Full-face Motorcycle Helmet

[up-country_sinclair]

Which company makes the highest quality, full-face motorcycle helmet readily available in Thailand.

I say readily available because I'm not in BKK, and hope to be able to purchase it here in Krabi.

Any and all info is greatly appreciated---make, model, price, etc...

Thanks.

[PeaceBlondie]

Guessing: Index? Avex?

[Macx]

Arai is pretty commonly available. Check for anything with CE or Shell certification. DOT certification is ok but not particularly stringent. Your best bet is just go into the shops and start looking.

[Etrigan]

Check the manufacture date or warranty expiration date to ensure you're not buying a 10 year old helmet.

Arai, Shoei, and Sharks helmet are easily found in BKK. Don't bother with any other brand, including Index.

[SM7WGP]

Guessing: Index? Avex?

I started out with a INDEX but after checking how they glue them together I really got affraid ok 600 to a 1000 bath but I think my skull is worth more, so I bought me a ARAI helmet instead cost 16000 bath but its worth every satang.

I told my self that if I where in Europe I would not by any Cheap crap so why in Thailand !

[moo9]

Guessing: Index? Avex?

I started out with a INDEX but after checking how they glue them together I really got affraid ok 600 to a 1000 bath but I think my skull is worth more, so I bought me a ARAI helmet instead cost 16000 bath but its worth every satang.

I told my self that if I where in Europe I would not by any Cheap crap so why in Thailand !

I use a full face Index now....not so good, quality is so so.

Where is the best place to buy an Arai or similar in Bangkok?

In Pattaya I could find a shop so far, just the cheap stuff.

[PeaceBlondie]

sinclair is upcountry, in Krabi, where Terdsak and Rajanasha's store thinks "Arai" is a question, not an answer. Some helmets are too showy. No matter how upscale sinclair may be, 16,000 baht may be more than he cares to spend.

We get Nolan N37 full face helmets here in Chiang Mai, only at one shop, for 1,500 baht. It appears to be top quality, but with no certifications!

[ZZZ]

Check the manufacture date or warranty expiration date to ensure you're not buying a 10 year old helmet.

Arai, Shoei, and Sharks helmet are easily found in BKK. Don't bother with any other brand, including Index.

Any suggestions for a shop selling Shark helmets in BKK? Preferable somewhere along BTS track, easy to find and get to.

I know Shark helmets are made here in Thailand so why so expensive? 16,000Baht!!

The only place in Pattaya where I have seen SNELL/DOT approved helmets was at Siam Racing, on Sukhumvit near Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. They only had one in stock when I was there so not much of a selection for a shop selling high performance bikes

[Awk]

Check the manufacture date or warranty expiration date to ensure you're not buying a 10 year old helmet.

Arai, Shoei, and Sharks helmet are easily found in BKK. Don't bother with any other brand, including Index.

Any suggestions for a shop selling Shark helmets in BKK? Preferable somewhere along BTS track, easy to find and get to.

I know Shark helmets are made here in Thailand so why so expensive? 16,000Baht!!

The only place in Pattaya where I have seen SNELL/DOT approved helmets was at Siam Racing, on Sukhumvit near Bangkok Pattaya Hospital. They only had one in stock when I was there so not much of a selection for a shop selling high performance bikes

I was in singapore a few weeks ago, and checked out some motorcycle shops at the same time.

The savings on a top-of-the line Shoei helmet, compared to the price I paid in thailand for same a

few months ago, would make up for both the two-way planeticket and leave me spending money for

a good dinner.

[Macx]

I was in singapore a few weeks ago, and checked out some motorcycle shops at the same time.

The savings on a top-of-the line Shoei helmet, compared to the price I paid in thailand for same a

few months ago, would make up for both the two-way planeticket and leave me spending money for

a good dinner.

Great tip! Thanks.

Can you give the name/location of some of the better shops in Singapore?

[SM7WGP]

Guessing: Index? Avex?

