What are you really paying for? Cheap VS Expensive Motorcycle Helmets

When you spend more, you expect more. What do you actually get when you spend more on a motorcycle helmet?

***BECOME A MEMBER*** GET INSTANT ACCESS TO THE FORUMS AND FIELD GUIDE

Do you like MCrider and want to get more training, get involved, and help MCrider grow?

SUBSCRIBE to MCrider on YouTube

WATCH EVERY MCRIDER VIDEO EVER RELEASED

SIGN UP FOR THE WEEKLY MCRIDER NEWSLETTER

MCRIDER MERCHANDISE

LET CONNECT

LEARN MORE about Kevin and MCrider, hear my story and how this thing called MCrider started

SHOP ONLINE with these links and a portion of the sale will support MCrider

I will see you on the road,
Kevin at MCrider

[MCrider]

My favorite brand of motorcycle helmets...

[stevena]

Good points Kevin. I’ve also found higher end helmets have more comfortable and quality padding material that budget helmets.

[RogerPilcher]

I have a long oval-shaped head and the Arai makes a model that feels like it was made for me. Wearing an Arai full face helmet saved my life in 2019!

[johnrichardcleland]

One main problem with finding the best fit and best protection for the money in a helmet is understanding all the ratings and finding dealers that actually have the knowledge of the products available

[thagingerninjer]

After spending years and 30+ thousand miles in an icon airmada, I switched to an arai Corsair x when I got my current literbike, and I will literally NEVER go back to a cheap helmet. There’s almost a $1, 000 difference, and it’s 100% felt, after 15, 000 miles in the arai. It doesn’t buffet. Cleaning and visor changes are super easy. Snell certified. Cheaper helmets definitely have their place, but having a top of the line helmet is absolutely worth the money.

[defaultuser]

I went from a $250 HJC to a $750 Shoei, I liked both helmets, both were comfortable, Snell rated, equally quiet...I even preferred the opening/closing of the vents on the HJC. The difference for me was wind resistance: The HJC felt like it was being pulled off my head on the highway, and the Shoei cuts through the wind so well, it's like I was not wearing it.

[naterehn]

I went from a Bell Bullitt, which is very cool, to a Shoei RF 1400. The Shoei is soooo much quieter and wind smooth. The difference is unbelievable. I’ve been with the Shoei now for two years. Absolutely love it.

[peglegjim]

I own 2 Shoie, 1 Bell, and 4 different sizes of HJC I-10’s.
Years ago, I got my screen name from a drunk driver who t-boned me on my motorcycle, and I slid face down, 150 feet, with my street bike on top of me.
My full face Shoei saved me, because when my old man showed me my helmet, the entire chin piece was ground down to about 20 thousandths of an inch.
NEVER skimp on your gear, or your tires.

[dougrobinson]

I splurged on a Shoei RF-1200. It's quiet, flows air reasonably well, and the shield is optically as good as anything I've seen. The best part is that the pad covers are antimicrobial. After two years, the helmet smells like new when I put it on. Worth every penny.

[carlupthegrove]

I am so glad I was wearing a high end (Shoei) the only time I ever And the fact that I was wearing a full face helmet saved at least my face and perhaps my life.

[chrismoody]

I bought my Shoei RF1200 at a close out pricing. I spent a cool $360 or so and have an exceptional quality helmet. No need to spend crazy amounts of money. Just be on the lookout for those bargains.

[x-man]

I wear a Bell Helmet. It was inexpensive ($130ish). I wore a Bell when I raced midget race cars in the 90's and the Bell fits me perfectly. The racing helemt was a good bit more expensive, kevlar and nomex. Heavy.
A large portion of the higher cost of premium helmets is the cost of testing them to the higher standards. Since I have a big head the shell size thing isn't an issue for me. My shield is treated but will still fog a little at times, I just crack it open a little like I did when racing. My current Bell doesn't feel heavy to me at all. I am very happy with it. A 'real' motorcycle jacket is my next big 'safety' purchase. But it won't be black.

[larryritchey]

I've been riding for over 50 years and have a bunch of different helmets, but my favorites are my Super Seer and Shoei RJ Platinum-R LE Police Helmets. I'm a retired Police Officer and I was a Motor Officer for 2 years in the early 80s. Back in the day we all wore Bell Motorcycle Helmets. Boy have things changed over the years.

[karlbishop]

I bought a Neotech ll. It was a very noisy helmet, the shield didn't close tightly either. It was on eBay in a couple of days. I have had good helmets from Nolan. I just recently got an HJC modular. The quietest helmet I have owned so far and I have had through the 60 years I have been riding. And yes I do wear earplugs. I find that most of the noise comes from underneath. A good neckroll would fix a lot of this.

[JA-zhxi]

There are a few things I can’t do without now that I have them -
1) modular
2) sun visor
3) easy install of Cardo unit

[Delzona]

I’m currently wearing a Schuberth C5 and it’s been the best fitting, most comfortable and quietest helmet I’ve ever worn!

[clemc]

Thanks Kevin. Always the greatest topics and high end videos.

My last four helmets have been Shoei: two full-face (not modular) helmets followed by two modular helmets Neotec 1 and 2. Needless to say, I’m a fan, even though they’re so expensive.

The first of the four saved my noggin when I came off the bike a decade ago.

The modular helmets are noisier (experience) and, I think, a little less safe (read it somewhere). I love how easy they are to put on and take off compared to a full-face helmet plus all the cool features.

The Neotec 2 houses a Sena SRL comm device internally which is hidden from view. It comes with a pin-lock and the shield. It has a drop-down visor and the normal visor is very easy to remove and replace for cleaning. The chin vent allows a ton of air but can be closed. The chin curtain helps reduce noise some. Ear plugs are best for that though.

Now that I’m ancient and retired, and have much less income, I probably won’t be able to afford another expensive helmet 😢 The Neotec 2 plus Sena SRL was $1, 000. I’m sure they’re more expensive now.

[dannybarton]

I guess the only thing I could add is for those who will spend a full day in the saddle. Not so much the amount of money you spend but the amount of time you put into researching what helmet provides those two important things. Quiet and ventilation. Spend a day with your gourd inside an uncomfortable bucket and I promise you will spend at least a day looking for something comfortable before you ride like that again. Good luck!

[sparkyastwo]

Great tips!

As a bicycle, motorcycle and pedestrian safety specialist, I enjoyed this content. Maybe your message will urge these manufacturers help improve their quality and safety.

[David..]

The absolute best value in motorcycling is an ECE2206 helmet in the $200-250 range. The gap between those and $600 lids is closer than the gap between them and $150 helmets. It’s just crazy how much that extra 50-100 bucks gets you in terms of comfort and features. It is pretty great that we have $100 helmets that meet ECE 2206 standards.