GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

I posted this on another post and want as many replys as possible

From what Ive gathered there are 2 schools of thought on the how much you pay for a helmet

The more you pay the safer your helmet or all helmets are created equal. which are you?

Based on MSRP so if it was free vote any way

Quote from: socialDK on September 28, 2009, 11:26:40 PM
The more you pay the safer your helmet or all helmets are created equal. which are you?

A third option: helmets are not all equal in safety but the price is not a good indicator of which is better. Check out http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/ for more.

If a helmet does not meet the basic protection standards, it shouldn't be used.  If the cheapest one does, then it should be perfectly adequate.

No helmet is as valuable as your head, so the 'But how much is your head worth?' argument isn't entirely relevant.

The more expensive helmets mght help give a better ride with other comfort features such as a more adjustable fitting and better noise reduction, but that won't increase head safety.

I am by no means very knowledgeable about helmet quality but I will say this. When I was shopping around for my helmet, I found all sorts of threads on the interweb stating how "This brand is sooooo much better than that brand"  and "The quality of this brand is soooooo much better than that brand" and of course the price ranges for the helmets of "that" brand were matched to the "quality."

I cheaped out and bought an Ebay special helmet for somewhere aroun $50 shipped? I can see where comfort and quality come in to play. Things like wind noise, fit, airflow, padding, etc...... but the one thing that reaaaaalllly bugs me is that, If I take a helmet from let's say "XYZ" company who is based in China (where almost everything comes from now days) and I look at another "name brand" company, I don't see much difference..

I mean, looking at the helmet I can tell a TON of difference in finish, and what not but all in all, my $50 helmet is almost as comfortable as the $300 helmet. Just maybe not as pretty. I looked inside the helmets and found that the padding is different but not by much. Just under the padding is a thick layer of hard styrofoam which I can see in both helmets. The top padding is thin in both helmets. The face shield detaches with thumb locks on both helmets. Both helmets fit my big head the same way. etc.....

I ended up trying on some different helmets and found that my el cheapo is uncomfortable which makes a world of difference. It presses the top front of my head and the back base of my skull. After wearing it for a while, it sort of settles but then my chin rubs the front chin bar. I tried on a Joe Rocket ($200+ helmet) and found it fit much better. Then after discussing it with another rider, (Salesperson) he explained that it was more "oblong" shaped. He also explained that Joe Rocket was made by HJC. I'm not sure about that but I tried on an HJC and found that low and behold, it fit the same and was about $150 cheaper.

So after some searching on Ebay (I know, I should support the local store. But that story is another thread.) I found an HJC AC-11 that looked pretty nice and was $65 shipped. After doing some reading, apparently that helmet is made with some pretty fancy stuff. SO, it remains to be seen how much different it is than the el cheapo helmet. I am sure the fit will make up for anything over the el cheapo.

The moral to the ramble? Try on many and take your time and find it cheap online?

Sounds good except where one takes up time and effort of local bike shop, select what they have that one wants, then walk out and buy online. This is mildly evil.

Maybe better to pick a bike shop one wants to support and vice versa. Then work with them and advise of budget. Let them make a few $. 

Price shouldn't be the only factor when buying a helmet.  I think alot of it comes down to comfort and fit of the helmet as various helmets are various shapes and each persons head is a slightly different shape. 

When i went to a not so local bike shop but one with a large selection of helmets to try on I didn't buy the helmet from them but went online to buy it but i bought a pair of boots there to atleast still give them some business.

The most important part is DOT an SNELL ratings.  Make sure you have both.  If the sticker isn't on the back of the helmet it's not officially rated... period!!

Second most important is fit.  Make sure there's no pressure points.

Third is price.  Higher price indicates lighter materials, better aerodynamics resulting in lower noise (earplugs should be worn on long trips anyways).

- Arai, Shoei, and maybe Suomi are the best all around helmets.
- Icon's; you pay more for look than quality.
- HJC are mixed within the price ranges, but they have many differing quality helmets.  Just make sure you get one with the proper ratings.
- KBC are a chinese brand, and meet dot and snell ratings, but I have no clue how they are so cheap.  Without further research I would never buy one.

