Helmet Recommendations - £300 to £400

Helmet Recommendations - £300 to £400

Author
Discussion

Ecosseven

Original Poster:

2,094 posts

224 months

Monday 26th February
quotequote all
Afternoon all,

I'm looking for a new full face helmet in the £300 - £400 range. I could go slightly higher if required. I would be happy to consider a flip front if it is a good fit.

I'm not fussed for intercoms but would like a helmet with a breath guard, drop down sun visor, and preferable something quiet (although I always use ear plugs).

Currently looking at HJC, Shark, Shoei, AGV, LS2, and Nolan.

Most of my riding will be back roads and the odd commute to work. I don't do a lot of motorway miles.

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance.


Tango13

8,928 posts

183 months

Monday 26th February
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Someone on here posted a picture of their mates nose after they had an 'off' with the internal visor in the down position, not a pleasant sight...

snagzie

553 posts

67 months

Monday 26th February
quotequote all
GT Air 2 is great but on top end of your budget, but might be cheaper now as the Air 3 is out

Plus its great for listening to music & sat nav with the Sena SRL-Mesh (although you pay a lot for it if not wanting comms - was still worth it for me for just music/sat nav)

Pent

286 posts

26 months

Monday 26th February
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shoei GT air 3 for me ,

can be had in the sales below your target max if you like the black or white colour

sportsbikeshop will price match too :P

Golgarth

387 posts

205 months

Monday 26th February
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recently bought a Ruroc lid, quite impressed so far and I've always bought Shoei in the past.

jonindorset

1,058 posts

251 months

Monday 26th February
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I recently bought a Shoei NXR 2 for £300 and don't think I'd buy another brand unless they also offer a fully customisable liner (for free) and point of sale. A medium shell pushes hard against my temple, while a large shell fits perfectly with the thicker cheek pads and crown liner. Effectively padding out a large shell with a medium liner.

All down to the fit and comfort, preferably having worn it for sometime to make sure it doesn't press anywhere. Also try to look at the build date, if you're paying all the money, don't really want a lid that's sat around for years as the liner will harden and be less effective with less life.

airsafari87

2,861 posts

189 months

Monday 26th February
quotequote all
Regardless of what is on your list or what is suggested here, the best helmet for your budget is the one that fits you best.

Go with an open mind to the shop of your choice and try on the helmets you like from the various manufacturers and buy the one that fits you best.

Assuming you’re not already aware? But heads generally tend to fall in to 2 different camps

Arai shaped heads or Shoei shaped heads.

FWIW, i seem to have a Shoei shaped head and find that AGV, HJC give me all day comfort.

Whereas Arai, Bell, Nolan, X-lite all give me headaches after a short period of time.

black-k1

12,177 posts

236 months

Monday 26th February
quotequote all
airsafari87 said:
Regardless of what is on your list or what is suggested here, the best helmet for your budget is the one that fits you best.

Go with an open mind to the shop of your choice and try on the helmets you like from the various manufacturers and buy the one that fits you best.

...

100% this! Try a load on and find what fits.

Use the SHARP ratings to help decide which one if 2 or more fit equally as well.

hiccy18

2,985 posts

74 months

Monday 26th February
quotequote all
airsafari87 said:
Regardless of what is on your list or what is suggested here, the best helmet for your budget is the one that fits you best.

Go with an open mind to the shop of your choice and try on the helmets you like from the various manufacturers and buy the one that fits you best.

Assuming you’re not already aware? But heads generally tend to fall in to 2 different camps

Arai shaped heads or Shoei shaped heads.

FWIW, i seem to have a Shoei shaped head and find that AGV, HJC give me all day comfort.

Whereas Arai, Bell, Nolan, X-lite all give me headaches after a short period of time.
Agree with this, although I find both Arai and AGV fit me well, whereas Shoei generally doesn't and HJC are awful for me. HJC seem to offer a lot of protection and features for the money, would definitely give them a look, if they fit you.

KTMsm

27,681 posts

270 months

Monday 26th February
quotequote all
I recently bought a Shoei NXR2 and frankly it's worse than the cheaper Scorpion Exo 1400 Carbon it replaced

I'd highly recommend the Scorpion - the visor actually works and stays open at lower settings, it's lighter, it looks better and comes with a clear and tinted visor and is frequently on offer for £250

Having now experienced a Shoei I can confirm that you're paying for the name / marketing frown

Sidecar Man

615 posts

68 months

Monday 26th February
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Used Quite a few lids and crash tested a lot of them.
Was impressed with LS2 comfy and well made
Shark Was disappointed with it for the price of it. Visor coming loose and screws coming out.
Ruroc tried one at Donington launch. Wasnt impressed very loud and nose piece pressed against face at anything over 90mph

Biker 1

7,899 posts

126 months

Tuesday 27th February
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I read Ride magazine a few weeks ago - they were very impressed with LS2 lid. Apparently very good VFM across their range & allegedly reasonably quiet. Anybody got one??

MOBB

3,812 posts

134 months

Tuesday 27th February
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If you are interested in an almost new Shoei GT air 2 size XL message me :-)

MOBB

3,812 posts

134 months

Tuesday 27th February
quotequote all
If you are interested in an almost new Shoei GT air size XL message me :-)

Zarco

18,495 posts

216 months

Tuesday 27th February
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I recommend Shoei, but then that is the only brand that fits my head. You may well find different!

Krikkit

26,998 posts

188 months

Tuesday 27th February
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Love my AGV K6 to bits - very light and lovely quality. As above, of course, buy what fits.

Marquezs Stabilisers

1,578 posts

68 months

Tuesday 27th February
quotequote all
Biker 1 said:
I read Ride magazine a few weeks ago - they were very impressed with LS2 lid. Apparently very good VFM across their range & allegedly reasonably quiet. Anybody got one??
I often find Ride recommended stuff to be not all that. If it's a choice between price and performance they usually weight results in favour of price...even if performance isn't all that.

OP: HJC C70 does all you want, SHARP 5 star, and on sale in J&S nationwide from £90

Birky_41

4,371 posts

191 months

Tuesday 27th February
quotequote all
snagzie said:
GT Air 2 is great but on top end of your budget, but might be cheaper now as the Air 3 is out

Plus its great for listening to music & sat nav with the Sena SRL-Mesh (although you pay a lot for it if not wanting comms - was still worth it for me for just music/sat nav)
This. Look for a last year colour/design. I went with one of these. £550 helmet I got for £350

Very good lid

dutters

53 posts

118 months

Tuesday 27th February
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I have a HJC F70 carbon and also have the C70. The F70 feels a lot lighter on my head and also has cutouts for headphones if you need that. It also is on sale at sportsbikeshop for £199 which seems very cheap! I find it very comfortable and did a 2k mile road trip across Europe with 0 complaints and use it daily.

As other say, try before you buy to get a helmet that feels good for you.

RizzoTheRat

26,012 posts

199 months

Tuesday 27th February
quotequote all
Consider Schuberth too, very quiet and a good safety reputation, you'd get a C3 Pro for your budget, maybe a C4. One of the better flip fronts but not much choice of colours/graphics if that's your thing.

As some have said above, it depends on the shape of your head, try a load on and you'll find some brands fit way better than others. and a good fit is important. I have a Schuberth/Shoei shaped head, AGV and Shark don't fit me that well.