3 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

 

https://smf.org/cert

 

Certainly surprised, last time i looked they only had one DOT approved one, somehow need to make sure it isn't fake, I'll stick with Shark, fit well

1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:

 

Mai Tai Motorbikes  Pattaya.

Thanks. I spoke with the Real Helmet head office this morning. The women said that the Cyber model has been discontinued, but still some floating around for sale online it seems. I would probably buy one online if I was sure of the fit, but difficult to buy a helmet without trying it on first as you know. 
 

Also, for the model I have now they said the smallest insert available to swap with mine would be the large size. They told me most women would wear either a small or a medium so a large would still be too big. Thus, unfortunately doesn't look like I'm going to be able to change the sizing on my existing helmet so that a woman can wear it. 
 

The woman at Real also told me a shop called Real Rider @ Mega Bang Na has the biggest selection of Real helmets in Bangkok. So I'll probably go there. She said Real aren't making any Snell rated models anymore. All of their helmets are ECER22-05 rated now. 
 

So I think my plan for now is to continue using the one that I'm using for myself for another year and then just replace it. For the second helmet, for the occasional female passenger, I think I'll buy a Real helmet with either a small or medium sized insert at Real Rider. Then in about a year from now I'll replace mine with a new one. 

58 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Depends on your head shape i guess, my first Shark helmet was 1999, fitted great, same Shoei size

Thanks. As per my post above, I think I'll stick with my Real for now and probably replace it in another year. I've had a good experience with Real, but I'll take a look at Shark too when I'm ready to replace mine. 
 

For the second helmet for female passengers, I'll probably buy a 1,500-2,000 Baht helmet made by Real from Real Rider in Bang Ba. Probably go for a Medium size. 

56 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Certainly surprised, last time i looked they only had one DOT approved one, somehow need to make sure it isn't fake, I'll stick with Shark, fit well

When I spoke with the woman at Real this morning she confirmed that their discontinued Cyber model is Snell. And all others are ECER22-05 rated, which is better than DOT. 

2 hours ago, WingNut said:

When I spoke with the woman at Real this morning she confirmed that their discontinued Cyber model is Snell. And all others are ECER22-05 rated, which is better than DOT. 

a bit suspicious why the only Snell helmet was discontinued 

6 hours ago, WingNut said:

I've had Shoei helmets. Yes, they cost a lot in Thailand (like your Bell). But in the states many models are $200. Same price as some of the high quality local brands in Thailand. So I don't think you need to spend that much in Thailand to get a high quality helmet. 

Thinking about it, do we really get what we pay for?  Its very difficult to make a comparison between the UK and Thailand on bike related clothing, parts and accessories because the markets are totally different. In the UK most people ride bikes, especially 'big bikes' for leisure and the riders are normally older generation males who's kids have flown the nest and they're reliving their youth. In Thailand, the vast majority of bikes are 125cc and under and used as a mode of personal everyday transport.

 

We get totally ripped off for anything 'bike' in the UK whereas in Thailand parts for domestically built bikes, even 'big bikes' are relatively cheap. A couple of years back I wanted a lock set for my ER6 (my Thai bike) and thought it would be easier to get one in the UK when I returned.  That was until Kawasaki quoted me £400 (18,400 baht) - I nearly fell off my chair.  I managed to instigate a LINE chat (in English!) with the Kawasaki shop back in Korat who quoted me £140 (6440 baht) for exactly the same genuine parts.  It would be easy to say that's because the bike was built in Thailand but that's not the whole truth of the matter.  I have no doubt that Kawasaki source some parts from Thai suppliers but an awful lot of the bike is actually made in Japan (and elsewhere) and simply assembled in Thailand.  I can't see it costing £260 to ship a lockset from either Japan or Thailand to the UK so once again, it appears that the manufacturers are extracting as much as they possibly can out of British blokes who seemingly will pay anything for their toys.

 

The same may well be true of the helmet and clothing business - I don't know. So far all my gear is what I either had before or what I've bought in from the UK.  I've always believed that spending a lot of money on protective gear is money well spent but that might not always be the case. I still wouldn't touch an Index helmet though 😁.

6 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

a bit suspicious why the only Snell helmet was discontinued 

I do agree. But there could be various possible reasons why and not all of them so dubious. Perhaps Thais care more about the European standard than Snell. Maybe the costs of the Snell certification were too high. Maybe that one helmet was just a pilot project which they decided not to continue with. All hard to say. 

