How much should you pay for a motorcycle helmet? | Cheap vs Expensive: what is the best brand? 

Interesting investigation ! One thing that made me cringe though was the one handed use of the grinder. If I'm not mistaken ,and have sussed out the direction of rotation of the blade, a grab would have resulted in the grinder jumping out and powering in to your left hand at 0:09 ..yuck!! I frequently use a grinder single handed but do not have the other hand in the line of fire. I have worked in steel fabrication for years and grinders are so versatile but take no prisoners .Gloves wont stop them..I know. With belt sanders and most other rotating machinery I prefer a bit of belt rash or barked skin to a "pull in" when the belt grabs your glove or other clothing, so I usually don't wear gloves on the belt and make sure all clothing is well clear and / or tucked in tight. Be careful out there. Cheers, Dave NZ.

The Arai was clearly more angle-grinder resistant, which is a prime buying point for me ;-)

My first thought was I'm not going to watch all half hour of this video, but I did. Interesting information on the different in lids.

Appreciate the Wilhelm scream when the grinder turns on at 8 seconds.

I just cut my helmet open to see how it was made but now it won’t join back up properly...will glue fix it?😂

Very interesting video. I recognise John from the Niken test at Bruntingthorpe. When I was after a flip front helmet I bought a Caberg for £99 to see I got on with flip fronts, after 3 months I bought a Multitec, the difference was night and day, in comparison the caberg was creaky, noisey and just generally clunky. Now have a Neotec 2 but still have an Arai Chaser V for occasional use which is also the helmet of choice for the wife.

Join me when the premiere starts to chat about your motorcycle lids and what you think of the differences as they're cut open! John

I clean my visor every time after the rain just using clean water and microfibre cloth. Sometimes there is a bug stuck really hard and I use a little bit of dish wash, rinse it on a running tap water, wipe it dry and looking good as new. Thanks for making this video, thumbs up 👍

The lesson is: never buy second-hand helmets from Bennets... : ) : ) : )

Comprehensive and informative as always, thanks John. Mine is a Shoei Neotec. I like it, and the only fault is that flies sometimes get sucked through the top vent. For cleaning my visor I nip into Specsavers where they'll sell you a small spray bottle of glasses cleaner. Costs £2.50, designed for plastic specs and comes with a nice silk cloth. Lasts ages and provides a smear free finish, smells good too.

I've been riding 32 years and have obviously had many helmets. Had a lot of shoei but using agv now. I think it's a lot of bang for the buck. Arai seems to be the most comfortable though but really like the drop-down screen of the agv. It is a carbon composite and comes with different tabs for screen settings. Good crash ratings and comes with a pinlock visor. All this I got for 250 on sale and is also a nice fitting and good looking helmet too! Like I said, I like bang for the buck... Stay safe my fellow riders.👍🇺🇸

Arai- I unfortunately have experience from several crashes but Arai helmets have always kept me safe.

This vid was very informative, thanks!

Thanks great detailed in (depth literally) review!!!

Good video. Recently purchased a Frank Thomas FTSA001 and toured Spain with it and had jo issues. Can be a little noisy on motorways but I use custom fit ear guards. Good value and comfortable.

bought an RX7 in Tokyo, half the price of the UK, Ride On Pro Shop in Taito City, the two guys that run it are amazing, spent over an hour changing different internal pads, making sure the lid was a perfect fit. Amazing product.

Thanks for showing the differences. It is now really make sense to go for original and expensive helmets. 😎

Excellent work, thanks - My Dad gave me a brand new helmet 50 years ago, still going strong. Cox was the make, my partner borrows it as it fits fine and she and I have much pleasure when riding. She says now that it must be getting near its use by date because not as hard as it once was. I have planned to be buried with it it because it has meant so much to me!

I've always used Shoei. I use a damp kitchen towel wait 10 mins while putting on jacket boots etc then bugs just wipe off. When I am out in the bike I bring a wet micro fibre cloth in zip bag and do the same thing as kitchen towel. 👍

I'd love to see the same comparison include a mid-priced helmet too

I just water and a soft cloth to clean my visor. Don’t see the need for any special cleaner. I clean it after every time I ride and they look good as new for years.

