Helmet Recommendations

CSAR FE
Posts
641
Joined
5/30/2017
Location
Tucson, AZ US
Edited Date/Time 8/9/2018 5:09am
I need a helmet recommendation from you guys. I am in the market for a premium helmet, and am looking at Bell, Shoei, Arai, Leatt, and 6D. Price isn't really much of an issue, but obviously I want to save some money if I can, while also getting the best bang for my buck. The nicest helmet I've ever had is a Bell Moto 9. Currently using a Fly helmet (not the nice carbon MIPS one). Now that I'm getting older and maybe a little wiser, I see the error in my ways of dumping a ton of money into dumb bullshit, and skimping out on protecting my dome.

What are your suggestions? There are a lot of closeout deals floating around right now. I can get a pro deal for a Leatt GPX 6.5 Carbon V16 for $389.99, so that is the best deal on an upper level helmet I can get currently (that I'm aware of). If anyone has some time with this helmet specifically, please chime in.
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LumpDog841
Posts
492
Joined
12/12/2016
Location
CO US
8/7/2018 4:41pm
I've worn both Arai, Bell Moto9 Flex (currently wearing the bell). Both are great helmets, and both have taken their fair share of punishment. I would recommend both.
RCMXracing
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853
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8/10/2011
Location
N., TX US
8/7/2018 5:32pm
Dunno why limited to those. ??‍♂️ TLD SE4 has amazing ventilation, light weight, and latest safety innovations. Check out new Fly and Astars helmets also.
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The Shop

reded
Posts
3685
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3/26/2011
Location
KS US
8/7/2018 5:41pm
RCMXracing wrote:
Dunno why limited to those. ??‍♂️ TLD SE4 has amazing ventilation, light weight, and latest safety innovations. Check out new Fly and Astars helmets also.
This.
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CSAR FE
Posts
641
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Location
Tucson, AZ US
8/7/2018 5:49pm
RCMXracing wrote:
Dunno why limited to those. ??‍♂️ TLD SE4 has amazing ventilation, light weight, and latest safety innovations. Check out new Fly and Astars helmets also.
I'm not limited, and I am open to recommendations. Thanks guys.
Stevehrc
Posts
90
Joined
8/24/2017
Location
AU
8/7/2018 5:54pm
Airoh aviator 2.2. Super light and comfortable can't rate it enough and makes me scrub like AC haha
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JBecker 72
Posts
1738
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3/25/2014
Location
VA US
8/7/2018 5:59pm Edited Date/Time 8/7/2018 6:00pm
I just got a Bell Moto 9 Flex. Previously was wearing a Fly F2 Carbon without MIPS. Overall very happy with the new Bell. I wanted to get in a top end helmet with the new protection system designed to reduce G forces. Getting a bit older and wiser, and spending the money for extra protection seemed like a good idea.
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racerx317
Posts
225
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1/4/2016
Location
Thompsons Station, TN US
8/7/2018 6:09pm
LS2 Subverter is cost effective and they have phenomenal protection including their own version of MIPS. They keep costs down by manufacturing their own products in the same facility that other top brands sub-contract out to them to build. My son tried to fire himself off the bike like a lawn dart after a high side and didn’t have any concussion symptoms. I’m completely happy.
Of the other brands you mentioned... Bell would be my second choice.
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Racer111
Posts
2767
Joined
5/23/2009
Location
Concord, NC US
8/7/2018 6:10pm
I’m a Shoei guy. The VFx-Evo is amazing. Best fitting helmet I’ve ever had. Every time they come out with a new model they get better. Been wearing Shoei since 1999.
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jbrown15
Posts
570
Joined
1/19/2017
Location
CA
8/7/2018 6:19pm
I have a Bell Moto 9 flex, my son had a Moto 9 Carbon and now has two 6D helmets. From a safety standpoint I’d say the 6D is better than the Moto 9 Flex. My suggestion would be a 6D ATR-2 or look at the new Astar helmet.
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swtwtwtw
Posts
1287
Joined
4/16/2008
Location
Apple Valley, CA US
8/7/2018 6:28pm
Done the gamet of helmets over 40 years. In the last two years I’ve settled on the arai. I can get ya them For $450 bucks (closeout colorways, which are Bitchin in my opinion)
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CSAR FE
Posts
641
Joined
5/30/2017
Location
Tucson, AZ US
8/7/2018 6:29pm Edited Date/Time 8/7/2018 6:32pm
Anyone here prone to concussions, and found a helmet that has been more effective at preventing them than previous brands/models you have worn? I'm sure that's an odd question.

