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-   -   Which Helmet? Tips on buying a good helmet (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/ride-safe/19699-helmet-tips-buying-good-helmet-232.html)

SHARP is a UK government rating system and is not as well known as your typical DOT, ECE, SNELL. Also, not every helmet is SHARP tested, whereas every helmet must have the DOT or ECE certification to be eligible for sale in NA or EU+UK. Hence most websites in India don't bother.

Not every website, though! Here's the Powersports website that does show the SHARP rating.

Don't be too concerned about the website or the listing itself, make your decision based on the experiences of people who have purchased from the same source. A fancier webpage does not necessarily mean a more reliable seller.

I did another 1400 odd kilometers with the LS2 Storm. Most of it was highway riding, with some non forum friendly speeds as well. All the motorcycling in the last week, further cemented my initial impressions of this excellent helmet. I would like to add a couple of points
- The view from a tucked in / aggressive position is excellent! I got the opportunity to ride a faired motorcycle and really enjoying the view through the top part of the visor.
- When you pick up speeds, there is zero wind buffetting. Also, with ear plugs in place, the helmet is really quiet, even at sustained highway speeds.

Overall, the helmet gets two thumbs up from me!

As I have just about 100 KMs of riding experience under my belt, I can't say much about anything. Just that the helmet feels plush, and very well finished.

Just a small hiccup. Rode today for the first time for an hour and by the end of it I had an irritating pain at the crown area, just an inch and half spot, above the ears, on both sides. This portion has no padding. Just a mesh. Had there been even a little padding there would have been no pain. Being bald doesn't help either. :coldsweat The skull has direct contact with the foam in that section. Pain went away within 10 secs of removing the helmet. Does this need a resolution or just breaking in?

Rest I found the helmet to be excellent.

Sharing pics of my helmet. Same as Neil's, just a different color.

LS2 STORM FF800

This should go away with some breaking in. How is the chin vent on your helmet? Fiddly? Or does it move with a firm action? Do keep us updated on your long term feedback of this helmet.

Dare I say, the colour combination on your helmet looks way better than mine!

Hope the pain goes away. It is getting a little bit better with every ride.

Yes, the chin vent is fiddly. Quite contrasting compared to how the rest of the helmet is built.

Have worn the helmet for about 70 plus kms of riding, and it provides a good sense of safety. Looking forward to how it feels on the highways.

You wouldn’t believe, but I really liked the colour of your helmet. I went for the black grey orange combination since it goes with my bike. The colour has really grown on me now. Love it!

My query is specifically directed towards @neil.jericho -

1. Judging from the pictures the helmet seems a bit 'round shape' than the longish oval that most of the helmet brands here seem to have. But then pictures can be deceiving so what's your verdict on the shape? I have a round head (size bordering XS-S) and cannot seem to find something that doesn't make look like vodafone's zoo-zoo figures lol:

2. Does the LS2 storm come in different shell sizes? The website says 2 shell sizes but cannot find S size anywhere.

Thanks in advance!

The helmet shape felt oval to me. The LS2 page confirms it.


Im not sure if the Indian importer is bringing in the smaller shell size. I can find out and update you. Typically Ive seen retailers prefer to keep Medium and Large sized helmets, because that is what the market needs.

So further to this, I liked two designs (life is too short to have subtle designs, atleast for me) in the SMK range (Grafitti and Typhoon Motorhead) and almost finalised on the former, only to realise that both of them do not have the D-ring. I was in a fix and went down to my go to shop for all bike related accessories and checked out everything from there.

Both the SMK helmets I checked out at Sunshine Auto, Thane:




The owner of the shop called his SMK distributor or a similar higher level guy and they confirmed that the D-ring won't be coming in these designs anytime soon.
Later that day, I wrote a mail to the folks at SMK asking them if anything on the above lines could be possible. It's been almost 2 weeks to that mail but I haven't received a response to date. :thumbsdown
While I am a little sad that I couldn't get the design and safety net in one go for a helmet I wanted, I'm glad at the same time to have understood the kind of respect or bother they have to respond to customer queries. If this is the situation before purchase, I dread to imagine what would be the post sales service, if ever required. :Frustrati

The SMK Graffiti helmet that was leading the purchase decision:



The SMK Typhoon Motorhead that was a close second:



All said and done, I'm on the verge of finalising the Axxor Apex Racer gloss black design, which comes with a D-ring.
Attaching photos of the helmets mentioned above.

Apex Racer gloss black:



Apex Racer gloss white:



Need suggestions from BHPians on the following counts:
1. What looks better from the above Apex Racer range? The black or the white?

2. Any other alternatives/recommendations on similar lines, i.e, has to be funky (majority lime green/yellow will be preferred, although not completely or just that colour on the helmet alone, as seen above)
Other requirements are the D-ring and a budget of Rs. 5,000-6,000.
The D-ring is definitely a non negotiable here!

