Need new helmet...best bang for the (reasonable) buck...opinions?

Shred
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Shred 2/6/2022 1:01pm
2/6/2022 1:01pm
kb228 wrote:
I got my bell moto 9 flex mc edition for $250 on sale on rocky mountain. If you can find a deal like that, thats the...
I got my bell moto 9 flex mc edition for $250 on sale on rocky mountain. If you can find a deal like that, thats the way to go for sure
I would jump on a bell Moto 9 flex for $250. Any idea on where I can find a deal that good now?? Do you wear an odd size like small or XXL?
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kwoody51
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kwoody51 2/6/2022 2:26pm
2/6/2022 2:26pm
Best bang for the buck helmet- lightly used 6d atr-2. They can can be found for $400-450. Debatably one of the safest helmets out there.
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murph783
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murph783 2/6/2022 3:36pm
2/6/2022 3:36pm
I just got a 6D ATR-1, for 500 bucks. Could definitely have been cheaper, but looking at the other top of the line ones, it was the cheapest option by at least $150. I actually liked the feel on my head more so than the ATR-2, just a nice coincidence that it was also 200 bucks cheaper or so.
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crusher773
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crusher773 2/6/2022 5:55pm
2/6/2022 5:55pm
I have 2 of the MX-9 and no complaints. I would wear the Fly Formula CC too.
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wideopen198 2/7/2022 12:56am
2/7/2022 12:56am
The MX-9 is an ok helmet but it has no proper air vents. If you ride in higher temp I would at least get a Moto-9 and ofcourse a Moto-9 Flex would be even better.
Shred
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Shred 2/15/2022 10:33pm
2/15/2022 10:33pm
So I went and tried on everything.... Fly, medium, fit me the best. I would love to find a good deal on the CC since most of the weight savings from the CP is there. I have seen NO discounts on it though. Anyone know of a deal out there?
flarider
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flarider 2/16/2022 3:41am
2/16/2022 3:41am
Shred wrote:
So I went and tried on everything.... Fly, medium, fit me the best. I would love to find a good deal on the CC since most...
So I went and tried on everything.... Fly, medium, fit me the best. I would love to find a good deal on the CC since most of the weight savings from the CP is there. I have seen NO discounts on it though. Anyone know of a deal out there?
How much was it?
Grouper
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Grouper 2/16/2022 5:38am
2/16/2022 5:38am
I would do some research on LS2. They seem to have some goof stuff figured out. I'm digging the ideology behind the helmets. I currently wear a Shoei and it's too comfortable to switch. I tried alpinestars, fly, and bell helmets recently and I thought the bell was the only one tolerable.
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snillum
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snillum 2/16/2022 6:24am
2/16/2022 6:24am
If you can find a Fly Formula CC I would jump on it. I got one for Christmas and I'm impressed with the comfort and weight. The other thing that was small benefit that nobody mentioned to me was that the helmet is kind of quiet. I would still recommend ear plugs in a race but for woods riding with buddies it helped quiet the exhaust. That was a nice bonus.
Phillip_Lamb
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Phillip_Lamb 2/16/2022 8:53am
2/16/2022 8:53am
jdsmooth wrote:
What are people's experiences with the lower tier Alpinestars helmets? I think the sm-5 is the more budget-considerate version? My impression on helmet price is that...
What are people's experiences with the lower tier Alpinestars helmets? I think the sm-5 is the more budget-considerate version?

My impression on helmet price is that the most expensive helmets are probably marginally safer, but the selling point seems to be lower weight.

Also, when I'm considering new gear, I like to look at Kris Keefer's site. His helmet reviews are really good. I think he commented on Pulp recently that he and his son only wear the Fly Formula or 6d ATR2. I'm not sure he still wears the Fly since he's an FXR athlete now.
i tried the sm-5. it wasnt too bad but for the price point i think there are better options like the Bell MX9. I was on a budget and my other helmet was a little old and i got it on a holiday deal. Felt like i was buying the name

i recently upgraded and wanted either a fly formula or 6d. I found a formula on a deal when i happened to walk through the local shop so i now have a Formula CC
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clay677
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clay677 2/16/2022 9:06am
2/16/2022 9:06am
murph783 wrote:
I just got a 6D ATR-1, for 500 bucks. Could definitely have been cheaper, but looking at the other top of the line ones, it was...
I just got a 6D ATR-1, for 500 bucks. Could definitely have been cheaper, but looking at the other top of the line ones, it was the cheapest option by at least $150. I actually liked the feel on my head more so than the ATR-2, just a nice coincidence that it was also 200 bucks cheaper or so.
I’m an atr 1 guy myself. I think for the price point and what technology your getting I think it’s probably one of the best options.
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Titan1
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Titan1 2/16/2022 10:40am
2/16/2022 10:40am Edited Date/Time 2/16/2022 10:43am
I've got an LS2 and love it...my only complaint, is that there are so many angles all over the shell, that there is no flat place big enough to mount a helmet cam (if you're into that)...its light, comfortable, and has MIPs...all for a really good price.
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TeamGreen
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TeamGreen 2/16/2022 11:14am
2/16/2022 11:14am Edited Date/Time 2/16/2022 11:16am
I’ve worn the TLD Polyacrylite SE4 on many occasions…
Vegas to Reno 2021

Day in the Dirt 2018


And even in a few shootouts…and I have one that I got for last November’s Day in the Dirt, too. No pics of it, tho.

