Buying a motorcycle this week. Haven't owned a motorcycle in Australia, who's got the best prices for helmets, also gloves and while I do have a jacket, possibly another as well.
Best Priced Motorcycle Helmets
Lhe11bent on 10/05/2020 - 20:32
Comments
I should mention I had a SHOEI when I had my old bikes. I'm looking to buy a ARAI RX7, since I've tried a friend's one and the wind noise is so much less than the SHOEI I had and lighter as well.
An Arai RX-7 will set you back about a thousand dollars I think. I owned one years ago and I got it the "bargain" price of $900. It was comfortable, and had lots of cooling - but the wind noise was actually pretty bad in my experience.
Helmets come in many difference shapes. Most brands will have one shape that they fit, but some will have a couple of shapes. The helmet manufacturers don't tell you this or advertise shapes, you just have to go in and try them on to figure out what fits best. The difference in price between different helmets from a manufacturer is normally because of the features; whether it's made with a lighter weight shell, has more vents, has built in sun visor, etc.
So, go to a physical store with a large variety and try on a lot of helmets from a lot of different brands so you can figure out which "range" fits you. Then decide how much money you want to spend with respect to what features you want.
A more expensive helmet won't necessarily be any safer than a cheap one, they all have to pass the same safety standards, and in some cases complying to extra safety standards makes them LESS safe (eg the SNELL 2005 and earlier standards required the helmet to be too hard - so they could protect you against an improbably violent impact, but were worse at protecting you against the impacts that happen 99% of the time). The most safe helmet is the one that fits you the best, and causes the least fatigue or distraction.
Lastly, some states allow you to wear an ECE certified helmet (QLD, NSW, and VIC do - not sure about others) instead of the AS/NZ standard certified one. This means that you can order a helmet from overseas as long as it has the UNECE sticker on it. This might save you money.
Keep looking in those rear view mirrors fellas i was cleaned up around 30 years ago, making right hand turn and an idiot hit me from behind at 100kms (admitted speed, who admits that to a copper lol) in a 60 zone, end of career and a few ops… So stay safe out there…. There a dime a dozen…
Try MCAS. And then order online.
I have a Shoei NXR and it's pretty light and quiet.
https://www.thehelmetwarehouse.com.au/shoei-nxr-philosopher-…
Found this price while looking right now. Looking if that's a decent price
My helmet was $199 so I'm not sure any Shoei helmet counts as "best priced helmet".
Buy the helmet that fits your head. Nothing worse than an uncomfortable helmet.
The best priced helmet is going to be open face and will do about as much as a watermelon to protect your melon in an accident. (But you probably already know this)
Motorcycle gear is one of the things I tend to buy in a store even though the prices are normally a bit more expensive. Having something that is comfortable and fits properly is going to be the best option. MCAS do some decent specials, I got my Shark Spartan Carbon for under $500 at the beginning of the year.
An open face will technically protect your brain in an accident - otherwise it wouldn't pass the safety test, but it will of course do nothing to prevent you sliding 30m along the road on the part of your face where your nose used to be.
Personally, I ride with a motorcross helmet and goggles because I find them more comfortable and functional than a road helmet - but I would never use a helmet which didn't have a chin bar of some description.
I have been riding for about 7 years, and I recently discovered that cheapest isnt best in some scenarios.. not because I crashed, but because I bought my first bike without a windscreen.. old helmet is now loud as hell.
If you plan on being on the freeway regularly and don't have a windscreen i'd suggest buying a decent helmet that is reviewed as being 'quiet' (I recently purchased a HJC RPHA-11).
If you don't plan on regular freeway trips then just get something for around $200 that is a decent brand and use earplugs when on the freeway. One recommendation would be the Bell Qualifier helmet.
BUT as people have previously mentioned, go into a store and try them on because they all fit differently. For example, my head doesnt fit well in Shoei helmets…
Earplugs of some description are a necessity for me - no matter what helmet I use. The exhaust isn't the issue unless you're riding a bike with straight pipes, the issue is wind - as you said. Hearing damage is no joke, it seriously impacts your quality of life and is a big factor in whether you will get dementia as you get older.
You brush your teeth every day because you don't want to lose them, you should be more concerned about losing your hearing. You can get prosthetic dentures, but prosthetic hearing devices are limited.
Going to MCA in the city after work and trying a few there. Thanks for the advice y'all. Highly appreciated!
I recommend looking at the FortNine helmet reviews on YouTube. This guy really knows his stuff and reviews a lot of what is on the market - now that Snell and Euro helmets are legal in Australia it opens up what you can purchase too.
It is still best to be able to try on any helmet you are considering, as no matter how detailed the description of the shape and sizing, everybody's head is different. My first helmet was a Shwantz replica Arai I had wanted for so long and spent the next 5 years in a bad fitting helmet because I chose style over shape.
If you have a $10 head get a $10 helmet. Make sure that it's second hand, that way you'll get a bargain.
Another big money saver is if you get a flat on your front tyre, patch it. Never waste money on a new tube.
Why the neg votes. It's obviously all tongue in cheek.
Thoroughly recommend AMX - the guys there know their stuff, and come across genuinely passionate about biking. Always super friendly and helpful. Can't say I got the same impression at MCAS, so AMX gets all my business now. Plus they'll price match.
Best price is the one that fits the best. Can’t put a price on your head.
Might sound funny but it’s true. One weird thing that I found with my weird shaped head was that it only fitted either the dead cheapest or most expensive helmet. My first helmet was a budget HJC but after a couple of years I ended up with a race Shark which was great.