Well, they will probably ban me from this site for over posting.....lol. Since I haven't had a bike since about 84 and my XJ Maxim is my new baby I have a question about helmets. Back in 84 didnt have to have a helmet in Nebraska but now ya do. But you had to have one to go right across the river to Iowa so I had a full face monster helmet at the time. Today it's just the opposite, you have to have one in Nebraska and not in Iowa. I found the full face helmet suffocating to wear and hot too. Was wondering what everybody else recommends or has (I know it's pretty much an individuals preference). Since I have been away so long from the riding thing can't seem to make up my mind about a skid lid or 3/4. Which brands are the most comfortable and such. I went to the local bike shop where they was advertising helmets starting at $29.99. Well there was about 4 or 5 at that price but they had pink flowers on them....lol. I have a huge melon and require at the very least XXL - 7 5/8"- 8". They only had a couple in that size. Awhile back on eBay they had a very nice looking black Harley 100th anniversary 3/4 with a visor in XXL and I emailed the guy about it. He said that the Harley Helmets fit really small and that he had a big melon also and it was to small for him. Now I got my eye on a Bell 3/4 with leather covering it for $89.00. Any advise? Thanks HB

I have a full like the old bell magnams with vents and I like it. Course where I live you get sandblasted with an open face the closer you get to the Ocean. So I also have a skid and a 3/4 harley. Thingis ...I have a medium dome so medium aways fit pretty close. If you got a big ole head then it might be better to only buy what you try so save on a little shipping grief. Go to other shops and keep up with what brands and sizes that fit then order to save if you need to.

ill still wear a full face helmet no matter how hot or uncomfortable it gets, my head is too f*cking important to play around with. that said, MAKE SURE you get a helmet that is both DOT and SNELL approved. you're required by law to have one thats DOT approved, SNELL approval is just a little extra security. those $30 flower helmets at the local shop most likely aren't even DOT approved and if you got in a crash you might as well be wearing a wool knit cap. i have a huge head too and i manage to stuff it inside an XXL, it cost a lot but like i said, i don't play games when it comes to my head.

Whereas I'm the opposite side of the coin, for motorcycle use I avoid SNELL certification like the plague. I also use a full-face helmet always -- always have, always will. Should I ever go down, I want SOMETHING between my face and pavement, but that's just me.
Now, if you're going to race, fine - they make the SNELL cert mandatory.
For day-to-day riding I'm on the the side of the debate that SNELL certified lids are MORE dangerous than a plain DOT lid - they're too stiff and transmit too much force to your skull.
Even better is to find a helmet that's both DOT and ECE22.05 certified -- they're actually tested in crashes that motorcyclists are actually likely to see, should it come to that.

I just bought a HJC full face helmet. About $250AUD. Yes, it's Chinese, but they have copied the Shoei TZ helmet at well under half the price.

I actually prefer a full face helmet in the heat because I can close the visor when the hot wind blast gets too hot. And the HJC venting is very good - flows nicely over the skull and around the face.

Agv full face for spring and fall since its colder but beanie helmet for summer ........

Somewhere I read an article where there was independent testing done on helmets. The best performance came from the cheaper helmets. In particular one from AutoZone for about $70 beat the big $$ helmets on initial impact, secondary impact and puncture.

Last May a car pulled out on me, I hit it at 40mph and went down. The chin bar on my inexpensive full face helmet did the slide rather than my face. I walked away with a sore foot and 2 very lightly skinned knuckles.

I'll never ride without the full face helmet and armor.

I'll never ride without a full face helmet either, from past experience... it's why I'm still a good lookin' bloke

Well, you all raise a very valid point with the full face helmet. Now ya got me thinkin that the heat isnt the worst thing that could happen to my noggin. Oh and MiCarl, I googled AutoZone and typed in their search "Helmets" and "Motorcycle Helmets". It said "No parts found for Helmets. Are you sure it was AutoZone?

I must have tried on 35 before I found one that fit my odd shaped knoggin comfortably.
Then I looked at the price tag...DAMN...the only one that fit was nearly the most expensive. Darn helmet cost 1/3 what the bike cost. (full face Shoei)

But I wear every time I turn the key.
It's quiet, well vented, and comfy. Three years and the foam isn't crushed and fits better than the day I bought it.

Even though it was serious $ it's still less than missing a couple days of work.

Just get one that fits and you'll wear.

I have priced those Shoei Helmets and they are very expensive. Well, they are probably made very well also. I had looked at a helmet that actually fit at "The Tractor Supply" store in Omaha and it was only $36.00. I went back and took a better look at it and the liner was paper thin over white styrofoam that wasn't very thick at all and the ear pads were pretty cheap looking. That was a Helmet made by Raider. They are mostly snowmobile and ATV helmets. So, I passed on that almost purchase there. Mike, awesome job on your bike..........that's what I would love to do to mine but am worried I would never get it put back together the way it came apart.

Here's a link to the Motorcyclist Magazine article with the study that I'm pretty sure MiCarl was referring too, and that I read with great interest. Please note - this is a MAJOR article, not a summary - you're going to be reading for a while.

Motorcyclist Helmet Review

It comes down to this: having a helmet on is good should you come into contact with the ground. Any helmet. Full-face is better because it covers more. ALL helmets currently available performed well. SNELL certified helmets transmit more G forces to the skull than plastic and composite shells do.

Find a helmet that fits you right, is comfortable, and you'll actually use. THAT will be the best helmet to have.

Full face is good for most of the riding season. Might buy a 3/4 for the summer. Not sure yet.

Rob

HB, the Bell helmet is not a bad purchase. Anything is better than nothing. I will sing the praises of a full face as well (seen too many pictures of folks with beanies getting their faces rebuilt after a wreck, yeesh it's nasty).
The KEY point in getting a helmet is get one that fits correctly. This means you should feel it snug around the crown of your head and against your cheeks. Remember, the foam will settle a bit as you wear it in but it should NEVER be loose. Another point, the chin strap should touch your chin, not pass under it. If you can't feel the strap, the helmet is too big or poorly designed for your nut, don't buy it.
Good points MiCarl, Altus.
I will echo Altus, very good article.

A very smart man told me how much is your head worth to you I ride with a full face ICON and love it it vents well does not whistle or rattle at highway speeds. Some things in life are not worth skimping on and your head and face is one of them. And you can get a quality helmet such as an ICON of ebay for as cheep as 70 dollars they are just used or older models. I know what my heads worth do you?