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nab301 said :-
Upt , if you still have hair you might want to use a delouser before you introduce your head to the new lining.... Agree on the price of Shoei , they've almost doubled since covid , I've had to downgrade to HJC
Nigel
02/10/2026 16:03:46 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Nigel, I want to try their i72 which has just been released. The i71 got a great write up.
It'll have to wait because I'm not going to Newcastle-upon-the-Tyne any time soon.
What do you think of the brand?
On the subject of live matter in your helmet, I don't think they would have gone anywhere near it.
Upt.
02/10/2026 17:04:42 UTC
nab301 said :-
Upt , I have an F70 purchased a couple of years ago... I also have my older NXR Shoei.
On the HJC , I think the build quality is good , paint quality is excellent , Sharp rating is 4 , same as my Shoei , good anti fogging and airflow , good in wet weather (water beads off nicely) good aero (quiet) weight is 1.5kg , heavier than my shoei but ok , any heavier generally causes me neck issues.. Shell is fibreglass.
I see the I71 listed as polycarbonate and 1.8 kg which if correct would be heavy for me , not sure what the I72 is , possibly 1.6kg.
On sizing , I'm generally a 62 cm which was fine when I purchased , snug but It didn't really get looser with wear ... next time I'd probably try an XXL 61-63 rather than XL 60-62.
The N70 has a D ring fastener which is my pref, not sure on the I72 , and also visor on the N70 is screwed on rather than QD which could be an issue for some but overall turned out not to be an issue for me.
Nigel
02/10/2026 18:44:57 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Thanks Nigel, good insight into a budget (?) brand. I do like my head but I'm not sure I like it £600.00. Or around £750.00 with new basic comms. I think it'll be ratchet fasteners. That would be a first for me.
02/10/2026 22:51:30 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
I've never subscribed to the "if you have a £10 head then you're OK with a £10 helmet" mantra. As far as I can see, if it passes the relevant standards then it will probably do the job OK regardless of price. But what do I know, having tried a full face only briefly and hating it so much I've stuck with open face ever since. My current helmet is a Nitro which was under £100. It fits very well (most important in my view) and has the ratchet type buckle which I like much more than double D rings. I remember being in tears trying to unfasten them way back when they were solid with ice and my fingers so numb I coud feel nothing.
03/10/2026 10:08:15 UTC
nab301 said :-
I prefer the simplicity and security of double D rings . I've no problem with cheaper helmets Ian and as you say the basic shell will be similar to the expensive brands but there's generally a better range of sizes in the more expensive ranges and the air vents ( I 've only ever worn full face since the 70's) and visor ratchet features are generally better IMO.
Nigel
03/10/2026 18:20:43 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
I'm enjoying the adventure style helmet presently for a couple of reasons. First and foremost is while being full face the chin bar on this style comes out and away from the mouth more than a regular full face. This means much much better breathing ventilation. Secondly the peak is actually useless for keeping the sun out of your eyes (too high) but it protects the visor from scratches and knocks when carrying the helmet around shops and cafes etc.
I was always told the fit of the helmet is far more important than the price. It ought to be snug all over but tight nowhere. No point having a £750 lid that only touches your bonce in 2 places or squeezes your cheeks so hard it hurts. Equally though ensure it does meet the current regulations and comes from a reputable supplier. There's some nasty awful crap out there.
04/10/2026 08:47:59 UTC
nab301 said :-
Ren that's interesting on the peak , I had considered purchasing an adventure style helmet in the past specifically for low winter sun but didn't in the end because that style of helmet tended to be heavier in any of my preferred brands. How does it work at speed , noisy or unstable?
Nigel
04/10/2026 16:18:44 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Yeah I thought the peak would be ideal in low winter sun. However if I try to use it as a sun shield my chin ends up on my chest and my eyes hurt looking so far up.
My helmet is the LS2 pioneer. Noise wise it's "about the same" ie it's not quiet it's not noisy just meh. Remember I have a large and very effective screen these days so noise and stability aren't really an issue.
I did initially notice extra force from drag when doing lifesavers at speed. My brain has accepted this and I don't notice any more.
The only logical reasons I can see for an adventure style helmet for road use are better breathing space in front of the nose and mouth, and the peak protecting the visor! And these reasons are important to me.
05/10/2026 07:41:05 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
This is the Nitro helmet I have. It has a small peak which can be useful in low sun situations. I haven't noticed any problems with it catching the wind (apologies to Donovan).
Being open face breathing is totally unobstructed. The visor comes down far enough to shield my face as far as my nose. I'm very pleased with it although sadly the model isn't sold any more, although there are still some about. The first one I had had an ACU sticker but later ones don't.
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/q7EAAeSwURJowyci/s-l1600.jpg...
05/10/2026 10:19:44 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Been out for a day ride with Er'Indoors.
We got up to North Berwick in the glorious Autumnal sunshine but it was just about warm enough at between 13 to 15 c's. Coffee £4 a cup Ed.
It's ready for an oil and filter change and the valves and sparkplugs are overdue.
Pffffffftttttt.
