Expensive helmets (usually) have more shell sizes and adjustable liners for a better fit. That better fit makes all the difference on longer rides. When you first put the helmet on it can feel fine, but after 30-60 minutes pressure points on your head can begin to appear that can quickly become agonizing.
@@motorcycleadventures however some cheaper helmets don't even have properly removable liners. As you mention in the video, sweat and conditions ruin helmet.
The weight is always matter! Love your riding philosophy Pavlin and stick to it, including my brother and father. Keep sharing those nuggets of knowledge you bulgarian OG, greetings from Croatia.
Actually wanted to buy a Klim helmet but ended up with a „Nishua Carbon“. Way cheaper and after 6month and 20.000km of travelling it still works fine for me. Cheap or expensive doesn’t matters. My helmet needs to fit well! 👍
@@motorcycleadventures But I also agree with you! For the price of a Klim helmet now I can buy 5 to 10 times new cheakpads for my Nishua helmet if it is necessary or I’m to lazy to wash them. 🤣
@@gerriebrink6025 I’m not sure about it. Both helmets (outer shells) are based on the old blueprints of UVEX. But the inside is completely different and Klim got a bit more quality. Like I said, I don’t care. I’m just happy that I can use the Klim transition visor on my Nishua helmet as well. That’s an game changer for me! 😜
Hi Pavlin! For me, is clear that all helmets in Europe are safe enough, then confort is what matters. I've been using cheap helmets for long trips many years. I supported annoyances and inconveniences stoically, until I bought a helmet of a well known japanese premium brand. Fit and confort was spot on since the first minute and keeps confortable 25000 kms later. I will never go back to bargains.
Actually you can find real garbage, like poorly copied Chinese shaite from European market too. Most vendors are ok, but never assume that every single model sold is actually legit and safe.
Hi Pavlin, I love this video. Your advice is always practical and honestly given and totally reliable. I have previously thought of a helmet as a long term investment and worth paying the extra however am now totally reconsidering that position. I am just coming to the end of a 2 month 8000km tour of Europe and I have been surprised how much wear and tear my helmet has had such that it needs replacing when I thought I might get another year from it. Of course logically, it makes sense that it's worn out as I've done more with this one in 2 months than I have in the last 3 years... I had just not thought about it in that way. Keep up the great work, your videos are much appreciated!
I bought my Shoei neotec about 10 years ago. A couple of years ago the lining was starting to perish, and I thought about replacing it. I found out there was a lining replacement set, bought it plus a new visor. Only a 3rd of the cost of a new one.
Thanks for your insights. I have big head, have problems with high temperatures and have allergic reactions to old, sweaty pads. I have come off the bike quite a few times - on the road and off-road, not always at low speeds, but - so far - have never hit my head anywhere. Tests usually show there is not much difference in the safety aspect according to price, it is more about comfort features. Even expensive helmets have to be replaced regularly, as the plastic of the shell deteriorates over time. I also remove the pads to wash them every week or two to wash them. The solution for me? I have found a cheap motorcycle chain own brand that actually fits me well ( I couldn't even get some of the top brand helmets onto my head). It is a bit loud, but well ventilated, and that is most important for me. Every couple of years when the end of season sale is on I buy a replacement, which is usually in the range of 80 - 120€. I have left old - but good helmets - with a motorcycle rental in Thailand, who was extremely pleased to get a helmet that would fit "big headed Europeans". For me "buy cheap and replace more often" is the best solution.
i use a AGV K5 for my road bike and a LS2 for my small bike , both cheapish helmets helmets ALL WAYS get droped or damaged sooner or later long before they actualy wear out in any way after they are scrached and visor is worn ect may be 2 to 4 years old if you use it every day a lot shorter!! whats the point ov soending 100s
Majority of helmets: you get what you pay for. The most important is FIT. The second most important is "Crash tests results" (although accidents are random and even the best/expensive helmet may not save you from strong injury or death). The 3rd most difference is "quality which lasts". A cheaper helmet will usually use cheaper materials and cheaper glue etc. Every rider should buy the "best" helmet as he deems fit but this may not be the most expensive. I used to be "unable to pay" but now I am able to pay. My head is important and my life is important. So with blind tests, I get Schuberth or Shoei but I also have cheaper Enduro helmets (less than 200eur) for short day trips / camera mounts. There is no best cheap or expensive helmets for any trips. It is entirely up to the rider in so many aspects. Thank you for making video and bringing up this topic.
The best helmets for the right price are the shoei. Gt air2 and nxr 2. 450 up to 550 with graphics . The quality and the feeling that gives no compares with the other helmets. Befire i own cheap helmets but when i bought shoei they feel like day and night.
After 20+ years working as a motorcycle courier I found cheaper helmets are a good choice, my helmet would be on my head 8-10 hours a day, 5 days a week rain hail or shine but needed replacing every 2 years and in that time it would be on and off my head countless times. I bought a schuberth helmet last year and it is horrible to wear so prefer to wear my Bell MX 9 which cost a third of the price, the Bell is noisy but I wear earbuds and listen to music and problem solved, the other thing I like about the Bell is it is lighter and is more stable on my head on both my DR 650 and my T7. And a quick calculation, I wore my helmets for over 2000 hours a year and 50,000 klms.
is it the same for Jackets? for most, a jacket needs to be waterproof and abrasion resistant. OK, a 100 euro jacket might be ok for a bit but will not last, but is a Klim or Rukka jacket for 1300 euros is twice as waterproof and abrasion-resistant that an already expensive 600 Euro jacket? A 250 euro Jacket is already expensive for most regular people, can a 1300 euro jacket be over 5x as waterproof and 5x abrasion-resistant that a middle-priced name branded product?
I've given up the demand for waterproof or waterproofing must be detachable layer. Most of the waterproof gear is horrible in hot water. It takes ages to dry up wet textile. It's also cold if it gets wet, if the weather is cold. Hence I prefer separate rain clothing set. It keeps you dry and warm.
Riding gear in my case lasts at least 3 years. In the hands of a normal rider it will last 5 or more. Also, when you buy GoreTex gear they have lifetime guarantee for the material, which basically mean that you going to have it for a long time.
Hi Pavlin, do you have any advice for foreigners riding through Bulgaria? Did not have the chance to search the channel, maybe this would be a good topic for a video?
