Motocycle Helmets: EXO-400 vs Bell Vortex

[z1ggy]

Looking to upgrade from my HJC CS-R2. I've read how great the new Bells are and I wanted to see if anybody had any thoughts on comparing it to an EXO-400, specifically the Synergy (it matches my bike). I've always had HJC but I want to try something new. If you had to buy a helmet under $200, which would you get?

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I've had a bunch of different brands and my favorite was a scorpion exo-1000. FWIW different brands have vastly different fits.. I would visit a bike shop and at least try a couple on. Figure out the online prices before you go as most shops will match it.

My personal opinion... Bell sells helmets to wal-mart. Even though the bike shop versions might be different, I just don't like buying something designed to save my life that also deals with extreme discount retailers.

 

[pauldun170]

The newer Bells aren't bad and I have heard good word of mouth on the Bell Star.
I have a Scorpion EXO-1000 and it has held up fairly well.

Like spatiallyaware said...go to the shop and try them on.

 

[z1ggy]

The people on gixxer.com basically jizz about the bell rs-1 and the star. I'll never buy the star because I don't race. I watched a review by Revzilla and they claimed the RS-1 was possibly the best helmet on the market right now for under $400. Seems like they improved a lot with their 2010 release as compared to the 2005 stuff.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

The people on gixxer.com basically jizz about the bell rs-1 and the star. I'll never buy the star because I don't race. I watched a review by Revzilla and they claimed the RS-1 was possibly the best helmet on the market right now for under $400. Seems like they improved a lot with their 2010 release as compared to the 2005 stuff.

See that's the rub, you're asking for ~$200 range helmets. Bell makes good $50 and good $400 helmets with not a lot between (at least this was the case 2 years ago or so)

A LOT of this stuff is very subjective. I have personally owned and broken in at least 10 helmets. The main differences between shoei/arai and HJC are the weight and the screen latch quality. I used to always swap between clear and tinted but it wears out most latches, so instead I had both a daytime and nighttime helmet.

Also worth noting is that the magazines have done more realistic tests than DOT and snell and found most helmet linings are generally way too stiff. Their best helmet for pure protection was some $80 helmet, but it weighed a ton and was uncomfortable.


Bottom line is that fit is the most important factor when buying a helmet. Also, some helmets tend to fit snug... like scorpion.. Every scorpion helmet I owned was very stiff and felt too small but after a few rides it was absolutely perfect.

 

[z1ggy]

^ Well, I def. want something lighter, as after 2 hrs of riding my neck is getting sore. However, I can't afford a $400 rs-1 right now.. So looks like I will be waiting? I wish some unbiased website ranked them sort of like how motorcycle mags will rank the new sportbikes every year and give them scores.

And @SA, I think Bell just came out with some new helmets this spring, and also last fall to the Vortex line up. I will have to call the local bike shop and see if they have them in. I have tried on the EXO- 400/1000 series and they fit okay. Been a few years though.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

FYI the US magazines are all biased. About the only truly unbiased magazines I could find are from the UK and are $$$$


I'm not really a huge fan of the superlight helmets, I had one and felt like it allowed my head to buffet around in the wind a lot.

If I were you I'd try for the exo-700 or whatever the equivalent is from HJC. You also might call a couple bike shops, ask for parts, then ask who knows the most about helmets and when they work next.

 

[pauldun170]

Bottom line is that fit is the most important factor when buying a helmet. Also, some helmets tend to fit snug... like scorpion.. Every scorpion helmet I owned was very stiff and felt too small but after a few rides it was absolutely perfect.

My scorpion took a couple of rides to "break in". Those first couple of rides kinda of sucked since I wear glasses.
My only complaint with the Scorpions I've used is that depending on the riding position, specifically the angle of your head at speed they can get a bit noisy. That and the vent system on the EXO-1000 is all that great compared to other helmets I've had.

 

[pauldun170]

If I were you I'd try for the exo-700 or whatever the equivalent is from HJC. You also might call a couple bike shops, ask for parts, then ask who knows the most about helmets and when they work next.

Agreed.
Its been awhile since I paid attention but the EXO-700 was the "goto" helmet.

 

[z1ggy]

I emailed Jason from STG as I have heard his name tossed around a bunch on gixxer.com. I asked what he would suggest. Looks like they dont make the EVO 700 in any color schemes I'd want, but I suppose looks shouldn't be the #1 priority.

Also, what about AGV K3 helmets?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Make sure you get one that fits you properly. Go try them on in person before you buy. It should be very snug but not uncomfortably so. I wear a medium Shoei.

