Helmets

[prateek2210]

Re: Helmets

No price range need a good helmet for avenger

its not about riding bikes its about loving bikes...sandy loving avy220

When price is not an issue , why dont you go for Schuberth SR1 Helmet, I guess it would go good with your black avenger.

or you can try Shoei or Arai or this X-Lite Lorenzo Replica

The point here was to discuss whether the steelbird helmet is strong enough for Indian standards or no,of course DOT/ECE/SNELL helmets are way stronger and not everybody can afford them.and of course steelbird also test the helmet for safety in machines as well,this was just a surprise check to ensure the quality is alright for Indian standards,Now one can`t start complaining or differentiating of how MARUTI test their cars for safety and how MERCEDES BENZ test their cars.

I guess prior to any mishap, 'accident' wont give any hint that I will not strike someone wearing a helmet with less or more value.
The question here is : What is important ? The Head or the pocket?

P.S : I would love to have a visual proof of helmet testing in India specially of all the ISI approved helmets available. If anyone have any link, do share it here.

[metaphoric.el]

Re: Helmets

When price is not an issue , why dont you go for Schuberth SR1 Helmet, I guess it would go good with your black avenger.

or you can try Shoei or Arai or this X-Lite Lorenzo Replica



I guess prior to any mishap, 'accident' wont give any hint that I will not strike someone wearing a helmet with less or more value.
The question here is : What is important ? The Head or the pocket?

P.S : I would love to have a visual proof of helmet testing in India specially of all the ISI approved helmets available. If anyone have any link, do share it here.

Been reading your posts.
Do you really mean to say that everyone in India should shell out 3-4k on helmets..?
Dude, wake up.. Not everyone has deep pockets like u do.. There are people who earn 3k a month to whom even spending a rupee matters, you cant say everyone needs to go for a LS2 or a Sol.
Do you really think that Steelbird helmets are so poor? Why? Have you been in a accident with a steel-bird helmet, and did that break your head?
I have been in a accident with a ISI cert Vega helmet, and no damage to my head.
Please stop degrading Indian products, steelbird has one of the best qualities "for protection" way better than Vega. (Do not mistake it for "comfort" )
If comfort matters, then come the "firangi" Helmets.
I believe, for people driving in standard speeds recommended/allowed in India, Steelbird truly does the job.
I personally own a LS2, but that was only for "comfort" and extra protection (for above "standard speeds allowed" in India).


-
📲 Sent from my Nexus !

[xpranav]

Re: Helmets

Anyone help with helmet for black avenger I have half Vega helmet looking for a branded half helmet if possible else suggest me the best

its not about riding bikes its about loving bikes...sandy loving avy220

No price range need a good helmet for avenger

its not about riding bikes its about loving bikes...sandy loving avy220

Hi Sandy, please allow me to offer a solution. You should go through this thread at least till recent 10 pages back from here ................. you will get some really good idea about Helmets their types and brands etc ............. I appreciate your enthusiasm for purchasing a good helmet but in real world you need to figure out one best suited as per your pocket ...........just in case you have seriously no end bracket for your Helmet budget then Prat has already pointed out the ones you should consider ......... Kindly follow this little advice and come back to us again and you will certainly have a genuine solution as per your need ........ all the best

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

Been reading your posts.
Do you really mean to say that everyone in India should shell out 3-4k on helmets..?
Dude, wake up.. Not everyone has deep pockets like u do.. There are people who earn 3k a month to whom even wasting a rupee matters, you cant say everyone needs to go for a LS2 or a Sol.
Do you really think that Steelbird helmets are so poor? Why? Have you been in a accident with a steel-bird helmet, and did that break your head?
I have been in a accident with a ISI cert Vega helmet, and no damage to my head.
Please stop degrading Indian products, steelbird has one of the best qualities "for protection" way better than Vega. (Do not mistake it for "comfort" )
If comfort matters, then come the "firangi" Helmets.
I believe, for people driving in standard speeds recommended/allowed in India, Steelbird truly does the job.
I personally own a LS2, but that was only for "comfort" and extra protection (for above "standard speeds allowed" in India).


-
 Sent from my Nexus !

I think the replies that he has been offering are directed at fellow members ........... and members at xBhp are at some point of their heart a Bike Enthusiast ........... and certainly there is a good difference between a regular 2-wheeler riding guy and a biking enthusiast

Therefore you should consider his comments in that flow. There is nothing to go mad at !!

