I used to work at a motorcycle dealership where part of my job was to help outfit riders. As I escorted customers down the helmet aisle, we’d talk about how price reflected protection and comfort. Generally, a more expensive helmet fit better and offered more safety. At the end of our walk we’d arrive at the GMax helmets—reserved for the “budgetiest” of budget-conscious customers. And based on those experiences the GM11 surprised me.

The GM11 is the first GMax I’ve ever worn. The sizing is true, and consistent with most other manufacturers. The interior is plush but snug, leaving ample room for my ears. There were no specific pressure points and the fit felt consistent front to back and side to side. My bias suggested the helmet couldn’t feel as comfortable as the high-end options, but I was wrong. Fit and comfort are the true highlights of this helmet.

The styling sits halfway between passive and aggressive. It’s an attractive looking lid with nice lines. A closer look reveals why the GM11 costs less than most competitors: A few unfinished burrs on the breath guard, some excess factory glue, and plastic screws bring the GM11 down a notch in terms of quality.

The GM11 might have the largest eye port of all the helmets I own, helping with proper fitment of goggles. The face shield lifts completely out of sight when fully opened. Its shape is aerodynamic and optically correct, although the shield is not anti-fog, or pin-locked. It’s difficult to find the face shield’s tab when fully opened; the tab hides behind the visor, and you must wedge your finger into the tight space to access it. And you’ll need to decide if you want your vents open or closed before you ride since the switches are also difficult to find and modulate.

I also installed Scala Rider’s new PACKTALK communication system. The helmet’s ear pockets are just big enough to fit the ear pads, leaving zero room for wind turbulence to disrupt the sound quality of the communication system.

The GM11 was most comfortable for low speed or off-road use. However, on road, and especially at highway speeds, the helmet is loud. Lots of wind noise and rattling vent closures encourage ear plugs. That being said, overall the helmet is aerodynamic at highway speeds. It ventilates well, although I couldn’t feel much of a difference whether the vents were opened or closed.

My biggest complaint about the GM11 is the lack of an anti-fog shield. During a chilly dual-sport ride, I was constantly modulating the face shield while trying to get a clear view and block the cold air at the same time. If GMax plans to update this helmet in the future, my only request would be an anti-fog shield or pin-lock option.

Because of the low price, you won’t mind when you’re riding in the deep woods and low hanging branches are smacking against the visor. This is by no means a cheap helmet—just an inexpensive one. The GM11 offers value that would have cost twice as much five years ago. And despite its flaws, I find myself grabbing the GM11 more often than the $600 carbon fiber helmet it sits next to.
MSRP: $124.95 G-Max.com

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