All in all, if a racer wears a certain brand and model of helmet it should be safe for us to wear.  Remember every brand has models within themselves so don't just buy whatever helmet is the cheapest or most expensive.  Research and then buy.  Also, you will pay ~$100-150 more for a nice paint job.

article on nytimes today says the ratings are being upgraded this week. Also argues against Snell for road riders (leaving those racers who are human to fend for themselves). Says Snell ratings specify a particular crash test mode that does not occur in real world, and has 300G limit which is fatal to humans anyway.

So the helmet that fits comfortably and that you actually wear is the best helmet, as opposed to highly rated one you dont like.

Mine is the benjamin bill beauty I snagged last year from scott_pa_gs.
Cool.
Buddha.

Shoei Hornet, DOT/Snell, made in Japan, excellent fit/finish/venting/visibility through the eyeport, works on the track, on the street, and dualsporting.

I bought the best helmet I could afford that felt comfortable.  Ended up with a Shoei RF1000 that is quite comfortable, fits like a glove and carries the required seals and is rather proven.  If one of the Scorpians or Bells did that, for less, then I would have gone with a cheaper option. 

I say get a known quality brand and one that fits you well

Quote from: cboling on September 29, 2009, 05:09:48 AM
I found all sorts of threads on the interweb stating how "This brand is sooooo much better than that brand"  and "The quality of this brand is soooooo much better than that brand" and of course the price ranges for the helmets of "that" brand were matched to the "quality."

That goes for all motorcycle stuff, Suzukis are better than yamahas, yamahas are better than kawasakis, kawasakis are better than hondas, hondas are better than suzukis. It's all just talk.

As far as quality, I've had helmets from a couple companies I liked. I've had $125 HJCs that were perfectly adaquate, just not fancy, my wife has a Shoei rf1000 as well, and it seems like a nice helmet, I have an Arai that I really like. I think the benefits of the Arai was a great sparkle paint job that I painted over anyway, vents in the clear visor, the ability to actaully lock the visor so you never have to worry about it popping open, covers over the visor mounts that make it look way nicer than the see-through HJC visors, decently quiet, and removable pads. If you have money to spend then get whatever you want, but I definitely wouldn't even try to convince someone new that they need something nicer than the $125 helmet I started with.

I think one other important factor is that you buy a helmet with a removable liner, because you can pull it out and wash it. That way your sweat doesn't build up in the helmet, causing the styrofoam to break down, which it will do. That being said, I've had my Arai for almost 5 years, and have never pulled it apart to wash it, so I'll probably be due for a new helmet sometime soon. Supposedly guys who race for Arai are wearing the same helmets you pick up off the shelf. I don't know the status of any other companies, and I also know that companies are perfectly willing to bend the truth for the sake of marketing/advertising, so who knows how true it is.

I think the one part of a helmet that would be the deciding factor of whether or not a helmet is too cheap, is how well the visor stays in the down position. My Arai locks down, my wifes Shoei has a really nice click in the down position, but I've had some cheaper HJCs that I didn't trust to stay down when I'd turn my head to look behind me, which I consider to be a serious issue. You can't ride well in traffic if you don't trust your visor to stay put no matter what you're doing.

i've got a zox thunder r that i never use because i don't have a tinted shield for it, and an icon alliance that's my daily.

zox = $80
icon = $210

both were on sale.  i dig the icon because shields are easy to come by, it's comfortable, has decent venting, and is reasonably quiet. 

my dream helmet is a bmw system 5, but price is prohibitive (~$600), not to mention i'd have to have it, as well as any accessories, shipped in from canada or mexico.

i bought an agv airtech discounted from the store not long ago, got it for £80 reduced from £150, good fit great aero dynamics and gold stickered.

I paid a little more for my helmet but it was my favorite all around helmet. I loved the fitment, it didn't feel too big for me (since i am rather small) and it still felt like I would be protected if i were to fall. And I really liked the design, I had a cheaper HJC helmet but the over-all fitment wasn't as snug as I preferred.

I don't think the most expensive is always the best.