@@motorcycleadventures thank you, I apreciate it. That will be useful at least to me. I have an idea of riding North to South, following the Black Sea coast, then the national park, then cross into Greece.
Thank you. It's easy for me to get caught up in the hype of new & better, when really all I need is a simple helmet to keep my brain from going places it's not supposed to. ETA - AND, less money on gear means more money for traveling.
Great out lok on helmet, I think that mind set applies to all gear and motorcycle as well. The best for you is the one you can afford. Get out and ride safely. The ride is the real GOAL!
For the last 50 thousand kms I wore an *800 EUR* Arai Tour x4 for everything from daily commute, long trips and track riding - summer and winter alike. It's still super comfortable, only the visor needs to be replaced in a year or two because the scratches interfere with night riding. The original padding is still okay. I'm pretty impressed, the difference is HUGE compared to my *200 EUR*, bulky, creaky and painfully noisy AGV helmet which I stopped using completely. You get what you pay for.
Yes. Usually medium to high priced helmets offer so much more convenience, parts and actually removable liners. Not to mention that some cheaper ones are rated only for dot certification which means pretty much nothing safety wise. Not saying only the most expensive are good, but people should stay away from cheapos
I had X4 and its not more quiet than my 80€ Acerbis Flip helmet. X4 is not at all a quiet helmet. Airoh commander is supposed to be more quiet than x4. Arais peak started to vibrate alot and it was annoying with my xt660z.
I completely agree, as you I never bought an helmet from a top brand, I spent max 250 € on my helmets. One thing I should mention tho is that from medium to high quality helmets it should be easier also to get replacement parts. Obviously this also depends on the brand, a cheap 100 € helmet from a known brand (for example Nolan or others) can be also easy to find replacement parts, but not the same on a chinese brand helmet from Amazon (or some other cheap brand available on many motorcycle shops chains around the world).
Thank you for the video. You forgot to mention the weight of helmets. If you like calculation, calculate how many kilograms inertia would make if a helmet is heavier by 50 grams when you ride 80 km/hour. You will be surprised. Expensive helmets are lighter and more comfortable. The comfort of your gear completely changes the experience of your ridings, especially long ones. Safety and comfort are huge things during long trips.
It's all relative to the need and finances one has. I've been all over those spectrums top to bottom. When I started full face just came out, we used plastic garbage bags for raincoats. Anyway I've lived on my motorcycle for months on end. Sweat, humidity break down liners and adversely affect the fit and comfort of a helmet. Texas Head Skin Liner is a product I use each and every ride. They protect the interior of your helmet and are easily washable each day if necessary. Arai has a five yr. warranty in USA so that is good. Expensive but they last much longer. I've tried all kinds. You don't necessarily get what you pay for in many instances. Lot of branding of products with inexpensive beginnings. Many just don't last the day in day out use like a RTW traveler. For others they will be just fine. Hinges, shields, buckles all subjective to wear and may not be easily replaced as models change often. Consistency of product/parts is something to look for. I like a helmet that is adjustable in liner thickness and cheekpads and washable. I like mine to fit. Noise is much more controlled and also the pulling and tugging of your head when looking around is lessened. For long days in the saddle this is a must. I've had the misfortune to personally try some of these helmets out in crash scenerios. My Nava Fibernet saved my life as the paint from the rear bonnet was very thick on the chinbar. I walked with a cracked neck. So all was fairly well. Don't try that at home, you results may vary. RTW. Be safe and wear the best you can afford.
I could not agree more with your conclusion: I buy relatively cheap helmets which are comfortable and least fancy in terms of design. HINT: always wear a helmet cap or baclava to absorb sweat and extend life span of your helmet interior
i have seen videos on helmets and gear since i crashed two mounths ago, i think i am going to buy the shoei. And boots are very important. I crashed on the tarmac and hurt my foot, street boots are not so safe even for the street. I watched the channel cross training enduro, the guy says and most of experience riders there too, that motocross boots are the best to wear, not the most comfortable for sure, but realy protectiv. I research and the gaerne sg 12 seem to be the best boots, and made in italy. Almost every other brand are made in china, like fox, alpinestars and many others, the same with the helmets, bell are made in china too. Arai and Shoei are made in japan.
Of course, it depends how cheap one wants to go. My first helmet, 12 years ago, was a €80 LS2 and the padding was low quality and, indeed, was done after 2 years of not that much riding. Pretty low quality, but was actually fine for that time. Second helmet, a medium-level priced (I thought) €150 Caberg was better. It was done after 2-3 years of still moderate amount of riding. I got caught in a trap of "double the price of the last one, should be better". Was a little better quality, but it was actually pretty terrible and I hated it. Now I have a €400 HJC and over the last 5 years, it got a fair share of abuse in the city, racetrack, road travelling, offroad travelling (a few dozen thousand km), was washed many times and the padding still fits like just after the initial fit and I would still be using it for a year or two if I didn't drop it off a cliff a few days back ;) What I'm trying to say is: even though the cheap helmets are certified, it's worth buying a decent one.
@@motorcycleadventures As I mentioned, the first two got just a regular dose of everyday riding around the block and to/from uni/work (plus the second one got two week-long trips). Around 30k km total for both of them combined. The HJC was used pretty hard, relatively. 22k km offroad touring (and sweating) on an ADV bike + 20k on a sportbike. Hard to say how many hours. Also the padding was washed 6-10x, so in my book, that's impressive. I'm pretty sure any of the old, cheap ones would have disintegrated by now and this one is actually still fine. ;) In my experience, cheap helmets are cheap and you get what you pay for. Then there's a trap of mid-low priced helmets that you'd think are twice as expensive, so should be twice as good, but it's unlikely to happen. Then, the mid-high priced helmets shoud offer decent quality and comfort (not fun wearing a helmet you hate), unless you're unlucky to choose a failed model. And finally there are premium helmets for people that can afford it. If anyone asked me, I'd say: pick the one you feel most comfortable with (physically and mentally, knowing it's safe enough, not just random garbage from a noname company) and you can afford easily.
Was thinking the same a "plastic bucket" could be better when hitting something, a rock etc off-road, hope we'll never find out!!! Just ordered an O'Neil torment, really liked the graphics and price was unresistible..
