Helmet Hunter

If you’re familiar with the Shoei RF-1000 or RF-1100, chances are you won’t be (familiar) with the RF-200. Yes, Shoei’s flagship RF series has had a long lineage of models that started from the aforementioned RF-200. The RF-200, the RF-700, the RF-800, and the RF-900 enjoyed the limelight first before reaching the 1000s.

We don’t have the exact date of production yet, but we estimate the RF-200 as being older than 14 years at lease—The First 1000s appeared circa 2003 and we’ve read reviews of the RF-700 dated 1996.

The 200 is known to be a very comfortable helmet in its time. We have encountered a couple of owners sharing anecdotes from the glory days of their RF-200s, and a certain forum member even said that it was what got him to stick with Shoei and only Shoei helmets—he has been using their helmets for over 13 years.

Another short, semi-review on the RF200 mentioned that it (once again) sits comfortable on the head, has a ventilation system, and is not “deafeningly” noisy. But, the downside was that the shell was a little bulky and heavy, plus, the the strap is located in a way that it pulls the helmet forward-down, making the rider push it up on the chin bar every so often during trips. Aww, and here we’d hope it was a perfect helmet.

Update

We’ve found yet another RF-200 experience. A long-time user said that he came to owning his back then by asking stores, “What is the quietest motorcycle helmet I can get?” Interesting.

Anyway, below are a couple of borrowed photos of the 200 from a forum member who tried to sell his (although we don’t think it sold). Hit us up if you are interested.

Read this post if:

1. You are looking for a U.S. distributor of Nolan helmets.
2. You are looking for online dealers.

Nolan is an Italian helmet company, and finding the right information in English can be a challenge. I’m sure you have come across the site www.nolanhelmets.com, hoping to find information on the dealer nearest you, only to find out that the site is only an affiliate. It sucks that that site outranks the official site of Nolan, which is www.nolan.it.

Nolan is actually the Nolan Group. As we all know, Nolan is in itself a helmet brand—popularized of course by world champion Casey Stoner. Nolan is also essentially X-Lite—another helmet brand popularized by another (soon-to-be) world champion, Jorge Lorenzo of the Fiat Yamaha MotoGP team. Apart from Nolan and X-Lite, the Nolan group also owns Grex and N-Com (helmet communication devices).

If you are looking for online dealers, two of the biggest Nolan helmet dealers are Extreme Supply and Helmet City. There are a number of other online stores carrying Nolan dealers, just make a search and I’m sure you’ll know if they are trustworthy enough.

However, if on the contrary you arrived at this page wanting to be a Nolan dealer, or just want to contact the official U.S. distributor, then you’re in luck. Information for the official U.S. distributor below.

CIMA Internationa, Inc.
1585 Beverly Court, Unit 118
Aurora, IL 60502
866-2HELMET; 630-701-1601; Fax: 630-701-1606
www.nolan-usa.com

If you want to have a master list of online and offline Nolan dealers, then help me out here. I will compile and add to a list soon. Please hit the comments below for any information regarding dealers. Thank you.

The Atlantic City Vandal has been one of the most celebrated helmet designs of 2009. Casino-themed and inspired graphics from a roulette table, cards, dice, chips and dollars—surely, if this is your thing, this is your helmet. Below are photos of all views of the helmet.

The Suomy Vandal is an entry-level model that carries the features found in Suomy’s premium helmets. It has a very aggressive look even with a flat base, and is of top-notch quality. Of course, as with all Suomy helmets, this has passed all standards concerned with motorcycle safety.

Helmet Hunter best found deal: $422.95

Some features

• Removable air deflector for nose
• Top quality hypo-allergenic lining
• Special sound-absorbing polymers
• High impact resistant composite thermoplastic resin shell
• Lightweight scratch-proof, anti-fog, impact-resistant visor with safety-lock visor system

Photos of Atlantic City

For those of you looking for a replacement face shield for your Suomy Spec 1R and Spec 1R Extreme, look no further. OEM Suomy shields are available for purchase, either as a replacement or a backup, say you want a different shade. A number of available shades are available—clear, light smoke, dark smoke, iridium (mirror), iridium blue, iridium gold, and amber.

All shields are anti-scratch and anti-fog, and has a 3.2-ounce shipping weight. Options for all Suomy-size helmets available. Retail price: $47.95. Helmet Hunter’s best found deal: $44.57. Click here to choose your size and shade combination.

