"Cheap" helmets vs mid/top of the range helmets

Today, if you’re buying a helmet, unless you’re buying a Chinesium knock-off it’s difficult to find a really poor helmet.

When I state that, what I mean is one that will fail to protect your head in a crash. There was time when there were plenty of helmets on the market were suspect. That has greatly diminished in the last 15-20 years.

A premium helmet like an Arai or Shoei are much more comfortable and include better venting and better or at least more expensive visor/shields. They are premium brands and command a premium price for a reason.

Some disagree but the next line is still top tier but slightly lower on the scale than what I’d call “premium” but still a rather large step from “mid tier”. In this line I’d include X-Lite/Nolan, Shark, AGV, and Schuberth.

They’re still very high quality, very well made and every bit as protective as an Arai or Shoei. They’re just that tick below premium to me.

Mid tier there are so many these days…and some companies like AGV build mid tier helmets to fill the gap between their high end helmets and their low end helmets. Note that you won’t find a low end helmet built by Arai or Shoei.

There are some lower end helmets that are worthy of a look as well, though you do sacrifice some fit & finish quality with them. However, If you see the brands being worn in MotoGP or WSBK, I don’t feel like it’s a huge risk trying one.

All that said, I currently have 4 helmets in my rotation (I ride every work day) 2 X-Lites and 2 KYTs. I find the X-Lites fit and finish far away above that of thr KYTs but there’s nothing wrong with the KYTs either. Well, maybe the shield change mechanism but that’s nothing to do with how it feels on my head or how well the interior is put together.

So buy what fits your dome the best. Doesn’t mattter so much who makes it….so long as you have a frame of reference for the manufacturers claims of meeting or exceeding a given standard (DOT, EU or Snell)

In researching what helmet I wanted the biggest factors I looked at were it had to be ECE 22.05 (now 22.06), weight, and functional features. When I started riding again I bought a Sedici strada carbon. It was a good helmet for the money but the vents didnt vent much and it was horrific in the rain. Of how well it fits you is key.

If you like the AGV and have been happy with it look at Revzilla and Cycle Gear, you can get the K5 or K6 on clearance for $300-400. I bought my K5 Dark for like 340 a while back. Or wait a little longer and keep looking for deals on the X-14. As they filter down to the bargain market the price will continue to go down. Especially if you are flexible on what design you are willing to get.

As far as the difference between cheap and expensive, my Sedici was a good helmet for the money. But as mentioned not the best in every situation. One of those was after wearing it all day on a long ride especially with the interstate involved. The noise and sometimes buffeted with the lack of efficient venting was exhausting. And its not something you will experience until you experience a really well designed lid.

I was happy with the Bell RS-1 that is now backup, and the RS-2 I am using now. To my mind they are just as good as the couple of Arai helmets I had before, but far less expensive.

Next up I will probably get something like this since it looks like the RS is no more. DOT and ECE certified and has "mips", which sounds like a good thing. It is under $300.




Qualifier DLX Mips

30 years ago Bell was the status quo then Simpson came along, Bell was sold & went off shore so it was never buy one of those, Shoei then became my go to helmet but for some strange reason every one of those seemed to be mammal magnets (5 dogs 1 deer) I bought a HJC 2 years ago as a backup that appears well built, quiet & fits well but for some reason I (in my mind) think they are cheep "wannabe" helmets from the sound of things that's incorrect.

I'm seriously thinking Bell again, Klim snowmobile gear is expensive as hell & basically junk so I'm betting there helmets are no better, Shoei helmets are noisy & over priced, Fly..meh, Simpson went In the tank after bill sold it & HJC is also in the running.

Another thing I'm going to stop doing is custom painting & gold leaf on motorcycle helmets due to using them for asphalt hardness & abrasion testing every 3 to 4 years.

I'm going to start on company trucks zip tie burlap potato sacks to RR rims so the next time some asshole on vacation from 'who gives a shitville' let's there dog run free chases one of my trucks & latches on a burlap bag it breaks there neck that way all you guys riding through going to Yellowstone, Montana & Sturgis this summer will be safe from those worthless noisy hairy damage causing shit spreaders.

You are correct assuming i hate dogs.......for more reasons than hitting (killing) them on motorcycles