COPTER style helmets

[BootScootin'FireFighter]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Jet-DOT- ... erchandise

Need some help here.... I'm Ebay stalking this helmet, and I'm itching to buy it right now. My halfshell that I bought barely fits anymore (too small), and it's getting way too nice to wear out the fullface everyday. I really am gaga over the copter style, but I keep trying to look up this "Zeus Design" brand and I'm not getting any search results. Last thing I want to do is get hosed by a crappy ebay purchase. I need some good recommendations for COPTER style openface helmets. I saw the PIAGGIO one, but I'm not crazy about their design for the visor, but that's very minor. I am also kind of on a budget, so more than $200 is a bit out of my range at the moment.

[jfrost2]

Funny, I've been looking for this type of helmet and all I can find I like is from chinese no namer brands on ebay. I know for sure this helmet is made in Japan, but not sure about the quality or durability since it's not too popular or well known.

It's fairly priced in my opinion, so I'd buy one myself to see.

[PIStaker]

Cool helmet, but watch the shipping. $33.50? Ouch. Gotta watch the fine print on ebay.

[Lostmycage]

Two recomendations from AGV.

First is a true "Copter" style, the Dragon


Second is a lil' different but has some awesome accessories, the Blade

I've got the Blade and that's my non-FF helmet of choice. I've got one of their "Peaks" which is great for blocking the sun and protecting the face shield when it's up. The Blade also has the most kick-ass strap I've ever seen.

[jfrost2]

I just noticed the $30 shipping too. With a price this high, I'm more interested in looking at full faces around the same price.

[ericalm]

The Zeus and several others out there these days are knockoffs of the Momo designs. I'm very wary of helmet brands I haven't heard of and can't find online. I know a lot of the Chinese-made lids are kind of like the scooters—dozens of iterations of the same product sold under different names. Also: May look good online, but…

Zeus isn't totally unknown, but still kind of on the fringes of copycat/novelty/knockoff lids. As far as I know, their other models are Taiwanese made, not Japanese. They're a Taiwan-based company.
http://www.zeus.net.tw/


There are a number of other copter styles out there from more well-known, reputable companies. Nexx has several nice ones, and there's a new Nolan that's basically an N-30 Flashback with a few changes.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcyc ... /nexx-x60/

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcyc ... superskin/

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcyc ... 0-moto.htm

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcyc ... /index.htm

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/1/ ... elmet.aspx

[Silver Streak]

I've got a Nexx and a Piaggio, and I really like them both. The Piaggio is quieter, but the Nexx has the advantage of a removable liner.

[threar]

I've got the AGV Dragon, and I love it. One thing to watch out is that it's pretty round on the interior (as with most copter style helmets I've found) so if you have an abnormally oblong head it may get uncomfortable.

The only main issue I have with the copter-style is that my sun glasses are polarized, and the curve of the Dragon's shield can sometimes sit just perfect to really give a strange optical effect. To fix it, I just have to make sure that the front sits a little lower on my forehead.

[Lostmycage]

A lot of helmet visors are polarized without mentioning it as a feature. When you mix two polarized lenses together, the effect is... weird - like a badly setup 3D image. Use non-polarized sunglasses under helmet visors for the best effect.

[Keys]

I have a V-Can copter-style helmet that I'm REALLY happy with. I have both a clear and dark-reflective shield and they are easily changed. Good coverage and lightweight. You'd have to google them or contact the place I got mine; Scooter and Auto Sales in Sedona, AZ. I'm sure Brian would ship...

--Keys

[jfrost2]

I've been doing research on these helmets today, Zues seems to be a really good taiwanese brand. Nothing but good reviews from forums and a few motorcycle sites like web bike world.

Nothing about wind noise or other type of comments, but durability and quality of the helmets seem to be good.

[ericalm]

The most common complaint I hear about copter style helmets is that some people find that air blows up under the half shield and into their eyes. Really no way to know if you'll have they problem until you try one, though.

Most seem to have a round head shape. Even if I wanted to, I probably couldn't wear one of these without running into the Gazoo problem (see below). If I were to buy one, it'd be the Vemar CKQI convertible. I'd look like a giant space bug.

