Is a more expensive helmet any better than a cheaper helmet (like a $130 HJC compared to a $500 arai) ASIDE from features and weight? I mean protection wise? And only protection wise? I also realize that helmets are shaped differently, I currently use HJC, and they fit my head perfectly. I haven't tried an Arai or Shoei or any other cuz I haven't had a reason to. But my buddy just bought a $520 Suomy helmet and it has me wondering . . . . . I didn't try his cuz it was too small, also cuz I don't like trying other people's helmets . . .

 

Different companies will use different materials for their helmets. Some cheaper companies might use ABS plastics in theirs as opposed to somebody like Arai who might use kevlar along with some other stronger materials.

 

I have found that for the most part good helmets protect pretty simmilar but arai and top quality helmets do have some features that can help!! The main thing I have found is comfort!! I had a low HJC and now have a shoei and its a ton more comfortable!!

 

the difference between expensive and cheap helmets are ventilation, features, appearance, and sometimes its the only thing that fits your head shape. I have an arai quantum matsudo replica because I like the venting, design and its the only thing that really fits to my retarded shaped head

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slylos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I currently use HJC, and they fit my head perfectly.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Then don't worry about it. All you're missing is a little more comfort and some other features that the higher-end models have. But, at least your wallet is a bit heavier.

 

I tend to put it this way....

How much is your head worth $$?

Get whichever helmet fits your needs and you feel most comfortable in.

I have an Arai Rx7-rr4...it's the best helmet i've even owned.

 

The cost of $500+ helmets can be put into two groups. There is the actual production, research and company costs. And then there is the paint job, sponsorship and marketing costs. Now as you know you can go w/ a cheap hjc or other and get the same rated protection. However it is my experience that the difficulty in attaining dot and snell approval is tedious submission and approval rather than getting a product that will pass their impact rating systems. DOT is actually a joke, at least in their motorcycle helmet licensing. Now I have noticed that HJC has an alarmingly large amount of their helmets fail snell testing every year. KBC has a few as well. even arai has one or two. But shoei never has one fail. At least within the last 3 years or so. Now that could be attributed to a number of non performance related reasons. Also the popular newer imported models also fail many times but I do not doubt their capabilities. Even so, I've known a rider to die wearing one of the formentioned though not clearly due to the helmet's failure. There is without a doubt a difference throughout the market of helmet preformance. Now there is the dilemna. Any helmets you would consider have the same testing qualifications. Ignoring features/comfort/weight, what is the difference between say an arai and an hjc? Well the budget set aside for the entire arai company dwarfs the hjc. Arai is also specialized in motorcycle racing. HJC does everything really. That's another story really. Now how much is sponsorship, marketing and paint? And how much is R&D and cutting edge production technology? Personally I would want a lot of my money to go towards... well protecting my head. For me this is the reason for a helmet. Now for a very large portion of the market, this is not entirely true. Replicas are very popular. Helmets, jackets, bikes EVERYTHING. So you have the choice of throwing 5 or so bills and getting maybe 3 bills of product, or spending 2 and getting close to 2. It may not seem fair when broken down as such but when it comes to my life, it just seems right to get robbed. Now that said, I have crashed 3 helmets really well. I don't like to think about it but I do wonder if I could have "gotten away" with a cheaper one. That risk analysis is up to you. Now getting away from that I really notice a difference between sub $200ish helmets and $350ish+ helmets in terms of comfort and weight. I'm not an arai head but even so I think they're a tad over the top when it comes to their prices. Especially the RRs. Granted it is the upper niche but its still a bit too much markup for retailers. I guess I'm lucky I'm a shoei head. You can pay 500 or so for the latest model shoei or shop around and get it for 350 online. Or you can get an older, yet not outdated model for marginally more than an HJC or similar. Now HJC does have shitty helmets and a premium line. I personally would rather have a standard shoei than the best hjc. That said, I am partial to the budget KBC VR1 for track. It is reasonobly comfortable and competitive in all the other areas and is cheap. I wear it when the risk of using it is increased. All other times I'm back to shoei. Between the currently produced helmets I only notice differences in venting and a little in stability/buffeting. And for me I can feel every ounce after a race but never really during. On the street that's another story. I hoped that book I just wrote helped a little and keep in mind I am prejudiced. I am a shoei head. I haven't owned a suomy, shark, ogk and the like. I have had a pos HJC but that wouldn't be fair to judge anything by. It makes me wonder why they even make it though. I got it free and anyone can buy it for like $40... but i don't know anybody who would wear it

 

nice lol my HJC helmet fits me very well, and I have another friend who uses nothing but shoei. Do they fit like HJC? It seems to be fitted specifically for my head hehe if it does, I would definately consider going Shoei . . . Its not so much the price I'm worried about, just getting a $200 helmet for $200, similar to what you said . . . Not a $500 for a $150 helmet . . .

