Helmets...help the newb

I had basically made my mind up to get a Shoei Qwest helmet because my buddy has a newer one that I borrowed and used for my MSF course. (same one I have been using to testride bikes). While looking for my own Shoei, I found several others at the same or less price. Bell, HJC, Joe Rocket, Kabuto, and Scorpion.

So...help the newb out. Assuming fit on all helmets is comfortable and they all have the same rating, and you are looking to spend $350-400ish, what do you go with?

Are there companies to flat out avoid?

Is a higher end Bell better than a lower end Shoei? (for example)

Are there other features I should be looking at? Vents, materials, padding, shields?

Basics I know I want--- Full face, DOT and Snell 2010 complaint. What else?

A Bell Star is better for me than any of the Shoei's. You can find the carbon ones on closeout in your price range. You can also get a photochromic lens for them and it is worth the extra $100.

Instead of questioning the name on the label, examine the helmet itself. Are the straps well afixed, or are they mounted with a pop-rivet or little screw? Is the helmet strong, or does it squash with hand pressure? Is the foam liner smooth and well formed or is it lumpy or flaking? Things like that.

Vents are neat, but only if they actually work. Many (most?) do not. Too small, blocked internally, etc. Vents also add to noise.

Plunk the helmet on your head and see how well you can see out at the world. Not all face openings are the same. Opening size and visibility have nothing to do with brand name or price.

Buying a basic brand locally stocked makes it easier to get replacement face shields and such. Waiting on mail order isn't fun.

rotard wrote: A Bell Star is better for me than any of the Shoei's. You can find the carbon ones on closeout in your price range. You can also get a photochromic lens for them and it is worth the extra $100.

This....I have a Bell Vortex with the transitions shield. If I wear my polarized sunglasses under the shield during the day, I can stare at the sun.

Fit is so important. Do not get a lid that feels close, get one that fits really well. Otherwise you're in for headaches and similar issues. Personally the couple Scorpion lids I've had fit really well and I've stuck with the brand. I also really like the visor pop-up level that allows for great airflow when you want it on the Scorpions.

Assuming fit is good, for me, ventilation and noise are the next two factors. For that, I'd suggest reading online reviews. I've got a Shoei (can't remember the model) that is way quieter than the Bell I started with, but ventilation is a bit worse.

If its comfortable you'll wear it. And wearing it is the most important thing. Cool looking helmets that hurt go on the shelf.

Best video I have ever seen on helmets (I am also a huge Arai fan so that didn't hurt)
How to fit an Arai helmet with Jay Leno

Thanks guys. Kinda what I was curious about. I didn't know if it was one of those Acura to Honda comparisons where they are pretty much identical except for some minor features, but you pay more $$$ for those minor features.

As far as components and build quality differences, I don't suppose there is a handy dandy website that has all those? It is probably more of a comparing specific models to specific models?

There are actually some really good comparisons and reviews for gear on youtube. Sportbiketrackgear and revzilla both do good reviews.

All dot/snell/ece rated helmets generally meet the same crash standards. The main difference in price is weight, features, and brand. Weight makes a huge difference to me when riding for extended periods.

I have a Shoei helmet that I love, but it was a gift. I have an HJC helmet that I bought, and I love it too. I have a Star-branded lid that was also a gift, and I love it. They have on thing in common: they all fit my odd-shaped head. My head is oval, so round helmets pinch my forehead after a short while. If it is SNELL rated then you know it will do the job. Look for the best fit (wear it for three hours around the house) and parts that you can remove and wash.

I like to buy helmets that have the largest shell and configurable padding I can tune the fit to my noggin.

I'm currently staring at sales on the Shoei RF-1100 in the $400 range that look like a sweet spot right now.

They are quality lids with nice venting and reasonable quietness.

Web Bike World is one of the better helmet review sites out there. They also emphasize getting the right helmet for your head shape. I'm in the market too, after a tour up and down the California coast this summer, I realized my old HJC has got to go!

Octavious, Cycle gear has a huge selection of helmets. You can put them on, check out the components and feel the weight difference. I really wanted an AGV but it was not even close to fitting the shape of my head. I was able to find one that fit better than my decade old HJC and was considerably lighter with much better ventilation. I've been in most of the bike shops in Knoxville and they have the largest selection and are likely to have the best price as well. That AGV K4 evo I was looking at was about $60 cheaper than I found it for online.

Try on a bunch. Grab the one that fits best. Chances are one brand will fit noticeably better than the others. I wear a Shoei, but I would love a Bell with the nice photo-transition face shield.

rotard wrote: A Bell Star is better for me than any of the Shoei's. You can find the carbon ones on closeout in your price range. You can also get a photochromic lens for them and it is worth the extra $100.

Agree with this completely.

Nick- Thanks man, and that's sort of what sparked the question. I was in there before my MSF and felt a little overwhelmed. I got their flyer and I've checked them out online. I also couldn't figure out about their Bilt brand.

I'm going back to them to try on as many as I can. I just need to dedicate some time to go and do it. It's not something I want to rush, and that is why I'm asking the stupid questions here...

The Bilt stuff is very cheaply made. I have a pair of their gloves that I like but I worry that they'll evaporate if I go down with them. I had actually already sent my helmet and all my other gear to Texas prior to taking my MSF course and stopped in there on a whim and they had a full face Bilt helmet on sale for 29.95. I told them my predicament and it was the last one they had in the store so he said I could have it for 19.95. I used for the MSF course and sold it to a coworker for 25.

i just picked up the icon airmada sb1 in green for $142