9 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Shoei is over rated though, had one full face, nothing special, never bought again. 6k for a full face isn't a lot, has EU safety thing, Real will have nothing

I enjoy light modular helmets which are as quiet as possible even I use sound/noise canceling ear buds. And I found those two brands to fit my head, and have the quality I want for the price I'm willing to pay. 

 

Not to forget fit myglasses and sun glasses as well my ear buds. 

 

When buying helmets I bring my glasses, and ear buds, when buying glasses, I bring my helmet. 

Edited July 4, 20242 yr by Hummin

28 minutes ago, MangoKorat said:

Thinking about it, do we really get what we pay for?  Its very difficult to make a comparison between the UK and Thailand on bike related clothing, parts and accessories because the markets are totally different. In the UK most people ride bikes, especially 'big bikes' for leisure and the riders are normally older generation males who's kids have flown the nest and they're reliving their youth. In Thailand, the vast majority of bikes are 125cc and under and used as a mode of personal everyday transport.

 

We get totally ripped off for anything 'bike' in the UK whereas in Thailand parts for domestically built bikes, even 'big bikes' are relatively cheap. A couple of years back I wanted a lock set for my ER6 (my Thai bike) and thought it would be easier to get one in the UK when I returned.  That was until Kawasaki quoted me £400 (18,400 baht) - I nearly fell off my chair.  I managed to instigate a LINE chat (in English!) with the Kawasaki shop back in Korat who quoted me £140 (6440 baht) for exactly the same genuine parts.  It would be easy to say that's because the bike was built in Thailand but that's not the whole truth of the matter.  I have no doubt that Kawasaki source some parts from Thai suppliers but an awful lot of the bike is actually made in Japan (and elsewhere) and simply assembled in Thailand.  I can't see it costing £260 to ship a lockset from either Japan or Thailand to the UK so once again, it appears that the manufacturers are extracting as much as they possibly can out of British blokes who seemingly will pay anything for their toys.

 

The same may well be true of the helmet and clothing business - I don't know. So far all my gear is what I either had before or what I've bought in from the UK.  I've always believed that spending a lot of money on protective gear is money well spent but that might not always be the case. I still wouldn't touch an Index helmet though 😁.

Here is my opinion, but it's just that so please only take it as such. 
 

I used to compare prices of things in the UK versus US prices. If something cost $10 in the US then it would be £10 in the UK for the same item. It was almost always like this. So I eventually I came to the conclusion that things are simply more expensive in the UK, but never figured out exactly why. Perhaps because it's a smaller consumer market than in the US, but again I don't know if that plays a role or not. 
 

The difference in price though on the motorcycle parts between the UK and Thailand that you mentioned doesn't surprise me. I remember before I would compare prices of Honda and Kawasaki bikes made in Thailand versus the cost of the same model bikes in the US or Europe, and it was always a lot more expensive for the same bike overseas. 

 

As for the high cost of foreign made helmets in Thailand, it costs them 27% in taxes to import them. Plus shipping costs. In addition, it seems Thais are used to paying a very high premium for certain specialized overseas made goods. They call them "import" products, which has the connotation of that it's foreign made, thus more valuable, thus sold at a premium price. But the markup on imported motorcycle helmets in Thailand is sometimes three times the price as in the states, which is pretty shocking. Same for some of the motorcycle clothing and boots. 

 

Yes, I don't ever plan to buy an Index helmet either. But I do think some of the higher cost, locally made helmets by Real are really good. You also have Shark, which are made in Thailand too, but it's actually a French brand/company. And then you have HJC, which is South Korean and you have NHK, which is from Indonesia. All good stuff. 

9 hours ago, WingNut said:

And then you have HJC,

Yes I had a HJC helmet fairly recently, it was the most comfortable helmet I've ever had - expensive though as I bought it in the UK and it had a 'Marvel' branding.

 

Sadly it was stolen when my house was broken into and my insurers did not consider it to be a form of personal clothing or a personal item.

1 hour ago, MangoKorat said:

Yes I had a HJC helmet fairly recently, it was the most comfortable helmet I've ever had - expensive though as I bought it in the UK and it had a 'Marvel' branding.

 

Sadly it was stolen when my house was broken into and my insurers did not consider it to be a form of personal clothing or a personal item.

I am not sure if I ever tried one on in the past. I think I tried on a Shark once and the fit wasn't so comfortable. The most comfortable helmet I ever tried on was an Arai once. Sadly I didn't buy it. 
 

