Best budget helmet under $150

Hugh_Falwell
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Hugh_Falwell 3/22/2017 6:02pm
3/22/2017 6:02pm
I've had some bad crashes myself, two top of the line HJC's (at least as top of the line as HJC can be) shattered to pieces didn't know who or where I was either time. 1 shoei busted but that one wasn't that bad I still remember everything, 1 broken jaw in a fox v3 was a little dazed but well aware of everything. I prefer the v4 now but even after the crash in the v3 I got another one as they're so comfortable. Seem to be the best middle ground for me between the low end helmets and the $700 arai or 6d. The v3 with the MIPS squeaks terrible but for $150 for this

Pirate421
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Pirate421 3/22/2017 6:19pm
3/22/2017 6:19pm
Love my Fly F2 Carbons with mips. $179 on RM free shipping and RM cash back. Best fitting, lightest and most comfortable helmets I've had. Looks sweet too
Rockinar
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Rockinar 3/22/2017 6:24pm
3/22/2017 6:24pm
Anything under $150 for a moto helmet is going to be a glorified BMX helmet. Helmets are cranked out like crazy and there's closeouts everywhere. Get a good used or closeout helmet.

I went to some retail bike shops and tried different brands to see what I thought fit well. I thought the Bell and the Fly helmets fit best. The Shift and Fox helmets felt like a need a Spongebob Squarepants head.


Then I looked online for closeouts, used, etc. I got a brand new Bell Moto 9 on clearance from Dennis Kirk for $199 (normally $399).


Look around.
hvaughn88
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hvaughn88 3/22/2017 6:26pm
3/22/2017 6:26pm
Rockinar wrote:
Anything under $150 for a moto helmet is going to be a glorified BMX helmet. Helmets are cranked out like crazy and there's closeouts everywhere. Get...
Anything under $150 for a moto helmet is going to be a glorified BMX helmet. Helmets are cranked out like crazy and there's closeouts everywhere. Get a good used or closeout helmet.

I went to some retail bike shops and tried different brands to see what I thought fit well. I thought the Bell and the Fly helmets fit best. The Shift and Fox helmets felt like a need a Spongebob Squarepants head.


Then I looked online for closeouts, used, etc. I got a brand new Bell Moto 9 on clearance from Dennis Kirk for $199 (normally $399).


Look around.
You just pissed off every shop owner on here

The Shop

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jbrown15
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jbrown15 3/22/2017 8:04pm
3/22/2017 8:04pm
I think the new Bell MX-9 with MIPS for $199 is a hell of a bargain. I tried the Fox V3 and it fit my head terribly and I was going to pick one up for my son who's 9 and he said it hurt his head too. The small didn't fit and all and even the medium adult didn't fit well. Before I bought him a Bell he had a Fox V1 and honestly that helmet fit better than the V3's.
kott0n
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kott0n 3/22/2017 9:11pm
3/22/2017 9:11pm
hvaughn88 wrote:
You just pissed off every shop owner on here
I get it, trust me. The issue is they need to be more competitive on price.

It's $200 online from a big name website? Sell it to me on site for $220 and I'll probably buy some oil etc at the same time.
racerhansen
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racerhansen 3/23/2017 3:35am
3/23/2017 3:35am
The Bell MX 9 seems like a good budget helmet. Just around 200$ i think and it comes with MIPS
Motofinne
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Motofinne 3/23/2017 3:40am
3/23/2017 3:40am Edited Date/Time 3/23/2017 3:44am
Yeah if you can't find a closeout Fox V3, Fly F2 or something similar buy the Bell MX-9 with MIPS. I think the MSRP on those is 199, you should be able to get a sample for 150-170.
hillbilly
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hillbilly 3/23/2017 3:54am
3/23/2017 3:54am
If you got a ten dollar head

Wear a ten dollar helmet,,,,,
zacksavchuk
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zacksavchuk 3/23/2017 5:18am
3/23/2017 5:18am
Thanks everyone for the input. I think im going to hold off for another month or so and try to find a helmet with mips. Possibly the fly f2 or mx9.
Harry Backmon 3/23/2017 5:43am
3/23/2017 5:43am
You're welcome from my end. Please do hold off until you can get a decent helmet. Concussions suck. I didn't mention in my first post that mine was in a really dumb, low-speed crash. Literally fell over in a corner going like 5 mph. I hit the back of my head on the ground and was loopy for a week. That was my last one, and I don't want anymore.

