Helmets

OF280
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OF280
Ladies and gentlemen, from pros to goons. I want to know, in your opinion, what is the best helmet out there? Is it a Bell Moto 9 Flex? 6D? F2 Carbon MIPS? Airoh? I'm already prepared for this to turn into a mess but I can hope for the best right! Looking for ideas for my next purchase. I already have a preferred model I've ran for a bit now but if there's something better I'd definitely be open to changing. So 3...2...1...Go! Best helmet out there??
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kzizok
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kzizok 12/2/2016 6:45pm
12/2/2016 6:45pm Edited Date/Time 12/2/2016 6:47pm
The continual banter should be interesting, at least. Even though there will never be an answer.
DE262
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DE262 12/2/2016 7:28pm
12/2/2016 7:28pm
Hahaha- crickets......
kaptkaos
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kaptkaos 12/2/2016 7:53pm
12/2/2016 7:53pm
I am very happy with my new Leatt. It was the best for me. The Moto 9 Flex looks to be awesome, but I couldnt find it anywhere locally to try it on. The 6D is great too, but it was a larger helmet than the Leatt and cost a lot more.

The Fly Carbon F2 continues to be the best bang for the buck. I still have one.

Plenty of choices.

The Shop

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NHtoWA421
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NHtoWA421 12/2/2016 7:53pm
12/2/2016 7:53pm
One that fita your head properly. A properly fitted helmet can save your life. I don't think enough importance is put on fit.
Myke
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Myke 12/2/2016 8:10pm
12/2/2016 8:10pm
Bell
mx510
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mx510 12/2/2016 8:12pm
12/2/2016 8:12pm
My advice is find a couple of top end helmets that you like for their safety features and go try them on. Buy the helmet that fits the best. I think right now with where the helmet market is you are going to have pluses and minuses on every helmet. Unfortunately there really isn't any data that I have found that will say which helmet is "best". For me currently it's an Arai, but I would t hesitate to wear a Bell either.
Mx286
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Mx286 12/2/2016 8:19pm
12/2/2016 8:19pm
6D, Shoei, Arai, Bell. Try them on and see which one you like best. I wear a 6D but the best fitting helmet I've had is the Shoei.
OF280
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OF280 12/2/2016 8:23pm
12/2/2016 8:23pm
mx510 wrote:
My advice is find a couple of top end helmets that you like for their safety features and go try them on. Buy the helmet that...
My advice is find a couple of top end helmets that you like for their safety features and go try them on. Buy the helmet that fits the best. I think right now with where the helmet market is you are going to have pluses and minuses on every helmet. Unfortunately there really isn't any data that I have found that will say which helmet is "best". For me currently it's an Arai, but I would t hesitate to wear a Bell either.
Unfortunately that's kinda the stuff I was looking towards...I don't think I'll have a problem fitting in most helmets and all of the "premium" models from reputable companies have fairly comfortable liners. I was more leaning to the new age safety features such as the MIPS system and Bell's Flex and things like that. For example a lot of people swear by Shoei's and Arais but neither of them have these new features? Does that make them kind of out of date or are these "Flex" liners just a gimmick? Obviously most of us wouldn't be able to tell whether the Flex actually works or not but is it worth eliminating 2 of the most popular options?
OF280
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OF280 12/2/2016 8:27pm
12/2/2016 8:27pm Edited Date/Time 12/2/2016 8:28pm
And I hate to be that guy that kinda asks for advice and then completely ignores it! I work at a bike retail store so I get access to quite a few helmets and I haven't found too many of the top ones to be more comfortable than the other top ones
c0ncEpT
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c0ncEpT 12/2/2016 9:17pm
12/2/2016 9:17pm
I have 2 Bell Moto 9 Flex helmets. Love them! That being said I don't think any of the top of the line models are better or worse than the other. Try them on and and buy the one that you feel most comfortable in.
icrashalot
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icrashalot 12/2/2016 10:06pm
12/2/2016 10:06pm


So far I like this helmet a lot. It's a lot lighter then my shoei and has the mips system.

