Topic: E-bay modular helmet?

[paxtonpony]

Looking for a flip up helmet and ran across this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FULL-FACE-FLIP-UP-MODULAR-MOTORCYCLE-HELMET-w-ACCESSORY_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6749QQihZ003QQitemZ130105121665

Don't normally shop e-bay for anything safety related but that's one cool helmet.  Problem is, I can't find any info on it.  Has anyone heard of Vox Racing or know anything about it?  One thing I really like is it's got a built in sunvisor, seems like the cure to poking yourself in the eye with your sunglasses.  Anyway, thanks. 

BTW, they have the same helmet at amazon.com here:
http://www.amazon.com/APPROVED-VOX-MODULAR-MOTORCYCLE-SNOWMOBILE/dp/B000EAS1DE/ref=sr_1_1/103-3669963-1430263?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1177393000&sr=1-1

[DarkRider]

Would rather risk pokin my eye out slipping sunglasses under a $300+ skid lid. Its all a matter of how much you think your heads worth. I would rather go with name brand gear in this case. Next lid im buying is going to be either Icon or HJC.

[johnny-from-bel]

I have a schuberth C2 with build in sunshield. Fantastic, superb helmet.
http://www.schuberth.com/

[nickjtc]

Caveat emptor. We've discussed the whole helmet buying-by-mail order/eBay-whatever, before. You get what you pay for, and you risk ending up with a poorly fitting, but inexpensive helmet. Some posters have reported good success, however.

I am a fan of modulars (started with a Shoie Syncotec, and now have a HJC). Yes, they are marginally less 'safe' than an integral full-face, but still better than a 3/4, shorty or any other open face.

[eldar]

Yeah I dont know. I got a no name helmet as I wanted a lid but did not have much cash. A helmet is still safer than no helmet unless it does not fit well.  Mine fits ok but is a little big but then it works great in cold weather when I put on a hood and neck cover, it gets very snug then. It appears to made very well but maybe not as good as some. It is a wombat helmet and I think it comes from Oz actually.

Anyways, I did a little bit of searching and found very little. Places selling it online and while I did not devote hours to looking, I only found 1 customer review and that person liked it. I would suggest doing some good searching. Dont worry about the ebay listing as the price I found all over was $99. Find some reviews and email some places about their return policies if the helmet does not fit right.

I would still recommend going to shop that sells helmets and trying on a bunch though and get one that way. It is the best way to go and what I will do next time I get a new helmet in probably 2 years or so. My current lid was made in 04 and so that will make it 5 years, not really old but enough to justify getting a new, more advanced lid.

[paxtonpony]

Well, it's $100 after shipping from amazon.  I'm going to give it a shot.  Actually, I should say my wife is going to give it a shot.  She wants to go on a ride with me to see if she likes riding.  Sounds like the perfect test subject for this thread.     It's DOT approved so she should be safe.  I ordered it last night.  If she doesn't like riding I'm only out $100 for a helmet.

[nickjtc]

Keep us posted on how it works out. Not least whether the missis takes to two wheels.

[Uncle Ernie]

Nick- what are your opinions re noise, etc on the Shoie vs HJC subject?
I've head Shoie is the best.

[paxtonpony]

Don't know about Shoei but I've been real pleased with my HJC CL-SP.  No problems on my CB or VFR but it was awful on my Suzuki.  Always felt like it was going to be ripped off of my head.  Of course it was a streetfighter setup and my head was almost hanging over the headlights so I think any helmet would feel like it was trying to rip itself off your head.

[DammitDan]

Avoid it like the plague!

I bought a modular "Ebay" helmet (VCAN brand) as my first helmet.  Second time out on the bike, I wiped out going about 40 mph into a ditch.  According to the eyewitness, my brand new made in China modular helmet slipped OFF my head (strapped down and locked into place) before I hit the ground.  I suffered a broken nose and several cuts on my face as a result.  And the thing was strapped on tight, too!  Thank goodness I didn't directly hit my head on the ground, or I would be dead right now.

It came off because the locking mechanism wasn't a locking mechanism at all.  After the crash, my brother in law could simply apply pressure to the chin guard and it would pop out of its locks.  This is because the lock hooks were made of cheap (bendable) plastic, and the locking bars were made of cheap (bendable) plastic.  So when my head bounced backwards, the wind caught under the helmet, flipped the modular mask open, and just the right combination of forces made the thing slip backwards off my head.  (We re-created the event, and sure enough even with the strap down tight it still slipped right off my head).  I was sent their top-of-the-line (which is still pretty cheap) full-face non-modular helmet as a sort of "we're sorry our product was so cheap and almost killed you".  I now wear a Nolan.

So, if you're going to invest in a modular helmet, spend the money for a good one.  At the very least an HJC, or even better a Nolan or Shoei.  You'll thank yourself later after it doesn't come flying off your head in a 40mph crash.



*edit*  I should mention that the helmet I bought off Ebay was ALSO DOT approved.  So honestly, I don't think the DOT folks know much...