The other story is my son was riding with a BILT helmet and had a bad crash. He had just returned from Afghanistan. We found him wandering around the back part of the track looking for his SAW (machine gun). He'd ditched his YZ and left it laying on its side.
Hugh_Falwell
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Hugh_Falwell 3/23/2017 5:53am
3/23/2017 5:53am
Harry Backmon wrote:
You're welcome from my end. Please do hold off until you can get a decent helmet. Concussions suck. I didn't mention in my first post that...
You're welcome from my end. Please do hold off until you can get a decent helmet. Concussions suck. I didn't mention in my first post that mine was in a really dumb, low-speed crash. Literally fell over in a corner going like 5 mph. I hit the back of my head on the ground and was loopy for a week. That was my last one, and I don't want anymore.

The other story is my son was riding with a BILT helmet and had a bad crash. He had just returned from Afghanistan. We found him wandering around the back part of the track looking for his SAW (machine gun). He'd ditched his YZ and left it laying on its side.
Man that sounds like one of mine in the HJC's. People don't believe me when I tell them what I actually thought. I woke up off the track helmet and bike thrashed, the guy who woke me up I happen to know and I knew where I was at as soon as I came to. They let me go back to my truck and as I was riding back is when i became as lost as can be. I didn't know if it was 2008 or 1938, I didn't know if I was in the US not its quite scary looking back on it. Probably would have happened with a 6d but it didn't and that was my last "cheap" $275 helmet
Flip109
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Flip109 3/23/2017 6:06am
3/23/2017 6:06am
I've got the bell mx-9 with mips. Most comfortable helmet I've ever worn. Paid $199. I wouldn't go any cheaper than that.
kaptkaos
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kaptkaos 3/23/2017 6:52am
3/23/2017 6:52am Edited Date/Time 3/23/2017 6:58am
I have 3 helmets.

HJC CX7 as an emergency spare.
Fly Carbon F2 is my old helmet, that was $299
Currently using a new Leatt $475

I was willing to buy a 6D, because there is no price I would not pay to protect my head. But I wear a 2XL and the 6D was sooooo big and heavy in that size. The Leatt has equivalent safety and its the smallest and lightest lid in 2XL.

I trusted my Fly Carbon F2 for a few years before the MIPS and 6D stuff came out. They are always on closeout for under $200.

My street helmets, I have 3 also. I bought my helmet, boots, gloves, leather jacket and kevlar jeans BEFORE I bought my Harley.

If you can afford a motorcycle, then you can afford the gear. If you cannot afford the gear, you should not be on a motorcycle.

Sorry. Thats just my opinion.

Best of luck to you.

Heres a nice lid under $200- Hopefully youre a medium...

https://www.btosports.com/p/fly-racing-f2-andrew-short-carbon-helmet

eBay has a bunch of these as well. Yeah they arent MIPS, but under $200 this is THE BEST. Do not get anything less than this.

For MIPS, your best deals re closeout Fly and Fox. That Bell MX-9 with MIPS sounds really good too, but I cant find that deal anywhere.

BTW- HJC is not a "cheap" $275 helmet. HJC is a top manufacturer and they made very good helmets pre-MIPS.
86honda
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86honda 3/23/2017 7:10am
3/23/2017 7:10am
752dad wrote:
The Shoei VFX-W that I had on the Bazaar and gave away on EBay for $150
Grrrrrrrr

KC
I bought that helmet and gave it away to a guy that needed a new helmet. It was a really nice helmet but I have one and ended up liking my old helmet better
TheNewOriginal 3/23/2017 8:48am
3/23/2017 8:48am
Mini Elsinore wrote:
Anyone here old enough to remember Arthur Fulmer? Tongue
Yes, my first helmet. I actually still have one somewhere.
captmoto
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captmoto 3/23/2017 9:14am
3/23/2017 9:14am
racerhansen wrote:
The Bell MX 9 seems like a good budget helmet. Just around 200$ i think and it comes with MIPS
I tried a Bell MX9 with MIPS yesterday. It had a stiff liner at he back that rubber hard on my neck when I fully tilted my head back. I probably wouldn't feel that in a crash with my Leatt but I didn't like the feel of it on the back of my neck.
gnarwhip
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gnarwhip 3/23/2017 9:15am
3/23/2017 9:15am
Biltwell Gringo. You're welcome

Pit Row

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BobPA
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BobPA 3/23/2017 10:12am
3/23/2017 10:12am
Do any actual tests exist from a 3rd party that prove a $600 dollar helmet is better than a $150 helmet? I always see guys on here thinking that more money=more protection. I, for one, have never seen any proof posted. Just everyone on the bandwagon that just because it is expensive, the helmet offers the best protection.