A shame your HJC got stolen. I saw some on Lazada that look very inexpensive. The CS-15 looks to be a popular model right now and I saw one seller offering it for under 3,000 Baht. Tempting. Maybe you can replace yours:

 

https://s.lazada.co.th/s.oFn8B

 

1,600 grams I think. I read this about it:

 

    1.    Material: The HJC CS-15 helmet features an advanced polycarbonate composite shell. This construction is designed to be lightweight and provide a comfortable fit.
    2.    Ventilation: The helmet includes a well-engineered ventilation system with multiple intake and exhaust vents to ensure optimal airflow, keeping the rider cool and comfortable.
    3.    Interior: The interior of the HJC CS-15 is made from moisture-wicking, anti-bacterial fabric. The lining is removable and washable, which helps maintain hygiene and comfort over time.
    4.    Visor: It comes with an anti-scratch visor that offers UV protection. The visor can be quickly and easily changed thanks to the quick-release system.
    5.    Safety: The HJC CS-15 is ECE 22.05 certified, indicating it meets European safety standards. It has passed tests for impact resistance, penetration resistance, strap strength, and more.

The HJC CS-15 is a popular choice for riders due to its affordability and reliable features, making it a solid entry-level helmet.

I'm getting a bit more interested in HJC for myself when I eventually replace my Real helmet. Real is still perfect for the second helmet I want to buy for the occasional female passenger, but the HJC i10 is a really nice helmet, Snell rated, and only around 5,000-5,500 Baht. Seems like it could be a really good option for myself. Still would need to try it on first for size and fit though. 

https://www.morethanbikeshop.com/product/hjc-i-10/

 

 

Edited July 4, 20242 yr by WingNut

some women need a full face helmet, especially in the mornings

13 hours ago, WingNut said:

Maybe you can replace yours:

I'm happy with the Bell.  I once said I'd never have a modular helmet but that was back in the days when they looked hideous, as if you'd bought an aftermarket bolt on full face conversion - they are much better now. I really appreciate being able to raise the front for a better view during low speed touring + you get a lot more cooling wind in that you do by just raising the visor.

1 hour ago, MangoKorat said:

I'm happy with the Bell.  I once said I'd never have a modular helmet but that was back in the days when they looked hideous, as if you'd bought an aftermarket bolt on full face conversion - they are much better now. I really appreciate being able to raise the front for a better view during low speed touring + you get a lot more cooling wind in that you do by just raising the visor.

Thanks. I still prefer a conventional full face design at this point. But good to know. 
 

Anyway, I discovered a helmet shop that has 4 branches around Bangkok, one of which is quite close to me. They carry all the brands listed below, which includes Real and HJC. Saves me a trip to Bang Na or somewhere even further away.
 

The shop is called BKK Speed. I'll probably check them out soon.
 

I also watched another video about HJC; seems they sell more helmets than any other helmet manufacturer in the world now. 

 

https://bkkspeed.com/#

 

Try LS2 Advent X, it's a solid built modular helmet with 180° flip all the way back. It's approved to ride like open face or full face. I had it for a couple of months and it's okay for me so far... (HJC and Shark also have their own models like this, but I tried and didn't like them. HJC heavy, and Shark flimsy toy like mechanism) 

 

I has a MT Atom normal flip up before, but only flip half up, so not able to ride like that. Once down in full face mode it was okay, but it was making a howling wind noise on the left hand side where sunviser mechanism was, terrible noise at 100kph, even with earplugs....., Fortunately I mange to sell it at lower price after a few months... 

 

For me the number one issue with helmets now is noise level at 100kph, if too loud on 5 or 6 hours tour, it's only good for the bin really because nobody can bear it...! Earplugs can only do so much..., I wish we could test drive the helmets... 🙄

 

I don't like large windshield much, don't feel comfortable seeing through them. I have a Forza 350 now that has electric windshield, it's not bad to put it up sometimes, but prefer it down...

Amazing how lads can spend fortunes in an evening with hookers and then get stingy on putting in the price for a proper helmet that has been certified by international norms, reputation and standards.

Edited July 5, 20242 yr by SingAPorn

5 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

Amazing how lads can spend fortunes in an evening with hookers and then get stingy on putting in the price for a proper helmet that has been certified by international norms, reputation and standards.

All the helmets being discussed here are either ECE 22.05 or Snell certified. 