Fantastic information, I have been riding since 1980, always wore a Simpson Bandit. Been looking for a new helmet and the selection is so vast with the offshore and brands. Your video will help me make a decision. Thank you

Hi, Great explanation of price difference. I shopped hard for a helmet last year and figured that since they were all tested to a standard fit was the most important factor. Happily the cheaper HJC FG-17 proved best. A year on and I have had to stitch the upper edges of the cheek pads to pull them back to avoid hamster cheeks, the outer edges of the rubber nose guard have sprung up like butterfly wings and I have had to pad the crown to get brow visibility back. Noise is important to me and the HJC is wind tunnel tested. (A purchase factor) I can only assume they tested for stability, which is good, not noise, which is a symphony of high speed air whistles. No amount of trial and error with duct tape solved the problem. The point you make about inset pin visors showing a distracting line is a considerable annoyance to me specially as I have rarely found the pin necessary as ventilation is good. A lot of folks complain about the visor indexing being weak but I find mine works well. The helmet is light enough for a plastic composite and the general liner condition, after about 10,000 miles, is as new. I'd give the FG-17 about 5/10 overall, losing most for noise then collapsing crown padding and hardening cheek padding respectively. Price is its biggest bonus. Just as an aside, while looking for helmets I started checking the manufacture date, (by law a label inside the liner) some helmets were already 12 years-old! When I pointed this out to the staff they were overcome with indifference. Where you shop is vitally important. Thanks for a great guide and I hope this info helps. Barry Marshall, GSXR-750 British Columbia, Canada

Various helmet manufacturers over the years in the £100-£180 range Vemar, Shark, HJC, latest one decided on Shoei Neotech 2, great fit, well made. I installed the Sena SRL Bluetooth system in it and it fits and works a treat with buttons hidden in cheek compartment. Only use water to clean visor and helmet.

Currently using a HJC RPHA pro 11. Before was a Bell Race Star, before that was a Bell Star and before that were a few Arai corsairs and Quantum. Shield cleaning is done just like you do, with damp cloth staying on the visor a few minutes. On the go I’ve been using glasses cleaner and a soft cloth for years and never damaged a visor.

I tried on a lot of helmets at my local dealer Bell, Shoie, etc, but the helmet that fit me the best was an HJC C 70. Really snug without being uncomfortable. And truth be told, I really like the drop down sun visor. Been thinking of moving up the chain though. May investigate in the 400.00 plus dollar range. Maybe the HJC RPHA 70 ST.

Going to be dusting those shelves off for a while! Used Arai for quite some time, great helmet but didn't enjoy fitting the visor and wanted a drop down sun visor. Moved to a Shoei Neotec, great touring helmet that I struggle to fault other than weight so very recently bought the latest Shoei GT Air. Just buy the best gear you can afford. Do think the drop down visor is the safest long term option as I've ridden with so many guys that have got caught out in either bad weather of at dusk with just the dark visor and still ridden. Do think Arai need to move and design at least 1 range to accept the internal drop down mechanism. Thanks for the in depth vid cheers.

Been wearing Arai RX7s since 1996 ( not the same one) and added a XD4 this year for my adv bike. For me, just the best most comfortable helmets.

Great video thanks for making it. When I review helmets I often get people complaining about some of the prices, I was going to make a similar type of video looking at why some are more expensive than others, but now I can just send them here :) I’ve always found a Shoei size L fits me whatever style of helmet. I like Arai too, but the narrow opening can be a problem and I always tend to have misting issues (even with a pinlock) maybe because they are such a close fitting helmet?

I’ve always used Arai but why do they do pretty poorly In the SHARP tests, especially with side impacts? Does someone know why?

I was just plugging in my grinder when I stumbled across this. Thanks for this awesome comparison vid!

The best video I have seen on knowing why we spend more on helmets.

As heads are different shapes there are no perfect helmets. I am enjoying a carbon fibre lid as it is much easier on my neck and would exert less force in a crash. Also the visor is photochromic so I don’t need an insert. (Lazer Monaco Evo). I can’t get into an Arai. Wear earplugs because deafness doesn’t catch up with you until you are older and the damage is cumulative.

Fantastic video, thanks 👍

Interesting video :) Just ordered my new agrius helmet today £51 4 star sharp rated with pinlock and sun visor

A very informative video, thank you. I personally use a HJC RPHA 70. Very happy with it.

Super informative! Great job! Was hesitant to watch a 30 minute video on helmets but definitely worth a watch! Ive been rocking a Arai since i started riding street bikes and will never use another company!

Shoei X-Spirit 3 for me, I wore an AGV for years and was never comfortable. Tried on the X-Spirit and it was perfect instantly.

I’ve always loved shoei lids. X-spirit and multitec are in the cupboard. My first x-spirit 1 saved my life after an incident on the M5.

