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Budget helmet advice

IMHO: none of the Arai's I owned were as good in any way as the HJC RPHA-10 I have now. Fit, finish, quality, protection, nothing.

There was a big Helmet article done several years ago by Motorcyclist magazine that basically stated none of the top of the line, most expensive Helmets were any better or safer than less expensive models.

YMMV.
 
Yup, the HJC RPHA-10 is a premium pro helmet at a reasonable price. I just wish they'd fit my head shape. I'd take that lid over my Arai Defiant any day...I just need that Arai fit. The RPHA's kinda have a medium oval shape, like the newer Shoei RF's or Arai Vectors.

The plush liner and adjustability in the liner of the arai is nice, but for $300 more? eh.
 
Some people may snub Scorpion but their new line up, specifically the R2000 is fricken amazing. I've had the Shoei RF1200, the Arai Defiant and I wore the R2000 3/4 of the time. Fair warning though, it's fairly loud but the ventilation is amazing. Great price point too.

But I agree with everyone, fit is the key!
 
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jh2586 said:
Looking for a new helmet. I got $300, not a penny more. What's the best bang for the buck at that price point?

I had an AGV K3 EVO. Its about 3-4 years old and pretty worn down. My priorities are as follows (in order)

1. Protection
2. Comfort
3. Wind noise
4. Style

Any recommendations?
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The Icon Alliance Cheiftain helmet saved my life. So I went out and bought another one. $150.

I was hit head-on when I was moving at around 30mph, maybe I managed to slow down to 20mph or so. Concussion, blackout. Woke up in the ambulance.

I'm forever grateful. I look at the second helmet I ride with now every time before I put it on and it gives me shivers.
 
Too bad you don't live in San Jose. Road rider is doing no sales tax weekend. And they got a shit ton of helmets. That is the only time I buy stuff from there cause that's the only time it's cheapest to buy rather than online.

Fit is the most important regardless of price. Because it will protect your head better than an ill fitting helmet
 
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-faq.htm Long article but tons of information on getting the right helmet for your particular noggin.

Worst thing you can do is wear a poorly-fitting helmet that will make your entire skull ache from being squeezed into the wrong shape. Painful as hell and distracting.

FWIW, I have a Schuberth C3 Pro (modular) and there's wind noise that I eliminate by using Adam (carriesanaxe) neck warmer and either earplugs (Hearo's) or fitted earplugs (Fit-Ear) that hook up to my cell for GPS & music.
 
A friend bought an Arai helmet via internet. The helmet is the wrong shape, pinches his forehead and gives him a headache after a few hours of riding time. Now he has a $600 helmet that he does not use.
 
Hazardous Waste said:
All I have to say is
$10 helmet for a $10 head
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It's not like OP is saying he's looking into a $19.99 Bilt Crap Racer helmet with a stuck on DOT sticker. His $300 budget will net some track worthy, well featured helmets that meet the same DOT and SNELL safety standards as the Arai's and Shoei's...with even some better features.
 
$300 is a competent price range. I think I paid $350 for my Shoei Qwest 2 yrs ago. They will not protect you any different but they may affect how enjoyable your ride is. Even though I ride primarily with my Qwest, when I ride with my Arai Corsair V I can immediately notice the weight difference.

That little weight may affect you over time if you are a full time commuter/rider. Pinched nerves, sore neck, etc. In my criteria moving forward, the best fitting and lightest helmet within my budget are the two top factors that make or break.

Just pickup a $250 helmet vs. $500 helmet and you'll notice the weight.
 
Interesting discussion, to me $300 bucks seems like plenty of money to buy a safe, quality helmet. I haven't bought a helmet in a few years but one of my current helmets is a new GMax that was included when I bought my last moto. It fits great and has an awesome ventilation system. It's a lower cost helmet that I'm very happy with. I'm sure there are lots of other good lower price alternatives. I agree 100% that the fit is the biggest factor in safety and comfort.
I remember a great article a few years back ( Motorcyclist?) that showed how that version of the Snell cert. helmets allowed worse head injuries than DOT cert. helmets due to excessive shell stiffness. I'm believe Snell changed its cert. standards after that. High end helmets are great but you can buy a lot of safety and comfort for $300 if you shop around. Good luck!
 
I've been looking for a new helmet too. I have looked and tried on many different brands but shoei is the only helmet that fits my head the best meaning comfortably and safely. it's too bad because i really love the designs on the arai. I have looked into the rpha/rps -10 by hjc but it also feels a little weird on my head as well. let us know what you end up going with.
 
Blackhawk said:
My neighbor bought his Shoei RF1100 for about half of
Original retail price at:

http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com

AND

They are having a "helmet blowout" sale right NOW!

They have RF1100 models that are right at your price point
(Along with other makes & models)
Click to expand...

Make sure you look inside the helmet to see when it was manufactured. Industry recommendation is to have a helmet dated from at least 5 yrs from current.
 
jumph4x said:
The Icon Alliance Cheiftain helmet saved my life. So I went out and bought another one. $150.

I was hit head-on when I was moving at around 30mph, maybe I managed to slow down to 20mph or so. Concussion, blackout. Woke up in the ambulance.

I'm forever grateful. I look at the second helmet I ride with now every time before I put it on and it gives me shivers.
Click to expand...

+1 on Icon. I bought an Icon Helmet on Close out for $99, for daily use and a back up for my Arai. My buddy bought one too. It worked great for me, I crashed in it and it did it's job, actually my buddy crashed in his too, at Seca, T5 high side. The Icon did an outstanding job of protecting his noggin.

enjyursins said:
Some people may snub Scorpion but their new line up, specifically the R2000 is fricken amazing.
Click to expand...

My wife bought a Scorpion at MotoGP Laguna Seca a few years back. Never crashed it but it's a good helmet.


I'm seeing HJC RPHA-10's online for well under $300.
 
the new higher end scorpions are very good,but noisy.
 
Meter Man said:
I just want something that fits like an Arai Quantum II but quieter.
Click to expand...

Arai stopped making that very round quantum II shape a while ago...which was perfect for me as well. Closest thing Ive found is arai rxq or defiant, 1 size down with the temple peel-away pads removed.
 
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