Not all certified helmets are born equal...

 

Sharp DFT UK

10 hours ago, SingAPorn said:

Amazing how lads can spend fortunes in an evening with hookers and then get stingy on putting in the price for a proper helmet that has been certified by international norms, reputation and standards.

If you spent any time in Pattaya you'd see many people including farangs don't wear helmets, Thais generally wear cheap helmets, Index popular with them

Helmet also useful and more durable than paper bag if she is a bit Fugly

In the end I picked up two new helmets. I got an HJC i10 Robust for myself. Really nice helmet. Superb build quality. I got it for 4,700 Baht on sale and it is Snell approved. I also picked up a REAL Raptor as a second helmet for female passengers. Also caught that one on sale for 1,500 Baht. Overall it was good timing when I picked them both up because there was that 7-7 sale going on. Think I'm sorted now. 

On 7/5/2024 at 7:31 PM, Agusts said:

Try LS2 Advent X, it's a solid built modular helmet with 180° flip all the way back. It's approved to ride like open face or full face. I had it for a couple of months and it's okay for me so far... (HJC and Shark also have their own models like this, but I tried and didn't like them. HJC heavy, and Shark flimsy toy like mechanism) 

 

I has a MT Atom normal flip up before, but only flip half up, so not able to ride like that. Once down in full face mode it was okay, but it was making a howling wind noise on the left hand side where sunviser mechanism was, terrible noise at 100kph, even with earplugs....., Fortunately I mange to sell it at lower price after a few months... 

 

For me the number one issue with helmets now is noise level at 100kph, if too loud on 5 or 6 hours tour, it's only good for the bin really because nobody can bear it...! Earplugs can only do so much..., I wish we could test drive the helmets... 🙄

 

I don't like large windshield much, don't feel comfortable seeing through them. I have a Forza 350 now that has electric windshield, it's not bad to put it up sometimes, but prefer it down...

LS2 make great helmets and have very good safety ratings. 

 

I've 3 of them back in NZ and currently have an old one here that's due for replacement.   About the only brand that fitted my head comfortably... Maybe I've a strange shaped head! 

On 7/3/2024 at 12:52 PM, WingNut said:

I know it's about safety, but I can't get a helmet that will fit correct for various different head sizes. So I just hit to try and get something sort of standard. 

You know it's about safety but want to share a crash helmet between people with different head sizes and justify this by saying the journeys will be short and local. 

 

This is not safe. How liable will you be when someone's grieving family sues you for saying that?

 

 

1 minute ago, Scott Tracy said:

You know it's about safety but want to share a crash helmet between people with different head sizes and justify this by saying the journeys will be short and local. 

 

This is not safe. How liable will you be when someone's grieving family sues you for saying that?

 

 

 

i'd be more concerned with head lice than being sued by a greiving gamily.

On 7/3/2024 at 12:13 PM, scubascuba3 said:

Just get a cheap open face one, girls prefer that. 500 baht would be ok for a temporary bird one, check Index on Lazada. I use the free one Mityon gives out when you buy a bike. They are more likely to agree to wearing a half face vs full face

Cheap helmet for a cheap head.. 

17 minutes ago, Chongalulu said:

Cheap helmet for a cheap head.. 

That's what most girls i see wear if they are wearing one at all, are you able to get an XXL helmet for you?

On 7/3/2024 at 5:59 PM, WingNut said:

usually take a large or an extra large sized insert for myself, depending on the model.  so I think the sizes just run a little small in Thailand on the local brands. 

 

 

includes shirts , wallets, and condoms

got a LS2 Rapid II size S at 320SP BKK store for my gf, 2400 THB, latest EC 22.06 certification and with 1,300g very light weight

 

https://www.lazada.co.th/products/ls2-helmets-rapid-ii-ff353-solid-matt-black-i4963961318-s20890890076.html?from_gmc=1&fl_tag=1&exlaz=d_1:mm_150050845_51350205_2010350205::12:20624907972!!!!!c!!20890890076!129005925&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsoiMi7-oiAMVbyWDAx1pOyA4EAQYAiABEgKZ4vD_BwE

 

Edited September 4, 20242 yr by MrJ

On 7/3/2024 at 5:59 PM, WingNut said:

The other issue is that it may not be the same person using it all the time.

 

Oh dear....another sexpat in Thailand.

 

Just use a full face condom over their heads....it's cheap enough.