Even though i've only used this Inferno once so far, I liked my ol Shark RS2 heaps , anyhow I went to Peter Stevens In Adelaide today & bought this Shark S700S as I luv the look,& Brand lol + when I can find the Adaptable Sun Shield for it !

* Last updated by: bean07 on 12/29/2011 @ 2:49 AM *

I've changed since this thread first started. I see I was even complaining about $60 faceshields.

Oooppsss.....

I rode wearing a Schuberth C3 all last season, and I'm hooked. They fit like a glove, are comfortable after 8 hours of riding (I tested that 6 or 7 times last season), and are very quiet inside.

But the faceshields cost like over $100 a pop. Granted, they have an inner, anti-fog lense which really works well, but still, $125 for a new faceshield......

So I am very careful with my helmet when I sit it down, or put it in the top case.

The C3 is the best helmet I've ever owned, and in 40+ years of riding, I've worn them all.

This is my lid its an Icon alliance harbinger.

Nice COOTER

SHWEET!Vemar Eclipse here-Metha model.Vemar Full Carbon Fiber,unpainted.Arai Profile "Force" model.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 12/30/2011 @ 5:17 PM *

yeah, bean and COOts, both cool lids. I go for more of a solid helmet or a simple design but I'm warming up to these illustrative solutions I am seeing. Jeff01, that is the lid to have right now my man. If they would make it as light as a Vemar I'd be seriously interested.

coming from my Scorpion Exo-1000 it is unbelievably light!

I think all full face helmets are cool especially when it’s on your head when you ride it’s the only gear I won’t ride without!

Yeah ! +1

While down in Hobart,I couldn't find the Sun Shield to suite my new SharkSV700, any how I saw and bought this Shark SV900 with better lever action/with a Sun shield already fitted, it's great, & easy to use Gloved while riding,also my Prescript Glasses fit behind it when down too,so after road testing it myself on several rides it's Fantastic for instant Light changing like in thick darker undercover going changing into bright light.

* Last updated by: bean07 on 4/7/2012 @ 9:12 PM *

I replaced my old Shoei with a new Shoei RF1100.
Works well. Nice fit. Like a glove. Reasonably light, at least to me. Decent venting system though I haven't had it for a summer yet. Shield has a "cracked open" setting so you can breath in cold weather without too much fogging/letting in cold wind.
It was around $400 plus on the web but as I was buying a screen at my dealer I saw they carried the 1100 so I asked to try it on. I liked it and asked if their $420 price was their best price. Took two minutes and the parts guy said "how's $335"? I said "sold"!
NEVER hurts to ask my friends. It's like I got my smoked Zero Gravity for free AND paid for my lunch.

* Last updated by: KAK on 4/7/2012 @ 9:56 PM *

Shoei X12

I replaced my crash-rashed Arai Rx-7 Corsair with a Shoei Qwest. Reviews say it's the quietest helmet on the market and it's definitely the quietest one I've ever worn. I also have an older Shoei RF-1000 that didn't fit as well as the Arai, but this Qwest seems to have a better interior than the RF. The interiors, venting, ease of shield maintenance and replacement are the main differences between cheaper helmets and the more expensive ones. Protection levels are likely about the same. I don't mind spending more $ to get a good fit, venting and all-day comfort. One thing I would do if I were to invest in a lesser brand helmet would be to buy several shields up front, so you don't get caught with a good helmet that has no new shields available.

I have an old Shoei X-8 that I should put in the trash. My Shoei X-11 has a tired liner and was manufactured 12/02 and I just replaced it with an RF-1100. The Shoei also uses a number of different shell sizes, the helmet isn"t sized by the amount of liner material in it but is tailored to the actual head size. The weight of a large will be different than a small. That isn't always the case with all helmets.

* Last updated by: 21744 on 4/8/2012 @ 3:42 PM *

I just bought the HJC RPS-10 in Patriot colors, nice helmet and light but I like my old ZOX helmets just as well for way less money.

Both in size XL, the RPS-10 is about 5 ounces lighter and carries a Snell M2010 while the ZOX is Snell M2005. Both are Kevlar composite shells.

The RPS-10 fogs badly in humid conditions and is quieter. Comfort and fit are about the same, the ZOX flows more air on a hot day while the RPS-10 has better airvent controls.