I am lucky, in that both Arai and Shoei fit me perfectly. Just invested in an X4 Tour, fantastic helmet. I clean visors like you, cold water and kitchen towel. Thanks for the information 👍

not 4 seconds into this vid and this cat is slicin' 'n dicin' ---- love it.!

i'm cheap, but i've always worn Arai, Schuberth and Shoei. My latest Shoei GT-Air is lovely, but i do still think my old Arai Viper fit me just a bit better. Schuberth fit good but quality was complete nonsense for the price...600 eur and it fell apart after 2 years. Schuberth C3 was the quietest for a little while though.

Thank you for posting this

Very thorough & informative piece, THX!

I use SHARP ratings for my buying decisions, where possible. I got a Bell Race Star (5 star) for 50% off. I had one Arai and it gave me horrible headaches in the temples and forehead. Their side impact results are worse than they should be, according to SHARP so they are skimping on EPS in that location possibly to make a narrower profile or save weight. The Bell fits me with all day comfort. That being said, I’ve ordered the ECE22-06 Arai for my wife because she needs a new lid anyway. Hopefully it’ll fit her more round head than my oval. Great video, John.

The Box helmet you use comes out very well in the Sharp ratings, 4/5

Arai mxv for me. Wore different helmets for years and just assumed was in between sizes or something where comfort was concerned, turns out I have an Arai shaped head. Love mine, it’s heavy but feels light - no more neck ache - and the quality of the paint job is fantastic.

I have worn Arai for years and will continue to do so, the cost is high but I would argue they absolutely represent good value, I value my life at a good deal higher than the price of any crash helmet. I also admire the integrity of a company that will take a hit on sales in order to ensure there product is as safe as possible, such as not fitting internal sun visors, proves they put protection before profit. Cleaned with Luke warm water and a drop of fairy liquid if a particularly stubborn bug. Also respect to Bennett’s for producing these very informative, interesting and valuable videos, if it saves one person from a brain injury it is money well spent.

I tried all, really, top brands, and there is none like Schuberth, at least for sport touring and Adventure. S2/C3/C4 are second to none.

I just bought a 6D helmet. The best protection street helmet on the market. Really happy with my purchase.

Excellent video John. Very useful info. Thanks a million.

First time I see a real detailed comparison! Awesome!

Bennett Bike...great presentation! I use just warm water like you do to clean the plexi/poly and my helmet. Have Shoeis and looking to try something else.

Bell Qualifier DLX with MIPS, and I use clean water and a soft clean micro fibre cloth to clean the visor. The transitions visor is a great answer to carrying a spare around when I’m on multi day trips.

I’ve owned a few helmets: quite a few Bell full face and 3/4 helmets, Aria full face and Givi scooter helmet. My latest is a Bell Race Star which I’ve yet to ride in but I will soon in Vietnam. I like Bell’s innovations and use of slip planes, such as MIPS (in my previous MX9 adventure) and tri-flex lining in the Bell Race Star. The MX9 was a bit small (size L) and caused me headaches in the forehead after 1 hour of riding, as did the Arai. I remeasured my head and realized I needed a bigger size, which is why I got the Race Star in XL. I got it on sale for about £300 since the colour is unpopular but I like it (white, blue and hiviz yellow). I recommend getting a Sharp 5 star rated helmet and you don’t need to spend as much as I did. However fit is just as important so wear for at least an hour at home and return it if it starts to hurt. It maybe the wrong size but also an unsuitable shape liner - some are more oval some are more round.

I take my faceshield with me when I shower, and put it somewhere where it will get splashed and soaked. At the end of the shower, I use the water spray and soap to clean. I put a dedicated microfiber cloth next to the towels for drying. As for the anticipated question (if you are old enough); I don't wash vegetables in the shower ;) Nice video, thank you.

I've saved all my helmets, going back to a Nava, from 1980. It's interesting to see how helmet technology has improved over the years. With the exception of an AGV X-R2, I have worn Shoei helmets since 1990. My current lud us a Neotec.

When I started riding in 1980 my first helmet was a Simpson ... of course back then you were on your own regarding achieving proper fit etc ... after 30 minutes of riding it was absolute agony. Since then I've used Arai exclusively. Right now I've got a RX 7 and a Signet. Both are super comfortable all day, well ventilated and most importantly confidence inspiring. Excellent video, keep up the good work.

HJC IS-MAX I also have a HJC IS17, but definitely prefer the modular for the day to day commute.