I've had a Schubert C3 Pro for the last 5 years, quietest helmet in the market, perfect fit even after 5 years, about 20000km ridden. I fell at 120km/h about 1 month ago. I was lucky to fall on straight road I guess, unlucky to catch a nail in my tire from that entire highway. My 6 yo Revit Sand 2 kit is wrecked, my 5yo Schubert C3 Pro is scratched on 3 sides. I broke my scapula and 2 ribs, but nothing to the head, nothing to the spine, and I only had a 2 cm scratch on the left knee from road rash. I don't know how much you ride in a year but I rode that helmet in 38C, I rode it in 5C, sun, rain, even light snow. I don't ride it on dust, I guess you do so there is a difference but my next helmet will be a Schubert, and it's 400EUR, not 800. Not sure what helmet goes to 800 as the Schubert is a premium helmet. My first helmet was a Scorpion EXO500, it was a good starter helmet, but it did not last 2 years. I think some helmets are worth the money and you don't really know why until you use one long term.
Genau so sehe ich das auch. Vielleicht sind teure Helme etwas leichter, das dürfte aber nur ein paar Gramm ausmachen. Ich fahre einen 2 Jahre alten HJC, da hat sich jetzt das Pin Lock verabschiedet, da habe ich gemerkt, dass ich das gar nicht brauche, ohne sehe ich sogar besser und anlaufen tut da auch nichts, wenn doch. mache ich das Visier einen Spalt auf, dann ist alles wieder gut.
WHAT A GREAT UP LOAD I spend half what my friends spend. The last helmet i bought has proven to be the best even better than my Arai which cost me a fortune !! I also have this thought if your helmet is going to save your head at great speed it will not save the rest of you so like car drivers if you think this thing around you/ head makes it safe to ride like a lunatic then think again At over 100 M.P.H. I honestly think it makes no odds as to what helmet you have if you hit something head on be it £100 or £900 you are dead sorry to sound crude but its true and the sooner some riders get to grips with this the better. I would rather spend on air bags to at least save my skin !! As always its what you want or some times what you have been told If the helmet keeps you cool and is comfy and has all the pass marks why spend £900 when you can at times spend £70 ?????????????????????? as i did and its a good comfy helmet I got took out this weekend just gone and fell to the road the helmet was fine I got up and thank god all was ok but a £900 helmet would have made no difference would it ??
Best ever helmet I ever had is the Arai Tour X4. Perfect for glasses, great ventilation, good aerodynamics as I tried it at over 270km/h. Super comfortable and adjustable. And over the years I used all brands. EDIT: Also, on good helmets like the Arai Tour X4 you can replace the padding and virtually all the parts on it, without the need to buy a new helmet.
For me best ADV helmet is Arai XD-4. Bought in sale for 360€. Absolutely perfect on and off road. Only uder 10*C its little cold due to great airflow. No sun visor, so I'm wearing sunglasses.
You already pointed two minuses and the price that you bought it does not exist anymore. There is no such a thing like the best! There will be always better solutions!
@@motorcycleadventures Those are not minuses. Its facts whitch is needed to know before buy. Arai says no to sun visor because it decrease safety. I´m OK with that. So there is not best helmet for every weather. If helmet is quite, its warm for summer offroad ride (Schuberth). If helmet is well ventilated it´s noisy.
@@robertnagy4866 I used to have an Arai, and I liked it very much, now I just drive a Schuberth. Soon I'll have to look for a new one, and maybe the Tour X4. Unfortunately I wear glasses, and it is impossible to change glasses on the go. I would like Arai to listen to the customers now and also offer a photochromic visor for sale just like Klim Krios Pro.
More expensive shells will usually be constructed from materials with a lot more desirable properties should the crash happen, and the same goes to the inside material. Use of dual or triple density "foam" costs more than slapping single density eps and calling it done. More expensive helmets usually have a choice of replacing the padding too. Though I definitely agree with the opinion that the best helmet for the ride is the one you can afford or already have.
I own several style HJC helmets they have the perfect fit in a 2X for my melon head. They've all held up great and have a good price point too. I haven't bought a new helmet in several years so I can't comment on the new stuff. Seems like the quality of our gear goes down all the time.
I apply my wife's theory: more pairs of shoes of low quality is better than less of high quality.Jokes apart every head has a proper helmet: it's a matter of trying and finding out the one that fits. As we saw, to spend more doesn't always mean to be happier.
I can´t afford to buy a new helmet every 1-2 years and that´s why I ride an expensive helmet (Arai). To an expensive helmet such as Arai, Schuberth, Shoei etc. you can buy new inner paddings and liners and other spare parts wery cheaply when they go bad. That way you can ride with good helmet for many years without having to replace the whole helmet. This is not the case with cheap helmets usually.
Hi Pavlin, thank you for your video, but this time I don't agree with you. Saying that the best helmet is what you can afford is not a good advice. How much did you spend for your bike? Did you spend some times thinking about suspensions, brakes, tires and other stuff that can compromise your safety or you bought a bike just because you liked the color? I would say that you took in consideration many factors before buying that bike and that is what a wise person does. After that, you need a right gear (jacket, pants, boots and so on) and you thought again about your safety or you didn't do it? Of course you did, at the end or maybe it was the first thing, it doesn't matter, you thought about an helmet. Did you think about the color or about your safety again, considering that he should protect your brain? Probably you thought about the safety, but before buying your helmet you checked out for hours on the Internet and surely you went to a shop and trying many different helmets before buying one. Did you ask for the cheapest helmet? I don't think so, but of course you were considering the price. Can you think that a 300-600 euros helmet that passed many tests with a high score, before getting on the market is an expensive helmet? Maybe yes, maybe not, but again, how much did your bike cost? I bought an Arai helmet and I spent 600 euros. I had an accident and I hit my head on the tarmac. My helmet didn't break. I was lucky... probably I was, but what if I had another helmet? The answer is.... who knows. Correct, but that helmet perfectly protected my head, so I couldn't buy anything else than Arai. It's my experience and opinion of course, but before buying that helmet I tried a lot of other helmets, AGV, Shoei, Nolan, Bell, BMW, Schubert, GiVi, Dainese and others, always between 300 (I consider this as the minimum price) and 1000 euros, but in the end I decided for an Arai (everything was perfect, it fitted perfectly, I could touch the perfection of the materials, details and so on and I'm not paid to say it). There are helmets you can buy in the supermarket, they are legal and very cheap, but my head is much more important, so no compromise.