Finish on both is nice but I prefer the ZOX matte paint scheme.

Interior on the RPS-10 looks like it will stay fresh longer.

Once you figure out how to change the faceshield, the RPS-10 is easier.

The ZOX has a bigger eyeport and visibility.

You can buy the ZOX for $159 from Helmet Head, the RPS-10 goes for between $379 and $399 online.

* Last updated by: Kruz on 4/9/2012 @ 1:59 PM *

Amen brother . I have a HJC IS -16 . the noise is unbelievable when its windy . Will a Arial or a Shoei make that much difference to the tune of $$$$ ?

I didn't notice that much difference for twice the money but your mileage may vary.

I have an RX Q and Signet Q

These are important "What's the difference if the protection is equivalent? Weight? Features? Quality? Paint? Graphics? Name?" :))

@ohiomailman: I upgraded from a HJC to Shoei RF 1100 to an Arai Corsair V. The Corsair V is lighter, offer more visibility and definitely less noise. It comes down to your value of $400-$600 dollars which is the price difference between those two helmets and the Arai! I may get different brands but I will always be buying their best (most expensive) helmets. I definitely ride better with the Arai. Just so you know the RF-1100 fogs really fast when it's cool

Weight is always a BIG consideration in sport riding. In this case the lightest helmet, the Nexx XR1R Carbon is about one third the weight of your average helmet which is just under 4 pounds. The XR1R is $600 at Revzilla.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-weights.htm

Other things to consider in order of priority is how well it ventilates, how it fits your head shape, how aerodynamic it is.

fact of the matter is that no helmet protects your head against a serious blow. It's the old story of the immovable object and the irresistible force. If you are going 35 mph and your body is flung upon your head against an stationary object, you stand a very good chance of instant death even with a helmet on. brains don't have a lot of wiggle room inside the old bean. they bump around, a whole lot and it is curtain time. Of course, I imagine many fatal, non impact related head injuries are rendered harmless by a helmet. I would be curious to know what part evolution and reflexes play in head injury avoidance. Standing upright and protecting your head go hand in hand. Might just be half of the reason some people walk away from a crash.

Well I did smack a traffic island curb head on last May when I offed my old ZX-10R and walked away without so much as a headache. I can't say what my speed was when I hit that curb but the bike was pretty much a write off so the impact must have been good. If I hadn't been wearing a helmet I probably wouldn't be here.

I think from a safety standpoint, if it's DOT/Snell approved I would argue that the protection is going to be the same. Like others have brought up you pay a premium for light weight, ventilation, quality of vent controls, faceshield optics, design of the ratchet mechanism, sound levels, interior comfort and of course graphics and paint quality. One last thing that adds a huge premium is a famous rider endorsement or sponsorship/advertising costs. The HJC RPS-10 is several hundred dollars over the Patriot graphics if you get the Ben Spies paint job as an example.

It would be hard to break it down but I would say meeting the Snell/DOT approval accounts for maybe 30% of a premium helmets cost with graphics, advertising costs and rider endorsements making up the bulk..just a guess.

One last thing, weight. The average human head weighs as much as a bowling ball, right at 16 pounds. The difference between my ZOX and RPS-10 helmets is .32 lbs on a digital scale or 5.12 ounces. Compared to what your neck muscles already support, I would say that 1% difference is not going to be that noticeable (1% of combined head and helmet weight). What I do notice however is aerodynamic forces. I had an old halfshell that weighed next to nothing that I used when riding my cruiser. At anythng over 50 mph it almost broke my neck from all the buffeting. The RPS-10 is highly touted as being developed on the MotoGP course and in HJCs 130 mph windtunnel. It's nice at high speed but my ZOX is just as good with respect to buffeting and neck fatigue.

I hear Rook just bought a new helmet in Matte Blue/Black/White, can't wait to see how he likes it!

* Last updated by: Kruz on 4/11/2012 @ 12:33 PM *

Yup. mighta misssed the UPS dude today but should be here soon.

...and I'm not saying don't wear a helmet, just that in most cases if you had 1 second before impact, you prolly did something to protect your head that you would do with or without a helmet. You know, primarily lift it away from the ground, turn your face, hold a arm out--that sort of thing. That will go a long way toward avoiding a deadly blow to the head.