Helmets, Does Money Equal Safety?

[Cornfed]

Im over due for a new helmet. Im on my second Arai and absolutely love it. Great fit, light weight, good ventilation, reputation for quality and safety. Down side, its $500+. I know I can buy a much cheaper helmet. Scorpion, Bell, HJC, etc. I'm curious if you all think the money is worth it. Ive only had one severe get off where my brake lever hit another riders in close racing and I went over the bars, smacked my melon HARD and ended up with a minor concussion.

Would it have been the same outcome if I had on a $200 Scorpion? Ill never know the answer. So whats your thoughts? Does more money equal a better helmet or are you just paying for a brand?

[Grim2.0]

My scorpion saved the front of my head when i Endo'd on I-25 then again when the tail came down and smacked the back of my head. I went and bought the exact same helmet knowing obviously it was worth having again because of its performance before hand.

[TurboGizzmo]

I believe they all have to pass the same set of safety standards, the more expensive normally involves comfort, better ventilation, cooler designs and brand name....at least this is what they said in my motorcycle class.

[j0ker]

In my experience the cheaper helmets don't fit as good as ones like Arai and Shoei. They still protect the melon but the fit isn't the same.

[DiddysR6]

A very smart salesperson once told me " You can't put a price on your head " and then began explaining that yes most brands offer SNELL or DOT ratings, or both, but the higher end helmets ( Shoei, Arai,etc ) have more R&D put into them for crash safety.

[asp_125]

The more expensive helmets offer lighter materials, more features, more customized fit, and better finishes. Other than that they all pass Snell/DOT/ECE/BSI ratings.

[Cornfed]

My scorpion saved the front of my head when i Endo'd on I-25 then again when the tail came down and smacked the back of my head. I went and bought the exact same helmet knowing obviously it was worth having again because of its performance before hand.

I did the same thing after my accident. Thats why Im on my second Arai.

[dirkterrell]

I'm not aware of any independent studies that show any correlation between performance on the various DOT/Snell tests and the cost of the helmet. The most important thing is that the helmet fit you properly to provide the best protection. I wear an Arai and it fits my head as if they used it for the mold. I got a Shoei once (RF1000) because I got a good deal on it but it doesn't fit the shape of my head very well, and is much less comfortable. As Jeff pointed out, the high end helmets have nice features like better venitlation, customizable fits, etc.

[madvlad]

Just get one of these bad boys and call it a day

[bulldog]

A very smart salesperson once told me " You can't put a price on your head " and then began explaining that yes most brands offer SNELL or DOT ratings, or both, but the higher end helmets ( Shoei, Arai,etc ) have more R&D put into them for crash safety.

Exactly how I feel

Lots of thing I will be frugal on, but safety equipment and tattoos are the exceptions!

[Snowman]

http://www.snellapprovedhelmets.com

The safest helmet is the one that gets worn. That said, there was a great article in Motorcyclist magazine that discussed the merits of Snell vs. DOT rated helmets. The rather controversial findings were that the Snell rated helmets transfered more G forces to the head with their 'harder' construction than the 'softer' DOT helmets. Less G-forces equals less likelihood of brain damage or death.

It's less about cost and more about fit. Many topics on this forum have discussed that topic. I would say as long at its a rated helmet there is no relation between cost vs safety.

[BC14]

The Snell 2010 helmets seem to have fixed some of the G issues, from what I've read. The 2005 helmets were problematic, esp in the smaller sizes. I currently am a proponent of the Bell Vortex line. Inexpensive, but well made, I think. And they are not super heavy and have good ventilation. Noise is a little on the higher side, but is a non issue since I wear ear plugs.

[Cornfed]

I'm not aware of any independent studies that show any correlation between performance on the various DOT/Snell tests and the cost of the helmet. The most important thing is that the helmet fit you properly to provide the best protection. I wear an Arai and it fits my head as if they used it for the mold. I got a Shoei once (RF1000) because I got a good deal on it but it doesn't fit the shape of my head very well, and is much less comfortable. As Jeff pointed out, the high end helmets have nice features like better venitlation, customizable fits, etc.

This.

Ive owned an HJC, Bell, and Bieffe all with mediocre fitment. A little loose here and a little tight here leaving too much wiggle room and red sore spots on my forehead. I tried on three different versions of the Arai and when I put the one on that I wear it "fits my head as if they used a mold". No pressure points, yet snug and perfect vision.
My old man once told me, "buy the best you can afford and you will never be disappointed." I guess this is a perfect example of that. For the record I started this thread to talk myself out of spending 5+ bills for a new helmet.

