Qualities of a good helmet/which one should I get if I only have $100. PLEASE ADVISE

spyderboy · 02-12-2009, 12:56 AM

I'm a new rider, actually I don't have money for the rider's class yet. I'm saving up for the class and a helmet.

That being said, I'm searching for a full face helmet now. Can someone please give me advise on:
1. what to look for
2. which brand
3. where to get the best bang for the buck

I appreciate your help full-heartedly,

Spyderboy

PJL · 02-12-2009, 06:01 AM

Go to different websites and see what you can get on clearance/closeout in your size.

www.motorcycle-superstore.com
www.revzilla.com
www.newenough.com
www.kneedraggers.com

Those four sites are good places to start.

As far as what to look for... Basically, at that price point, make sure it's DOT approved and has some type of ventilation. Anything beyond that is icing on the cake.

This is in the wrong forum, though; you should ask a mod to move it.

rexmitchell · 02-15-2009, 04:52 PM

Im moving this to the "buying first motorcycle soon forum"

Thekerrick · 02-15-2009, 06:20 PM

The main things to look for in a helmet are the fit and pressure points.

If you go and test out helmets (which I recommend you do before you buy off line) make sure its very snug. Your cheeks need to be pushed in almost to the point where you bite them if you close your mouth. Have someone hold the helmet and move it back and forth while you keep your head and neck rigid. It should move very little.

As for pressure points make sure there is no "Ring of pain" as I call it anywhere in the helmet. By that I mean a ring of pressure on particular part of your head where you think a headache will happen after a bit of riding.

Also look for used helmets. I know everyone says not too but you can find some good deals on helmets that have barely been worn. Make sure you check out the used ones though to make sure they haven't been dropped and that they fit properly. NEVER wear a dropped helmet.

Hope that helps!

Schneiderman · 02-15-2009, 08:13 PM

A friend of mine just got a great deal from a place I had never heard of before, http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/

Check them out, here's a helmet that should be good for $100:
http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/s...met+-+black+2x

Otherwise I really like newenough.com and have used them for the majority of my gear purchases.

Dodsfall · 02-15-2009, 08:20 PM

I bought my Bell brand full face helmet for $90 plus tax. No frills, just plain black and vented.

I would advise against a used helmet. If a helmet is dropped, it could have internal damage to the foam material that can't be seen from the outside. Helmets are built for one impact. The foam inside crushes and absorbs the blow, but it won't do it twice. I wouldn't risk my head to save $20.

SimonTuffGuy · 02-15-2009, 09:00 PM

I went with THH... Found a dealer on EBay that was selling them. I think I paid $80 and shipping.

Fit was good and it was Snell and DOT approved.

Don't go used... The padding inside conforms to YOUR head over time... A used helmet won't do that. Plus, as noted above, who knows if it has been dropped, etc.

roflol · 03-02-2009, 10:25 AM

I live close enough to motorcyclecloseouts that I could try out what they had, and when I was looking last year they had a Zox full-face helmet for under $100, also my budget... it was comfy in the store (and they didn't mind me walking around in it). I have been pleased with it. It is vented at top and in front. The padding is removable for washing if necessary.

I was also pleased that when I got home with it the online professional reviews were favorable, stating that even though it didn't cost as much as some other helmets it was just as good.

The problem with getting a helmet online only without trying it on IRL first, is you just don't know if it'll fit and/or what size to get. Each helmet is going to fit differently - the day I was shopping, my head was a size M to XL depending on the helmet maker and model.

If you can, you really should find a place you can at least try them on. Good luck!

02-12-2009, 12:56 AM	#1
spyderboy Verified Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Orlando Posts: 27	Qualities of a good helmet/which one should I get if I only have $100. PLEASE ADVISE I'm a new rider, actually I don't have money for the rider's class yet. I'm saving up for the class and a helmet. That being said, I'm searching for a full face helmet now. Can someone please give me advise on: 1. what to look for 2. which brand 3. where to get the best bang for the buck I appreciate your help full-heartedly, Spyderboy

02-12-2009, 06:01 AM	#2
PJL Exorcising My Angels Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Schenectady, NY Posts: 656	Go to different websites and see what you can get on clearance/closeout in your size. www.motorcycle-superstore.com www.revzilla.com www.newenough.com www.kneedraggers.com Those four sites are good places to start. As far as what to look for... Basically, at that price point, make sure it's DOT approved and has some type of ventilation. Anything beyond that is icing on the cake. This is in the wrong forum, though; you should ask a mod to move it. Last edited by PJL; 02-12-2009 at 06:06 AM..

02-15-2009, 04:52 PM	#3
rexmitchell Administrator Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: THE ATX Posts: 14,675	Im moving this to the "buying first motorcycle soon forum" __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. You may all go to Hell, and I will go to Texas. - Davy Crockett

02-15-2009, 08:13 PM	#5
Schneiderman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,160	A friend of mine just got a great deal from a place I had never heard of before, http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/ Check them out, here's a helmet that should be good for $100: http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/s...met+-+black+2x Otherwise I really like newenough.com and have used them for the majority of my gear purchases. __________________ Big Government is a problem, not a solution.

02-15-2009, 08:20 PM	#6
Dodsfall Administrator Join Date: May 2008 Location: Illinois, USA Posts: 15,834	I bought my Bell brand full face helmet for $90 plus tax. No frills, just plain black and vented. I would advise against a used helmet. If a helmet is dropped, it could have internal damage to the foam material that can't be seen from the outside. Helmets are built for one impact. The foam inside crushes and absorbs the blow, but it won't do it twice. I wouldn't risk my head to save $20. __________________ 2008 XL1200R To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-15-2009, 06:20 PM	#4
Thekerrick Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Washington State Posts: 354	The main things to look for in a helmet are the fit and pressure points. If you go and test out helmets (which I recommend you do before you buy off line) make sure its very snug. Your cheeks need to be pushed in almost to the point where you bite them if you close your mouth. Have someone hold the helmet and move it back and forth while you keep your head and neck rigid. It should move very little. As for pressure points make sure there is no "Ring of pain" as I call it anywhere in the helmet. By that I mean a ring of pressure on particular part of your head where you think a headache will happen after a bit of riding. Also look for used helmets. I know everyone says not too but you can find some good deals on helmets that have barely been worn. Make sure you check out the used ones though to make sure they haven't been dropped and that they fit properly. NEVER wear a dropped helmet. Hope that helps!

02-15-2009, 09:00 PM	#7
SimonTuffGuy i like to thump... Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Central PA Posts: 268	I went with THH... Found a dealer on EBay that was selling them. I think I paid $80 and shipping. Fit was good and it was Snell and DOT approved. Don't go used... The padding inside conforms to YOUR head over time... A used helmet won't do that. Plus, as noted above, who knows if it has been dropped, etc. __________________ Simon -

03-02-2009, 10:25 AM	#8
roflol Warning: Mood change in 3... 2... 1... Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 173	I live close enough to motorcyclecloseouts that I could try out what they had, and when I was looking last year they had a Zox full-face helmet for under $100, also my budget... it was comfy in the store (and they didn't mind me walking around in it). I have been pleased with it. It is vented at top and in front. The padding is removable for washing if necessary. I was also pleased that when I got home with it the online professional reviews were favorable, stating that even though it didn't cost as much as some other helmets it was just as good. The problem with getting a helmet online only without trying it on IRL first, is you just don't know if it'll fit and/or what size to get. Each helmet is going to fit differently - the day I was shopping, my head was a size M to XL depending on the helmet maker and model. If you can, you really should find a place you can at least try them on. Good luck!

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