"Best" Helmet for Ventilation and Price? - Advice Needed

rikhek
Profile picture for user rikhek
Posts
328
Joined
2/26/2012
Location
Tulsa, OK US
rikhek
Edited Date/Time 7/20/2014 10:47am
I’m a 52 year old vet MX rider in Oklahoma. Riding in the 100+ heat is the norm during the summer months. Home track is Reynard’s and the older I get the more the heat affects me. I’m wondering what helmet you feel provides the most ventilation. I wore a friend’s TLD Air last week and was very impressed with the ventilation. I rode better and longer. However, not a big fan of the fit and feel.

Lots of manufacturer claims and vented helmets available but hard to filter through them all. One brand I’m considering is the Klim F4 but wanted to see if you’d offer some advice on it or the other available offerings before I buy. The AGV AX-8 is another.

Price is also a significant consideration.

Thanks in advance.

Rick
|
neverwas
Profile picture for user neverwas
Posts
2578
Joined
8/17/2006
Location
Tucson, AZ US
Fantasy
784th
neverwas 5/23/2013 10:17am
5/23/2013 10:17am
Rick,
I own a Klim F4 and it is by far the most vented helmet I have ever worn.I also ride in extremely hot weather living in AZ.
Even with the optional "warm" liner it is still pretty vented and can be cold in cooler weather.
The fit for me is fine,my brother likes the fit of his Shoei better but when it gets hot he is wearing the Klim.
Every head is different and fit is important.
Matt
nytsmaC
Profile picture for user nytsmaC
Posts
5960
Joined
8/10/2009
Location
Frig Off CA
nytsmaC 5/23/2013 11:56am
5/23/2013 11:56am Edited Date/Time 5/23/2013 11:58am
Many of us helmet snobs will only buy Shoei or Arai (maybe add 6D into the mix now?).. If you're one too, Arais are definitely better vented than Shoeis. Can't say if they are the best vented on the market but they have got to be up near the top.

I still prefer Shoei's for the fit, venting is good enough.
garnersnake 5/23/2013 11:59am
5/23/2013 11:59am
I have the new Scorpion VX-R70 helmet that was recently released and I am very pleased with it. Super light weight, great ventilation, and very comfortable. Even has the air fit liner inflation system for a customized fit.

Check them out at www.scorpionusa.com. Great price point as well. $250-270.

The Shop

See All »
Deetsmx
Profile picture for user Deetsmx
Posts
880
Joined
4/21/2008
Location
Visalia, CA US
Deetsmx 5/23/2013 12:19pm
5/23/2013 12:19pm
garnersnake wrote:
I have the new Scorpion VX-R70 helmet that was recently released and I am very pleased with it. Super light weight, great ventilation, and very comfortable...
I have the new Scorpion VX-R70 helmet that was recently released and I am very pleased with it. Super light weight, great ventilation, and very comfortable. Even has the air fit liner inflation system for a customized fit.

Check them out at www.scorpionusa.com. Great price point as well. $250-270.
I just bought that same helmet but haven't ridden with it yet. Fit is really good though. I had the vx-34 and liked that one as well, fit and venting was good, but the 70 is even better as far as fit. Just wanted a dual density helmet so I bought the 70 a few weeks back and getting it painted as we speak. Prior to that I had an SE2 which I liked but didn't seem to vent nearly as well.
davidgrip
Profile picture for user davidgrip
Posts
273
Joined
10/7/2011
Location
Indianapolis, IN US
davidgrip 5/23/2013 8:07pm
5/23/2013 8:07pm
Scorpion VX 34. Great Fit, Ventilation, Light Weight. Amazing Value.
KennyT
Profile picture for user KennyT
Posts
4181
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Vista, CA US
Fantasy
280th
KennyT 5/23/2013 8:30pm
5/23/2013 8:30pm
A few weeks ago I bought a Shoei VXF-W.

I have only used it a few hours but so far the ventilation seems great. What amazes me is the comfort level. Before this I had a 5 year old Troy Lee helmet and the comfort between the 2 was not even close.

