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Re: Helmets
Got a New Helmet, Bell Vortex BS-54.
Here's the story. Some of my colleagues were going to the US. I wanted a new Riding Jacket. I was looking for Mesh Alpinestar jackets as I was kind of bored with my 4.5 years old DSG maze. I started looking for deals on the US websites. They had some really good deals but those deals were mainly on not regular sizes. While browsing I reached the helmet section. I thought my helmet is more than 5 years old now too. Plus I dont have a clear visor for it and you dont get them in the market now as the model is discontinued by Vega. I havent enjoyed riding in the night for the last 5 years because of my Dark tinted visors plus Gurgaon being so dusty that you cant ride with open Visor. So I started looking. They had some really really mouth watering deals (sportsbiketrackgear.com). But again most of the stand out deals were on non regular sizes for eg Bell's Top of the Line STAR helmet which retails for $630, one model was available for $225. But again not regular sizes. While browsing I reached this helmet. The price was good and all sizes were available. Read some reviews, consulted the higher authority (Wife) and got the helmet.
Overall Damages:
Retail Price: $210. Normally Graphics model were easily available everywhere for $180.
Discounted price: $100.
Since the Helmet comes with clear visor got one Dark Black Tinted visor as well $40. I think the visor is really expensive but its really good as well. More on that later.
Overall $140. My colleagues gave the helmet to me today. In the evening went for a small ride.
Here is one of the honest reviews I found about this helmet. (Most reviews praised it too much, I think. I assume reason being that Bell has a manufacturing plant in the US and hence most US websites wanted to really market it. Just as assumption)
Bell Vortex Review - webBikeWorld
This website has some very interesting research on helmet noise.
Motorcycle Helmet Noise - webBikeWorld
My observations are more from a comparison point of view with my Vega. I have not worn any other high end helmet so I might have limited perspective as to what to expect from a higher end helmet.
Pros:
1) Paint Quality and Build Quality is really awesome. All the vents and switches have tactile feel while closing and opening and feels solidly built.
2) I loved my Vegas fit and interior feel. This is slightly better in terms of amount of Padding and plus it has Neck and Chin curtains as well. Not sure if they make a difference but they look cool and give a very snug fit. So I would say slightly very slightly better than my Vega.
3) Perfect fit. Bell vortex has very accurate sizing guide. Mine fits perfectly to me.
4) Visor & Visor changing mechanism. A lot of reviews ssaid it has the best shield changing mechanism. I kind of agree. In my 5 years with my Vega I dodnt change the shield even once. I saw the shop keeper change it, the effort he put in made me scared that he might break something. I never attempted it myself hence. This helmets shield I changed 3 times in the first day. Super easy. The visor are Anti fog coated and scratch resistant (Nothing is scratch resistant in this world). Visibility is good. Visor open and closes very nicely. I would rate this helmets visor opening and closing and changing system very very highly. Definately the most defining feature for me for this helmet.
5)Ventilation: Some good reviews in the internet, a lot of vents but I cant comment as of now whether it works that well or not. During my short ride today felt ok. Slightly better than my Vega proabably.
6) Safety standards met: Vortex is both DOT and SNELL 2010 approved. I dont think my Vega was SNELL approved.
7) External dimensions: Almost similar to my Vega. Probably a hair bit smaller in some areas.
Cons:
1) Weight: Its slightly heavire than my Vega. I weighed the 2 on the digital scale. Vega was 1460 Gms and this one was around 1760 gms. But honestly while riding didnt feel significantly heavier.
2) Wind Noise: As the review points out, I also observed Wind noise near the ear areas. This helmet comes with some recesses for bluetooth earpieces, I think that hollow area results in more wind noise. At about 80-90 Kmhr I felt the helmet normal, probably slightly quiter than my Vega not sure. But definately around 120 more wind noise around ears than my Vega. Even while crouching too. I read somewhere stuffing some foam in those recesses will solve it. Will give it a go. Honestly I think my Vega performed really well in this area hence I felt this helmet more noisy. I think a lot of indian helmets will be noisier than this. But definately a con for this helmet.
So finally no riding jacket, but instead got a new helmet from US. I am happy with the purchase. My old helmet is still going strong so for mundane here and there rides will use that one.
After my short ride in the dark today with the clear visor, felt so good and relaxed, otherwise I was always kind of scared riding in the night because of visibility.
Some Pics, some are with my old helmet:
By the way 54 on the helmet stands for 1954, the year Bell started making automobile helmets.
Got a New Helmet, Bell Vortex BS-54.
