Knowledge is power. Get to know your motorcycle helmet brands.

Gaining knowledge of your favorite motorcycle helmet brands is the second major step of making a wise helmet choice.

Here's a quick rundown of the major players in the motorcycle helmet market. When I'm making a major motorcycle accessory purchase, like a helmet, I like to check out the manufacturer. It's a bonus if the company seems serious about the quality of their product. The Department of Transportation and the Snell Memorial Foundation can't go out and check each and every helmet, so doing your homework is a good idea .

KBC

KBC is a relatively new company on the motorcycle helmet scene, but they are rapidly impacting the U.S. market. The head office is in Los Angeles and they have a design and development center in the United Kingdom. KBC is known for their stunning graphics and quality. You may have worn a KBC helmet over the past few years and not known it. They produced helmets for other brands for several years.

Here's KBC's "TIMELINE OF SUCCESS"

1992 - KBC established as sole proprietorship. Introduced first KBC-manufactured helmet to the motorcycle market.

1993 - Entered contract with Tucker Rocky Distributing.

1994 - KBC America was incorporated.

1995 - Designed and manufactured first OEM (private label) helmets and apparel. Past and current clients include:

Harley-Davidson, Polaris, Fox Racing, O'neal, MSR, Answer Racing, Thor, Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha.

2000 - KBC Europe Limited was established.

Get great deals on KBC helmets including the VR-1 Learn more at the KBC website.

SHOEI

SHOEI has been around since 1958 and is firmly established as one of the most respected helmet manufacturers. The company was founded by Eitaro Kamata, who designed his first helmets exclusively for the racing sector. Shoei helmets became popular rapidly starting in the late sixties and their reputation as a top quality brand spread from the U.S. across the Atlantic to the European market.

The "Shoei Process" includes the use of computer controlled lasers and water jets to create eye and vent openings and computer controlled painting for the basic white, black and red colors. Other colors are applied by hand as is the interior assembly. They pride themselves applying technology only where needed to maintain quality without sacrificing hands on artistic influence. All Shoei helmets are currently manufactured in Japan.

Get Shoei Helmets Here

Arai

Arai is almost legendary in the helmet business. They are also based in Japan and have been in business more than 50 years. The founder is Hirctake Aria. According to J.D. Power and Associates, Arai motorcycle helmets have ranked the highest in overall customer satisfaction for five straight years. This is one case where you get what you pay for! The survey cited fit and comfort, color/graphic design and ventilation/air flow as getting particularly high marks with wearers.

AFX

Started in 1995, AFX specializes in the design and production of motorcycle, ATV and snowmobile helmets. The helmets are produced in Taiwan. This company's aim is to give riders a full featured helmet at a reasonableprice. AFX only sells to one distributor in each country in which it has a presence, and this distributor sells to the various retailers. This cuts out one level that is normally in the helmet supply chain, which should allow them to sell at very competitive prices. You should definately give AFX a look if you're on a budget.

HJC

Since 1971, HJC has specialized in manufacturing motorcycle helmets exclusively. They sell mid to high range helmets and according to Motorcycle Industry Magazine they were the number one helmet brand in North America from 1993 to 2000. Their high end helmet series is the AC (-X1 for off roaders and -10 for sport bikers). They have recently introduced a modular helmet called the Symax targeted at touring and cruising riders. Never buy a new helmet without giving HJC a good look.

Nolan

The Nolan helmet company originated in 1972 when an entrepreneur in the motorcycle accessory market decided try his hand at making lighter and cheaper helmets than he could find elsewhere. Lander Nocchi decided to import a lightweight, versatile material called Lexan from the United States. With some new presses, he began to make polycarbonate helmets. Today, Nolan is the world leader in polycarbonate helmets, a testimony to their commitment to quality. Nolan is also definately worth a look when you decide to buy a new helmet.

Bieffe

Another early seventies player, Bieffe is definately a prominent name in the helmet business. The "#1 Name in Protection" gleans design knowledge from the racing world and has a goal of creating a product that performs well at the highest level of competition. I put off replacing my old BR-15 classic for several years because it's so comfortable. If any of their newer designs catch your eye, don't think twice about giving them a serious consideration. I've gotten great service out of my Bieffe.

Suomy

Suomy started marketing helmets in 1997. They are firmly rooted in the road racing circuit, first sponsoring Andrea Bartolini. They now have ties with team Ducati. Check out their latest designs.

AGV/Lazer

I list these to companies together, since they have merged to form the largest helmet manufacturer in Europe. The combined history of the French/Belgium and Italian company goes back some 80 years to 1919. Lazer started out making helmets made of leather. Over the years they made helmets especially for racing, snowmobile, car racing and bicycles as well as motorcycle helmets.

Bell

Named for the town outside of Los Angeles where it started, Bell is an all American helmet company. No helmet review would be complete without mentioning Bell. They produce helmets for motorcycling as well as bicycling and auto racing.

M2R

M2R helmets are "Made to Race". These are a low to mid range helmet offering a good value to most riders. Their focus is fit and function. Another good choice, especially if you're on a budget.