Looking for new helmet

Hi all, due to a nice little bonus dropping in my lap plus a result upgrading my phone I'm contemplating treating myself to a new helmet. I've had my current HJC for a couple of years and at the time I bought it on a bit of a budget always intending to replace it... But it is so damn comfy!! To be honest it's noisy and the vent system is crap so time for a change.

I'm going to the motorcycle show in Manchester on Sunday hoping to pick up an out of season/ out of fashion Bargain from the higher end of the range. Was wondering if anyone had any recommendations, favourites, things to look for, things to avoid.

I'd like preferably a full face though not ruling out a flip front, good ventilation, pinlock, quiet. Either integrated sun shield or ability to get hold of a decent tint easily (couldn't get one for my current on and no room for shades!!)

Thanks for the help peeps

Flip Front gotta be a Schuberth

Full Face . . Arai ?

But as you'll know, it's all down to head shape/size, personal preference and budget.

Good hunting and enjoy the show  

I've had HJC's for 5 years, just got an Arai and there's no comparison, the Arais awesome. treat yourself to a sun reactive pinlock and fanny's your aunt.

I recently upgraded my 6 year old Schuberth,
I tried on literally every lid in local shops for comfort etc etc.
I really wanted another flip down sun shield built in but this limited my choice massively.
The Arai range simply stood out for me & the Rebel range has a little spoiler designed for use on naked bikes, believe me it works fantastically too by reducing lift at *ahem* making progress speeds.
Combined with a sun reactive pinlock & I'm very happy with it, They are not a cheap lid but worth every penny.
CMC have one or two in their outlet at very good prices but limited stock, may be worth a ride over for a look? They also have a few Shoei models which I know peeps rate highly.

How tinted is the tint Ellie, I looked into them when Nick mentioned it to me a while back but they didn't seem to darken that much, it looked to be more of a smoke than a tint. If it's a decent darkening that truly works like a pair of shades then I'm in

The tint looks jet black from the outside in full sunlight, in reality it could be with being just a little bit darker in head on sun, superb piece of kit that I really wouldn't want to be without now, at night it's totally clear too, I've used it in all conditions & I have to say it's very good, however it does say 'not for road use' on it

robertcains wrote:
I tried on literally every lid in local shops for comfort etc etc.

I did the very same some years back - avoiding the 'top shelf' £400+ Arai's - in the end, I gave out and said "go on, trying an Arai on will cost nothing" . . . . . .


£425 later I left the gaff with a quantum f   . . . .

like putting an old favourite pair of gloves or shoes on it was so comfy.

Try on the Schuberth S2 while you are there Steve. It is the successor to my S1 Pro which I rate very highly. Reputed to be the quietest helmet, has the inner sun visor, pinlock ...
All depends on how well it fits - enjoy trying them all out.

The early contenders were between Arai and Shoei to be honest though a bit pricey (but then again I wouldn't put a price on my head), tried on the HJC RPHA 10+ Spies replica (they do a plain one £120 cheaper)!! And it fit like the best helmet that ever was so expect big things from the other two.

Schuberth Would be my first choice for a flip front anyway, a couple of mates have got them and swear by them. Just hope I can pick up a bargain at the show as the price is escalating. Will certainly have to get out more this year to make the investment worthwhile.

The S2 is a full face

I had an Arai for a few years and changed to a Shoei. Much better visibility than the Arai and with a whisper kit fitted it a very quiet lid.
The visor on the Shoei is wider and gives a lot better visibility I found.
My next lid will be another Shoei

+1 for the shoei. Visibility was much better than the others I tried at the time.

Quite liked my HJC I had before it though.

I do agree you need to try loads on because the fits so personal

I went from an Arai to a Shoei (Qwest?) myself.
The Arai was a great lid with a pretty small shell compared to others, but the wind noise drove me nuts (and might be responsible for some hearing damage before I started using plugs every time), the Shoei is very quiet though and the reason I bought it.

Regarding the size:
Internally, Arai and the Shoei are the same size (small), the cheap Duchinni is a medium.


-edit- If I rode a naked bike, the Arai would probably be a no brainer as far as wind resistance goes.   

I know it's a couple of months since I posted but as I didn't make the mcr bike show and then bought a project bike the idea of a new helmet went a bit off the boil...

That is until today, I was in the area and with the other mcr bike show coming at the end of March thought if nip into J&S to have a look and try some lids on, again the HJC RPHA10 + immediately caught my eye and as I tried it on again I thought to myself I'd be defo looking for a cheap one of these, the owner came over asking about budgets etc so I gave him quite a low figure to get him off my back but he went straight to the top of the range Shoei & Arai, a good sales ploy because they made the HJC feel like a badly fitting saucepan!!

Some haggling and I left with the latest Arai Quantum ST in last years livery with over 50% off.

Happy days and well done that man for doing the sales bit on me!!

Just about to go and buy a new lid tomorrow - I really fancy a Schuberth C3 Pro. Has anyone got one, or had Schuberth lids before? Lots of reviews call it the quietest helmet on the face of the earth, which is my main priority over everything. I like flip-face for the visibility, so it seems like a win-win. Bit pricey, but can't put a price on my hearing. I always wear plugs, but I'd like something so quiet that I can use headphones inside!