[BootScootin'FireFighter]

thanks for all the feedback. I spent about the last 2 hours researching everyones links and online reviews. A lot of good information, and I did like the AGV Dragon and VCAN Milano design. I found the reviews from Web Bike World very helpful for this helmet, the Zeus ZS210. I still really liked the style and was in my budget. I did find the VCAN for sale at sports authority which kind of made me leery. In the end, I went with the one in question, and it's supposed to arrive by Wednesday. I'll try it out and put up some of my own comments. Thanks again everyone, you all rock!

[gearhead]

$45.99 for the helmet and $14.99 for the shipping

our genuine dealer here in austin sells these for a lot more but they look pretty cool imo.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... K:MEWAX:IT

[Mark2000]

Isn't something full faced a bit on an over kill? I mean, you're riding a scooter, not a rocket ship. I'd think a half helmet would be fine. Let you feel the wind in your face, and better visibility.

[BootScootin'FireFighter]

Isn't something full faced a bit on an over kill? I mean, you're riding a scooter, not a rocket ship. I'd think a half helmet would be fine. Let you feel the wind in your face, and better visibility.

It's all relevant to the type of riding. On nice warm days just zipping around town, I'd like the open ness... Then there are longer road trips at higher speeds where I prefer the extra piece of mind and protection from the wind. Believe it or not, even a slow impact rear-ending a suddenly stopped car will plant you face first into the vehicles hatchback, and do all kinds of damage to your face, as well as neck and back. There was a post a while back that I can't find where that scenario happened and the rider wasn't going excessively fast and had to undergo major reconstructive surgery on his face. If you go with the open-face, you'll need to slow it down and increase your following distance a lot more.

[bpatrick5]

I have a silver AGV Blade and I love it!! In the winter, I'd prefer a full face, but during the summer, I have nothing but good things to say about the Blade. I forget what I paid though. I want to say it was $160 on sale at the Ducati/Vespa shop, but I could be wrong.

If you have a full service Vespa dealer nearby, I'd walk in a take a look. You never know what their selection may be like.

[jfrost2]

Isn't something full faced a bit on an over kill? I mean, you're riding a scooter, not a rocket ship. I'd think a half helmet would be fine. Let you feel the wind in your face, and better visibility.

I wouldn't be so quick to judge. I myself PREFER full face helmets because of their protection.

I guess because you're riding a scooter, you might as well not have gloves, or a jacket, or any clothing on at all correct? If I get into a 50 mile per hour accident and slide 50 yards down the pavement, I should stand up without a scratch correct? Your logic is very flawed.

Some of us like to have the full protection and benefits of the wind reduction, noise reduction, and colder month usability. In fact, many who use full faces claim to be more alert and aware of their surroundings because of the lesser visibility they have wearing a full face. I find this myself to be true.

There's no difference in saftey between a scooter and a motorcycle, both have 2 wheels, a engine, and go really really fast. Fast enough to kill you in a crash. Just because it doesnt fit the look doesnt mean it's overkill on protection.

Also, the HCI helmets on ebay are chinese junk. I've seen that helmet in person and it's not worth compromising your saftey for the cheap price you pay.

[ericalm]

Isn't something full faced a bit on an over kill? I mean, you're riding a scooter, not a rocket ship. I'd think a half helmet would be fine. Let you feel the wind in your face, and better visibility.

It's all relevant to the type of riding. On nice warm days just zipping around town, I'd like the open ness... Then there are longer road trips at higher speeds where I prefer the extra piece of mind and protection from the wind. Believe it or not, even a slow impact rear-ending a suddenly stopped car will plant you face first into the vehicles hatchback, and do all kinds of damage to your face, as well as neck and back. There was a post a while back that I can't find where that scenario happened and the rider wasn't going excessively fast and had to undergo major reconstructive surgery on his face. If you go with the open-face, you'll need to slow it down and increase your following distance a lot more.

