Price and Motorcycle Helmets, A comparison

Most helmets that actually protect your head have a designation of DOT on the back of the helmet and also on a tag inside the helmet. DOT stands for Department of Transportation. DOT helmets are produced according to safety standards as laid down by the Department of Transportation. DOT helmets may be Full Face, Modular, Half Helmets or Open Face Helmets.

Another designation is the Snell designation. Normally, if the Snell designation is on the helmet, it also meets DOT standards. A debate about which designation is best can be debated. See http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmet-faq.htm for more information.

Motorcycle Helmets come in a few different designs, Motocross type helmets are a full face without a shield but have visors to shield the sun. These helmets are usually used for maximum protection but at fairly low speeds. Regular Full Face Helmets cover the entire face and have a shield that flips up. When traveling at high speeds, the full face will deflect the wind around the helmet and keep road debris, such as rocks, or bugs from hitting you in the face. These are considered the most safe type of helmet. Modular Helmets are very much Like Full Face, but the 'jaw' portion of the helmet lifts. This lifting jaw allows for users to speak to each other at stops without removing the helmets and also makes it easier to get off and on. 3/4 helmets offer protection the side & back of the head, but do not cover the face.

3/4 helmets may also come with a face shield or visor to keep wind from pulling at the helment and also to prevent Road Debris from hitting your face. Beanie style helmets offer minimum protection of just the upper head and side of the head above the ears.

So the big question is: What's the best Motorcycle Helmet? It is a question that can not be answered. How about Price?

There may and may not be differences between helmets that cost a lot, and helmets that are pretty reasonable. There are Novelty Helmets, which act as helmets, but will not protect your head in a crash, so are Novelty Helmets actually worth anything? If you are worrying about your safety, DO NOT GET A NOVELTY helmet. Novelty Helmets cost in the $20-$30 price range but do not protect your head.

So is a $500 Motorcycle Helmet better than a $150 helmet? Not necessarily so according to independant testing at Webbikeworld.com. See http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/zox-helmets/zox-azuma-r.htm to read the review of an $89 Helmet that rated outstanding. It really all depends on what you want in a helmet though. The more expensive helmets do have features that a less expensive helmet may not have, but as far as safety is concerned, they are probably fine. If you have budget constraints (and who doesn't), a less expensive helmet may work just as well as a $500 or even a $700 motorcycle helmet. Remember a Full Face or Modular Helmet is more safe than a beanie or 3/4 helmet. A 3/4 helmet with visor is more safe than an open face 3/4 helmet. All DOT helmets are more safe than a Novelty Helmet. So in a nutshell, these are your helmet options.