Top 5 Motorcycle Helmets Under $800

Picking a new helmet is always a difficult decision. With so many options on the market, it’s hard to know which helmet will be the best for you. Here atMotoReview, we’ve decided to make the choice easier for you. We’ve compiled a list of the top 5 helmets under $800 to help you find the right helmet for your budget. From superb ventilation to intercoms compatibility, these helmets are packed full of features. They are also some of the safest helmets on the market.

Top 5 Helmets Under $800

• Bell Star MIPS
• AGV K6
• Arai Profile-V
• AGV K5S
• Shark Spartan

Bell Star MIPS

An incredible release from a reputable brand, it’s hard to beat the safety features packed into the Bell Star MIPS. This helmet boasts 5 different shell sizes, allowing for a more comfortable fit on different sized heads. It’s also been rated 5/5 stars with the Safety Helmet Assessment and Rating Programme (SHARP).

MIPS technology is also integrated into this helmet, which allows the lining and the shell to move independently of each other. This minimises rotational force in the event of a crash. The helmet is also eyewear compatible and comes with Bell’s Magnefusion magnetic cheek pads. The Mangefusiin cheek pads can be easily removed for cleaning or by emergency services in the event of a crash. These features mean the helmet is not only incredibly comfortable but also incredibly safe.

The helmet also includes the Bell Panovision Visor, which ensures a field of view that suits all styles of riding. The visor has two positions, open and closed, which might not be ideal for people who enjoy having the visor open slightly while out on their ride. Packed with X-static XT2 silver anti-microbial liner, it also won’t build up unpleasant scents from prolonged use. Unfortunately, however, there are no integrated speaker pockets in the liner.

AGV K6

The AGV K6 is an extremely lightweight sports/touring helmet coming in at only 1.25kg with a shell composed of carbon fibre and Kevlar. The K6 is ECE 22.05 and DOT certified but is yet to receive a SHARP rating. This helmet features an emergency quick-release system (EQRS). This allows the cheek pads to be removed by emergency services with minimal head and neck movement. Inside you will find a five density EPS shock absorbing liner, enabling the helmet lining to absorb forces at different impact speeds. The visor also has an incredible field of vision. The air circulation is top-notch with plenty of vents that are easy to operate. All of this ensures excellent usability and a high standard of safety.

Arai Profile-V

Serving as an entry-point to a high-end brand, the Arai Profile-V is built with a fibreglass shell and feels like a premium helmet. It’s reinforced with an extra-strong band around the head, ensuring that your temples are better protected. This also helps the helmet maintain its round shape, which allows it to glance-blows. Like the rest of the helmets on this list, the Arai Profile-V is also ECE and DOT certified. It is, however, yet to receive a SHARP rating.

The Arai Profile-V also features a total of five exhaust ports ensuring a high level of ventilation. Unfortunately, this does make the helmet a little noisy, even despite the addition of a chin curtain. Thankfully though, the chin vent is simple to operate on the go, but the other vents might be a little harder to adjust for some riders.

Lastly, the visor is easy to keep clear and optionally comes with Arai’s Pro Shade System. This latest innovation from Arai comes in the form of an external sun visor. Arai’s Pro Shade System prevents sun glare, and unlike internal sun visors, is anti-fog and can flip up to act as a peak. Not only this but it doesn’t leave the helmet with a hollow area inside, where internal sun visors usually retract. In conclusion, this helmet oozes quality in every part of the design.

AGV K5S

With two shell sizes and four densities of polystyrene internal lining to choose from, the AGV K5S is one of the most comfortable helmets on the market. The air ventilation is incredible, and not many other designs can live up to the K5S in this regard. Although, the brow and chin vents are tricky to operate with gloves, so it may take some practice before you’ll be able to operate them on the road.

The field of vision is brilliant due to the wide visor, but if you are tucked in expect some of your vision to be obscured. The helmet also has an improved bottom profile which also acts as a collarbone guard.

The K5S is ready for use with the AGV ARK Communication System – an aerodynamically designed Bluetooth intercoms system, so you can easily listen to music or use your GPS. The only downside of this helmet is that it might be difficult to wear with glasses.

The inclusion of all these features contributes to the AGV K5S being one of the most feature-packed, versatile and comfortable mid-tier helmets.

Shark Spartan

Are you searching for a feature-packed, durable, and aggressive-looking helmet? The Shark Spartan is the definite go-to. For the shell, you get two choices, carbon or fibreglass with the carbon shaving 100g off of the weight. Despite the weight difference, both shells keep the helmet light and incredibly comfortable.

The helmet features a 4/5 star SHARP rating, an internal sun visor, and a Pinlock Max Vision (an extra-wide anti-fog insert). Not only that, but there’s also plenty of room for your Bluetooth intercoms system. Sadly, it’s not suitable for a full tuck position, as the vertical field of vision is slightly obstructed. So if you are racing, this helmet might not be for you.

Unfortunately, this helmet does come with one other downside. Although there are plenty of air vents, the exclusion of an exhaust vent means that it can get fairly warm inside the helmet. If you live in a cooler climate, this won’t be an issue at all. But for those who live in more temperate weather, this could become quite uncomfortable if you don’t open all the vents or if you wear the helmet on long rides.

Top 5 Helmets Under $800 Final Thoughts

The Bell Star MIPS is both the most feature-packed and safe helmet on this list, in fact, it just may be one of the best helmets in general. The AGV K5S and K6 are both loaded with functionality and safety features, but only the K5S has been SHARP tested thus far. Serving as an excellent entry into a reputable brand, the Profile-V may be a noisy helmet however the quality of the design is absolutely incredible. Lastly, the Shark Spartan is an excellent choice if you want a load of features & protection but you also live in a cold climate.

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