Faired well in the sharps test
Functional and thrifty. Same for the rain bonnet.
Me mam used to wear one of them. My grand kids used to laugh and ask why she was wearing a plastic bag
Shoei GT-air 2 suits my head, I’ve just updated this year from the original. I’ve also got the fitted intercom this time which I use for sat-nav and bike to bike for swmbo. I’ve always worn earplugs and can still hear comms above them. It’s nice to have the designed in comms so there’s no lump hanging on the side, BUT it’s an over priced extravagance, and obviously can’t transfer to a different brand helmet if you decide to change. The combination (+ swmbo has the same) made this a VERY expensive shop even with a discount.
Perhaps I had a bad one but previously had a Schuberth C2, I found it NOT particularly quiet (GT-air is quieter for me) and sometimes draughty around visor or flip joint. Also felt overly big and heavy, not impressed, and has spent much longer in the loft than on my head.
Also -
My daughter spent several years working in a motorcycle clothing department, she could/would tell customers what helmet brand was going to be best for them just looking at their head shape and was usually right. So unfortunately that special helmet you really must have might be a disastrous fit.
I too have switched from a gt-air to a gt-air 2. Best all round helmet for me. I just have one small niggle, I preferred the double d fastening on the old gt-air. The new ratchet type is very convenient but sometimes the rubber bit irritates my neck slightly.
I didn’t like those ratchet straps on the cheap helmet I first bought when getting back into biking a few years ago. I then upgraded to the old GT Air as it was just being discontinued. Price was good and the reviews for the new model seemed to say if anything the old one was slightly better.
On subject of double D and ratchets, there’s an interesting FortNine vid about them.
Shoei NXR Michael Dunlop replica
Arai open face
Both beautifully comfortable, though I only wear the full face in the worst weather, Shoei visor system is so easy to use but i have always preferred open face lids.
I have a NXR too, another super comfy lid. No flipdown visor but I have a photochromic visor for it. Very light too but its getting on a bit, probably due replacing. Here’s a Joey Dunlop lid I inherited from my father. Real deal and signed!
I agree the new ratchet buckle brings nothing worthwhile to the party, takes a while to get used to and I’d just as soon have a double d. I think the mk.2 does have more effective ventilation and the visor first click opening is better (IMHO).
I would never go without a drop down sun visor now, unfortunately it usually compromises the Sharp safety rating (and the reason Arai don’t make one).
Which reminds me…
Many moons ago I had an Arai, touring in Italy I used a pair of sunglasses inside the helmet, all went fine until riding down the west side of Lake Garda. That road has a number of old short but winding, narrow and dark tunnels, riding “blind” is not recommended!
Lesson rapidly learnt (fortunately without incident).