The 6D does seem to be pretty awesome. I really liked my old bell Moto 9. It fit my head really well and was pretty comfy, so I'm looking hard at those as well.
navalseabee
Posts
1086
Joined
5/5/2011
Location
Virginia Beach, VA US
8/7/2018 6:36pm Edited Date/Time 8/7/2018 6:37pm
Owned recently:
Shoei VFX-W: Love: liner feel, fit and finish. Hate: didn't fit my head (pressure points).

TLD SE4: Love: The look, weight. Hated: liner feel, venting, liner removal, it fell apart on me.

Bell Moto 9: Love: the magnetic pads, liner and look. Hate: the weight and lack of venting.

Airoh Aviator: Love: the weight and venting. Hate: the concussion i got within a month of owning it, liner felt scratchy.

Fly F2 Carbon Mips: Love: Liner feel, weight, venting, price, look. Hate: paint seems to scratch easier than other, top liner attachment.
KDXGarage
Posts
2562
Joined
12/16/2010
Location
AL US
8/7/2018 6:38pm
Try on as many as you can. DO NOT buy one that fits less than VERY well. Different helmets have different shapes.
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pCp 252
Posts
675
Joined
1/1/2008
Location
Hampden, MA US
Fantasy
2541st
8/7/2018 6:43pm
I’m a big fan of the tld se4. It vents remarkable well and I’m confident in its ability to protect in a bad crash. But I haven’t truly tested it in that regard. I have three plus this one I am looking to sell.

It’s brand new, never worn sz large (or medium with different pads & liner) for $250
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swtwtwtw
Posts
1287
Joined
4/16/2008
Location
Apple Valley, CA US
8/7/2018 6:47pm
CSAR FE wrote:
Anyone here prone to concussions, and found a helmet that has been more effective at preventing them than previous brands/models you have worn? I'm sure that's...
Anyone here prone to concussions, and found a helmet that has been more effective at preventing them than previous brands/models you have worn? I'm sure that's an odd question.

The 6D does seem to be pretty awesome. I really liked my old bell Moto 9. It fit my head really well and was pretty comfy, so I'm looking hard at those as well.
Me. Best the 6d and Arai. Worst helmets : those made by KBC AND HJC, they produce many brands, and Suomy. My experience of course.
slothy
Posts
211
Joined
10/9/2016
Location
Saint Clair Shores, MI US
8/7/2018 7:07pm Edited Date/Time 8/7/2018 7:07pm
CSAR FE wrote:
Anyone here prone to concussions, and found a helmet that has been more effective at preventing them than previous brands/models you have worn? I'm sure that's...
Anyone here prone to concussions, and found a helmet that has been more effective at preventing them than previous brands/models you have worn? I'm sure that's an odd question.

