Any DS helmet suggestions? Arai XD, Airoh S4, any others?

[Rico]

I'm looking around for a new helmet, specifically a DS or supermoto styled helmet.

The Arai XD seems great, but I have the feeling there are too many flaws for the price. The Airoh S4 has a more agreeable price, but it has to be ordered from Europe, and I'd be in a pickle if  it didn't fit right...

Anyone have any suggestions?

[Jud]

Simpson makes one, don't know what it's called, but it looks like a nice helmet. The XD is hard to beat, though. I'd be curious to know what you consider "flaws". Mine is comfortable, light, and has held up to a lot of use. Perhaps I don't have every exacting standards, but I have no complaints with it, except that it cost a lot, but I bit the bullet.

[Rico]

I think the main thing that steered me away was the price, but I was concerned about how the visor doesn't have a setting to open up just a little bit.

[johnbryer]

+1 on the Arai XD.  Only thing I dislike about it is how long it takes to swap out the visors.  It's a great helmet.

[Rico]

Well, it seems that everyone who buys one likes it. I'd rather buy something nice once than a couple crappy things (like my current helmet) but man... $400+ bones is a lot to drop on a helmet. Especially since I'll probably end up trashing it pretty quick... tough decisions.

[gunny]

yea, that arai xd sure is sweet, but the cost ! I may buy one in the spring after I sell one of the kids LOL

[rocketmanklr]

I have a Arai XD & love it you can crack the visor open just a little to vent on cool mornings , no flaw's on my unit, yes it's $$$$ pricey but you know the saying if your head's worth $50.00 buy a $50.00 skid-lid.. I will buy another after I wear this one for a while...Ride On...

[Rico]

So, it does open just a crack? Maybe the review I read was outdated.

As far as the price goes. I doubt there'll be an appreciable difference in safety from a $200 helmet to a $400 helmet. Hell, I could use the diffrence to buy $200 worth of safety farkles and have a bigger net gain in safety factor.

Anyhow, the XD is still a sweet helmet, and I'd love to have one, but my budget would be stretched thin to buy it. I might end up buying it anyways simply because it's just what I'm looking for.

[West]

Less than $110, quiet, comfy and very convertible. Nolan N41... I'm on my second.

[rocketmanklr]

Hey rico that's what I did , I wanted a XD real bad & since I ride alot here in texas it get's used alot, the price is steep be hey you have a awesome helment....I got mine through Derby Cycles in Kentucky for $380.00....Ride on ...

[Farscape]

I love my XD.  See my post in the other XD thread here...

I got mine from an eBay seller [ PM me for who it is ] -- I ordered direct though for $359 w/ free shipping.  Arai XD "Aluminum Silver".  I also ordered a light smoke shield for $38.  You need to call them for the best price...

Reasonable prices can be had, just search and don't be in a hurry.

I haven't had my XD long, but I can't find any real faults with it.  Time will tell, but I'm very happy now.

[rocketmanklr]

Congrat's Farscape on the new Arai XD, I real like my XD , they are great skid lid's even if they're $$$ pricey... Ride On...

[steve]

...yes it's $$$$ pricey but you know the saying if your head's worth $50.00 buy a $50.00 skid-lid..

that is a favorite tag line of a helmet dealer.  i can't really say i'd value my head at $380 either.

sre

[Sasquatch]

In 1989 I put an FZR750R down in the Texas country side at the high side of 140mph  (police report said I hit the asphalt at 150+, but that is a stretch).  An eye witness said the side of my head clipped off the 4x4 post holding up his mail box.  I then proceeded to take out 50 feet of his split rail fence with my body before coming to a rest almost at his feet.

I spent the next 4 weeks in ICU, and another 3 weeks recovering.  I had multiple brain contusions, pulled every muscle in my body, and was banged up from head to foot.  But, I was wearing the best helmet money could buy at the time, and full leathers.  I still have that helmet as a constant reminder that helmets work.

Shoei, Arai, and the other high end helmets are pricy, I wont argue that.  But they work.  I will never put a cheap helmet on my head.

Before you say that you will never do 140, especially on a KLR, think again.  You could be doing 70, and have a car come accross the center lane at 70, and boom, there is a 140mph impact.  Granted, in that case the helmet probably aint going to do anything but keep your head in one piece so the funeral viewing can happen, but you get my drift.

Another bennefit of good helmets is the fit and finish.  When you are going to wear one for 8 hours a day, I want the thing to be as comfortable as a base ball cap.  Arai's do that for me.

[exspinner]

Motorcyclecloseouts has some XDs in different colors. They look pretty cool.




http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=TR81-2775

[rocketmanklr]

Sasquatch, glad you here & ridin again, that's a good reason for a well built helmet....  :thumb:Ride On...