Guys who say they got a concussion blame it on a cheap helmet. But how do you know if you were wearing an expensive helmet the results would be any different? I've rung my bell a few times, and my worst KO happened wearing Troy Lee lid, and we all know they are not cheap...
Harry Backmon 3/23/2017 10:21am
3/23/2017 10:21am
BobPA wrote:
Do any actual tests exist from a 3rd party that prove a $600 dollar helmet is better than a $150 helmet? I always see guys on...
Do any actual tests exist from a 3rd party that prove a $600 dollar helmet is better than a $150 helmet? I always see guys on here thinking that more money=more protection. I, for one, have never seen any proof posted. Just everyone on the bandwagon that just because it is expensive, the helmet offers the best protection.

Guys who say they got a concussion blame it on a cheap helmet. But how do you know if you were wearing an expensive helmet the results would be any different? I've rung my bell a few times, and my worst KO happened wearing Troy Lee lid, and we all know they are not cheap...
Don't know. I've crashed wearing both cheap and $600. Haven't had a concussion since spending $600. That's good enough for me. Your mileage may vary.
Canadad
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Canadad 3/23/2017 10:23am
3/23/2017 10:23am
hillbilly wrote:
If you got a ten dollar head

Wear a ten dollar helmet,,,,,
Typically I would agree with this.........but articles like these with independent safety testing makes me wonder......Chinese manufacturers scoring better than Arai?? How long can the Arai's and the Shoei s of the world cling to the notion that the consumer will think they are getting a better helmet if they pay more so let's skip the innovation and focus on BNG.....

http://billyscrashhelmets.co.uk/crash-helmets-for-sale-information-advi…
Mini Elsinore
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Mini Elsinore 3/23/2017 12:02pm
3/23/2017 12:02pm
Mini Elsinore wrote:
Anyone here old enough to remember Arthur Fulmer? Tongue
TheNewOriginal wrote:
Yes, my first helmet. I actually still have one somewhere.
I bought an AF helmet with paper-route money before I even owned a bike. It was like earning a bottom rocker in my mind. Cool
MelonFan123
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MelonFan123 3/23/2017 12:25pm
3/23/2017 12:25pm
whoa, whoa there moto bros!!

We can't be recommending this guy buy a Fox V3 or FLY F2 helmet on closeout sale when we don't even know his gear and boot set up. Not cool at all to be setting him up for total moto kook-ness and have him in mismatched gear.

His kit won't be lit!!
wideopen198 3/23/2017 12:41pm
3/23/2017 12:41pm
racerhansen wrote:
The Bell MX 9 seems like a good budget helmet. Just around 200$ i think and it comes with MIPS
captmoto wrote:
I tried a Bell MX9 with MIPS yesterday. It had a stiff liner at he back that rubber hard on my neck when I fully tilted...
I tried a Bell MX9 with MIPS yesterday. It had a stiff liner at he back that rubber hard on my neck when I fully tilted my head back. I probably wouldn't feel that in a crash with my Leatt but I didn't like the feel of it on the back of my neck.
Well, every head is different and he's already wearing a Bell so he should be fine. Honestly I think the MX-9 with MIPS is a pretty good helmet. It may become uncomfortable with high temperatures because of a lack of ventilation but that's why it's a budget helmet.
peelout
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peelout 3/23/2017 12:56pm
3/23/2017 12:56pm
acres951
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acres951 3/23/2017 2:04pm
3/23/2017 2:04pm
hillbilly wrote:
If you got a ten dollar head

Wear a ten dollar helmet,,,,,
Canadad wrote:
Typically I would agree with this.........but articles like these with independent safety testing makes me wonder......Chinese manufacturers scoring better than Arai?? How long can the Arai's...
Typically I would agree with this.........but articles like these with independent safety testing makes me wonder......Chinese manufacturers scoring better than Arai?? How long can the Arai's and the Shoei s of the world cling to the notion that the consumer will think they are getting a better helmet if they pay more so let's skip the innovation and focus on BNG.....

http://billyscrashhelmets.co.uk/crash-helmets-for-sale-information-advi…
Bang on.

