The Differences Between Cheap Vs Expensive Helmets

Hi again! I've previously spoke about motorcycle gloves and the differences between them, but I felt like I've ignored one of the most important pieces of protection that has been improved continuously over the decades, which are Helmets.

So what makes expensive helmets better than cheap ones, and what are the premium features?

Materials & Purpose

Many of these points will show minimal to no difference to the average rider, however we can all agree that the material and it's weight can make a massive impact in your life when riding daily with your motorcycle.

With many brands having budget options such as LS2 or HJC there's no shortage of cheap helmets for you to choose from, however some are made from equally cheaper materials, such as thermoplastic or poly-carbonate resins. While they're great for new riders and those who are willing to use to the helmet to it's max, due to the materials, they also require greater thickness to ensure that they meet impact resistance standards. Don't worry, your helmet is still going to protect you, however it will have more weight added compared to other, more premium options. 

But for your more premium helmets, there's a better likelihood of them being made of high-performance composite materials, which can range from fiberglass, carbon fibre, and even Kevlar, with each having their own premium features.

Carbon Fibre

Carbon fibre is one of the lightest options for a material you can use for your helmet, to the point that a helmet made of one could feel weightless on your head, reducing the chances of neck fatigue and other related problems. However it is far more costly than a typical helmet made from resin or thermoplastic, so you better be using it for a long length of time! Common brands like HJC and Arai take advantage of carbon fibre.

Kevlar

Kevlar prevents penetration from potential smaller objects rather than a wide flat surface, which stops sharp objects from piercing into the helmet. Great for mitigating risk massively for when you end off of your bike in an unintentional way. However brands can range from the amount of Kevlar they may add into their helmets.

Fibreglass

Fibreglass is surprisingly both a premium material option while also being a more accessible price compared to the alternatives. It has naturally better sound dampening which can take some of the hassle of being on the road for a lengthy amount of time, while also being designed to flex and deliberately delaminate (breaking into minuscule layers), meaning it is incredibly efficient at spreading the crash forces when you're in an accident. This would be a complete winner, if it wasn't for it's added weight to ensure it's effectiveness actually worked in your favour.

So now you feel a little more informed about helmets on the outside, what's the inside of the helmet like?

Inner Liners

Inner liners can make a ton of difference for some helmets, you can have the best weight reduction while also hearing too much of the outside world.

Cheaper helmets have less extensive testing and brands will usually build their helmets to fit a more general, wider scenario. Therefore, many helmets have much more simplistic neck rolls (the padding that surrounds your neck) which can allow air to sneak into the helmet, creating turbulence and whistling which can get annoying quite quickly.

With premium helmets, they will more likely than not have aerodynamic wind-tunnel research, such as Schuberth. This means they have researched better ways to break up turbulence such as tighter visor systems and spoilers. As well as this, many premium helmets will also offer wider and thicker neck rolls so that air is far less likely to penetrate from the bottom of the helmet, preventing those nasty noises as we spoke of. 

Longevity & Conclusion

The usual trend with cheap versus expensive items is that you get what you paid for, and it stays true with helmets. Cheaper helmets can wear out faster than premium, expensive helmets, with the inner padding starting to pill much faster than alternatives (those fuzzy balls of fabric when the liner has been used for a long time). 

Cheaper helmets are amazing for those who are just starting, and are wanting to experience riding a motorcycle for the first time, as well as those who need quick protection without breaking the bank. They're especially good now since many brands offer better features as technology comes around, while decreasing the average price. However, expensive helmets will always offer top-of-the-line testing and materials to ensure they stay good and excel in the competition.