i did for my bike (1983 Tenere)

Mezo.

Good technique trying Cheapo vs. Expensive. One thing missed (I'm surprised) about fit: So many new riders buy a helmet that is TOO LOOSE.

Sure, feels GREAT in the showroom, comfy, goes on and off easy. But in a month or two after broken in and has compressed a bit ... it's now TOO LOOSE. This means noisy, wobbles around at speed, not good.

Also be aware certain helmets fit different head shapes best. So, as mentioned, try a few on. But DON'T get it too loose ... if it's SNUG ... that is good, it WILL loosen up in a month of use.

Reading reviews is OK for determining how the helmet holds up but NOT how it will fit you. Subjective sort of thing, as is noise. Hard to explain.

If you're buying a £14K BMW GS ... then why not go with the most expensive helmet? Shuberth! And it's German! The Shuberth is good (but early ones were crap) and for a flip up it's good too, but took years for them to get there and it's still fiddly. Shoei and Arai know lots more about helmets ... with Korean HJC right behind.

I prefer Shoei Neotec (flip up modular) I also own a lower cost (but very highly rated) HJC flip up SyMax ll. Here's the latest version, Symax lll:
HJC SyMax 3 Helmet - RevZilla

Hard to beat HJC helmets for value. Read reviews on their RHPA type helmets. Super light.

get one that fits!

Consider a helmet with a peak, brilliant for riding into sunlight and it keeps the sun off you face and the screen. The Arai XD-4 is the benchmark but there's plenty of others, I have a BiLT helmet with peak and it's great. I simply wouldn't go back!

Price is just what you pay. There is no proven difference in technology or production techniques between an £800 race replica and a £40 scooter lid, they all pass the same very basic testing to get the approval sticker. The price difference is just how much someone will pay to think they are getting the Moto GP lifestyle.

Buy what is comfortable and let's you see. Headaches, wind noise and misting up will be a prime factor in having to test the impact resistance.

Have to disagree with the helmet lock advice for Europe. The locks can be forced open with a table knife, so your lid goes with you unless the main bike security chain will go through the chin bar without getting it filthy.

I use an open face with goggles in summer (cheap scooter job, £70 five years , brand unknown ), a Frank Thomas jet style for winter and a peaked/visored MX style ( Australian made, forgot the name. ) for anywhere there might be dirt above walking pace.

Spend your cash on fitted earplugs not brands, logos and trying to look like Charlie or Rossi.

Andy

As long as the helmet has the safety ratings, I'm in the U.S. so we look for DOT and Snell, a less expensive helmet should perform the same in a crash as a more expensive helmet. After that, you're paying for creature comforts and graphics.

I wear a shoei rf1200. There are similar less expensive helmets, but the Shoei is easier for changing out cheek pads and such to customize the fit. It also has the system allowing an emergency responder to remove the padding so the helmet comes off easier. It came with a pin shield, has good ventilation and is relatively quiet and light. I'm not necessarily recommending that helmet, just an example.

If you're going to be doing a lot of riding, I would read reviews on different helmets. Lower priced will still keep your head safe, but on long rides it's nice to have some of the extras (except graphics, they cost waaaay too much, get a solid color)

I found a great article on fitting a helmet, I'll see if I can locate it again and post.

Fitting (or not fitting) a helmet. | Motorcyclist

This isn't the one I was looking for, but it's the same info.

Don't get hung up on head measurements, it's just a starting point to trying on helmets. Don't forget that many have different sized cheek pads so you can dial in the fit. Happy shopping!