Helmets Please...

[webman94]

Originally Posted by Ludwig von Buzzthoven

Biltwell Gringo in hazard orange. No shield.

How is the Gringo in the summer heat/humidity? I've been eyeing these, but out here in the desert, the heat's no laughing matter.

Love your screen name, by the way...

[Ludwig von Buzzthoven]

Originally Posted by webman94

How is the Gringo in the summer heat/humidity? I've been eyeing these, but out here in the desert, the heat's no laughing matter.

Love your screen name, by the way...

Unfortunately, I don't know! (I only bought the helmet last November, so I haven't used it in hot weather.) I think it'll be ok here in St. Louis in the summer. The opening is pretty darn big and lets a ton of air in. I do have a Bell Rogue 1/2 helmet in case it gets too hot, but I fell much, much safer with the Gringo.

[webman94]

Originally Posted by Ludwig von Buzzthoven

Unfortunately, I don't know! (I only bought the helmet last November, so I haven't used it in hot weather.) I think it'll be ok here in St. Louis in the summer. The opening is pretty darn big and lets a ton of air in. I do have a Bell Rogue 1/2 helmet in case it gets too hot, but I fell much, much safer with the Gringo.

I hear you; I currently wear a Shoei RF800, but don't really dig the style; looking at Bell's Bullitt and the Gringo right now as possible replacements.

If you can, give us all an update on how the Gringo holds up, as well as how it performs this summer. Thanks!

[steelworker]

[

Originally Posted by steelworker

I'm seriously considering getting a Shoei GT-Air. Tried one on, and it's a good fit, well sealed around the base so it should be quiet, good vents that are easy to flip with gloves on, pin lock anti-mist visor insert, and an internal sun visor so there's no need to carry a spare dark visor.

Originally Posted by Folkie

I have a Shoei J-Cruise (I think it's called), and it's all those things (the pinlock and the sun visor are great), but it's really noisy.

Well, I bought a GT-Air. It's light and incredibly comfortable. The top vent is so effective that the weather is too cold yet to run with it open. Should be good as things warm up. The internal tinted visor is really useful. A good seal around the base, including a chin curtain, makes the helmet very quiet... UNTIL I open the chin vent, when I get a deep roar that fills the helmet. I'm probably "hearing" it through my skull. After a couple of rides I tried opening the chin vent and standing up on the pegs so my head is fully in the airstream, and the roar went away, so it seems to be related to turbulence from my flyscreen. Cue alterations to the flyscreen (I don't want to remove it). In the meantime, I'm riding with the chin vent closed, and it's quiet enough to ride without ear plugs (the first time I've done so in over 20 years), though I'd probably still wear them for all-day rides.

[Airbozo]

Originally Posted by hmiller

I picked up a Shoei Neotec recently. I find it fairly quiet but I've seen reviews that found it loud. This is my first modular so have to see how things go. I do like the sun screen option.

One thing to keep in mind (at least with Shoei) is when you get the helmet if you decide the fit is slightly off you can exchange the interior pads for optional sized pads. I traded the 35 mm cheek pads for the smaller 31 mm pads. They'll do it as long as the helmet hasn't been worn except to try it on.

I picked up one of the Shoei Noetec's on Firday and after 2 days I am liking it. Much quieter than the last couple of helmets and really light (happy about this due to neck issues). The cheek pads are probably too thick and I may have to change them out, but was told to ride with them for a week so they can conform to my face.

Last helmet was a Daytona, which is just a rebadged BiLT helmet with a smoke graphic. Fell apart the first week and I had to fix it on the road, plus it was _heavy_. Damn noisy too.

I'll report back in after a few months.

[JP1200R07]

Just picked up a HJC CL-17 in silver. Cant ride till Saturday so just stuck admiring it for now.

[ffrank55]

I have/use one or more of each.

[bplinson]

I am really surprised that less then 8% say no helmet. I wonder if that would be higher if more US states and Europe had no helmet laws. Last time I was in Indiana during the summer I saw hardly anyone with helmets.

[jharback]

Originally Posted by bplinson

I am really surprised that less then 8% say no helmet. I wonder if that would be higher if more US states and Europe had no helmet laws. Last time I was in Indiana during the summer I saw hardly anyone with helmets.

Yeah, the 8% really surprised me also. I was also surprised by how many use a full faced helmet. More use a full faced than any other kind of helmet. I feel claustrophobic in them but, even if I didn't, I don't think I'd use one. It's just not a motorcycle without, feeling the wind in your face.

[steelworker]

Originally Posted by jharback

It's just not a motorcycle without feeling the wind in your face.

Or in what remains of your hair.