Saw those for $500 plus at the shops locally. Found mine on Ebay from a shop back East for $370 ....no tax or delivery
garnersnake 5/23/2013 8:40pm
5/23/2013 8:40pm
Deetsmx wrote:
I just bought that same helmet but haven't ridden with it yet. Fit is really good though. I had the vx-34 and liked that one as...
I just bought that same helmet but haven't ridden with it yet. Fit is really good though. I had the vx-34 and liked that one as well, fit and venting was good, but the 70 is even better as far as fit. Just wanted a dual density helmet so I bought the 70 a few weeks back and getting it painted as we speak. Prior to that I had an SE2 which I liked but didn't seem to vent nearly as well.
I have a couple of the VX-34's as well. I loved them. Made the switch to the VX-R70 and as I said, very pleased. I thought the VX-34's were light weight, but the VX-R70's are even lighter. Awesome helmets for sure. I definitely recommend the VX-34 or the VX-R70's to anyone and everyone. Scorpion has great products.
E-man811
Profile picture for user E-man811
Posts
275
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
North East, GA US
E-man811 5/23/2013 9:01pm
5/23/2013 9:01pm
Klim F4. Most ventilated helmet out there. Snell 2010 and reasonably priced.
EddieC
Profile picture for user EddieC
Posts
362
Joined
2/26/2012
Location
Temecula, CA US
EddieC 5/23/2013 9:16pm
5/23/2013 9:16pm
Airoh Aviator. Mike Brown brought this helmet through tech a number of years ago and I couldn't believe it was a moto helmet. It is ridiculously light. Ventilation? When wearing the helmet you can see your scalp through the vents on top of the helmet. They are so big that they come with covers to keep your head warm in the winter time. The helmet also comes with different attachments for the visor to accommodate different weather conditions. Safety? Looking at the inside of the helmet you would think you were looking at a rutted face of a triple. The helmet is designed to absorb impact through destruction. The fit is great although some might find the chinbar a bit close for comfort. A read a press release that you can purchase these through Leo Vince. I have had the good fortune of being able to wear a lot of helmets and find Bell, Shoei, Arai to tops in comfort but if your looking for comfort and ventilation Airoh smokes them all.

rikhek
Profile picture for user rikhek
Posts
328
Joined
2/26/2012
Location
Tulsa, OK US
rikhek 5/24/2013 5:38pm
5/24/2013 5:38pm
A friend has the Airoh pictured above. I put it on in and didn't like the fit. The chin bar basically rode on my chin. Also it squeezed your face and made you look and feel like a rodent with full cheeks.

Ventilation looked like it would be great due to the large vents in the top.

Cheapest place to buy them is out of the UK. There are 2 sites I find with a good selection and pricing. The fit just didn't cut it for me thou.

FWIW my friend who uses TLD Air helmets tried it on and felt the same as I about the chinbar and the squeezing of the cheeks.
mx510
Profile picture for user mx510
Posts
1973
Joined
2/26/2011
Location
Gig Harbor, WA US
Fantasy
1744th
mx510 5/24/2013 6:08pm
5/24/2013 6:08pm
I have had Arai, Shoei, TLD, and now I have the Fox V4. The best ventilated is the V4.
Falcon
Profile picture for user Falcon
Posts
10107
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
Fantasy
798th
Falcon 5/24/2013 6:09pm
5/24/2013 6:09pm
I haven't had the opportunity to ride in much else lately, but my Arai vents awesomely. It whistles at speed when I turn my head to the side.
petie11o5
Profile picture for user petie11o5
Posts
564
Joined
1/2/2011
Location
Cincinnati, OH US
petie11o5 5/24/2013 6:33pm
5/24/2013 6:33pm Edited Date/Time 5/24/2013 6:33pm
If you are looking to purchase a helmet specifically for its ventilation then I would NOT buy the Shoei. The Shoei is an all around excellent helmet but the ventilation is not amazing. Good, yes, but I highly doubt it is the best in that department. I am 22 years old with a good heat tolerance and I get pretty hot in the Shoei riding in Ohio's 85-90 degree heat with a good amount of humidity.
CamP
Profile picture for user CamP
Posts
6828
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Colleyville, TX US
CamP 5/25/2013 12:55am
5/25/2013 12:55am Edited Date/Time 5/25/2013 12:59am
EddieC wrote:
Airoh Aviator. Mike Brown brought this helmet through tech a number of years ago and I couldn't believe it was a moto helmet. It is ridiculously...
Airoh Aviator. Mike Brown brought this helmet through tech a number of years ago and I couldn't believe it was a moto helmet. It is ridiculously light. Ventilation? When wearing the helmet you can see your scalp through the vents on top of the helmet. They are so big that they come with covers to keep your head warm in the winter time. The helmet also comes with different attachments for the visor to accommodate different weather conditions. Safety? Looking at the inside of the helmet you would think you were looking at a rutted face of a triple. The helmet is designed to absorb impact through destruction. The fit is great although some might find the chinbar a bit close for comfort. A read a press release that you can purchase these through Leo Vince. I have had the good fortune of being able to wear a lot of helmets and find Bell, Shoei, Arai to tops in comfort but if your looking for comfort and ventilation Airoh smokes them all.

