Why Is There Such A Huge Price Difference Between Motorcycle Helmets?
November 22nd, 2009 | 
Author: I;m looking at a Snell approved motorcross helmet that is $80. It is also DOT approved, does this mean that I can use it for street riding too or not. Why are there some helmets that are $500 and more? I am mostly worried about safety but maybe spending more will get me…. ???? Thanks
Posted in Motorcycle Safety | 
Tags: Between, Difference, Helmets, Huge, Motorcycle, Price, Such, There
There’s not much safety difference between one dot & snell approved helmet and the next one. differences are more likelyto be cosmetic, visor quality & mechanism, removable washable lining etc.
BUT the most important safety aspect is FIT. A new helmet must be a bit tight – (the polystyrene compresses as it wears in). Otherwise your head can be damaged by impacting the helmet.
There is a large debate over whether an expensive helmet will work better than a cheap helmet or not. There is evidence both ways but the gap between $80 and $500 is probably not as big as the safety gap between no helmet and an $80 helmet.
As far as tangible things that you will notice, shields are better on expensive helmets. My Shoei never gets permanent damage due to dead bugs, and my cheap HJC visor is practically ruined after 2 years due to bugs no matter how often I clean them off. The retention mechanism is also really important. Go to a shop and remove the shield of a top of the line Shoei, then remove the visor from the cheapest helmet you can find. You’ll see that there is a big difference in the mechanisms. The internal pads on your face are also superior on a high quality helmet, they are usually easily removable and washable. Some of the cheaper helments do not have removeable inner liners and once you sweat in the helmet you’ll never be able to clean it. Also the feel of the inner liner/pads will probably be better on a pricier helmet.
You are also paying for the research not only in safety but also in wind noise reduction. My Shoei is far quieter than my HJC at 60MPH.
If you have Snell and DOT apporval you are all set for the roads.
Now the real question, would I ride all day in my cheaper HJC and recomend it to others…yes if I was low on funds and couldn’t afford my Shoei I would buy another HJC. The protection is adequate on the HJC and comfort is good, not great, but good enough to ride all day.
The above answers are good ones, with good information.
What I would add is that DOT helmets are helmets that, according to the manufacturer, meet the minimum standards for helmet safety set by the U.S. Department of Transportation — emphasis on the “minimum standards” part.
Helmets that meet the standards of the Snell Memorial Foundation have been tested by the Foundation independently and provide the best protection available. A helmet may be DOT-certified and not meet Snell’s standards. Also, the Snell Foundation updates its standards every few years.
The amount of time it took to make it (how carefully it is made), the materials they used (the expensive ones weight less), features, quality of hardware, amount of research the company does, the look of the helmet, how long it will last.
Usually better off in the middle somewhere, couple hundred for a Shoei or Bell, although I have paid over 400. Next helmet probably over 500 and is just a plain white helmet.
What you DON’T see is what you’re getting, with an expensive helmet. For example, you’re getting better-quality, more comfortable liner material, wind-tunnel testing for aerodynamics (believe me, this makes a big difference to both safety and comfort), and (like the Shoei guy said) far superior visors and visor mechanism. Oh, and better de-fogging and ventilation.
Like the guy above me said…You get what you pay for…Make sure it is both SNELL and Dot approved…. and if you ever crash and hit your head… make sure you replace the helmet, I ride motocross as well…and I go for the $100-$200 range…that way you dont thave the cheapest helmet…but if you spend $500 on a helmet and crash a month later…and need to replace it…have fun…
There are many factors but when you get into much more expensive helmets the weight and the paint/graphics have a lot to do with price. Obviously there is better quality involved also but these two factors affect the price a good bit. Personally I stay away from any helmet under $200.
what you pay for is what you get