abraxas
Biker
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2007
- Messages
- 652
- Reaction score
- 5
- Points
- 0
- Location
- South Africa
Ok, i have a whole buncha different things to add.
Here in SA it's fairly straightforward when it comes to buying a lid:
El cheapo for R1000 and less, usually AMA Racing or such for 500-600 rands.
From 2k - 10k you can have Arai, Shark, Shoei, AGV etc.
But here's the kicker, there are ONLY 2 types of helmets, fibreglass or plastic. Fibreglass is stronger, lighter, sprayable and generally a better product. Plastic is cheap, light, weaker and sensitive to chemicals (painting one would ruin the structural integrity of the plastics.) Plastic helmets are also more likely to develop cracks after a minor fall, thus making them worthless for ever after, without you realising it.
There's a myth this side that you must buy the most expensive helmet you can't afford, and has become an ego boost in it's own right. If you can afford a 10k helmet your head is worth more than the bloke with a 1k helmet. Stupid really, when the helmets are both plastic, the only difference is comfort and noise. Difference in true safety is zero.
I use a lafe, which is south african made fibreglass helmets. They provide for several military and law enforcement agencies worldwide, and make a whole range including for pilots, parachutists and bikers. It cost me about R1200 2-3 years back. Sadly, because of the whole "image" thing, lafe's don't sell too well here, because they don't look cool. (really) So people pay more for a lower quality helmet ... cos it looks cool.
I'm not 100% happy though, build quality was sloppy, and since none of the local suppliers stock it, i need to plan ahead to get replacement screens etc. But, i can get them for relatively cheap (about R400 for a visor), and it's a simple design, so i can swap out the dark visor for a clear one when i'm out at night times.
I'm busy preparing to refit the inside, wind noise is a bit much, and i want to spray it, looking a bit grubby already with arbitrary scratches etc, but i can paint it, refurbish it, and wear it for a few years more.
Oh and one more thing: open face helmet have also become "cool" to wear. Here's 1 thought, no matter how you come off, you're probably going face first. You really do want that chin guard. ;-)
Here in SA it's fairly straightforward when it comes to buying a lid:
El cheapo for R1000 and less, usually AMA Racing or such for 500-600 rands.
From 2k - 10k you can have Arai, Shark, Shoei, AGV etc.
But here's the kicker, there are ONLY 2 types of helmets, fibreglass or plastic. Fibreglass is stronger, lighter, sprayable and generally a better product. Plastic is cheap, light, weaker and sensitive to chemicals (painting one would ruin the structural integrity of the plastics.) Plastic helmets are also more likely to develop cracks after a minor fall, thus making them worthless for ever after, without you realising it.
There's a myth this side that you must buy the most expensive helmet you can't afford, and has become an ego boost in it's own right. If you can afford a 10k helmet your head is worth more than the bloke with a 1k helmet. Stupid really, when the helmets are both plastic, the only difference is comfort and noise. Difference in true safety is zero.
I use a lafe, which is south african made fibreglass helmets. They provide for several military and law enforcement agencies worldwide, and make a whole range including for pilots, parachutists and bikers. It cost me about R1200 2-3 years back. Sadly, because of the whole "image" thing, lafe's don't sell too well here, because they don't look cool. (really) So people pay more for a lower quality helmet ... cos it looks cool.
I'm not 100% happy though, build quality was sloppy, and since none of the local suppliers stock it, i need to plan ahead to get replacement screens etc. But, i can get them for relatively cheap (about R400 for a visor), and it's a simple design, so i can swap out the dark visor for a clear one when i'm out at night times.
I'm busy preparing to refit the inside, wind noise is a bit much, and i want to spray it, looking a bit grubby already with arbitrary scratches etc, but i can paint it, refurbish it, and wear it for a few years more.
Oh and one more thing: open face helmet have also become "cool" to wear. Here's 1 thought, no matter how you come off, you're probably going face first. You really do want that chin guard. ;-)