Im looking for a new helmet.. bought a shitty one the first time want to make sure that doesn't happen again....

so what are your guys favorite helmets... im not really worried about the price... so give me a break down if you can.. thanks

It all depends on if you have a round head or an oval one.

If your head is pretty round, and I mean front to back not up and down, then you'll like Shoei's.
If your head is oval you'll probably like Aria's.
As far as Shoei's go, and I have a round head so these are for me, the RF series is nice. I had an RF-900 which was nice but I ate at the track last year and had replace it. Now Shoei doesn't make it anymore in was upgraded to the RF-1000. The 1000 is lighter and has a more aero shape and better venting, all good at speed, but the new shape makes it howl like a champ, not good everyday when I commute to work. Then the more $$$ you spend, aside from graphics and colors, gets you a more race oriented and lighter helmet. Again good at speed becuase of less fatigue, but sucks under day to dya uses.
If you can hold out until the winter, check out the Cycle World Motorcycle Expo. They have helmet vendors from both Shoei and Arai and others with a bunch of helmets of different sizes and shapes to try. I found that Arai makes a helmet, I think it's the quantum, that is similar to a Shoei plus it has removable cheek pads of different sizes to make it more conforming to your face.
Start at a decent street bike dealership, they should have several lids in stock and just try them on. Compare comfort and weight and if you like the controls for the facesheild and the vents. Don't forget you'll be using those things with gloves on.

out of all the people i have asked that is the best answer i have got... thanks so much.. i tired the going around to local dealerships but they only have KBC and M2R or something... i live by st. louis so i guess i will have to drive over there and check stuff out.... my choices are between the Aria, Suomy, and Shoei helmets... i like the aria but i just can't find a design i like... Suomy i like alot of the designs but i have heard bad things about them... you fierohink are the first one to tell me shoei is not the best helmet..ii was bout to purchase the Rf-1000 the dragon design..but with your coment about noise i am second guessing.... am looking for a quiet helmet... that has a visor lock... it doesn't have to b that lite... i am just looking for a good helmet that i can use everyday to work with out the visor poping open at 80 on the highway or so much noise from the helmet i can't hear myself think.. i have never had a problem with the visor fogging up... i got a KBC a cheap helmet cost me like 100 bucks new... i just can't stand the peice of sh*t anymore..

Back to the shoei's. I've never had the visor come up, and I track ride 150-160mph easy on the mile long straight at Summit Point Raceway. If you want something quite try to get your hands on the RF-900. I think www.kneedraggers.com has a blue RF-900 on their clearence page, also check ebay and other online stores that might have a surplus. Like I said I'd rather go back to the 900 as opposed to the 1000.

http://i18.ebayimg.com/01/i/02/81/e8/3e_1_b.JPG this is the only one so far i have even some what liked... this the kind you talking about.... why do u like the older version over the new 1000????

He said because the RF-1000 is too howly when you ride.

One of these day's I'll get a Shoei X-11. I have the Bell LX-S currently before taking my MSF class. I got a super deal on it, kinda heavy but it's good for now "till I build my character" hehehe Boy you'll have to shell out muko bucks on those nice light ones. Hopefully I can find someone to hook me up on a new Shoei X-11 when the time comes.

I go with Arai.....I also have a new Icon helmet....cheap but it matches my bike so I rock it from time to time when I don't plan on getting too crazy. Icon says their helmets are DOT and Snell rated so I guess it has decent protection.

Here raises the question of whether DOT and SNELL are worthy assessments of a helmet?

These 2 guidelines are essentially out there to protect governments from getting sued (DOT here in the states and SNELL for europa) Both tests basically boil down to this. The helmets ability to stay together and not allow you cantelope to explode on contact with the ground.

Now if you spend the duckits and get a really good helmet (i.e. Shoei, Aria, Suomy...) then you start to see what your dollars bring you. You want you helmet to have a nice tight feel on your whole head. You also want to feel good even pressure all around. This is important because on impact, this continuous contact allows a broader transfer of energy around you head. Not just to one area. This is KEY to reducing the effects of a concusion.

So just being DOT approved might not be all the shopping you should do.

Shoei RF-1000 i think is the way to go, you can now remove the cheek pads i belive, and the helmet just looks hot and is designed to be on all the time, very comfortable .... best prices i seen are here http://www.helmethouse.com/ I like getting the straigh color ones and then getting someone to custom paint it to what i want for like 100 bucks....but also good designs on the others... the duhammel is my vote if i wanted it designed from shoei

Here is my list of helmets I have personally owned or tested out riding my 6:

1. Suomy Spec 1R (fits like a Shoei...sizes run a little small)
2. Shoei X-11 (fit's good, but not as good as a Suomy...LOUD at speed)
3. AGV XR2 (fits exactly like a Shoei...sizing is the same)
4. Shoei RF1000 (fit is good, still loud at speed)
5. Shoei RF900 (fit is good, quiet helmet, heavy)
6. HJC something (crap helmet...kept it for a month and got rid of it)

Arai doesn't fit my head shape so I don't even try them on any more.

I am currently riding with a Suomy Spec 1R but have a couple Shoei's in the closet. I have just posted a full review of my newly bought Suomy in this section.

Right now I have a KBC TK-9...I hate it! i guess it might be the fact that it is too big but i have worn a friends that fits good and I still get alot of wind noise and it shimmies alot. I am going to get a Shoei or a Suomy in a few weeks... the Arais are also good but I just like the lightness of the Suomy and the comfort of the Shoei. Also I REALY like the looks of the Shoei Oliver rep.

Here raises the question of whether DOT and SNELL are worthy assessments of a helmet?

These 2 guidelines are essentially out there to protect governments from getting sued (DOT here in the states and SNELL for europa) Both tests basically boil down to this. The helmets ability to stay together and not allow you cantelope to explode on contact with the ground.

Now if you spend the duckits and get a really good helmet (i.e. Shoei, Aria, Suomy...) then you start to see what your dollars bring you. You want you helmet to have a nice tight feel on your whole head. You also want to feel good even pressure all around. This is important because on impact, this continuous contact allows a broader transfer of energy around you head. Not just to one area. This is KEY to reducing the effects of a concusion.

So just being DOT approved might not be all the shopping you should do.

Wrong. These are standards presented to enforce safety standards. You are the government, so who would the government be protecting itself from? SNELL is the better of the two and you'll notice it in the price tag. SNELL is an non-organization designed to generate standards to protect your head and your brain, in turn saving lives.

If you want to reduce the effects of a concussion, you'd best wear a mouth guard, as it's the jaw forced up into your head which causes concussions.

shoei TZ-R. looks cool and fits me noggin. id say just find one that over 200 bucks and fits your head good. tight cheeks, no gaps, no pressure points. check out the Vemar carbon fibre, it looks sweet.

Everyone seems to like the Arai or the Shoei's, but I personally like the Scorpion Exo helmets. You can find the specs at www.scorpionusa.com

Im new so hello, but back on topic, I just picked up a Agv Ti Tech Rossi Replica it was pretty pricey but I definately noticed a difference in its cooling and comfort.

I like the KBC VR-2, how is the wind noise compared to other helmets like suomy or or shoei.

I just got a scorpion exo 700 and its pretty sweet, not to mention cheap. Its not that loud either for what i was expecting for a 180 dollar helmet.

I had an HJC, but recently upgraded to the AGV Ti-tech. Its a better helmet the whole way around.