Helmets

[nithinvettom]

My LS2 red dragon was bought three months back. It has the 2 vents on top, 2 on sides and one in front. It has the Vega written just above the Visor. It neither has the DOT, ECE or ISI embossed or stickered anywhere. I wonder why.. Bought from a very respectable place in Chennai for 2.5 k bucks.

Recently I saw a LS2 Red dragon with a glossy finish mine is a matt finish. it has a decent build, a bit heavy (not sure of weight, ll check it soon). i had used a LS2 Dragon of my friend once with the DOT embossed. I feel the fit is the same. But his has a different kind of strap - on . It was bought from a helmet shop in marathahalli, bangalore.

If you ask me, had i known of SOL 3 months back I would have gone for SOL, given all these speculations surrounding LS2. But as of now, have to be happy with what I got and hope it serves the purpose

I think it is not LS2.Its vega one,with same LS2 red dragon design.It is not DOT certified i think.The strap will be a plastic slide one,In LS2 it is knot one.

[Binoy]

I will eat your head This is my LS2 Diamond,and yes "DOT" is not sticker , its embossed. Probably because these are before vega brought them in India, and yes its quite heavy compared to the new ones

Oh that's news for me. Sorry I din't know or yet to see an LS2 with a DOT certificate embossed on it. Thanks for clearing my doubts

[Dreamwalker987]

i thought it will cost more,because of its features.For 5.5K is the base model..?

not exactly 5.5k it is the cost mentioned on solhelmetindia.com plus local charges extra that includes taxes and all....In Mumbai sf-1 costs approx. 5.5k and i guess sf-1 is top hand model of SOL...

[ambisagar]

Hi guys....i m looking for a helmet with cell phone connecting facility....smthing like this in the attached picture...cud u help me in getting the same or similar....thanks in advnce

[Chandru Raj]

I think it is not LS2.Its vega one,with same LS2 red dragon design.It is not DOT certified i think.The strap will be a plastic slide one,In LS2 it is knot one.

Ya you are spot on with the strap. But the hearsay is Vega markets or deals with LS2 and not produce them. Even their website when I last saw had no such red dragon listed. It is not even having a single certification mark

[prateek2210]

Hi guys....i m looking for a helmet with cell phone connecting facility....smthing like this in the attached picture...cud u help me in getting the same or similar....thanks in advnce

Looking something like this

Ya you are spot on with the strap. But the hearsay is Vega markets or deals with LS2 and not produce them. Even their website when I last saw had no such red dragon listed. It is not even having a single certification mark

You might not find DOT LS2 now as Vega now deals in them. If you check the shell and the inner lining of LS2 and CROSS are same.
The reason for DOT being missing is that this Vega follows ISI/ECE standards. BTW their website seldom gets updated in the LS2 section

[Chandru Raj]

Looking something like this


You might not find DOT LS2 now as Vega now deals in them. If you check the shell and the inner lining of LS2 and CROSS are same.
The reason for DOT being missing is that this Vega follows ISI/ECE standards. BTW their website seldom gets updated in the LS2 section

Ya even the shopkeeper told the Vega story to me but the ISI mark is also missing. DOes it come as a sticker and it is peeled off while I was using or something?

[prateek2210]

Ya even the shopkeeper told the Vega story to me but the ISI mark is also missing. DOes it come as a sticker and it is peeled off while I was using or something?

As far as I remember I have only seen ECE stickers and DOT embossed on LS2s

[DeVille]

Quest for a new helmet

Guys....Good news for Mumbai xBhpians. SOL Helmets now have 2 official dealers in Mumbai...Apart from A.H.Helmets, S.M.Studios in Mulund now has SOL Helmets & Gear on its shelves. The owner, Harmesh Majithia, is a friend of mine & a veteran biker...He usually stocks LS2's & Cross's in his shop, however I was quite surprised to find SOL lids at his place when I dropped by yesterday. Although he has not been listed on SOL's website as of now, he says that him, along with Mr.Hemant (A.H.Helmets) will be the official dealers for SOL helmets in Mumbai.

