Author Topic: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?  (Read 1421 times)

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Offline Tugboat

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Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« on: May 23, 2012, 02:25:00 PM »
I'm looking for a half or three-quarters helmet (with face shield?) for around $100.. preferrably solid white or silver. Lots to choose from, but my local dealer only has HJC and Fulmer in that price range. Any suggestions?
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Offline socalenduro

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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2012, 03:19:21 PM »
you'll want to go somewhere local first to try a bunch on.
each manufacturer fits a little different and no one will be able to tell you what will or wont fit your head.
after you know a brand and size that snuggles your dome just right you can look online within the same brand for better prices and selection.

or support your local shop

Offline CB750wannabe

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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2012, 07:55:39 PM »
Agree its always best to try them on first.  Bell makes some good quality open face ones in that range.
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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2012, 08:00:48 PM »
Just look at how much money you can save living in a state that lets you ride without a helmet.

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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2012, 08:18:39 PM »
I have a full face HJC helmet and love it.  If I remember correctly I only spent ~100.

Like said before go try everything on and figure out what you like.  I do not know a lot about helmets in particular so take this for what its worth, but picking a helmet based solely on brand is kind of silly to me.  Given that there are stickers and markings on the helmet that signify that it meets standards.  Just pick what you like and leave it at that.

Just on a side note, I was going to get a half-helmet originally and I am really glad I got the full face.  Had a stone shoot up from a tire in front of me and it nailed me in my leg (had jeans on) and needless to say it hurt... I can only imagine what that would be like in the mouth. 

If you do go for a full face... the adjustable vents on mine have proven to really help out in this hot weather.


Offline brandEn

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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2012, 09:17:01 PM »
Scorpion EXO-700
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/helmets/scorpion/exo_700_solid_motorcycle_helmet.html

I have a "Shoei Head". I like the EXO-700 more than my $600 RF-1000. More quiet and way more comfortable.
« Last Edit: May 23, 2012, 10:03:52 PM by brandEn »

Offline CafeDawg

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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #6 on: May 23, 2012, 10:01:03 PM »
+1 on the try ons and then source eBay, Motorcycle Superstore or anywhere with closeouts.  I got a real nice new Fulmer off ebay for $69.  I'm not going to tell anyone what to wear or call ya stupid. However, just in the last year I've taken a stone @ 50mph (starred my face shield dead center), took a big bug to the right eye @ 60mph  (big SPLAT), and somebody threw a soda fountain drink at me, at night, the ice hit me full in the face and I'm not sure I would have recovered from anyone of them if I hadn't been wearing a fullface. Given my experiences sometimes goggles/sunglasses just aren't enough. I would opt for the 3/4 with bubble shield at the very least. There's my 2 cents.  Oh and I like HJC and Fulmer, decent helmets at a good price and they come in silver and white.

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Offline Duanob

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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2012, 09:33:44 AM »
I got a killer deal on a HJC Sy-max modular from Revzilla.com for $125 delivered. Retail was something like $269. I went down to my local motorcycle dealer and tried them on realizing that Medium fits like a glove and I can get the helmet off and on with my glasses. Went home and bought the helmet online. Not to stiff my LMD I did end up buying a THH 3/4 helmet and retro bubble shield on clearance sale for $50. Also a pair of Icon riding pants too.

BTW what's wrong with HJC or Fulmer? If you're talking half or 3/4 helmets, one is probably as good as another as long as they meet DOT standards.
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Offline socalenduro

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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #8 on: May 25, 2012, 09:40:26 AM »
BTW what's wrong with HJC or Fulmer? If you're talking half or 3/4 helmets, one is probably as good as another as long as they meet DOT standards.

Nothing is wrong with either.... my $110 HJC fullface meets DOT and Snell (higher) standards

More money gets better ventilation, lighter weight, and better style

Offline bikerbart

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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2012, 04:11:09 PM »
I have a Z1R,about $100,no complaints,I l;ike it,but then again I cant afford the 5-600 ones,never have.Z1R got rave reviews on the comprehensive helmet test done a couple of years ago,scored higher than the real pricey ones,so I went with it.Personally I am tired of the people always saying 'get a $100 helmet if you have a $100 head'these are generally the pricey helmet snobs(lots of my friends)they never spend less than $4-500 on a helmet.F them,I go with the facts.If I can have a helmet that outperforms the high end ones then so be it.
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Offline BeSeeingYou

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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #10 on: May 26, 2012, 10:04:03 AM »
Just look at how much money you can save living in a state that lets you ride without a helmet.

I am surprised you got away with that without comment from the "nanny staters". ;D ;)

Offline flybox1

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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #11 on: May 26, 2012, 10:06:16 PM »
BTW what's wrong with HJC or Fulmer? If you're talking half or 3/4 helmets, one is probably as good as another as long as they meet DOT standards.

Nothing is wrong with either.... my $110 HJC fullface meets DOT and Snell (higher) standards

More money gets better ventilation, lighter weight, and better style
+1
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Offline faux fiddy

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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #12 on: May 27, 2012, 01:11:31 AM »
I'm looking for a half or three-quarters helmet (with face shield?) for around $100.. preferrably solid white or silver. Lots to choose from, but my local dealer only has HJC and Fulmer in that price range. Any suggestions?

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Offline srbakker

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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #13 on: May 27, 2012, 08:58:52 PM »
I have a Shoei RF 1000 I picked up on closeout for $225.  My wife has a cheap HJC (I forget which one) that cost $70 on closeout.  They are both DOT and Snell rated.  The key differences, aside from fit, is that mine is lighter and has more vents, and the quality of the visor mechanism is better.  That said, I wouldn't let her wear her lid if I didn't think it would actually protect her head in a crash.  Get whatever is cheap that fits you best and has appropriate safety ratings.  After that, it's all gravy.
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Offline Don R

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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #14 on: May 28, 2012, 08:30:22 PM »
Make sure it's Snell M and DOT. At the racetrack they say when choosing a helmet always consider how much your head is worth. That said I don't always wear one.
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Offline Flying J

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Re: Looking for a helmet in the $100 range. Suggestions?
« Reply #15 on: May 28, 2012, 10:00:49 PM »
Cycle Gear is having a sale on their helmets. $50-120 if i remember right.