Buying a Helmet

[Bigwolf]

Crazy B needs a new helmet.  We are looking at the HJC IS max II and the Scorpion EXO 900X Transormer.  Does anybody here have any experience with either of these helmets?

I like HJC but also really like the fact that the Scorpion can be converted to a 3/4 helmet. 

TIA
Bigwolf

[Gavin_Sons]

I use to wear a scorpion but it gave me headaches after a couple hours in it. Bought a HJC and it is 10 times more comfortable. Maybe it is because I have a huge misshaped head.  my wife also has a 3/4 HJC. We dont always wear them but when we do they are comfortable.

[bagelboy]

I picked up a Torc Bluetooth full face last year that I love. It plays my music from my phone right into the helmet. No wires, or anything. Just a single charge that takes about an hour, and it plays for like 8 hours. It also cancels the music when you receive a phone call, let's you answer and talk, and then automatically returns you to the music.

[F6Dave]

I've owned several HJC helmets.  They fit me well and offer a lot for the price.  But last year I decided to try the Shark Evoline.  It's the only helmet I know of that converts from full face to 3/4 without removing any parts.  You can convert with one hand while sitting in traffic.  I really love it.

On my HJC helmets I used the Cardo Scala communicator.  It was one of the very first units, and only provided a BT phone profile.  It was a good unit and I had no complaints.

When I bought my Shark helmet they had the Sena communicators on sale.  They looked good so I decided to try one.  Technology improves so rapidly that it isn't fair to compare, but the Sena is a great unit with loads of features for a bargain price.  Sound quality is great for phone or music, and features like voice dialing work more reliably.

[indybobm]

I bought a GMAX GM67 helmet and really like it. I have an oval shaped head and many helmets press against my forehead and gives me a headache. The GMAX fits me well and does not cause pain. It also has ear speaker pockets that accept the bluetooth communicator I bought off of ebay from China. Don't laugh, it works really good. Voice commands for phone, receives phone calls from phone, will read text messages if I say 'read',audio from GPS, plays mp3s from my phone. Best thing it only cost $59.00. It is installed in an open face helmet and at speed on the road people say it is crystal clear with no wind noise and cannot tell I am on the bike.

[henry 008]

I have the scorpion exo 900 helmet. I really like it full faced when riding the freeways to a vrcc weekend event and then converting to 3/4 for the short day ride. I don't know if I have the wrong size or what, but my neck and shoulders get sore after 8 hrs in it. maybe its jus too heavy?

[cookiedough]

I have a GMAX GM7 (I think) open face and also a Bilt Apollo brand 3/4 helmet both under 100 bucks.  For the price, hard to beat.  A helmet is like a__es,   everyone has one and has a different size to it.   I like the NOT tight fit to of both my helmets, most I tried on give me a headache and forehead is way too tight.

Whatever you buy, make sure you have a 30 day money back guarantee and good return policy since it may not fit right for whatever fits my noggin might not fit yours.

[Firefighter]

I have a HJC open face and after a few hours my forehead sometimes starts hurting. I usually find myself repositioning the helmet a little every so many miles. Looking at helmet fitting sites I see some of us have round heads and some more oval. Wondering if my head is more oval and then which helmet would fit me best? Never see in the ads helmet for oval heads??  Firefighter

[indybobm]

Actually that is why I bought the GMAX GM67. I saw it advertised as a helmet that fit heads that are more oval like mine. Not everyone has round heads. Very comfortable and I am very happy with for the internet price I paid.

Right or wrong, I went into a big motorcycle supply store and tried on several helmets until I found one I liked. Then bought it on-line. Maybe not the right thing to do but I saved 40%.

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

I've had a scorpion transformer for several years. It's a great helmet, I do think it runs a little small. It has the inflatable neck roll which I've always left deflated. The cooling vents work as well as any I've had and better than most. In a really driving rain at highway speeds I will sometimes have some rain run down the inside of the shield when using it as a full face helmet. The visor you install when changing to a 3/4 helmet is the best I've had on any helmet. It also has a built in flip down sunshade which works in either configuration although I think it's a little murky.

If it's left sitting on my bike in the rain it will get a little damp through the top vent.

Biggest downside is the parts for conversion are bulky if you plan on being able to change from full face to 3/4 while on the road. I had a part break on it once, I don't remember which part. They fixed it no charge but it did take a few weeks to get it back.

[Bigwolf]

Thank you all for the information shared.

The Scorpion EXO is rather heavy at 4.2 pounds so that does concern me some.  The HJC IS max 2 is only 3.8 pounds.

Crazy B and I have Scorpion half helmets we wear for short runs on nice days.  We like them, however, we prefer full coverage when going on long runs like to and from Inzanes.  I am happy with a full helmet but Crazy B will not wear one.  Says she feels smothered by it.  She does like the modular idea and had a cheap one but it has been recalled. 

We are looking for a well known quality brand this time but trying to stay in the $200 range.

There is a cycle store close to us that does not carry Scorpion but he has offered to order one and let Crazy try it on.  If it doesn't work for her, then he will keep it and sell the HJC to her in her choice of color.  He normally sells HJC but would have to order the color she wants.  Prices comparable to internet prices.  Nice folks.

Thanks again,
Bigwolf

[rocketray]

google " motorcyclist magazine helmet test"  winner   Z1R    $100 on line