Shoie Quest

 

The Arai Signet-Q is perfect for long oval fans looking to migrate away from the ageing Arai Profile.

Link here: Arai Signet-Q Helmet Review at RevZilla.com - YouTube

And some reviews here: Arai Signet-Q Helmet - Solid - RevZilla

 

wBW Motorcycle Helmet Reviews Sorted by Internal Shape

 

Definitely a good resource. I looked at that before posting here and found that several of the helmets on that list are no longer in production and there are new models availae as well.

It seems like there are different recommendations depending on where you look for info so I thought I'd post here and see if I could get feedback from others who have a long oval shape themselves.

 

Take a look at the Scorpion line...I have a long oval head also and the EXO 700 (now discontinued) fits nicely. The entire line seems to be designed for the narrow headed (no, I didn't say narrow minded).

Mike


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Take a look at the Scorpion line...I have a long oval head also and the EXO 700 (now discontinued) fits nicely. The entire line seems to be designed for the narrow headed (no, I didn't say narrow minded.

my wife has a Scorpion but I've never tried them. It's crazy how many "new" models and discontinued models there are. Good to know that the new helmets favor our less round heads!

 

Some items that might help your search...

1.) I have a 23" circumference head and have a size Large Shoei Multitec, and a size Large Arai Profile.

2.) The Shoei fits me like throwing an empty bushel basket over a fence post.
Conversely, the Arai fits me like a glove. Very secure, reassuring, confidence inspiring.

3.) When trying on full helmets, be sure to try them on with the cheek pads removed.
Once you find a helmet with a good general head fit, then start adding in cheek pads to fine tune the fit to perfection.

4.) It seems people with pumpkin heads have a lot more to choose from than us football heads.

Also, if you're interested in a built-in sun visor helmet, be aware of the new Pro Shade system as a lighter (safer?) alternative to helmets with built-in sun visors. Arai Pro Shade System - RevZilla

Happy hunting! :cheers2:
-Ej-

 

+1 for the Arai Signet-Q. Sizing seems goofy. I wear an XL in everything else from hats to ski helmets, usually a 7-5/8 or 7-3/4 hat, and the Signet-Q medium fits me just right. Measure around your head.
Arai Helmets Size Chart - RevZilla

 

I've also found that fit varies wildly and unpredictably with sizing.

In other words, the magazines and review sites all test the size M or L. Those of us with XL or XXL (or beyond) noggins are pretty much on our own. The "narrow" list at Webbikeworld turns into a work of speculative fiction when you add an X or two to the size.

The Icon Airmada, for example, is a very damn nice helmet, and is supposed to have a long-oval shape. However, the larger sizes (XXL and XXXL) don't have the same shape and aren't even much bigger. (I'm usually an Xl or XXL, and I could barely pull the XXXL Airmada onto my head, and the crown shape was the same ol' perfect circle anyway...) Same with Nexx, Scorpion, and many others. HJC changed to a much rounder shape a few years back, so they're dead to me...

Arai seems to be the only helmet maker that offers consistency in fit and a true long oval in all sizes. However, most of us don't have $600 - $800 to spend on a freaking helmet.

I'm currently wearing an XXL Shoei Qwest -- it's not perfect, but it's very, very good.

The only lesson in all of this is perhaps that you have to go try them on in person. Support your local moto shop. :thumbup:

 

The only lesson in all of this is perhaps that you have to go try them on in person. Support your local moto shop. :thumbup:

I'll definitely be doing that. Problem is that I'll be making the rounds to several shops to try all the helmets I want - maybe I can do that at the moto show in Feb though.

My current Arai Profile is a medium so I'm not having to deal with the challenge you note on the bigger sizes. I've never had a helmet that fits like the Profile but I'm not ready to spend another $500+ on a helmet if I don't have to...

 

Yep, the winter motorcycle show is pretty much the best place to try on every helmet around without feeling guilty. I usually go to the one in Chicago every February, and there are always phenomenal deals on helmets.

 

+1 on Scorpion . . . I'm an intermediate oval more or less and I've had good luck with the Scorpion line.

 

This is a timely thread. My old Arai Profile is getting long in the tooth and maybe due for replacement, if for no other reason that that various stick-on doodads on it are starting to give out. One of the top intake vents' detents is shot, so I have a bit of tape holding it open (or closed). The other one got knocked right off the helmet when I dropped it. Also feel like it's generally not fitting as snugly as it once did, which is an issue at speed on my new bike which has much less wind protection.

It would be nice if I could find a good alternative to the Profile/Signet without having to spend $500+ again. I'll take a look at the big new year bike show in Mississauga - maybe someone will have solid colour Signets at a reasonable price.