Fearo
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Fearo 12/3/2016 12:56am
12/3/2016 12:56am
This thread has been beaten to death, please do a search.

Broadly speaking, there are 4 tiers of 'quality' helmets:

1) The latest and greatest safety features (but not necesarily the highest build quality):

-6D
-Bell moto 9 Flex
-Leatt
-TLD SE 4

2) The highest build quality (but not necessarily the latest safety features):

-Shoei
-Arai

3) 2nd tier safety features:

-MIPS helmets

4) Traditional:

Every other helmet from a respectable brand.
Motofinne
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Motofinne 12/3/2016 1:07am
12/3/2016 1:07am Edited Date/Time 12/3/2016 2:31am
Great guide from Fearo. Pretty much sums up the helmet market.

I have to just say that i find it amazing how good MIPS has been marketed. I mean people compare it to the systems Bell, 6D and Leatt have when it's far from that.

Bell have the MIPS liner on their MX-9 entry level helmet that has an msrp of 190 bucks.

I'm not saying that MIPS isn't great, i think it's a very good feature that is cheap enough to be implemented also for the low and mid end helmets and that is a good thing. But you can't compare it with Bell Flex, 6D and Leatt.


For me personally, Bell Moto 9 Flex is the best fitting helmet and the safety features are very good. I also have the 6D but it doesn't fit me as good as the Bell and the quality is shocking(maybe not shocking but far from what the most expensive helmet should be like) considering the price tag.
Tom711
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Tom711 12/3/2016 1:08am
12/3/2016 1:08am
It's already been said but buy whichever fits you the best. Myself and my son both wear airoh aviators but he recently tried on a shoei and said it felt better so he'll have one under the tree this xmas.
Cortami79
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Cortami79 12/3/2016 2:25am
12/3/2016 2:25am
For safety i would go with a 6D. I wear them since 2014 and for me they are really comfortable. Awesome service too. Broke one on the 6D ride day in Lommel and the CEO Bob Weeber had compassion with me and gave me a new one. So i'm a loyal 6D fan for life now.

If u don't like the 6D, try the Bell or Arai! Leatt and TLD SE4 seem to be safe too. Good luck!
nascarnate326 12/3/2016 3:18am
12/3/2016 3:18am
The only thing that goes on my head is the 6D. After tons of research I believe it is the safest helmet available.

Doesn't mean it's the best because there are things I don't like about it but as someone who had a decent concussion this year..6D or nothing.

Pit Row

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Indy mxer
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Indy mxer 12/3/2016 6:37am
12/3/2016 6:37am
6D for me too. I have a 6D carbon and love it. I was wearing Shoei but that's old technology.
I think the quality on my 6D is just as good as Shoei. It fits me better as well.
motosurf
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motosurf 12/3/2016 8:38am
12/3/2016 8:38am
I just picked up an all black fly f2 carbon thing is light and super comfy
Skidaddle
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Skidaddle 12/3/2016 11:17am
12/3/2016 11:17am
A round one. The less edges to grab dirt/holes/bumps and yank your head and neck the better.

Think about that.
Barry_Smith 12/3/2016 12:17pm
12/3/2016 12:17pm
Cortami79 wrote:
For safety i would go with a 6D. I wear them since 2014 and for me they are really comfortable. Awesome service too. Broke one on...
For safety i would go with a 6D. I wear them since 2014 and for me they are really comfortable. Awesome service too. Broke one on the 6D ride day in Lommel and the CEO Bob Weeber had compassion with me and gave me a new one. So i'm a loyal 6D fan for life now.