I’ve crashed and smacked my head pretty dam hard in them, too. Heck, Troy even wears Poly helmets himself. So, I’m thinking that for the price and with MIPS and the multi layered foam…just like the other SE4s…it’s a great helmet for under $250. They seem just as effective as my SE Carbon and Composite helmets.

Friends have bought them on Clearance for $150.
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patriotpw22
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patriotpw22 2/16/2022 11:25am
2/16/2022 11:25am
I wear suomy...

Very good helmet
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Mr. Afterbar
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Mr. Afterbar 2/16/2022 12:43pm
2/16/2022 12:43pm Edited Date/Time 2/16/2022 12:46pm
Check out the polyacralyte version of the TLD Helmets. Good price, protection, and looks. I won a Bell Moto-9 in a raffle for an injured rider and it's an ok helmet, but not up to the quality of the Arai and TLD helmets I've worn before it.
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wydopen
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wydopen 2/16/2022 3:17pm
2/16/2022 3:17pm
murph783 wrote:
I just got a 6D ATR-1, for 500 bucks. Could definitely have been cheaper, but looking at the other top of the line ones, it was...
I just got a 6D ATR-1, for 500 bucks. Could definitely have been cheaper, but looking at the other top of the line ones, it was the cheapest option by at least $150. I actually liked the feel on my head more so than the ATR-2, just a nice coincidence that it was also 200 bucks cheaper or so.
clay677 wrote:
I’m an atr 1 guy myself. I think for the price point and what technology your getting I think it’s probably one of the best options.
I have an atr-1 and 2 and I prefer the 1 also...
1
Munson'd
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Munson'd 2/16/2022 3:37pm
2/16/2022 3:37pm Edited Date/Time 2/16/2022 3:37pm
You can get a TLD SE4 Polyacrylite for $189 on clearance at Motorsport. I’d go that route.