Actually, leaving venting for warm weather aside, nothing can beat my original Signet/s (no vents on top) for comfort - the comfort liner on the newer ones is not as comfortable, due to having to leave space for air to circulate. I'm willing to live with a slightly less comfortable liner in exchange for ventilation, though. The heat didn't seem to bother me quite as much when I was 30, but now at 47 I'm all about the comfort.

 

The heat didn't seem to bother me quite as much when I was 30, but now at 47 I'm all about the comfort.

I agree and would add that helmet noise is a factor too. I always wear earplugs but want the quietest helmet I can get - The Arai's seem pretty good in that department.

 

Scorpion was too round for me, but Signet-Q fit just right. Ya gott'a try them on.

 

I have the Icon Airmada Chantilly in black and it is a nice helmet. $220 out the door with my discount. I had to get a size up to an XL because the Icons seem to run small compared to other helmets. The Bell RS-1 looks like a nice helmet also but I have never tried one. Good luck with your search.

 

I fit into a large Bell RS1 nicely, and I am an old Arai and Bell helmet wearer.

Used to wear a Bell star, and had a couple of Arai-s way back and I have an oval head.

I am very pleased with the helmet and they have a selection of cheek pad sizes if you need them.

They are worth a try, if you get a chance.

 

Long oval head here. Arai Signet-Q is the best fitting (and most expensive) helmet I've ever owned.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat.


FWIW, Shoei GT-Air wasn't bad either...

 

So, I ended up picking up a close-out Scorpion EXO R-2000 helmet from MotorcycleGear.com. Price was right - like USD$259, and reports were that it fits a long oval head well.

Got it a week and a half ago, just before I was leaving for a vacation (had my bike hauled to Halifax for me, met it there for the week), so I've now got a week of using it.

Pros:
*Indeed a long oval shape, basically the same as my Arai Profile in the crown area, I would say.
*Great ventilation - the vents on this thing definitely move the air.
*Great shield mechanism - every helmet should have a shield mechanism this good. Strong detents. Closes tight. Little lever to pop it open a crack or lock it down (closed). Easy to change.
*Came with an included smoked shield in a shield carrying bag.
*Came with a really nice padded helmet bag.
*pump-up cheekpads to really firm up the fit - useful if riding at high speeds and/or in turbulent air to keep the helmet even more firmly in place. I don't think they have different-sized cheekpads available, though. It basically fits me well without pumping up.

Cons:
*Tight opening - takes a bit of work to pull it on or off. Smaller ears than mine would make this easier.
*Limited ear pocket space - this is a close-fitting helmet and the ear pockets are fairly small in size. Probably not a problem for people who don't have big Dumbo ears like mine.
*A little noisier/less aerodynamic than my Arai Profile was, IMO. Can definitely feel it a bit more when I turn my head to the side at speed. It also helps if I make sure I haven't gotten the neck roll folded up.
*Fit and finish not quite up to Arai standards, although still very good.

Definitely a viable alternative to the Arai Profile or Signet for those who have a long oval head shape. Previous to this helmet, My Arai Signets and Profile are the only helmets I've ever had that really fit my head properly.

 

Ooh! Good thread! I'd like to add the AGV Skyline to the long oval list. It's even ready for a com unit with recesses for speakers and a button mic.

I've ridden with my Skyline for about two and half years now.

Pros:

-Quick-release chin strap

-Com unit-ready

-Fits true to size

-Great lower ventilation (top in Cons)

-Drop down shade (if you're into that kind of thing)

-Price

Cons:

-Forehead vents don't move much air unless you point your face at the tank, but the lower ventilation makes up for it.

-The plasticy/rubbery coating on the bottom of the cheek pads (outside helmet) starts to flake around the two year mark. Easily fixed by replacing cheek pads.

-Not the quietest helmet out there, but I wear earplugs while riding, so I hardly notice.

I love this helmet. Was about to drop a lot of money on an Arai, but found a review from the UK on this helmet by chance. Claimed to be long oval for a fraction of the price, so I took a chance and ordered my first one from Spain. I ordered a second one from the US as a backup a few months ago, and the fit is identical. I have to say I like the Skyline better than the Arai's because of the extra room between my mouth and the chin guard. The Arai fits too close for my liking, but the Skyline has enough room for a boom mic.

 

I picked up an Speed & Strength SS1400 for this season. It's also a long oval shape and DOT & Snell rated. I've found it to be more comfortable, lighter and quieter than my old Scorpion 1000. I've found the ventilation could be improved and the visor optics could be better. Overall I really like it and it was under $150.


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Ask about helmets or review what's good and bad about yours.

 

My first modular helmet for $125, HJC CL-Max 2.

I really like this helmet. Comfortable for my big head, really smooth and easy modular mechanism, decent vents and I have the winter visor to prevent fogging up.

