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is a £500 ARAI really going to protect my head?


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That much more so than the £60 RST or something down at the local dealership.

I have some people in one ear saying YES, you must get a good helmet NOW!

Then others saying, well, unless your actually hardcore riding, the difference is minimal.

Im confused....help please!

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Fit and comfort are the most important things. I have made a huge cock up with my helmet, as a first timer I too thought it was all about make and bought an AGV as had heard they were the best cheap helmets you can get. But after a couple of weeks i have found it so uncomofortable. Barely any padding but for the cheeks, it moves to the side whilst doing lifesavers and leaves massive marks on my forehead. Have been trying on shoeis and arais and they feel a lot more comfortable and fit better. Just depends on your head though. I know people with AGV and say they wouldnt get anything else as they find it more comfortable than the more pricey helmets. Just try a few on, try moving it arounf on your head, ensure it doesn't shift too much and keep it on for a minute or so whilst in the shop. You may feel stupid but I wish I had done that when I bought mine.

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As others say its all about comfort but i believe if you get one thats gold standard marked they do offer more protection.

After 2 hours trying different types i ended up buying a shoei raid II and i gotts say it's worth every penny (even though it was half price in the sale !)

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I currently own two helmets. One is an AGV flip front, which is heavy and uncomfortable on long journeys. It's also noisy as f**k.

The other helmet, I bought the other day was a £50 Takashi from Bikers Yard ir Christchurch. Nice fit, comfortable, not noisy, and not heavy either.

Not sure which is actually 'better' but I much prefer to wear the Takashi, for comfort reasons.

It also matches my jacket for colours which is nice!

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buying a helmet is a thing that takes time, if your in a hurry or short on time, then pick another day,,,


A helmet should be a good firm fit to your head & only move when your head moves,,, the other consideration

is weight, wind pressure on a heavy helmet can give you a stiff neck after you start to knock up a bit of milage,,


So when you try on a helmet that feels good, keep it on, walk round the shop, look at all his other gear, but keep the helmet on,, any tight or uncomfortable areas will soon let you know they're there after about 20min's, the longer you can keep it on so much the better,,


it's your money, so make sure what you buy is right for you,,,,,,,


expensive is not always best, in bike mag tests some of the cheaper helmets have performed better than those costing £200

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i just bought an AGV S4 off the bay and its well comfy,but the visor stays open too far on the bottom click,(an agv iridium silver visor, ive never had the clear one on so it could be the visor)and it is quite noisy but the screen i have fitted blast it right at my head so with a fairing i think they would be a lot quieter,great ventilation though,i had a caberg v2 before that and that was ok ,but i only went for that one due to the extra dark visor,but i just couldn,t breathe in it unless i was riding

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr268/blunderbuggy2/lid004.jpg

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Didnt have Arai money so met in the middle and bought a AGV K4.

Its comfy....except for the bloody chin strap and sits nicely.

http://www.agv-sklep.pl/galerie/a/agv-k-4_199.jpg

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If you buy last years designs of Aria you can get em for about £150 cheaper...


And it is about fit... Arai for me just fit perfect, and i cant go back to the AGV i used to have... try on loads! :)

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Didnt have Arai money so met in the middle and bought a AGV K4.

Its comfy....except for the bloody chin strap and sits nicely.

http://www.agv-sklep.pl/galerie/a/agv-k-4_199.jpg

 

ooo I tried one of them on other day fit like a glove and only £90 :shock:


Trouble is i would have to buy a new dark visor as well so will stick with my own for the moment!

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Nice lid

Like others fit is important

The gold marking is the minimum standard a lid has to acheive to get it, but not sure on added protection. It may only be marginal.


I have an FM which I had good deal on

It is heavy but comfortable. :|

I did get neck ache but I think that may have been due to the long break and not being used to the effects of high speeds on your head.

It has venting which if you do not shut properly produces the most annoying resonance over 30mph. Took me over a week to figure that one out :(

Having read through this thread I think Ill post a thread with some pics as Im am unsure if I should replace :?

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Already mentioned that I love my Arai... but I have also recently bought a HJC CL-ST for a bargain... fits well with no tight spots, although not as plush/comfy as the Arai, and good vents/double d chin strap.


It feels bulkier than the Arai and I really dont like the visor mechanism, but its a solid second helmet if anything happended to my first (ride every day so I can't afford to not have backup kit).

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Didnt have Arai money so met in the middle and bought a AGV K4.

Its comfy....except for the bloody chin strap and sits nicely.

http://www.agv-sklep.pl/galerie/a/agv-k-4_199.jpg

 

ooo I tried one of them on other day fit like a glove and only £90 :shock:


Trouble is i would have to buy a new dark visor as well so will stick with my own for the moment!

 


£90!! i paid £150....bloody Gericke!


If your thinking about getting one, have a play around with the chin strap in the shop.

It is thick and sits right on your adams apple. I managed to adjust it to be a bit more comfortable but its a pain in the backside

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My first helmet was an agv longway flipfront - it was good for a first lid but I soon got annoyed with the wind noise, weight, tendancies to fog, drafty visor - and also it seemed so large!


Just got an Arai viper and it is great - not done any long trips yet as bike is poorly but already it seems quieter and a lot comfier!

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i have a £300+ arai, you cant put a price on safety, but your head protects your head, just be in the right frame of mind when riding and think about the hazards around you, and when all that fails, then your lid will come into its own.. hopefully..

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