You don’t need a “nice” helmet, you need one that works and is DOT/SNELL approved. I’ve owned only HJC in the last ten years and they’ve all been under $200 or so. They also work as advertised as I’ve had the misfortune to find out. The fancier ones may give better ventilation, but I haven’t had a problem and I’ve got 120k or so in my helmets.
I pretty much picked my helmet as it was the best fitting and most comfortable one I could find, the price came secondary. I think I paid what would then equal $400 for my Shark helmet. Before that it was a $100 Nitro, besides fitting my head better the only differences I’ve found is plushier lining and it’s a bit lighter.
Thanks, E the H. They have a dealer in my back yard. I’ll check them out if the Suzuki dealer refuses to cooperate.
But “need” doesn’t enter into it when I get a new toy. 
I just don’t know which, if any, fancy helmet I want.
I think a “street racer” looking helmet might seem a little odd on a 63 year old fat guy riding a motor scooter. But then…
I’m after comfort and utility, plus looks.
You do know you should replace your helmet every two to four years, right? Cite (PDF)
Outside of regular replacement, I agree with you - I also use HJC $170 helmets. The different between the HJC and a $900 helmet is irrelevant in a crash. Cite (note the Gs - HJC is the same [and frequently better] than the alternatives.)
Hey **Mangeorge ** - There’s a theory that the more obnoxiously bright and eye catching the helmet, the more visible you are and the fewer accidents you get into. Cite to ‘white helmet’ theory.
I ride a big monster cruiser, and I wear race gear because it fits and it protects. I get a lot of crap from Harley guy types for not wearing the ‘standard’ cruiser gear (black jacket, black chaps, black boots, low self esteem disguised behind faux libertarian ‘tough guy’ attitude, smallest helmet legally allowable.) I also get attitude from crotch rocketeers insulted by the fact that I dress like them but ride a big noisy cruiser and obey speed laws. It’s actually pretty funny. Go ahead and get race gear, maybe they’ll mistake you for a 20 year old until you take the helmet off. If you ever come up to Seattle drop me a line - I have no problem cruising next to a scooter 
I see your point, you will just have to buy a sports bike 
Btw. one feature you might want to look for is a build-in sun-visor, here in Europe Schubert helmets are known for having this little flip-down visor that you can operate even with gloves on. I’ve never tried it but I have been caught out in the evening with a dark visor and been bothered by the sun with my clear visor. Definitely a feature I would look at if I where in the market for a new helmet
Sorry to be late to respond, don’t have a lot of time to check the SDMB. 
The folks you want to talk to about communication gear and hooking up your GPS are RKA luggage. They’ve got a line called IN-Charge Communications which have a communicator in a tank bag and all of the mounts are on the bag itself. They are very nice systems (we have one). Talk to Richard Battles at 800-349-1752 or check them out at http://www.rka-luggage.com/A02%20Tankbags/com%20bag%20Build%20sheet/Master%20Accessoires%20Build%20Sheet.html.
Let me know if you talk to them and what you think.
jean
The built-in sunshades generally aren’t worth the trouble, according to my co-writers at www.webbikeworld.com
Just get one that fits well and you’ll be fine.
Thanks for the invite. First though, I’ll need a ramp for my (Honda) pickup. 
I checked your site and searched “scooters”. Got a hundred hits, so I bookmarked it. Thanks. 
BTW: Cruise control on a motorcycle? Saw some discussion on the site. Hmmm, I’ll have to think about that.
Thanks for all the valuable advice and help. I wound up ordering a HJC CL-SP through webbikeworld. At $170 it was close to the prices around here, and the site gets a cut. Shipping was free. They (that site) rated it pretty highly, as did a couple others, so I think it’ll do the job.
Thanks again
mangeorge
::glances up at the thread title::
Um, yeah – but what SIZE did you get? 
I didn’t call, but I did look. Pretty cool. I’m getting a scooter, no BTL tank. I’m sure there’s a solution, but they’re a little rich for my blood.
Next is, I think, cruise control.
Thanks
Yeah, I did stray a little. I might get a medium to match (is that too cutsie?) later on. No “guests” till then.
To answer your question, I got a “wine” color in xxl. That’s the only thing I was a little unsure about, the size.
Hope it fits, remember it should be pretty tight, but not uncomfortable to wear for extended time. The padding will also expand a little bit.
Oh, proberly not much chance, but if you’re ever in Europe, I don’t mind riding with scooters either infact I have a friend with a 400 burgman - very practical little bike.
My helmet (a HJC CL-SP, remember?) came today.
It fits perfectly, just slightly tight, which I understand will adjust to my head over time.
One little thing, though. My ears fold down when I put it on. That’s a little uncomfortable and would likely get more so after a while. Anybody have any suggestions on how to prevent this?
Peace,
mangeorge
^ That happens to me too sometimes. First, try to prevent it by pulling both straps out as far as you can when putting it on. Beyond that, can you slip a finger up the bottom of your helmet to fix your ear?
I’ll try pulling the straps. I don’t think my finger will fit. I just got it last night, si I’m not really familiar with it yet.
Thanks.