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It's a well known fact that with helmets you get what you pay for.
You don't see any of the MotoGP boys wearing Lazer/HJC/Nitro etc do you?
Also it used to be known that Arai never paid racers to wear their lids, the racers just knew they were the best avaialable.

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You see plenty of HJC lids in AMA, the smaller GP classes are jammed with lids I've never heard of and Stoner is in a Nolan! I'm sure Ant West is wearing something 'nasty' in MotoGP. Is it Airoh? And you're not right to suggest that Arai don't pay riders - all the MotoGP riders are paid to wear their various lids. I understand that Rossi gets £250,000 a year to wear AGV, although he's the best paid of the lot.

Personally, I don't actually think that above £200 (?) there's a lot of difference in helmet quality. It's clear that the big brands (Arai, Shoei, AGV) add a chunk to their prices to pay for marketing and advertising - including sponsoring riders.

I don't doubt the big three all make good lids - I'm just not convinced they are twice as good as some other brands. And, even with my doubts over the SHARP test, there's objective evidence to suggest they're not!

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Very true, Americans don't value their heads much though do they!
I was talking about old days of Arai not paying their riders. These days I'm sure the top boys get some pocket money to be sponsored!
It comes down to fit really, the best fit is the best helmet for you. Like I say its no good going for a top brand if it doesn't fit well. The innards are all different and some a whole lot more comfortable than others!
I am now in a Shoei (fits me better than an Arai) but you can't resist those comfortable pads in the Arai's! The Shoei is a bit more scratchy.
Anyways wear what feels best for you. And as Idiot says, over £200 there probably isn't a whole heap of differences if you were to bash your head on the ground.
I'll always pay what I think my head is worth though so top dollar it is!