New lid - soliciting opinions

[Hammerdown77]

Since you like the RPHA 10, why not an RPHA 11?  Revzilla review said it basically blew the 10 out of the water.

Also, the RPHA 70 ST is nice. It's more of a sport touring helmet with an internal drop down visor. $350 in the plain colors. I ordered one and tried it out, really really nice helmet but didn't quite fit my head.

My 5 year old Shoei Qwest needs replacement, so I've been going through this process as well. I've tried on many helmets at this point. Most comfortable, yet snugly fitting, was the new Shoei RF-SR, which is an upgrade from the Qwest, but a little less expensive than the 1200. The 1200 seems narrower to me, but the RF-SR seems a little less round than my Qwest, which isn't bad. PLUS, it uses the same shield as the RF1200, which means you can get their Transitions lens for it. $399 retail, and you can go to any Cycle Gear and try it on.

I thought I wanted an XD4, and it fits fine, but I'm concerned about all the compromises I'd be making with a dual sport helmet, since I'm 80% on the road at this point. It would be different if the compromises came at $200 or so, but at $550 it's a little harder to swallow. Likely I'll spend the $$$ on a good road/sport touring helmet that I use the majority of the time, then perhaps a heavily venting (and loud) Bell MX-9 for occasional dual sport use.

I want to like Scorpion, but I seem to be between a M and a L in their fit. And I think you can't do pad swapping between those two shell sizes, at least not in the direction I'd need to go. Oh well.

[bblass]

Yesterday afternoon I cut out a little early and headed down to big number 1 to do a little shopping.

I tried on probably 10 or 12 lids, but the one I kept coming back to was the Arai Quantum. I've got a round noggin (probably from multiple impacts) and it just felt better.

Kudos to big number 1 as well for excellent service! Their gear specialist knew his stuff and beat Revzilla's price without me even asking.

@Hammerdown77 check into the HJC DS-X1 if you're looking for an occasional use dual sport helmet. It's loud, but it vents well, has a easily removable/ washable liner and best off it's cheap. Fit is very similar to an RPHA 10.

[springer]

I want to like Scorpion, but I seem to be between a M and a L in their fit. And I think you can't do pad swapping between those two shell sizes, at least not in the direction I'd need to go. Oh well.

According to the email I got from Scorpion the shell sizes are as follows;

XXL XL= same shell

L and M = same shell

XS S = same shell

So if you are wanting to swap out the check pads you should be okay, headliner too but to be safe, shoot them an email. It took me 1 business day to hear back from them.  ;) 

[Hammerdown77]

I, too, tried on the new Arai Quantum X. It was comfortable, and I didn't have any pressure spots, but I felt it might be too round. There seemed to be maybe more room than I'd like around the sides, like I need thicker pads. The Signet X (same shell, just long oval shape) was definitely too narrow across the crown. Likely I'm an intermediate oval in their lineup, which is the Defiant X, Vector 2, DT-X, Corsair X ($$$), and the XD-4, which I did try on and it felt good.

My understanding on the Scorpion shell size thing is that it's not the same across their line. My EXO-1100, they said that M and L were two different shell sizes and couldn't interchange pads, because I asked them directly about it. Same for another one I looked at recently. If one I liked had the same size for M and L, then I'd definitely consider it.

[Hammerdown77]

I'd buy the new carbon sport modular over the ax-8 any day. Much better Helmet. Plus there will probably be an ax-9 out later this year.

Try on the K5-S. I think you'll be impressed.

I've been looking at the K5 S here recently. Your earlier comment about the S being better than the regular K5 is reassuring, as some of the reviews I'd read initially were likely just the standard K5. They were not great.

My Qwest, although not heavy by typical Snell rated standards, still feels heavy to me (and I'm running a Sena SMH-10 on it, too). Been having some neck, upper back issues, and would like a lighter lid.

The carbon sport modular looked pretty cool, but I've seen several owners mention that the chin strap is too far back, causing unpleasant pressure. I had that issue with the HJC RPHA 70 ST, it was the first thing I noticed.

I wonder if I'd have that problem with the K5 S?

[SpeedyR]

I've been looking at the K5 S here recently. Your earlier comment about the S being better than the regular K5 is reassuring, as some of the reviews I'd read initially were likely just the standard K5. They were not great.

My Qwest, although not heavy by typical Snell rated standards, still feels heavy to me (and I'm running a Sena SMH-10 on it, too). Been having some neck, upper back issues, and would like a lighter lid.

The carbon sport modular looked pretty cool, but I've seen several owners mention that the chin strap is too far back, causing unpleasant pressure. I had that issue with the HJC RPHA 70 ST, it was the first thing I noticed.

I wonder if I'd have that problem with the K5 S?

What size do you wear? The latest models of all of the AGV helmets are a HUGE step up over the older models. the K5-S, Pista GP R, Corsa R, etc. The K3-SV is nicer than the older K3 by a big margin (similar to HJC/Scorpion/Icon, your usual better level China made helmet brands), but not nearly as good as the K5-S (more like Shoei and Arai comfort/quality).

If anyone is looking for a top level carbon helmet, I may have a ML (medium large) in a good AGV helmet for a deal. PM me for info if you might fit that size.

I've worn the sport modular a few days and while it was further back than my other AGV helmets, I didn't notice it much. I just assumed it was something with the modular helmets and some of the new testing. I'm not a modular kinda guy but it's a very very nice helmet. Normally modulars are heavy, noisy and just don't feel like they have the right amount of protection (every modular I have tried on including Schubert use a plastic chin bar). The sport modular is full carbon including the chin bar and it's got a LOT more EPS in the side area where the flip up mechanism is located unlike most other brands. That was a big part of the design of the sport modular was to try to get a 5 star SHARP rating (hard to do with a modular helmet).

Info on the SHARP testing that the UK govt does:

https://sharp.dft.gov.uk

[Hammerdown77]

I measure 57.5 cm head circumference. I'm a Medium in Shoei and Arai.

I tried on a K3 SV at Cycle Gear in a ML, and it felt pretty good, although I wondered if I could snug up the fit just a bit. It was a little more comfortable than I expect for a brand new helmet, and I worried it would loosen up a bit after break-in. I wanted to try the MS size, but they didn't have any. According to the AGV size chart, that's likely the size I would wear. Unless the K5 S fits a little small...

Does the K5 S have a similar internal shape to the K3 SV? I'm a fairly neutral to slightly round head shape, I'd guess.

[SpeedyR]

The K3-SV and K5-S are very similar shapes but feel different because of the much better padding materials used. But the size should be the same, I have a ML in the K3-SV, K5-S and Pista GP R and they all fit me well but each is slightly different feel because of materials and structure.

[LawnmowerRG]

I wear Arai. One reason Arai makes different head shape helmets. Also if you see a racer in an Arai. That helmet was plucked off the shelf just like yours.
If you want. One day stop at the shop and we can measure your skull bone. Then go from there.

I know HJC tends to be round.
Scorpion is intermediate oval.
Shark tends to be intermediate oval (but closer to the round side).

Honestly the best helmet in he world does you no good sitting on a shelf because it's uncomfortable.
So get what fits and wears well on your head.
I suggest pulling the cheek pads and see if the top fit snug all the way around your head. Then you can replace or modify the cheek pads to fit you face.