Ducati Monster Forum

My current brain guard is a hand-me-down. I am looking to pick a new helmet up for the new riding season. Where are some places with good selections? Cheap prices are great, but I mainly want to go and try them on right now to see which style I like. I'll shop around for prices online if need be.

Colemans in Woodbridge.

Coleman Powersports in Falls Church has a decent sized collection...ooops, I mean selection...and they can do some level of comparison pricing to online vendors with proper presentation...

Battley in Gaithersburg has Shoei and Arai for sure and may have Scorpion, but I can't recall...

Colemans will price match to the big online vendors. I picked up my Shoei RF-1100 from them as they matched up to Revzilla. Colemans carries Shoei Arai, and some other brands. Of course they can order shit to - any store can order shit for you.

If you've got some time for reading - hit
http://www.webbikeworld.com/ (http://www.webbikeworld.com/)
- They are local so their comments about ventilation, temps etc. have a bit more prescience as they deal with the same weather.

But - besides price what are you looking for? Any specific features? Do you know what shape head?

^^^
That is important to understand. Before I knew my head was a "long oval" (narrow and long -- let's hold off the penis jokes for now...  [laugh]) I either wore a medium that pressed on my forehead and gave me headaches, or a large that felt like I was a bobble head :-[  As with shoes, it's not size it's the fit that matters!

My main concern is comfort. The current helmet I have is not horrible in that regard, but its not great either. I want something with more ventilation, and if it is too difficult it to wear sunglasses (full face) then the visors need to be easily replaceable. I was looking into the RF-1000, but the few that I've tried did not fit as well as I expected. I put on an Arai Corsair and was impressed. But I don't think I can spend that kind of money.

I've been really wanting to try on some AGV models as I've heard good things.

As for what style head I have, I wouldn't have the slightest clue, but if I had to guess I'd say ovalish? Its definitely not round, and I tend to have an awkward time fitting into your "one size fits all" ball caps.

Arai lists the corsair as intermediate oval, though webbikeworld lists it as round vs the neutral designation given to the RF helmets. Based on that your head is probably closer to an even measure front to back and side to side than, say me, who fits an RF quite happily.

A detailed review of the corsair
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/arai-corsair-v/ (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/arai-corsair-v/)

They also have an index of helmets they have reviewed by shape - so you could look that over for other candidates. Also their more recent reviews will have a table that compares the helmet under review to a number of helmets across the shape spectrum

I started checking this out last night. I'll definitely be browsing here later, thanks!

So how does one go about determining one's head shape? Is there a chart that will tell me, you're a narrow oval, or oh you're a blockhead?

I haven't seen one - you could do a process of elimination. Try on helmets and see how your impression of fit/confort compares to 'established' info. Or wait until IMS comes around again - the Helmet co reps there are usually pretty good at sizing ones head shape up on sight.

the true universal fit!  [laugh]

web bike world to the rescue! http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-shapes.htm (http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-shapes.htm) and http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-faq.htm (http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-faq.htm)

I have an Arai Profile that fits my "long oval" shape head perfectly (about 2/3 width/length ratio).

I would suggest heading over to Colemans (or another big shop) and trying on a few helmets to see what fits you best.

Since we are on helmet topic, does anyone know any dealer in va or md who sells nexx helmets? .

I want to get xr1r carbon , but wanted to try it first. Coleman said they stopped carrying that brand.

Google "nexx" -> visit website -> see dealer list.  [cheeky]

closest ones are in PA and WV ???

A bit late to be helpful now, but they did have a booth at IMS. If you're not in a rush you can wait until IMS comes back around and maybe Nexx will be there again... Lots of waiting any maybes.

Revzilla carries NEXX - they are in Philly. You could go for a visit. Or they do have a good returns policy - though you're going to loose $s on shipping

cheesesteak run!

Just a note that Arais have replacable padding in "sections" so you can get different cheekpads should you need more / less snug.

Almost all helmets worth a damn have cheek pads that can be swapped and come in a few thicknesses. If I remember correctly, some of the Arai (or maybe someone else) have liners that you can remove and have pre cut layers that one can remove to tune the fit. So if you find it's just a tad to snug one can remove a couple mm of foam.

As you might expect, that's going to be on higher end helmets. Your bargain basement ones won't have that.

Some of the upper mid range, like the RF-1100 have a couple thickness of liners available in addition to cheek pads. So not as tunable but still provides some ability to adjust.

I'm in the market for a new helmet as well and checked out Nexx at IMS.  My last two helmets have been Shoei (RF900 and TZ-R) and I also had an Icon Mainframe as a back-up that I wore occasionally.  I was very disappointed in the apparent lack of quality of the Nexx helmets. I find their helmets attractive and really wanted to like them, but every moving part on the helmets felt cheap and the chinbar on one of the helmets was particularly appalling.  It felt cheap and the latch was in fact broken.  If you held it in both hands, you could get it to flip it open without using the button.  Until I see better quality, Nexx is off my list for now.     

Sorry I'm late to this discussion was down at Daytona. Based on real on road expereince here is my input. Arai is overrated IMHO and the DucatI Corse Helmet I have now is the only one I will own again until they develop a better shield removal system and lower their price. The Shoei RF1100 is a great Helmet, I have 2, but if it does not fit then it's not for you. I can also recommend the Scorpion EXO1100, pump up cheek pads, internal sun screen, good venting, noise level is on par with the Shoei, interior can be removed for cleaning, shield removal is almost as good as the Shoei and the anti fog shield works for about a year which is fine for me since I tend to replace them in about 1 year. I also have an AGV Ago, goes well with the Paso but it is a little breezy so not a good helmet for colder temps, shield removal is a little stubborn but still much better then any Arai. I would also point out that I am now using a Sena Blue tooth system on several of my helmets. The Scorpion has nice little pockets for the speakers without the need for the supplied velcro, the Shoei also has a nice pocket built in but you need to use the velcro like material supplied and it feels fine on both. The Arai sucks for this and the AGV is only tolerable. - Gene

I will check out the EXO-1100.  I like the idea of the internal sun shade. Shoei has been good for me, but I seem to be in between sizes on the current line-up (Qwest and RF1100).  My default option is to get an RF1100 and maybe swap some pads, but if the Scorpion fits, it sounds like a nice option.  Thanks for the tip.

I also have the EXO1000, RPM Helmet, there are stiil some of those around and the only difference I have between the two is the location of the chin strap, it's a little better on the EXO1100, other than that I think the helmets are the same, the RPM is no longer made as best as I can tell but there are still some old stock around. FWIW I have crash tested the EXO1000 RPM and I'm impressed the shield stayed intact yet the whole right side of the helmet was toast. I vividly remember losing the shield at impact back in the day on an Arai helmet when I hit a deer on my BMW at ~80 (on a blind hill not much braking took place). I boght another EXO1000 RPM which I still use for road trips and track duty. - Gene