Okay, my riding gear (jackets, pants, boots) usually lasts between 3 and 5 years. Also, the gear has many purposes, protect me from cold, and hot weather, comfort, and functionality in many different situations, including walking around. The bikes that I ride usually last about 10-12 years. That's why I am happy to pay more for motorcycle or riding gear. My helmets last a maximum of 1 year. When I buy gear or bikes I am looking for functionality and reliability, not for design or safety. My old bike has zero safety features, the new only ABS, but I will buy it even without it. I never spend hours on the internet I trust only myself and what I feel. I also had an accident in Turkey at 90km per hour on the highway. I actually destroyed the car that hit me and my helmet for less than 300 euros saved my life. About perfect fit, I agree, but the Airoh that I had in Turkey was the nicest and most comfortable helmet that I ever had. It does not help at all when it starts falling apart after 6 months. I still have one Nolan helmet that cost 150 euros and it is still like new. So the price is not always guaranteed more safety or longevity. After you cross the price range of 200-300 euros you are paying more for the brand, some features, and maybe a better design, not for safety. Most of the tests that the company makes are made to succeed and got the certificate, that is the truth, no matter in what you believe. In the end, as I said in the video buy whatever helmet you can afford.
Your comment made a lot of sense and you were polite. It is hard to convince some people otherwise because they will always have another reason and another perspective. Generally most modern (post year 2000) motorcycle helmets have improved their safety crash ability so any helmet is a good helmet.
Count yourself lucky if you like cheap wine and cheap food. Same for helmets, if you like cheap helmets and they are safe, then you are lucky. Nothing wrong with cheap.
I normally enjoy and find your videos informative. But this one is quite off your usual standard. I am not for or against expensive helmets but the argument lacked logic simply based on hours of use. Helmets are not worn for the 90% regular use but for that 1% situation when every little bit matters. Thank you.
Those who wear expensive jackets and pants and ride expensive motorcycles yet wear cheap helmets...have not received an endorcement from Arai, Schuberth or Shoei.
Safety first. Then comfort Then style. Then the best I can afford. A good topic. Amazing how sometimes people spend hundreds of dollars on a new exhaust, for example, but won't spend to change a 10 Yr old helmet. We are all different. Happy travels 👍
My opinion is that if a helmet isn't comfortable you won't be able to stay focused and eventually be in pain, that making them unsafe, regardless of what it says on paper.
Even with the "cheap" (€250) helmet, all my gear costs around the same as my bike. If I buy a high end expensive helmet, it would alone worth more than my bike.
Why wear a helmet at all...? Would you wear one if not obligatory? Right; as a safety precaution. As such I do believe that more technically advanced helmets are safer. And that often boils down to more expensive helmets. To cheap out on this item would be as stupid as playing Russian roulette with a revolver. Yes, many different crash scenarios are possible. But we have come a long way from 1935 where Lawrence of Arabia died from severe head injuries after a motorcycle crash. It was only in 1953 that the first ever shock-absorbing helmet was designed. I don't care how long my helmet will last. I can ride from the store with my new helmet and crash 1h later or 10 years later. Anytime I want the helmet to protect me as best as possible, so I want the best one I can afford. And that usually means a more recent development/type/model and thus a more expensive helmet. I'll gladly replace it every year if it means there have been major technological improvements. About 12 years ago I crashed very badly; 5 broken bones and a skull fracture. I'm as good as new now. And I'm glad I had the most expensive helmet I could afford.
If Shoei sponsors a free helmet every year and Airoh sponsors a free helmet also every year, I wonder which one you will take? No special conditions, just to have your "honest" review opinion. I know which one I will take. 🤭
You are swimming in dangerous waters with this video, brother... I ride since 1986, so I can say I have some experience, especially on long howl traveling. People should not compromise in tyres, brakes nor equipment. And expensive helmets are expensive for a reason, God forbids us to find out why. In terms of helmets, the magic trio Shoei, Schubert and Arai are the pillars of safety. They are worth every single cent.
Expensive helmets (usually) have more shell sizes and adjustable liners for a better fit. That better fit makes all the difference on longer rides. When you first put the helmet on it can feel fine, but after 30-60 minutes pressure points on your head can begin to appear that can quickly become agonizing.
All of these did not change the facts that I listed.
@@motorcycleadventures however some cheaper helmets don't even have properly removable liners. As you mention in the video, sweat and conditions ruin helmet.
The weight is always matter! Love your riding philosophy Pavlin and stick to it, including my brother and father. Keep sharing those nuggets of knowledge you bulgarian OG, greetings from Croatia.
Thanks, man, I will!
Actually wanted to buy a Klim helmet but ended up with a „Nishua Carbon“. Way cheaper and after 6month and 20.000km of travelling it still works fine for me. Cheap or expensive doesn’t matters. My helmet needs to fit well! 👍
Fair enough!
@@motorcycleadventures But I also agree with you! For the price of a Klim helmet now I can buy 5 to 10 times new cheakpads for my Nishua helmet if it is necessary or I’m to lazy to wash them. 🤣
True, you can do it.
Klim ist das gleiche wie Nishua komen aus der gleichen Fabrik , gruse Ger , Holland
@@gerriebrink6025 I’m not sure about it. Both helmets (outer shells) are based on the old blueprints of UVEX. But the inside is completely different and Klim got a bit more quality. Like I said, I don’t care. I’m just happy that I can use the Klim transition visor on my Nishua helmet as well. That’s an game changer for me! 😜
Hi Pavlin! For me, is clear that all helmets in Europe are safe enough, then confort is what matters. I've been using cheap helmets for long trips many years. I supported annoyances and inconveniences stoically, until I bought a helmet of a well known japanese premium brand. Fit and confort was spot on since the first minute and keeps confortable 25000 kms later. I will never go back to bargains.
Buy whatever is good to you.
Actually you can find real garbage, like poorly copied Chinese shaite from European market too. Most vendors are ok, but never assume that every single model sold is actually legit and safe.
Hi Pavlin, I love this video. Your advice is always practical and honestly given and totally reliable. I have previously thought of a helmet as a long term investment and worth paying the extra however am now totally reconsidering that position. I am just coming to the end of a 2 month 8000km tour of Europe and I have been surprised how much wear and tear my helmet has had such that it needs replacing when I thought I might get another year from it. Of course logically, it makes sense that it's worn out as I've done more with this one in 2 months than I have in the last 3 years... I had just not thought about it in that way. Keep up the great work, your videos are much appreciated!