The 6D does seem to be pretty awesome. I really liked my old bell Moto 9. It fit my head really well and was pretty comfy, so I'm looking hard at those as well.
swtwtwtw wrote:
Me. Best the 6d and Arai. Worst helmets : those made by KBC AND HJC, they produce many brands, and Suomy. My experience of course.
I’ve been happy with my soumy mr jump and alpha mx helmets. if I had to complain about something it would be the visors being thin.
8/7/2018 7:18pm
After a bunch of research I decided on the Se4. I liked that it was smaller than the 6d and I also liked that rotational impact wasn’t the only thing that was accounted for. Id also check out the atr2 as it didn’t come out until after I bought my se4
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swtwtwtw
Posts
1287
Joined
4/16/2008
Location
Apple Valley, CA US
8/7/2018 7:53pm
slothy wrote:
I’ve been happy with my soumy mr jump and alpha mx helmets. if I had to complain about something it would be the visors being thin.
Loved wearing my Suomy, but one tip over smacking my head and it was lights out for me. But as stated earlier, I am prone to this due to the severity of my many concussions over the years. Same type of tip over wearing 6d or arai no problem.
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CSAR FE
Posts
641
Joined
5/30/2017
Location
Tucson, AZ US
8/7/2018 8:08pm Edited Date/Time 8/7/2018 8:36pm
I appreciate all the info, guys. I'm leaning towards the Moto 9 Carbon Flex at the moment.

Edit: Just ordered the Moto 9 Carbon Flex.
captmoto
Posts
5153
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4/22/2009
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
8/7/2018 8:22pm
RCMXracing wrote:
Dunno why limited to those. ??‍♂️ TLD SE4 has amazing ventilation, light weight, and latest safety innovations. Check out new Fly and Astars helmets also.
I am not real picky about my gear. I switch between Fly and Moose when the mood strikes me. SG12 boots. I just feel like wearing a TLD or Answer or Fox starts showing a little on the goon meter. I bought a 6dATR2. I like the fit of it better than anything else though I had an HJC that fit well, it was just heavy. I've had 2 Shoeis but they seemed to break down pretty quick and loosen up on me.
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CSAR FE
Posts
641
Joined
5/30/2017
Location
Tucson, AZ US
8/7/2018 8:40pm Edited Date/Time 8/7/2018 8:42pm
captmoto wrote:
I am not real picky about my gear. I switch between Fly and Moose when the mood strikes me. SG12 boots. I just feel like wearing...
I am not real picky about my gear. I switch between Fly and Moose when the mood strikes me. SG12 boots. I just feel like wearing a TLD or Answer or Fox starts showing a little on the goon meter. I bought a 6dATR2. I like the fit of it better than anything else though I had an HJC that fit well, it was just heavy. I've had 2 Shoeis but they seemed to break down pretty quick and loosen up on me.
Funny you should mention that about gear brands. I don't really see many people in my neck of the woods wearing Answer anymore, or TLD for that matter. But every swinging dick around seems to wear Fox, both on and off the track. At the end of the day though, its all personal preference, and its just riding gear. I'm a big fan of Fly gear, especially their Lite Hydrogen stuff. Its probably the most comfortable gear I've ever owned. Now that I think about it, the first set of gear I ever got was Fly, back in 2001. I just ordered my second set of SG12s as well. They are a great boot: built like a brick shithouse, great protection, and very comfortable.
Forty
Posts
2807
Joined
7/27/2009
Location
Saint Paul, MN US
8/7/2018 8:47pm Edited Date/Time 8/7/2018 8:48pm
6D ATR-2
Indy mxer wrote:
This!! drop the mic.
yep...nice lid...light, well built, safe, and the ATR2 is much better looking than their original offering....I have one and no complaints.
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TeamGreen
Posts
29092
Joined
11/25/2008
Location
Thru-out, CA US
8/7/2018 8:50pm
TLD SE4

I’ve tested this helmet the hard way...
At speed...
In the Desert.

They work.
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rstaichi
Posts
197
Joined
1/4/2009
Location
Everett, WA US
8/7/2018 8:52pm
6D i think is the safest and thats what i bought my 2 boys
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JBecker 72
Posts
1738
Joined
3/25/2014
Location
VA US
8/8/2018 3:41am
I think you will like the Bell. Mine feels real nice and vents well.

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