 

My advice to every customer who comes to the shop for a helmet or boots: I don't care which one you like, try them all and find the one which fits the best. Don't look at graphics or price, find the best fit. Once you've narrowed it down to a few that fit terrific, you can dicker on details. Nothing will put you in a deeper level of misery than a helmet or pair of boots with an improper fit.

 

My Schuberth C3 flows almost no air. It is one warm hat. I believe the C3Pro is advertised to flow 40% more air, but from my pov, 40%more of nothing is still nothing. (Note a little sarcasm and unhappiness with this model hat). It does have one nice feature, though. My wife likes the highly visible safety yellow color, so it is worth every penny it cost.

 

I like my HJC CL-Max 2 also, and wear it quite a bit, but I have a long shaped head, and they are round. I like modulars, leaving my glasses on when putting the helmet on or off, getting a gulp of water or talking at a stop is very handy. I recently picked up a new helmet, the LS2 FF324 Metro V3 Modular Helmet - Rapid Orange at motorcycle closeouts. the peak is removable, so it looks more like any other street helmet or can be left on for sun shade. It is long oval shaped, to better fit my head. It has a ratcheting helmet strap mechanism, not a double D ring, set it once, and insert the 'male' end into the locking ratchet, pull to release, very handy. It also has the drop down sun shade, which I tend to forget is there, and not use. The lining is as comfortable as other helmets I've had in this price range. I'm pretty happy with it, and it seems a good bargain. If you have a slightly long oblong head, and have been wearing helmets for round heads, this is very comfortable right out of the box. There are several reviews out there if you search for them. In some markets they are called the LS2 Metro Evo


https://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com...BRAoEiwAPRRWW7s7Hb7AQMlqv7HIOU4Lk3JhZPaZ4noy24AgvPW2LWndrplejcaGZBoCQ_sQAvD_BwE

 

I like my HJC CL-Max 2 also, and wear it quite a bit, but my I have a long shaped head, and they are round. I like modulars, leaving my glasses on when putting the helmet on or off, getting a gulp of water or talking at a stop is very handy. I recently picked up a new helmet, the LS2 FF324 Metro V3 Modular Helmet - Rapid Orange at motorcycle closeouts. the peak is removable, so it looks more like any other street helmet or can be left on for sun shade. It is long oval shaped, to better fit my head. It has a ratcheting helmet strap mechanism, not a double D ring, set it once, and insert the 'male' end into the locking ratchet, pull to release, very handy. It also has the drop down sun shade, which I tend to forget is there, and not use. The lining is as comfortable as other helmets I've had in this price range. I'm pretty happy with it, and it seems a good bargain. If you have a slightly long oblong head, and have been wearing helmets for round heads, this is very comfortable right out of the box. There are several reviews out there if you search for them. In some markets they are called the LS2 Metro Evo


https://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com...BRAoEiwAPRRWW7s7Hb7AQMlqv7HIOU4Lk3JhZPaZ4noy24AgvPW2LWndrplejcaGZBoCQ_sQAvD_BwE

I have the same helmet for about a year now. Some advice... Watch the visor pivot screws, they come loose. Be gentle on the inner visor mechanism, they are somewhat fragile. Mine is working on one side only now. Still does the job, but if the other side breaks, I'm done. Parts are very hard to find. No winter visor. Pinlock, if equiped, is almost unobtaniaum. All this said, I still like it, but wouldn't buy another.

 

I'm currently using an HJC IS-Max2 modular and after a few hundred miles with it on my noggin I'm quite impressed with it. I bought in solid white to try to stand out from my surroundings a little more. It came Pinlock-ready. I haven't picked up the visor insert yet but probably will before Fall. It's relatively quiet (I still wear earplugs) and the vent and visor controls are all in the right places and easy to manipulate.

One thing I like is that the sun visor will retract with the push of one button on the very crown of the helmet. I find this handy because I invariably start down the steep ramp to my dark parking garage after coming out of the bright sunlight and realize I now can't see anything because I forgot to retract the visor.........The outer visor detents are also very strong, so the visor stays in whatever position you put it. Only time will tell if the detents stay that way or start wearing out.

For what it's worth, it passed all the SHARP tests without the face guard ever coming unlatched/open and they gave it 4/5 stars. Those numbers were not a factor in my choosing the helmet; I just happened to read them later.

Solid colors are generally just shy of $200.

I definitely agree with Bogfarth's comments above concerning proper fit.

 

Thanks for the tip, I'll keep an eye on them.

 

Resurrecting this thread. I'm about due for a new helmet again. Might have to bite the bullet and spring for a new Arai Signet, although the prices have gotten insane.

Love to hear about any newer helmets from different brands that might be comparable to the Signet without breaking the bank.

The Scorpion EXO R2000 I've been using has a lot of good features, but was race oriented, and noisier and not as plush as a Signet. Fits like one, though.