How Much Should You Spend on a Motorcycle Helmet?

There has been a lot of controversy on the topic of motorcycle helmets and how much one should spend on one. After all, motorcycle helmets can be very expensive, and not everyone will know if the higher price they will spend on a motorcycle helmet will be worth it.

How much should you spend on a motorcycle helmet? The amount you spend on a motorcycle helmet should be, on average, between $200 and $450. You can go about as low as $80, which will get you a very basic motorcycle helmet. For a high-quality, comfortable motorcycle helmet, you can expect to spend up to $750.

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Deciding how much to pay for your motorcycle helmet is not easy, especially after considering how much they sell for. The high cost of motorcycle helmets may find many riders unprepared.

Continue reading below in order to find more information on what is considered a fair price and how much you should spend on your next motorcycle helmet.

How much should you spend on a motorcycle helmet?

At the very least, you should spend enough to buy a motorcycle helmet that is DOT-certified. Ideally, you should spend enough to get a motorcycle helmet that has been DOT and Snell/ECE certified.

As long as your motorcycle helmet has been certified, it will be offering you acceptable levels of protection.

If a helmet is meeting the minimum safety standards, it should have a corresponding sticker on the backside of the helmet. The helmet may have several stickers if it has passed a few different safety standards, nonetheless, it is required to have at least a DOT sticker.

On a motorcycle helmet that has a good safety rating, you should expect to spend at least $250. If you are looking to purchase a high-quality motorcycle helmet that also offers high levels of comfort and additional options and features, you should spend between $450 and $650.

The general rule of thumb is that up to about $250, you are paying for safety, and above that, you are paying for comfort and features.

You can expect to pay between $150 and $250 for a good mid-range motorcycle helmet. However, high-quality motorcycle helmets will cost anywhere between $300 to over $650.

With that being said, there are often closeout sales where older models can be found at very reasonable prices, which may have been discounted up to 65% in certain cases.

Just because a motorcycle helmet is sold at a closeout does not mean it is of poor quality or an old helmet. If you are worried about how old the helmet is, you can always check on the manufacture date with the seller. Oftentimes the motorcycle helmet may have been manufactured just a few months ago.

All that begs the question of whether the higher price is actually worth it.

How much do motorcycle helmets cost?

Motorcycle helmets will cost differently depending on their type, design, and features.

Generally speaking, motorcycle helmets can cost between as low as $35 to as much as $4,000 in some instances.

Full-face motorcycle helmets, modular helmets, dual sport helmets, and dirt bike helmets will usually be more expensive, and half helmets and open-face (3/4) helmets will be cheaper in comparison.

See article: How much does a motorcycle helmet cost?

What determines how much motorcycle helmets cost?

Various things will affect the price of motorcycle helmets like:

• Safety certifications: In most cases, the safety rating is a given and should not affect a motorcycle helmet’s pricing much. However, some manufacturers have their own safety certifications and standards that are more rigorous and thorough, which can drive production costs up.
• Weight: The materials used in the manufacturing of the helmet will ultimately affect how much it weighs. Lightweight materials that can provide acceptable protection will often be more expensive.
• Wind noise reduction and ventilation: The design of the motorcycle helmet in terms of noise reduction and proper ventilation will often have an impact on its pricing.
• Visor: The type of the visor (granted the helmet has one) will also affect the total you will pay for the helmet. For example, mirrored and photochromatic visors are more expensive than standard visors.
• Graphics, stickers, and other features.

Most of these may ultimately affect not only how expensive a motorcycle helmet is bu also how comfortable it will feel.

How much do motorcycle riders spend on a motorcycle helmet?

Of course, how much people can spend on their motorcycle helmets will vary depending on their budget.

Usually, motorcycle riders will spend between $150 to $450 on a motorcycle helmet. A good average of what beginner riders spend on a helmet is about $200 to $300, while more experienced riders will often go for more expensive motorcycle helmets in the $400 to $750 range.

You may be wondering why there is such a significant gap in what beginners and more seasoned riders spend on their motorcycle helmets.

Here’s the thing.

The majority of motorcycle riders will tell you that once they have moved to more expensive, higher-quality motorcycle helmets, they will never go back to buying a cheaper one. This shows how significant is the difference between a $150 helmet and a $450 helmet.

How much should you spend on a used motorcycle helmet?

With motorcycle helmets being so expensive, often riders will try to see if they can save some money by purchasing a used motorcycle helmet.

However, buying a used motorcycle helmet is never recommended, as this can cause more problems than necessary.

Buying a used motorcycle helmet may be acceptable in the rare case where you know the owner and the full history of the helmet. However, buying a used helmet from a person you do not know, or trust can be problematic.

You will not know if the helmet has not been dropped or been in an accident, which may have compromised its shell and the impact-absorbing liner. The padding can also be a problem. Although the padding may eventually adapt to your head, it is better to buy a new helmet that you will break in. And lastly, there may also be some considerations in terms of hygiene.

Is spending less on a motorcycle helmet worth it?

It is not recommended to skimp on your motorcycle gear, including your motorcycle helmet. A motorcycle helmet protects the head of the rider, and it has been proven that wearing a motorcycle helmet reduces the rates of head injuries and deaths from motorcycle crashes.