And i agree, Suomi, Arai and Shoei are the better more reliable brand. I personally have an Icon.

i think if your ready to purchase a helmet look around at your local shops, see whats out there, do alot of background checking and decide whats best for you..i did buy one from a local shop and hated it, it sits in my garage collecting dust..$140 down the drain..my second is a g-mac, not the best helmet by any means but fits me well, light, dot approved..cost was minimal..bought it off the net, local shops around here don't carry much of a product, which is to bad because i have to buy off the net.. here is one site of many to read reviews.webBikeWorld.com

Someone told me that my helmet is too big for my head and if i get into an accident it will come right off and i might get hurt. I dont know i just bought it off of ebay for 50 bucks..... That guy said his helmet is 800 bucks.. I was like damnnn.. he goes my helmet cost almost as much as your bike.  :cookoo: but i think there is  a reason DOT approves the helmet... it should be safe...no?

oh yeah my helmet is KBC... DOT and SNELL approved.....

Quote from: tt_four on September 29, 2009, 10:03:47 AM

Quote from: cboling on September 29, 2009, 05:09:48 AM
I found all sorts of threads on the interweb stating how "This brand is sooooo much better than that brand"  and "The quality of this brand is soooooo much better than that brand" and of course the price ranges for the helmets of "that" brand were matched to the "quality."

That goes for all motorcycle stuff, Suzukis are better than yamahas, yamahas are better than kawasakis, kawasakis are better than hondas, hondas are better than suzukis. It's all just talk.

Well... I don't think anyone says Kawasakis are better than anything :icon_twisted:.

Back on topic, I paid $79 for a helmet that MSRPs at $175 by buying it at clearance (DOT and Snell approved).  Honestly I can't justify $300+ on a helmet with better comfort features (ventilation, noise, etc...) with the same protective measures when there is other gear to get as well (such as full leathers). 

My helmet is an HJC CL-SP, fits me great, visor is rock solid (easy to remove too), quite comfy and looks pretty sharp - I've gotten many complements on it.  I agree with johnny ro - the best helmet is the one you wear all the time.

Quote from: inexplicable718 on September 29, 2009, 04:28:46 PMi think there is  a reason DOT approves the helmet

Yes, the manufacturer tells the NHTSA, "Our helmet meets DOT requirements" and the NHTSA says, "We trust you, here's a sticker."

It doesn't fill me with confidence.

Quote from: Roadstergal on September 29, 2009, 05:53:06 PM

Quote from: inexplicable718 on September 29, 2009, 04:28:46 PMi think there is  a reason DOT approves the helmet

Yes, the manufacturer tells the NHTSA, "Our helmet meets DOT requirements" and the NHTSA says, "We trust you, here's a sticker."

It doesn't fill me with confidence.

so even helmets are corrupt? damn

Quote from: inexplicable718 on September 29, 2009, 04:28:46 PM
Someone told me that my helmet is too big for my head and if i get into an accident it will come right off and i might get hurt. I dont know i just bought it off of ebay for 50 bucks..... That guy said his helmet is 800 bucks.. I was like damnnn.. he goes my helmet cost almost as much as your bike.  :cookoo: but i think there is  a reason DOT approves the helmet... it should be safe...no?

yes and no. you're safe, cause you actually care about safety, not image <--- read that part again. :)

no, a stamp on it SNELL/ DOT / WHATEVER doesn't make it safer, nor does spending 800 instead of 50. think of what is in a helmet:

foam, velvet wannabe lining, and a shell. that's all. sure, some use a titanium mess in the shell, or whatever, but there are three things between your head and asphault.

what we paid for our helpmets:

around 160 for two hjc cl-sp each
around 25 for an old shoei that came with my craigslist leathers
assorted other things that stink of age and neglect, and i put on my head.

who cares if it's a $900 lid ? all the cool guys know better. oh, and the guy that said his helmet cost as much as your bike... you should have had a really good laugh on that one. he's HARD CORE, and youre just well... i dunno. not  ? i really like being not myself.

