Need some helmet help!!

My brothers birthday´s coming up and he´s been wanting a new helmet. He has a full carbon fiber body on his bike and he wants something to match it. The rest of his bike is chromed out, so I don´t know if we should go with something shiney or a dark color. Does anybody have any ideas? I don´t know much about bikes or helmets, I´d appreciate your help with some web-sites or whatever information you can get for me. I know there´s some helmets painted with a carbon fiber look, that was our first option but I can´t find any. Aight, once again, appreciate the help, pe@ce out.:alien:

V-Tec 606
:badass:

Well, I would go with a ARAI Astral Pearl Black. Helmets are expensive, especially ARAIs, but they are the top of the line in safety rating by far. If you don't want to spend all that money on a helmet, I would talk to see if other people want to chip in too. Never fall short when shopping for helmets, they keep you alive.

Appreciate the help R1-Rider, but where can I find these helmets. I mean do they have a web-site where I can check pictures and prices out? or do I have to deal through dealerships only? I´d appreciate the help, pe@ce out. :alien:

V-Tec 606
:badass:

http://www.araiamericas.com/product/ast/ast_small/ast_pearl_black.jpg


Arai Astral
The new Astral is the latest example of Arai's never-ending search for the best fit for the most riders. The Astral introduces Arai's new "Intermediate Oval" shell shape. It bridges the fit gap between the Round Oval shape of the RX-7 and Quantum, and the Long Oval shape of the Signet GT, Tracker GT and Renegade. The Astral is designed for riders who need a longer interior shape (front-to-back) than is common with the Round Oval fit, but who also need more interior width (side-to-side) than the Long Oval's distinctly narrow interior. Features and benefits? Same as the Quantum/f and Signet GT except for the M-Style Ventilation ( a four-vent system with two in front and two in the rear, and recessed into the shell for a cleaner line), and a new design for the pull-down chin spoiler. Is the new Astral right for you? Try all three shapes, and when you find the right one, you'll know it - and love it.


If you need to find prices for it, you just need to go to any of your local motorcycle dealerships. Most of them will all have the 2002 catalog and prices they can sell it to you for. Shop around first! **EDIT** ALSO CHECK LOCAL BIKE WEREHOUSES!!! SOMETIMES THEY HAVE HUGE DISCOUNTS.

Your best bet, IMHO, is to take your brother out shopping for size and brands first and foremost... cause a size M Arai DOES NOT EQUAL a size M AFX or Shoei...

I personally don't have an "Arai" head, either... they tend to be too wide side-to-side where as Shoei is longer and skinnier in width. Find out what size and what brands fit best before shopping the net. It will be well-worth your while. Oh, and DO NOT deal over eBay with a company from Calgary!!! They tried to rake my family over the coals and steal our money. We recovered all the money, but many (ie EVERY) promise was unkept.

And just like R1 said; cost will be high for a good helmet so you may want others to chip in. Oh, and try to find something that is DOT certified as well as SNELL memorial foundation rated... preferable M95 or M2000. The SNELL tests are supposedly more intensive and there are more of them than the DOT so you should be getting a better helmet.

A helmet must be properly fitted to ensure that it will be effective in a crash. Different makes and models fit very differently.

That being said.... If you know what make, model, and size you can get them online a lot cheaper than a dealer.

Helmet Harbor (http://www.helmetharbor.com/streethelmets/index.htm) has some pretty decent deals.

Persoanly, I like Arai helemts. But, their new policy of banning mail and internet sales sucks a fat one.

I would recommend an Arai, Suomy, or Shoei.

Helmets are tough presents. Definately take your bro out to buy one with you. The most important thing will be head size (Arai vs Shoei, as pointed out earlier). Also, do you want a good helmet or a nice looking one or both? A good Arai/Shoei helmet with removable liner and lots of comfort, will run you close to $700. I have an Arai RX-7RR that cost me about $650. If you can sacrifice comfort, washability, and some safety... get a nice looking HJC for like $250. Leave that up to your brother though, it's his brain.