That's the helmet that I've been wearing for the last few months. Your description is spot-on. The only thing I would add is the fit favors an oval head. If you have a round head, it may not be the best choice. I found a shop in Italy that sent it to me in 3 days for under $500.
Sheriff245 5/25/2013 3:48am
5/25/2013 3:48am
I have an Arai and got the chance to try a Klim. The ventilation is simply incredible. I rode in 100+ degrees and humid weather and when I came off the track my head was cool and dry. If I were looking for the most vented helmet tha is what I would get, no hesitation.
reagan
Profile picture for user reagan
Posts
165
Joined
3/27/2012
Location
Saint Petersburg, FL US
reagan 5/25/2013 4:55am
5/25/2013 4:55am
Cant go wrong with a shoei

Pit Row

See All »
rikhek
Profile picture for user rikhek
Posts
328
Joined
2/26/2012
Location
Tulsa, OK US
rikhek 6/3/2013 11:25am
6/3/2013 11:25am
I pulled the trigger on a Klim F4. Rode with it yesterday and am very impressed. The ventilation is fantastic. Better than a TLD Air. The quality, finish, engineering and attention to detail are impressive. I wasn't sure if I'd care for the cosmetics of the louvers on top but they look excellent. Better than in the pictures. Amazing helmet. I'm a convert.

Rick
TeamGreen
Profile picture for user TeamGreen
Posts
28954
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA US
TeamGreen 6/3/2013 12:00pm
6/3/2013 12:00pm
TLD Air is a lot of helmet for the price.
Titan1
Profile picture for user Titan1
Posts
8618
Joined
2/3/2010
Location
Lehi, UT US
Titan1 6/3/2013 12:26pm
6/3/2013 12:26pm
I just purchased the Klim F4...great ventilation on a great helmet.
Mr. Info
Profile picture for user Mr. Info
Posts
1672
Joined
5/3/2010
Location
Perris, CA US
Mr. Info 6/3/2013 4:04pm
6/3/2013 4:04pm
Suomy is the best ventilation and lightest and for short to long moto's to keep the weight of the neck because as you tire your heads bounces around. Try one for one moto and then your for the second and you will never go back. I got one of the first in Southern Cal and I have probably help sell 10 to 20 more after they feel the weight alone. But its your head do what works for you.
Roscoe33
Profile picture for user Roscoe33
Posts
942
Joined
12/10/2009
Location
London CA
Roscoe33 7/20/2014 6:58am
7/20/2014 6:58am
Titan1 wrote:
I just purchased the Klim F4...great ventilation on a great helmet.
Klim has the most air flow.
bigborefan
Profile picture for user bigborefan
Posts
1472
Joined
3/8/2008
Location
Urbana, IL US
bigborefan 7/20/2014 10:39am
7/20/2014 10:39am
KLIM F4. It flows a ton of air. You'll need ear plugs with it since it flows so much air.
Brtp4
Profile picture for user Brtp4
Posts
401
Joined
9/12/2008
Location
Bend, OR US
Brtp4 7/20/2014 10:47am
7/20/2014 10:47am Edited Date/Time 7/20/2014 10:49am
OP, of the helmets listed thus far, I have ridden in:

Suomy MX Jump
Scorpion VX-R70
Scorpion VX-34
Thor Verge
Shoei VFX-W
Arai VX-Pro3
Airoh Stelt
Klim F4

And a few others. Like you, I am an out of shape vet, and run hot, so ventilation is a key detail. The Arai, Shoei, and Scorpions are nice helmets, but were comparatively hot. Switching back and forth with some other models, they were noticeably warmer.

By far, by a wide margin, the best venting helmet I have found is the Klim. They finally have some halfway current graphics:

http://www.atomic-moto.com/Klim-F4-Helmet-ECE_p_1488.html

The reason is obvious, the vents are large and face forward.

My next favorite overall was the Suomy, and it vented quite well also. On a more subjective level, it felt great. I love the styling of the Airohs, but I prefer the Suomy.

The Thor Verge was fairly cool also, because the eyeport opening was huge, and a lot of air enters the front.

Hope that helps.

BP

Post a reply to: "Best" Helmet for Ventilation and Price? - Advice Needed