Upt.
07/10/2026 16:54:03 UTC
Ren - The Ed¹ said :-
Ooh valves on a V-twin, that'll be fun. Will you be doing it yourself or will you give it to a professional? At £4 for a coffee I'd suggest doing it yourself.
Ian how old is your nitro helmet and do you subscribe to the "replace your helmet every 5 years" thinking?
07/10/2026 19:18:09 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
You may have a point Ed, but it won't be until the spring, or at least I don't think it will.
Cold garages are for kids. Oil and filter will get done though, before the "you can't leave old oil in the bike over winter" crowd chirp in. I don't think old oil left in over winter causes issues anyway, especially when you're talking small bike change intervals. The oils probably done around 4000 miles of open road miles and still looks like new.
But for 12 cups of coffee, I'll do it.
Upt.
08/10/2026 09:07:40 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
My helmet (not the one in the pic) is about 5 years old but hasn't had that much use. The inner foam - which I think is probably the main reason for changing - is still firm and it still fits well. It hasn't been dropped or involved in a crash(!) Given the ratty old things I used to wear - including a genuine Cromwell pudding basin for some years - I think it's good enough. I occasionally have a look to see what else is out there and nothing catches my eye.
I work on the principle that comfort is a big part of safety. If you can't breathe, are too hot / cold, are struggling with tight overtrousers etc your mind won't be completely on your riding. Prevention better than cure and all that.
I agree with Upt' - old oil - unless very high mileage - is fine left in the bike. How many people have had genuine problems? I also change the oil when it's cold and been left at least a day as it will have drained down from the valve gear etc whereas if it's just been running quite a lot will stay up there. I do leave it draining for 24 hours at least. Probably best not to do it in sub-zero temperatures though.
08/10/2026 10:17:55 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Your views on oil are interesting Ian with regards oil draining to the sump.
It seems a fairly constant theme on forums "on how to check oil levels". Just let the damn thing settle overnight and check it. Some twonk on the site I can't mention for legal reasons stated, "my bikes burning oil". Why? "I go out, come back, check the oil and top it up". How long before you top it up? "Ten minutes"......that'll be why then!
Why is oil so hard? Yes I know it isn't hard, it's oily.....you know what I mean.
Pffffffftttttt.
Regarding changing helmets, they'll let you know when they're ready, they start falling apart. Ask me how I know? My helmets probably get used for a month a year and are stored clean and in the original helmet bag in a wardrobe out of sunlight. If you're using it every day then it must make a difference to longevity. It's probably physics.
Upt.
08/10/2026 10:38:01 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Oh yes, I think my Shoei is about 6 years old. Quite disappointed that an expensive lid needs all the interior replacing in that time, the cheek pads were replaced FOC about 2 years ago. So that's only 6 months wear time approximately. It's a very nice helmet but surely it should last longer than that.
It doesn't even get wet that often, just the odd day on tour.
Upt.
08/10/2026 10:44:13 UTC
ROD¹ said :-
My Caberg helmet is 11 or possibly 12 years old. It is showing its age now, and it has had minor repairs. My wife has been telling me to change it for the last two years, but it's a very comfortable helmet, and new helmets have kept up with inflation where my income hasn't.
My wife also has a Caberg helmet but has found it uncomfortable, and purchased another helmet last year.
The helmet she purchased was only £99 and I had never heard of the brand. It has all of the safety specs and she finds it comfortable.
Looking around the fittings visor ect it all looks good. I am starting to question if expensive helmets are really worth the extra money?
08/10/2026 12:09:57 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
This could go on Chit Chat or repairs. Or Dyson repairs.com. Here goes.
Vacuum cleaner is intermittent she says.
Give it ere I says.
BANG! What the!
Another blummin job.
I need a cup of tea first to steady me nerves, the flame came out of a pin hole in the flex. There'll be a broken wire in there. At least I'm not paying £4 for a cup of tea.
Upt and shakey.....6 sugars please.
10/10/2026 13:25:15 UTC
Ian Soady¹ said :-
That's OK, Mr Dyson's taken his profit and skedaddled off to Monaco or wherever with it. He'll expect you to buy a new one. I did see a report somewhere that Dysons were appliance repairers' favourites as people thought that as they'd already spent a fortune on them they were worth spending more repairing them.
How on earth did you manage to break a wire in the cable?
11/10/2026 12:34:58 UTC
Upt'North ¹ said :-
Old age I'm afraid Ian, not me, well OK me too. It's where the flex turns through 90° to enter the handle. The vacuum is over 20 years old and Er'Indoors does like to vacuum. I renewed the motor and seals in the spring, a cable is £15 so it'll have a new one, I'll ring "Manchester Vacs" in the morning. I noticed a clip has lost a lug too, so hopefully they'll have one handy off an old machine. They're very good. I can verify that Dyson's are a pain to take apart, they're obviously meant for a visiting engineer to visit but then they don't offer support for older machines. Their service/recondition visits were well priced but is irrelevant if they don't fix the old stuff.
Upt.
11/10/2026 13:21:15 UTC
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