I originally narrowed my choices to 2 helmets. One was named "Best Helmet of the Year" by some committee or another, and had nice vents, an LED light with 3 modes on the back, and a second, tinted visor with it. It was $140ish. Second helmet was KBC, really nice to look at, and matched my bike's colours (2005, red/silver/black) perfectly. Also good venting. However, it ran about $299.

I bought lighty-light helmet and used it for about 6 months, and was back shopping at the same store, when I spotted helmet #2 on the shelf again...but this time, the sticker said $169! Brought it to the counter, and it was clearly a mistake, but since it was the sticker price, they gave it to me for that (plus my 15% discount for the motorcycle school I used).

Now, I have 2 DOT/Snell approved helmets, and my girlfriend gets to wear the lighty-light one on the back of the bike if its darker out. Happy ending.

I paid too much for my helmet, but I didnt really mind. I looked at all my local bike shops so I could try them on and stuff.

I ended up with a Scorpion EXO-70.... It was really light weight yet sturdy. Great visibility and awesome ventilation. I have a Shoei thats a few years old, and i like my new one much more.

I cheap out on a lot of stuff, but I also like to support local business. Just my $2/100

My helmet is a RJays Striker. Tad under $200. When getting this helmet tried on lots - but not one Shoei as all that was available was $900+ and I figure, if they All have the Rating then I see no reason to pay for a Supposedly better brand.

The Main deciding factor for me was Comfort with price. Some $400 helmets just felt Wrong on my head. Some $90 helmets felt inadequate for my head - such as chin protection was higher leaving part of chin exposed.

Sure, Shoei is Supposed to be Double Impact rated, by Shoei. So first impact is head hitting road, second is head hitting gutter or sign post or whatever. While the others are supposedly only Single impact rated so after head hits road your helmet is supposed to be toast and won't withstand the secondary gutter hit - according to Shoei who add some carbon graphite composite materials - reverse-engineered-from-crashed-alien-spacecraft-technology-held-in-secret-by-the-govt VS the standard fiberglass molded helmet which has more weight. Of course, the non-Shoei helmet doesn't magically fall apart off your head, the outer shell cracks but the padding is still there and so, to me, the secondary protection is still there.

Either way, it's closed face / full face helmet or nothing. Even riding cruisers.

If you think a $1,500 helmet will save you better than a $100 helmet then hook in and git yerself one. If you find a $100 helmet that meets all safety regs and is comfortable, then get that one. Just don't get a helmet because it's Cool or your Mates have one. Please yourself first.

Michael

$200 for a $350 helmet, dot and bsi. kind of wish it was snell instead of bsi, so i could get around local autox regulations, but eh. It has lots of vents, removable liner, and way nicer padding than $120 dollar helmets ive seen. I do not have big ears and it murders them after 50 minutes of riding. agv stealth, black gloss, after owning it for a couple of weeks i decided my next helmet will either be flat or have graphics, nicks and scratches get annoying.

Quote from: ohgood on September 29, 2009, 06:02:24 PM

Quote from: inexplicable718 on September 29, 2009, 04:28:46 PM
Someone told me that my helmet is too big for my head and if i get into an accident it will come right off and i might get hurt. I dont know i just bought it off of ebay for 50 bucks..... That guy said his helmet is 800 bucks.. I was like damnnn.. he goes my helmet cost almost as much as your bike.  :cookoo: but i think there is  a reason DOT approves the helmet... it should be safe...no?

yes and no. you're safe, cause you actually care about safety, not image <--- read that part again. :)

no, a stamp on it SNELL/ DOT / WHATEVER doesn't make it safer, nor does spending 800 instead of 50. think of what is in a helmet:

foam, velvet wannabe lining, and a shell. that's all. sure, some use a titanium mess in the shell, or whatever, but there are three things between your head and asphault.

what we paid for our helpmets:

around 160 for two hjc cl-sp each
around 25 for an old shoei that came with my craigslist leathers
assorted other things that stink of age and neglect, and i put on my head.

who cares if it's a $900 lid ? all the cool guys know better. oh, and the guy that said his helmet cost as much as your bike... you should have had a really good laugh on that one. he's HARD CORE, and youre just well... i dunno. not  ? i really like being not myself.

yeah.. i am a newbie boss!!!