I love my new helmet

[Jess from VA]

To break up the monotony of the constant political posts, I thought it would be nice to change things up and make a motorcycle post.

I went to the 'Cycle Gear' store (somewhat) near me to look at helmets.

I found one I really like called the LS2 Rebellion half (full DOT) helmet.  Good thing I went in person, because while I have always worn L or XL hats and helmets for 50 years, the M in this helmet fit me perfectly.  Better than any I've ever had, and better than my Bell Pit Boss which is a good helmet with decent fit (in Large).

They didn't have the M in matte black in stock (only gloss, which I don't like because they show every ding and rub over time).  So I paid and had it shipped to my home (saving me another trip through traffic).  It comes standard with a very dark half visor; too dark to wear with riding shades, so I also ordered a mirror tint visor, which is a much milder tint that blocks bright sun, but doesn't blind you in darkness like the dark one will.  It has a quick release chin strap (different than the aftermarket ones I always had to buy separately) so you don't have to thread a D-ring every time you put it on.  The little bill is a bit longer than all my other halves, so better to block sun too.  It also has a little vent in the top that can be opened and closed.  And it does not have the usual zip-on neck curtain for cold and rain, but two little ear covers that snap to the chin strapping harness (and a heck of a lot easier to stick on than fighting with the zip-on ones).    

Delivery was done in only a couple days.  I opened it up, swapped the dark visor for the mirror tint visor, and took it for a short 2hr ride today, and it's the best fitting, lightweight, most functional half I've ever worn.  My only complaint is I cannot tell any difference at all if the top vent is open or closed; I may be getting a bit of air to my old bald head, but I sure couldn't feel anything.  No big deal.

My second complaint (not about the helmet) was the sons of bitches have sent me like 15 emails.  At first, it was just the usual 'got your order', 'order is shipped', 'track the shipping', but then it became a never-ending sales pitch for this, that and the other, so I hit "unsubscribe" on several of them, and hopefully that will stop.

So anyone who wears and likes a good half helmet, I highly recommend this one.  

(I couldn't find a pic with the mirror tint visor, which I also recommend) (sorry for the huge pic)


PS:  I use the little visors in the Bell and LS2 half helmets, not to block sun (my shades do that fine), but to block wind.  Even with the big fairing and shield on my Interstates, once I am 45mph and up, the wind drys my old eyes out  (just like the wind roar bothers my ears, so I wear plugs).  I really prefer no visor and keep it up cruising around at slower speeds, but once it picks up, down goes the visor.  Of course it's also a plus in rain and dust.

[calcruiser]

why not a modular helmet instead?  is this helmet just for short trips on sunny days?  i switched over to a modular this year with the retractable shades that fit over glasses.  i like it open face up to 35 mph then i close it when i get moving.  getting pounded with rocks, wind, and bugs in your face on the highway ain't all that great.  pretty sure i'm wearing a modular for the rest of my riding days. 

[F6Dave]

I just got a new helmet too. For years I've been using 2 helmets: a Shark Evoline and HJC CL77 (I think). The Shark is a modular with a chin bar that fully rotates to the rear so you can use it as an open face helmet at speed. I use is mostly on long trips. It's pretty good except for some parts that rattle, and it's fairly heavy. That's not good for my neck which has some age related disc issues.

The HJC is an open face helmet that wasn't too expensive. I use it as my daily driver. It doesn't fit that well with a round shape that puts pressure on my forehead, and the ratcheting face shield doesn't hold its position too well. So it was time for an upgrade.

I tried an LS2 on the recommendation of a motorcycle cop and liked it, but they didn't have my size and color in stock. It's another modular with the fully rotating chin bar. Then I tried an HJC F100 Carbon (fiber) and bought it. It fit perfectly and I couldn't believe how much lighter it was. My neck loves it. It's also got the fully rotating chin bar so I can use it as an open face helmet on hot days. It's so much quieter than my other helmets that I had to turn the radio down a few notches. It's the best helmet I've ever owned by far.

I learned something about pricing. I noticed that lots of motorcycle accessories have identical prices on every website. That's because of MAP pricing (Minimum Advertised Price) which many manufacturers enforce. That prevents a merchant from listing a lower price online. But it doesn't prevent them from offering a bigger discount in-store. Luckily I live only 30 minutes from Performance Cycle, the largest parts and accessory store in the nation. So I bought it in-store for $25 less than their online price.

[carolinarider09]

I just got a new helmet too. For years I've been using 2 helmets: a Shark Evoline and HJC CL77 (I think). The Shark is a modular with a chin bar that fully rotates to the rear so you can use it as an open face helmet at speed. I use is mostly on long trips. It's pretty good except for some parts that rattle, and it's fairly heavy. That's not good for my neck which has some age related disc issues.

The HJC is an open face helmet that wasn't too expensive. I use it as my daily driver. It doesn't fit that well with a round shape that puts pressure on my forehead, and the ratcheting face shield doesn't hold its position too well. So it was time for an upgrade.

