Topic: Ah crap! Cracked helmet UPDATE 9/4

[scottly]

China knockoff?

This was my first thought. I read in a car magazine a while back about Chinese counterfeit name brand performance parts, like MSD ignition boxes. There was also a u-tube video posted somewhere on here with a guy smashing Chinese helmets like eggshells.

[goldarrow]

Jb weld the crack??? 

[PeWe]

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=motorcycle+helmet+made+in+++china

[Wobbly]

As a side note: a good helmet doesn't have to be expensive. I buy my helmets (AGV) and leathers (Dainese) from EBay in Italy at exceptional good prices. Very recently, I bought an AGV T-2 helmet (Super-Super Light SSL Carbon Kevlar) for 140,00 Euros (my price suggestion) which is about $ 160.00. I have had excellent experiences with various Italian sellers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/311396027510?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[przjohn]

Who needs Snell Ratings with these 2 guys and the "Wack a Mole" rating method. 

[lrutt]

I've dropped helments many times and other than a minor scratch or scuff, that's it. That crack is BS. I'd raise a bigger stink with Bell. Would disagree with the statement that they are designed to crack on an impact. That is the liners job to prevent your melon, not cracking the shell.

How old is this helmet?

[Gene]

It's a design flaw.  They didn't reinforce the area around the vent properly, and they're embarassed or worried about possoble liability issues.  Does look like someone patched it with spackle, though.

[greenjeans]

I bought the helmet at my local Honda dealership.  Came packaged in Bell branded materials throughout.  Helmet bag and extra face shield.  Even had a few stickers.  Packaging etc. seems very authentic.   It'd definitely not the best, most protective helmet, but I'm pretty easy these days.  The wind noise is ridiculous for a full face helmet.  But, it's a pretty classy helmet and I honestly just like the look of it.  I keep looking at the crack, and it looks like some sort of filler, but I assumed it was the gel coat on the fiberglass.  And while I can see both sides of the argument, I just think a $450 helmet should be able to survive a small impact.  I did knock the helmet off the chair and watched it fall, so if that voids a warranty, so be it.  I'll not buy another Bell product.   I have an old 70's Bell star that I painted up like Evel Knievel's that has been dropped sooooo many times.  So many times.  It hasn't cracked and it's 40 years old.   I think that helmet needs some additional layers of fiberglass near that vent to keep that from happening.  I also think that it just happened to fall on the 1 frickin' place that is the weak spot of that helmet - just my luck.  Stay tuned.

If anyone has suggestions for a 70's styled full face helmet with a flip up shield shout 'em out.

[754]

I am not convinced its structural..
 Here's why,  if they are laying layers of mat, they have to cut a section out. And it's multiple layers, perhaps laid 90 degrees to each other. At any rate you do not end up with clean transition around the hole. So the easy thing, use a layer of filler and sand for smooth look..
 Being as most take good care of their helmets,  incidents life keep this are uncommon, so nobody knows what's under the paint.. So if that is the case.... Maybe it is not so serious.

[Retro Rocket]

I am not convinced its structural..

I am Frank, look in the link at the blown up version of the picture and you can clearly see a crack in the fiberglass, back from the corner...
Have a look in the center of the crack where the filler has fallen out, that crack is structural.. I wouldn't rely on it to save my head... Click on the link below, at the top right of the picture there are 5 boxes, click on the 4th one along, the one with the + in magnifying glass and have a look at the big picture..

http://s195.photobucket.com/user/juan-verde/media/Mobile%20Uploads/image_zps2gyycdd0.jpg.html

[PeWe]

Helmets are different. Several brands that do not produce for MY head (box shaped). Arai way too narrow ( for egg headed?)
I had Nolan looong time ago, really squeezer and headache as other helmets gave me as well.
Jebs Clay Regazzoni was something that fitted my head and helmet did not lift when speed reached >120kmh and more like old Nolans.
I bought a Shoei Sarron replica 1990, OK fitting but horrible aerodynamics when it lift around 140kmh.

This year a new one (Schuberth) that can be opened, fits well and good areodynamics. It cost some but I see no alternatives except waste money on crap helmets that MY head is not designed for. Now when I have used it for a while, its not expensive anymore when I got bang for the bucks.

[CBGhia]

If anyone has suggestions for a 70's styled full face helmet with a flip up shield shout 'em out.

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/biltwell-gringo-s-spectrum-limited-edition-helmet 

Only other one I know of.

[Rookster]

Retro Full Face Helmets:

Premier Trophy:  This helmet is not available in the US but does conform to ECE standards which are more stringent than DOT.  This can be had for less than the Bullitt shipped. http://www.premier.it/en/collections/full-face/

Biltwell Gringo S:  This is the updated Gringo with the shield. https://www.biltwellinc.com/c140/buy/gringo-s-full-face/

Daytona Retro Ride:  This is actually made by a German Company called Bandit Helmets.  This is also known as the Bandit Integral. http://www.daytonahelmets.com/d.o.t.-daytona-retro-ride-black-pin-stripe-p5053

Scott

[greenjeans]

Well, I shipped my helmet back for inspection.   From the tracking, I see that it arrived on Tuesday.   Just now, I opened a box with a replacement.   A follow up with their customer service rep noted that while they did not believe it was a defective helmet, they wanted to replace it free of charge for customer relations and as a 1-time courtesy.

So, I'd like to take this chance to salute Bell helmets and their customer service.  I'm not sure they had to do what they did, but I am thankful they did. 

[CBGhia]

Glad it worked out for you!  I think they really had to do it, based on the way that cracked.  There had to be a flaw, but they did not want to admit fault. 

[Retro Rocket]

Well, I shipped my helmet back for inspection.   From the tracking, I see that it arrived on Tuesday.   Just now, I opened a box with a replacement.   A follow up with their customer service rep noted that while they did not believe it was a defective helmet, they wanted to replace it free of charge for customer relations and as a 1-time courtesy.

So, I'd like to take this chance to salute Bell helmets and their customer service.  I'm not sure they had to do what they did, but I am thankful they did.

Good result   

[Desert-SOHC]

They NEVER admit there is a problem. I had Michelin tires on my motorhome that we scary dry rotted at 2 years old and Michelin didnt admit a problem, but I got new tires for 90% of retail + labor.

[PeWe]

Well, I shipped my helmet back for inspection.   From the tracking, I see that it arrived on Tuesday.   Just now, I opened a box with a replacement.   A follow up with their customer service rep noted that while they did not believe it was a defective helmet, they wanted to replace it free of charge for customer relations and as a 1-time courtesy.

So, I'd like to take this chance to salute Bell helmets and their customer service.  I'm not sure they had to do what they did, but I am thankful they did. 

Do you really trust that model of helmet that cracked for almost nothing?
It should withstand a crash from the rolling bike into the road....protecting the head inside it.

[mystic_1]

+1 me, I would think about selling the replacement on eBay and then buying a different model of helmet.

mystic_1