How to Buy High Quality Cheap Motorcycle Helmets

Everybody these days is looking for a deal. But do you really want to cut corners on your motorcycle helmet purchase? As it turns out there are ways to find discount motorcycle helmets without compromising safety.

Before you buy cheap motorcycle helmets, there are some things that you should know about comparing quality. There are two major kinds of helmets. Novelty helmets and certified helmets. If you buy novelty helmets you're on your own. You can greatly increase the safety of your head by always buying a certified helmet. More on certifications later.

As the warning label in every helmet will tell you, no helmet can protect you from every foreseeable impact. A discount motorcycle helmet that is certified may be just as safe as a more expensive model. In some cases, it is simply the brand name that increases the price. If you ride a Harley and you want a Harley helmet, you’ll probably have to pay more.

Helmet Certifications and Safety Standards

There are two major helmet certifications in the United States. The Department of Transportation (DOT) is the lowest common demoniator. Cheap motorcycle helmets are not street legal if they are not DOT certified. Usually, a non-DOT product was designed for some other activity, perhaps biking or karting. Only Snell has standards for those activities, as well as other motorsports, such as competitive auto racing.

Tests by Motorcyclist Magazine indicate that DOT certified helmets may actually be safer at lower speeds, where most accidents occur. The reason they give is that DOT helmets are as a rule "softer" than those passing the Snell certification. Being softer (relatively) means they absorb more of the impact energy. Even a discount motorcycle helmet should be DOT or Department of Transportation certified. If there is no DOT certification, don’t buy it. The standard ensures your safety in the event of an accident.

The Snell Memorial Foundation is the second major certification for motorcycle helmets. Snell certifications are more stringent, but it may be difficult to find a discount motorcycle helmet that is certified by Snell. The manufacturers must pay for the testing and send a sample, which will ultimately be destroyed. This increases the manufacturer’s costs, slightly, which means that you pay a little more.

More Important than the Price

Debating about whether DOT only or DOT and Snell is better is wasting riding time. There is a much bigger difference between novelty and DOT.

Fit is very important. If the helmet is too loose, it could slide off during a collision. Other gear may provide some protection from injury, but this is the only piece of apparel that protects your head and could save your life.

You can order a discount motorcycle helmet online from a number of different retailers, but if you don’t know your helmet or hat size, you will either need to visit a shop or measure the circumference of your head. Do this a couple of times for accuracy then compare your measurement to the manufacturers size chart.

If you do order cheap motorcycle helmets online, check the return policy. When the package arrives, the first thing to do is try it on. It should fit snugly and be stable when you shake your head from side to side or up and down.

When the strap is securely fastened, you should not be able to pull it up and over your head, even if it takes a little effort to do. An open-face or “shorty” helmet provides the least protection and is the most likely to slide off, even when the strap is securely fastened. If you make a mistake and order the wrong size, you should be able to return it.

Cheap Motorcycle Helmets Online

If you're really looking for cheap motorcycle helmets, don't be brand conscious. There are many good choices for under $100. Another thing to learn is how to find a closeout motorcycle helmet. Just remember to check the certifications and test for good fit before you ride.