both HJC and KBC have saved my life. (lids with heavy impact from road) and icon ,joe rocket and buell have saved my skin from jackets and gloves. i recommend them all, but i dont ride at all without atleast a lid and some gloves. thats my minimal. helmet because its your life, and gloves because i hear it hurts the worst and you put them down on the road first when going down, so duh. wear some. i just buy cheap lid and decent gloves. i got icon pursuit gloves now and im happy with them, and i got a no fear moto-x lid i wear on the street. ill be getting another $99.99 street lid from KBC cause like i sayed, it worked for me landing on my face going 60mph so im sure it will work for you, plus its 99 bucks + tax. you cant fucking beat that in the lid dept. i cant see paying 600 for race replica bs lids that you replace just the same as a cheapo one when you go down once. eff that. plus you worry about sratching it, lol...

i throw all my gear in the corner of the room without thinking about scratches n shit anyways, cause of pets and nasty shit you will come in contact with that will ruien it anyways. pluss it will smell from riding no matter how much you take care of it. IMO

sorry for bad spelling.