Glad that the video helps!
You have changed my perspective on buying helmets from being a long-term investment to being a consumable item like tires.
They are, no matter in what some owners of expensive helmets believe.
I bought my Shoei neotec about 10 years ago. A couple of years ago the lining was starting to perish, and I thought about replacing it. I found out there was a lining replacement set, bought it plus a new visor. Only a 3rd of the cost of a new one.
thats fine but they have a shelf life as well you know , as in uv exposure and foam life even if unused !!
@@spikeccx totally true. I have a shiny Neotec here with disintegrated cushion if you want it.
@@spikeccx that usually doesn't apply if the packaging hasn't been opened.
Thanks for your insights. I have big head, have problems with high temperatures and have allergic reactions to old, sweaty pads. I have come off the bike quite a few times - on the road and off-road, not always at low speeds, but - so far - have never hit my head anywhere. Tests usually show there is not much difference in the safety aspect according to price, it is more about comfort features. Even expensive helmets have to be replaced regularly, as the plastic of the shell deteriorates over time. I also remove the pads to wash them every week or two to wash them. The solution for me? I have found a cheap motorcycle chain own brand that actually fits me well ( I couldn't even get some of the top brand helmets onto my head). It is a bit loud, but well ventilated, and that is most important for me. Every couple of years when the end of season sale is on I buy a replacement, which is usually in the range of 80 - 120€. I have left old - but good helmets - with a motorcycle rental in Thailand, who was extremely pleased to get a helmet that would fit "big headed Europeans". For me "buy cheap and replace more often" is the best solution.
Thanks for sharing!
i use a AGV K5 for my road bike
and a LS2 for my small bike , both cheapish helmets
helmets ALL WAYS get droped or damaged sooner or later long before they actualy wear out in any way
after they are scrached and visor is worn ect
may be 2 to 4 years old
if you use it every day a lot shorter!!
whats the point ov soending 100s
Everyone on their one
The O'Neal Sierra in white is my everyday helmet. It was my first buy (the previous was given). Great advices!
Good choice!
Good tips as always!
Thanks for watching!
I buy replacement lining for my Klim Krios helmet - very economical
Good!
Majority of helmets: you get what you pay for. The most important is FIT. The second most important is "Crash tests results" (although accidents are random and even the best/expensive helmet may not save you from strong injury or death). The 3rd most difference is "quality which lasts". A cheaper helmet will usually use cheaper materials and cheaper glue etc. Every rider should buy the "best" helmet as he deems fit but this may not be the most expensive. I used to be "unable to pay" but now I am able to pay. My head is important and my life is important. So with blind tests, I get Schuberth or Shoei but I also have cheaper Enduro helmets (less than 200eur) for short day trips / camera mounts. There is no best cheap or expensive helmets for any trips. It is entirely up to the rider in so many aspects.
Thank you for making video and bringing up this topic.
Fair enough!
The best helmets for the right price are the shoei. Gt air2 and nxr 2. 450 up to 550 with graphics . The quality and the feeling that gives no compares with the other helmets. Befire i own cheap helmets but when i bought shoei they feel like day and night.
The best for one could be the worst for another.
Shoei has quite good models indeed. Also fair pricing on most.
totally agree and congratulations on another great video
Glad you enjoyed it!
Well said, Pavlin!
Thanks, man!
where is episode 2
Coming on Thursday.
A helmet is always a personal choice, one thing is the security,other is the price of your budget you can afford.
All the best for you, Pavlin!
Yes, buy the best you can afford.
After 20+ years working as a motorcycle courier I found cheaper helmets are a good choice, my helmet would be on my head 8-10 hours a day, 5 days a week rain hail or shine but needed replacing every 2 years and in that time it would be on and off my head countless times.
I bought a schuberth helmet last year and it is horrible to wear so prefer to wear my Bell MX 9 which cost a third of the price, the Bell is noisy but I wear earbuds and listen to music and problem solved, the other thing I like about the Bell is it is lighter and is more stable on my head on both my DR 650 and my T7.
And a quick calculation, I wore my helmets for over 2000 hours a year and 50,000 klms.
Thanks for sharing!
is it the same for Jackets? for most, a jacket needs to be waterproof and abrasion resistant. OK, a 100 euro jacket might be ok for a bit but will not last, but is a Klim or Rukka jacket for 1300 euros is twice as waterproof and abrasion-resistant that an already expensive 600 Euro jacket? A 250 euro Jacket is already expensive for most regular people, can a 1300 euro jacket be over 5x as waterproof and 5x abrasion-resistant that a middle-priced name branded product?
I've given up the demand for waterproof or waterproofing must be detachable layer. Most of the waterproof gear is horrible in hot water. It takes ages to dry up wet textile. It's also cold if it gets wet, if the weather is cold. Hence I prefer separate rain clothing set. It keeps you dry and warm.
Riding gear in my case lasts at least 3 years. In the hands of a normal rider it will last 5 or more. Also, when you buy GoreTex gear they have lifetime guarantee for the material, which basically mean that you going to have it for a long time.
Hi Pavlin, do you have any advice for foreigners riding through Bulgaria? Did not have the chance to search the channel, maybe this would be a good topic for a video?
No, I haven't but this is a really good idea. I will make a video and publish it on Monday, thank you!
@@motorcycleadventures thank you, I apreciate it. That will be useful at least to me. I have an idea of riding North to South, following the Black Sea coast, then the national park, then cross into Greece.
Good luck!
Great to see you have a lot of sense. It’s not so common these days. 👍
Thanks 👍
That makes sense to me.
Thank you for sharing this…
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you. It's easy for me to get caught up in the hype of new & better, when really all I need is a simple helmet to keep my brain from going places it's not supposed to.
ETA - AND, less money on gear means more money for traveling.
Fair enough!
Great out lok on helmet, I think that mind set applies to all gear and motorcycle as well. The best for you is the one you can afford. Get out and ride safely. The ride is the real GOAL!
Thanks for taking the time!
For the last 50 thousand kms I wore an *800 EUR* Arai Tour x4 for everything from daily commute, long trips and track riding - summer and winter alike. It's still super comfortable, only the visor needs to be replaced in a year or two because the scratches interfere with night riding. The original padding is still okay. I'm pretty impressed, the difference is HUGE compared to my *200 EUR*, bulky, creaky and painfully noisy AGV helmet which I stopped using completely. You get what you pay for.