[heffay]

i've worn a lot of crap helmets... the kind where you look over your shoulder and the visor goes flying off in the wind, the kind that was a bit too big and in wind it will pull so hard on the chin strap my neck gets sore after only a few miles on the highway, etc., etc., etc.

i've worn some great bell, hjc and nolan helmets too.

i now have two arai helmets and i'll never buy another brand.  the most comfortable, vented, lightweight, and easy visor changes of any brand i've used.  one black to match the cb and one green/black/white to match the 7r 

[DammitDan]

Arai helmets are nice if you have the $500-$1000 to spend on it 

Hell, I'll end up with one some day (just not today)

[Bob Wessner]

I'm sure some of the better brand helmets have good chin strap locking mechanisms, but I've always favored the old fashioned D-rings myself, but then I'm a GHOF anyway. 

[heffay]

Arai helmets are nice if you have the $500-$1000 to spend on it 

Hell, I'll end up with one some day (just not today)

the green one was a hand me down from a guy i know that rode a zx10 and sold the bike and it didn't match anymore
the black one was a hand me down from my girlfriend that she got from the seller when she bought her vfr... it was too big for her.
they both happen to fit me perfectly 

agreed dan... i don't think i could afford an arai at retail prices on my student budget either.

I'm sure some of the better brand helmets have good chin strap locking mechanisms, but I've always favored the old fashioned D-rings myself, but then I'm a GHOF anyway. 

me too bob... i've never had one w/out the D rings

[DammitDan]

The chin strap didn't come loose...  It was a d-ring and was still connected when they found the helmet off in the woods.

It's the modular facemask that popped open because of cheap non-positive locking mechanisms.

[Bob Wessner]

The chin strap didn't come loose...  It was a d-ring and was still connected when they found the helmet off in the woods.

It's the modular facemask that popped open because of cheap non-positive locking mechanisms.

Gotcha.

I've thought about the convenience of the modulars, since I wear glasses, but so far I've mastered the routine for on and off, though it is a bit of a nuisance.

[heffay]

The chin strap didn't come loose...  It was a d-ring and was still connected when they found the helmet off in the woods.

It's the modular facemask that popped open because of cheap non-positive locking mechanisms.

the facemask shouldn't have anything to do w/ the helmet staying on your head... you'd have trouble convincing me anything other than it just didn't fit right.
a helmet should be snug, guys... it should actually give you a cheek smush and not be able to move on your head AT ALL.  many people try to buy helmets that are too big for them because they aren't used to it or just don't like the feel of a proper fit.

not trying to argue dan    just offering a couple more cents

[eldar]

My mod helmet was cheap in price but the hooks are thick. probably a quarter inch wide and thick. They seem very strong. and the part they latch too is part of the helmet molding so they can flex. it does not open from the wind but if you drop it or pull on it, it can pop open. So it certainly is not that great. PLus my visor will open a little from the wind unless I keep the screws holding in on, tightened down. I like the idea ond convenience of a mod helmet but next time I will get one the is a better brand at a place where I can try it on. For now though, I still feel it is better than nothing, plus it helps to protect my eyes from crap and my ears from too much wind noise.

[paxtonpony]

Well nuts.  They're all out of stock.  OK, now I'm going to try the mod helmets from J.C. Whitney.  I'm all about having my wife as a test dummy.  LOL.  Seriously, we're going to be riding in a large group with mostly Harleys and Goldwings so I'm not seeing any real danger.  I just want her to be comfortable and safe.  I also don't want to spend that much in case she rides once and says "never again."

[Bob Wessner]

In addition to a snug fit all around, one test you should try on any helmet is after securing under your (or your wife's ) chin, grasp the lip of the helmet at the back and try to pull it up.. fairly hard. It should not slip off. I believe they call it the "roll-off test."

[Uncle Ernie]

My innocent friend, 6 months ago I did a "get-off" at 25mph (twenty five miles per hour).  I broke my leg and collar bone.  I was wearing a half helmet that got pretty well dinged up and my face only got bloodied (not that anyone would notice the difference otherwise) Don't think going slow with Harleys is any kind of safety precaution. 

[eldar]

Long ass url but this is the one I got. It certainly did NOT say VR-1 on it or the box anywhere.  It is ok but not great. You migth want to try the electro but I dont know anything about it.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ItemBrowse/c-10111/s-10101/p-100000298195/mediaCode-ZX/appId-100000298195/Pr-p_CATENTRY_ID:100000298195

[paxtonpony]

Yep, I was eyeballing the Electro.  I'm thinking it was 5 bucks cheaper anyway.

[Gordon]

My innocent friend, 6 months ago I did a "get-off" at 25mph (twenty five miles per hour).  I broke my leg and collar bone.  I was wearing a half helmet that got pretty well dinged up and my face only got bloodied (not that anyone would notice the difference otherwise) Don't think going slow with Harleys is any kind of safety precaution. 

Very good point, Ernie.  You can be sitting on the bike completely motionless and someone can slam into you at 40mph (or faster)!  Going slow is no guarantee of any kind of safety.

[Snowdigger69]

I wear a GMAX full face. My head size for baseball caps is 7 3/8 the helmet is a GM38 XXL It sells around $80.00 plain colors. The face shield flips up, pain in the butt, as I wear glasses, however it works well in cold weather, has adjustable vents and D-ring straps to secure it on. You can also remove the shield without tools to swap to a darker one if needed. The Shields list for about $20.00
Just for what it's worth.  BTW also should say I've worn this one for a year and a half, it is holding up well however I need a second one in case I give someone a ride. I ordered another one should be here by tommorrow.                                         Snowdigger69,