----consecutive posts auto-merged-----

To people who wear half face helmet -- I hope this pic makes it clear why people prefer full face helmets

True, a picture speaks thousand words

[prateek2210]

Re: Helmets

Been reading your posts.
Do you really mean to say that everyone in India should shell out 3-4k on helmets..?
Dude, wake up.. Not everyone has deep pockets like u do.. There are people who earn 3k a month to whom even wasting a rupee matters, you cant say everyone needs to go for a LS2 or a Sol.
Do you really think that Steelbird helmets are so poor? Why? Have you been in a accident with a steel-bird helmet, and did that break your head?
I have been in a accident with a ISI cert Vega helmet, and no damage to my head.
Please stop degrading Indian products, steelbird has one of the best qualities "for protection" way better than Vega. (Do not mistake it for "comfort" )
If comfort matters, then come the "firangi" Helmets.
I believe, for people driving in standard speeds recommended/allowed in India, Steelbird truly does the job.
I personally own a LS2, but that was only for "comfort" and extra protection (for above "standard speeds allowed" in India).

Let me answer one by one to all your "statements"

• Where did I say that one needs to shell out 3-4k? One can get LS2/Cross in 2500.
• "Deep pockets like you".... Was that a personal attack? Do you know me that you are being "judgmental" here. Plus it seems with your sentence that buying a "better helmet" is wasting of money. Is that so?
• My friend died wearing a Steelbird helmet. The shell broke in 2 pieces. I wish not to comment anything apart from this.
• Good for you that you were lucky that Vega saved you. Not everyone is lucky on the road.
• I am not degrading any ISI product, I am just giving my opinion on a public forum that why not add few more savings and get a better product.
• You mean "firangi" helmets are only for comfort, you need a reality check here.
• People might drive or ride in permissible limits but who would guarantee that other people on road would act the same way?
• You yourself preffered LS2 over other indigenous brands. Why? You answered it : For extra protection......and thats what I am saying in all my posts.

PERIOD

P.S : Enough of OTs from my side. If anyone has any issue w.r.t. my posts, feel free to PM me.

[nadz11.ns]

Re: Helmets

no more personal remarks guys.. its not good for any of us..
firstly, others can only advice you what's best and healthy in the long run.. all are just being helpful..
and its the personal choice whether to listen to them or not.. no one is forcing anyone to do anything.. this has always been a healthy and helpful forum..

all have seen what quality standards we have in our country.. they are not bad at all.. but others have them better.. that is why the members here recommend what they think is best..

now no more OT.. and get back to discussing 'helmets'

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Helmets

Guys, I've been following the posts lately, just wanted to interrupt here.

Well, prateek, forget it. You can't convince everyone and you know why. PERIOD.

And let it be it at their own discretion. No one can forcefeed anything into anyone, ultimately it's ones own discretion. Our job is to help/guide with the limited knowledge that we have about riding gears, just so that every gets to know the knowledge gathered as drips from experiences

Please, let's guide everyone the best we can and forget it. Whether one goes for it, or doesn't depends on ones own discretion.

Please guys, don't drag it. Thank you so much.

Cheers!
VJ

[icemang]

Re: Helmets

[MENTION=39214]B7ACKTHORN[/MENTION]. Sensible, mature, calm words to pour oil over trouble waters. Good of you to do so.

I am commenting because of my firm belief in wearing helmets while riding. Another reason is that I have used the following helmets in my riding years till date:

a) 1982/83/84. My father's flying helmet of his Hunter days in the IAF: Used when I used to ride his scooter at the age of 13 or 14. Please don't rant about unlicensed rider, ignorant parents etc. The world in the early 80's was a much safer place then than it is now esp in the large estates of defence PSUs. Open face to facilitate the oxygen mask, abso fabulous visor certified for flying duties. Practical and workmanlike comfort. Optimal for flying duties but completely wrong for road use.

b) 1993. A Steelbird helmet named HAWK or something like that; had a fauz protrusion in front like a motocross lid: When I got my first bike (KB-RTZ) in 1993. Excellent helmet. Superb quality of manufacture and equally high comfort - for the day and price. It had costed Rs 800 then, quite a princely sum. Quite heavy, made of FRP with a Thermocole inner. Mind you, guys, that helmet, today would give any LS2/SOL/CROSS a good run for its money. In 1993, it had detachable cheek pads! Gave it away to my Man Friday soldier when he went on pension in 1996. Toured all over HP and Punjab in it.

c) 1998 to 2009. A Steelbird - BIEFFE helmet, modelled quite shamelessly on one of the BMW helmet models of that time. A little strange, almost spherical design. Very smart. Again, superb construction and comfort. Gave it away, again to my soldier when he bought a HH CD 100 for himself and I caught him riding with the wind in his hair. Made him take a crew cut and wear the helmet.

d) 2009. A Steelbird again, forget the model. Again, superb construction and comfort. Was cracked when it fell from my daughter's hands, three storeys down. From the injury, I could make out that it was again made from FRP but this time, the quality seemed to be much better than the first one.

e) 2009 till present day. Two CROSS helmets, one at Pune and the other at Rajkot, where I am posted. Quality is well-known. First bought in 2009, the second in 2011 when I was posted to Rajkot.

