Holy Crap... Buying a helmet

[Johnny5]

Geez... I never thought it would be so difficult to buy a freaking helmet... LOL.  Could there be more brands, types, vents, weights, blah, blah, blah. Oh, and PRICES.  I used to have a Shoei with my old bike, good helmet, didn't cost me a fortune.  So I went to look at new Shoei helmets.  Nice... except they cost as much as the bike(Well, almost)!

What's the deal here?  I see a lot of new helmets for sub $100 bucks on Ebay... are these to be avoided like the plague or what??  I did find an HJC that I liked that wasn't terribly expensive... what's the best bang fer buck full face helmet?  I care most about comfort and one that won't fog up on me.

[Egaeus]

HJC makes good, reasonably priced helmets. 

[manofthefield]

1. buy a helmet that fits you well
If you're looking for relatively inexpensive helmets that will do the job, HJC is a good choice (I've had mine for 3 years and it does the job pretty well).  I think KBC and Scorpion are at about the same level.  Scorpion has been getting a lot of good press since they've been released and it will probably be my next helmet if it fits me well

[Jughead]

AGV and Bieffe are Good.

You may also look these over if you have a Big Head.
http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Categories.bok?category=HELMETS%3AVemar

I'm Very tempted to order the $100 one even though I'm broke and Already have an AGV still in the Box.I'm a Sucker for Free Shipping.

[blue05twin]

HJC, Scorpion, KBC are great helmets that don't cost to much.  Just make sure you get a helmet that fits you head right.

If your looking for a flip up helmet go for a Nolan.

[Bulwark]

Yeah, I use a HJC fullface and its a nice helmet with decent venting.

[ostwayne]

Go try them on, if you can. Walk around the store for at least 10 minutes looking like retarded power ranger and see if you start to feel pressure points on your head.

I did this before buying mine, I found that HJC is for a slightly oval head shape, and that scorpion is for earth, or round head shapes.
arai makes different models for different head shapes, but also cost more.

Basically, how much do you think your head is worth if you were to crash? 

[tussey]

Basically, how much do you think your head is worth if you were to crash? 

$1!!!!!!!!

[Bulwark]

Mihahaha, $1!

[Johnny5]

Go try them on, if you can. Walk around the store for at least 10 minutes looking like retarded power ranger and see if you start to feel pressure points on your head.

I did this before buying mine, I found that HJC is for a slightly oval head shape, and that scorpion is for earth, or round head shapes.
arai makes different models for different head shapes, but also cost more.

Basically, how much do you think your head is worth if you were to crash? 

Thanks for all the responses guys.  I think my head is a rectangle... LOL.  That's a good idea about trying them on for a while for pressure points, even if I do look like a demented Power Ranger.  It's just funny, when I was younger, I literally went into the store and bought the 1st helmet I tried on(it just happened to be a Shoei, before they cost $10,000).  It wasn't uncomfortable that I remember... but now, I'm thinking: How many vents does it have?  Is it DOT or Snell cert? How much does it weigh?  Is the visor scratch proof?

I'll certainly pay what I need for good protection for my noggin... LOL... I guess the question is: Is the protection 5x greater for the helmets that are 5x the price?

[manofthefield]

I'll certainly pay what I need for good protection for my noggin... LOL... I guess the question is: Is the protection 5x greater for the helmets that are 5x the price?

Nope.  My guess is 1.00005X greater protection for 5X the price

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Check out scorpions.. the exo700 is lighter than the exo400, but they're both great helmets. Mine fits my head perfectly. Good venting.. NEVER fogged on me, EVER (my glasses used to fog, but the visor wouldn't). Scorpion makes an OEM visor that is photochromatic (tints in the sun, clear at night).. it's about a $60 addition, but well worth it, IMHO. Good aerodynamics, the helmet doesn't try to break your neck at 90mph, etc..

[vsboxerboy]

make sure that you go into a shop and physically try on the size of the model that you want to buy as the shapes/sized differ form manufacturer to manufacturer.  You're gonna be wearing this thing every time you ride so you want it to fit perfectly above all else

[RobTheTyrant]

I ride with either ICON or CK-X.  The mainframe is a very nice helmet but very not so nice price tag as well.  I ride a CK-X Modual-X and a CK-X Dragon most of the time bit with tinted lens.  You can get the CK-X's WITH a tinted lens for 155.xx.  They're a decent helmet IMO.  very good for a nice helmet on a budget.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

http://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/Detail.bok?no=45

They're blowing out the EXO-700s for $149.95 shipped. That's less than I paid for my exo-400. Granted, you can ONLY get the geronimo.. but still, it's a good deal!

[ostwayne]

Thanks for all the responses guys.  I think my head is a rectangle... LOL.  That's a good idea about trying them on for a while for pressure points, even if I do look like a demented Power Ranger.  It's just funny, when I was younger, I literally went into the store and bought the 1st helmet I tried on(it just happened to be a Shoei, before they cost $10,000).  It wasn't uncomfortable that I remember... but now, I'm thinking: How many vents does it have?  Is it DOT or Snell cert? How much does it weigh?  Is the visor scratch proof?

I'll certainly pay what I need for good protection for my noggin... LOL... I guess the question is: Is the protection 5x greater for the helmets that are 5x the price?

If you even CONSIDER buying a helmet that isn't DOT/Snell certified, I think the moderators are going to ride over there and knock some sense into you 

Once you figure out what head shape (rectangle, trapezoid, dodecahedron) you have, take a look at http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed-motorcycle-products/Products.htm

They've got really good in depth reviews from tons of models.

[Egaeus]

You can't legally sell a motorcycle helmet in the US that isn't DOT certified.   

Edit: fixed, pedants

[Johnny5]

You can't buy a motorcycle helmet in the US that isn't DOT certified.   

Heh, instead of Snell OR DOT cert, I should've said Snell AND DOT cert.

[rob1bike]

I've got a hjc cl15, got it local for 120bucks. Good lid with good vents and sheild is antifog. Lots of helmets say antifog but it doesn't work, this one does.
Good hunting!!

[blue05twin]

You can't buy a motorcycle helmet in the US that isn't DOT certified.   

Yes you can I see them for sale all the time.  And if you go to your local bike rally / bike festival you can even buy DOT approved stickers to stick on them. 


Oh whats the deal with sport bike riders wearing half helmets / nazi helmet's and the cruiser guys wearing full face helmets?   Seems to be a growing trend down here.