One of the problems that many motorcycle riders will experience is that after spending less and buying a cheap motorcycle helmet, they will often have to spend more money later the purchase another motorcycle helmet of a higher quality. 

This is something that will effectively increase the total amount of money they will spend on motorcycle helmets.

Cheaper motorcycle helmets will oftentimes feel odd, be less comfortable, and may even restrict your movements. Many of the cheaper helmets will have poor ventilation, which could make riding in hot weather challenging. And in addition to that, your screen may also fog up when you are exhaling.

Those are just aspects of cheaper helmets that can oftentimes go overlooked until a more expensive helmet has been tried on.

Is spending more on a motorcycle helmet worth it?

Up to a certain point, paying more for a motorcycle helmet will improve its safety. However, beyond a certain price point, you do not necessarily get a safer motorcycle helmet. However, the higher the price, the more extra options and features you can get.

The hose extra features you get with more expensive helmets should not be underestimated, however, as they can have a serious impact on your overall comfort levels, fatigue, awareness, concentration, and, subsequently, overall safety.

A cheaper motorcycle helmet will usually do well in just one area, while a more expensive helmet will often excel in more areas, despite both helmets offering, on theory, the same levels of safety. 

Expensive motorcycle helmets are worth it. Expensive motorcycle helmets will be very lightweight and have better noise reduction and ventilation. Expensive motorcycle helmets are worth it because they are more comfortable, and as a result, motorcyclists will experience less fatigue, which may keep them safer on the road.

One of the frequent concerns that riders may have is that by purchasing a branded motorcycle helmet, especially from a reputable manufacturer, they will be paying a premium for the brand name.

However, even though the brand itself may affect the end price, usually with motorcycle helmets, you get what you pay for. By paying more for a motorcycle helmet, you get a better helmet that has been designed better and more high-quality materials have been used for its manufacturing.

All of this makes more expensive helmets a pleasure to use; they can also make you feel more relaxed and safe, which is an important psychological factor in riding a motorcycle.

See article: How to get over the fear of riding a motorcycle?

Motorcycle helmets do need to be replaced over time. Usually, manufacturers recommend motorcycle riders replace their helmets after five years of use for safety reasons.

Over time the motorcycle helmet’s lining will start to slowly degrade and wear out, compromising its safety and protective capabilities. Conversely, a motorcycle helmet that has been sitting on the shelf and has not been used may often be considered safe for use up to seven years after the manufacture date.

The simple fact that you should replace your helmet after several years of use means that you have to take into consideration this recurring expense into account.

How to determine how much you should spend on a motorcycle helmet?

To determine how much you should spend on a motorcycle helmet, you should consider several main things:

• What your budget is?
• What type of motorcycle helmet do you want?
• What level of comfort do you want to have?

Ideally, you want to have a budget of between $150 to $250 if you want to get a fairly good entry-level motorcycle helmet.

Those motorcycle helmets should have passed the necessary safety certifications meaning they are road-legal. However, they are recommended only for occasional riders.

You should never buy a motorcycle helmet that has not passed at least the DOT safety standards. Motorcycle helmets undergo different types of testing. They are tested for shock absorption on impact, penetration protection, peripheral vision, and strap retention.

A motorcycle helmet that has not passed these tests is not street legal and, perhaps, it has a different use and purpose.

See article: Can you wear a bicycle helmet on a motorcycle?

However, if you can spend more on a motorcycle helmet, the general rule of thumb is to not skimp on it.

Comfort and fit are some of the most important aspects of a motorcycle helmet. They can affect your ability to ride your motorcycle effectively and safely.

If you are a daily rider, you will benefit from having a motorcycle helmet that offers a better fit and more comfort. In this case, you should be prepared to spend more on your motorcycle helmet—typically between $450 to $750.

And one extra pro tip: Don’t forget that the color of your helmet can also have an impact on your safety! Read more here: What is the best color for a motorcycle helmet?

FAQ’s

• How much should I spend on a motorcycle helmet?
  • This question addresses the dilemma many riders face when deciding how much to invest in a motorcycle helmet. It provides a range of recommended prices based on factors like safety certifications and features, helping riders make an informed decision.

• What factors determine the cost of motorcycle helmets?
  • This question explores the various elements that contribute to the pricing of motorcycle helmets. It covers safety certifications, weight, wind noise reduction, ventilation, visor type, graphics, and additional comfort features, emphasizing how these factors can affect both price and comfort.

• Is it worth spending more on an expensive motorcycle helmet?
  • This question delves into the value proposition of higher-priced motorcycle helmets. It discusses the relationship between safety, comfort, and cost, highlighting that while cheaper helmets may meet safety standards, investing more can lead to enhanced comfort, reduced fatigue, and a better overall riding experience.

• How do I determine the right budget for a motorcycle helmet?
  • This question guides riders in determining an appropriate budget for a motorcycle helmet. It encourages consideration of factors such as personal budget, helmet type, desired comfort levels, and frequency of use. By aligning these factors, riders can make a decision that balances safety, comfort, and cost.