I started out with a INDEX but after checking how they glue them together I really got affraid ok 600 to a 1000 bath but I think my skull is worth more, so I bought me a ARAI helmet instead cost 16000 bath but its worth every satang.

I told my self that if I where in Europe I would not by any Cheap crap so why in Thailand !

I use a full face Index now....not so good, quality is so so.

Where is the best place to buy an Arai or similar in Bangkok?

In Pattaya I could find a shop so far, just the cheap stuff.

RED BARON in Bangkok www.redbaronbkk.com

[Awk]

I was in singapore a few weeks ago, and checked out some motorcycle shops at the same time.

The savings on a top-of-the line Shoei helmet, compared to the price I paid in thailand for same a

few months ago, would make up for both the two-way planeticket and leave me spending money for

a good dinner.

Great tip! Thanks.

Can you give the name/location of some of the better shops in Singapore?

Sure, I got this info originaly from the gt-rider board.

---

Regina Specialties

152 Jalan Besar Rd

65 6295 5449

A little guy named Darren Chia went out of his way to find riding gear for Thim.

Have Arai, OGK, Nolan, AGV, Alpine Star, etc.

Across the road (Jalan Besar) from this shop are two or three more within walking distance.

---

Think it was the shop accros the road, powerstar motor, that had the slightly

cheaper Shoey, around 10,000 baht for x-11 solid colour (20,000 in bkk).

---

[Goldenbead]

Dirtshop Thailand sells good quality, imported helmets. I bought one for my husband a couple of years ago. They have a website which you will find if you google it. I am in Phuket but it was very easy. Their stock is listed online, I called them and ordered the one I wanted. Paid the money into their bank account and they sent it EMS to me and I had it within days. Very good service.

[JimsKnight]

Description on types of helmet in Thailand:

Bike Helmet - Open Face (Thailand)

The weakest of the helmets available in Thailand and the most typical. The mass produced 'open-face' style helmet can be seen every day here in Thailand. Some are equipped with a cumbersome flip-down visor (pictured). They give more protection than a hat would but much less than the more expensive 'full face' helmet. However in the sweltering heat of the afternoon they tend to keep a wearers head relatively cool. However their armour rating is considered to be little more than ordinary plastic.

Cost - Between 100 and 300 baht.

Manufacturer - ATM, BM & Index.

Pros

Very light.

Very cheap.

Versatile and well suited for hot climates.

Good field of vision.

Unlikely to be stolen (cause there's millions of them in Thailand!)

Cons

Very weak; In a medium to serious accident they are likely to smash open like an egg-shell.

Unsuitable for speeds above 80 - 100 kph - The air resistance becomes unbearable, even with the visor down.

Bike Helmet - Full Face (Local)

The entry-level, full-face style helmet. These are not as common as the 'open-face' helmet style but most superstores stock them as well as some independent outlets. This type of helmet is, like the open-face style, made in Thailand and is very affordable. These are considered a middle-of-the-road option amoungst bikers and only men in Thailand tend to wear them. The integrated visor gives relief and sun-glare protection while the composite plastic resin with some decent padding on the inside gives affordable armour resistance.

Some models allow either a full-face or open-face configuration.

However the increased protection is not without it's trade-offs. These helmets are slightly heavier and during the heat of the day, in traffic, it can start to be an annoying downside. That said this helmet can be considered a pretty decent compromise between the weaker open-face helmet and it's bigger brother; the full-face-import.

Cost - Between 800 - 1500 baht.

Manufacturer - ATM, Index & Nippon.

Verdict: Recommended.

Pros

An affordable mid-range helmet.

Comfortable for high speed riding.

A good level of protection for low to mid level collisions.

Rain resistant.

Cons

Uncomfortable and hot in rush-hour traffic (even with the visor raised).

Reduced field of vision.

Unlikely to withstand a severe collision or knock.

Desirable to thieves.

