Best Bang for the Buck Helmet?

[ChrisK]

So I crashed my bike about a month ago now and I'm going to need to get a new helmet whenever I get her back on the road. I'm not going to drop several hundred dollars on a high-end helmet, I'm just not.

Interested to hear opinions on people's favorite budget helmets? The helmet I crashed was an AFX FX-100. It was a decent helmet - least favorite part, bad seal around the visor. Favorite part, it saved my life.

[Slide Panda]

webbbike world really liked the GMAX GM68S

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/gmax/gm68s/
Though that was a 2007 review. At the time MSRP was $120

Looks like this is the updated model
http://184.154.225.12/~gammasal/www.g-max.com/helmets/gm69s_crusader.html#

[Steve.In.Atlanta]

This is an exceptionally good deal, http://rideapart.com/2013/07/news-icon-alliance-dark/

[ChrisK]

Looks like the Gmax GM78 might even be one step up from that, still for under $150. I don't know about them though, look maybe a bit too old-fashioned I guess?

That Icon Alliance is more of the style I'm looking for, but I've grown very used to having the internal sun visor and I love it, don't think I would like having to do shield changing.

The AFX FX-120 has my interest. Seems a lot like the helmet I just had just better. Better styling, better seals, air pump system, $130.

Also, the Bell Revolver Evo modular helmet looks pretty cool, but it's right on the cusp of what I want to spend, at $200.

[ChrisK]

Now that I've gone back and really looked at the GM68 I take back what I said, it's actually styled similarly to the Icon Alliance, and looks like a great helmet. Can be had in a matte black on revzilla for $99.99 shipped.

[Buckethead]

I've been a big fan of Sparx helmets. $100-150 brand new, depending on design and where you find it.

Also, they have a "crashed helmet program." Bin it while wearing one of their helmets, then send them the helmet and a copy of a police report, and they'll send you a new helmet.

Thankfully I've only had to take advantage of that service once. 

[Steve.In.Atlanta]

As long as they're DOT/Snell certified, you're paying for more features. I've never been one to skimp on my helmet considering what I'm expecting it to protect.

[Rudemouthsky]

I'm going to add my own endorsement for the Gmax GM68. I bought mine based on Webbikeworld's review and I absolutely love everything about it. It fits great, and the padding has the feel of a much more expensive helmet. It's also lighter than most any other helmet in it's price range and the airflow is spectacular, not just "for the price", but flat out awesome. They also include a smoked visor at no charge which is pretty damn cool of them. I just bought a second one for my wife and she loves hers as well. If your melon is on the bigger end of a size or in between get the next size up as the sizing runs a tad small.

[oldndumb]

To me, it is a matter of priorities. While I may chose to forego expensive helmet graphics, there are many other areas of my life in which to economize than a helmet. Others may disagree with my choice. I just hope than none of us have the opportunity to prove who is correct.

[HotIce]

I was looking for an helmet to ride the 748 during my stay in Italy, and I bought this one.
It was cheap, almost too cheap  , EU180 is what I paid.




http://www.caberg.it/caberg_caschi_caberg_helmets.php?mod=DK&color=SB&p=3&lang=en

[MashBill]

Scorpion EXO 400s are hard to beat for the money. DOT and Snell rated for under $100.

[MYMONSTER]

As of late using Joe Rocket RK201 TONS of air flow. And shield changes are quick and easy. New enough you can get a good deal.
http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/closeouts/helmets/joe_rocket/rkt201_abyss_motorcycle_helmet.html

[HotIce]

This is an exceptionally good deal, http://rideapart.com/2013/07/news-icon-alliance-dark/

Ha, I just bought it 

[ChrisK]

I ended up buying a Scorpion Exo-1100. It was a littler higher than my original intended price point, but I liked what it had to offer. Turns out I was right, over 1,000 miles in it now and I love it.

[HotIce]

Ha, I just bought it  

It came and went  
Beautiful helmet, but this is for quite long and oval heads. Interior size was snug, but it could have gone into shape with use, but the shell entry was just too tight for my head.
Revzilla no BS returns was great, and took care of the return process very easily (for $7.50 you get a UPS shipping label - much less than what I would have paid myself to send back such big package).
Trying a HJC FG-17 now ...