Author Topic: Are Pricey Helmets Really Worth It? (Read 24286 times)

jbrough7 · « **on:** April 21, 2006, 06:56:25 AM »

I've only ever bought the cheapies off ebay so have paid between $20 and $50! They seem okay but seeing those helmets for several hundred gets me to wondering - are they a lot safer? My $50 helmet is snell and dot. If not, then are they way more comfortable?

Any opinions? Would like to hear them as I have never even tried an expensive helmet on, let alone bought one.

Jim

dsartwell1 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 21, 2006, 07:01:40 AM »

As far as safety, Motorcyclist did a comparo and one of the "cheap" helmets won! I have a Shoei and a KBC. The Shoei is 10 years old(never used much) but is more comfortable for my GF. I use the KBC since it fits better for me. Get what feels good. The finish and venting as well as wind noise is usually better on the high end helmets. Also, they usually do the race replica designs for some bling if you want it.

PaulVS · « **Reply #2 on:** April 21, 2006, 09:36:24 AM »

I just got this one delivered yesterday for my wife. It came up #1 in Cycle World, and also I believe in Motorcyclist.

Z1R Strike.

$79-$89 here:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=5468&department=101&Division=1

Got an extra shield for it and the shipping was free.

Doch80 · « **Reply #3 on:** April 21, 2006, 09:57:03 AM »

I have a KBC and an HJC... both relitively cheap compared to some helmets... The HJC I can't wear for more then 30 min b/c it painful on my ears. My parents have some of those "high-end" helmets... in my expierience, and it's only my expierience so others might be different, my parents $450 helmets are much more comfortable then mine... MUCH more comfortable. My dads is lighter, less noisy, forms to my head better, the strap is less irritating even though mine is fine... his just feels better... but I can't afford something like that so my $150 snell and Dot helmets are going to have to do.

Something I think is important is a removalbe liner... don't remove all that often but it's helpful. Drove to Dallas one night to see my girlfriend for the night and it started pouring down rain... I got soaked to the bone including my helmet. I took the liner out and through it in the drier with all my other wet cloths... made the ride home much more comfortable the next day.

Red01 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 21, 2006, 12:58:47 PM »

+1 on the removable liner!!

Not only is it handy for the instance above, it's handy to be able to take it out and wash it once in a while so it doesn't get nasty or stinky.

I don't think the spendier helmets are any safer (and according to the Motorcyclist article, many spendy lids are too hard and therefore less safe). They usually offer more comfort or features.

I find my KBC VR1 to be pretty comfortable. The visors are super simple to change (and affordable, unlike Shoei & Arai visors), the liner is plush and removable. IMHO, the venting is so-so and is the only thing I was disappointed in, especially since its venting looks like it's fairly aggressive. Since I don't ride in a lot of really hot weather, it's not a BIG deal. All in all, it has been a great lid for the $179 I paid for it and I can't imagine how another helmet might be worth another $400-500 (or more).

jbrough7 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 21, 2006, 05:11:45 PM »

Is there any word on those cool helmets with mirrors and tunnels going up and out the back?

JIm

Jacknife · « **Reply #6 on:** April 21, 2006, 07:20:10 PM »

I spent £190 which is around $365, my head is worth it. You get what you pay for. remember they are a once use item, I.E. you bump it, its used.

Dont cheap out on it!

WEINERDOGBONE · « **Reply #7 on:** April 21, 2006, 07:26:22 PM »

I wore an AGV helmet for the first year that I actually wore a helmet. I was miserable and figured that was why people don't wear them. Well, I bought an HJC on advice from my friend and I love it. It cost about 1/2 as much as the AGV but It has better venting, fit and looks better I think.

Everyone is different but the HJC is the one for me.

RobRobinson · « **Reply #8 on:** April 23, 2006, 07:27:53 PM »

If you've ever looked sideways at a high speed and had your shield flip up, you will understand why the good helmets are worth the extra $$$. Now in terms of safety performance if you go down, the cheaper ones have tested well lately. But performance at spped is important to me as well so I wear an Arai Quantum II.

Rob

Sven · « **Reply #9 on:** April 23, 2006, 08:14:51 PM »

A couple random thoughts:

I believe that helmet that are Snell and DOT rated will provide equivalent protection. What you are paying for beyond that is comfort and features like easy-to-repair/replace parts, removable liners, etc.

