Well i've been browsing through sbs's site and i've realized buying a helmet online is a big guessing game... i dont know which will fit, what wont what contours better to my big head etc.
Thoughts on brand? Suomy, Shoei, KBC, AGV... etc... theres a few that i like, solids mostly (white and i'll airbrush it into an awesome skull)

that's a hard one...
I have an Arai Signet GT that fits like it was molded for my head, it's a large and states to be of 7 ?/? forget the size numbers atm.. but I went and bought a Shoei RF1000 that states the exact same size and it doesn't fit as well as I'd like. I even bought their thicker cheek pads to compensate.

My advice would be to go try some on if you have anywhere locally that carries the brands you are looking for but I have found most don't, they just stock the cheap ones and you can't go off of that.

I know at the AMA's at Road America there is always numerous vendors there with most of the good stuff so you can try it on and see the fit.

I like the ventalation of the RF1000 over my Arai and the way the visor attaches too. But I Really like the snug fit of my Arai over the Shoei...

I wonder if they have lids to try on at the IMS ?

that's a hard one...
I have an Arai Signet GT that fits like it was molded for my head, it's a large and states to be of 7 ?/? forget the size numbers atm.. but I went and bought a Shoei RF1000 that states the exact same size and it doesn't fit as well as I'd like. I even bought their thicker cheek pads to compensate.

My advice would be to go try some on if you have anywhere locally that carries the brands you are looking for but I have found most don't, they just stock the cheap ones and you can't go off of that.

I know at the AMA's at Road America there is always numerous vendors there with most of the good stuff so you can try it on and see the fit.

I like the ventalation of the RF1000 over my Arai and the way the visor attaches too. But I Really like the snug fit of my Arai over the Shoei...

I wonder if they have lids to try on at the IMS ?

Yes they do.

i have a few shops around here, most carry Arai and Shoei... my brother bought the X11 at 1/2 price and it fits well. Think its the XL. Its a nice helmet, but a bit expensive for me.

is there anything "bad" about certain lids? ventalation and safety are my primary concerns

the more ventilation you have the noisier it will be
but I picked good ventilation as well

there is no free rides, you get what you pay for, how much is your brain worth, got a $5 brain get a $5 helmet
& whatever other crap everybody likes to say

what really sucks about all those sayings, is there all true
but what is most important is that you just wear one

find one thats a little more than you want to pay that feels ok & get it

yeah im not skimping out on my gear at all... i could really care less about everything else, but my head and bones are top priority. If say a $600 Suomy is better in a crash than a $200 KBC... so be it, i'll get the suomy. But if the $400 AGV i want is just as good as the other highend stuff, i'll grab that and spend the extra on some boots or knee pads or back protector or whatever

I'm not really convinced there is a huge difference
all these crash reviews here lately go on & on

will one helmet let you walk away when another would give you drain bamage?
one give you damage when another you die?
I'm not convinced one will let you walk where another you die

but I don't like gambling so I have the X-11 & I really like it.
compared to the Icon one I had before that is night & day, in comfort, in many ways.

the way it cuts through the air, ventilation, switching the shield
one really big deal, the Icon would touch & push against my face @ 130ish
so I knew my face would be much more smashed in that, if it touched so easily

I have seen dead of the helmeted & unhelmeted variety
the only thing I know is that its a lot easier to kill the unhelmeted type

OK there is my safety Nazi talk for the year

the last article I read, they are making big progresses in helmet technology
I think just the F-1 guys are getting them though
I think even the Moto-gp guys dont have the really bad-ass newest stuff

so hopefully about the time I need to shelf the X-11, they will be available to my poor ass
which I will get, even though my brain really is only worth $5
(I did a lot of drugs as a kid & now I forget shit)

One of the top mags (I think motorcyclist) did a test on many brands of helmets and the best performing against protection was a brand from pepboys for about $125. This being said I have 1 shoei and 2 Arai's. I feel the Arai signet is the best helmet for me. It fits my head very well. Go to your nearest shop and try them on. This is the only way to buy a helmet. I was interested in buying a shark from brad (Superbike supply) but no dealer close to me carried them. When it comes to comfort, ventilation, etc. you get what you pay for. BTW Arai can not be ordered via mail!

well i just looked up agv dealers in the area... have 12 places within 20 miles... in fact apparently the race shop down the street from me is an authorized dealer so thats nice.

Dont bother with KBC. Mines the biggest pile of crap ever,

Id stick with more reputable higher-quality lines like Arai, Shoei or Shark.