He has some 5-6 lids in stock, both full-face & dual type in sizes, ranging from L to XXL. These include the SF-1, SL-68Sll & SS-1 models. Check out the attached pics. Harmesh says he expects more stock to come in the next 2 weeks which would include the SL-68S Unicorn as well, along with SOL Jackets & other gear. The shop address, along with his contact details are as mentioned below. You may contact him for any further queries or info.. :

S.M.Studios
10/Sangeeta Enclave, Hira Nager,
Sarvoday Nagar, Mulund-W,
Mumbai-400080.

Harmesh Majithia - 09029298160

Dude, I went there y'day morning! Incidentally I thought I would check that lane out, prior to going to PRS and Bachoo Motors in town, as it is teeming with Auto accessory outlets. I was pleasantly surprised to spot AGV alongwith SOL. (But you foiled my plans to announce the discovery of SOL there )

Prices he quoted for SOL are-

• SL-68S II- 5450
• SF-1- 5950 (Agreed to sell for 5.9)

Since I'm eagle-eyed for a full-face one I don't look at any other models
But apart from the Metal Man Grey/Silver, there were none with funkier graphics and he didn't have any size below L either. (It's another thing though that I wasn't planning to buy SOL just yet )
He's got an exhaustive range of LS2 and CROSS. Guys searching for these, you know where to head now!

He also has AGV priced at 12.5k, albeit limited sizes and designs,

Later, I went to Bachoo since AH Helmets said he has only few of SL-68S and SF-1. Also, he said the AGV ones at 8k weren't in stock and the ones he had were priced at 14k.
So even after spending an entire day covering all top outlets, I still returned home empty-handed. Why? Read on...

At Bachoo, there is Airoh (Joker) https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...238118&type=3& at 7.9k though the one there seemed to be White-silver and
Rjays at 3.9k. (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...238118&type=3&). However none of these colors appealed to me as I was looking for a bright, solid shade to complement my red Pulsar.

Next up- PRS.
Though they had KBC and Sparx, the yellow Hornet from Sparx was nowhere to be seen and the ones available were Kintaro, Pow, Famous Stars & stripes/ J BEATS REPLICA, Master and some others in Dark gray.
Even the fancier graphics in KBC in the 8k range were missing.

I was thinking of goin for the Sparx Hornet but the guys have told me that it will be a few mnths before they get new Sparx n KBC stock and since they order in bulk it won't be possible to accept custom orders for a particular model.

However, they might get some stock in HJC (which weren't there) in approx 3 weeks, which gives me hope.

Thanks for reading thru this (for those who did!)....I'm gonna make a fresh post about the helmets I have tried all through this quest.

[catchdoon]

Aren't STUDDS or STEELBIRD helmets worth it? I mean are also one of the BEST in quality in performance. Why am i not able to see any one person talking about them?

[rahul2880]

full face helmet or modular helmet (chin Up/flip up) which one to go for? and which helmet will suit for black thunderbird twinspark?

[prateek2210]

Aren't STUDDS or STEELBIRD helmets worth it? I mean are also one of the BEST in quality in performance. Why am i not able to see any one person talking about them?

The same reason when you have bajaj chetak and a 150cc bike in front of you and you will still choose the bike.

full face helmet or modular helmet (chin Up/flip up) which one to go for? and which helmet will suit for black thunderbird twinspark?

I personally prefer Full Face as it provides more protection. Check the last 4-5 pages, helmet options has been discussed to death here

[neil.jericho]

full face helmet or modular helmet (chin Up/flip up) which one to go for? and which helmet will suit for black thunderbird twinspark?

Full face is always safer. With a modular helmet you will tend to flip your lid up (especially in the city) which makes it extremely unsafe for you if you have a fall. Kinda defeats the purpose of a helmet ....

