Cheap vs expensive motorcycle helmets?

[CorriganJ]

Been riding in Madrid traffic at 30mph with a full face helmet lately. Its not been fun and temperatures are going to hit 40 degrees this summer.

I'm considering getting a cheap second helmet with better ventilation. Still a full face one with a chin bar (I like my jaw), but with a wider face hole and maybe without a visor - I have't put my visor down once while commuting because its just too hot, and I never get above 30mph - so why bother having it at all? I have a second helmet that does have a visor so I would still have that option for longer, faster rides.

I'm looking at this one because its cheap and visorless and looks well ventilated for summer:
https://www.motoblouz.es/casco-dexter-marty-titan-grey-mat-151776-v.html

I'm just concerned about the quality. But, I don´t have €700 for a Shoei or Arai, and I guess all helmets have to meet European safety standards (ECE 22.05 in this case), so it should be fine, right? Or should I take out a bank loan for an Arai lol?

[Riejufixing]

That's twice the price I'd expect a cheap one to be!

If you're doing 30 or 40 (MPH!) everywhere, I can't see anything wrong with open-face helmets. In city traffic, they might even be safet (better visibility/hearing).

[Easy-X]

Dirtbike helmets? Designed for more airflow but intended for slower speeds.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[stinkwheel]

How about a moto-cross style helmet. Often very ventilated because you get hot and sweaty. Designed for goggles. The peak may come in handy too.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Bru]

The problem with an open-face helmet is its inability to protect your good looks when performing an unintended face-plant. Avoid.

[kgm]

I'd never wear an open face helmet having seen the results of an unfortunate spill first hand. Not worth the risk IMO. There are options with much better ventilation but still full face.

As for cheap Vs expensive - I have a Nolan that cost £130. I also have a £500 Shoei. Whilst the materials, and I guess comfort, of the Shoei are a little better and higher end feeling (visor hinge, etc.) I actually prefer the Nolan. It vents better, I get less condensation inside, my glasses steam up less and it doesn't let water into the inside of the visor in heavy rain which the Shoei does. It's also higher rated on the Sharp tests.

So no, I dont think it's necessary to spend a bomb.

[CorriganJ]

[stinkwheel]

I can do 30mph on a pushbike wearing shorts and t-shirt and no lid at all and am much more likely to fall off doing that speed.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[martin734]

[CorriganJ]

[CorriganJ]

[kgm]

[kgm]

[droog]

In the past I have taken a look at the Sharp helmet safety rating site to check out a potential lid before purchase - they carry out various laboratory tests to see how safe the helmet is and award it one to five stars based on their findings.

They have a wide selection of makes and models from budget to expensive which might help you to choose your lid.

Some of the results are suprising - with some very cheap lids scoring more safety stars than much more expensive helmets from some very highly regarded manufacturers (although there is some dispute regarding how accurate these ratings are in terms of actual helmet safety)

Here is a link if you are interested:

https://sharp.dft.gov.uk/

Personally I would not ride with an open face lid after sliding down the road face downward at just 30 mph after some tw*t U-turned on me - afterwards my AGV had a 4 inch wide scape from the bottom of the chinbar to the top of the visor - stripping all the paint off back to the white plastic shell - hate to think what state my face would have been in if I was wearing an open face at the time.

[CorriganJ]

[notbike]

After a certain point the price on a lid doesn't mean jack.

You can get 5 star sharp rated helmets for a hundred quid.

Then again, some of the sharp criteria are bollocks.

My helmet cost me a grand but I didn't buy it because that extra £899 was for safety. I bought it because I liked how it looks.

That makes me a bellend.

Be sensible but only if you want to.

Also white lids make me think you're police and that pisses me off, don't get a white lid.

Get one with a visor unless you like bugs hitting your face. A bee at 30mph still hurts, and what if a pebble hits you in the tooth?

[stinkwheel]

[chris-red]

Helmets do not exist on a sliding scale of price/vs safety.

There is so much more to it. A BMW might cost twice as much a Dacia doesn't mean it scores more on NCAP but I bet we'd all rather be in the beemer.

Quality of materials, weight, durability, design, support, comfort. I Commute on my bike all year so get a lotr of use out of my helmets. I stick to Arai/Shoei because they tend to last longer 3-5 years compared to the cheaper ones lasting 2 at most. They are a nicer place to be the visors are more scratch resistant and if something brakes I can easily get spares.
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[linuxyeti]

[iooi]

19 posts ad NOT one mention of FIT....

Standards are slipping....


I guess we take it that all theses "Won't wear open Face" are all wearing full leather then?
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[wr6133]

I'd just wear an open face for slow speed, hot weather, urban commuting.

If they were so dangerous there would be alot more jawless people at bike meets.

[Riejufixing]

[stinkwheel]

People doing trials pretty much exclusively wear open face helmets and the oppertunities for epic face-planting from a height onto highly unforgiving surfaces (or a knobbly front tyre) are legion in that particular branch of motorsport.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[MCN]

Mesh Jaiket. Look at moto-x gear.
Then you can protect your fizog.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[EazyDuz]

Been using Nitro made helmets for a while. Current one is about 4 years old, modular. Very comfortable and reliable, built in sun visor. Lets some noise in but everyone should wear ear plugs anyway. 4 star SHARP IIRC.

A cheaper 'Caberg Duke 2' basically, which everyone seems to love for some reason. Not sure why, I tried one on and it was just like any other modular helmet.
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