First time Helmet

eoinkildare

Hi lads,
I'm after buying my first bike and getting my licence. Doing the IBT with Paul Dobbins on Monday and Tuesday. Looking to get on the road then.
Any recommendations for my first helmet. I think I want one with a flip front and integral sun visor.
What kind of money do I need to spend?
Also, would it be far cheaper to buy online or should I just get one in a shop? I know I should visit a shop and try on a few, so where is good to go? I live in North Kildare by the way.

Thanks,
Eoin

Notch000

I got a Caberg Konda (flip up) for around 130E new off ebay, theres loads up there. It was what my IBT instructor was using & they have a maximun awarded saftey rating (5*).
Nice cheapish helmet but I dont really use the flip up half as much as i thought i would

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Caberg-Konda-Flip-Front-Motorcycle-Crash-Helmet-/170865404202?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Helmets&var=&hash=item6d77f471e7#ht_2740wt_1185

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/testsratings/caberg-konda

Nothing wrong with buying online either

jerryd777

I ride motorcycles regularly, don't scrimp on a helmet as it may save your life, the full face helmets are the safest, i recommend Shoei as they are a high quality brand with good noise protection and are comfortable to wear. You can get a good Shoei for about €250

mikemac1

I recommend the Caberg V2

Caberg are a good brand, you will find them in Irish bike sellers and also on ebay

They have an internal visor which I think is a very clever design, you can flick it down or up when needed

Del2005

eoinkildare wrote: »

Hi lads,
I'm after buying my first bike and getting my licence. Doing the IBT with Paul Dobbins on Monday and Tuesday. Looking to get on the road then.
Any recommendations for my first helmet. I think I want one with a flip front and integral sun visor.
What kind of money do I need to spend?
Also, would it be far cheaper to buy online or should I just get one in a shop? I know I should visit a shop and try on a few, so where is good to go? I live in North Kildare by the way.

Thanks,
Eoin

You need to go to a shop and get your head measured and try on a few different lids as they all fit differently. Once you get one that fits and fells comfortable leave it on for a good while in the shop. As I had an Arai and recently got a Shark, I've since found out I don't have a Shark head and have had to modify the lid slightly as it was putting to much pressure on my forehead. A friend has the same issues with a different Shark model.

Then buy where you please.

eoinkildare

So are people not really that bothered about flip up helmets?

Wonda-Boy

Its not that at all....they can be very very handy especially if you need to talk to people alot or communicate for your job etc. they are just not some people. I would really love one but I dont trust one safety wise compared to a full face lid. There are some cracking flip up helmets out there....each to there own.

eoinkildare

I think I need to go out to bikeworld or somewhere big like that and try on a few lids and see what suits best.

Cheers lads.

Wonda-Boy

Yeah that is the ideal thing to do....but DONT BUY the lid in there, they are easily 25% dearer then anywhere else but they do have some nice lids. You could size yourslef in there and not the make and model and order it online. Check out Hein Gericke up in Newry well worth a spin up and crossans too. Huge selection in house they have.

eoinkildare

Yeah I might even take a spin up there friday and have a look. are they far cheaper for everything?
I'll also be looking to buy some luggage etc

Wonda-Boy

Well you will always get good bargains....have a look on the website 1st. Crossans is only 10mins from Hein Gericke but can be a little tricky to find 1st time. But its well worth looking in both....;)

Del2005

eoinkildare wrote: »

Yeah I might even take a spin up there friday and have a look. are they far cheaper for everything?
I'll also be looking to buy some luggage etc

Have a look in Cotters. They've a decent selection of lids and are open to a bit of haggling.

Stainless_Steel

As pointed out the most important thing is that the helmet shape "suits" your head shape.

I have found Arai to be the most suitable for my noggin. The lads up in crossans are very helpful with finding the right shape and size of helmet...as are others I'm sure.

Wonda-Boy

Got my Arai in Crossans aswell, sat me down and adjusted the padding in the helmet and made sure it fitted me perfect. Funnt thing is my helmet is dearer now then it was a year ago because of the tsunami (supplies are harder to get) well thats what the main man said in Crossans.

RosieJoe

eoinkildare wrote: »

Yeah I might even take a spin up there friday and have a look. are they far cheaper for everything?
I'll also be looking to buy some luggage etc

What bike did you buy? I have a luggage system for sale for a bandit if it helps.

Darmanted

I recently bought a shoei xr1000 for €160. Fantastic helmet, superseded by the xr1100, but still good value at this money. Rosiejoe, would that fit a 2003 bandit 600 ?

RosieJoe

Darmanted wrote: »

I recently bought a shoei xr1000 for €160. Fantastic helmet, superseded by the xr1100, but still good value at this money. Rosiejoe, would that fit a 2003 bandit 600 ?

Don't think so. I think it only fits the 650/1250 bandit.

eoinkildare

Hi Lads,
I went up to Hein Gericke and got a good bit of stuff.
Got a HJC Helmet. The IS-16 which seemed to fit well and has the internal sun visor which i wanted. I also got pinlock put on too as I've heard it's well worth it.
The helmet was £159.99 and pinlock another £25 but the guy gave me a decent discount on everything as well. £158 all in which I thought was good.

Also got goretex gloves with knuckle guards. Balaclava with coolmax.
Ear plugs. Panniers (Oxford Lifetime X60).
Tank Bag (Hein Gericke Streetline and the GPS attachment also).
Oxford chain and lock.
Oxford high viz.
Hein Gericke rain suit.

Can't wait to get the IBT done and get out on my bike now to try out all the gear!

Eoin

Wonda-Boy

Its a great feeling is'nt it? Getting all the new gear..... I can remember it plain as day, also best of luck with the IBT and dont be afraid to ask questions and take your time. Go at your pace not the instructors, if he is any good he will recognise you are struggling at any particular stage. And have FUN!!!!

Hope to see you out on the road real soon.

Please Kill Me

eoinkildare wrote: »

Hi Lads,
I went up to Hein Gericke and got a good bit of stuff.
Got a HJC Helmet. The IS-16 which seemed to fit well and has the internal sun visor which i wanted. I also got pinlock put on too as I've heard it's well worth it.
The helmet was £159.99 and pinlock another £25 but the guy gave me a decent discount on everything as well. £158 all in which I thought was good.

Good stuff, delighted for ya! Glad you got the pinlock as the IS-16 is a bastid for fogging up in cold or wet conditions (I know - I use one most days!) but the pinlock will stop that.

Best of luck with everything.