So I’m getting a new lid.
I got a lazer tornado metal jack some 6 years ago, and while i have been overall satisfied with it, it’s time to get a new one.
i had a £40 one from lidl that i bought to take pillions, but i ended up using it often as it was flip top and mainly had a sun visor.
it is frankly crap and i don’t feel comfortable taking people on the motorway with it, and the noise is horrendous, and i got a little money so i think it’s time for an upgrade.
General question: my assumption is that flip top is not just a question of preference, it is less safe and so i would avoid getting one even though it’s more practical, just so that i have a teeeny tiny bit higher hope of saving some teeth /jaw / face part when i eventually come off. true/false?
so i’ve looked at justhelmets and i think the 200-300 range seems reasonable, more seems outrageous and less, well, i don’t wanna be cheap with my head, as I push my fazer quite a bit
so my main request for advice is this: looking at the 2-300 range of justhelmets, i don’t know these brands and i’m not privvy to the market, so could anyone explain what the deal is? are they similar in terms of quality, value for money?
why are there only two manufacturers in this price range? are they equal ? does it mean that this is the lower price end of the higher quality? are NExx clearly a notch down ?
Qwest is a great lid, designed as a touring lid, good ventilation, removable cheek pads, plus it will take a Pinlock ( come with a clear one).
cant go wrong with a Shoei fella, just make sure it fits well, is snug but doesn’t cause and tight spots/headaches, try on on and keep it on for a good 10 minutes.
You need to try them on mate. Arai fit my head a lot better than shoei. For your price range I think the Nexx carbon lid is your best bet. Gets great reviews, light as poop, vents well and looks the nuts. Tried one on and it is well made and comfy. I looked at the scorpion air lid but it is very heavy.
Loud - check out the above link. Its nonsense that some cheap lids arent any good. You might get a lighter one or one with fancy graphics for more money but in terms of safety, you can get some excellent cheap ones.
Caberg do some flip ups for c £100 and mostly 5 out of 5 stars!!!
A good fit is the most important thing, as if it comes off your head, it aint going to protect sweet FA.
on a cheaper lid they know where the test are carried out ( ie side, top, back etc) its not random…
so cheaper lids can be re-inforced…
if you look at Shoei, probably the best there is, they dont have SHARP ratings, because they dont agree with the tests, its a flawed test.
with a expensive lid there is ALOT more to it then a cheaper polycarbonate lid, the shell its self is massively stronger, lighter, better paint, better graphics, fully removable padding that dont make you itch…visor mechanisms that last the life of the helmet (5 years), plus they are much easier to change, also have a look at the visor and see the diffrence, thickness optical quality.
you cannot compare a cheap lid to an expensive one, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.
i think it was cabergs or sharks that had a few models with the sun visors… personally i never liked them. the one lid i tried on with a sun visor it fell half way through my field of vision…
I prefer having full tint visor on and if i’m out all day i have a clear visor with me.
you can also buy pinlocks for tyhe xr1100 that darken up when the sun hits or visors that are only semi tinted…
No denying that Shoei, Arai or Schuberth ARE probably the top makes, when it comes to helmets. Of course you will get a better quality finish, if you pay more but if you dont have a bottomless pit of cash, the Sharp system is a good basis to compare, like for like for safety.
Personally, I like the quality of Shoei lids but they dont fit me!
not really, its a flawed test
go to a store and try some on, dont buy on line outright…also go to a good store with staff that know what they are doing…
no one has a bottomless pit of cash, but a helmet is probably THE MOST IMPORTANT thing you will buy for yourself when it comes to bikes, so try not to skimp…
if money is really tight go and try a HJC FG-15, you will not get better for the money.
I think its fair to say that NO test will be perfect. There are far too many ways and variations that a lid can attain an impact.
You cant discredit Sharps tests entirely. What you can do is take it to form part of your OWN decision based on others recommendations, how much you can afford and what fits you best.
Your lid IS probably the most important thing you will buy and only you know if it fits comfortably. Not your mates, not the salesman, YOU.
Why no go to Ratty46 you can try some and you know the person who is giving you something to try know his sh… I may not bought many helmets from his store (sorry lov) but the knowledge which they share with me and advice was priceless (Now I have Schubert S2 and Shoei XR-1100).
