clothing and helmet » Cheap vs Expensive Helmet Comparo

I came across this Bennetts Bike Vid on YouTube.

https://rvz.la/2YMSb4O

It compared an Arai to another brand.

Due to my crash earlier this year, I had to destroy the damaged helmet, and I also chose to use an angle grinder. The knowledge and insight of the presenter in this vid far exceeded mine, and in my view it is really worthwhile watching.

Great unbiased video. It is well worth a look if you are new to bikes....or just as a reminder of why it's worth adding a few £s to your budget.
One thing I would add is.... When trying a new helmet, go and sit on your bike. I have bought a great fitting helmet before, only to find when riding, due to the shape around the back of the neck, it was pushed forwards restricting my vision.
The shops won't give you a refund if you have taken it home. Lesson learned. 🙁

Here's another video from Fortnine concerning a similar issue

When I began riding, I wasn't as financially stable as I am now and I bought cheap gear. As my riding became more and more prominent in my life, I read more and learned a ton about how lucky I had been with my lack of gear. Long story short, I bought cheap helmets. Then I bought a used Arai that was in pristine condition, maybe only used twice. It was a game changer for me. Then I bought better and better gear. Recently I had some damage to my original helmet and replaced it with another Arai.

Some people on other forums say all helmets are made with good quality. I am just not willing to risk my brain again.

As the video showed, price will definitely buy comfort. And, I doubt I'll hear anyone in this group arguing that point.

But, thankfully, you can get protection at a very affordable price. For the new riders, that's the first hurdle. The joy of comfort can be lesson number 2.....

My first motorcycle helmet was sold to me for $10 or so when I bought my very low mileage, second hand, Honda CD-125 from John Burrows Honda in Malvern. It cost $400, so you can get an idea of the comparative cost.

I was a callow 18 year old, and knew very little about motorcycles, although I had read heaps as I had my heart set on one since I was 16.

I still remember John Burrows sales technique. I was looking at this grey and black bike, and I saw what looked like a crack on top of the cases near the dip stick. I asked him what that was (I now know it was just a casting mark). He said (exact words) "Look, do you want to buy the bike or not? If you don't want to buy it, fuck off."

It worked, I bought it and the helmet and a bright yellow plastic jacket. No Marlon Brando clone there.

It wasn't long before "peer pressure" moved me into a proper helmet, a "jet" style. The brand was Kumoh (or similar). I know that it was a very good helmet and after I bought it, it was assessed by "Choice" magazine as the best helmet on the market at that time. It lasted me through Uni.

At that time "pudding basins" were still used by some, but were on the way out, and the English "Stadium" brand with canvas straps instead of polystyrene was probably the largest seller.

All this changed when the "Ned Kelly" Shoei came out, with a small "post box slot", very broad lower face bar, truly bucket shaped with the "integral" visor held on with 2 simple screws providing tension to hold it on, and "hold it in place". Normally they were assisted in that task by hand cut sections of inner tube to provide some friction.

I guess compared to the "olden days" even the cheapest helmets would be better by comparison.

My attitude is if how much do you value your head / life? My Arai resisted penetratrion from the tip of a plough blade as I headbutted it after a tractor pulled out in front of me and had me off. I never scrimped on crash helmets before then and I certainly don't now

been riding now 47yrs started off with a £8 KANGOL open faced helmet progressed to AGV BIEFFE SIMPSON ARAI SHOEI the ARAI the life saver for me had a bad t bone crash landed on my head
not even a sore head shame about the rest of me but that aria saved my life still have it in my garage as a trophy to the grim reaper who did not get me that day