[DeVille]

Opinion on Lids tried

So couple of days after I tried on quite a few helmets in Bombay in the 5k-10k range, here's my take on them-

SOL
Tried the SF-1 & SL-68S II

1. + Feature-packed to the brim (19! vents, LED at rear, more visor opening positions)
   + Lot of padding ensures a good fit thanks to generous cushioning that's removable and washable
   + Good quality and attention to detail
   + Great VFM for those who aren't too brand conscious/ discerning
   + DOT certified
   
   - As has been mentioned, quite heavy (SL-68S II is slightly lighter due to LED absence) and bulky
   - No retractable sun visor (perhaps only missing feature)
   - Limited variety in graphics
   - Also, no carbon-fibre model in the range
   - At ~6k, inches into the territory of reputed brands that have lighter lids (KBC et al)

Rjays

Default black ones and a red-black one (which I tried, dunno the exact name)

+ Compact design
+ Snug fit
+ Comparatively Lightweight (I'm guessin well under 1600 gms)
+ Backed by reputation of the Aussie maker, popular for biking gear
+ Fantastic VFM at 3.9k


- Not many features to boast about
- [EDIT] Visor extremely hard to open (literally had to pry it open with my paws!)
- Hardly any options in colors, graphics
- No certification printed, on the rear it had a sticker of the Australian certification with some other particulars that looked like it cud peel off (or was supposed to be?!) any moment

- Complaints of extended usage leading to discomfort and headache/ pain around the head (heard this from riders as their 1st hand experience., NOT MINE)

Airoh
Full-face, Speedfire Joker- 7,900

+ Incredibly lightweight at the price-point
+ Solid, no-nonsense quality that speaks for itself
+ Compact


- Measly features with just couple of air-vents thrown in
- Seemingly Outdated shape and design (The visor aperture looks much smaller/ narrower than the others but cant comment on whether it hampers visibility )
- Was it just me or was there NO ECE/ DOT certification printed??
- Graphic isn't attractive enough to me

P.S. Couldn't actually wear this one as the store owner was finicky about my sweaty head and had a Try-only-if-you-sure of buying policy (and I tried the Rjays instead)


Sparx
Mentioned the models in my previous post, tried the Kintaro

+ Contemporary design
+ Great quality and finish
+ Best paintjobs from the lot
+ DOT certified

- Fit isn't remarkably great (tho as good as or better than average)
- Expect more features (atleast relevant ones like the visor positions) at the price
- Many of those awesome graphics aren't available

KBC
KBC Helmet - VR RETRO ZERO (Yellow)

+ Superior fit (than Sparx)
+ Many options for those with budget >10k
+ DOT certified

- Graphics are quite staid
- Fancier graphics unavailable


SUMMARY

• Can anyone here confirm/rebut the thing I've heard about Rjays lids?? It's quite disturbing and though the riders in question were puzzled as to the rationale behind the pain caused by the helmet, I have my doubts and have struck Rjays off my list (temporarily even though it provides the best VFM)

• Also (reluctantly) slashing SOL as I'm lookin for a lid tat shudnt exceed 1.5 kgs in weight and tho they feel good and have many features, I think it's the fundamental of comfort tht shud dicide d helmet

• So, RIGHT NOW, as I see it I have Airoh, Sparx and KBC as options. On current form, I'm tempted to go for Airoh which is one of the big 3 (Arai, AGV) with a lot of respect goin for it. Also a Made in Italy helmet at ~8k is irresistible!
  BUT, the PRS guys promised that they'll get HJC (supposedly World #1) in approx 3 weeks and I'm curious to see what they have to offer below 10k. So until then, it's another wait

Fellow riders, please suggest/ advise on my selection and lemme know if I've made the right decision to wait or I'm better off choosing one of the above options


P.S. There were a couple of AGVs (ridiculously light) at S.M.Studios but were outta my budget at 12.5k hence ain't considering them. (Pros and cons similar to the Airoh)

[Binoy]

Sparx
Mentioned the models in my previous post, tried the Kintaro

+ Contemporary design
+ Great quality and finish - True
+ Best paintjobs from the lot - +1000
+ DOT certified and ECE / 22-05

[INDENT]- Fit isn't remarkably great (tho as good as or better than average) - I found the Fit and finish is better than any other helmets you mentioned here.
- Expect more features (atleast relevant ones like the visor positions) at the price - Yeah the visor is really difficult/tight to operate(open/close)
- Many of those awesome graphics aren't available

The points in bold are my opinion on SparX S-07