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Expensive Helmet Better?

That was a few years ago. Anyone know if this research has had an impact on new designs coming from the popular helmet makers?
 
snell

carrockwell,

Is that certain that Snell has revised their standards. The report was from 2005. Three years later are they new sets of comparison on helmets, etc. that anyone knows of.

BuddingGeezer, thanks for posting such link. It was definitely an eye opener for me.
 
Besides Snell certification, you may want to look for the European ECE standards as well. Much better than either DOT or Snell....:blah
 
Thanks for the link

Very interesting and makes me even happier with my Scorpion full face.
 
Schuberth S1

These were very costly until they were discontinued this year. Best helmet I've ever worn. Considering what they were selling for, you do get what you pay for.
 
Regardless of make, model or price, I think the most important factor to consider is fit.
Put it on and leave it on for 15 minutes/half hour.
Pressure points or other discomfort? This helmet is not for you.
 
Lots of things to consider...

I make my helmet purchases based on a lot more than DOT and SNELL testing stats. As Wezul said, fit is of the utmost importance. If it doesn't fit you right, not only may it cause you to be uncomfortable, it may not do it's job as well as a helmet that DOES fit right.

Secondly, one of the other reasons for higher prices in helmets are the features they provide, such as venting. While my less expensive helmet fits better than any other helmet I've worn (it's DOT and SNELL tested), it's venting capabilities aren't up to snuff with my previous helmet.

I think helmet purchases are very subjective. If I went out and bought the most expensive helmet made, but I didn't like the way the shield worked, or I didn't like the straps, or whatever...I'm not going to be happy. Given the number of good and even great helmet choices out there, you should be able to find one that's comfortable, functional, and to your liking. People should shop around when purchasing helmets. It's worth the trouble, IMHO.
 
Suckered noob?

http://www.araiamericas.com/helmet_details.asp?model=XD
I don't believe that I have an inferior product by any measure, my own personal justification I'm sure but, this article most definitely has cast a dark shadow of guilt and embarrassment on my self esteem as an educated consumer. I looked around at helmets and read the websites and listened to the instructor rule of thumb that DOT/Snell in conjunction with proper fit and comfort is best. How much risk are you willing to take? "If you have a $100 head, buy a $100 helmet." In the end I left my skepticism in the car and decided that my dealer would really help me through what seemed confusing about all this and do the right thing. $500+ later and I'm scratching my silver dome :scratch
On the show room floor I actually equated price with quality which must translate to level of overall protection.
Anyone else feel like a sucker? :deal or suffer "buyerÔÇÖs remorse"?

You can't say it doesn't look like a $500 helmet.... IÔÇÖll give it that.

I know football isn't really compairable to a motorcycle crash but I would imagine that some of the awsome technology they've built into those beauties must have made some impact on motorcycle design?
 
I always thought that ANY helmet is better than nothing ... I wore racer replicas, expensive, for years, because that is what I wanted to relate to at the time. Of course I lived in a place, Ontario, that always had a helmet law, and I hung around shops where the employees raced, so that is what I grew up with. I rode about 5 miles one time without a helmet and it made me so nervous that I never tried it again. Buy the best helmet you can afford, that you will WEAR ... !
I am continuously shocked and dismayed by the number of fatal, or worse, TBI , head injuries, suffered by riders in this neck of the woods. I understand the concept of free choice, but to me these riders families suffer for no reason. I physically shudder when I see somebody riding with a ball cap turned backwards, or a bandana ... doing a buck twenty ! Or I read about someone killed or injured at 20 mph, after a fall.:ca :ca
I think that you get more features from an expensive helmet, but a good DOT one doesn't have to be pricey.
Please wear one.
Steve
 
I find this a bit insulting. "If you have a $100 head, buy a $100 helmet. I only want the best." It ranks right up there with the saying that the cheapest thing on a bmw is the rider.

If you are totally money oriented and think that it has to be the most expensive priced object around to be good, you have some growing up to do. It is entirely possible to spend a bunch of money and still not be quality. Price is the last thing anyone should be looking at when looking for a safety product. Is it rated, does it fit and will you use it regularly have more importance than a multi hundred dollar price tag.
 
The $100 helmet is probably not the best, but it's probably not much less safe compared to the $500 helmet.

I personally don't buy helmets for less than $100, but I often go for HJC which is usually in the $150-$200 range.

The difference is normally in shape, feel, weight, ventilation and noise. Sure the Shuberth S1 is a great helmet (Schuberth S1 Pro is better), but you could replace your helmet annually with HJC CL-SP for about the same price as riding with the same Shubie for 3-5 years.

Replace your helmet at least every 5 years... Another marketing ploy? I tend to believe in this one.
 
I spent a bit more on my last helmet - moved from a Nolan modular to a full face Arai Profile.

Do I now feel duped after reading the Motorcyclist 'expose'?

Well...I can tell you that the Arai is the most comfortable, well ventilated and lightest full face helmet I've ever owned and I have no trouble keeping it on my head all day long.

Next time around I'll probably shell out for another premium helmet. What you get for the $$$ is (I think) superior comfort and functional design. I think it is clear though that all that hard earned cash does not buy additional protection.
 
expensive helmet better

Neither Snell, DOT, TUV or any other certifying agency I am aware of rates the safety of their tested helmet standards by price. The product either meets the standards or it does not meet the standards. A more expensive helmet might be more comfortable, better ventilated, or better painted, but it is not necessarily safer.

Friedle

PS It looks like inflation has caught up with the old Bell helmet slogan that originally read, "If you have a $10 head, wear a $10 helmet.".
 
grossjohann said:
The $100 helmet is probably not the best, but it's probably not much less safe compared to the $500 helmet.

I personally don't buy helmets for less than $100, but I often go for HJC which is usually in the $150-$200 range.

The difference is normally in shape, feel, weight, ventilation and noise. Sure the Shuberth S1 is a great helmet (Schuberth S1 Pro is better), but you could replace your helmet annually with HJC CL-SP for about the same price as riding with the same Shubie for 3-5 years.

Replace your helmet at least every 5 years... Another marketing ploy? I tend to believe in this one.
Click to expand...

O.K. there's my take on this. Three years ago Wednesday my wife did a 35 m.p.h. "superman "style faceplant .She broke both her elbow and wrists. Her $110 Zeus flip-up modular helmet had some pretty bad abrasions on the front but did it's job. The way my wife landed after her highside I, and more important she, is fully satisfied with this helmet.

This year I replaced my aging H. J.C. (which I had dropped multiple times) with a $200 Zox Genesis. This is a very high quality helmet for the money. I've been riding with if for about a month in the cold. No fogging issues.
 
Friedle said:
Neither Snell, DOT, TUV or any other certifying agency I am aware of rates the safety of their tested helmet standards by price. The product either meets the standards or it does not meet the standards. A more expensive helmet might be more comfortable, better ventilated, or better painted, but it is not necessarily safer.

Friedle

PS It looks like inflation has caught up with the old Bell helmet slogan that originally read, "If you have a $10 head, wear a $10 helmet.".
Click to expand...

:thumb
The best lid is still the one you wear, cheap or not. Human skulls are not tougher than concrete or tarmac....
Just sayin'
 
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