Use whatever is good for you.
Yes. Usually medium to high priced helmets offer so much more convenience, parts and actually removable liners. Not to mention that some cheaper ones are rated only for dot certification which means pretty much nothing safety wise. Not saying only the most expensive are good, but people should stay away from cheapos
I had X4 and its not more quiet than my 80€ Acerbis Flip helmet. X4 is not at all a quiet helmet. Airoh commander is supposed to be more quiet than x4. Arais peak started to vibrate alot and it was annoying with my xt660z.
I completely agree, as you I never bought an helmet from a top brand, I spent max 250 € on my helmets.
One thing I should mention tho is that from medium to high quality helmets it should be easier also to get replacement parts.
Obviously this also depends on the brand, a cheap 100 € helmet from a known brand (for example Nolan or others) can be also easy to find replacement parts, but not the same on a chinese brand helmet from Amazon (or some other cheap brand available on many motorcycle shops chains around the world).
True!
Thank you for the video. You forgot to mention the weight of helmets. If you like calculation, calculate how many kilograms inertia would make if a helmet is heavier by 50 grams when you ride 80 km/hour. You will be surprised. Expensive helmets are lighter and more comfortable. The comfort of your gear completely changes the experience of your ridings, especially long ones. Safety and comfort are huge things during long trips.
Fair enough!
Please, Pavlin, make a review of the Yamaha XT660 R on and offroad . I’ll be very happy if you do it because i think of buying it .
When I have the chance.
@@motorcycleadventures ok thank you
Xt660R, Z, X... They are the same. One is simply bigger and heavier "adventure look", other is pure street. R is the sweetspot of both.
@@mudaamoob thank you for the answer. Have the tenere already 😀
@@radoslavivanov5472 good choice anyway. I had Tenere back in 2016. Now I have R. 🫡
It's all relative to the need and finances one has. I've been all over those spectrums top to bottom. When I started full face just came out, we used plastic garbage bags for raincoats. Anyway I've lived on my motorcycle for months on end. Sweat, humidity break down liners and adversely affect the fit and comfort of a helmet. Texas Head Skin Liner is a product I use each and every ride. They protect the interior of your helmet and are easily washable each day if necessary. Arai has a five yr. warranty in USA so that is good. Expensive but they last much longer. I've tried all kinds. You don't necessarily get what you pay for in many instances. Lot of branding of products with inexpensive beginnings. Many just don't last the day in day out use like a RTW traveler. For others they will be just fine. Hinges, shields, buckles all subjective to wear and may not be easily replaced as models change often. Consistency of product/parts is something to look for. I like a helmet that is adjustable in liner thickness and cheekpads and washable. I like mine to fit. Noise is much more controlled and also the pulling and tugging of your head when looking around is lessened. For long days in the saddle this is a must. I've had the misfortune to personally try some of these helmets out in crash scenerios. My Nava Fibernet saved my life as the paint from the rear bonnet was very thick on the chinbar. I walked with a cracked neck. So all was fairly well. Don't try that at home, you results may vary. RTW. Be safe and wear the best you can afford.
Thanks for sharing your experience!
This is the way
Thanks for taking the time!
I could not agree more with your conclusion: I buy relatively cheap helmets which are comfortable and least fancy in terms of design. HINT: always wear a helmet cap or baclava to absorb sweat and extend life span of your helmet interior
I know about baclava, but after 30 degrees...
@@motorcycleadventures I also have a smaller size helmet hat with a net structure
i have seen videos on helmets and gear since i crashed two mounths ago, i think i am going to buy the shoei.
And boots are very important. I crashed on the tarmac and hurt my foot, street boots are not so safe even for the street.
I watched the channel cross training enduro, the guy says and most of experience riders there too, that motocross boots
are the best to wear, not the most comfortable for sure, but realy protectiv.
I research and the gaerne sg 12 seem to be the best boots, and made in italy. Almost every other brand are made in china, like fox, alpinestars and many others, the same with the helmets, bell are made in china too. Arai and Shoei are made in japan.
Good!
Do you plan to visit Africa all the way to the south? Thank you for the video
On some stage I will.
Of course, it depends how cheap one wants to go.
My first helmet, 12 years ago, was a €80 LS2 and the padding was low quality and, indeed, was done after 2 years of not that much riding. Pretty low quality, but was actually fine for that time.
Second helmet, a medium-level priced (I thought) €150 Caberg was better. It was done after 2-3 years of still moderate amount of riding. I got caught in a trap of "double the price of the last one, should be better". Was a little better quality, but it was actually pretty terrible and I hated it.
Now I have a €400 HJC and over the last 5 years, it got a fair share of abuse in the city, racetrack, road travelling, offroad travelling (a few dozen thousand km), was washed many times and the padding still fits like just after the initial fit and I would still be using it for a year or two if I didn't drop it off a cliff a few days back ;)
What I'm trying to say is: even though the cheap helmets are certified, it's worth buying a decent one.
Did you actually calculated the real hours and km you have? Years means nothing if the helmet stays in the garage. Otherwise use whatever you like.
@@motorcycleadventures As I mentioned, the first two got just a regular dose of everyday riding around the block and to/from uni/work (plus the second one got two week-long trips). Around 30k km total for both of them combined.
The HJC was used pretty hard, relatively. 22k km offroad touring (and sweating) on an ADV bike + 20k on a sportbike. Hard to say how many hours. Also the padding was washed 6-10x, so in my book, that's impressive.
I'm pretty sure any of the old, cheap ones would have disintegrated by now and this one is actually still fine. ;)
In my experience, cheap helmets are cheap and you get what you pay for.
Then there's a trap of mid-low priced helmets that you'd think are twice as expensive, so should be twice as good, but it's unlikely to happen.
Then, the mid-high priced helmets shoud offer decent quality and comfort (not fun wearing a helmet you hate), unless you're unlucky to choose a failed model.
And finally there are premium helmets for people that can afford it.
If anyone asked me, I'd say: pick the one you feel most comfortable with (physically and mentally, knowing it's safe enough, not just random garbage from a noname company) and you can afford easily.
Which model of the HJC helmet?
