How much to spend on a helmet.

[cr0ft]

By the way, I'm a little wary of helmets with drop down sun visors. Perhaps a nice thing to have but not as effective as sunglasses. Thing I don't like about them is that the cavity they retract into means these helmets have a hollow patch right across the part protecting your forehead.

That's a point, though the visor itself also adds some strength there, I would wager. Anyway, I would have lost my mind without the sun visor on my trip in Norway - the place is absolutely festooned with tunnels. Going in and out of tunnels every few minutes would have been a nightmare with sunglasses. With the sun visor, just push the button to retract it when going into the tunnel, and use the thumb slider to bring it back down after you leave the tunnel. Another dealbreaker with helmets for me from here on, gotta have one.

 

[CanberraR3]

That's a point, though the visor itself also adds some strength there, I would wager. Anyway, I would have lost my mind without the sun visor on my trip in Norway - the place is absolutely festooned with tunnels. Going in and out of tunnels every few minutes would have been a nightmare with sunglasses. With the sun visor, just push the button to retract it when going into the tunnel, and use the thumb slider to bring it back down after you leave the tunnel. Another dealbreaker with helmets for me from here on, gotta have one.

I can certainly see the advantages and really am just a little wary of them. Early models actually had the sun visor on the outside. I bought a light sensitive fog free pinlock insert, which would be a great alternative if it actually tinted darker. Transitions quickly enough but just not dark enough.

 

[BFLYER]

I only wear full face and I prefer modular. I have owned a few Nolan helmets and like the fit and function. I splurged on a Schuberth C3 a few years ago. It has a very comfortable interior, decent airflow at the top vent, internal flip down sun visor, yet still inherently heavy as a modular. A year later I was still searching for a modular helmet that was lighter, good ventilation, and comfortable. I found it in the Lazer Monaco. It is carbon fiber shell without an internal sun visor - as a result it is the lightest modular helmet I have owned. The face shield is a transitions type so it gets darker in sunlight and lighter at night. The top vent allows more air flow than I have felt in any modular helmet with the C3 coming in second. The chin strap mechanism and the open/close mechanism on the modular both function well. Cons - The chin vent does not seem to do anything in any of the three positions. The opening is small so getting it on and off, particularly when new, about ripped my ears off. That has loosened up some but it is still a squeeze on and off. However once on it is the lightest helmet I have ever owned and the transitions shield is great! I love it and it is the only helmet I now wear. It is not however inexpensive.

 

[Boog]

My turn I guess. Over the years, I have worn many different styles starting with the old open face Bell types. They were close to the open face helicopter helmets I wore at work, which worked well for me. More recently, 1995 or so, I switched to full face exclusively and bought whatever was in my budget. In 2007 I bought my first Shoie (RF 1000) which turned out to be the first helmet I tested on a street bike. Three major head impacts at roughly 30 MPH (pavement, large boulder and finally a small boulder) and all I got was a six-week long concussion. (The broken bones are for a different thread). The RF 1000 held up to its end of the bargain quite well. I then bought the RF1100, which I tested when Bambi attacked me on a curve. Not sure if it hit the ground since I did not have any headache afterwards. (Again, the broken bones are for the other thread). In any case, I am happy with Shoie RF series helmets. They now have the RF 1200 as the main brain bucket in that line.
Good luck on your search.

 

[kblahetka]

I have an rf1100 as well and its money well spent. In addition to the safety protection it breathes well, the materials that come into contact with my skin are comfortable, and over all it feels like it will last a long time. Revzilla I think still has some on close out so they're pretty affordable right now.

 

[cr0ft]

a modular helmet that was lighter, good ventilation, and comfortable. I found it in the Lazer Monaco. It is carbon fiber shell without an internal sun visor - as a result it is the lightest modular helmet I have owned.

1.34 kg vs 1.64 kg for the N104. Though the N104 does have the sun visor and the Pinlock option, and a 100% front stayed closed rating instead of a 64% stayed closed rating, so I guess you give some up for those 300 grams, too.

 

[BFLYER]

1.34 kg vs 1.64 kg for the N104. Though the N104 does have the sun visor and the Pinlock option, and a 100% front stayed closed rating instead of a 64% stayed closed rating, so I guess you give some up for those 300 grams, too.

Nolan was my favorite helmet - I own at least three of them (destroyed one). I have an older version with the sun visor on the outside of the helmet plus a N104 as well. Still like that helmet. It is still certainly a helmet I would recommend. I was not impressed with the Schuberth for the money.

The Lazer does have the anti-fog Pinlock option and the Pinlock visor is included in the purchase.

Wow. Only 64%? I did not know that. I just discovered the SHARP helmet rating system. I had not checked that previously. Is that what you are referring to? Very interesting.

It does say 100% for the Nolan and only 63% for the Lazer regarding staying closed during impact. I noticed they also rate four impact areas on a 1 to 6 color scale, green or 6 being highest. For front and crown both the Nolan and the Lazer rated 6 or best. On the left the Nolan rated only 2 and the Lazer 4. On the back they both rated 5. On the right they both rated 4. Surprisingly the Schuberth at 97% staying closed rated lower in all impact categories 5,2,4,2 respectively.

I had a serious accident while wearing my Nolan and I believe it was instrumental in saving my life. Had I not been wearing a full face helmet I do not believe I would be alive today along with my other injuries. It did in fact remain closed and by the looks of the helmet I am lucky to still have a face. I was riding in a US State that did not require a helmet at the time of the accident, but I was sure glad I had my Nolan on!

The SHARP rating is interesting and I am disappointed to discover the 63% however I still love the Lazer and will continue to wear it unless/until I find another lightweight modular with good ventilation.

Have you ever checked out WEBBIKEWORLD? They rate everything motorcycle and have great helmet reviews and comparison charts.

 

[ricochet]

Heres my helmet

 

[HansO]

Heres my helmet

Do you think the exhaust vents are big enough

 

[ricochet]

Do you think the exhaust vents are big enough

It's just a fancy helmet that caught my eyes a few years ago that I thought looked unique... I dont wear it everyday, I have another one that is a little more plain but this one is fun for getting peoples attention.... everyone on the road looks. Hey, as far as im concerned anything that will get a driver to look at you is a good thing, too many " I didnt see him!" accidents...


To answer the OP's original question, I would spend somewhere around $350-$500 on a helmet... DOT and SNELL certified. Anything more then that, you're paying for a fancy paint job and maybe some lighter construction materials... then its up to your wallet.