What advice can people give on buying a new helmet?

I am looking to buy myself a new full-face, sports bike style motorbike helmet but am spoilt for choice when i look. What can anybody recommend when looking for a new helmet? How do you know which will perform best? and which are just not worth the money?

Any help appreciated as i am in my first year of biking so still finding my feet with whats what.

The first thing to look for is a SNELL approval. Most helmet which are SNELL approved will also be DOT approved, since the SNELL approval criteria is more stringent than the DOT criteria.

Second, get a helmet that fits you properly. A loose fitting helmet will not properly protect you in an accident.

Additionally, buy the lightest helmet you can afford which meets the above criteria. The materials used in the helmets outer shell range from various plastics to fiberglass to some very lightweight exotic materials like carbon fiber. Unfortunately, the lighter materials tend to be the most expensive. The reason for opting for a lightweight helmet is to reduce the effect of whiplash in case of a crash. Your neck and spine must support the weight of your head and the helmet through some very high forces during an accident.

Some good answers here already, but also worth a look at is the BMW system 3 series of helmets. Flip up front, great for when you are in town and need a better view. Also can be opened at the gas station rather than having to remove your helmet for the benefit of cameras etc. Never take mine off when filling up! The local garage Lady one day asked me to take my helmet off when i went to pay. OK I will If you Will, never asked since!
Also to consider if you are likely to get an intercom check for speaker location points inside the helmet. Removable visor makes for easier cleaning. Does it have a tinted visor option available. Set a budget and see whats on offer. Check end of range helmet flog offs,you could get a bargain. How ever if you have a thirty quid head, buy a 30 quid helmet. Typical money 拢250 to 拢300 for one that will work when you need it, God forbid you ever have to find out. Andy Pandy.

don't know if you are male or female - I will assume male
1. don't spare money - buy the best you can afford. If you going on holiday to mainland Europe you will find helmets much cheaper there
2. always make sure the fit is comfortable. when you put the helmet on see if it will move in any direction - if it does, it is too small. the fit should be snug but not uncomfortably tight
3 all helmets are approved so don't worry about the 'standard' marked on them
4. if you can afford it go for a composite helmet, they are much stronger and safer than single material helmets, plus they will not have to be thrown away if you drop them.
5 avoid going for one with a 'sportstar' endorsement, you will only pay extra for the name
6 plain coloured helemets tnd to be much cheaper than 'designer' lids
7 NEVER buy a second hand helemet
8 Join the Motorcylcle Action group (MAG) - many retailers offer substantial discounts to MAG members
9 ride safe - ride free

Put the helmet on. grab the back of the helmet from over your head and pull as hard as you can. then push on the chin. The helmet should not be able to come off and should not make any drastic movements. try opening and closing your mouth in the helmet, doing so shouldn't be too easy. I highly recommend a helmet that is also Snell approved only because it puts the helmet through more crash like tests. Dont buy something based on its looks but make sure you are happy with the helmet. I bought a Bell Apex for $200 recently and it works wonderful for ME. do your research on each individual helmet. dont let anyone tell you what and what not to buy unless they can explain and show you why. Bell are great affordable helmets that are very safe and comfortable so dont listen to the comment not to buy one.

definately no bell or hjc, scorpion is a good choice for cheap, great feel inside and good protection, personally i look for the material inside that is going to be rubbing on your face for however long you have the helmet, plus of course the safety aspect, usually if it is dot approved or snell approved your head aint gonna crack open when you hit the ground.

best thing you can do is go into a shop with a wide range and try different brands on to start with, as people have different shaped heads and some brands will not be suitable for you, due to there shape, a good fitting helmet is the biggest must, once you find a lid than is comfortable, you can then search the web for the best price, your if like me very impulsive just buy it. arai is a good make so is shoei but shoeis's dont fit my head................

make sure it fits properly, it's dot approved, and you can easily get replacement visors or at least be able to remove it easily to clean it. if you can spare it, go for a modular helmet, you won't be sorry, mine is an hjc, the lock is a little stiff but happy with it.

my wife's skid lid came off of ebay for 1/2 of what mine was in the retailer's store

make sure they fit SNUG!!! not lose....

HJC, KBC good beginner helmets ... make sure they're DOT/SNELL approved


scorpion is still new =/ not sure how they are safety wise
so is Icon...but they're very stylish


if you want the BEST, performance helmet than go with SHOEI, ARAI, SUOMY...they've been proven to be the best on track and streets....do a little reading on their website or forums you'll see they're sponsored by most major racing companies and has been proven in many crash tests...to be the best amongst all the brands

Make sure it fits!
A poor fitting helmet is worse than none at all.
If you buy on-line, try the same exact size and model in a store first.

DOT and Snell are both testing standards.
I don't believe either one accurately reflect real life.
DOT is required to be road legal in the States.

arai is wat my bf uses and he wont stray from that...........he's been on a bike since age of whenever he could and he races aswell so its well tested..........anyway if your not sure join a biking forum or search on line............loads of stores for bikers and ebay have a great selection also............think he got his last one online from america and that was less that 12 months ago........keep er lit and between the ditches

IT SHOULD FIT GOOD, NOT REALLY MOVE WHEN YOU SHAKE YOUR HEAD SIDE TO SIDE !
MAKE SURE IT MATCHES YOUR BIKE !!
MAKE SURE IT HAS AIR VENTS FOR COOLING YOUR HEAD.
GO FOR A GOOD NAME BRAND, EX.( ARAI, ICON, SHOEI OR OTHER GOOD ONES) THESE YOU WILL PAY ALOT MORE FOR, BUT ARE WELL WORTH IT IF YOU GO DOWN !!

Try it on.
Full face, it has to fit, it has to have a real DOT sticker on it. It should have a "Snell rating." That's it.

I don't buy black helmets. They get hot in the summer.

go to the store drop the helmits on the ground and which ever 1 looks like it would hurt the least if your head was in it be sure to get that 1

Make sure you buy one which you can get a dark visor for ,nothing worse than these clear jobs (daytime)

Buy the best one you can afford, remember you only have one head.

Make sure you can try it on for size and comfort before you buy.

Make sure it fits and make sure it is dot approved

Make sure it fits well, not too loose.

make sure it has both "dot" and "snell" certifications

dont get one of the ones with the stupid little ears on it.

I would suggest that you visit a reputable local bike shop, and ask them for advice...and try a few on!!!

Helmet? What the heck is a helmet?

Make sure it works.

make sure its big red and ugly