@@juvenilegangsta9932 RPHA11
Love it... what helmet can you afford and has the features you want and fits well...I get you.. haha and so true.. thx for another great vid!
Thanks for watching!
Was thinking the same a "plastic bucket" could be better when hitting something, a rock etc off-road, hope we'll never find out!!!
Just ordered an O'Neil torment, really liked the graphics and price was unresistible..
Thanks for taking the time!
Hello Pavlin... Would you recommend ROOF helmet ?
What is Roof helmet?
Scooter helmet.
There is no such a thing like scooter helmet. If you mean open face, they cannot provide the same level of safety.
@@motorcycleadventures you'll have to tell the French that.
@@motorcycleadventures I think ROOF is a company that manufactures helmets. I am not sure if it is French or British...
I've had a Schubert C3 Pro for the last 5 years, quietest helmet in the market, perfect fit even after 5 years, about 20000km ridden. I fell at 120km/h about 1 month ago. I was lucky to fall on straight road I guess, unlucky to catch a nail in my tire from that entire highway. My 6 yo Revit Sand 2 kit is wrecked, my 5yo Schubert C3 Pro is scratched on 3 sides. I broke my scapula and 2 ribs, but nothing to the head, nothing to the spine, and I only had a 2 cm scratch on the left knee from road rash. I don't know how much you ride in a year but I rode that helmet in 38C, I rode it in 5C, sun, rain, even light snow. I don't ride it on dust, I guess you do so there is a difference but my next helmet will be a Schubert, and it's 400EUR, not 800. Not sure what helmet goes to 800 as the Schubert is a premium helmet. My first helmet was a Scorpion EXO500, it was a good starter helmet, but it did not last 2 years. I think some helmets are worth the money and you don't really know why until you use one long term.
20000km? Joke? I did 70000km with Nolan and next 30000 with X-lite, together in 6 years.
I had 15,000km on my last trip, so 20,000km for 5 years do not proof anything. Sorry for your accident!
Genau so sehe ich das auch. Vielleicht sind teure Helme etwas leichter, das dürfte aber nur ein paar Gramm ausmachen. Ich fahre einen 2 Jahre alten HJC, da hat sich jetzt das Pin Lock verabschiedet, da habe ich gemerkt, dass ich das gar nicht brauche, ohne sehe ich sogar besser und anlaufen tut da auch nichts, wenn doch. mache ich das Visier einen Spalt auf, dann ist alles wieder gut.
Thanks for sharing!
WHAT A GREAT UP LOAD I spend half what my friends spend. The last helmet i bought has proven to be the best even better than my Arai
which cost me a fortune !! I also have this thought if your helmet is going to save your head at great speed it will not save the rest of you so like car drivers if you think this thing around you/ head makes it safe to ride like a lunatic then think again At over 100 M.P.H. I honestly think it makes no odds as to what helmet you have if you hit something head on be it £100 or £900 you are dead sorry to sound crude but its true and the sooner some riders get to grips with this the better. I would rather spend on air bags to at least save my skin !! As always its what you want or some times what you have been told If the helmet keeps you cool and is comfy and has all the pass marks why spend £900 when you can at times spend £70 ?????????????????????? as i did and its a good comfy helmet I got took out this weekend just gone and fell to the road the helmet was fine I got up and thank god all was ok but a £900 helmet would have made no difference would it ??
Thanks for sharing your experience, Allan!
Best ever helmet I ever had is the Arai Tour X4. Perfect for glasses, great ventilation, good aerodynamics as I tried it at over 270km/h. Super comfortable and adjustable. And over the years I used all brands.
EDIT: Also, on good helmets like the Arai Tour X4 you can replace the padding and virtually all the parts on it, without the need to buy a new helmet.
Thanks for sharing!
For me best ADV helmet is Arai XD-4. Bought in sale for 360€. Absolutely perfect on and off road. Only uder 10*C its little cold due to great airflow. No sun visor, so I'm wearing sunglasses.
You already pointed two minuses and the price that you bought it does not exist anymore. There is no such a thing like the best! There will be always better solutions!
@@motorcycleadventures Those are not minuses. Its facts whitch is needed to know before buy. Arai says no to sun visor because it decrease safety. I´m OK with that. So there is not best helmet for every weather. If helmet is quite, its warm for summer offroad ride (Schuberth). If helmet is well ventilated it´s noisy.
@@robertnagy4866 I used to have an Arai, and I liked it very much, now I just drive a Schuberth. Soon I'll have to look for a new one, and maybe the Tour X4. Unfortunately I wear glasses, and it is impossible to change glasses on the go. I would like Arai to listen to the customers now and also offer a photochromic visor for sale just like Klim Krios Pro.
Спасибо Друг. Всегда интересно послушать твоё мнение.
Хороший гараж получился! )
Пожалуйста! Спосибо для просмотра!
More expensive shells will usually be constructed from materials with a lot more desirable properties should the crash happen, and the same goes to the inside material. Use of dual or triple density "foam" costs more than slapping single density eps and calling it done. More expensive helmets usually have a choice of replacing the padding too.
Though I definitely agree with the opinion that the best helmet for the ride is the one you can afford or already have.
Thanks for taking the time!
I doubt that the price of EPS foam makes any noticeable difference. Even the best EPS costs peanuts.
I own several style HJC helmets they have the perfect fit in a 2X for my melon head. They've all held up great and have a good price point too. I haven't bought a new helmet in several years so I can't comment on the new stuff. Seems like the quality of our gear goes down all the time.
Yes, the quality of everything is going down every year.
I apply my wife's theory: more pairs of shoes of low quality is better than less of high quality.Jokes apart every head has a proper helmet: it's a matter of trying and finding out the one that fits. As we saw, to spend more doesn't always mean to be happier.
Exactly!
I can´t afford to buy a new helmet every 1-2 years and that´s why I ride an expensive helmet (Arai). To an expensive helmet such as Arai, Schuberth, Shoei etc. you can buy new inner paddings and liners and other spare parts wery cheaply when they go bad. That way you can ride with good helmet for many years without having to replace the whole helmet. This is not the case with cheap helmets usually.
Use whatever is good for you. I have made my decision.
