Best value helmet?

**Cross Rider** · 28th December 2009, 08:27

Originally Posted by Marmoot

HJC is one of the good value ones. It's a lesser Shoei, but historically has been quieter than Shoei.
Similar construction, but often with slightly different materials.
The interior feels much more comfortable than a lot of lesser brands, but still inferior to the top of the range (Shoei, Arai, AGV).

If you want to save money, get plain coloured ones rather than graphic ones. You won't be seeing it when you're wearing it anyway.

What he said HJC are good for me but

,different helmets for different shaped heads. Try them all until one fits perfectly.

**SPORK** · 28th December 2009, 09:24

I tried on probably 15 different helmets of different brands and models, and the first one that fit properly was a Shoei XR1000. Maybe my head is weirdly shaped, but it was quite frustrating. Thankfully Mt Eden was having a clearance sale on them. Wonderful! Just need a whisper kit now, the wind noise is quite annoying at anything over 80kmph.

**Dave Lobster** · 28th December 2009, 12:50

Ask around people that fall off a lot and are still alive.

**DMNTD:Me** · 28th December 2009, 13:10

Originally Posted by Dave Lobster

Ask around people that fall off a lot and are still alive.

In that case Shoei

**kave** · 28th December 2009, 14:11

I've written off two Nitro helmets, both did the job that they were meant to do. The visor mechanism on the Nitro helmets is a weak point though, if you are commuting and riding every day of the year only expect 18 months of use before the visor clips start to fall apart. I am now trying out an RJays GP2. Noise levels are similar to the Nitro but the quality of the vents and other mechanisms seem to be a lot better.

**p.dath** · 28th December 2009, 14:21

What do you want the hemet for? Road use? Off-road?

**Ender EnZed** · 28th December 2009, 14:44

Don't waste an extra $150+ on graphics.

**scracha** · 28th December 2009, 16:18

Get the best one you can afford but all things said, stick to your budget and get good all-round protection. Too many idiots with fancy lids but wearing jeans, trainers and no gloves. Helmets are throw away items and should be binned after 3 years. Better to wear an undamaged $100 helmet than wear a $1000 helmet that's either too old or been damaged but you can't stomach replacing it because it's so expensive.

At the budget end, Shark are good quality and value for money. I've crashed in an S500, S650 & S800. Now using an S800 and have 1 for a spare. All the same shell, just the S800 has removable lining and better visor.

**steve_t** · 28th December 2009, 16:27

Anyone have opinions on who makes the quietest helmets regardless of price?

**Headbanger** · 28th December 2009, 16:28

Originally Posted by Dave Lobster

Ask around people that fall off a lot and are still alive.

Originally Posted by scracha

I've crashed in an S500, S650 & S800.

**varminter** · 28th December 2009, 18:30

Whats the story about replacing it every three years? I would assume it depends on how often it's worn. Mine's started to split in the padding near the straps but I don't think it affects the safety. And who the hell has a thou' to spend on a helmet. Some people have too much money, send some my way

**scracha** · 28th December 2009, 18:56

Originally Posted by steve_t

Anyone have opinions on who makes the quietest helmets regardless of price?

Shoei IMHO. Not the syncrotec tho. As others have said, it's the fit that makes the difference.

Originally Posted by varminter

Whats the story about replacing it every three years? I would assume it depends on how often it's worn.

Not really. Sun-damange and how it's stored and looked after is just as important. Some sites say 3, some say 5 years. If it's rarely used and stored properly then I guess you could stretch it to 4 or 5 years but it's your head, not mine.

http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/helmet_CSi.pdf

**Insanity_rules** · 28th December 2009, 19:26

Originally Posted by kave

I've written off two Nitro helmets, both did the job that they were meant to do. The visor mechanism on the Nitro helmets is a weak point though, if you are commuting and riding every day of the year only expect 18 months of use before the visor clips start to fall apart. I am now trying out an RJays GP2. Noise levels are similar to the Nitro but the quality of the vents and other mechanisms seem to be a lot better.

Not long bought a Nitro. Bit loud for long trips but great ventilation and comfortable. Visor clips you say? I bought 2 visors and the clips do feel a bit soft when changing them. Came from an HJC which I found more comfortable but the new HJC's fit differently and don't really suit me anymore.

**Monkeynz** · 28th December 2009, 19:33

I recently bought the new fibreglass HJC less graphics so added a tinted visor instead. Seems very quiet and well vented compared to the Nolan I had bought when in England. $400 for a new fibreglass HJC wasn't too bad I thought. It fits snug too.