Whats a good yet affordable motorcycle helmet?

Question

im lookin for an almost top of the line helmet that isnt over $500. but something that will get the job done, nothing like hjc helmets(they suck).

Answer 1

HJC doesn't suck...many racer on the track use it...you can get a decent dot/snell approve and race proven one for about $300

icon will be $250 and up

agv will be $300 and up

shoei will be $300 and up

arai will be $400 and up

suomy is great too but prob. way out of your price range

Answer 2

Helmets are looked upon as a fashion accessory and hence their prices jump.  If you were to opt for an open face helmet, it would be a little cheaper than the full face one.  However the full face design is more comfortable and safer in the even of a crash.  If you measure the crown of your head with a measure tape, you will get the measurement in cms.  This is the size that you should look for.  A good fit is more important than anything else.  A lighter weight is also desirable.  A single colour helmet would also be cheaper than one with a jazzy paint job.  My choice is AGV of Italy.

Answer 3

Every so often motorcycle magazines test helmets to see which offer the best protection.  Every time I see an article like this, the helmet that was judged the safest is always one of the cheapest!  In fact it's usually an HJC. I know, I hate 'em too. But the point is that when you pay more for a helmet you are paying for luxury features and maybe a little comfort, not for more safety.

We have a huge M/C accessory place near here and I just go and try on everything they have.  I find different brands are made for differently-shaped heads.  I used to have an Arai head but either I changed or they did.  These days Bell seems to fit me better.  

But everyone is different so nobody can really tell you what brand you will find most comfortable.

Answer 4

I have a Caberg helmet. I bought it for about £150 pounds (which is roughly $300 depending on currency fluctuations)

It is a flip front helmet which means it is easy to get on and off, it has an anti-fog visor and even has an internal tinted visor which you can flip down when it is sunny.

The only disadvantages are that it probably would not offer the same protection if I landed on my face as a full face helmet, and I find that my peripheral vision is worse (after a year of wearing it, I wore a normal full face helmet and I noticed the difference at the first junction I came to)

Answer 5

bell helmet is the best for the price.hope you never have to use it.you can get one for $150.00

Answer 6

if you like rock n roll, rockhard helmets are great. around 350 for full face ones, but they have every safety certification imaginable.

Answer 7

The new Vega's are about as cheap "affordable" as I would go. The new designs for 08 look great! If you want to step up a bit look at the HJC's and Bell as long as it is DOT approved...

There used to be a website for a dealer that would buy out last seasons stock and resell at a great price. But I can not find it any longer.

Answer 8

Get a full face helmet that's certified only to the DOT standard.   Don't waste your money on helmets that meet the Snell standard.  Click on the link below to check out the online article from Motorcyclist magazine.  Snell helmets cost more and performed worse in lab testing than the "cheapos" that met only DOT.  You'll hear a lot of hog swill about how great Snell helmets are, but it's baloney.  Add up the numbers in that Motorcyclist article and you'll see:  Snell helmets cost a lot more and lets your head take a bigger jolt.  Bad deal.  

Full face helmets can save your good looks, but make sure you get one that has the same hard foam in the chin bar that it has in the crown.   Soft, spongy stuff won't protect your face and jaw in a crash.  After that, it's a matter of how much you wanna pay for flashy paint and graphics, a spiffier face shield, all that kinda a stuff.   If your goal in maximum protection for minimum bucks, get a cheap helmet that meets only DOT AND has good chin protection.