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dedi684
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dedi684 2/16/2022 3:42pm
2/16/2022 3:42pm
murph783 wrote:
I just got a 6D ATR-1, for 500 bucks. Could definitely have been cheaper, but looking at the other top of the line ones, it was...
I just got a 6D ATR-1, for 500 bucks. Could definitely have been cheaper, but looking at the other top of the line ones, it was the cheapest option by at least $150. I actually liked the feel on my head more so than the ATR-2, just a nice coincidence that it was also 200 bucks cheaper or so.
clay677 wrote:
I’m an atr 1 guy myself. I think for the price point and what technology your getting I think it’s probably one of the best options.
wydopen wrote:
I have an atr-1 and 2 and I prefer the 1 also...
Same here my atr 2 fits like shit and I sold 2 new atr 1's thinking I'd love the atr 2.
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SKIDLID
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SKIDLID 2/16/2022 3:59pm
2/16/2022 3:59pm
snillum wrote:
If you can find a Fly Formula CC I would jump on it. I got one for Christmas and I'm impressed with the comfort and weight...
If you can find a Fly Formula CC I would jump on it. I got one for Christmas and I'm impressed with the comfort and weight. The other thing that was small benefit that nobody mentioned to me was that the helmet is kind of quiet. I would still recommend ear plugs in a race but for woods riding with buddies it helped quiet the exhaust. That was a nice bonus.
I noticed mine seems much quieter than my previous helmet. I thought I started to loose my hearing some. Now that you notice it too I feel better.
1
Dirt.Squirt
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Dirt.Squirt 2/16/2022 6:59pm
2/16/2022 6:59pm
GMaxx
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Shred
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Shred 2/17/2022 8:54am
2/17/2022 8:54am
Shred wrote:
So I went and tried on everything.... Fly, medium, fit me the best. I would love to find a good deal on the CC since most...
So I went and tried on everything.... Fly, medium, fit me the best. I would love to find a good deal on the CC since most of the weight savings from the CP is there. I have seen NO discounts on it though. Anyone know of a deal out there?
flarider wrote:
How much was it?
$490 for the CC....everywhere. I haven’t seen any sales on them. $250 for the CP. Same safety features but the CC weighs 1340grams vs 1450 grams for the CP. not sure it’s worth the extra $240 to save 0.25 lbs.
Joshua Knight 2/17/2022 10:25am
2/17/2022 10:25am
Brad460 wrote:
I just recently added a JustOne helmet J12 carbon fiber helmet to my collection. Real nice helmet and on sale now for $249. Heck I might...
I just recently added a JustOne helmet J12 carbon fiber helmet to my collection. Real nice helmet and on sale now for $249. Heck I might just buy another in a diff color.
How does it fit? ive been looking at them for a while now.
Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 2/17/2022 2:35pm
2/17/2022 2:35pm
I can also recommend the Troy Lee SE4. I've worn Arai for a long time, and tried most of the newer model brands available, but like the SE4 the most for fit, comfort, weight, looks and price. I have the Composite and its feather light at only 1200 grams
Shred
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Shred 2/17/2022 5:00pm
2/17/2022 5:00pm
Grovesy98 wrote:
I can also recommend the Troy Lee SE4. I've worn Arai for a long time, and tried most of the newer model brands available, but like...
I can also recommend the Troy Lee SE4. I've worn Arai for a long time, and tried most of the newer model brands available, but like the SE4 the most for fit, comfort, weight, looks and price. I have the Composite and its feather light at only 1200 grams
Must be different for Europe model or something...like Bell Flex. Troy Lee web site says 1425grams for composite and 1325 for carbon. On concern is itt seems like MIPS is being left behind safety wise vs rheon, 6D, flex, ect...
The real Sasquatch 2/17/2022 5:23pm
2/17/2022 5:23pm
The best bang for the buck is to try and find a close out helmet like many have posted. But the more important part is making sure the helmet fits properly. Going to a local shop and trying one on and having a sales person who knows the brands they sell and how the sizing can be adjusted to fit the best , and or which helmets fit which shape heads best. can help you make sure your helmet will work how its supposed to. There are a bunch of good helmets out these days. Leatt has some good testing data to back up their designs. The 6d design seems like the best as far as preventing concussions, but that is only a part of what a good helmet will do. The Fly formula is a solid helmet. I've always worn Shoei helmets , I have an Alpinestars M8 now , its a tighter fit than the Shoei Vfx-W I was wearing. But the liner can be adjusted so that it fits different;y. A lot of cool tech in the Alpinestars helmets and some of the last years models can still be found on close out in very limited sizes. The Bell liner system is super easy to take out and put back in. The magnetic cheek pads pretty much install themselves and it has to be the easiest to work on of all the helmets I have been able to handle. I make graphics and decals so I will do name and number decals or graphic kits on helmets, I used to paint them before that. So I have handled many of the high end and not so high end helmets. We used to sell Shoei's until the distributor we worked with went under. And we sell Leatt and Alpinestar helmets at my shop. I have hit my head many times too many, and will only sell helmets that I can believe in the safety systems they offer. I do a lot of research on helmets and read as much as possible . There is a thread on here that has a link to test results that the Australian government has on many of the MX helmets . It should come up if you do a search, and then check it out to see how the helmet you are considering scored and where it scored well. I was surprised that the Fox V3 was the highest rated , The second was the newest Shoei , the world version is the one tested so it has a different name from the version the US gets. The US version is the VFX-Evo. And also check out some of the info that leatt has on their helmets. It can show you why certain things are done across other brands too. Then if you are still undecided between 2 helmets, try them both on and get the one that fits best.
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Viking782
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Viking782 2/17/2022 6:26pm
2/17/2022 6:26pm
Just picked up a sweet Shoei VFX-W on eBay for under $200. I love Shoeis, but not a fan of the newest Vfx-evo. Mouth piece is fugly.
[YM]
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[YM] 2/17/2022 8:18pm
2/17/2022 8:18pm
Grovesy98 wrote:
I can also recommend the Troy Lee SE4. I've worn Arai for a long time, and tried most of the newer model brands available, but like...
I can also recommend the Troy Lee SE4. I've worn Arai for a long time, and tried most of the newer model brands available, but like the SE4 the most for fit, comfort, weight, looks and price. I have the Composite and its feather light at only 1200 grams
Are you sure it's 1200g?
wrc777
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wrc777 2/18/2022 7:47am
2/18/2022 7:47am
Grovesy98 wrote:
I can also recommend the Troy Lee SE4. I've worn Arai for a long time, and tried most of the newer model brands available, but like...
I can also recommend the Troy Lee SE4. I've worn Arai for a long time, and tried most of the newer model brands available, but like the SE4 the most for fit, comfort, weight, looks and price. I have the Composite and its feather light at only 1200 grams
Shred wrote:
Must be different for Europe model or something...like Bell Flex. Troy Lee web site says 1425grams for composite and 1325 for carbon. On concern is itt...
Must be different for Europe model or something...like Bell Flex. Troy Lee web site says 1425grams for composite and 1325 for carbon. On concern is itt seems like MIPS is being left behind safety wise vs rheon, 6D, flex, ect...
ECE helmets can use a thinner outside layer due to the different test methods compared to US DOT. Alpinestars says the M10 ECE is 100g lighter than the DOT version. The weight difference seems bigger with carbon shells compared to composite or full poly.

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