Helmets-worth the money?

[Diavel]

There is that saying " if you have a $10 head buy a $10 helmet" .With that in mind I have nearly always bought (expensive 😁) Arai RX7 full face helmets for maximum protection although recently I opted for a Schuberth C4 Pro modular helmet as its more convenient , but heavy, with the built in mic etc. Living in a developing country all the helmets on sale are cheaper brands and models like LS2 etc .But when I check on the UK government  site for Sharp safety ratings I see that these "cheap" helmets often outperform or are considered more safe than the expensive brands?? The LS2 helmet, a third of the cost,  having 4 stars rather than the C4 with 3😊. So are we kidding ourselves (myself?) that more expensive is safer ?

[Winger]

Just for the record  the advert used to be ‘If you have a 10$ head buy a 10$ helmet if it’s worth more buy a Bell’

Which at the time both my other half and myself wore, for a short time we both had Shoei’s...but as a similar expression came about ‘You either have a Shoei head or an Arai head and we have worn RX7’s in one model or another ever since.

[Kevm]

Originally Posted by Diavel

There is that saying " if you have a $10 head buy a $10 helmet" .With that in mind I have nearly always bought (expensive 😁) Arai RX7 full face helmets for maximum protection although recently I opted for a Schuberth C4 Pro modular helmet as its more convenient , but heavy, with the built in mic etc. Living in a developing country all the helmets on sale are cheaper brands and models like LS2 etc .But when I check on the UK government  site for Sharp safety ratings I see that these "cheap" helmets often outperform or are considered more safe than the expensive brands?? The LS2 helmet, a third of the cost,  having 4 stars rather than the C4 with 3😊. So are we kidding ourselves (myself?) that more expensive is safer ?

I think we are. I'd avoid really cheap, unheard of brands but the safest helmet is the full face one that fits you properly.  After that, it's like a premium car vs. a standard.  Being in a Mercedes is nicer than being in a Vauxhall (Chevy?) but is it safer? Not really.  IMO of course.  These Sharp tests really ruffled a few feathers when they appeared   

 

[BobT]

All the helmets in the EU meet the same minimum safety requirements. I wear an expensive Shuberth C3 Pro as does my GF, but not because we think that they are any safer, more because they are very comfortable, have plush lining materials, good fitting visors and are quiet. Mine is now 7 years old and I was thinking of changing it for the BMW System 7 flip front. Trouble is that the BMW helmet in the correct size puts pressure on my forehead that would be uncomfortable after a while. The BMW salesman confirmed that this was a problem for most people who tried the System 7. Guess it will have to be a C4 Pro Carbon for the next helmet.

[Diavel]

Originally Posted by Winger

Just for the record  the advert used to be ‘If you have a 10$ head buy a 10$ helmet if it’s worth more buy a Bell’

Which at the time both my other half and myself wore, for a short time we both had Shoei’s...but as a similar expression came about ‘You either have a Shoei head or an Arai head and we have worn RX7’s in one model or another ever since.

With some people it is drugs.....others alcohol...or cigarettes. This appears to be my challenge ....all XL....I stopped counting once it went past 100 😊😁. Mind you in Asia the RX7 is about 35%+ cheaper.

[Antares]

Jesus just saw that picture haha. I get by with 1 single helmet for 2-3 years then keep the old one as a back up until I get the next new one.

If we're talking about "best value for money" it's gotta be Scorpion, no debating at all. cheapest FIM rated helmet, the EXO 1400 which I currently use is one of the cheapest carbon fibre helmets with the most features, Drop down sunvisor, pump up cheek pads, emergency release, cut-outs for BT comms and glasses (good ones too, not half assed like some HJCs), EXCELLENT venting, pinlock ready visors with a pinlock AND a dark tint visor included in the box, and then you get all the basic features like sweat absorbing fabrics etc. I think the materials Scorpion uses are some of the best, I prefer that over some of the Arai's fluffy pads if I'm honest. And get ready for the best part. I bought it for 200 quid. And it's not like scorpion makes some budget helmet where you're compromising on safety somewhere, they are truly high quality, come with 5 years of warranty which is basically the max useful life of a helmet anyway, and they are some of the safest helmets out there, even beating out some high end Shoeis and Arai's.

I know this sounds like a commercial, but if a product is good i'm willing to stand behind it. Imo HJC is in the same boat with their 150+ helmets, the ones below can be a bit cheap sometimes and the features half assed, as i mentioned, like on the i70 there is a BT comms cut-out but it's like a 1/8 inch deep so no actual speaker fits in it properly. That said, where it counts HJC make very good helmets that are safe and decent quality on the upper range, unfortunately their general head shape doesn't fit me.

[Mareng1]

That's a hell of an endorsement for Scorpion!     They all sound good features to have, too. 

X-Lite seem to be very well thought of now, too!

[Antares]

Originally Posted by Mareng1

That's a hell of an endorsement for Scorpion!     They all sound good features to have, too. 

X-Lite seem to be very well thought of now, too!

X-Lite is actually Nolan's sister brand, they do have decent helmets I'm just not sure about value and equipment vs rivals

[Mareng1]

Originally Posted by Antares

X-Lite is actually Nolan's sister brand, they do have decent helmets I'm just not sure about value and equipment vs rivals

Haha!!!!

[Antares]

Originally Posted by Mareng1

Haha!!!!

Sorry I'm too young to get this...