Go somewhere reputable and get fitted properly.

9 out of ten people with helpmets out there are not wearing the correct size.

I have the Arai RX-7RR and absolutely LOVE it, it fits AWESOME!!

I have had a KBC (sucks lots of extra facial area)
HJC same thing...

Suomy - Tried a few on but didn't like the fit, didn't really fit my head.

Shoei - Like it but not as much as the Arai.

Want to try out a shark and the Z1R but haven't found one I like!

I really wanna try out the Carbon Fiber Vemar :D

I really wanna try out the Carbon Fiber Vemar :D

Hell yea thats a sick bucket

ok, so i found a helmet that fits perfect (snug but not tight, and comfy) - Arai RX7

but good god are they expensive at the store - wanted near $720 for one. Come to find out, Arai doesnt like people selling their lids online because they want to make sure their clients get sized correctly.
Well i know i need a Large... any thoughts who might sell one for less?

//edit: Brad doesnt have em listed online - which is normal not to. Or maybe i can compare that L sizing to another brand and pick something online? by the way, i wear a 7 3/4" hat size (rather large) and i was amazed that the L fit well seeing how theres an XL option - wow some people must have really huge heads?!

ok, so i found a helmet that fits perfect (snug but not tight, and comfy) - Arai RX7

but good god are they expensive at the store - wanted near $720 for one. Come to find out, Arai doesnt like people selling their lids online because they want to make sure their clients get sized correctly.
Well i know i need a Large... any thoughts who might sell one for less?

//edit: Brad doesnt have em listed online - which is normal not to. Or maybe i can compare that L sizing to another brand and pick something online? by the way, i wear a 7 3/4" hat size (rather large) and i was amazed that the L fit well seeing how theres an XL option - wow some people must have really huge heads?!

You need to give Superbike Supply a call. Talk to anyone there, you will be treated right.

If you want to try out the Vemar VSR there is a dealer in knoxville TN.

If you want to try out the Vemar VSR there is a dealer in knoxville TN.

ugh, thats an 8 hour drive


I'll call superbikesupply and see what they can get me one for

That sucks, well maybe if your down at deals gap anytime this year you can run over and check em out. If Brad has them post back, I might check into that.

yup, brad has a bunch in stock... about $180 less than retail :kickass1:

I have an Arai and I love it, comfortable easy to clean. Looks good, no complaints. I used to have an OGK, not a bad helmet, from what I hear they are constructed better than in the past. Look into it. Try helmets on at the dealer/store. Leave it on for about 15 minutes so you know if there any pressure points. Good luck.

I upgraded my KBC pile of crap to a nice Hayden Laguna Replica, Arai RX7.

The difference is night and day, can't even compare.

I'd also have to disagree about more vents = more noise. the KBC had jack shat for ventillation and was louder than a Harley through a megaphone. The arai has massive airflow but is most definately quieter - albeit it still has moderate noise with all the vents open, but thats what earplugs are for!

OLD:
http://www.10times10.com/s/images/kbc_v3/tk8gal1.jpg

NEW:
http://geoff.rebelpacket.net/albums/arai/DSC03164_001.sized.jpg

I always figured that a good top of the line lid was good.. I bought my wife a good top of the line Shoei and she wrecked in it. It saved her life. no doubt about it. That was enough for me. I'm sure there's many other stories out there like mine. And many others that swear by their lids just like I do. But I have a special place in my heart for the SHOEI!!! Thank you Shoei.

I think what's most important? Is that when the time comes, YOU HAVE IT ON.

i dont remember where i saw the stats, but arai (followed close by shoei) in an independant study/poll had the least concussion per wreck percentage of about 10 helmets used in motorcycle racing.

that and it fits my big head snug but not too tight and its hella comfy - light weight and good air flow

p.s. I've got dibs on the tommy gun lid from superbike supply... so no one buy it before thursday lol

it fits my big head snug but not too tight and its hella comfy

That's the one I'd go with my friend. But mostly?? MAKE SURE you wear it!! ALL THE TIME! Not only will you feel good, but you will look KICK ASS!!!!!

WEAR YOUR GEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oh for sure, first off, i'd get pulled over in a second here (largest cops per driver ratio in the country) and its illegal not to.

I'll be the non-squid in full gear in 100º august heat... its gonna suck, but then i can laugh at the scars of others

lol guys ill give this a try i hit a pole at 85 mph then a fence with no helmet and cracked my head in two places broke my jaw my nose and hand my advice spend alot spend a little dont matter just ware ur gear i do now lol .