What is the best bang for your buck race day helmet

[Roland]

Hey guy i am a new novice (wana-be) racer . I am looking for a new helmet, i want something cheep that i can toss if and when i go down but i also want something that will protect my head as well as possible when i take that fall. My question to you guys is what is the SAFEST helmet under $200? Honestly i was thinking of a $100 helmet by HJC OR BELL but i don't want it to fail on me. I'm also looking for comfort, fit, and anti fog. any good sugestions or comments about which one to stay away from?
Roland

[Jim]

i spent $430 for an Arai RX-Q, solid color. thought that was pretty cheap for an Arai.

[wiggeywackyo]

$100 helmet for a $100 head. A good will helmet will cost you at least one weekend's tire costs. My humble opinion.

[jcbell1007]

Any helmet is better than no helmet. Some people will say you need to spend $400 for a good helmet and that the cheaper ones are not as good.

From what I've seen with accidents, a helmet is a helmet is a helmet. There's little to no research that I have seen that shows an Arai is better than HJC is better than Scorpion, etc... It's personal preference on style and material quality.

For what it's worth, find a helmet that fits properly and don't look at the price. And wearing any helmet is better than no helmet.

[csmutty]

Buy a good helmet. I also had this attitude/idea of buying cheap helmets when I was a novice. It isn't worth it. I wish I had spent the coin now to get a good one back then. It could have been bad.

[lrrs699]

SUOMY...more then $100 bucks thou

[Roland]

i spent $430 for an Arai RX-Q, solid color. thought that was pretty cheap for an Arai.

I would love an Arai but i wont be able to afford the cost of getting on the track after buying it. I'm a Broke man tying to race on a tight budget. Any sugetions though on a GOOD less expensive brand? if i spent that on a helmet i would literally cry if i went down with it.

- - - Updated - - -

SUOMY...more then $100 bucks thou

I will check that one out thanks

[GingahNinjah]

For the price tag you are looking for id say go with an HJC FG-17... new this year SNELL 2010/DOT pretty good reviews from what i have heard so far... may just get one myself

http://hjchelmets.com/v2kx2/

[RocketPunch]

You will open yourself up for better options when you get into the $300-ish range. Take a look at the rule book, not only does the helmet needs to meet a certain certification, but polycarbonate shell are banned (some cheaper helmets are).

At $200 IMO, the best bet is you find a deal or a sale.

[Roland]

Buy a good helmet. I also had this attitude/idea of buying cheap helmets when I was a novice. It isn't worth it. I wish I had spent the coin now to get a good one back then. It could have been bad.

What is a "good one" That wont break my bank account open? I want and understand the benifits of the Arai (and like brands) but i just really cant afford it.

[Roland]

You will open yourself up for better options when you get into the $300-ish range. Take a look at the rule book, not only does the helmet needs to meet a certain certification, but polycarbonate shell are banned (most cheaper helmets are).

At $200 IMO, the best bet is you find a deal or a sale.

Thank you for your reply i will step it up to a 200 one. that i can do. any sugestions on which 200 is the safest? this i did not know (polycarbonate shell are banned)

[Roland]

For the price tag you are looking for id say go with an HJC FG-17... new this year SNELL 2010/DOT pretty good reviews from what i have heard so far... may just get one myself

http://hjchelmets.com/v2kx2/

Thank you this was the best advice i have gotten so far. unless some one says something better i will be going with that thank you again!!

[csmutty]

Sorry I don't really have a good option for $200. See you at the track!

[pasta-rocket]

I have a HJC RPS-10 i bought for 270.00 with no decals. This is the helmet ben spies wears. Holds up very well in a crash.

[MikeP]

I was in a similar spot last year and picked up this Joe Rocket Helmet, Its a re-bagged HJC and is Snell 2010 and Fiberglass so it shoudl meet any requirements. Luckily I havent had to test it yet.

Fit and finish wise it is very good, the only issue I've had is that the standard visor fogs very easy but I think you can upgraded visors for it. I'm sure its not as good as a top of the line Arai or Shoei but for the price I couldnt pass it up.

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street...le_helmet.html

[Kurlon]

One thing to consider, LRRS won't allow plastic shell helmets, even if they're SNELL/etc certified. That knocks out most of the lower cost helmets you can find, including many HJCs, etc.

I've raced (and crashed) in an Icon Airframe and thought it worked well. I'm currently sporting a Shoei Quest. Hit up your local shops and see if they've got any units that have been on the shelf for awhile that they want to blow out. Just make sure to verify the manufacture date before buying so you get something that's legal. And hey, if it's an awful/gaudy color scheme, that's a bonus as you'll stand out more on the track!

Also, as noted above, fit is paramount. Don't go for a poorer-fitting helmet just because it's cheaper. If it doesn't fit, it can't do it's job.

Edit: http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/ is a great resource for comparing helmets.

[Rada]

IMO the best bang for the buck is the Bell RS-1 for racing.
They can be had on close out for 2-250 if you're not picky about color.

I head surfed two of them last season and they kept my knoggin in order..

[CEO]

Agree with Kurlon... the polycarbonate/plastic helmets are not race legal. The cheapest composite shelled (legal) helmet you'll find is probably around 200 bucks... all the way up to 900.

