Price should never compromise with head protection and road safety.
We are abide by the law that every rider must wear a helmet before riding a motorcycle.
However, motorcyclists struggle to find suitable head protection for their rides. Which they want to know how much does a motorcycle helmet cost.
Helmet manufacturers offer their helmets at various price points to meet the budget of each rider.To understand about price of helmets, there is a guide on how much does a motorcycle helmet cost.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Helmet
Apart from price, there are other factors to consider before knowing the average motorcycle helmet cost.
Many riders asked whether the helmet safety matches the cost of the helmet. This is something, which needs to consider before judging head protection with the price.
Such factors before buying a helmet mention below:
Legal safety standards
Motorcycle helmets have three main safety standards, which are DOT, ECE and Snell. These legal safety standards approved by the law of transportation to wear a helmet that carries either one of these standards.
They appear at the back of the helmet. Before you consider the price of a helmet, you must look for a headgear that carries one of these safety standards. Some countries have their safety standards, which are SHARP for the UK, NZ for New Zealand and AUS for Australia. To buy a helmet is to consider legal safety standards.
Helmet types
Helmets manufacture into six different types, which each has its functions to work for a certain ride. Six types of helmets are full face, open face, modular, off-road, dual-sport and half face. You must consider the helmet types for your ride before you read the price label. To consider the helmet types is to be sure you know how much does a motorcycle helmet cost.
Helmet fit
The helmet’s fit is important for head protection, as you want the helmet to fit comfortably onto your head. When trying the helmet on, you must check that helmet fits snugly onto your head without feeling loose or tight.
To check the fit of your helmet is to make sure there is no space between the helmet and the forehead. If you notice any pain on different parts of your head, you are wearing the wrong helmet. To look for a helmet is to check the fit of the headwear. This will give you the idea of how much does a motorcycle helmet cost.
Head size and shape
Buying a helmet is crucial for head protection and you must consider your head shape and size before you get into the price label. If you do not know your head shape, take a measuring tape and measure from the inch above your eyebrows down to the midway of your head. Just inches above your neck.
To know your head shape, you have to flatten your hair and take the picture above your head. Three head shapes are round oval, intermediate oval and long oval. Different helmet brands have their helmet size chart; do make sure you follow the head size chart of the helmet brand you want to try.
Materials
The materials manufactured are important as the materials used to make a durable headgear. Different materials make a durable headgear, which includes polycarbonate, thermoplastic alloy, fibreglass composite, carbon fiber, ABS shell and EPS liner. To buy a helmet for your ride is to consider the materials the helmet has to offer. How much does a motorcycle helmet cost depends on the material of the headwear.
Interior padding
The interior padding is the main fit and comfort for displacing energy during an impact. If you cared less about the price of motorcycle helmets, this factor is the main consideration for head protection. If the helmet does not fit well, then the interior padding will not make your head comfortable during the ride. To buy a good quality interior padding is to try the helmet on and see whether the helmet fits comfortably.
Weight
The weight of the helmet is important when it comes to long rides. The helmet’s weight should not put the burden on the neck and shoulders during long routes. To consider the weight is to try the helmet onto your head. This will allow you to feel how heavy the headwear is.
Eye protection
To ensure safe ride, eyes matters as much as the head does. To prevent any residues from entering your eyes is to look for a helmet that has a range of visors.
Some visors protect from the fog and other tough conditions. To look for a helmet for your ride is to consider the eye protection needed.
Retention system
The retention system is the helmet’s main security. Helmets have different retention system to secure and remove the helmet easily. Such retention system includesa metal latch, quick-release buckle, double D-ring, micrometric closure any many more. To look for a suitable helmet is to test the retention system the helmet has to offer.
Colour
The colour of the helmet comes into consideration, as you want the helmet to be visible on the road, especially at night. There are no such restrictions on the choices of colour but you must choose a colour that should be visible throughout the ride. How much does a motorcycle helmet cost depends on the colour you want for your ride.
Extra features
Weird motorcycle helmets come in extra features for an enjoyable ride. Such extra features include Bluetooth, helmet bag, gloves, neck scarf and many more. To buy a helmet for your ride is to look for a helmet that has extra features, they will come handy for your next ride.
Cheap Vs. Expensive Helmets: Which is better?
As mentioned earlier, price should never compromise with head protection and road safety.
There are arguments between cheap and expensive helmets. This depends on the helmet manufacturer and the helmet rating when it comes to road safety. These two things consider the motorcycle helmet cost.
A good example that demonstrates between safety rating and helmet prices is SHARP.
A UK based safety scheme, which they have rated the average priced helmets based on the numbers of helmets tested. SHARP rates from 1-poor to 5-excellent.
The ratings of SHARP was conducted by the number of motorcycle deaths which performed 32 helmets with 30 impact absorption test and 2 surface friction test. The result demonstrated a total injury risk for each helmet model. This total injury risk multiplied by the total population of 7078 to provide with a predicted number of fatalities for the helmet model rated.
The result showed that helmets that have the rating number of 5 have under 155 predicted number of fatalities. Those helmets that have the rating number of 1 have over 380 predicted fatalities. The result is clear, the higher the rating, the less the number of fatal accidents. In other words, the safety ratings of five have a greater reduced number of predicted fatalities.
To dive into between cheap and expensive helmets, the helmet rating of 1 has the cheapest price of £39 and the most expensive price of £190. The helmet rating of 5 has the cheapest price of £59 with the most expensive price of £999. The average price of helmet rating 1 is £100 and the helmet rating of 5 has the average price of £287. It has become clear that helmet safety does match the cost.
The results showed that expensive helmets are better than cheap helmets and so has a greater reduction of predicted road accidents. This result demonstrated how much does a motorcycle helmet cost that matches with safety.
Conclusion
Here are the informative guides about how much does a motorcycle helmet cost. It is quite clear that the price should not compromise with head protection. However, certain factors to consider before buying a helmet apart from price.
There are arguments between cheap and expensive helmets which demonstrated by the helmet safety ratings of SHARP. The result stated that expensive helmets are better and so has a greater reduction in road accidents. Despite helmets should not judge based on price. It is important to have decent knowledge on how much does a motorcycle helmet cost.
If you are a serious rider, you need to consider certain factors before buying a reasonable headgear.
So read the guides above and enjoy the ride!
You can also read how to buy a motorcycle helmet and best motorcycle helmets under $300.