What constructive difference is there between a shoei and a Chinese helmet? I get that the guy assembling the parts in Japan makes less of a mess with the glue, but otherwise I just don't know.

So far the differences I look for in a helmet are the following:
1. Dual eps (foam layers for diff speeds of impact?)
2. Shell - carbon or not carbon
3. Slip layer - mips, 6d round things, leatt round things, and somewhat the prana triangle foam stuff
4. Weight
5. Roundness - less jagged maybe less likely to dog into the ground?

Is this about right? Am I missing something?

About to buy myself and like you guys, I'm trying to navigate the waters!
10000hrs
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10000hrs 3/23/2017 2:56pm
3/23/2017 2:56pm Edited Date/Time 3/23/2017 2:56pm
if you are ok being a generation behind, you can get a Bell moto-8 for $150.

http://www.thebellstore.com/Helmets/moto8.html

about halfway down the page.

Bell Moto 8 Helmet McGrath Replica Blue
jbrown15
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jbrown15 3/23/2017 5:16pm
3/23/2017 5:16pm
BobPA wrote:
Do any actual tests exist from a 3rd party that prove a $600 dollar helmet is better than a $150 helmet? I always see guys on...
Do any actual tests exist from a 3rd party that prove a $600 dollar helmet is better than a $150 helmet? I always see guys on here thinking that more money=more protection. I, for one, have never seen any proof posted. Just everyone on the bandwagon that just because it is expensive, the helmet offers the best protection.

Guys who say they got a concussion blame it on a cheap helmet. But how do you know if you were wearing an expensive helmet the results would be any different? I've rung my bell a few times, and my worst KO happened wearing Troy Lee lid, and we all know they are not cheap...
Harry Backmon wrote:
Don't know. I've crashed wearing both cheap and $600. Haven't had a concussion since spending $600. That's good enough for me. Your mileage may vary.
I hear this argument all of the time and I've used it myself, but I wonder how much it of actually holds weight. I personally own a Bell Moto 9 Flex, and I wanted a 6D but just find any deals worth while on them.

But two perfect examples of guys getting concussion wearing both of these very (high end) helmets; James Stewart got concussed last year when he slammed the dirt from Dungey ramming him and Christian Craig this year got a concussion. James wearing the Moto 9 Flex and Craig wearing a 6D.

Makes you wonder how much they really do reduce concussions, and how much is just marketing hype.
yz133rider
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yz133rider 3/23/2017 5:24pm
3/23/2017 5:24pm
BobPA wrote:
Do any actual tests exist from a 3rd party that prove a $600 dollar helmet is better than a $150 helmet? I always see guys on...
Do any actual tests exist from a 3rd party that prove a $600 dollar helmet is better than a $150 helmet? I always see guys on here thinking that more money=more protection. I, for one, have never seen any proof posted. Just everyone on the bandwagon that just because it is expensive, the helmet offers the best protection.

Guys who say they got a concussion blame it on a cheap helmet. But how do you know if you were wearing an expensive helmet the results would be any different? I've rung my bell a few times, and my worst KO happened wearing Troy Lee lid, and we all know they are not cheap...
Harry Backmon wrote:
Don't know. I've crashed wearing both cheap and $600. Haven't had a concussion since spending $600. That's good enough for me. Your mileage may vary.
jbrown15 wrote:
I hear this argument all of the time and I've used it myself, but I wonder how much it of actually holds weight. I personally own...
I hear this argument all of the time and I've used it myself, but I wonder how much it of actually holds weight. I personally own a Bell Moto 9 Flex, and I wanted a 6D but just find any deals worth while on them.

But two perfect examples of guys getting concussion wearing both of these very (high end) helmets; James Stewart got concussed last year when he slammed the dirt from Dungey ramming him and Christian Craig this year got a concussion. James wearing the Moto 9 Flex and Craig wearing a 6D.

Makes you wonder how much they really do reduce concussions, and how much is just marketing hype.
If you read all the replies in this thread, most suggested buying a closeout at around 150-200. These helmets were normally at 4-500 and now discounted heavily.

I have to imagine a top grade helmet discounted to entry level price is better than a entry level helmet for the same price.

Be cheap all you want, but at least be smart...

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