I liked the following design too but found it common already, including one at my workplace, just a few tables away. Hence this is out.

So the AGV helmet finally came down in mid-Jan with a friend who hand carried it from the U.S. Its a K3 SV Misano 2015 edition.

I've been using this one occasionally, and the following is what I've observed:

The good:
1. Feels lighter, although the weight is more or less the same as other helmets around (1500 ~50 gms)

2. Paint quality is amazing! Having been used to SOL and MT helmets, the overall quality, especially the paint, is outstanding!

3. Tinted visor is perfect for use through the day, and isn't that dark compared to the SOL helmets tinted visor (the only other tinted one I've used till date)
Helps on the random days that I get late at times.

The bad:

1. They sell only ratchet mechanism locks in the U.S, period! No D-ring whatsoever.

2. Slightly expensive at Rs 25,000 even though it was hand carried from the U.S. It was earlier (before the ban) retailing at the same price here in India, inclusive of duties and taxes.

3. Tinted visor is frightfully expensive at 7,000-8,000 bucks a pop, taking the overall cost to almost 32,000 INR! Luckily I managed to find one here locally at MotoCentral (Pune based) and managed to save about 1-2k.

4. The vents at the top, on either side, can be cumbersome to open at times. Although I have a feeling this could be just me.

Attaching a few pics of the same below. Didn't have the chance to explore and take more photos yet, would be adding that in this this thread later on. I would be happy to answer queries, if any.

Thanks for this Neil, I will go check out this helmet soon. I too have started using 3M ear plugs, this has managed to reduce the windnoise to a bare minimum. Which one's do you use?

I plan to relegate the SMK Titan to commuter duties and use the LS2 Storms for weekend jaunts. I also need to invest in a jacket for commutes, the Rynox Storm Evo jacket is too heavy and hot for riding in peak Mumbai summer.

Cheers

The 2 special edition helmets from Axor should be right up your alley. The Xbhp one is quite unique and the Joker edition will be unmistakable, enough if it doenst have your preferred colours. Both of them cost Rs 6.5K each.

Hiren, I use the basic ones that cost Rs 15 each. I have extra ones stashed in every bag and riding jacket pocket. When you are reusing the earplus, do remember to run them under water for a few seconds, before you slide them into your ear. That allows them to go all the way into your ear canal and they wont pop out (which they might, if they are dry).

For your riding jacket, I find the Storm Evo is a bit of a mixed bag, design wise. It tries to be both a mesh jacket and a textile jacket. In the process it ends up in no mans land. Im guessing that you already have another jacket already.

I use the same one's, and like you i have stuffed extra in my jacket pockets.
I want to try some dedicated motorcycle ear plugs but spending close to 2K on them is something I cannot fathom.

I could not agree more, riding during the winters I could feel the wind seeping in but the jacket is harsh in the summer. I am not sure about other jackets with level 2 armour, the Storm Evo is HEAVY. It may easily weigh in around 4 kgs or more. I had the original Rynox Air GT that I have now retired, perhaps I should pick up the latest iteration of the same. I loved the airy feel that Air GT gave.

Friends, after many months of going through various forums, and disappointing dealerships (in Kolkata), finally I got my hands on the Airoh ST301 at a store at Coimbarote Gandhipuram, called Throttlerz.
I tried out the LS2 Storm, one LS2 modular (sorry forgot the name), and one LS2 entry level Rookie. I was surprised to see a SHARP rating on the rookie, it being entry level and around 4k price range, really good. But I was blown away by the comfort of the Airoh ST301, fell in love with it. Although I was looking for a more sober paint scheme, but this was the only one which fit me snug and was comfortable. I got it for 9999/-.
Few pictures attached.

Hello Everyone,

A complete novice here on the subject of helmets. We (My dad and I) just upgraded from his Interceptor 650 to a T120. The helmets we used earlier were Studds Ninja 3G. Now since we are travelling at significantly faster speeds, these helmets no longer give the confidence. There is a lot of buffeting, they lift up etc.

I am looking for an upgrade to helmet to a price range of up to Rs15000. My dad is comfortable in flip up helmets.

I know about the brands of various helmets but I don't know on what parameters to judge a helmet by. If someone can help, it will be hugely appreciated.

I live in Chandigarh, so if there is a recommended helmet shop please suggest.( I only know helmet shopee).

Helmet Shoppe is unfortunately the only decent option I'm aware of as well around Chandigarh. They do have some good variety, but I think the choices are quite limited for flip-up helmets, I'm only aware of the MT Atom. I would suggest visiting the shop once, check out the available options, try some sizes, at least you'll get a general idea of what fits and then you can order online from Store4Riders or LetsGearUp or LazyAssBikers etc., provided you can find some stock. Also keep in mind the new ISI rule, I haven't been bothered yet in Mohali and around, but not sure of the situation in Chandigarh.