New guy here. What helmet should I get? - Ducati.ms

Werloc · Apr 11th, 2008, 6:29 pm

Just saying hello. Just joined, and just ordered a new base model Hypermotard. I will have it in a few weeks. I haven't had a 2 wheel ride for the passed 9 years. I want a new helmet, but don't know what I should get. All of my riding will be road, not track. My old SHOEI is a little tight. I would like to get red to match the bike, and be seen on the road. Black is to hot in the hot Summer sun. What do you guys have? Love to see PICs of them too....

speedfreak · Apr 11th, 2008, 7:18 pm

Check out the new Scorpion EXO-1000. I have a Scorpion EXO-400, it cost me $120 and it is every bit as good as my $450 Shoei. The new Scorpion 1000 has a cool dual visor system and pump up check pads. It's on my to buy list.

Brainfry · Apr 11th, 2008, 7:43 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Werloc

Just saying hello. Just joined, and just ordered a new base model Hypermotard. I will have it in a few weeks. I haven't had a 2 wheel ride for the passed 9 years. I want a new helmet, but don't know what I should get. All of my riding will be road, not track. My old SHOEI is a little tight. I would like to get red to match the bike, and be seen on the road. Black is to hot in the hot Summer sun. What do you guys have? Love to see PICs of them too....

Arai Corsair here. I've tried them all (full and flip up) and can say beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the Arai is the best there is. I currently have about 8 helmets and regardless of heat, cold, wind, whatever... it's the one helmet I alway find myself going back to.

Like an old pair of slippers... well, pricey ones.

Check one out if you can,

B

nwrob · Apr 11th, 2008, 9:49 pm

Basically, get the best you can afford. I have an Arai Quantum (Haga) and Corsair (McCoy) and wouldn't consider anything else.

gp637 · Apr 11th, 2008, 10:05 pm

This is mine....an Arai XD. I originally bought if for my Aprilia SXV, but found it matches the Hyper to a T.

totnac · Apr 11th, 2008, 10:08 pm

i have used shoei rf1000, arai quantum ii and the best for me so far is the shark rsr2.

josephvman · Apr 11th, 2008, 10:49 pm

There have been numerous tests in Motorcycle Consumer News, as well as other bike mags regarding the cost of the helmet, and how cost has little to do with how well the helmets fare in their impact tests, so spending more doesn't necessarily guarantee a safer helmet. Spending more will however buy you a lighter helmet, a helmet with better optics, better ventilation, better liner, and overall better fit and finish. The most important thing in choosing a helmet is making sure it fits your head. If it's not comfortable, it doesn't matter how much you paid for it, and you will greatly reduce the enjoyment of riding with it. Helmet brands tend to have a characteristic fit, so try on a lot of different helmets and try to narrow it down to the ones that really suit your head shape first. I don't think you can go wrong with any of the top brands like Arai and Shoei, so those would be a safe place to start looking. Some nice features that you'll get in the more expensive helmets are removeable liners for easy washing, and quick-change shield mechanisms. It's worth paying a little more to buy from a local dealer that can fit you properly vs. buying mail order, in my opinion.

Keep in mind that helmet manufacturer's generally recommend replacing a helmet every four or five years, as the impact absorbing material tends to get hard with age and lose much of it's ability to protect you.

Congrats on the new bike!

**BillyD** · Apr 12th, 2008, 12:10 am

Which brand and model helmet that is "best" for you mostly comes down to which one best fits the shape of your head. Each manufacturer has slightly different shapes and you really must simply try them on to decide which is best.

Arais, for instance, fit my head best, specifically the Quantum series (I don't like the RX7s). My friend has a Shoei and it fits him well, but it is all wrong for me.

As the adage goes, if the shoe fits, wear it; or in this case the helmet. Do NOT buy a helmet off the Internet unless you know exactly what you want. You must physically try them on.

Fresno · Apr 12th, 2008, 12:48 am

I like the Arai XD. Has that motard look and the visor is handy. Some great deals on ebay.

Looks like Arai has models available in Japan you can't get here. The XD3 looks like a newer version of the XD. Anyone have one or know about it. And by the way, what happend to the XD2??? Seems like they skipped a model.

ZX10R · Apr 12th, 2008, 12:56 am

Just get one that fits! I've an Arai corsair nakano