 

i would suggest trying on helmets and NOT looking at the price. i tried on a bunch and settled on my shoei rf-900 only after i had tried on a wide variety of helmets.

once you go test fit a bunch (takes like 30 min) it will be really obvious what the $$$ gets you.

why i got the specific one i did? i got a midrange helmet that was lighter and more comfortable than the cheaper ones and had the features of the expensive helmets and didnt have the features i didnt want.

 

I bought an Arai mostly because I seem to just have an Arai head. The KBC and Shoei I tried on were painfully uncomfortable, the arai was snug but very comfy. That said, I refused to pay almost $500 for a solid Quantum/F at the dealer. Eventually I found a brand new Quantum/f for $300 on ebay.

 

I've got an Arai RX7-RR4. It cost a lot. But that doesnt matter. What matters is what it is protecting.

Try on an Arai helmet. The different models are shaped different for different shaped heads. Once you find the one that fits perfectly, you'll never want anything else. Also with some of the Arai's, you can change the ear pieces for a better fit.

Good luck in your decision

 

Thats cool. I'm gonna visit my local bike shop tomorrow and see what they have in stock. The only helmet I've tried thus far is an HJC, and like I said, a large fits perfectly. We'll see what happens . . .

 

i found HJCs to be cumbersome and heavy. but that was 2 years ago and i have no idea if it was low or high end models...let us know how it goes.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dontuan &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> How much is your head worth $$?

Get whichever helmet fits your needs and you feel most comfortable in.

I have an Arai Rx7-rr4...it's the best helmet i've even owned.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Probably the best words yet!

The time and money that has gone into design usually tells a lot about a helmet. Arai and Shoei are certainly two companies that immediately come to mind because of the R&D they keep replanting back into their product.

I have always thought the same. Do research on-line and through other riders (locally in person, ie., motorcycle shows)

If your noggin is worth the best, then do mess arround, get the best the first time through.

I currently wear a Arai Tempest Blue. http://www.araiamericas.com/


Example; Why pay for a second rate product to have it fail (miserably; meaning bleeding head or vegetable) and then turn around to pay first rate the second time. You then spend more money then you would have if you would have bought ONE TOP RATE PRODUCT in the first place.

But, you can't be told by someone else, you have to make the mistake yourself. Go ahead, buy the piece of **** HJC eggshell that costs only $125.00 and know that your wallet is phat!

Remember this however after you have made your choice, there are two types of riders;

THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN DOWN & THOSE THAT ARE ABOUT TO GO DOWN!

How phat will your wallet be when your head is smacked open?

 

Nice But like I said, money isn't the issue for me (I don't mean I'm rich lol I just mean I want the best for my money), I just want to be certain that if I pay $500 for a Shoei or Arai, that I'm not just blowing my money.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slylos &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nice But like I said, money isn't the issue for me (I don't mean I'm rich lol I just mean I want the best for my money), I just want to be certain that if I pay $500 for a Shoei or Arai, that I'm not just blowing my money.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Slylos, ya know, here's something. Go try on the new Shoei X-11. It is suppose to be one of the most silent of helmets built to date. And I don't care how much I have to spend I want quiet!

This is the Proto for $499.00


Go here http://www.helmetsrus.com/shxgr.html for another look.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Cookie &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
And I don't care how much I have to spend I want quiet!
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Me too I use ear plugs.

I was just looking at the X-11, if they have 'em at my local bike shop I may pick one up tomorrow, we'll see what happens . . .

 

Well I tried on some helmets today. I tried a large Shoei, and it actually hurt my head as I first put it on, but when it was on it was ok, but it seemed a little bit short. I tried and XL, and it fit like my HJC XL, but my HJC is a tad to big on me and a L fits better. Which means that the Shoei XL is a little to big as well. But the L really hurt my head right as I first put it on, its like the opening for your head is much smaller than the inside of the helmet. I also tried on an XL Arai and there was no hope lol Those are the only two I tried, and so far a L HJC fits better, so now I'm not sure what to do lol

 

arai has a few different models for different shaped heads (RX7, Quantum, Signet, Astral). Which one did you try on? Have you looked at Suomy's Spec 1R helmets. I heard they're really nice

 

Try on every brand in the damn store. Then go to another store and try all of them on. Then come back for feedback. There are a lot of makes nowadays. You do know how to fit a helmet correctly right? It should be uncomfortable new. It will break in within 30 hours or so. I know my fit is good when my hair imprints on my forehead and my cheeks are sore. The ones on my face smartasses. The shoei website has a good description of how to properly fit a helmet. It is possible you don't have a shoei or arai head. Be sure to at least try kbc and agv before you give up. Also suomy, shark, ogk, icon off the top of my head.

 

The L Shoei fit well when it was on, but it hurt putting it on. And the XL was too big, so I'm not sure if the L was the right or wrong helmet. I will mosdef try others, I'll see what I can come up with . . .

 

It should get at your ears going in. The shoei padding in particular gives a lot when its broken in.