Bike Helmet - Full face (Import)

These helmets represent the highest level of protection and armour for your head. Available in specialist bike shops only, they are a rare and prized addition to any bikers equipment in Thailand. The visor, plastic and padding are of the highest quality, ballistic absorbent kevlar is often used to reinforce the helmet even further. The ram-air vents are often improved upon and refined to give superior air cooling and operation.

Often decorative and aerodynamic they are a magnet to opportunist thieves and some consider them too heavy, too expensive and overkill for normal day-to-day riding in Thailand.

Nevertheless for long-distance touring and brilliant armour protection they are a serious piece of kit worn by those who ride hard and value their heads in Thailand.

Some imported models are an open face variant and give some much-needed relief from the hot weather but for the purpose of brevity we've included them under this heading.

Cost - 13,000 - 18,000 baht.

Manufacturer - Arai & Shoei.

Verdict: If You Can Afford it, go and buy one.

In a biking magazine years ago, a biker traveling through Columbia allegedly claimed his imported helmet actually deflected a bullet at close range!

Pros

Bullet resistant levels of protection!

Very comfortable for high speed riding.

An excellent level of protection for low, middle and high level collisions.

Rain proof.

Status symbol.

Cons

Almost unbearably hot in rush-hour traffic (even with the visor raised).

Reduced field of vision.

Causes neck fatigue during long distance touring.

Very expensive.

Very desirable to thieves.

Source: On The Road Thailand

Edited November 10, 2007 by JimsKnight

[Etrigan]

Just to add:

NEVER buy an open face helmet.

Your teeth will not survive any concrete/tarmac bound face plants.

Plus bugs at speed don't go down too well either!

[Richard-BKK]

Not to long ago Motorcycle Thailand did a review of motorcycle helmets in Bangkok, the story is not exactly the same heading but still interesting to read http://www.motorcycle.in.th/article.php/Sa...orcycle-Helmets

[disforkid]

<br />Which company makes the highest quality, full-face motorcycle helmet readily available in Thailand.<br /><br />I say readily available because I'm not in BKK, and hope to be able to purchase it here in Krabi.<br /><br />Any and all info is greatly appreciated---make, model, price, etc...<br /><br />Thanks.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Hi up country this post has been well replied to, but you just wont find a good lid in Krabi maybe in Phuket in one of the larger imported bike shops but you'll probably have to get one from BKK it's the only place you see good lids in Thailand and as a previous poster suggested the best place is Red Barron - directions to their shop are on their website.

[PeaceBlondie]

Richard-BKK, that was an interesting story about helmet life. My Nolan that I bought new in early 2002 (which might have set on the shelf for a year) now feels very hard. Both of my older Nolans (the first is surely authentic, the other is a Thai bought Nolan) seem to have gotten much harder in their liners. which have shrunk some. The second one and now the third Nolan have hit the ground with my head inside it (I cannot imagine how much my plastic surgery and maxio-facillary surgery expenses would have been in the west).

I have a very full head of very thick hair, and have worn full face helmets in the hottest summers for maybe 15 years. I don't think the heat is unbearable, even though I have a personal history of heat stroke (twice) when my head is exposed to direct sunlight. I think the discomfort of a full face helmet in the heat is well worth the protection.

[davethailand]

I've got about 5 helmets here ranging from cheap index ones to the dearer index one, both full face, flip face and open face but on a recent trip to the UK I bought this for 115 quid and brought it back, I definatley have more piece of mind wearing this rather than the index ones.

Edited November 17, 2007 by davethailand

[saparot]

We get Nolan N37 full face helmets here in Chiang Mai, only at one shop, for 1,500 baht. It appears to be top quality, but with no certifications!

whats the name of the shop? & is it a target for thieves ?

[PeaceBlondie]

The shop selling Nolan helmets in Chiang Mai is Prida, on Chiang Moi road going away (east) from the moat at Mike's Burgers #1, about 200 meters down on the right. But you won't find the Nolan flip face model similar to the one davethailand just showed us in post #19, which do cost about 120 quid in the States ($240).

