BARGAIN BUYS

We all want a proper helmet of course – who wants to die from a head injury because they were watching an episode of Corrie on their drop-down? Not I, for one. But what exactly constitutes a proper helmet? It seems logical to assume that the best helmets on the market are the very best ones, but shelling out £700 for a top-spec helmet just isn’t an option for most of us.

Besides, you can get top protection for far less. Much of the price is determined by fashion as well as safety. Want a Rossi AGV, a Vinales Arai or a Marquez Shoei? In 2017 colours? Well you’ll be paying top dollar for that, sir. Happy to settle for an older paint scheme? Then that’ll save you a nice chunk of cash. Need to go cheaper still? Plain white or black versions are normally the cheapest you can get in a premium shell.

Going to the NEC or other bike shows is a traditional way to pick up cheap, end-of-line lids, and is certainly worth a try. We’d not recommend buying a used lid on eBay though – unless you know the history of a helmet, you’re taking a big risk. Accident damage can be invisible, and a crashed lid of unknown provenance is really only fit for the bin. So think on before making your purchase. Of course, a plain lid can be made a custom lid by the time you’ve stuck a few stickers on it ( Fast Bikes ones, of course), so use your noggin and bag a bargain.