I got my Bell Vortex for a steal because it was recently discontinued but in hindsight of it saving my life, money is no object.
Snell or Sharp 5 star for me. And you don't have to spend big $ for a 5 star rating.
https://sharp.dft.gov.uk/
My wife rides with a Snell 2015 certified lid that is made by HJC and was under $250.
There are plenty of safety tested helmets on the market that meet real standards. No need to mess with the DOT bull.
I get that logic. But my wife and I ride multi-week long trips, I look at the comfort factor. Quiet without earplugs, Ventilation channels so I'm not sweating on 80+ humid days. High grade fabrics that wick away moisture and resist bacteria. Padding that doesn't create pressure points. Quite literally all day comfort. I'll pay $125-150/year for that comfort and luxury and replace it every 5 years.
I was talking to a barber about the my helmet, he rides with a $100 lid. *****es about it. Typically doesn't wear it at all. Has a do-rag to catch his sweat. Hates it.
So choose your poison. Putting on an Arai is slipping into the seats of a Bently GT. Cheap helmets are closer to riding on a wooden crate seat in a pick up that has bad suspension.
The Bell Vortex which is what I was wearing in this crash is Snell rated just don't remember the year.
. . . As far as comfort and build, sure Arai is top of the line. I wouldn't say that the competition is far behind though. I've had an Icon and a Scorpion. Icon had poor CS/warranty, but both rode well. At notably less than 1/2 the money. . .
I'm no expert but I've gotten pretty good handle on not running into stationary things. It's the little old ladies in grand marquis' jumping out of the bushes that I haven't quite figured out yet.
Stick with it jfed85. It'll be a sweet ride for you once you get the "used" bugs out. I bought an older Honda Nighthawk years ago to get re-aquainted with riding. It would run great until the conditions were right and then the whole thing would shut down. Found out that some spade connectors would get loose enough as they heated up (loose=more amps?). The garage was just dark enough I could see sparking across the connectors. Once I had that fixed the bike served me well.I went through yesterday and took out all the bulbs to see what I needed to order for LED replacements. Earlier today I decided I was going to ride to work tonight so I put all the old bulbs back in...now my spotlights in the light bar aren't working. Looks like I get to chase a bad wire or loose connection down.
Stick with it jfed85. It'll be a sweet ride for you once you get the "used" bugs out. I bought an older Honda Nighthawk years ago to get re-aquainted with riding. It would run great until the conditions were right and then the whole thing would shut down. Found out that some spade connectors would get loose enough as they heated up (loose=more amps?). The garage was just dark enough I could see sparking across the connectors. One I had that fixed the bike served me well.