A few years ago, when I was buying a flip-up helmet (what they call "mudoular, although there are no interchangable modules=dumb name), the Shoei Syncrotec was the bast-rated for comfort, weight, etc. No removable liner, but I always wear a skull-cap, which keeps it clean and makes it eays to pull on over glasses. When the helmet was cut off the bike last year, I did all the reseach...nothing had changed, so I bought another Syncrotec in a slightly different color.

You know the saying: A $50 helmet is great for a $50 brain. (Prices slightly higher in Canada.)

dandit · « **Reply #10 on:** April 24, 2006, 02:57:54 AM »

I have an Arai Quantum that I can wear all day. It's very comfortable, the vents work great but it sucks in the rain. The visor lock is priceless, no 50mph

opening.

aussiebandit · « **Reply #11 on:** April 24, 2006, 03:46:00 AM »

As has already been stated.

The more expensive the helmets are generally, lighter, have more features, easier to get tinted visors and are more comfortable.

However, having said that I have 4 helmets

1. AGV Goddard replica $700.00, light, well vented but noisy and on the B12 is always trying to 'lift' of my head - it didn't do this on my GSX600F.
2. HJC CL12 - basic black $299.00. Not as light or well vented as the AGV, but is quieter and doesn't try and lift off
3. CIRUS (cheap HJC) $150.00. It's lighter than the HJC but not as well vented, doesn't seem to get as much wind noise and buffetting as the other two and I find it fairly comfortable. But I can't get a tinted/replacement visor.
4. HJC - open face - light, well vented (obviously) but as noisy as hell (obviously) and only gets used around town in summer.

When I replace them I'll be getting another HJC, maybe the 'flip lid' I don't know yet.

Red01 · « **Reply #12 on:** April 24, 2006, 11:25:12 AM »

I've got a a Cirus as a backup. Mama's lid is a Cirus, too. (Hey, they were thrown in with the bike purchase.) Here in the States, the Cirus lids run <$100, even at stealer prices (I've seen 'em as low as $79). I haven't tried to buy a faceshield for either one in the last two years, but when I did last buy shields for them, they were the same as several other HJC models and were in stock at the same place I bought the bike and ran ~$20 for clear or tint & $40 for "iridium" ones (also in stock).

I'm using a KBC VR-1 now. It's a great lid. Paid ~$170 for it from an online discounter. It's as light as the Cirus, but WAY more comfortable with a plush, removeable liner on par with helmets double or triple the price. It's quiet, too. Venting on mine is so-so, but may be an anomoly as others I've talked to with this lid say theirs have good venting. Visor prices are similar to the Cirus in price, but I've never tried to buy one locally since I bought the lid with a clear and smoke visor and have never needed to replace either one. It also comes with a helmet bag, but I don't think the helmet has been back in it since I took it out when it arrived on my porch. (I do use the bag to store the shield not on the helmet to help keep it scratch-free.)

KBC has a new VR-3 Sport-Touring helmet and a new flip face unit out now, I'd certainly give one of those a look if you're looking at HJC's.

ray nielsen · « **Reply #13 on:** April 24, 2006, 07:20:49 PM »

Due to severe neck and mid-shoulder pain I want the lightest helmet I can find that's safe and comfortable.

My hunt got me to an M2R -- model M 1000 ( now replaced by an M 1500). It's a full face, Snell and DOT approved, has a removeable liner and weight only 2lb. 13Oz. The M 1500 is an ounce lighter!

Bought it at Dennis Kirk for less than $140, although they don't carry them anymore. Do a search for M2R helmets -- they do have a website. I don't know who carries them, but maybe you can find out on their site.

Whle it's quite comfortable, the rents are fairly noisy and you probably will want ear plugs. Smoke and clear shields are fairly scratch resistant and require a special too. (2 are included with the helmet) to change them out.

The closest weight helmet I could find was about a pound heavier -- my Shoei RF900, although quiet and comfortable, causes a shoulder ache within a few minutes of riding -- the M2R is pain free all day.

chevsuz12 · « **Reply #14 on:** April 25, 2006, 12:43:18 AM »

I am condisering an HJC CL-SP, or CL-15. Both are quite comfortable. My last three helmets have been Shoei rf-700, and 800. Any opinions and/or experience with the CL-SP?