[oVTo]

HJC RPS-10. The problem with buying a closeout is that it is probably already a year old, and they have a 5 year max life when racing.

Some people don't like HJC, but I've crashed a couple times over the years in them and they did the job for me. I love my FS-15 Carbon helmet. It's fit and finish is a notch below Arai and Shoei, but not by much. It was also much lighter than any other helmet when it came out. Most important, it fit my head. The RPS-10 is an older model that's been replaced by the RPHA, but the helmets are very similar.

[jasnmar]

HJC RPS-10. The problem with buying a closeout is that it is probably already a year old, and they have a 5 year max life when racing.

I have the RPS-10 as well and have been very pleased with it.

I bought HJC because they fit my head.

Fit is extremely important. When I purchased my RPS-10 it was within ~$10 of a Shoei Qwest sitting a couple shelves over (actually I think the HJC might have been higher, but they were roughly the same), but the HJC fit me better.

You'll probably be able to find something in the <$300 range that will work, but try them on first please.

[Roland]

the hjc rps-10 is what it will be then. on top of all of the good reviews from you guys, If its good enough for Ben spies and it fits me it will more than do. I doubt i will see Spies speed anytime soon ( or ever ).
Thanks Guys you all have been a great help.

as far as it being on the shelf and only having a few years left on it. I will be lucky if i don't go down this year in it and have to trash it. LOL

[lord1234]

ok someone explain this to me, because this drives me crazy. If a helmet is DOT/Snell2010, and costs 100$, what makes that 400$ arai better other than creature comforts(such as wind noise). I would assume safety factors are identical if certified to the same level.

[Roland]

ok someone explain this to me, because this drives me crazy. If a helmet is DOT/Snell2010, and costs 100$, what makes that 400$ arai better other than creature comforts(such as wind noise). I would assume safety factors are identical if certified to the same level.

from my understanding of the research i have done (please anyone correct me if i am wrong) is that Dot/Snell2010 are Minimum safety requirement standards in the USA and Europe. The stickers dot / snell2010 approved are only saying that that helmet only meets this MINIMUM requirement. Some helmets like ARAI/Shoei go well above this minimum requirement.

[OreoGaborio]

ok someone explain this to me, because this drives me crazy. If a helmet is DOT/Snell2010, and costs 100$, what makes that 400$ arai better other than creature comforts(such as wind noise). I would assume safety factors are identical if certified to the same level.

DOT/Snell2010 or whatever certifying body you can come up with will a Pass/Fail certification.... All the helmet has to do to be certified is meet their particular minimum standards. Some helmets protect better than others. Some have higher end materials with better construction. Some are lighter. Some have better ventilation. Some have better optics. Some have better aerodynamic qualities. All of that changes the price.

Easiest way to see the above statements at work is to look at a cheap DOT half helmet and a high end DOT full face... Both DOT but far from equal. Same goes for SNELL, though it's not always as apparent since SNELL has higher standards than DOT.




Quoted below are the rule requirements. What helmet you choose that fits within those requirements is entirely up to you. The rest is opinion.

If you "can't afford" to meet the rule requirements, then you can't afford to race. Buy more ramen noodles like the rest of us.


I say wear the best, most comfortable helmet you can afford... and don't be a frikkin lazy ass... go out & try on as many different lids that you can test the fit, see the differences for yourself and make your own damn choices.

17.1 Helmets

17.1.1 Helmets may not be more than 5 years old as
determined by the date of manufacture in or on
the helmet. If there is no manufacture date on
the helmet it will not pass tech.

17.1.2 The helmet must meet DOT plus Snell (USA)
approval or the British Blue Label standard BSI
6658 Type A helmet standard or the European
ECE22-04 & ECE22-05 P standard. The
appropriate stickers must be attached.

17.1.3 Helmets must be full coverage with an attached
face shield. Tear-off face shields are not allowed.

17.1.4 Quick release helmet straps are also not allowed
unless original equipment.

17.1.5 All helmets must pass tech inspection.

17.1.6 The rider’s number must be displayed on the
helmet.

17.1.7 Polycarbonate helmets are not allowed.

17.1.8 Cameras of any kind (i.e. camcorders, digital
cameras, etc.) are not permitted to be mounted
to any helmet at any time. There will be no
exceptions to this rule.

17.1.9 Cameras or recording devices found mounted
to helmets may result in a fine and/or
punitive action to include but not limited to
disqualification.

17.1.10 It is required that riders equip their helmets with
the EJECT Helmet Ejection system.
http://www.ejectsafety.com

17.1.11 Breath Masks that cover both the mouth and
nose may not be worn

[jasnmar]

ok someone explain this to me, because this drives me crazy. If a helmet is DOT/Snell2010, and costs 100$, what makes that 400$ arai better other than creature comforts(such as wind noise). I would assume safety factors are identical if certified to the same level.

Safety factors are not identical.

Both helmets have been tested to meet the safety factors required by the DOT and Snell 2010 standard, so they both achieve some "minimum standard". That, however, doesn't mean that the safety of the helmets are the same.

Does a $400 Arai provide more safety than a $100 Suomy? I don't know, but it is possible. The certification only means that they both achieve the baseline.