Buying first helmet

[qwerty]

Helmet selection guidelines:

1) DOT approved.

2) Good fit.

3) Suitability for your type of riding.

Everything else is secondary. Snell approval does net necessarilly mean one helmet is better than another. Bell helmets are not Snell approved because of the material from which they are constructed. Snell tests check the helmet for destruction under load. A well-engineered helmet will crush under load, absorbing energy that would otherwise transfer to your head. Testing should measure the reduction of force to which the helmet is subjected that is transmitted to the head. That is the true test of a helmet's engineering. That said, I did a faceplant at 160mph while wearing a Bell Star and walked away. I've seen other riders do a high speed faceplant with a Snell approved helmet lose their chins as the fiberglass shells abraided.

On the down side, Bells tend to be a little bigger and heavier because they use more foam to absorb impact instead of an easily crushable fiberglass shell. With use, your muscles will get used to the weight, and if you find the added aerodynamic drag a problem, slow down a few miles an hour.

Funny thing, Bells used to be about the most expensive on the market. Now, you can buy basic Bell helmets at some Walmarts. Volume marketing sure has brought the price down, too. Good helmets, good price, good value.

Whatever you do, avoid the cheap off-brands. The ones I looked at didn't deserve any sticker, so I suspect the DOT stickers are fake.

[Kal]

I went down and slid on my front a couple of summers ago. I was watching the gravel carve its way into the visor. I'm not pretty but would look a lot worse if I hadn't been wearing a fullface.

Your choice though.

[BAJACRUISER]

When I was like you, cheking price helmets, someone in this forum wrote: How much is your head value ? And I left over the cheapers helmets...... Its not always a rule, but if you pay more, probably you will have better quality and proteccion.....

[qwerty]

When I was like you, cheking price helmets, someone in this forum wrote: How much is your head value ? And I left over the cheapers helmets...... Its not always a rule, but if you pay more, probably you will have better quality and proteccion.....

Back in the olden days (when 106 octane was available at the corner service station) we had a saying: "If you have a $10 brain, wear a $10 helmet. if your brain is worth more, wear a Bell."

Now, for the most part, that isn't true any more. Some Bells are sold at Walmart, and the economics of volume have made these the best values in a quality helmet, IF they fit. On the other hand, I've seen some very questionable helmets with a fancy paint job sell for ridiculous amounts of money. Find a helmet that fits. Study it carefully for good engineering and manufacturing. Price is secondary to safety and comfort.

[CycleNewb]

I just ordered my Z1R Strike helmet at motorcycle superstore for $89 based on the motor cycle magazine "blowing the lid off" review.

Hope it fits, because it seems to offer the best protection at a bargain basement price. [/url]

[Koss]

I really like This Z1R Strike Star Helmet in Green but that rubatone flat black was cool too. I sorta like This Z1R Strike Blade in Black/blue, but it wouldn't look match what im looking for. Im starting to have second thoughts about that Scorpion Helmet in flat black now, maybe Ill get a Z1R Strike Helmet!

Edit: Fixed Links

[CycleNewb]

I got the Z1R strike solid in silver. The star and blade graphics are cool and all, but I wanted the solid silver as it's probably more noticable to cages since it appears to be brighter or even somewhat 'metalic'.

They say a white helmet is the most visable, but my bike is silver. I think metalic silver is almost as visable and it matches the bike.