//Added: no, none of my three Nolans in Thailand have ever been targetted by thieves, and they don't have a D-ring for attachment. Even the flip face I paid $240 for was never stolen. ///

[jeepholt]

Any shops in Pattaya selling full helmets? Or for that matter, any "good" helmets at all? I've been watching the Mityon dealer selection at the corner of 3d Road and S. Pattya Road for quite a while, and anytime I DO see something that "looks" like it could be a fairly good model, they are always too small for my head. My head doesn't look like OJ Simpson's head, I think it is quite normal size. I think it used to be around a 7 1/4 hat size?

[soihok]

Best helmet in the world(in my opinion)is the Arai RX7.

I bought one about 5 years ago,,never had to change the visor despite constantly cleaning it with my shirt(at traffic lights) when it gets dirty.

Not cheap though,,I got it in Singapore for about Baht 20,000.

You only have one head/face,,,please dont wear an open face joke .

[moo9]

Any shops in Pattaya selling full helmets? Or for that matter, any "good" helmets at all? I've been watching the Mityon dealer selection at the corner of 3d Road and S. Pattya Road for quite a while, and anytime I DO see something that "looks" like it could be a fairly good model, they are always too small for my head. My head doesn't look like OJ Simpson's head, I think it is quite normal size. I think it used to be around a 7 1/4 hat size?

Yeah interested too. I bought my Index Full Size somewhere in BKK, "Special Size XL", although I am not a Square Head lol

Never saw anything of quality in Pattaya. Guess I have to buy some at home...

[JimsKnight]

Dave, that is a nice piece of kit! What make and model is it?

I should of bought one before I jetted out here but oh well!

I will add to the thread saying that fake helmets are a problem out here in Thailand.

Having worn the real deal (arai) before I was almost about to buy one out here in CM.

Well lets just say that the helmet I had my eyes on weighed less than half what a real arai helmet should weigh, the inner padding was far too thin and it had too few air vents.

I was taking some photos and the owner was as paranoid as hel_l! Having checked some of his gear out I could see why!

Edited November 20, 2007 by JimsKnight

[higgy88]

It´s been a number of years since I last bought a new helmet, and after reading this thread I think it´s time that I bought a new one. In doing some searching for good brands, I came across this article. If you have the time, go through the whole thing thing because I found it very interesting.

motorcycle helmet design, blowing the lid off

As far as the Thai brands go, it looks like only Avex has a web site. I couldn´t find anything for Index.

Avex safety helmets

[JimsKnight]

Thats interesting, the independent testing carried out in that link implies that the ultra expensive import helmets like arai which use fibreglass are actually (slightly) less effective in a serious bash than a cheaper polycarbonate one (possibly due to the softer material absorbing and flexing with the impact).

It also implies that the cheaper helmets (US made) are just as tough (and cheaper) than the expensive makes.

It's a shame he couldn't of tested some of the thai helmets like index, avex and space crown etc. Those results would of been interesting too.

At the bottom of the article they published all the hate mail they were getting from some of the expensive bike helmet testers! Looks like they rattled a few cages doing that article!

The Avex Top Gun model looks interesting! You'd certainly turn a few heads wearing that one!

[whizzy]

Hello ,

I want to ask about import helmet store in bangkok...where I can find store in bangkok who sell arai or shoei helmets? because next week I go to bangkok.

and how about the price for the replicas?.....thnks

[RusticCharm]

Hello ,

I want to ask about import helmet store in bangkok...where I can find store in bangkok who sell arai or shoei helmets? because next week I go to bangkok.

and how about the price for the replicas?.....thnks

I bought my Arai here-  http://www.fastcorner.co.th

Not cheap but good quality.

Edited November 26, 2007 by RusticCharm

[Etrigan]

The Paddock in Rachada sell Arai and Shoie. They usually advertise in the classifieds of the Post. Ignore their "special sale" signs, they overprice then promote amazing sales which just reduce the inflated price to it's RRP anyway! They also have locks, leathers, and boots, but no bikes!