Generally, what you get with the more expensive helmets is better ventilation, better shields, and less weight. I've been wearing a Shoei RF1100 for almost 3 years now and have well over 12,000 miles with this helmet. I love it and would only consider replacing it with the X-twelve from Shoei.

BTW-I've never had a latch system wear out but I tend to replace helmets every few years or 15,000-20,000 miles. Still, I'm always removing the shield to clean it or replace the tinted shield with a clear for night riding. I'm a big fan of the Shoei Spectra shields (mirrored). They reduce glare and fatigue on your eyes when riding on a sunny day but still give you a nice bright view of the road. For night time riding you should never use a tinted or mirrored shield.

 

[jlee]

What size do you need?

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Make sure you get one that fits you properly. Go try them on in person before you buy. It should be very snug but not uncomfortably so. I wear a medium Shoei.

Generally, what you get with the more expensive helmets is better ventilation, better shields, and less weight. I've been wearing a Shoei RF1100 for almost 3 years now and have well over 12,000 miles with this helmet. I love it and would only consider replacing it with the X-twelve from Shoei.

BTW-I've never had a latch system wear out but I tend to replace helmets every few years or 15,000-20,000 miles. Still, I'm always removing the shield to clean it or replace the tinted shield with a clear for night riding. I'm a big fan of the Shoei Spectra shields (mirrored). They reduce glare and fatigue on your eyes when riding on a sunny day but still give you a nice bright view of the road. For night time riding you should never use a tinted or mirrored shield.

<3 shoei. Nothing cooler than a color matched spectra shield. I have a blue shoei with the blue spectra shield. I had a white and red bike at the time but didn't care that the helmet didn't match because the helmet looked so damn good.

 

[MiataNC]

I love my Bell Star.

The only thing I would replace it with is another Star or Shoei X-12.

Look for new unsold closeout helmets. For example you can find a Bell Star for around $200-250

 

[z1ggy]

What size do you need?

Medium I think. Headed to the local bike store today after work to try scorpion, bell and shoei while I'm at it. Would love to match my bike but if not I'd settle for a black/white color combo.

 

[superccs]

Just in case you have not thought about it, the ICON alliance is a fantastic lid (almost Shoei-like) and can be had for around the $200 budget you are interested in. As always depends on your skull if it fits well.

 

[z1ggy]

I've heard negative things about ICON gear but I'm not sure how unbiased the info is.

 

[jlee]

I never use my EXO400 since Jules gave me his old Shoei. Shoot me a PM if you want it for cost of shipping. I can send you a couple pics if you want. It's blue/white/black I think.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I've heard negative things about ICON gear but I'm not sure how unbiased the info is.

Icon gear is terrible and primarily just for looks. I've owned one of their helmets and it was beyond horrible as far as quality is concerned.

Compare their mesh to alpinestars or dainese mesh... It's comical. Better than nothing at all, but it's a brand to avoid unless you're a stunta.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/helmets/


They have silver exo-1000 for $159 shipped. I have had great luck with newenough (don't let the name fool you, everything is new) but do email them and ask for a date code on the helmet as they expire after ~5 years and the foam liner tends to get brittle.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I never use my EXO400 since Jules gave me his old Shoei. Shoot me a PM if you want it for cost of shipping. I can send you a couple pics if you want. It's blue/white/black I think.

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[Fenixgoon]

whichever one fits you better. try them on if at all possible. otherwise, take measurements of your head (or have a friend help) and go to any reputable retailer and ask for advice based on your measurements and head shape.

note: i am a huge revzilla.com fanboy. they have awesome service.

 

[JulesMaximus]

By the way, I recommend wearing earplugs regardless of which helmet you get because the wind noise at freeway speeds is deafening and can contribute to hearing loss over time. Plus, it is amazing how much less fatigued you feel when you've been riding all day with earplugs vs riding without.

 

[pauldun170]

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/helmets/


They have silver exo-1000 for $159 shipped. I have had great luck with newenough (don't let the name fool you, everything is new) but do email them and ask for a date code on the helmet as they expire after ~5 years and the foam liner tends to get brittle.

Thats the one I have..,.
Think I paid 300 way back when

 

[pauldun170]

By the way, I recommend wearing earplugs regardless of which helmet you get because the wind noise at freeway speeds is deafening and can contribute to hearing loss over time. Plus, it is amazing how much less fatigued you feel when you've been riding all day with earplugs vs riding without.

Agreed
I can't even ride around the corner without my plugs in.
Hard to believe I spent my younger years without them.