I have been advised to pick the safest helmet that fits me best.
Haven't tried any on yet.
The Japanese rivals Arai and Shoei seem to be kings of the hill.
They use different shell sizes instead of using one and padding up or down to fit a different size. They are also hand make and produce a layered fiberglass composite shell instead of a molded plastic one.
Then more or less at the same level of reputation, there are the Germans with Shuberth (weird looking and sloping down chin) and the italians with AGV (which was acquired by Dainese, another Italian company and motorcycle gear manufactuer).
Then comes Bell?
I am having trouble finding weight figures and specs online. The weight depends on the shell size for some of these brands.
My priority list looks something like this:
1 - max. safety performance in a crash and smart design that won't break my collar bones
2 - fit (1 and 2 go in hand in hand to an extent) and comfort for 1-5 hours rides
3 - weight and shell size
4 - looks and design
5 - coms integration (which system do you recommend by the way)
... 6 and 7: whatever I don't know
distant 8 - road noise
Finally, it seems these helmets are cheaper in the Europe than the USA?
And also, retailers also frequently sell below MSRP. Where should I go for the best pricing?
I am expecting a civil conversation and forgive me for asking, could you guys please comment?
Haven't tried any on yet.
The Japanese rivals Arai and Shoei seem to be kings of the hill.
They use different shell sizes instead of using one and padding up or down to fit a different size. They are also hand make and produce a layered fiberglass composite shell instead of a molded plastic one.
Then more or less at the same level of reputation, there are the Germans with Shuberth (weird looking and sloping down chin) and the italians with AGV (which was acquired by Dainese, another Italian company and motorcycle gear manufactuer).
Then comes Bell?
I am having trouble finding weight figures and specs online. The weight depends on the shell size for some of these brands.
My priority list looks something like this:
1 - max. safety performance in a crash and smart design that won't break my collar bones
2 - fit (1 and 2 go in hand in hand to an extent) and comfort for 1-5 hours rides
3 - weight and shell size
4 - looks and design
5 - coms integration (which system do you recommend by the way)
... 6 and 7: whatever I don't know
distant 8 - road noise
Finally, it seems these helmets are cheaper in the Europe than the USA?
And also, retailers also frequently sell below MSRP. Where should I go for the best pricing?
I am expecting a civil conversation and forgive me for asking, could you guys please comment?