1st new Helmet

This is my 1st new Helmet purchase. What exactly am I suppose to be looking for in a Helmet. What's the difference in the outer shells, the vents, the face shields, dark or clear. I've heard something about anti-fog shields. Open just the shield or the whole bottom of the Helmet. How about the interior of the Helmet, Washable interior pads..? If this is the most important piece of safety equipment, I would like to get the best without spending the most money. Your replies are greatly appreciated. Thanks Rusty  

The most important thing is fit.  All the other stuff: vents, color face shield, etc are for added comfort but don't really effect safetly.  For example, the ~$550 Shoei X11 is really light and has a ton of air vents to keep your head cooler, but it's not really any safer than a $250 Shoei helmet without the vents.  You'll just sweat more in the cheaper helmet  For face shields, I have a tinted one for during the day, and a clear for night time.

But back to the fit.  Depending on the shape of your head, that'll dictate what brand you can wear.  Each brand fits a little differently so you need to try each on.  Like HJCs put a lot of pressure on my forehead for some reason but Shoei fits me just fine.  

Also, a brand new helmet will fit VERY snuggly.  Your cheeks should be squeezed up and it'll be tight enough that you might even get a headache until it breaks in.  Once it is broken in, it'll just be snug.  If you get a new helmet that's just 'snug' when new, what happens is that after it breaks in, it becomes too loose on your head and will move around.  A helmet that moves around on your head is not the best for safety.  

I need to throw in my 2 cents on this....

When you are trying on a new helmet, you want it snug, and you want the cheek pads to feel REALLY snug because they will relax as the helmet breaks in.... but around the top of your head (forehead) you want the helmet to fit snug but comfortably. The part that contacts your forehead will NOT relax much over time, in my experience.

Fit is the most important thing. Through experience you will find out what other features are important to you. For instance, my Icon feels heavy and tends to wobble. My KBC is soft and VERY comfy but the shield leaks and it's almost as noisy as if I weren't wearing a helmet at all. So my next helmet will be light, quiet, and softer on the inside. Suomy, probably.  

I think last year Motorcyclist did a 2 part helmet article.  Tested a bunch of them.  I think the Shoei TZ-R won.  It is or was maybe $150 helmet...  $200 max...  I don't have that issue anymore, so I can't be sure on that.

Like the others have said, you want it very snug.  It'll break in as you wear it.  Different brands, and even different models seemed to fit the different shaped heads.  So try as many different ones on as you can.

Vents are nice, but shouldn't be the deciding factor.  Same with graphics.  For example, a Shoei RF1000 is an RF1000 wether or not is has replica graphics on it.  If you like the graphics and have an extra $100 or so, then go a head.  Being able to remove the liner and cheek pads to clean them is a nice feature.  IMO the Snell certification isn't a big deal.  They seem to put too much emphasis on the really big hits, things that happen 1 in a 1000....  So Snell helmets might be too stiff, making lower hits more severe...



Chris  

Do a search on the web, lots of sites with extensive helmet reviews.  Then go try some different brands on to see what ones fit you the best.  Then make your decision.  I went with a Nolan 100E Classic, it's a full face flip-up.  There is a lot to choose from in the $200 range.  Nolan, HJC, Vega, etc.  

Can I add one more thing? When you're trying on helmets, shake your head...your helmet shouldn't shake, it should move with your head. Find one that feels comfortable and go with the next smaller size.  

Rusty,
check out scorpion helmets www.scorpionusa.com
I bought a Raider to match my bike, but the Crackhead is also a good one. Trevitt can tell you that Sport Rider rated it the best deal under $200. If you're going to spend the money anywhere, spend it on the helmet. Do not bargain shop for this item!!