Hot weather Helmet Advice. Need good flowing/venting helmet
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Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 308
Hot weather Helmet Advice. Need good flowing/venting helmet
I currently use a 9 year old Arai RX7 RR3. It's the best venting helmet I've ever worn...but it's getting very old, worn out, and it's been dropped a few times, so should be replaced. (I've contacted Arai about having it serviced, and Arai said they would remove the Cert sticker off the helmet, and would not reccomend anyone wearing it, as they claim it's past it's "servicable" 5 year life.)
I also have a KBC VR-2 Dragon. It's an awesome helmet, for winter/cold weather riding, as it has nearly NO venting. However, this makes it completely unbearable in HOT weather.
So I've got 6 months before the Hot Weather returns...I'm wondering what you folks reccomend in the way of the best venting/ best airflow helmet you've worn in hot weather.
Reccomendations please.
I also have a KBC VR-2 Dragon. It's an awesome helmet, for winter/cold weather riding, as it has nearly NO venting. However, this makes it completely unbearable in HOT weather.
So I've got 6 months before the Hot Weather returns...I'm wondering what you folks reccomend in the way of the best venting/ best airflow helmet you've worn in hot weather.
Reccomendations please.
Last edited by RPV-Hawk; Oct 13, 2009 at 05:48 PM.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
I have an Arai RX7 RR as well, the Sete Giberneau model, and I agree with you on its great venting. Mine's over 4 years old, but still in great shape. However, knowing I will have to replace it in the future, the almost $900 list price of a new one is disturbing. I've had 4 Arai's.
My wife says her Shoei RF 1000 kept her happy on the 90 to 100+ degree days that we rode up until a couple of weeks ago. And hers is solid black. It was less than $500 if I recall correctly. So I might go with a Shoei next time since my heavy discount source for Arai's has dried up.
My wife says her Shoei RF 1000 kept her happy on the 90 to 100+ degree days that we rode up until a couple of weeks ago. And hers is solid black. It was less than $500 if I recall correctly. So I might go with a Shoei next time since my heavy discount source for Arai's has dried up.
Member
Squid
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 82
From: Sun City, CA
I have a Scorpion EXO-1000 that I am really happy with. It has a chinbar vent, a forehead vent, and two vents toward the front on top. Then there are "exhaust" vents near the top on the back below the "spoiler" and at the base in the rear/sides. Here in the Inland Empire of Southern California, I regularly see 110+ on the way home from work. Nothing will keep you cool in those temps, but the airflow makes it liveable. Except for the lowest exhaust vents in the rear/sides, all of the vents are closeable for those cooler days too. And with the built-in fighter pilot style sun visor, I don't have to deal with sunglasses or changing faceshields either.
Sexual Daredevil
SuperSport
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 597
From: Mother Earth- orbiting around Charlotte, NC. But now over the border in S.C.
Shoei is coming out with their X-12, so you may find deals on X-11's as closeouts.
I've had an X-11 for a few years now and love it. When I ready for another lid I won't hesitate to get an X-12. The rep came by the shop and let me try one on. Fits like my 11 only better.
I've had an X-11 for a few years now and love it. When I ready for another lid I won't hesitate to get an X-12. The rep came by the shop and let me try one on. Fits like my 11 only better.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 308
It seems some stores still have old stock on the RX7 RR4's... I might get this one.
http://www.nengun.com/arai/rx-7-rr4-hayden-gp
http://www.nengun.com/arai/rx-7-rr4-hayden-gp
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
From: Phoenix, AZ
I just soak my shirt, jacket and pants every stop with water and pour a little water into my helmet..
But then again, we are talking Phoenix hot: 125+ so by the time you stop ~80 miles later you are bone dry and verging on heatstroke again.
But then again, we are talking Phoenix hot: 125+ so by the time you stop ~80 miles later you are bone dry and verging on heatstroke again.
Senior Member
SuperSport
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 807
From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
It's worth checking out the new Bell Star. I had Arai's for more than 15 years and suddenly developed a knack for breaking side pods when I installed the face shields. The Bell shield mechanism is excellent. It also vents extremely well.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,978
From: thorold ontario
my hjc breathes really well. i think its a cl15 or something along those lines. it seems to let in a good bit of air around and the vent system works really well in 100 degree days. my new shark i havent tried on hot days yet but on warmer days it was getting warm inside and i can see myself riding with the shield open come summer time. but it fits 100 times better than my hjc does. i use it now in the cold weather, was just under 40 the other day and my head was still warm. but for fit between the two ill stick with the shark rsi
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 115
From: Henderson, NV
+1 on the water soaking. Nearly the same dry, hot issues in Vegas as in Phoenix, although it rarely cracks 115. 110 is normal for the summer. A good *****'s bath every hour does the trick. Dump water down your jacket, pants and helmet. Water evaporates =cooling effect on your body. Not sure what the original poster considers "hot", but as mentioned above, a good high quality Shoei or Arai is going to give better ventilation than some of the cheaper brands. I've had a few of both over the years and the Shoei X-11 had the best ventilation of any I've tried. Now sporting a RF-1000 that has adequate ventilation. The other thing that's a must in hot weather is a good tinted face shield. Better is one of the polarized, reflective ones. May not seem like much, but it does bring the temp in your head down a few degrees, just like tinted windows on your car.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Superstock
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 308
Not an option when I'm riding to/from work. This does work if you're riding through the desert for extended periods, but not so well if you plan on looking "professional" once you get to the office.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,216
From: Westerly, RI
I don't see 110+, maybe 90's in the summer here in RI. I like Shoei RF-1000. 1 chin vent, 2 forehead, 2 rear vents. My favorite feature for keeping cool is in the shield mechanism. You can pull the lock lever down and it will open the face shield slightly, and you get a nice small flow of air across the face. This way the shield is still closed and your eyes are protected, but you get extra ventilation.
Also, the Shoei has foam has troughs in it for airflow across the top of the head to the rear vents.
I like it.
Also, the Shoei has foam has troughs in it for airflow across the top of the head to the rear vents.
I like it.
Member
Squid
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 43
From: Camden, NJ
I ride with a Shoei TZ-R and I think it does a plenty good job venting. I've heard that the X-11 (and I guess now X-12) has better venting systems, but I've never tried them.
A hot day around here is around 105 F.
A hot day around here is around 105 F.
Senior Member
SuperBike
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,548
From: MN
there are a couple new models out from several makes (I think HJC and shoe in particular) pushing their best vented models yet.
this site does a really decent job of reviewing helmets. lots of info
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...le-helmets.htm
this site does a really decent job of reviewing helmets. lots of info
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...le-helmets.htm
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,844
From: Gainesville FLA.
The best venting helmets are going to cost you but you can find closeouts. Shoei x-11, 12 is even better, Arai corsair 5, Bell star, AGV gp tech, and if you want to go cheap and ugly GMAX makes one. All of the helmets above you can feel the air almost as soon as you take off, I own the Bell Star and the rf1k and the shoei only sees the road when I get hit with rain and the bell has to dry out. My friend owns the x-11 and we swapped when I had the RF and I regreted not speending the extra money. Cycle gear has the x-11 starting at $469 for solid colors and $499 for race rep paint jobs. You can find the bell for around $350 if you search hard enough, I've tried all of these except the Arai and the are all great breathing helmets but if it's as humid as it is here it helps (a lot) but it's still HOT.
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