Honda Hoot vendor Sierra Electronics redeemed themselves this year. Last year I was very dissappointed after buying a Nolan X-Lite helmet for half-price
($200) from them. The X-Lite incorporated a couple of Nolan's lastest convenience features which I do greatly enjoy including the one-button flip-up chin
bar release and the built-in raisable-lowerable sun visor. What is exceptionally bad about Nolan's X-Lite helmet is it has both horrible booming noises and
loud whistling noises. Come to find out, this is not a progression of Nolan's previous line. They bought up somebody else's line in Europe and adapted
it into their group of offerings. There is no other way to put it, regarding noise, it is by far the worst helmet I have ever tried out. It just plain SUCKS.
The only consolation with this helmet is I can wear it with my T since the windshield is so large it does not allow any significant airflow near the helmet and
consequently there is no noise coming into the helmet when I am riding my T.
http://www.motorcyclegiant.com/photos/nol_x1002-2T.jpg
At this year's Hoot I bought a Shoei Syncrotec modular (flip-up) helmet from Sierra Electronics. Syncrotec is Shoei's second generation raisable chin bar helmet and since the 3rd generation Multitec modular helmet has been available for almost 2 years, Shoei is closing out the Syncrotec. Consequently I was able to buy mine for $200 instead of the previous price of $390-$415. I am happy to report that Shoei's Syncrotec is relatively quiet, that is there are no terrible booming or whistling noises, but there is some, just not quite as much as the Nolan N100's that I have been wearing since 1999. Shoei also changed the head shape from more round with the 2nd generation Syncrotec to oval with the 3rd generation Multitec. I must have a more round head because the Syncrotec helmet fit me better and I like that it was less than half of what a Multitec goes for. The Syncrotec has gotten excellent reviews on fit, finish, quality and crash protectiveness. I am glad I could get one of those for an excellent price.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.helmetsetc.com/images/helmets/shoei/syncrotec/sync-black.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.helmetpages.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp%3Fa%3D30%26z%3D1&h=278&w=275&sz=22&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=LW3HHvsbn5yP9M:&tbnh=114&tbnw=113&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dshoei%2Bsyncrotec%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4DMUS_enUS219US220
Not always, but sometimes there are some good deals at motorcycle rally expos.
http://www.motorcyclegiant.com/photos/nol_x1002-2T.jpg
At this year's Hoot I bought a Shoei Syncrotec modular (flip-up) helmet from Sierra Electronics. Syncrotec is Shoei's second generation raisable chin bar helmet and since the 3rd generation Multitec modular helmet has been available for almost 2 years, Shoei is closing out the Syncrotec. Consequently I was able to buy mine for $200 instead of the previous price of $390-$415. I am happy to report that Shoei's Syncrotec is relatively quiet, that is there are no terrible booming or whistling noises, but there is some, just not quite as much as the Nolan N100's that I have been wearing since 1999. Shoei also changed the head shape from more round with the 2nd generation Syncrotec to oval with the 3rd generation Multitec. I must have a more round head because the Syncrotec helmet fit me better and I like that it was less than half of what a Multitec goes for. The Syncrotec has gotten excellent reviews on fit, finish, quality and crash protectiveness. I am glad I could get one of those for an excellent price.
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.helmetsetc.com/images/helmets/shoei/syncrotec/sync-black.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.helmetpages.com/absolutenm/anmviewer.asp%3Fa%3D30%26z%3D1&h=278&w=275&sz=22&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=LW3HHvsbn5yP9M:&tbnh=114&tbnw=113&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dshoei%2Bsyncrotec%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4DMUS_enUS219US220
Not always, but sometimes there are some good deals at motorcycle rally expos.