Hi Pavlin, thank you for your video, but this time I don't agree with you. Saying that the best helmet is what you can afford is not a good advice. How much did you spend for your bike? Did you spend some times thinking about suspensions, brakes, tires and other stuff that can compromise your safety or you bought a bike just because you liked the color? I would say that you took in consideration many factors before buying that bike and that is what a wise person does. After that, you need a right gear (jacket, pants, boots and so on) and you thought again about your safety or you didn't do it? Of course you did, at the end or maybe it was the first thing, it doesn't matter, you thought about an helmet. Did you think about the color or about your safety again, considering that he should protect your brain? Probably you thought about the safety, but before buying your helmet you checked out for hours on the Internet and surely you went to a shop and trying many different helmets before buying one. Did you ask for the cheapest helmet? I don't think so, but of course you were considering the price. Can you think that a 300-600 euros helmet that passed many tests with a high score, before getting on the market is an expensive helmet? Maybe yes, maybe not, but again, how much did your bike cost? I bought an Arai helmet and I spent 600 euros. I had an accident and I hit my head on the tarmac. My helmet didn't break. I was lucky... probably I was, but what if I had another helmet? The answer is.... who knows. Correct, but that helmet perfectly protected my head, so I couldn't buy anything else than Arai. It's my experience and opinion of course, but before buying that helmet I tried a lot of other helmets, AGV, Shoei, Nolan, Bell, BMW, Schubert, GiVi, Dainese and others, always between 300 (I consider this as the minimum price) and 1000 euros, but in the end I decided for an Arai (everything was perfect, it fitted perfectly, I could touch the perfection of the materials, details and so on and I'm not paid to say it). There are helmets you can buy in the supermarket, they are legal and very cheap, but my head is much more important, so no compromise.
Okay, my riding gear (jackets, pants, boots) usually lasts between 3 and 5 years. Also, the gear has many purposes, protect me from cold, and hot weather, comfort, and functionality in many different situations, including walking around. The bikes that I ride usually last about 10-12 years. That's why I am happy to pay more for motorcycle or riding gear. My helmets last a maximum of 1 year. When I buy gear or bikes I am looking for functionality and reliability, not for design or safety. My old bike has zero safety features, the new only ABS, but I will buy it even without it. I never spend hours on the internet I trust only myself and what I feel. I also had an accident in Turkey at 90km per hour on the highway. I actually destroyed the car that hit me and my helmet for less than 300 euros saved my life. About perfect fit, I agree, but the Airoh that I had in Turkey was the nicest and most comfortable helmet that I ever had. It does not help at all when it starts falling apart after 6 months. I still have one Nolan helmet that cost 150 euros and it is still like new. So the price is not always guaranteed more safety or longevity. After you cross the price range of 200-300 euros you are paying more for the brand, some features, and maybe a better design, not for safety. Most of the tests that the company makes are made to succeed and got the certificate, that is the truth, no matter in what you believe. In the end, as I said in the video buy whatever helmet you can afford.
Your comment made a lot of sense and you were polite. It is hard to convince some people otherwise because they will always have another reason and another perspective.
Generally most modern (post year 2000) motorcycle helmets have improved their safety crash ability so any helmet is a good helmet.
Pavlin rocks 👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌👌
Thanks, man!
Count yourself lucky if you like cheap wine and cheap food. Same for helmets, if you like cheap helmets and they are safe, then you are lucky. Nothing wrong with cheap.
Fair enough!
I normally enjoy and find your videos informative. But this one is quite off your usual standard. I am not for or against expensive helmets but the argument lacked logic simply based on hours of use. Helmets are not worn for the 90% regular use but for that 1% situation when every little bit matters. Thank you.
Fair enough! As I explained in the video, I do not have any plans to convince you in anything.
Those who wear expensive jackets and pants and ride expensive motorcycles yet wear cheap helmets...have not received an endorcement from Arai, Schuberth or Shoei.
Could be!
I have Airoh Commander helmet for 300 💶. Its good for me 😋😋😋 .
Mine start to fall apart after 6 months: th-cam.com/video/_TB2YdtV0hw/w-d-xo.html
Safety first.
Then comfort
Then style.
Then the best I can afford.
A good topic.
Amazing how sometimes people spend hundreds of dollars on a new exhaust, for example, but won't spend to change a 10 Yr old helmet.
We are all different.
Happy travels 👍
Yes, buy the best that you can afford!
My opinion is that if a helmet isn't comfortable you won't be able to stay focused and eventually be in pain, that making them unsafe, regardless of what it says on paper.
True!
Buy cheap buy twice...or thrice...or more in this case!
Ok
Even with the "cheap" (€250) helmet, all my gear costs around the same as my bike. If I buy a high end expensive helmet, it would alone worth more than my bike.
It is what it is!
Using 'underwear' with helmet increases the life span of your helmet x 5
Ok but try it on temperatures over 30 degrees.
Why wear a helmet at all...? Would you wear one if not obligatory?
Right; as a safety precaution. As such I do believe that more technically advanced helmets are safer. And that often boils down to more expensive helmets.
To cheap out on this item would be as stupid as playing Russian roulette with a revolver.
Yes, many different crash scenarios are possible. But we have come a long way from 1935 where Lawrence of Arabia died from severe head injuries after a motorcycle crash. It was only in 1953 that the first ever shock-absorbing helmet was designed.
I don't care how long my helmet will last. I can ride from the store with my new helmet and crash 1h later or 10 years later. Anytime I want the helmet to protect me as best as possible, so I want the best one I can afford. And that usually means a more recent development/type/model and thus a more expensive helmet. I'll gladly replace it every year if it means there have been major technological improvements.
About 12 years ago I crashed very badly; 5 broken bones and a skull fracture. I'm as good as new now. And I'm glad I had the most expensive helmet I could afford.
Paying more is not always guarantee that you will receive more, but as I said buy what you can afford.
If Shoei sponsors a free helmet every year and Airoh sponsors a free helmet also every year, I wonder which one you will take? No special conditions, just to have your "honest" review opinion.
I know which one I will take. 🤭
No more Airoh for me!
You are swimming in dangerous waters with this video, brother...
I ride since 1986, so I can say I have some experience, especially on long howl traveling.
People should not compromise in tyres, brakes nor equipment. And expensive helmets are expensive for a reason, God forbids us to find out why. In terms of helmets, the magic trio Shoei, Schubert and Arai are the pillars of safety. They are worth every single cent.
As I said use whatever you can afford, any helmet is better than no helmet.
First! :D
Cool!