Here's the story. Some of my colleagues were going to the US. I wanted a new Riding Jacket. I was looking for Mesh Alpinestar jackets as I was kind of bored with my 4.5 years old DSG maze. I started looking for deals on the US websites. They had some really good deals but those deals were mainly on not regular sizes. While browsing I reached the helmet section. I thought my helmet is more than 5 years old now too. Plus I dont have a clear visor for it and you dont get them in the market now as the model is discontinued by Vega. I havent enjoyed riding in the night for the last 5 years because of my Dark tinted visors plus Gurgaon being so dusty that you cant ride with open Visor. So I started looking. They had some really really mouth watering deals (sportsbiketrackgear.com). But again most of the stand out deals were on non regular sizes for eg Bell's Top of the Line STAR helmet which retails for $630, one model was available for $225. But again not regular sizes. While browsing I reached this helmet. The price was good and all sizes were available. Read some reviews, consulted the higher authority (Wife) and got the helmet.
Overall Damages:
Retail Price: $210. Normally Graphics model were easily available everywhere for $180.
Discounted price: $100.
Since the Helmet comes with clear visor got one Dark Black Tinted visor as well $40. I think the visor is really expensive but its really good as well. More on that later.
Overall $140. My colleagues gave the helmet to me today. In the evening went for a small ride.
Here is one of the honest reviews I found about this helmet. (Most reviews praised it too much, I think. I assume reason being that Bell has a manufacturing plant in the US and hence most US websites wanted to really market it. Just as assumption)
Bell Vortex Review - webBikeWorld
This website has some very interesting research on helmet noise.
Motorcycle Helmet Noise - webBikeWorld
My observations are more from a comparison point of view with my Vega. I have not worn any other high end helmet so I might have limited perspective as to what to expect from a higher end helmet.
Pros:
1) Paint Quality and Build Quality is really awesome. All the vents and switches have tactile feel while closing and opening and feels solidly built.
2) I loved my Vegas fit and interior feel. This is slightly better in terms of amount of Padding and plus it has Neck and Chin curtains as well. Not sure if they make a difference but they look cool and give a very snug fit. So I would say slightly very slightly better than my Vega.
3) Perfect fit. Bell vortex has very accurate sizing guide. Mine fits perfectly to me.
4) Visor & Visor changing mechanism. A lot of reviews ssaid it has the best shield changing mechanism. I kind of agree. In my 5 years with my Vega I dodnt change the shield even once. I saw the shop keeper change it, the effort he put in made me scared that he might break something. I never attempted it myself hence. This helmets shield I changed 3 times in the first day. Super easy. The visor are Anti fog coated and scratch resistant (Nothing is scratch resistant in this world). Visibility is good. Visor open and closes very nicely. I would rate this helmets visor opening and closing and changing system very very highly. Definately the most defining feature for me for this helmet.
5)Ventilation: Some good reviews in the internet, a lot of vents but I cant comment as of now whether it works that well or not. During my short ride today felt ok. Slightly better than my Vega proabably.
6) Safety standards met: Vortex is both DOT and SNELL 2010 approved. I dont think my Vega was SNELL approved.
7) External dimensions: Almost similar to my Vega. Probably a hair bit smaller in some areas.
Cons:
1) Weight: Its slightly heavire than my Vega. I weighed the 2 on the digital scale. Vega was 1460 Gms and this one was around 1760 gms. But honestly while riding didnt feel significantly heavier.
2) Wind Noise: As the review points out, I also observed Wind noise near the ear areas. This helmet comes with some recesses for bluetooth earpieces, I think that hollow area results in more wind noise. At about 80-90 Kmhr I felt the helmet normal, probably slightly quiter than my Vega not sure. But definately around 120 more wind noise around ears than my Vega. Even while crouching too. I read somewhere stuffing some foam in those recesses will solve it. Will give it a go. Honestly I think my Vega performed really well in this area hence I felt this helmet more noisy. I think a lot of indian helmets will be noisier than this. But definately a con for this helmet.
So finally no riding jacket, but instead got a new helmet from US. I am happy with the purchase. My old helmet is still going strong so for mundane here and there rides will use that one.
After my short ride in the dark today with the clear visor, felt so good and relaxed, otherwise I was always kind of scared riding in the night because of visibility.
Some Pics, some are with my old helmet:
By the way 54 on the helmet stands for 1954, the year Bell started making automobile helmets.
, I do have a similar one but without graphics, just plain one, here's a pic of mine,
. . .
But thanks for the honest headsup.
. Infact its the first time I'm dealing with such showroom people who themselves told me to keep calling and reminding them about my booking or they might forget
!!!
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