NorCalBusa said:
That's good to know Todd, thanks for the info.
I must say I'm having a hard time getting my mind around folks buying a "cheap" helmet- if there is one place to not cut corners... I would think these lower priced helmets are subjected to the same pass/fail NHTSA and SNELL standards- but are there higher standards for higher end helmets? Or do they simply score higher in same standard? Or they too simply pass the basic standard?
My experience is that a less expensive helmet by a reputable manufacturer will still protect your noggin...most of what you're paying for on the top end is features, comfort, versatile fit, wind noise reduction, weight, and longevity. I'm sure that all the helmets we're talking about here probably have within 5% of each other similar crash protection....it seems that fit and quality (meaning quality of all components aside from the EPS filling and shell) are just so much nicer on the higher end lids and I'm sure their composites are probably to some degree better in a crash. But like you guys...it's been a long time since I've seen any helmet crash comparo test in real world setting.
So would I sell someone a $75 lid from a no-name? Not likely, although my first helmet in 1987 was a $49-on-sale Maxon that was a POS and I only wore it because after spending $3698 on my CBR600 Hurricane (got one of the first white/red models that hit dealers in May of 1987) I was broke. But 4 months later you can bet I bought a RF200 Shoei.
So my idea is that while I KNOW people that have the money to buy the best will probably gravitate toward Arai/Shoei/Suomy and I'm comfortable selling them high line helmets with Arai's fitment instructions and all, a lot of folks don't have more than about $150-180 to spend on a lid, and these brands we're discussing seem to really fit that need while being a decent quality lid that should have good-to-excellent crash protection.
If we take the cost-to-benefit issue...we could go a lot of ways. I wear Sidi boots and RS-Taichi leathers and gloves because they're the best. But can everyone justify to their wife/husband/accountant spending $2K+ on gear? Or can you justify a $550 suit with $75 gloves and $149 boots and still get a LOT more crash protection than blue jeans and work boots?
So while you make a very valid point about buying the best possible protection, I think that everyone has to draw the line somewhere when money is a factor and say to themselves "I think I can justify $XXX for gear this year/month".