The first to make a Giacomo Agostini was Arai (some 5 years ago), using its RX-7 as a base platform. The latest, but already currently discontinued (check for stocks), model is the Ti-Tech Evolution Agostini, by AGV, which came in green, white, red and gold, and had “Ago 1″ printed on the left (red) side. Also written was “World Champion” and his race number “15″ just below the visor, right around the chin area. It had some gold stars as well, and Ago’s signature at the back, on the white stripe.

About the Ti-Tech Evolution

The Ti-Tech Evolution is constructed from super-light Carbon-Kevlar and is the very same helmet worn by Valentino Rossi. It features an Integrated Ventilation System with pure titanium air intakes and channels hollowed directly in the shell. It has a treated Cool Max removable and washable interior, and has a Double D retention system and a clear, flat, anti-scratch, anti-fog polycarbonate race visor with a quick release and tear-off system.

Photos of the AGV Ago Replica

Suomy Spec 1R Extreme

The 2010 Max Biaggi replica Suomy helmet is out. This time its a Suomy Spec 1R Extreme sporting Max’s signature red, white and yellow stars color theme. The replica does not come cheap at $719.95 retail, but you can expect Suomy’s finest race technology with the Spec 1R. The helmet is available in seven sizes—X-Small to 3X-Large, and comes with a 5-year warranty.

The Spec 1R comes with a default ultra tech clear iridium visor, and is rated ultra-light weight at only 1,250 grams. It features structurally enhanced composite fiber weave which is also good at absorbing sound. Finally, the advanced channeled EPS provides optimum venting while still retaining Suomy’s dynamically variable resistance crush zone.

The Spec 1R Max Biaggi adheres to DOT and BSI/ECE 22.05 standars, and is approved for racing by every major motorcycle research organization in the United States.

Images

If you’re looking for a replacement or a spare shield/visor for your Suomy Gunwind, look no further. Visors for the Gunwind and the Ventura are basically the same, and, if you want one iridium-shaded, we’ve got it for you. Original Suomy visors are retail priced at $62.95. Check below for the low deal that we’ve hunted.

The visor weighs only 8 ounces and is considered “free shipping” on most states. Click here to check out your shipping rates. These are original replacements. Item #31370.

Note

Tinted Shields are not designed for night time use.

Image (reference only)

Arai Profile Springer was available in red and blue, and was one of our favorite designs where the theme “simple is beautiful” applies. Red (or blue) semi-elliptical stripe on a white background, with a black star on the side. It sold at a suggested retail price of $629.95, costly, we know, but we were able to find a lowest deal of $479 used (Helmet City), and $481.46 brand new (Atlantic Moto USA), and depending on size.

Check to see if stocks are still available.

*Sorry for the lack of links, but we’ve deleted them since we received a message from the said suppliers running out of stocks.

Check them anyway.

People have been asking for a review of the Suomy Ventura—a mid-end simple-looking closed helmet that was sold originally for $224.95. Tips say that currently this helmet can be had for sub $110, which makes it a popular option to consider for those looking for a backup helmet or a daily.

The Ventura uses ultra-light weight structurally enhanced composite weave fibers, anti-scratch and anti-fog optics and sound absorbing polymers. It has removable breath deflectors, sponge cervical neck roll, close able delta top diffusers. For safety, the Ventura is DOT and BSI 6658 Type A approved.

We’ve scoured the internet for first-hand user experiences with the Ventura and finally we’ve found one. Yes, just one, from a Suzuki SV650 forum. Details of the review below.

“This was easily the best $145 I’ve spent on a motorcycle product. I was using a 5 year old Bell that was alright but I wanted something newer and hopefully quieter. This Suomy Ventura is about as quiet as I could stand. I think the main difference is the bigger neck roll which blocks a lot of wind. Possibly having the shield mechanism covered up helps, too. The model is not mentioned on the Suomy web site so I’m guessing it’s been discontinued. Plenty of web retailers have them for around $150. I got mine at Dennis Kirk. I’ve read the Suomys aren’t a great fit for everybody so it might be good to try one at a shop if you can but I guess that’s true with any helmet. Good luck!”

The Phil Reed replica model from Arai is basically an Arai Vector with a black and white racing theme and a Union Jack on the temple. It is a simple but elegant design, which can match bike and jacket colors blue, red, black and white. It is available in four sizes: small, medium, large, and extra large. It sells at a retail price of $561.99, which is quite a steal considering the Vector is a feature-packed high-end helmet model from Arai.

About Phil Reed

For those of you who don’t know, Phil Reed was an English MotoGP rider active between 1961 to 1976. He had stints with Yamaha and MV Agusta. He was dubbed “The Prince of Speed” and was the first rider to win championships in the three classes—125cc, 250cc and 500cc.

Phil Reed replica photos