Thanks for all the input so far.

[THoward]

From what I have researched higher cost does not mean more protection. The difference in the cost is basically comfort. Snell standards have always been higher than DOT. I have some horror stories about DOT procedures for testing their standards.

[Cornfed]

From what I have researched higher cost does not mean more protection. The difference in the cost is basically comfort. Snell standards have always been higher than DOT. I have some horror stories about DOT procedures for testing their standards.

So you should buy the best fitting helmet with a Snell rating, regardless of cost?
$200 or $800 if it fits your head shape correctly safety is equal?
The extra $600 is better vents, less weight, pretty graphics, etc?
Im not saying Im opposed to paying the extra money for the extras but the fact is, that is what your paying for, $200 for safety $600 for extras. This is the root of my question.

[asp_125]

IMO, the best way to find a great helmet is to ignore the price. Then do your research and read the shop reviews and owner comments and test fit them. Only until after you narrow the field to a few, do you look at the sticker.

Some riders must only look at Shoei / Arai because that's what their favorite pro uses or that's what the shop salesman are up-selling, are missing out on other brands like Shark, AGV, Suomy, etc etc. Ben Spies uses an HJC.. is that less protective than a Shoei?

I guess the real question is which helmet would you buy if we put a piece of black tape over the brand logo? A $200 one or $600 one, regardless of brand?

Case in point:
Shoei rf1000 for $232
Shoei X-12 Marquez replica for $755

Both are constructed with Shoei's AIM+ (Snell 2010) shell, and dual layer EPS foam. What are you getting for your extra $500 & change?

[Jmetz]

IMO, the best way to find a great helmet is to ignore the price. Then do your research and read the shop reviews and owner comments and test fit them. Only until after you narrow the field to a few, do you look at the sticker.

Some riders must only look at Shoei / Arai because that's what their favorite pro uses or that's what the shop salesman are up-selling, are missing out on other brands like Shark, AGV, Suomy, etc etc. Ben Spies uses an HJC.. is that less protective than a Shoei?

I guess the real question is which helmet would you buy if we put a piece of black tape over the brand logo? A $200 one or $600 one, regardless of brand?

Case in point:
Shoei rf1000 for $232
Shoei X-12 Marquez replica for $755

Both are constructed with Shoei's AIM+ (Snell 2010) shell, and dual layer EPS foam. What are you getting for your extra $500 & change?

A helmet that fits? That RF is a xxs on close out.

[laspariahs]

If it fits well, it'll protect you better, as your head won't be banging around in the protective shell that's there to prevent your head from banging around. I don't think cost has a lot to do with it.

[TFOGGuys]

Fit is everything. That being said, a more expensive helmet does not necessarily mean better protection:

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Art...stHelmets.html

[asp_125]

A helmet that fits? That RF is a xxs on close out.

It's for pinheads! I simply picked two to illustrate the point. Same mfg, same construction.

[Drano]

One of the features of the Shoei X-12, Arai Corsair V, and some of the other high-dollar helmets, is that they have emergency release systems which make the helmet easier to remove following a serious crash.

[bulldog]

It's for pinheads! I simply picked two to illustrate the point. Same mfg, same construction.

I think his point was one was on closeout so not a fair comparison if basing on price!

[kawasakirob]

My thoughts are....if a HJC is good enough for Spies and now Lorenzo....its probably good enough for me. That model I believe is around 400.

My KBC had over 70,000mi of riding in all conditions as well as a few thousand more in winter conditions before I smacked my head with it. Did its job well. It was a Force RR and I bought it for 250. It wasn't the most lightweight or well ventilated helmet out there, but it did its job when needed.

[Grim2.0]

My thoughts are....if a HJC is good enough for Spies and now Lorenzo....its probably good enough for me. That model I believe is around 400.

My KBC had over 70,000mi of riding in all conditions as well as a few thousand more in winter conditions before I smacked my head with it. Did its job well. It was a Force RR and I bought it for 250. It wasn't the most lightweight or well ventilated helmet out there, but it did its job when needed.

I'm not one to pay $400 because i need my helmet to be lighter and have better ventilation, i just want it to fit me properly and do its job like what you described.

You rich noodle necks can have your expensive "fancy" helmets, ill stick to my heavy helmet.