Budget helmet advice

[daslowguy710]

Several years back Roadrace World did a study on concussions at race tracks per helmet manufacturers,
Aria and Shoei had the fewest with AGV and several cheaper ones having considerably higher rates of concussions and the worst was Bell
I went hard first into an 89 chevy blazer in my Arai resulting in a crushed vertabrea but no concussion
The couple hundred $$$ saved on a lower quality helmet could be cost you thousands $$$$$i would rather buy a used good helmet than a new cheap one
And don't think the AGV that Rossi is wearing is the same one you get

 

[Deftone]

Just weighed:

Arai RX7RR4: 3.40lbs.

HJC RPHA-10: 3.53lbs.

I sold my Arai RX7 Corsair, can't weigh that one.

 

[2strokeYardSale]

HJC RPHA 10

HJC RPHA-10

HJC RPHA-10

HJC RPHA-10

HJC RPHA-10

I just upgraded my old helmets and for street the new helmet is a RPHA-10. First ride was yesterday, second ride today. The HJ-20 smoke shield I added to it does not seal. It seems mis-shapen. WTF? The shield latch won't latch and there's a gap between the shield and the rubber gasket. At freeway speed I'm getting unwanted venting and on a breezy day like today I'm getting dust and shit swirling up into my eyes.

Edit: Just tried the clear visor that comes with it, fits and seals perfectly. Hmmm. Smoke shield says HJ-20M, clear shield says HJ-20 #1. Thanks, Obama.

BTW, previous street helmet was an HJC AC-12 Carbon with the HJ-09 shield. I switched from top-of-the-line Shoeis to top-of-the-line HJCs years ago. The HJCs are as good or better. This RPHA-10 cost me $240ish. I've paid $600-800 for Shoeis.

 

[MC BumSlap]

I've never paid more than $400 for a new Shoei. You need to learn to shop around better.

 

[islemann]

Has anyone posted the link to the old motorcyclist "Blowing the Lid Off" story?

The critical item with helmet purchase is not just a comfortable fit - but a proper one.

Many riders are wearing helmets that are not a good fit, being either too large, too small or just plain the wrong head shape.

A well fit helmet will not have any 'pressure points', nor will it flop around on your head. The helmet should exert a gentle yet firm pressure on all of your noggin. When you grab the chin bar and tug down or push up - your head should follow, the helmet should not move independent of your skull.

$300 is plenty of money to spend on a lid. You can get very good quality for that amount. Typically, the higher the price - the lighter the lid (or the more national advertising the lid company spends.)

Try a LOT of helmets on. If you can find a Shoei or Arai salesperson, they'll know exactly how to fit you.

Good luck.

 

[discoganya]

Look at Nolan. Very good quality budget friendly helmets.

Also see
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[Jalopyshoppe]

If they fit your head shape, try Kali Protectives. I LOVE my Naza Carbon. Was less than $300, and it's very light. Kali also has a proprietary method of construction that is said to eliminate the gap between shell and styrofoam. They have a couple models that fit different head shapes. Customer service is phenomenal. Some employees are BARF-ers, and have proactively solved complaints voiced here.

 

[Feanor]

Its been shown over and over again in testing that many of the quality lower priced helmets offer as good or even better protection than some of the top of the line helmets.

With Top of the line helmets you're paying for extra features, graphics, readily available interchangeable pads/liners/visors, more and adjustable vents, lightweight materials etc etc etc...

You have 300, not a penny more? I'd suggest waiting a little while till you have more. You bought the bike, the helmet shouldn't be an issue, forego the slip on, shorty levers things like that...

 

[Donelop]

Its been shown over and over again in testing that many of the quality lower priced helmets offer as good or even better protection than some of the top of the line helmets.

With Top of the line helmets you're paying for extra features, graphics, readily available interchangeable pads/liners/visors, more and adjustable vents, lightweight materials etc etc etc...

You have 300, not a penny more? I'd suggest waiting a little while till you have more. You bought the bike, the helmet shouldn't be an issue, forego the slip on, shorty levers things like that...

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/ <---- go to this website if you want to see what helmet has the best protection. It's true, there's a lot of high quality low price helmets. Bell and AGV are two brands that go from making the very cheap to the very expensive and they seem to be the best about making sure every helmet they make has the same protection. Other brands... not so much.

 

[alexx199]

If you are willing to wait a few months, I know that Cycle Gear has a big sale in Sac every September. I was able to get a couple of helmets for $25 each. One is Snell approved, the other is only DOT. The brands I got were Scorpion and Motoboss. They both seem good to me, and I trust my head in them. Lots of padding and no dents/scratches. Don't know how you'd feel about it, not being big name brand and being on massive discount. It's an option though in case you want to go that route.

 

[Donelop]

I highly highly highly reccomend completely avoid looking at SNELL, DOT, etc. It's either 5 star SHARP rating or its nothing.

For a full list of sub 300 full face helmets with 5 star Sharp ratings:

AGV S-4
AGV Stealth
Bell M1
Caberg V2 407
Caberg V2R
Caberg V2RR
Caberg Vox
Duchinni D832
HJC IS-17
Lazer Bora
Marushin 777 Samura
Marushin 777 Tiger
Marushin RS1 Carbon
MT Revenge
Nitro Aikido
Nitro Evo Carbon FF
Nitro N1700VF