Had a Schuberth C3 flip expensive but was a poor fit swapped to a HJC11 Max and it's superb I now have 3 Different HJC lids and there all excellent

so glad i found these video, probably the most informative ever, more so for the UK

Excellent video, very informative just about to get helmet; taking cbt in May ( last rode trials & motorcross in teens,now 58 yrs -must be midlife crisis- marathons, mistresses & motorbikes, tricked off the first two Was thinking Aria and Shoei a bit pricy for me ; having been looking at Shark spartan, hjc rpha or bell srt but now you've made reconsider

I Using KYT RC7 helmet for almost 5 year's, I think it's safe and also comfortable for an full face helmet that only cost you US$40, but if I had enough money to bought nice helmet, then KYT NX-RACE or Arai RX7X is my top priority 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 Talk about cleaning the visor, I washed the visor by flushing it directly under running water through a water faucet and using a mild, low-sodium dish soap and there have never been any problems so far

I recently bought an AGV Corsa and I'm very happy with it.

Thanks John, this is very helpful.

Solid video, and very good info. Subbed.

I wear a Shoei RF1200. Ride a 1200GSA (65/35 street/offroad). Only helmet I have found that fits me perfectly. Neotech 2 also fits pefectly. Guess I will always be a Shoei guy.

Excellent reviews. Based on everything I've heard and read over the years, spot-on, too. Thanks, gentlemen. New Subscriber.

Johns a legend. Taught me to ride. I’m on my third Arai, they fit like a glove and are lighter than the cheap ones. Interesting that Shoei fit you better these days. Will have to try them again.

I wear what fits the current budget and my head and it's quiet. Just like now, I found a HJC that fitted the budget but not my head, so went for a cheaper HJC that actually fitted my head and is quieter than the more expensive one because it doesn't have vents on the very top to make noise when it catches the air, because I am just too tall for the windscreen to be in a calm bubble.;))) I'm using a touring screen plus extension and still not enough;))

I just use a water soaked piece of kitchen towel to lay over the visor, once the bugs are soaked I then use a piece of clean dry soft cloth to wipe them away. Great review and as always worth watching to the very end 👍👍

Great video, very informative! I've been using a Shark Spartan for last couple of years... its light and comfortable with decent ventilation, but I find it quite noisy. Will probably buy a Shoei next time. I use the wet paper towel method to remove bugs but also sometimes use Shift-It helmet and visor cleaner. Please include it in your review! Cheers

Another great vid❤ I used to buy arai helmets until prices went silly on them and they did fit well but ventilation was never great. About 10 years back, I switched to Shark because the fit and finish and design was excellent for half the price. I now use the Shark Spartan Carbon which is a great quality lid and ad s glasses wearer I value the thought behind the drop down tinted visor still making glasses wearing comfortable plus the Shark integral intercom cut outs by the ears allow for blutooth buds connected to satnav. Great lids even if not quite up to shoei or arai standards.

Love my Arai Corsair V, old but still my favorite!

I've had a few helmets since I started riding road bike's that was back in 1979. 3 SHOEI 2 ARAI 1 AGV and 1 MARUSHIN .For me the perfect helmet would be a combination of ARAI'S comfort and SHOEI'S visor mechanism. So easy to remove and put back on.

very good start of the video :DD

Great video! Thank you! :) I use Ipone Helmet Out to clean my helmet shell. If you can, please test if it's safe for the visor! I currently wear a Schuberth C4, which is the most comfortable (and most expensive) lid I've ever owned. Bit disappointed in the noise level, as they are marketed as being really quiet.

My wife and I had been using Shark helmets for years and the build quality just seemed to have gotten to be crap. We both still have Shark helmets out latest one the Evoline 3. It has not been worn much and the liner is coming apart. I bought an LS2 Pioneer helmet for 150 dollars and it has been awesome. Very comfortable and no more noisy as the Sharks. So Deb bought an LS2 and she loves it. Half the price of the Sharks and seems to be built a lot better. As far as cleaning my helmets I have used Pledge furniture polish for years. It will make the water bead up and slide right off the visor. It will also help the visor from fogging up. You will have to use clean micro fiber clothes. Works for me.

I've typically bought moderately priced but ECE certified helmets. However this was the first time I've seen a comparison with a budget certified helmet and I'm sold. Here in the USA, any helmet is better than no helmet, but I'll be buying an Arai and Shoei come this winter. Thanks for the sacrifice...

I love my custom-fit Bell Star Carbon. Pricey, but perfect!

I owned a cheap helmet same brand of that blue one you are testing , and then I got myself an Arai , and one huge difference I noticed is how hot and itchy the Arai gets in summer compared to the cheap one, almost unberable at low speed , and I think is down to the fabric used by Arai, the cheap one had to be washed regularly, the other one I only had to clean the cheekpads and after 3 years is like brand new , but at what cost...

I wear a LEV3 Dual Sport helmet and i used VS1 to clean my helmet and lens ! 😅

I used both the arai rx7x and the shoei gt air. I prefer the shoei as its much more comfortable. The inner liner much more plush and comfortable over long distance riding while the rx7x liner is much harder. As for helmet/visor cleaner, i used both liqui moly and motul. Seems to do their job pretty well...

