Theoretically any helmet that is D. O. T. approved is just as safe as the next D. O. T. approved helmet. Doesn’t matter if the helmet costs $50 or $800 they should both be equally safe. I own 3 Helmets, all in different price ranges. I own a $400 Shoei helmet, $200 Icon, and $80 AFX helmet and they all feel equally sturdy, and durable. The only difference I notice is that the more you pay the nicer the helmet design is and also I found that the more expensive helmets are sometimes more comfortable. Personally that Bell Matte Black helmet looked nice for the price.

I wear an HJC CL21M when I wear one.
My wife has a Harley branded shorty – cost about $100 in ’06.
My daughter picked an HCJ full face.
My other daughter wears a G-Force we got from her aunt – similar to this: http://www. gforce. com/products/helmets/3002. php

Any DOT marked helmet will pass the test.
Higher prices give you what they always have – more choices.

If you want to buy on-line for the best price, find it locally first.
You must try it on, they do not fit the same from brand to brand.
Measurement tables are only guidelines, not guarantees.

The big motorcycle magazines, Cycle, Rider, etc. , do articles every so often in which they review helmets. They buy a few and have them tested at an independent laboratory, and they don’t find that much difference between them. The ‘best’ helmet is often among the cheapest. More expensive helmets might be lighter, more comfortable, or have nicer features, but safety-wise they are all about the same.

Different brands of helmets seem to be made for different-shaped heads. 8^) Last time I was shopping for a helmet I really fell in love with a Nolan but it just didn’t fit my head. So you can’t really buy them mail-order, you really ought to try them on. If you get one online, try wearing it for a couple of hours while you watch TV. If it hurts after a while, you can return it.

Also, in these articles there’s usually a chart to show what percentage of impacts in accidents come from which directions. Between 40 and 50% come from the front (like a ‘face plant’), so a full-face helmet offers much more protection. The only ‘serious’ accident I ever had, I landed on my face, so I would never go out now without a full face or flip-up helmet.

Finally, in real life there’s not much difference between Snell and DOT (Dept. of Transportation) standards. Snell-approved helmets are more expensive, but the standard is designed for racing, not street riding. In normal riding, the force of the impact you get in an accident is like a 5-foot drop, falling from the bike onto the street. You might be going faster, you might skid a while after the fall, but the actual force of the impact is the same as if you were standing still. The DOT standard is designed for this amount of force. The Snell standard is designed for more force, so the foam inside the helmet is harder and it actually doesn’t protect you as well in a simple fall.

If your head comes into contact with anything solid you’ve got problems! A friend who’s been a nurse in an Emergency Room calls motorcyclists that don’t wear helmets,”Organ Doners!” So, put the best full face helmet on, and around, your head that you can afford. Be sure it’s DOT approved. in Bend, Or usually has the best prices on helmets (and most everything else!) in America.

Any helmet that fits the shape of your head well and is DOT approved would be a good helmet.

It is important that you try a helmet on before you buy it. Certain brands fit different head shapes better. for city riding just make sure it is a DOT approved helmet. Wind noise won’t be as much of a concern to you.
the modular sure would come in handy in the city. I like the Bell but I’m old school and recognize that brand. The hawk is certainly a helmet you wont regret scratching when you rest it on the pavement. Above all, try before you buy and buy a spare face shield at the time of purchase. You’ll be glad you did!

If cost is an issue, I just want to let you know that I picked up my DOT half shell at Wally world (WalMart) for $20.
Another cheap solution are Swap Meets, where I saw Brand new modular helmets going for $60.

I only use HJC helmets. They are reasonably priced, comfortable and D. O. T. approved. I purchase mine at The Helmet shop, but shop around on line and you will get what you are looking for. Also the only helmet I use is a full face for max protection. good luck.

Helmets run from $29. 95 to $895. 00. You can get a decent helmet for well under $100.