Today it was 35° s I rode to my MSF class. I decided I would use my old, very first helmet so my good one would not get scuffed, dropped, kicked, or run over. BIG MISTAKE! I was sooo cold, my eyes were watering from the amount of wind inside my helmet and it was horrendously noisey. I'm not going to mention the brand, I'm not here to bash the brand, just to compare the low cost helmet to my better one.
I paid just over $100 for the cheap helmet at a dealer in 1999. My better helmet is a Shoei RF900 which I like very much. I paid just over $300 for it 3-4 years ago at a dealer. Compared to my comfortable, quiet Shoei, my cheap helmet is noisey, drafty, and not well padded inside. Not uncomfortable, but not real comfortable. The chin strap on the cheap helmet is more uncomfortable too. It does seem to have pretty good ventilation though. I will give it that. Unfortunately I dont think dealers will let someone test ride a helmet. My opinion (take it as you will) would be to buy the best one you can afford. Given the same testing standards, they will protect your head about the same, but a better quality, higher priced helmet will most often be more comfortable in the real world.

This is just something to think and talk about.

Hey Jon.. I thought I read an article a while back that talked about "shelf life" (for lack of a better word) of helmets. You mentioned that your "cheap" helmet was from 1999 and that is was noisy and not well padded.

If I recall the article correctly, they talked about the styrofoam type padding that is in the helmet will harden over time and exposure to gas fumes, if you set the helmet on or near the gas tank. Again, as I recall, this article encouraged us not to use a helmet that was "too old". I don't recall what time frame they were suggesting. But 6 - 8 years rings a bell.

Could that have been part of the problem, some of the "deformable" padding had hardened? I realize that this does not explain the noise or wind. But it may explain the comfort. Plus, I think it is a reminder that a helmet can get "worn out".

I just bought a new "cheap" hemlet from my friend who gets invoice pricing from the Bikers Choice catalog. It's brand name is Cyber and it's a flip up type full face helmet. The venting is pretty good, and the inside is very comfortable. Wind noise is about par with my Arai. At his price I got it for $94 brand new.

Actually you can test ride a helmet. Cycle Gear has a 30 day guarantee on their items (except "Close Out" items). If you don't like what you bought you can return it to their store (in "like new" condition).

Jezz, Could someone have told me that some years ago. My helmet is a Shoe,
I forgot the exact item #, and its 10 years old this year. Its got some dents and knits from being droped a few times. Used a black marker to cover the white scratches underneath the helmet paint. It is still confortable and has some wind getting into it, but it always did, as I 0can remember. I just love my helmet, It has been with me and 4 bikes, when he goes, my head will have to go too.

Well what's your head worth? Seriously, though I have read a few articles & they all agree that helmets should be replaced every 3-5 years as the materials used to make the helmets tend to break down due to use & the elements, heat, cold, etc...
Personally I have a Shoei RF 1000 & it has a 5 year warranty from Shoei.
Remember it's your head.

Joshua

Not to mention that motorcycle helmets are designed for a single impact. It's similar to an egg shell, and upon an impact the material breaks to absorb the energy instead of transfering it to your skull. After a single drop on a hard surface I would replace the helmet.

Originally Posted by srogaski

Not to mention that motorcycle helmets are designed for a single impact. It's similar to an egg shell, and upon an impact the material breaks to absorb the energy instead of transfering it to your skull. After a single drop on a hard surface I would replace the helmet.

+1,000 on that!!

I found out I have an RF200. Yes it's 10 years old, but it's still tight on my face, and the wind noise is to a minimum. So it's a keeper.
Yea yea yea, I heard the story of the life span of a helmet. It's like everything in your house made out of plastic, polyester, foam, etc, it self desintegrate after 5 years. One day you seat on your sofa, and pfff, you are on the floor. Just crak of S^%t. As long as you don't bang it (hard) around, it will last a long time.

I have an Arai RX-7RR and I love it. I bought about 3 years ago. Retail on that helmet was over $700. I paid around $530. I have crashed it, landing head first on top of my gas tank, denting the tank, head was fine, helmet was fine. I sent it back to Arai to have them x-ray it and it came back fine. I had a KBC Racer 1, crashed on the track, put a hole about the size of quarter and half an inch deep, with a concussion. I'll spend the extra bucks for my head. By the way, just picked up my Z1000 yesterday, very stoked!

The helmet price debate is right up there with the oil type/brand/filter, fuel octane and tire debates. I've spent $300 plus on a Shoei helmet before. I've spent $180 on a KBC. A "cheap" HJC helmet saved my life. Whatever.

You can't go wrong with wearing any of the top brand helmets. Just find one that is comfortable and quiet. Personally I like KBC helmets. I Just bought a Force RR and I like it better than helmets I've owned that are more than twice the price. It's quiet, which isn't too big of a factor for me since I wear ear plugs, and it's comfortable. I have no doubt it will save my noggin from splattering on the pavement.

I'm not saying people should go out and buy some fly-by-night POS from the dollar store, just get a helmet you like from a reputable manufacturer and have fun riding.

Originally Posted by pcn

The helmet price debate is right up there with the oil type/brand/filter, fuel octane and tire debates. I've spent $300 plus on a Shoei helmet before. I've spent $180 on a KBC. A "cheap" HJC helmet saved my life. Whatever.

Agreed! I have also seen some articles about price not making much difference in performance of a helmet. If a helment if DOT or SNELL rated, it probably performs similar in a crash to most others that are DOT or SNELL rated.

Seems that the difference in price plays most to fit, comfort, noise and the such. I am partial to full faced helmets and would not buy one that wasn't SNELL approved.

I have got to laugh at the cruiser crowd that buy the 1/4 helmets (marked "For novelty use only") then walk to the sticker stand and buy one with the letters D.O.T.)

Not me!!! Ride Safe Friends.

I find that the more expensive helmets basically give you better fit and finish and are more comfortable with better ventilation than a cheaper model. Plus, over the life span of the helmet (figure 5 to 6 years, on average), it works out to pennies a day more than el-cheapo brand.

Me, I have a couple of Shoei's; an X-Tec which is about 3 years old now and a ZII that is a bit over a year. Still hope to get a lot of good mileage out of both of them...

I agree that the main difference is found in the fit and finish and quality of the liner, visor, and strap. I've been very pleased with my KBC Force-S in terms of comfort and quality. Unfortunately, it's been dropped four times and probably impacted my topcase when I got rear-ended so it's time to get a new one. I tried on just about every HJC model made and none of them were comfortable for my head. I'll probably go with another KBC and keep the old one for spare parts.

I'll echo what others have said about the KBC lids.

I'm on my second TK-8. It's my second because I buy a new one every 1 1/2 to 2 years depending on usage. The KBC fits me very well, has good vents, and is semi quiet.

I came from a Shoei, don't remember the model, but I wouldn't rank it and higher or lower than the KBC.