Now, after so many years of Steelbird/BIEFFE, why did I go for CROSS? Simple. Steelbird discontinued my model in the year when my helmet took its fall. I did not want a drastic change in the feel and perspective out of the visor. The CROSS models I have were as close to the Steelbird as possible so I went for them.

I have observed that there is a vast choice in the Steelbird brand. The full face category has 13 models, the OF 5 and the modular (they call it the open cum full face) has 1 model. SB has an offering for virtually every single type of potential customer.Helmets | Motorcycle Helmets | Safety Helmets | Motorcycle Helmets India

From the most economical to the most expensive, the one common thread running thru these helmets is that the quality of materials and manufacture is PROPORTIONAL to the price. Yet, there is a benchmark below which the company does not go. It would be quite erroneous to compare a SB with the Rs 200/300 type road-side vendor helmet. The former are protectors while the latter are killers. The fit and finish of the best SB helmets may not be in the same league as that of the REPUTED imports due to a large number of factors, I concede.

At the same time, we must also acknowledge that the best imports cost a bomb. I have heard of a price of Rs 40,000 for a helmet....

I, for one, am a bit skeptical of arriving at the quality of a helmet purely on the basis of its price. Because the customer's price has a number of layers above it. Cost price plus VAT plus transportation plus export duty (one time, India had export duty too!) plus import duty plus education cess plus X duty and Y tax and Z CVD etc etc. The end price gets bumped up and the customer feels that he is getting a world-class product. May not always be so, in every case.

It is common knowledge that like other Asian nations, India too is a dumping ground for cheap products. Here, the "cheap" tag applies more to quality rather than price. Toys, pens, electronics... you know that. Helmets too come into this category. We really really do NOT know of the authenticity of the imports but can only place faith on the importers. Ditto for the indigenous manufacturers. What we can have full confidence in is our own power of observation and the spoken reputation of the company, earned over years of excellence.

Many young contributors on this thread appear to have a jaundiced opinion about Indian manufacturers of helmets of which, the number 1 is Steelbird. My advice to them, out of a reasonably long and pleasant experience is this. Don't get taken in by data - brands/names/tests whatever. Decide what is APPROPRIATE for your pocket. And base this decision on your own special desires. "I want a SOL for its quality plus name. I cannot afford one now so will save for two or three months to get one". So be it, get a SOL. "I want a Steelbird for its quality, the name is secondary. I trust the company and can buy one immediately". So be it, get a SB.

But and but, if one is getting a SOL/LS2 etc purely because he feels that the equivalent SB model is trashy, then, I am sorry to say, he has been shallow in his research of the market. To such persons, I would urge a visit to a decent SB retailer, to touch and feel the helmet and then to marvel at the ability of the company to bring such a good product out at such a reasonable price. "Indian" does not always equate to "insipid"...

At the end of the day, we should know that there is only so much protection that even an F1 or MotoGP helmet, costing thousands of dollars will give to the driver/rider. For example, an accident may cause a whiplash injury to the equally sensitive neck vertebrae, causing instant death. The helmet may be without a SINGLE scratch even. So... we must disabuse ourselves of the misconception that a helmet will save our lives in a really serious accident. Then whether it is a SOL or LS2 or Arai or AGIP or a SB, nothing will be of any use. When my Maker calls me, I have to take the call...

[xpranav]

Re: Helmets

Now, after so many years of Steelbird/BIEFFE, why did I go for CROSS? Simple. Steelbird discontinued my model in the year when my helmet took its fall. I did not want a drastic change in the feel and perspective out of the visor. The CROSS models I have were as close to the Steelbird as possible so I went for them.

Icemang Sir ...... With every due respect I think we on this thread deserve a better justification from you for your transition to Cross from Steelbird.

Yet, there is a benchmark below which the company does not go.

I feel a correction can simply make this statement error free, by replacing "company" to "Safety Standards". Stating "Company" directs this discussion to the quality norms followed at a company, which is certainly not at all known to any of us.

The fit and finish of the best SB helmets may not be in the same league as that of the REPUTED imports due to a large number of factors, I concede.

