Long Time Shoei User - Looking to Switch to ? (Maybe)

[Sabre093]

I've had numerous helmets from Arai to Shoei , Simpson , Vega now a Gmax all different for there own reasons...I now look to a helmet for easy shield removal from day to night....Going to look at the Bell and HJC for my next purchase

[ribbert]

...I now look to a helmet for easy shield removal from day to night....

Interesting point. After 40 years of riding with 2 screens (day & night) I found myself increasingly raising my dark screen many times through the day as conditions changed. There are many times through the day when the dark screen, IMO, limits my vision. Not for seeing where I'm going but things like gravel on corners, picking damp from shade, riding under tree canopy etc.
I like a dark screen but just find there are too many times through the day when it's not suitable and my view of the road not the best it could possibly be.
In the last few years I have taken to wearing sunglasses with a clear visor and find this much more satisfactory as I can pop them on and off at whim while riding, or even just pull them down and look over the top if it's only for a short time.
It also gives me the option of waaay better lenses for glare and colour.

I still carry a spare visor though. A while back I had to remove my visor when a screw fell out of the mechanism on one side. The aerodynamics of the helmet without it made riding even at a 100 kph near impossible and I still had many hundreds of Km's to go. I could have duct taped it on but, like many, find a helmet I can't raise the visor on uncomfortable and quite claustrophobic.

Just another option.

Noel

[giantkiller]

Switching shields on the bell rs1 I have isn't necessary with the transitions shield. But I do take it off to clean it. It is the easiest shield I've ever seen, to change. In fact part of their advertising is that you can change it with one hand.

[aviationfred]

...I now look to a helmet for easy shield removal from day to night....

There are many times through the day when the dark screen, IMO, limits my vision. Not for seeing where I'm going but things like gravel on corners, picking damp from shade, riding under tree canopy etc.
I like a dark screen but just find there are too many times through the day when it's not suitable and my view of the road not the best it could possibly be.

The Bell Transitions face shield automatically takes care of this issue. When riding at dawn, dusk, or in shady/cloudy conditions the shield may darken, but not full dark.

I have not been in any conditions when the shield has been too dark. In bright sunshine the shield does get very dark and there is no need for sunglasses.

I do use a 1" visor shade to help with glare when riding into the sun.

Fred

[the fan]

Switching shields on the bell rs1 I have isn't necessary with the transitions shield. But I do take it off to clean it. It is the easiest shield I've ever seen, to change. In fact part of their advertising is that you can change it with one hand.

The bell is definitely one of the easiest to change. I have a buddy who is a die hard Arai guy and we were teasing him about the shield change once at a track day.

When challenged about how easy a Bell was, I changed mine out in about a minute... while still wearing it.

[Burns]

The Bell Mag 9 I'm wearing is probably the most comfortable lid I've owned.  Noise and wind control are excellent. It is light, provides very good peripheral vision and the adjustable vents provide a cherry on top

Head shape does not to be an issue with the comfort level.  I have a narrow head and my son got his noggin' from his momma's gene pool (German)  It's pretty much a pumpkin.  When he tried mine on he instantly regretted his recent purchase of a quality helmet t twice the price.

There's somethings I don't like about it:  The styling is a bit "Buck Rogers" for my taste. The flip shield provides as much protection as any full face helmet I've worn but it does not flip up completley out of the way; the bottom edge remains in my field of visiom.  Also that shield is a bit fragile.  If you drop the helmet it will probably break (mine did).  It costs 40 bucks and most retailers are usually out of stock I've notoced.  Also, the inner tinted shield has a rather flimsy feel to its acutuator/retractor.

The newer versions come pre-wired for blue-tooth ear phones (I have the old one)

It's under $200.

[FJ1100mjk]

Thanks everyone for all of the feedback. A lot of good info, and some options for me on brands.

I had a Bell Magnum back in the mid-80's, and liked it. Perhaps it's time to revisit that brand.  I like the potential benefits of Bell's Transitions shield, and quick detatch and re-latch of the shield on the brand that was noted. Enhanced air flow over what I have experienced with a Shoei RF, would be a nice benefit too.

Still though, I never considered HJC helmets, so they are worth a look too.

I will keep a watch out for some clearance deals on helmets.

Thanks again!

[giantkiller]

Don't forget, you can get different size cheek pads for the rs1 to fine tune the fit. Don't know if the other bell helmets offer that or not.

[Burns]

Thanks everyone for all of the feedback. A lot of good info, and some options for me on brands.

I had a Bell Magnum back in the mid-80's, and liked it. Perhaps it's time to revisit that brand.  I like the potential benefits of Bell's Transitions shield, and quick detatch and re-latch of the shield on the brand that was noted. Enhanced air flow over what I have experienced with a Shoei RF, would be a nice benefit too.

Still though, I never considered HJC helmets, so they are worth a look too.

I will keep a watch out for some clearance deals on helmets.

Thanks again!

I tried the Transitions helmet and found it uncomfortable.  It may fit your head though.

[Pat Conlon]

The electric tint LCD visors look interesting.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?autoplay=1&v=LHv0jeqTwpc