Posts
5
Joined
12/9/2017
Location
Elmendorf Afb, AK
US
Edited Date/Time
12/11/2017 1:04pm
I know there is a thread on here from '15 but long since Airoh helmets are still not very attainable on the American market. Where can I purchase one(?); without throwing away money. I've heard of chromeburner, eBay, and airohhelmetsusa. But have also heard these 3 are unreliable and rip offs. I would really appreciate Anyone who has info on buying an airoh helmet!
The Shop
I think both have the 2017 colorways on sale.
However, I tried on the new Arai a couple of years ago and my god, it was like losing my virginity, finding my special purpose. Nicest feeling helmet I've ever slid my head into.
Much better/safer helmets out there imo.
I wear 6D, but my spare helmet is a Troy Lee SE4 with MIPS. Quality on both is top notch.
Bell Moto 9 looks like a good helmet too.
Not familiar with Airoh though. I'd be interested to see how you like it when you get one.
6D, TL SE4, Bell Moto 9, Fly F2 and the list goes on...not not Arai, Airoh, or anything but the most recent Shoei.
My head gets a 6D and nothing else.
And if you actually read my post you'd see I have a MIPS helmet as well.
But if you want to wear 20 year old technology, have at it.
Arai is way behind on this. That's a fact.
But as far as 6D is concerned there's a reason the NFL is looking at their technology, and gave them a half million dollar grant.
I don't think he's been the same since that accident.
I was wearing a Bell Moto 8 when I had my accident and it did its job. Plenty of injured parts but glad I didn't suffer a head injury. It would be very difficult to persuade me to wear anything other than a Bell even to this day if I could still ride.
There's no doubt there's other great helmets on the market but the 6D isn't the be all and end all of helmets. The best thing a person can do is buy a helmet that fits their head properly. Make sure that it's snug and not tight or loose. That in my opinion is what makes the biggest difference in the event of a crash.
It is a fact they are not Snell or DOT rated, they are ECE rated. There is a ton of information regarding all the various ratings on the internet. I would advise you step away from Vital and seek actual facts about the testing process and make your own decision on which is best in your mind. I have experienced zero issues going through various sanctioning bodies (SERA,SECCA, FTR, NEPG, Full Gas) tech inspections with my Airoh.
I will say they are extremely light weight and vent very well. I wore a medium Shoei VFX-W and Bell Moto 9 and find my Airoh to fit just as good and true to size.
Pit Row
I can’t comment on the relative impact safety, but the light weight has safety and comfort advantages.
The first one has been comfortable and lasted well. (Just too old now)
They are very expensive, especially in Australia.
I got mine from Germany. No issues. (If you know your size)
https://www.fc-moto.de/epages/fcm.sf/en_GB/?ObjectID=135157079&ViewActi…
1. Every helmet sold in the USA is supposed to have at least a DOT sticker in it. Any helmet you buy directly from Europe, the UK, Australia or Asia will NOT be DOT legal and therefor not AMA legal and could present a problem at race like LL (if they check). I know in all of the ISDE's I rode they checked my helmet for our DOT certification (inside and out)
2. The guys that run the Airoh helmets here in the US can do so because professional MX and SX is also sanctioned by the FIM (a loophole I guess or they have the DOT cert).
3. There are significant differences between DOT, Snell and ECE helmets including shell matrix, thickness, EPS, chinstrap retention even eye port size. Testing methods are vastly different and I will tell you DOT and ECE are actually pretty close.
4. Any helmet purchased in Europe or Asia (especially Asia) will have a completely different shell shape and therefore fit unlike almost any other helmet you will find here in the US (be aware if you decide to buy from a Euro website).
I wont get into details but what I'll say next is only opinion however, it comes from 47 years of riding / racing and 25 years industry experience.
To me, Snell is by far the best standard we have. ECE is good and DOT is ok but for us here in the States, after seeing some test numbers, I'll take a Snell helmet every time.
I think what has been happening in the helmet world lately is amazing. 6D turned the helmet industry on its head (pun intended) and forced the rest of the industry to step up. I believe they have too. Many helmet manufacturers have upped the ante and even surpassed what 6D started. The new SE4 from TLD is amazing (I know, Ive crash tested it). Shoei is still an amazing product (also crash tested) and the new helmet with their MEDS technology looks incredible as well. I still think Arai makes a great helmet even though the tech seems old. Actually its not as it uses a multi density EPS liner that all great helmets still use! They just arent using any fancy rotational tech in their lid.
Rotational impact tech (thank you Mips) has added another level of safety we never had before and now Shoei seems to be taking that tech further. Its all great but can anyone tell me what the rotational impact standard is? We know its better but we have no base line to judge from yet. We will I'm sure, right now though we just dont know.
Anyway kids, take this info as you like and I hope it helps in some small way. I'll leave you with this. The helmet that fits you the best and I mean in every way, regardless of brand, is the best helmet on the market for YOU. Do not get sucked in by weight, what you buddy says and especially what we say on here! And never, NEVER buy a helmet just because it looks cool. Start at your dealer and go from there. Most can get you anything you want before you turn to the internet.
https://www.btosports.com/p/kali-protectives-shiva-carbon-2-0-helmet-so…
Snell IMO is too stiff because it is tested against roll cages, there needs to be give, but in car crashes you really cant have as much for obvious reasons. For mx ECE and DOT can crumple and disfigure more in an impact protecting your brain more because the shells are actually less stiff allowing them to flex. ECE is the most current and most recent testing method thats why some believe it is the better of the two between DOT and ECE, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I trust ECE just as much as DOT and sometimes the rating can be a bad thing because manufacturers will only make their helmet able to just pass the testing and not any more safe than that to cut costs. If you read into ECE I personally think if they are making the helmet to the minimum standards you are still better off with an ECE over a DOT but either way you are fine. Theres tons of options out there go with what youre comforable with and read into the safety measures of the helmet. Some people think because Airoh helmets are so light that they cant protect well, but they can. Also when your head impacts and moves around more weight on your head can cause more strain on your neck so less weight can be better. Its a personal decision but I can tell you Airoh helmets are very light and very safe.
That Zach Bell crash reminded me of kenny without him landing on the takeoff of the next jump. Very similar crashes from different causes but both led to similar ejections. He could have been killed here, thankfully he want.
Good enough in Aussie (and our officials are a cross between Nanna, and Hitler.), and FIM events.
I doubt Helmets bought in Europe would have different shell/ head shape. Why would this be?
Fit is vitally important. For example, my head isn’t Arai shaped, Shoei helmets are more comfortable for long periods. (I road race in an Arai, that is a very good fit, for shorter periods. Nice and snug.)
I really like the Airoh, for off road, MX and Supermoto. Love the lack of weight.
The biggest issue is weight, size and quality(especially the liner & cheekpads). These 3 parts are not anywhere near good enough for a 700+ helmet if you ask me. The biggest problem is the weight.
I'm not saying that anything heavier than a 1000g Airoh is junk but i hope 6D figures something out for their next helmet model because the current one is a brick.
I'll take a closer look at the new Shoei when the local dealer gets them.
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