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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-271.html)

So I decided to get the LS2 FF811 Vector II helmet as it seemed to be a great deal at 12.5k discounted from the 19.8k MRP. But before I could place the order on the website it went out of stock. Also, this is the only fiberglass composite while others in the price range are thermoplastics. I finally found it in a local shop in the color I wanted.



However, within a month of usage, the top bead started to come off and after a week of following up with LS2 India over WhatsApp, they told me to go to the local store for further action. I had emailed them also but there was no response to it.







Upon visiting the local shop I learned that this beading issue was prevalent at least in this batch and I met two other people whose FF811 had the same problem. The option given to me was to wait for the replacement bead to come or exchange it for another helmet. I went ahead with the exchange option I found the double action visor opening mechanism to be cumbersome. Also, the LS2 sunvisor mechanism seemed to get stuck but that was not bothersome for me as anyways I use polarized clip-ons over spectacles.

As I did not want to compromise on ECE 22.06 certification and be in the same price range. The only viable option was to get the MT Thunder 4 SV. But here the compromise was in the color as it is not available in all white colors. Right off the bat, the MT felt a little heavier to hold compared to the LS2 although both have the same weight as per the spec sheet. This could be due to the better weight distribution of LS2 due to fiberglass construction. There was hardly any difference while wearing the helmets.



The MT is more silent compared to the LS2 when all the vents and visors are closed. The MT Thunder 4 is the most silent helmet I have owned till now which includes- Steelbird SBA-7, LS2 FF352, SMK Gullwing, and the LS2 FF811. With the vents, it is comparable to the LS2.

But the MT has a very annoying whistling noise above 50kmph when the visor is kept open due to the very small gap between the shell and the visor edge. This could be a problem for people who ride with visor open at higher speeds.






The other features and foam quality seem to be of the same level between the two of them and I feel very happy with the better noise isolation on the MT Thunder 4.

The vector has a carbon fibre variant as well. Slots below the FF805. Perfect lightweight dual visor model. There is a quality issue with the upper beading of my LS2 stream evo too. Let's droplets in during rains.

So it looks like even the MT Thunder 4 has quality issues. The neck spoiler that gets assembled at the base of the helmet came off after a week of usage.





A closer look reveals that the screws did not go in the boss itself. It was held in place just by the outer wall of the plastic boss on both sides.







This feels like more of an assembly quality or assembly instruction gaffe, unlike the bead design issue of the LS2. Anyways I was able to screw it back properly and get the helmet back in action in no time.

Many congratulations for your new helmet. I’ve been using Valor for the past 3 years. The only (and major) issue that I’ve been facing is the annoying wind noise even if visor and all ventilations are closed.
I know size is not the issue because it fits snugly, I feel it’s due of the way the helmet has been constructed.
Please do let me know how’s the wind noise in yours.

Ride safe,
VJ

I've used a multitude of helmets and I can safely say that there are none that are immune to the wind noise. There's only one thing you can do and that is to get used to it. Noise cancellation ear buds are a bit of a solution but I could never get used to them. I've heard Pinlock makes a great pair though so you might look into that. Also helmets with chin curtains might help a bit with the noise but I feel suffocated in those so there's that too.

Yes, the wind noise is quite noticeable but I've never used the helmet with all vents closed. Wind noise is not a deal breaker for me as I use ear plugs while on long rides/tours

I have recently bought a SMK Stellar Samurai in red, black matt color. I have not used it on the long rides but in my short rides of 50-100 km I have noticed there are manageable insulation against wind and traffic noise.

I always wear helmet with a Balaklava. I have TVS's Grey one
https://shop.tvsmotor.com/products/t...47743301910810

I would say you try out a ride with a Balaklava.

I have been using Valor for the past 3.5 years. Before this, I used the Bell Qualifier. Bell is heavier and noisier compared to Airoh but in a tuck position Valor makes less noise so basically, it is a design and usage-related issue. I also use 3M earplugs on long rides which marginally work but it has its own discomfort issues. Frankly I find Valor to be superb value for money, it is built well and sound from comms system is excellent due to smartly designed speaker pockets. Cleaning the cheek pads is a chore though :Frustrati

Guys, I ride a Triumph Street Twin and to match its retro looks I picked up a Nexx G200 and a Roeg Peruna helmet. I also picked up Peruna goggles to go with them. The goggles look excellent, they come with a light tint to help in daytime riding.

I have a peculiar issue with the field of view (FOV), especially at night. Now I picked up this style of helmet hoping to get the best of a full-face and an open-face helmet but combined with the goggles my peripheral vision is so badly affected that I am scared most times riding in traffic. I feel like those horses tied to horsecarts with blinders on either side.

The fundamental question I'd like to ask is whether this is an inherent problem with goggles or it might be specific to these Peruna goggles. I did some research online for goggles with wide FOV and seems like 100% Barstow could be a good option, albeit expensive. Please help.

How is the performance in terms of ventilation, buffeting and wind noise. I own a axor apex and my major concern with it is wind noise.

Unless you are looking for the style quotient, I wouldn't use goggles for street riding. It is best suited for enduro and trail riding. One look at it clearly shows why it has very poor peripheral vision compared to a regular helmet visor. It has much smaller surface area and has a flatter curvature. It sits very near to the eyes. There are big blind spots created on the sides by the thick frame and straps because the goggles are designed to keep a good seal around your eyes.

Does anyone have any feedback or experience with ordering a helmet via BikeGear.in?

I want to buy an HJC V10 Foni. And these guys are willing to door deliver, custom duties paid. While I am ok with the pricing, I am concerned about the shipping, packaging, and customs handling / opening the helmet.

Is the helmet transit via this import route safe? Or is it going to be banged really hard, with high chances of damage?

Word on the street is that one of the main guys who was associated with its operations, is no longer part of the BikeGear.in setup. People are complaining about awfully long wait times nowadays.

That's what I thought, the design itself blocks peripheral vision. I think I am better off wearing sports sunglasses inside. Thanks man! I can also borrow my friend's 100% barstow and try for a few days to see if they actually make any difference.

Got myself an LS2 FF800 Storm II. I’ve gone to a store nearby to try the size and see if they’ve got the latest ones which come with Double D ring locking mechanism. Found S to be a snug fit for my forehead dimension of 55 cm and tried ordering the double D ring variant from LS2 official website. The website experience wasn’t appreciative especially the account creation and payment options not having validations or direct payment but requiring to transfer money via netbanking.

Then hopped off and ordered one from another online store, (not mentioning the store name intentionally as now most online stores have them) and got it delivered to Hyderabad in 3 days. The fit as expected was snug and received everything in order. I haven’t had the opportunity to ride long at highway speeds and would refrain from commenting about the comfort or wind noise as the same has been discussed on the thread.

This post is to just update the availability of double d ring in select variants of LS2 FF800 Storm II for anyone looking at getting the same.