It finally happened, a morning ride in the mid 20s (F) and then a return home to drop the helmet on the concrete floor. Pieces scattered and detached from the Fulmer helmet that I’ve worn for the past five years. It performed well enough to take a place along the street today and accept a ride to it’s eventual burial at the landfill. Farewell.
On Monday after work I stopped at Kissell Motorsports and browsed the least expensive helmets in the Scorpion line. Everyone here probably knows that price and protection aren’t really connected. In blind test after test the cheapest helmets often outperform the expensive ones in impact tests. Armed with that knowledge I puffed my chest ready to rebuff any sales pitch steering me towards an Arai, Shoei or other fancy bauble. I have selected a Scorpion helmet. Grey, plain, functional. I’m ready to go.
Craig Kissell stops to see how I’m doing and says, “Those are nice helmets but you really should check out one of the Shoeis, I think you’ll really like it better.” He’s recently told me he wants me to try out the new Ducati Diavel and the new Triumph Tigers when they come in so I listen politely.
He hands me a Titanium Shoei Qwest. Pretty. And pretty expensive. He repeats that it might be a good helmet for me and adds “You’re getting older now.”
What?
To make a long story shorter he tells me the real advantage of the Shoei over the Scorpion is the fiberglas construction makes it noticeably lighter and easier on my aging neck and cervical spine. Damn, it did feel lighter. I remembered long rides where the helmet seemed like it was dragging me down. I thought for a few minutes while weighing the helmet in my hands and said sold.
I’ve been riding to work the past two days in the Shoei. The weight difference is noticeable. The fit is much better than the Fulmer was. Quiet and without much wind noise. And for a winter rider, the big payoff is the breath guard really works. It was 22F on Tuesday morning and I did not have to open the visor once to clear fog.
But the big lesson for old men (and women) — a lighter helmet means less neck pain. I’m already liking the less weight part.
Not having the visor fog up would be great. In colder weather, I end up riding with the visor cracked open all the time to clear the fog. I looked at several Shoei models last summer but wasn’t really in the market for a new one.
Richard
RichardM: I didn’t really think the breath guard would work but was thrilled that the guard and accompanying ventilation features of the helmet worked perfectly.
I used to hold my breath at stops to keep from fogging up and when it is really cold when I would crack the visor open I would often get ice inside.
So here’s hoping the Shoei has solved most if not all of that nonsense.
A 5-year-old helmet would be due for replacement in any case. The materials helmets are made from get, for lack of a better term, stale. Less able to absorb impacts.
In my racing days I wore Shoeis. At the time they were a “value” brand, being much less expensive than the Simpson and Bell helmets most people used.
I like the breath guard. “Fog-free visor” is a phrase right up there with “I love you,” “the check is in the mail,” and “it’s on back-order.” I want my next full-face helmet to have one.
__Orin
Scootin’ Old Skool
Coincidentally, the Shoei Qwest has been getting rave reviews over here in Europe. I’ve tried one on myself really like the Shoei’s snug fit. The fact that it stayed fog-free for you in that weather is convincing me even more to get one.
I might just “accidentally” drop my helmet one of these days…
For those who of us who prefer a flip up, the AGV Miglia sports the same weight as the Qwest with excellent fit and finish, not much more road noise and it costs considerably less. Also, I’ve yet to have it fog up in the colder weather.
I love reading about your carefully considered riding life. You make me feel like a wild, cavalier rebel with my HJC Korean internet purchases.
Dear Steve:
After reading this post I have determined you probably buy the cheapest brand of peanut butter too. I have been experiencing increased back pain, and was ready to point the finger at the weight of my Nolan helmet. So I brought it to my orthopedic guy and asked his opinion. He dragged me to a mirror in his office, pointed at my ass and said, “Shave 140 pounds off that and say good-bye to back pain.”
I got the best sales pitch for a Nolan helmet. I slammed my head into a car hood, and then the ground. The helmet didn’t crack. I walked into my dealer’s and said, “I’ll have another Nolan, please.”
I must confess I thought you wrre going to say you dumped the bike when I saw the helmet on the ground.
It’s a great motorcycle blog that ends with, “So I spent more money,” as opposed to “When the ambulance finally arrived…”
Fondest regards,
Jack • reep • Toad
Twisted Roads
Orin: I wasn’t too upset that the helmet cracked because, as you point out, it was past it’s expiration date.
Just came back from a cold, windy ride and the breath guard continues to be amazing.
Chip: The Shoei is snug. I tried the next size bigger but it was too lose. The proper size pushes my cheeks in!
Aurelio: I’ve never tried a flip up. Somewhere in my head I have convinced myself their safety rating isn’t as good as a full face helmet. Is that true?
Conchscooter: I went into the dealership with HJC on my mind. I had read a review of helmets and an HJC was the second best rated helmet of 20 reviewed.
But I am happy with my Shoei.
And I am so glad I can make you feel like a rebel. Makes owning the Triumph that much richer.
Mr. Riepe: I buy the expensive organic peanut butter, you know the kind, open the lid and there is an inch and a half of peanut oil you have to mix in before you can spread it on your toast.
And I buy Oscar Meyer hot dogs too. Only the best.
Just so you don’t feel too bad — I’m 6’3″ and 200 pounds and my doctor is telling be the same thing. The world has weight issues.
If I do dump the scooter on the ground I will consider titling the post “Just to Make Riepe Happy”.