I rise in complete agreement at this point.

At the same time, we must also acknowledge that the best imports cost a bomb. I have heard of a price of Rs 40,000 for a helmet....

I was once surprised and amused after learning of a price tag of 63k.

I, for one, am a bit skeptical of arriving at the quality of a helmet purely on the basis of its price. Because the customer's price has a number of layers above it. Cost price plus VAT plus transportation plus export duty (one time, India had export duty too!) plus import duty plus education cess plus X duty and Y tax and Z CVD etc etc. The end price gets bumped up and the customer feels that he is getting a world-class product. May not always be so, in every case.

True with the burden of taxes the imported products have to stand in the market for competition. And when I for one wish to pay for a product I do prefer to have a little homework about the alternatives/faults/fakes possible. I have even caught the delivery person with a fake Bisleri supplied to me . Though Everyone may not work in details all the time but when a guy chooses to invest his earnest saving on something I doubt if he will go just blindfolded.

We really really do NOT know of the authenticity of the imports but can only place faith on the importers.

True

Ditto for the indigenous manufacturers. What we can have full confidence in is our own power of observation and the spoken reputation of the company, earned over years of excellence.

In those years when they had earned the reputation "Helmets" were never a mass market for 2-wheelers until recently. When they have to mass market a product they have to look for many substitutes and you Sir will surely appreciate the immense difference in material/observable quality that has occurred over the time. Just to serve an example to state my opinion "I for one will never accept an advertisement from Dettol stating that its handwash will kill 100% of germs", though Dettol is a more-than-known brand in India.

Many young contributors on this thread appear to have a jaundiced opinion about Indian manufacturers of helmets of which, the number 1 is Steelbird. My advice to them, out of a reasonably long and pleasant experience is this.

With every due respect to your experience, I would like to point out that the market scenario has changed and so is the case with the manufacturers. Once a name is earned it has become a common mentality to exploit it at any cost to any limit, re-quote "at any cost to any limit". I have faith that you will agree that offering a fibre wall at the chin is not at all a symbol of a reputed brand.

Decide what is APPROPRIATE for your pocket. And base this decision on your own special desires.

Very correct but keep your eyes open what you are paying for even if you are a first timer

But and but, if one is getting a SOL/LS2 etc purely because he feels that the equivalent SB model is trashy, then, I am sorry to say, he has been shallow in his research of the market. To such persons, I would urge a visit to a decent SB retailer, to touch and feel the helmet and then to marvel at the ability of the company to bring such a good product out at such a reasonable price.

Sir, I have reasoned my point above in this very post on it. They were not trashy but over the period of time they are trying very hard to become one.

"Indian" does not always equate to "insipid"...

I am confident that a person with a wisdom as bright as yours, you must have come across the differences in the nature of the Indian standards and the European ones. It will be so stupid of me to go on and elaborate my point any further before you.

For example, an accident may cause a whiplash injury to the equally sensitive neck vertebrae, causing instant death. The helmet may be without a SINGLE scratch even. So... we must disabuse ourselves of the misconception that a helmet will save our lives in a really serious accident. Then whether it is a SOL or LS2 or Arai or AGIP or a SB, nothing will be of any use. When my Maker calls me, I have to take the call...

I suggest a little info to implement completeness in your example. There is a neck-band/guard to save lives in situations when a human body is exposed to higher speeds in professional races/environments (and here I am not-at-all eligible enough to pin the smart @$$e$ on the streets). Surely the Lift from Yamdoot has to be accepted but I can at-least put my effort in a direction that when I die I take away my so-called-satisfaction with me.

I only meant to serve a completeness to your post by dropping a reply. Please feel free to correct me. FYI, I am a young guy and I always appreciate a person from whom I get a chance to learn

Signing off with one of my favorite Chinese proverb: "When winds of change blow, some people build walls and other build windmills"

[amit_ss125]

Re: Helmets

Dear Friends:

I have 2 Helmets: A LS2 Cartoon and a Ergo (Open face Helmet - Plain Black).

I need to add some graphics to my ergo open face helmet.

Can you people suggest some good graphics/ airbrush art for helmets. If yes then where can i get it done in Mumbai and at what cost.

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Helmets

Dear Friends:

I have 2 Helmets: A LS2 Cartoon and a Ergo (Open face Helmet - Plain Black).

I need to add some graphics to my ergo open face helmet.

Can you people suggest some good graphics/ airbrush art for helmets. If yes then where can i get it done in Mumbai and at what cost.

