Shoei Raid - any good?

[julianhj]

I'm getting ahelmet so I can do track days in the Griff. Since I don't want to spend silly money on a dedicated car racing lid, I thought I'd get myself down to the local bike shop (more like a supermarket!) Sticking to my self imposed limit of £200, the guy reckoned the Shoei Raid was best of the bunch (and it seemed a very well stocked place). The fit is good, It meets the required safety standards I think - I just need to get some opinions - thanks in advance!

[pesty]

The best helmet is one thats fits.

I have a shoe XR900. shoe was the only helmet that fitted me perfectly which is a good job cos i would have bought it anyway....liked the colours

[whoozit]

Yup, try them on. Try different makes as well as models, as you will find the fit varies between them. I foudn the best way of choosing a helmet that fits is to get one that feels pretty tight both to get on and once it's on. The lining will compress slightly the first few times you wear it and loosen up. You don't want to start off with a loose helmet.

I don't know if you've thought about getting an open face helmet, it makes it easier to talk to the passenger/driver but FWIW, if I'm crashing I'd prefer to avoid biting the steering wheel.

Also check that it has an ACU gold sticker which means the helmet is approved for tarmac racing (and therefore very good at saving your bonce if you bounce down the road).

>> Edited by whoozit on Tuesday 20th May 09:19

[Gerrard]

As long as they have the Gold and White stickers they will be fine. As Pesty said, fit is the most important, so try others (both more and less expensive.) I thought I'd be ok with a Raid, but then I tried a Z-one and I realised the Raid didn't actually fit that well. So I had to pay the extra for the lid that fit properly. (I figure if it saves my life it'll be worth the extra!) My gf found that HJC fit her better than Shoei.

[Tim2100]

I've got a Shoei Raid lid, and it is very comfy fits well. Fairly quiet and good visor.

It looks great to as I've got the Shogun design.

Definatly try as many as you can on first thou. My dad fits Arai lids and i thought i was the same, but I can't wear arai lids and he can't wear Shoei.

[Leadfoot]

Shoei & Arai are generally regarded as the best makes available, so if it fits you properly you won't go wrong.

[d3v]

I might be getting a bike soon > round 125cc maybe scooter or small usual style. What sort of protection do I want? It looks like I'll be getting Shoei & Arai helmet, probably round 150-200 quid mark, what about the clothing though?
I'd look a right twat going about on a scooter in leathers hehe

>> Edited by d3v on Tuesday 20th May 14:49

[whoozit]

d3v said:
I'd look a right twat going about on a scooter in leathers hehe

[serious]Not as much of a twat as you would having plastic surgery on your legs and arms after ripping the skin off on a 30mph fall[/serious]

At normal town scooter speeds, wearing full leathers you'll tend to hit the ground and bounce, and come away with bruises - but you're right, full leathers on a scoot does look silly. Wear just a suit however and you have no protection, not even against the weather.

How about compromising? Get a decent waterproof Cordura jacket with armour and you'll be as safe up top as wearing leathers and less wet and miserable, plus it looks more like a waterproof jacket than "biker gear". These days you can also get jeans and cargo pants with kevlar linings to prevent road rash if you come off, I wear a pair of lined jeans when it's hot in the summer.

Also try and wear a pair of boots which cover the ankle securely, I've been told that 1/3 of serious bike injuries are to lower leg because it gets trapped between the bike and the road.

[d3v]

cheers, if i get a proper sized bike(al la http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2415907790&category=9809) might go more onto the bike gear side