[NextSV]

Anybody here have a Joe Rocket Helmet? RKT-101 to be exact. They are on clearance pretty much everywhere and look pretty sweet. Reviews look good. If you have ridden one, I would love to hear how you like it...or don't.

 

[dubtecv2]

It's an HJC with better/more padding.

 

[NextSV]

I had read that they were manufactured by HJC but that they were superior in many ways. Anybody had first hand experience?

 

[gulliamo]

For how much are they going? How much do you want to spend? The top-of-the-line Sharks are now on sale for $250... And they are sweet!

 

[NextSV]

They are selling the normally$270-$300+ Joe Rockets for $125-$150 Shipped. Pretty tough to beat for a fiberglass composite helmet as far as I can tell.
I love the look of the Shark RSR2 (and the 1/2 off price tag is great), but I worry because they are not SNELL rated. I have read that some helmets overseas that pass the British standards are not built nearly as well as SNELL helmets. Not an expert on helmets, just going on what I have read in my research.

 

[JoChan1K]

where are you finding those for that cheap?

- Jordan

 

[dubtecv2]

They are selling the normally$270-$300+ Joe Rockets for $125-$150 Shipped. Pretty tough to beat for a fiberglass composite helmet as far as I can tell.
I love the look of the Shark RSR2 (and the 1/2 off price tag is great), but I worry because they are not SNELL rated. I have read that some helmets overseas that pass the British standards are not built nearly as well as SNELL helmets. Not an expert on helmets, just going on what I have read in my research.

The Shark RSR2 is ECE 22.05 rated, which some believe to be far superior to the Snell rating system. This quote is taken from WebBikeWorld's article on the ECE-22.05 rating:

If you’re not comfortable with a helmet that only meets the US Government DOT standard, what do you look for? Historically, American riders have looked for a Snell label but the world is getting smaller and we now have other viable alternatives. The ECE 22.05 standard is used in over 50 European countries, including Germany, a country known for taking a hard line on personal protection.

Helmets certified to the ECE 22.05 standard are approved for competition events by AMA, CCS, FIM, Formula-USA and WERA and are chosen by nearly every professional motorcycle racers competing in world championship road racing, motocross and off road events, including the ultimate sport of Moto GP. Helmets that are certified to both DOT and ECE 22.05 offer the highest level of realistic protection with the added benefit of light weight for day-long comfort and rider performance.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/ece-22-05.htm

Plus, check out the Sharp helmet safety (crash test) ratings. The Shark RSR2 gets 5 out of 5 stars:

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

edit: Check out WebBikeWorld's review of the RKT-101:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/joe-rocket/rkt-101/

 

[Chrome]

I've got one that I paid $200 otd for. A nice low/mid level helmet. Fits almost exactly as an HJC. I've heard that the visors are interchangeable with HJC, but I've yet to try it. The locking mechanism does look the same. I wish the top vents let in more air, but other than that I'm completely happy with it.

I'm still of the opinion you buy the best/most helmet you can, but in my case $200 was the max and I had to have one that day. Local shop had HJC and Joe Rocket that fit the bill and the Joe Rocket won. Plus, the matte red looks absolutely *****in.

Later,
Chrome...

 

[dubtecv2]

The visors and locking mechanisms are the same (my first helmet was an HJC CL-14...hated that thing).

 

[NextSV]

Dubtec, thanks for all the info. I had read that webbike world article before, but had also read a few that contradicted that. The crash tests are most helpful.
I first started looking at the JR helmets when I got an email from Bike bandit (http://www.bikebandit.com/product/10794) which then made me google, which is where I found this (http://www.pro1powersports.com/products/JOE_ROCKET_RKT101_SOLID_EDGE_MC_1F_Helmet_Flat_Red_Black_Red-10671-631.html)
I may hold out and keep hunting for a Shark. I am not a big fan of the Duhamel graphic.

 

[Suzanne]

Fox V2 FTW!

 

[gulliamo]

where are you finding those for that cheap?

- Jordan

http://www.compacc.com

 

[08FX4]

I've got a Joe Rocket Solid Edge helmet and love it. As said earlier, they are made by HJC and fit the same but the JR helmet's padding feels better and because of that the helmet feels better in general. The shields are interchangeable with HJC shields as well -- I've got a dark smoke one on mine. The matte finish is nice but it scratches very easily. For the price they are going for now....... you can't beat them.