When I started riding, I was like many others. I wanted a cool-looking half or 3/4 helmet that was more scooter accessory than protection. Over time between reading forums and my own experiences, my attitudes changed dramatically.

I'm not preaching or lecturing here—MB policy is that we don't like that kind of tone and rhetoric, especially when it comes to gear. Folks are free to make their own decisions, but they shouldn't be based on the misconception that because you're not going very fast your face isn't extremely vulnerable. Over 25% of head impacts in a crash are to the chin and lower face. Even at fairly low speeds, that can seriously mess you up.

I ride with a modular regardless of speed. Part of the reason is that I've been in a serious crash, and was only going 25mph when it happened. Seeing my 3/4 helmet after that helped me realize just how close my face was to hitting asphalt at 25mph. I've seen someone go down wearing a Shoei 3/4. Her full face shield was ripped right off and she would up with 7 stitches in her face. I also know an 18-year old who's now sporting 4 false front teeth from crashing a Buddy at street speeds. Finally, I know of a local rider who went down face first at around 40mph. Last I heard, he was "improving" but let's just say severe head trauma was involved.

So, basically, as I learned more and became more experienced, I had to let go of a lot of my romantic visions of scootering.

[ericalm]

Also, the HCI helmets on ebay are chinese junk. I've seen that helmet in person and it's not worth compromising your saftey for the cheap price you pay.

I'd be very wary of buying any kind of HCI helmet. I purchased on to have as an extra (for friends, etc.) and wound up trashing it. The quality is very poor and these helmets or identical ones imported and sold under different brand names often fail DOT testing.

Look here:
viewtopic.php?t=9452

It may not fall apart, but they're basically novelty helmets made as cheaply as they can get away with. Some people own them and like them, though… so… (shrug)

[iwabj]

oops

[jfrost2]

I have a corazzo hoody, and a cortech heavy textile armor jacket. Both are meant for riding. The hoody does "look the part" more than the armored jacket from cortech, but I prefer wearing my cortech jacket because it has the best protection in case I ever did get into a accident. There are days which it is way too hot to wear it, so I switch to the hoody. But, 90% of the time I ride, you'll see my with my huge cortech armored jacket on.

Sure it doesnt look the part, I doubt I'd see most sports bike or cruiser riders even wearing this type of jacket, but it'll save my hide and keep me safe, and saftey is important.

[michelle_7728]

Isn't something full faced a bit on an over kill? I mean, you're riding a scooter, not a rocket ship. I'd think a half helmet would be fine. Let you feel the wind in your face, and better visibility.

I agree with ericalm that each of us should make up their own mind about the type of helmet they want to wear.

However, addressing the above quote, below is the result of about a 25 MPH accident I had last year. Thanks to this helmet, I still have my own nose, teeth and jaw.

[gearhead]

i have a shoei rf-1000 which is pretty up there in quality. but honestly, sometimes it's just too hot here in texas for that thing. It's the only helmet i have and if you know how hot it is down here then you understand that putting your head back into a sweaty soaked helmet doesn't feel too awesome at all lol. Even though i always wear that full face, sometimes i wish i could have a 3/4 or 1/2 especially now that summer is coming at full force haha it's hard to enjoy a ride when you're not comfortable... and then riding becomes a drag and you dont want that to happen do you? I guess you just gotta live with the sweaty soaked helmet haha

[ericalm]

i have a shoei rf-1000 which is pretty up there in quality. but honestly, sometimes it's just too hot here in texas for that thing. It's the only helmet i have and if you know how hot it is down here then you understand that putting your head back into a sweaty soaked helmet doesn't feel too awesome at all lol. Even though i always wear that full face, sometimes i wish i could have a 3/4 or 1/2 especially now that summer is coming at full force haha it's hard to enjoy a ride when you're not comfortable... and then riding becomes a drag and you dont want that to happen do you? I guess you just gotta live with the sweaty soaked helmet haha

They're making more helmets with the carbon fiber mesh panels in them (I think this was originally done by Cromwell). Some are even DOT. I don't understand why this hasn't yet been applied to FF helmets which could use the extra ventilation!