Instead of air brushing or getting them painted, why don't you get yourself a decaled helmet which lasts quite well, not to say that the after market job won't last long. But personally I think it's useless for an open helmet especially. And using a solvent other than that required for painting a helmet can compromise the structural integrity of the shell, knowing already it's just nothing but a plastic tophat.

Cheers!
VJ

[amit_ss125]

Re: Helmets

Instead of air brushing or getting them painted, why don't you get yourself a decaled helmet which lasts quite well, not to say that the after market job won't last long. But personally I think it's useless for an open helmet especially. And using a solvent other than that required for painting a helmet can compromise the structural integrity of the shell, knowing already it's just nothing but a plastic tophat.

Cheers!
VJ

[MENTION=39214]B7ACKTHORN[/MENTION]: I do agree on ur point that an open face helmet is of no use...I do have a LS2...The open face was given to me by my bro...If i now go for another helmet then meri toh lag gayi... The open face is ISI marked and just about a week old...actually its plain black which is why i want to go for some decal/ graphics.

I am thinking of buying a new one later...

[Sandeep Patnala]

Airoh Speed Fire Pit Bull Review



Have been using it since past 1 week and found it to be worth of its price

STYLING :- So far i dint find any one staring at my helmet at traffic lights or any where else :P .But its stylish and does serve the purpose its meant to be.

COMFORT :- Its very comfortable. Have done a 560kms long ride wearing it for about 10 hours and i never felt any itching sensation or any irritating sensation any time.

when i first saw the label on it showing 1400gms i was worried a bit but i never felt it to be 1400gms even after wearing it for long hours during my long ride the weight is well distributed all around.

WIND NOISE :- Yes it blocks outside noise for about 40% and wind noise to a good percent but in my case the Micro-metric Retention System was exposed outside the helmet and was causing noise at high speeds rest all its fine and the helmet is very stable at 130Kmph too but at those speeds could hear some slight wind noise. So i dOnt accept it to be TOTALLY NOISELESS , well ofcourse i dint hear any outside noise at 130Kmph other than the wind :P

QUALITY :- No words , its fit finish is excellent.

FOGGING ISSUES :- Yes fog ll be formed when u r riding slow especially during winters and even during monsoons ( only when riding slow ). During my long ride i was riding all my way in rain and i faced fogging issues when ever i was riding slow.

VISOR QUALITY AND VISIBILITY :- Its a fantastic visor and i must appreciate it. When i was riding in rain the roads was pretty clearly visible and even during night times the visibility is good even when high beams were thrown straight.

VENTILATION :- Once u open up the chin ventilation channel and the one on the fore head air wont rush in but there is a flow of air which can be felt a little later. On summer days in city traffic it might not work but when ur moving it ll work.

PADDING :- Padding is soft and comfortable and they are all removable + washable.

SERVICE & SPARES :- Service part i guess it ll be good as we can direct talk to Bachoo motors and solve the issue and it comes with a warranty ( dont ask how many years :P as i too don't have the answer for that part ) .

Spares availability i doubt coz after purchasing the helmet i have put a mail to Bachoo motors asking for the price and the availability of inner padding's and liners to my surprise they replied me saying they don't have as of now and they assured me that they ll work fine for about 5 Years at-least.

* There is now where an ECE certified sticker on this helmet * But as Airoh is an ECE certified one and website says it and as Bachoo motors are official dealers for Airoh in India we need to believe in them, but if any one asks u to show certification logo there would be nothing to be shown



Hence i conclude saying that its a bang for the bug but it wont look like a 7500 /- priced helmet but it is :P and it does serve the purpose and it has 4/5 rating given by SHARP in-terms of safety.

Here is My Airoh on Me along with my CBR 250R C-ABS .....

[B7ACKTHORN]

Re: Airoh Speed Fire Pit Bull Review

Nice review there, Sandeep. And nice pic at the end footnote. Ride safe!! I just don't wanna start off on the ECE sticker issue, but then yes it is SHARP certified and it counts a lot. Enjoy yourself for a while.

Cheers!
VJ

[Sandeep Patnala]

Re: Airoh Speed Fire Pit Bull Review

Nice review there, Sandeep. And nice pic at the end footnote. Ride safe!! I just don't wanna start off on the ECE sticker issue, but then yes it is SHARP certified and it counts a lot. Enjoy yourself for a while.

Cheers!
VJ

Thanks Bro ...

Out of box question :- Why there is no LIKE THIS for my post !

[Sird]

Re: Airoh Speed Fire Pit Bull Review

Thanks Bro ...

Out of box question :- Why there is no LIKE THIS for my post !

Because you cannot Like you're Own Post