I've ran a Scorpion es400 for over 6 years, its developed flaws over that time and no longer as good as it was new. But My priority for next helmet is weight reduction. Sometimes Ive worn my MX helmet on the VFR and I luv the weight, even though the areodynamics are as good as a full face street.
Which leaves me with the Choice of the Shoei RF 1100 or an Aria as about the lightest weight.
I tried both on and the medium fits on both sizes about identical, but the ARIA has a no notch shield, that Im wondering if it tends to fall shut easily. I like the notch system and the Shoei is probably at the top of the list right now.
Most full face helmets run in the 3.80lb range to 4.1lb range (my scorpion is 3.85lb), the shoeis and the Arias are just over 3.5 lb , those are about the lightest, everything else seems to go up in weight.
[image: View Post]spud786, on 21 April 2012 - 03:05 PM, said:
the shoeis and the Arias are just over 3.5 lb, those are about the lightest
My previous helmet was made by UVEX and they also had several carbon fibre models, all well below 1kg(2.2lbs).The lightest I had on my head was 770g/1.7lbs, that felt weird and comfortable at the same time.
The HJC RPS-10 is really light and flows quite a bit of air when the vents are open. The materials and finish are significantly better than their entry level offerings, comparable to my old Shoei XPS-2. I take a medium in Shoei and the entry level HJC, but I need a large in the RPS-10.
To answer the question, out of the 3 Arais that I own, I've NEVER had an issue with the shield closing on its own. In fact, before you mentioned it, I never realized the Arai didn't have the notching action. I wouldn't let the notching action make a determining factor. I also have the new Shoei X-12, and the shield on that helmet is huge (viewing area wise) compared to my Arais. If the RF1100 has the same shield, that would be huge plus for it in my opinion.
I have an RF-1100 and it is light, relatively quiet and as stated, has a wide viewing angle, but with the chin curtain in it will tend to fog up at times. If you leave the vents open it does lessen the fogging but then if it's colder weather, you'll be letting the cold in of course. Shoei does offer a pin lock visor, which on my other helmet works great. I typically wear the RF-1100 when I'm out sport riding, it's very comfortable and I dont really notice any discomfort or fatigue even after long rides. I do not ride with the visor open so I can t tell you if the notched visor even makes difference. Not sure if this was helpful but I figured I add my two cents.
Yeah one of things I wanted also, was to be able to ride with the shield barely cracked open in some instances. My scorpion helmet the first step is too high and non usuable for that purpose. Which lead me to the question about the Aria, cause it seemed the shield closed real easy without the notches.
My scorpion has a nice velour chin strap, which the $600 Aria doesnt have, the Shoei is alittle better on velour in the stap, both fit about the same. But I really want the weight drop, even though on paper its only like an once or so. But I left leaning more towards the Shoei cause of a few factors, although nothing that set the world on fire.
I have my eye on the Icon Variant helmet...Say what you will about Icon as a brand, that helmet has great reviews. i hear its light, very stable at 180+ mph and excellent vision. I plan on getting it when i have the funds...
My 2 cents........... fit and aerodynamics (linked to how the airflow over YOUR bike) far outweigh (pun intended) a few gramms here or there
Sure, your neck muscles need to adjust, if they can't I supsect a visit to TL is needed...
That is why I wore my new Schuberth sitting in front of my PC for a few hours at the time while working during the week (home office....). The weight distribution is different from my Arai. Because it is a different material/shape (it is a flip up) At 1st my neck would feel strained, me thinking I bought the "wrong" helmet. Now I LOVE my C3......
[image: View Post]Dutchy, on 24 April 2012 - 05:51 AM, said:
My 2 cents........... fit and aerodynamics (linked to how the aurflow over YOUR bike) far outweigh (pun intended) a few gramms here or there
Sure, your neck muscles need to adjust, if they can't I supsect a visit to TL is needed...
That is why I wore my new Schuberth sitting in front of my PC for a few hours at the time while working during the week (home office....). The weight distribution is different from my Arai. Because it is a different material/shape (it is a flip up) At 1st my neck would feel strained, me thinking I bought the "wrong" helmet. Now I LOVE my C3......
YMMV
Fit and areodymics of Arai or Shoei I doubt will pose an issue, but Ive worn the present Helmet 6 years and 100,000 miles, doubt the neck is going to adjust, and I really dont have a neck issue. I just know how I luv the weight of my dirt helmet on the VFR. So any weight reduction would probably be a good direction.
According the chart that Charles posted, my Bell Star is somewhere in the middle of the pack in terms of weight at 3 lbs, 9 oz. It doesn't feel heavy, and is about four ounces lighter than the RF-1100. The main reason I bought it was for the air flow, which is the best of any street helmet I've owned. It's probably a tad noisier for the same reason, but I always wear earplugs. I also tend to agree with Dutchy: unless you have pre-existing neck issues, aerodynamics is probably more important than a few ounces, give or take. I find the Bell to be excellent in terms of aerodynamics. Even when shoulder checking there is little drag, and virtually none when you're looking where you're going.
End of thread · 19 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 8 Jun 2012