[gearhead]

carbon fiber mesh panels?!? interesting

[Mark2000]

I guess because you're riding a scooter, you might as well not have gloves, or a jacket, or any clothing on at all correct? If I get into a 50 mile per hour accident and slide 50 yards down the pavement, I should stand up without a scratch correct? Your logic is very flawed.

Dude, calm down. I'm not telling people to ride around naked. Where did you come up with that? Wear whatever helmet you like.

Some would argue that having a handy cap to make your other senses stand out is flawed logic. When I drive a car I always check my mirrors and look back. I do the same on my scoot. Visibility can mean not getting in the accident that having a tank on your head might help cause.

Edit: And I just want to add one thing, and I hope I'm not coming off as a total dick on my 3rd or 4th post to a board I love reading. There is such a thing as calculated risk, which you take by just crossing the street. San Francisco has 20,000 cycles on the road -that's 1/5 of the population. In 2007 300 were in some kind of accident. 60% of them were drunk. 10 died. That is a minuscule percentage. Yes, that could be me, but more than likely its not going to be. Don't be stupid - protect yourself and always be alert and defensive. But don't live in crippling fear.

[ericalm]

San Francisco has 20,000 cycles on the road -that's 1/5 of the population. In 2007 300 were in some kind of accident. 60% of them were drunk. 10 died. That is a minuscule percentage.

The population of San Francisco is only 100,000?

My aversion to death is accompanied by similar aversions to pain, disfigurement, trauma, head injury and other injuries that may not cause death but I'd like to avoid all the same.

I don't like playing the numbers game because for me, the question isn't "What are the odds of crashing?" but "What can I do to reduce the chance of injury should a crash occur?" Stats are great but utterly meaningless when you go down. Should that unfortunately happen, the fact that you've joined a statistically small group plays no part in whether or not you walk away unscathed or are carted off in an ambulance.

But I personally know too many people who've crashed (myself included) for "I thought the odds of it happening to me were quite small" to provide any reassurance. Many were very experienced riders who would have proudly said they'd been riding for years and never crashed—until they did.

[Lostmycage]

Chicks dig scars... just not face scars.

[Mark2000]

The population of San Francisco is only 100,000?

No, its 1 million. That's my 2AM math. Forgive me.

I don't like playing the numbers game because for me, the question isn't "What are the odds of crashing?" but "What can I do to reduce the chance of injury should a crash occur?"

Numbers don't lie though. Of course you should reduce your risk. But similar odds could find you getting the pneumonia from a hand rail on the bus. You don't wipe your hands with Purell every time you touch something. You wash your hands when you get home.

Stats are great but utterly meaningless when you go down. Should that unfortunately happen, the fact that you've joined a statistically small group plays no part in whether or not you walk away unscathed or are carted off in an ambulance.

No true at all. 300 people out of 20,000. 180 of which were drunk so frak them. We don't know how many of the remaining 120 were on a cell phone or riding down hill with no hands. We don't know how many just skinned their knees. The really bad stuff happening to good people gets progressively small at an exponential rate.

But I personally know too many people who've crashed (myself included) for "I thought the odds of it happening to me were quite small" to provide any reassurance. Many were very experienced riders who would have proudly said they'd been riding for years and never crashed—until they did.

And how do you know them? Are these people from all over the country? From meet ups? From the board? More people are going to write about their experiences crashing than write about a clear riding history. More people who ride highways and ride more often than to the store and back are going to experience trouble. All these variables matter. Its a peeve of mine when people ignore numbers and science for gut feelings and personal experience because that's the out of context information. And again, I would never say, go wild it'll never happen to you. That's the kind of thinking that gets you to be one of the unfortunate 300. Like idiot bicycle riders that ignore traffic rules and stop signs "because they are just on a bike". I just refuse to put on full Klingon armor every time I take a spin. Believe me, I value my life as much as you. I have never been in a car accident in 15 years because I'm as defensive a driver as you'll ever meet.

[evilscooterkitty]

I've been riding for 40 years, have had some accidents including one bad crash. I was wearing a full-face helmet at the time of the crash and it saved my life without doubt.

