Helmets and Stuff : Kawasaki ZX Forums: Kawasaki Ninja Forum

AZzx-6 · 10-18-2009, 04:03 PM

Hey Guys,
I'm new to the forum and bikes really. But, because of some of your posts to other newbies I'm looking to buy a 09' or 10' ZX-6 (really like the red 10'). Any
suggestions on what to look for when selecting a helmet? What are the better brands? Also, where to buy gear online. Thanks for the input. AZ

mad · 10-18-2009, 04:06 PM

Since you asked for opinions...
1. The best helmet is one that FITS PROPERLY and IS WORN 100% of the time while riding.
2. GENERALLY speaking the higher the price the better the helmet. That being said, there are true values to be found below the $300 mark for sure.
3. Lots of folks like http://www.newenough.com/ but there are many good vendors...like our sponsors at the bottom of the main forum page.

Good luck getting the bike! If you're new to bikes then get a used one first. 99% of us drop them at some point during the first year. I said drop...not wreck. ...and get training! Your mom/significant other will love you for it.

golden city ninja · 10-18-2009, 04:06 PM

helmets: KBC, SCORPIAN, HJC are 3 of the better brands in my opinion. all have dot and snell rating. make sure and get a good riding jacket, pants and gloves too.

welcome to the forum

185EZ · 10-18-2009, 04:26 PM

Hey AZ, welcome from another "AZ".

I agree with mad. Try on the helmets before you try buying anything, especially online. They all fit different. I like Sparx helmets. Look and fit great.
You don't have to spend alot of money to get something quality. I take the snell rating with a grain of salt. They just had an article that some "less" quality helmets performed better than the snell rated. They do some in depth tests on helmets but i wouldn't look the other way just because it didn't have their label on it.
Do a search on helmets and you'll find all sorts of info. I'll try and find the new ratings thread for Snell.
Just ask Two Bears how his Sparx helmet held up when he got run over by a truck. Go to the end of page 6 and 7. He talks about the helmet.
http://www.zxforums.com/forums/gener...uck-today.html

Ride safe.

185EZ · 10-18-2009, 04:33 PM

http://www.zxforums.com/forums/gener...ard-m2010.html

dhowton · 10-18-2009, 06:26 PM

Like others have said the best helmet is the one that fits you properly. If it fits right you
won't even notice it is there when you are riding.

I order most of my gear and toys from kneedraggers.com and motomummy.com.

Good luck with the purchase, post pics when you get it. And one other suggestion would be to invest in some good frame sliders. They are worth every cent in my opinion.

Welcome to the Forum

mad · 10-18-2009, 07:03 PM

This damn thread has me thinking how much I want one of Rossi's "Five Continent" aka current, helmets. That AGV looks sweet! ...and pays homage to "The Doctor".

**Shifty1** · 10-18-2009, 07:31 PM

to all of the above. Make sure everything fits properly, then worry about looks and graphics.

suprachica79 · 10-18-2009, 07:45 PM

Everyone here has made good points. When it came to helmets for me, I vowed to get the best and to alot of people in the motorcycle world, Arai is the best helmet there is. Unfortunately, that also means it is the most expensive lol. You can find some good deals, I just found an arai at my local cyclegear marked all the way down to $226 from well over 500 bucks. Shoei is another great helmet. Good helmets can be pricey but you get what you pay for. My helmet fits me like a glove and is super light. Good luck with everything and buy used! I'm so happy I did, I dropped my bike a couple times and I was so happy that i didn't mess up a pristine new bike.

dhowton · 10-18-2009, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suprachica79

and buy used! I'm so happy I did, I dropped my bike a couple times and I was so happy that i didn't mess up a pristine new bike.

You had me worried for a second.

I thought you were talking about buying a used helmet. I am a firm believer in not buying a used helmet just because you don't know if it has been dropped before

suprachica79 · 10-19-2009, 07:24 AM

O god no, I would never use a used helmet lol. I love when people try and sell their bikes for more by saying, I'll throw in a helmet and jacket! it's like, I don't want your nasty helmet, I'll get my own, thx lol

BULLDOG · 10-19-2009, 07:31 AM

First thing is finding a helmet that is within your comfortable price range?? then try them on make sure they fit real good and comfortable.

Money no object? go with the big names, Money tight? Gmax HJC are good and the main thing fairly affordable.

USED? nope preferably NEVER!!! however if it was wear a used one and be mobile, or not have a helmet and sit at home, I would go used and enjoy the ride.

iconmotosports · 10-20-2009, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suprachica79

Everyone here has made good points. When it came to helmets for me, I vowed to get the best and to alot of people in the motorcycle world, Arai is the best helmet there is. Unfortunately, that also means it is the most expensive lol. You can find some good deals, I just found an arai at my local cyclegear marked all the way down to $226 from well over 500 bucks. Shoei is another great helmet. Good helmets can be pricey but you get what you pay for. My helmet fits me like a glove and is super light. Good luck with everything and buy used! I'm so happy I did, I dropped my bike a couple times and I was so happy that i didn't mess up a pristine new bike.

Just out of curiosity - why exactly do you think Arai is the best helmet in the world? Is it the history? The name? Not trying to stir the pot here, just really curious.

Also, all of you that are so sure that Snell is the way to go should research the ECE 22.05 helmet standard.

kewlflguy · 10-22-2009, 01:14 PM

If you look at any motorcycle racing events most of the Riders are wearing either Arai, Suomy or AVG. There are other reasons why they are the best, its not just because they are expensive. Aerodynamics, Weight, Ventilation & Noise. My first helmet was a beautiful Shoei that matched my bike and leather jacket perfectly. I ended up selling it for half my cost and getting an Arai. Since we have no mountains or really curvy roads in Florida, there isnt much else to do but go fast. With the Shoei, anything over 140 MPH felt like my head was gonna fly off. With the Arai, i've hit 175 + with no issues.

Thats just my 2 cents.

iconmotosports · 10-23-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kewlflguy

If you look at any motorcycle racing events most of the Riders are wearing either Arai, Suomy or AVG. There are other reasons why they are the best, its not just because they are expensive. Aerodynamics, Weight, Ventilation & Noise. My first helmet was a beautiful Shoei that matched my bike and leather jacket perfectly. I ended up selling it for half my cost and getting an Arai. Since we have no mountains or really curvy roads in Florida, there isnt much else to do but go fast. With the Shoei, anything over 140 MPH felt like my head was gonna fly off. With the Arai, i've hit 175 + with no issues.

Thats just my 2 cents.

Right on man, good to hear your opinion. I wish I could give you this all carbon fiber version of our Airframe helmet, I bet you'd dig it. It's the helmet we all wear at our local track - which is very much like your roads in Florida. Giant straight, couple of turns, giant straight, repeat!

Rainf0x · 10-26-2009, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iconmotosports

Also, all of you that are so sure that Snell is the way to go should research the ECE 22.05 helmet standard.

I read that article,
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...iew/index.html

Something about Snell being too hard for most crashes (didn't understand the whole thing) also states about fiberglass and plastic (good read).

All thats around here for me to try on is Icon, HJC, Arai and Vega. HJC fits me the best so far

vader10 · 10-27-2009, 10:35 AM

Have to agree with most of what is being said. If you are looking for a good deal check out www.motorcyclecloseouts.com There are some killer deals there. Ordered a JR helmet for $100.00!