Motorbike helmets

Shoei NXR from Sportsbikeshop.

I've always had Shoei helmets - but that's because they always fit (me) so nicely. I've tried other brands on over the years and they've not been such a good fit. These days I just order the new version of what I've got and it's always good. So I'd recommend going to an actual shop and trying some on.

It all depends on what fits your head shape and the rest is all very subjective.

Fwiw, last time I bought one I ordered 2 sizes of three different lids to try and sent the wrong ones back.

(Schuberth c4)

One that fits!

It really is that simple... My head is Shoei shaped, can get away with HJC at a push, most other brands are too round.

Pop down to your local Sportsbikeshop, Helmet City or the like and try a few on, get a feel for what feels good and what doesn't.

Not many bad lids out there, only ones that don't fit you well. No use me recommending my Shoei GT-Air to someone with a particularly round swede for instance, as my bonce is long and thin...

As said, fit, fit fit. But don't forget to do your homework - some lids are inherently noisy. I have a Bell that fits like a, erm, glove but is unbearably noisy on long trips, and the visor needs both a 3mm and 8mm (!) allen key to take it off. I'm using a HJC RPHA 70 - I like the drop down dark eyeshade. Well under budget in an unpopular colour.

I got an agv k5-s from infinity motorcycles in Glasgow. My first new lid in 25 years. I tried on just about every lid in my price range and size. It was by miles the best fit. I guess I'm trying to say go and try lots on!!!

Thanks for the replies all - useful stuff.

I was at Sportsbikeshop on Saturday trying some on and will probably have a trip through to infinity also.

I tried the AGV K5-S and it was a nice fit so I'm hoping all of the AGV range will suit my head shape.

The Scoprion exo-1400 was also a nice fit just unsure of the brand as they are quite new.

I have that very helmet in red and like it very much. Plenty features and the lightweight shell really is noticeable. Extra visor chucked in too. Couple of pals have had the black one for a couple of years and they are holding up just fine, no reported problems.

It all depends on what fits your head shape and the rest is all very subjective.

100% this. I borrowed my BIL's super expensive composite fibre Shoei and it gave me headache after about 20 minutes. Used Nolan for a while but recently took a gamble on LS2 and they are perfect for me. A noted downside is they are VERY noisy seemingly across the range - I have a FF327 Challenger and a MX436, they're both deafening at speed - but I wear earplugs anyway so I don't find it an issue.

As said, fit, fit fit. But don’t forget to do your homework – some lids are inherently noisy.

Worth noting that with some lids, fit can impact on how noisy it is or not too... If you've got a long/thin head like mine, and you're wearing a rounder shaped lid, it has the potential to be quite noisy because of increased space around your cheeks and ears compared with one that fits more snugly. So even a lid that's rated as quiet can be quite loud if it doesn't fit the user well.

I used to be a big arai fan. I bought a scorpion last year and think it's great. They are a french manufacturer who seem to offer good features a Nd very good safety tests at a reasonable price. I'm now looking for a new adventure type with peak and the scorpion version is better in most of the tests I've read. Good value and less noise etc.

I bought an AGV K5-S and a Caberg Duke11 as a spare.
TBH I grab the Caberg as much as the AGV because the flip up makes it easier with glasses.
Next time around I think I will go for a Schuberth, just need to find a spare £600 😲

Not your budget, but my Schuberth C4 is v. nice. Very quiet with the active noise cancelling headphones being built in.

This might be incredibly out of date, but, I became a bit of an Arai fanboy after I crashed pretty hard in my first one- I assumed it was for the bin, but someone mentioned I could send it back for testing. They sent it back, confirmed it was still safe to use, and also touched up the paint and replaced the pads, strap and one of the side pods for free. That wasn't even on an expensive lid, it was the absolute bottom end one, whatever it was at the time.

I mean, in the meantime I'd bought an Astro R but still, it was ace.

I thought there were only two types of people in the world, those with a Shoei head and those with an Arai head. And you have to go to a shop to discover which you are.
But what do I know, I wear caburg 😋

So I think more trips to the bike shop are needed to try the other brands but so far the Scorpion has been the best fit so appreciate the feedback about those helmets 👍 The AGV was pretty good as well.

Thanks for the advice all, very much appreciated.