I usually wear a full-face (Nolan). When I do put on something smaller is it usually the AGV Dragon mentioned in this thread. It's been a VERY nice copter-style helmet and I highly recommend it if it fits you well.

[ericalm]

Stats are great but utterly meaningless when you go down. Should that unfortunately happen, the fact that you've joined a statistically small group plays no part in whether or not you walk away unscathed or are carted off in an ambulance.

No true at all. 300 people out of 20,000. 180 of which were drunk so frak them. We don't know how many of the remaining 120 were on a cell phone or riding down hill with no hands. We don't know how many just skinned their knees. The really bad stuff happening to good people gets progressively small at an exponential rate.

I'm not trying to argue with you and I don't disagree with your information. It's just that our thinking and rationales on this come from different places and are informed by different influences and experiences. I'm an empiricist by nature and put a lot of thought into my decisions about these things.

That's why most of these decisions are "calculated risks." By your calculations, the odds are so low that you're willing to assume whatever risk comes from not wearing a full face. Your conclusion based on the statistics is that the odds are so low, the value of any additional protection is almost negligible so you've opted not to make that choice. That's fine for you.

I've decided that despite the statistically low chance of being in a crash, I want that extra protection. I've already been in one crash and was dangerously close to face hitting pavement. In the (however unlikely) event this should occur again, I want to protect my bean as much as I can. (This crash, by the way, was caused by another vehicle and could not have been avoided without near-supernatural riding skills.) While this decision may not make sense given the numbers, the additional risk—though very small—is one I'm no longer willing to take.

But I personally know too many people who've crashed (myself included) for "I thought the odds of it happening to me were quite small" to provide any reassurance. Many were very experienced riders who would have proudly said they'd been riding for years and never crashed—until they did.

And how do you know them? Are these people from all over the country? From meet ups? From the board? More people are going to write about their experiences crashing than write about a clear riding history. More people who ride highways and ride more often than to the store and back are going to experience trouble. All these variables matter. Its a peeve of mine when people ignore numbers and science for gut feelings and personal experience because that's the out of context information. And again, I would never say, go wild it'll never happen to you. That's the kind of thinking that gets you to be one of the unfortunate 300. Like idiot bicycle riders that ignore traffic rules and stop signs "because they are just on a bike". I just refuse to put on full Klingon armor every time I take a spin.[/quote]
The people I referred to there are all people I know personally, not just online. If we were to add those, the number would be dozens.

I get your peeve—personally, I'm a stickler for logic. And it's true that to a large degree, my choice based on personal experience and anecdotal evidence. That's not the same as ignoring the numbers and science, though.

Believe me, I value my life as much as you. I have never been in a car accident in 15 years because I'm as defensive a driver as you'll ever meet.

Correlation, not causation!

[Mark2000]

I get your peeve—personally, I'm a stickler for logic. And it's true that to a large degree, my choice based on personal experience and anecdotal evidence. That's not the same as ignoring the numbers and science, though.

Ok, I respect your position.

I'm actually in the market for a new helmet. I hear that z1R's hold up extremely well in stress tests. I like the Jimmy Retro a lot. I'm wondering though, for pure brain protection if a half helmet, like the scorpion exo100 is as good and the 3/4 overkill. Does one or the other make a difference if you're not going for the full face?

[gearhead]

I guess because you're riding a scooter, you might as well not have gloves, or a jacket, or any clothing on at all correct? If I get into a 50 mile per hour accident and slide 50 yards down the pavement, I should stand up without a scratch correct? Your logic is very flawed.

Dude, calm down. I'm not telling people to ride around naked. ...But don't live in crippling fear.

LOL

[laxer]

Let's all be honest, the Boxer V8 is the sexiest helmet on planet Earth too bad I'll never be able to justify the price

[TVB]

Let's all be honest, the Boxer V8 is the sexiest helmet on planet Earth too bad I'll never be able to justify the price

With all due respect to the need for gear, I have difficulty putting "sexy" and "helmet" in the same sentence. At least not without using a difference sense of the word "helmet".