I picked up a Pyrotect half-face Snell SA 2005 helmet for about $150 at a recent SCCA Nationals Solo II event (there was a vendor out selling all sorts of equipment there, don't recall which vendor though.) I'm not sure if you'd be able to find anything new much cheaper. You can get them online for about the same price.

http://www.pyrotect.com/home.php

 

I don't want to be the one to start a war over helmet prices here but I have to throw in my .02.

I have ridden bikes for years and always bought the best equipment I could afford as far as A* leathers, Shoei helmets and so on.

Two years ago, Sport Rider did the most comprehensive helmet test I have EVER seen and the results smoked a lot of peoples minds. Although the Shoei/Arai/Shark (read $600 + helmets) provided great protection, comfort, wind noise reduction, no fogging, and so on, the absolute BEST crash (impact) protection repeatedly came from a 100 dollar "minimalist" helmet.

Now you can argue and I am sure some will that a helmet that is more comfortable and more quite makes for a more aware rider/driver thus lessening your chances of having to use it for what it was intended for in the first place. The only reason I post this up is a lot of guys new to safety equipment shopping don't do much research other than forums which seem to always tell you that you will die if you don't buy the most expensive one out there. This tends to shy some people away from the sport.

That being said, pay for a helmet what you think your head is worth. I buy nice helmets but price isn't everything, do your research on any/all brands and models prior to purchasing and if possible, try it on first. A M shoei RF 1000 fits me like a glove but I can't get a M Arai RX around my head to save my life due to the different designs.

 

wow, a magazine did a test? go see the s2000 suspension test LOL

No arguement tho that just because something is more expensive doesn't always mean its safer. Hell frequently a big part of the cost is the "paint (sticker) job".