5 hours ago, PoorSucker said:

Shoei is made in Japan

Explains the higher cost, higher labour costs vs Shark which i think my helmet came from Vietnam

I use a Shoei neotec 2 modular helmet, the fit is great and ventilation is good. low wind noise

 

It cost a little more then other brands, but i want to protect what's inside, 

 

I am on my second one as i had an accident and smacked the road surface very hard with the helmet, didn't get any injuries myself but i have never used that helmet again, just went and got another one, consumable item. 

 

 

On 1/5/2025 at 10:04 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

Just general advice, after I bought a couple of helmets in Thailand.

 

- Make sure it really fits

- Make sure you have 100% peripheral vision. Many helmets give you less than 100% peripheral vision to the left and right. You need that!

- Consider an open face helmet. It doesn't protect you as good as a full-face helmet but it's not so blo@#@$ hot.

- Where will you put the helmet when you park somewhere? Especially expensive helmets are more likely to get stolen.

 

 

Open faced helmets (my choice) will usually fit under the seat whereas full face maybe not.  Here in Pattaya they will steal a quality helmet in a heartbeat.  Even if you lock the chin strap under the seat with the helmet hanging off the side, they will cut the strap (that's from personal experience).

I went through a few helmets in Bangkok that never really fit well.  That changed when I spent about an hour in one of the helmet specialty shops that have hundreds on display.  I tried on a couple of dozen before I found one that didn't have any pinch points.  The shop I used was in BKK Chinatown, but I've perused similar shops all over.  All helmets, hundreds of them.

 

I'm no expert, but my recommendation (based on that experience) is to NOT buy one online without trying it on.  And try on a bunch, because some felt okay, until I tried on the next one that felt so much better.

 

I ended up buying one beanie for the 1km motosai taxi ride to work, and a full face helmet that I never really ended up using because I'm a wimp when it comes to longer trips.  I feel much safer with 2 tons of steel and seat belts. 

 

But, to each his own.

 

14 minutes ago, kimothai said:

Open faced helmets (my choice) will usually fit under the seat whereas full face maybe not.  Here in Pattaya they will steal a quality helmet in a heartbeat.  Even if you lock the chin strap under the seat with the helmet hanging off the side, they will cut the strap (that's from personal experience).

 

Any thoughts about drilling a 1/2" hole in the helmet and stringing it on a padlock with a steel cable?  I don't think the 1/2" hole close to the edge would create any safety issues.  Or am I wrong there?

 

9 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Any thoughts about drilling a 1/2" hole in the helmet and stringing it on a padlock with a steel cable?  I don't think the 1/2" hole close to the edge would create any safety issues.  Or am I wrong there?

 

They say don't do anything to the helmet, is it worth the risk?

12 minutes ago, impulse said:

I went through a few helmets in Bangkok that never really fit well.  That changed when I spent about an hour in one of the helmet specialty shops that have hundreds on display.  I tried on a couple of dozen before I found one that didn't have any pinch points.  The shop I used was in BKK Chinatown, but I've perused similar shops all over.  All helmets, hundreds of them.

 

I'm no expert, but my recommendation (based on that experience) is to NOT buy one online without trying it on.  And try on a bunch, because some felt okay, until I tried on the next one that felt so much better.

 

I ended up buying one beanie for the 1km motosai taxi ride to work, and a full face helmet that I never really ended up using because I'm a wimp when it comes to longer trips.  I feel much safer with 2 tons of steel and seat belts. 

 

But, to each his own.

 

Once you know a certain size and brand fits you, you can buy online. I'm happy buying a Shoei or Shark online, anything else would be a risk

On 1/5/2025 at 10:12 AM, Hummin said:

Depending on what you use the helmet for, but once you got one thumb sized bug hit your face once at greater speed than 60km/h you prefer full face helmet. Was riding with one who got his cheek cut open by a big mf a few years ago,. 

 

Open face simply means no chin covering by the helmet.  They can still have a visor.

I would go to BKK Speed (couple locations in Bangkok and try the Shoei there. Personally I was in the US and was checking out the Neotec 3, but it was just too heavy. I ended up with an RF1400. I don't think that is available here, but they have lots of good choices. 

 

Not sure if Shark is Snell or ECE rated, but that is an important consideration. You only have onehead.

5 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Any thoughts about drilling a 1/2" hole in the helmet and stringing it on a padlock with a steel cable?  I don't think the 1/2" hole close to the edge would create any safety issues.  Or am I wrong there?

 

 

A full face helmet has a huge hole in the front - I use a bicycle lock to lock it to the handlebars if I don't want to carry it.

 

 

I had a MT Atom modular, the noise at 100kph+ was terrible, couldn't cope even with earplugs, sold it on Facebook... 😊

 

Got LS2 Advent X modular now, that goes all the way back 180 degree, so can ride open face in the city, it's great so far, very handy in the heat, only issue is a bit heavy, and even under seat of my Forza 350 I struggle to fit it, paint already scratched at one spot due to that, it's big...! 

9 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

 

A full face helmet has a huge hole in the front - I use a bicycle lock to lock it to the handlebars if I don't want to carry it.

 

Excellent point.

 

21 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Any thoughts about drilling a 1/2" hole in the helmet and stringing it on a padlock with a steel cable?  I don't think the 1/2" hole close to the edge would create any safety issues.  Or am I wrong there?

 

I'm not sure what that would do to the integrity of the helmet.  I'm guessing nothing good.   I think if the helmet would not fit under the seat or in a box, I would carry a backpack and keep it with me.

On 1/5/2025 at 10:19 AM, Hummin said:

Sharks have some great options. light weight, safety and weight for a decent price. 

 

If you go touring, and also drive in villages and cities, a modular helmet is a good solution to.

 

Honda have  their own H2C budget helmets if you finds shark to expensive.

 

https://www.thaihonda.co.th/honda/motorcycle/helmet

 

I prefer buying my Shoei helmets in Europe, and bring them to Thailand. 

 

Asian head is a bit different from average European head.

I brought mine from Australia much better than plastic containers here

On 1/5/2025 at 10:12 AM, Hummin said:

once you got one thumb sized bug hit your face once at greater speed than 60km/h you prefer full face helmet. Was riding with one who got his cheek cut open by a big mf a few years ago,. 

In my experience at 160 km/h it can be fatal..... The bugs head goes clean through his own arse.

On 1/5/2025 at 4:44 PM, Tropicalevo said:

Depends on the weather/traffic.

Traffic don't move fast on Samui compared to Pattaya, on my visits to Samui I'm more scared of non licences tourists wiggling around.

Traffic on my way to work goes 100km/h but drivers know what they're doing.

I don't drive after dark in tourist areas when the drunks are on the road.

I've been wearing Real half face helmets for years. A good compromise of price and performance.

 

I'm in Chiang Mai and only studying around town most of the time.

 

https://www.real-helmets.com/