Bell race star for me. Love it

I used to have Arai Quantum but when I went for a new helmet I found they had changed the shell shape and the new Arai did not fit for the same size, I ended up with a Shoei GT air which did fit so like you said you must try on the helmet and not just hope a mail order item is going to fit even if it is the same make as makers continually develop their products.

Shoes X1100 and Shark Race Pro Carbon. Both brilliant and both SHARP 5 star. Shoe has Pinlock Sharp has anti fog coating. Both work and love both helmets. Both expensive but I value my head.

The only helmet Ive ever found that fit perfectly and I liked it on my head was an AGV Ducati helmet. I wish I could find the model without the Ducati designation as it was a perfect fit. Otherwise I have tried on dozens of helmets from all kinds of brands and I just find they are all uncomfortable in one way or another. Thanks for this review!

I've had 2 HJC visors crack now. Both identical. Had to retire it due to the lining being damaged so back on to my AGV K3SV. I find when cleaning visors you best to wash them in the shower. Steam softens all the bugs, hot water washes them off and always use your fingers to wipe it never a sponge.

Very informative and thought-provoking, thank you. Shoei Neotech and BMW System 6/7 for me. Please review MOTUL visor cleaner, and Muc-Off also. Great job.

THANKS

I've worn rx7's for years. Nothing fits as good for me and I've had a serious head impact in one and it took it. Can't get better than that. I will never complain about the cost.

I've used many over the last 5 years but I've been using Shoei NXR and AGV AX8 for the past 4 years. The Shoei is better made as some of the rubber on the AGV has decayed, it feels cheaper and the visor is isn't as good. However the AGV feels alittle more plush when wearing it. Also had a Bell revolver which was rubbish but saved me in a fall and an LS2 adventure helmet which was ok for the price. Might try an Arai next time around but the new HJCs are tempting me due to the price point and quality has improved dramatically.

Hello There, which modular helmet would you suggest for a Harley FatBoy rider?

Had an Arai X7 back in the 80s . It just fitted nice. Got back into riding in the late 90s and bought a cheap new helmet but the shell vibrated at highway speed. so bought a Shoei R900 . Lovely helmet . nice and quite but dug in across the brow line and had a funny oscillation on the naked bike I had at the time. saved up and bought an Arai quantum e that fitted like it they had scanned my head to make. Wore it for longer than recommended (way longer) and it still is in reasonable after more than 90,000 Km of riding but I did buy a new Arai Vector 2 . It took a bit longer to be as comfortable but now it is good.

Airoh gp 500 for the past 2years. Ride 1000km a week. I Soak in a wet paper towel, allow to air dry then Mr Sheen polish followed by much off speed polish.....makes water droplets fly off it. So far no problems at all. Thinking of changing to hjc IS Max 2 very impressed with the reviews/ 5 star safety rating price. Great video guys 👍👏

HJC IS-MAX II and I love it!

It was fun watching you hack up those helmets! Informative as well. However, I do wish you would have used a more mid-level helmet to put up against the Arai; the piece of crap used is not a worthy contender. But I got the point you were trying to make. Personally I could never get into an Arai. They just don't fit my head no matter how I try to make them fit and for a street rider it's a bit of a joke how much they cost. That said, it's no big secret that we all want the best lid we can get, and everyone's threshold of what they can reasonably pay will vary wildly. My Avitar shows a great example of a helmet that fits me perfectly, looks fantastic, is very quiet yet vents well, has a SNELL rating and costs half of what that Arai costs. So it can be done. Sometimes, though, you have to spend a bit more to get what you need. I was in the market for a modular but the prices (and the quality) of what was out there varied to such a degree that I almost gave up. Then I got lucky one day, caught my dealer in a good mood and got a smokin deal on a Shoei Neotec II. I had been working on them for months and had walked away multiple times. I guess I finally drove them into submission! LOL! Just kidding. He really did me a solid. Was it more than I wanted to spend? Yes. But I did get a great deal and I got the helmet I really wanted. After all... how much is your head worth? Ride safe everyone. Cheers.

Please test the Motul M1 and also the Muc-Off visor cleaners. Thank you. I wear a Shoei NXR.

Can you compare dot vs snell vs all(dot, snell, ece)(bell I think have all of them) I was wondering is all certification meter on helmet

I use Chemical Guys Clear Vision Helmet Cleaner to clean my face shield. I'm curious now if it's safe to use. Also, is it safe to use Rain-X (they have a formula specifically for plastics) on the face mask? What about Nikwax?