I tried the cheap helmet route. And I can say that it was a false economy. Poor fit, optically distorted visors, heavy, and loud wind noise made me search for a better helmet. Just because a helmet meets DOT spec don't think it is worth buying. There are much better standards out there. ECE 22.05 is the benchmark in my opinion. Most Harley riders around here wear the smallest DOT helmet they can. They all have a grimace on their face when riding, and they can't wait to stop get their helmet off. I can now ride all day in all weather with a smile on my face.
I appreciate that $ is always a factor in purchasing gear, but a good helmet will make the difference between enjoying riding or not. The more you ride, the more this is true. And obviously, the better the helmet, the better your chances when you go down. I've read that
Icon makes decent helmets at a reasonable price point. The Icon Variant was on my short list of helmets until I found a deal I couldn't pass on.
I bought a Schuberth S1 (new old stock). It is light (1680 grams), has a 2.5mm thick visor that is optically correct, anti-fog coatings on the visor and flip down sun visor, great venting, and is super quiet at all speeds. The colour scheme of this helmet is very noticeable and includes hi-vis green, yellow, silver, black and white in an aggressive pattern. And it has reflective panels front and rear for night visibility. And the construction of the helmet is near perfect. Not a flaw in the paint, perfectly smooth shell, comfortable and washable liner... I wish I'd waited and bought this helmet first as I'd have more $ for other gear.
White is a good colour to choose for a helmet as it stands out and is cooler in the summer. Lou Ranger wears a white helmet and he is easy to spot in traffic, despite his, err, diminutive stature.
As for armor, I ride with a CE rated jacket with arm, shoulder and back protection, and retro-reflective details; CE rated armored boots; and armored gloves. Armored over pants are on my list of things to get when my budget allows. I used to ride wearing cowboy boots, until I got hit by a rock on the top of my foot. It knocked my foot off the peg and made it instantly numb. It could have been much worse, and I learned my lesson and bought good boots.
Spend your $ on quality gear and you won't regret it - until you don't wear it. All The Gear All The Time - ATGATT! Riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous and we are rather fragile beings. Taking reasonable precautions to protect yourself is a smart and considerate thing to do. Your family, friends and loved ones don't want to get called to visit you in an emergency room. Or to sign a DNR. And you probably don't want to end up an organ doner just yet.
Spend the money it could save your life.
