You have to use your head unfortunately.
How should I select a new helmet?
- Thread starter Fordiesel69
- Start date
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2023
- Messages
- 1,434
Icon has a few ECE 22.06 helmets out for decent prices.
Go to a store that sells motorcycle helmets. Try a bunch on. Find your size and fit.
If it's a local store that you want to support, buy a helmet from them. I'm a fan of hi-viz and bright colored helmets too.
If your local shop is a big chain that doesn't care about you, go ahead and order online. We've got both kinds of shops here in Dallas.
Personally, I hit the local shops first, but I can't always find something I like...
I used Shoei exclusively for many years. They were always expensive but these days they are ridiculou$.
I had an Arai for a while, then finally found myself in HJC.
I have had good experiences with HJC. Good quality, comfortable for me, excellent customer support, and a nice balance of features and pricing.
If it's a local store that you want to support, buy a helmet from them. I'm a fan of hi-viz and bright colored helmets too.
If your local shop is a big chain that doesn't care about you, go ahead and order online. We've got both kinds of shops here in Dallas.
Personally, I hit the local shops first, but I can't always find something I like...
I used Shoei exclusively for many years. They were always expensive but these days they are ridiculou$.
I had an Arai for a while, then finally found myself in HJC.
I have had good experiences with HJC. Good quality, comfortable for me, excellent customer support, and a nice balance of features and pricing.
Last edited:
back in 1983 I had a near fatal motorcycle accident, about a month before had a premonition to buy a new helmet, then I bought a new Marushin helmet (really nice one with good fit), well it saved my life as a top neuro. doctor said I would be dead, the helmet did the trick,don.t try to scrimp on this item, though I don't ride after this incident, I cringe still when I see others not wearing a helmet.
Found a scorpion exo gt930 that meets 22.06 standards. It is a modular which to me I think adds a another element to break in a crash. But do you think this would be a good helmet?
Also found a sena but it only has the dot 218 rating.
Also found a sena but it only has the dot 218 rating.
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2025
- Messages
- 81
PERSONAL OPINION. Please just buy an Arai!!
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2023
- Messages
- 1,434
Arai is overpriced. Certs are certs. I say this with an Arai btw.
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2025
- Messages
- 81
edit
Last edited:
which helmets is even worse than which tyre or oil!!
Find one wit the correct certification, most comfortable and for me the quietest.
Having got many helmets, I have found the ones with the simplest shell (smooth without spoiler etc..)are the quietest and least affected by buffeting
Find one wit the correct certification, most comfortable and for me the quietest.
Having got many helmets, I have found the ones with the simplest shell (smooth without spoiler etc..)are the quietest and least affected by buffeting
When buying a helmet at a store where people try it on, how would I know if it had been dropped. I have been reading that if the helmet falls on the floor for any reason or any height it needs scrapped and replaced. How true is this?
I ask because as careful and respectful I was trying on all the helmets, I came very close to dropping one of them. Saved by only luck that there was a tire tie with the security device.
I ask because as careful and respectful I was trying on all the helmets, I came very close to dropping one of them. Saved by only luck that there was a tire tie with the security device.
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2025
- Messages
- 81
First of all, you should never buy a helmet that is on display. Often, these helmets can be years old, and from everyone trying them on, they tend to break in too much. Usually, stores have display models with new helmets in boxes somewhere. Arai states that their helmets are good for seven years from the manufacture date and five years from the date of purchase, giving them a two-year shelf life.
Regarding dropping a helmet: if there is nothing inside the helmet when it is dropped, you are not actually compressing the foam that is supposed to protect your brain. The shell should be strong enough to handle a drop from most manufacturers at a bike height level. However, this is not true for every helmet, so it’s best to check with the manufacturer.
It would help if you told us what bike you ride, as helmets are designed for specific riding styles. For example, an Arai Corsair-X will flow more air in a race tuck riding position, while the Arai Contour-X is will flow more air in a upright riding position. Similarly, with Shoei, the X-15 helmet is designed for sportbike and track-day use, whereas the RF-1400 is better suited for upright or touring riding.
As for fitting, if you watch helmet-buying videos from Japan, you’ll see that they often cut the foam to fit your head, eliminating the guesswork. In the U.S., Shoei offers Personal Fitting System (PFS) dates at Cycle Gear locations across the country to help ensure a perfect fit. This service is especially helpful if it’s your first time buying a helmet and you’re unsure how it should fit. Personally, I buy helmets very tight because they break in like a memory foam mattress and can become loose over time. However, it’s always a good idea to read the owner’s manual from major helmet manufacturers, as they provide guidance on proper fitting and what to do if a helmet is dropped.
Hope this helps.
This is the way.
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2025
- Messages
- 81
I disagree with all of this. You can make almost any helmet fit you with different thickness foams on the cheek, crown, forehead, back of head, top of head, ears, etc. Every piece of foam in the liner can be adjusted.
Certs do matter and don't. You have to really evaluate the manufacturer and determine what you are paying for. For example 6d really disagrees with the Snell testing because of the second impact in the same spot and thinks that the safest helmet in their view does not need to pass that test. On the other hand Arai is really fond of it because they beleive in a hard shell. Really, there is not need to debate it. Arai, shoei, bell, 6d, etc. all have the crash data and feel xyz helmet they sell is the "best".
How’s the audio quality with this set up?I think ear plugs are mandatory protection and ride enjoyment...
I went with custom molded ear plugs with tiny Sony digital
speakers... they cut 30db of wind noise and allow every note of the
music through even at low volumes... perfect...
I added a light weight Xact Sirius satellite receiver... Moozic non stop...
Get a helmet with a Snell 2020 sticker. Sports car club of America requires Snell approved helmets for its race drivers. My preferred brand is Simpson.
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2025
- Messages
- 81
The car helmet certification differs from the motorcycle helmet certification. He is buying a helmet for a street motorcycle, not a race car. The two Snell certifications for motorcycles are SNELL 2025D and SNELL 2025R. You can read about the different test protocols. The R version complies with ECE 22.06.
The audio quality is about the same as my full size Sony MDR wireless...
I have a shark Spartan GT Carbon. It’s a fantastic helmet. They are only labeled DOT in the USA, but they are the same multi density eps and shell as the European versions which are ECE 22.06
Shark is a safety focused brand, it’s certainly going to be very safe.
I almost went with the shark spartan gt in white but nobody had it locally I would have had to get it online. It did not have the ece 22.06 cert.
I ended up getting the scorpion 930 as in the photo as it fit excellent and has the rating. Really a comfortable helmet. So far so good.
I ended up getting the scorpion 930 as in the photo as it fit excellent and has the rating. Really a comfortable helmet. So far so good.
Similar threads