If u don't like the 6D, try the Bell or Arai! Leatt and TLD SE4 seem to be safe too. Good luck!
Same. I have been wearing one since I had a huge crash in 2014 wearing another brand. I swear by 6D. Had a high speed crash last Saturday and whacked my head pretty good. No problems. I have huge confidence in the level of protection and the fit - for my head shape - is second to none.
Bronson905
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Bronson905 12/3/2016 12:18pm
12/3/2016 12:18pm
Bell Moto 9 FLEX and Arai VX- PRO4 are my top choices for safety and comfort. Remember when buying a helmet, comfort is a big factor.
305FC250
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305FC250 12/3/2016 12:37pm
12/3/2016 12:37pm
motosurf wrote:
I just picked up an all black fly f2 carbon thing is light and super comfy
Anyone know how these lower end carbon fiber and kevlar helmets compare to the top brands?
Cortami79
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Cortami79 12/3/2016 1:12pm
12/3/2016 1:12pm
motosurf wrote:
I just picked up an all black fly f2 carbon thing is light and super comfy
305FC250 wrote:
Anyone know how these lower end carbon fiber and kevlar helmets compare to the top brands?
A friend of mine bought one last year, crashed with it at a hardpack track and swore to never wear it again. Bought a 6D
VxeR
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VxeR 12/3/2016 1:20pm
12/3/2016 1:20pm
I love my Airoh, people seem to dislike them but it seems good to me. Fortunately I haven't tested its effectiveness in a big crash
Motofinne
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Motofinne 12/3/2016 1:21pm
12/3/2016 1:21pm Edited Date/Time 12/3/2016 1:22pm
motosurf wrote:
I just picked up an all black fly f2 carbon thing is light and super comfy
305FC250 wrote:
Anyone know how these lower end carbon fiber and kevlar helmets compare to the top brands?
The Fly F2 is a very good mid end helmet. Especially when you can get them often with big discounts in the end of the year. Just like the Fox V3 and V4 helmets.

adamdf
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adamdf 12/3/2016 3:25pm
12/3/2016 3:25pm
icrashalot wrote:
[img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2016/12/02/162639/s1200_20161116_131021.jpg[/img]


Those look great! I just purchased the SE4 Team Edition from BTO sports, I wear a Medium in Shoei, hoping the sizing is similar. Can't wait to receive it.
wwoberg
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wwoberg 12/3/2016 7:29pm
12/3/2016 7:29pm
I know this has been beaten to death. "Buy a $10 helmet for a $10 head". But, I am going to but a new one this Christmas and a couple of weeks ago I saw a thread on here where someone said something like, DOT and ECE ratings are all you should buy. SNELL is too hard.

Well, there are some serious low prices on helmets that have those ratings. I saw an ad on motosport or RC or BTO that had oneil helmets with those ratings for around $60. If they fulfill the rating are they still junk?
OF280
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OF280 12/3/2016 7:51pm
12/3/2016 7:51pm
wwoberg wrote:
I know this has been beaten to death. "Buy a $10 helmet for a $10 head". But, I am going to but a new one this...
I know this has been beaten to death. "Buy a $10 helmet for a $10 head". But, I am going to but a new one this Christmas and a couple of weeks ago I saw a thread on here where someone said something like, DOT and ECE ratings are all you should buy. SNELL is too hard.

Well, there are some serious low prices on helmets that have those ratings. I saw an ad on motosport or RC or BTO that had oneil helmets with those ratings for around $60. If they fulfill the rating are they still junk?
Although I'm the one that created this post so most would think I would be the one that knows the least, this much I do know about the ratings. Snell ratings for shell strength are harder. As in it takes more force to literally crack the shell. The 2010 rating is actually more "soft" than the 2005 rating. I'm assuming with that trend they also did the same with the 2015 rating. But all snell helmets pass DOT tests regardless or else they wouldn't be legal to sell. And snell tests for absorption of higher G forces so Snell helmets are certified to protect in the event of a low and high speed crash. This isn't to say that a DOT approved helmet wouldn't pass Snell too though. The manufacturer just may not have submitted it for approve like how 6Ds aren't Snell approved but they're known to be amazing helmets. Hope this helps a little bit!

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