I just got my new helmet - since I crashed a few times with my old one, I needed to replace it - got the same helmet as before (KBC VR-1), just a different graphic scheme - I like the lid & got a super deal on it too ($150 - I paid $175 for my old one! ). I'm also going to use it as a back-up for racing:
Here's the helmet that I'm planning on getting as my primary race helmet - it's the KBC Racer-1 (Mat Mladin is wearing this lid) and I can get it for about $230. I tried one on and it's really nice - with a few design features taken directly from Arai, but for half the price :
The picture just doesn't do the Racer-1 justice - I saw one in the store and was blown away - what you can't see in the picture is the top-middle of the helmet - it's got a black strip, with faded-gold checkers - sounds wierd, but looks uber-sweet!
Both helmets got good reviews at HelmetHarbor.com (in early '02, the VR-1 was their pick for under $250). This year, they reccomend the Racer-1 as their top pick under $399. They also mention it's becoming very popular with club racers, who often several helmets for a season (that's at the end of their "closer look" at the helmet).