I tried an LS2 on the recommendation of a motorcycle cop and liked it, but they didn't have my size and color in stock. It's another modular with the fully rotating chin bar. Then I tried an HJC F100 Carbon (fiber) and bought it. It fit perfectly and I couldn't believe how much lighter it was. My neck loves it. It's also got the fully rotating chin bar so I can use it as an open face helmet on hot days. It's so much quieter than my other helmets that I had to turn the radio down a few notches. It's the best helmet I've ever owned by far.

I learned something about pricing. I noticed that lots of motorcycle accessories have identical prices on every website. That's because of MAP pricing (Minimum Advertised Price) which many manufacturers enforce. That prevents a merchant from listing a lower price online. But it doesn't prevent them from offering a bigger discount in-store. Luckily I live only 30 minutes from Performance Cycle, the largest parts and accessory store in the nation. So I bought it in-store for $25 less than their online price.

Thanks for the update.

I have used a Shark Evoline since 2010 or so (Don't remember the year but......).   I loved the way the chin bar went all the way to the back.  I purchased a new one maybe five years ago.  Got the wife one as well. 

The helmet is heavy, when compared to others but......  it is something I really liked.  The chin bar folding all the way back was the big deal for me. 

Pictures of me (and my wife"s) Shark Evolines on our Goldwing on the Tail of the Dragon 2015.

[F6Dave]

Thanks for the update.

I have used a Shark Evoline since 2010 or so (Don't remember the year but......).   I loved the way the chin bar went all the way to the back.  I purchased a new one maybe five years ago.  Got the wife one as well. 

The helmet is heavy, when compared to others but......  it is something I really liked.  The chin bar folding all the way back was the big deal for me. 

After buying my Shark, that 'flip back' chin bar has become a must. The Shark was alone for a while but now LS2, HJC, Nolan, and others make them. One of the police departments around here was using the Shark. When I visited the Quail MotoFest in May, the CHP had a booth manned by two motorcycle cops along with one of the department's BMWs. They were great guys and one had recently ridden to Alaska on his personal BMW GS. They showed me the LS2 helmet which the CHP had recently adopted. It impressed me so much that I began searching for another helmet with the 'flip back' chin bar.

[h13man]

In my helmet venture since 07' reentry, I found with my round shaped head, the then HJC CL17 FF was more elongated in fit and "hot head" was always an issue. I purchased a GMax FF in 2010' thus perfect fit and they have the Cool Max liner that allows really good ventilation especially on my favorite 3/4 Dirk.

[BudMan]

Love the Evoline too. Don't know what I'll do when I need another one.  I understand they are no longer sold in the U.S.

[carolinarider09]

Not sure if this was mentioned above, but when I was making the decision on what helmet to buy next and the Shark Evoline was on the list, I found some documentation that stated it was the only "modular" helmet that was "approved" or "safe" for use with chin bar back. 

It was stated that it passed the required "safety" test in both modes. 

From 2008:

https://www.webbikeworld.com/shark-evoline-helmet-review/

[F6Dave]

My new HJC F100 Carbon meets the ECE 22.06 Dual Homologation P/J standards, which went into effect last year. This standard tests modular helmets with the chin bar closed as well as fully rotated to the rear. But there's a lot more.

ECE 22.06 also has visor standards. The field of view must be wide enough to not block any of the rider's peripheral vison, and the visors must pass scratch resistance tests. There are also ventilation and noise standards. Helmets must pass in every size variation, and with every approved accessory (like BT communicators). The bottom line is that helmets meeting this standard are vastly improved over those sold just a few years ago.

I loved my old Shark Evoline, and was really unhappy to learn they were no longer available. But this new F100 is so much better in every way that while riding the other day I thought it felt a little like I had a new motorcycle.

[h13man]

I look at the Snell, DOT and the euro rating lab's as how many times your head can hit the pavement w/o failing. I'd say any extreme hit after 1st. bounce chances are I'll be brain dead or hurt beyond immediate repair thus I'm good with DOT ratings as I'm sure FF helmets provides the best protection. Interesting that a modular helmet has finally made stricter standards knowing how they are made from my perspective. I've used 3/4 open face predominantly most of my 56 yrs. of riding.

[Rams]

Thanks for the update.

I have used a Shark Evoline since 2010 or so (Don't remember the year but......).   I loved the way the chin bar went all the way to the back.  I purchased a new one maybe five years ago.  Got the wife one as well.  

The helmet is heavy, when compared to others but......  it is something I really liked.  The chin bar folding all the way back was the big deal for me.  

After buying my Shark, that 'flip back' chin bar has become a must. The Shark was alone for a while but now LS2, HJC, Nolan, and others make them. One of the police departments around here was using the Shark. When I visited the Quail MotoFest in May, the CHP had a booth manned by two motorcycle cops along with one of the department's BMWs. They were great guys and one had recently ridden to Alaska on his personal BMW GS. They showed me the LS2 helmet which the CHP had recently adopted. It impressed me so much that I began searching for another helmet with the 'flip back' chin bar.

While not for everyone, I whole heartedly agree on the modular helmets with the flip back chin bar.   I'm not a fan of half helmets of any brand but, to each their own.   I do almost everything I can to avoid the wind and exhaust noise.   Have lost enough hearing doing the things I did.   Can't afford to lose any more.

Rams