Cheap Motorcycle Helmets
It doesn't matter how long you've been riding motorcycles for, you'll
always be searching for cheap motorcycle helmets (unless you're a
millionaire and if that's the case you won't be reading this page!)
Quick links to Cheap Helmets:
Check the Sale & Clearance lines at Sportsbikeshop.co.uk
Motorcycle shops often sell their Helmets cheaper through Amazon.
Cheap doesn't mean that the helmet will be less safe, looking at safety test results there are some expensive helmets that are less safe than cheaper ones and vice versa.
To find your next cheap motorcycle helmet don't be tempted to get a used one on ebay as motorcycle helmets have a 3-5 year life. Stick with new.
Cheaper brands are AGV and HJC. Shoei and Suomy also have lower budget models. I currently use a Suomy Vandal, it's very light, cost me £125 in a sale but is very noisy! In the past I've had a Shoei Raid II (highly recommended by myself and many others).
A few of my riding buddies swear by Arai, but then other riders won't like them.
The AGV K3 motorcycle helmet is one of the best selling cheap helmets around and has some really good reviews, just make sure that you wear ear plugs while using it as the wind noise is rather loud.
Which helmet style?
The top selling style of motorbike helmet is the Full Face Motorcycle Helmet this style of helmet covers your entire head and face.
Full face helmets aren't always wanted or required. The next step is a flip up motorcycle helmet. As the name suggests, the front of these helmets flip up at the front allowing for better vision (in most countries it's illegal to use them like this while riding).
Often a flip up helmet is useful at gas stations to avoid being intimidating. Here in the UK most gas stations will ask that the motorcycle helmet is removed before they turn the pumps on. This problem is avoided if a flip up helmet is worn.
Half face helmets offer the least protection but are stylish for chopper/cruiser riders. If you watch the TV show Sons of Anarchy then you will have seen the half face helmets used all of the time. These helmets will protect the top of your head but not much else.
Off road motorcycle helmets are also an option, but these are not all that useful for normal road riding as most don't have a visor and use goggles instead.
What makes a cheap motorcycle helmet cheap?
All motorcycle helmets made for the US and Europe have to pass strict safety tests. This means that no matter what they cost they all meet a minimum standard.
Generally a cheaper helmet will have less insulation against wind noise, less ventilation and fewer options to choose from. For example, it might not have removable cheek pads or a washable interior. From my research I highly recommend the AGV K3 as a good cheap motorcycle helmet.
Here in the UK there's a supermarket called LIDL (pronounced "LEEDAL") that sells good value food and home supplies. Occasionally they stock cheap motorcycle helmets for about £50.
Personally having looked at them I wouldn't buy, there's something about buying a motorcycle helmet from a bargain food store that doesn't sit quite right with me.
I would prefer to either buy from an online retailer with a 30 day no quibble return policy so I can try out the helmet at home, or go to a specialist motorcycle/helmet store and ask advice from the sales guys.
Motorcycle Helmet Safety Ratings
If you're worried about helmet safety start by looking up motorcycle helmet safety ratings on the SHARP website. Look at this table to get an idea of the helmet cost and the safety rating. This is a UK government website but the test results displayed for each individual helmet model are useful even if you don't live in the UK. Often the helmets are the same in other countries but have been tested for safety by a different government.
SHARP have tested most of the main stream helmets and given them a rating out of 5, 5 being the safest.
Where to buy cheap motorcycle helmets
Use these links to buy a cheap motorcycle helmet in the US or UK.
- US Cheap Helmets Link - ships to the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada and APO/FPO
addresses
- UK Cheap Helmets Link - ships to Europe plus USA and Canada (please note that helmets bought from this link may not be suitable for use in the United States, you'll need to check before you buy).
If you don't live in one of the countries above then find your nearest motorcycle helmet supplier using Google Maps, please be sure to tell whoever you buy from that you found them after reading this website!
Most of the time you will need to buy a helmet in your home country as even if the same model is available in different countries, it will have been tested specifically by that country and will have stickers showing this on the side.
It sounds crazy, but if you are caught using an imported helmet that hasn't been tested for your country you could be fined and have the helmet confiscated! Although there is an argument that you would have to be very unlucky for a police officer to actually examine which country your helmet has been tested for, they've got more to worry about.
Which paint finish?
To get the most from your money go for a cheap motorcycle helmet that is just one colour, as intricate paint designs normally cost more. Shoei do the Raid II helmet in various single colour finishes.
What not to buy
Stay away from "novelty helmets" they don't do anything to protect your head and are next to useless. If you do go on Ebay make sure that the helmet you buy is brand new, if a used helmet has been dropped the materials inside with have compressed and during a crash they won't protect your head.
Brands to keep in mind
AGV, Shoei, Arai and HJC all do really good lower budget models. Try these brands out to see which ones fit your head as not all models will be suitable.
Spending a small amount of money on a helmet doesn't mean it won't do the job, the same as spending a fortune on a helmet doesn't mean that it will offer the best protection.
Do your research, there's plenty of buyers info on this website!
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