Helmets

[Kos]

Re: Helmets

As far as price goes & when it's about helmets my logic is simple. "decide a budget based on your riding requirements then add another 1k/2k/3k to it" that's your affordability. Coz your head is worth more or quite simply the affordability of your helmet is as much as your phone! so if you own a 30k phone, surely you can afford a 30k helmet coz the 30k phone will not replace you for your family.

no offense, but i think this logic is slightly flawed, because the cost of a helmet is not directly proportional to the degree of safety it might offer.
most of these imported brands cost more simply because of the import taxes, and may not be superior to indian brands. the international brands may have had testing carried out, and part of our impression about them comes thru the marketing that happens, which is generally not the case with indian brands.
also, the marketing adds to the costing of the helmet which, if removed from the equation, might reduce the cost of the helmet to indian brand levels.
finally, we indians tend to believe that the more expensive a product, the better it might be.

i'm not trying to offend you, just want an informative discussion...

[emm]

Re: Helmets

no offense, but i think this logic is slightly flawed, because the cost of a helmet is not directly proportional to the degree of safety it might offer.
most of these imported brands cost more simply because of the import taxes, and may not be superior to indian brands. the international brands may have had testing carried out, and part of our impression about them comes thru the marketing that happens, which is generally not the case with indian brands.
also, the marketing adds to the costing of the helmet which, if removed from the equation, might reduce the cost of the helmet to indian brand levels.
finally, we indians tend to believe that the more expensive a product, the better it might be.

i'm not trying to offend you, just want an informative discussion...

Your view about the cost split up is true. Additionally, the higher cost for these imported helmets also includes comfort which is important too, the quality of finish. I own a Vega boolean too,, for the past couple of years. I know its comfort level. Recently I am look out for new helmet as well. Went and checked MT range. The comfort level for MT blade is way ahead than it own range like MT kronos and axiss. Even the finish and build quality of blade was ahead its lower range. The amount and design of padding is excellent. It holds ur head in right points.. Just go to a MT shop and try kronos, axis's and blade back to back. After having a taste of comfort of blade, its hard to ignore that. That day, they didn't have my size, so waiting for the right size. Also they have double d ring buckles, which is again way superior to what we use in Vega. Similar to case of seat belts. All seat belt from alto to Audi are good, but, a pre-tensioner seat belt is always better.

I accept Vega studds also have their helmets dot and is I certified. I had a above average crash in Aug and boolean had held very well. The first point of contact on my helmet was the chin area with good amount of force and the boolean being a skeptical modular type held very well. Not a scratch to my face. If it hadn't held well I would have lost my chin.. But it did. So safety wise our Indian brands are well equipped for fair enough crashes.

Having said that, the premium which the imported helmets charge cannot be just waived off saying its only added cost(at least for up to a price range). Its just similar to difference in bikes and cars from Indian and premium brands. Though our Indian brands have good quality, we can see difference in quality, refinement levels. Its similar case of comfort and quality. I had a similar view of why these helmets charge when even Vega is a certified one. But it changed when I experienced other brands.

I am not saying the higher price is completely justifiable in all helmets . but the difference can be justified at least some cases.

Cheers
emm

[Kaushik Iyer]

Re: Helmets

yes Kos your statement is absolutely true, I'm not saying only expensive helmets offer safety; My point of discussion was on the earlier post of Cost & budget. I was trying to make a point that most use mobile phones worth 30-40k & don't bat an eyelid shelling that much out but when the same is about safety gear their eyebrows get raised & question the costs!

[HyperRetard]

Re: Helmets

I accept Vega studds also have their helmets dot and is I certified.

Cheers
emm

Oh, really?

Enlighten me to a few DOT certified models of these two.

[Kos]

Re: Helmets

Oh, really?

Enlighten me to a few DOT certified models of these two.

the boolean is DOT certified. i have the DOT certified version.

[HyperRetard]

Re: Helmets

the boolean is DOT certified. i have the DOT certified version.

I find that hard to believe.

PS: Just because they said its DOT doesnt actually mean its DOT.

The DOT standard is sometimes criticized because it works on the honor system; manufacturers declare a helmet to conform to DOT standards themselves, and label it accordingly. Only when the helmet is tested might it lose its certification, and it might already be on the market when it does.

http://www.bikebandit.com/blog/post/motorcycle-helmet-faqs-dot-snell-and-ece

[Kos]

Re: Helmets

I find that hard to believe.

PS: Just because they said its DOT doesnt actually mean its DOT.



http://www.bikebandit.com/blog/post/...-snell-and-ece

for that matter, how do u know that the MT or the LS2 or any other brand which says their brands are DOT certified, are actually certified?


following is the link to a random helmet on the vega helmet website.
it specifies DOT as well as european standards compliance...

Insight - Vega Helmet

[HyperRetard]

Re: Helmets

for that matter, how do u know that the MT or the LS2 or any other brand which says their brands are DOT certified, are actually certified?


following is the link to a random helmet on the vega helmet website.
it specifies DOT as well as european standards compliance...

I knew that this website would be linked to.

I hope that you do realize that this website is of Vega USA, and not of Vega India.
If you click on buy online on the website, it shows the prices in $, and not Rupee.

Oh,, and ironically, the Boolean is not present on the website.

This is the India specific website. VEGA HELMETS

And it NOWHERE says that it is DOT compliant.



Oh, and as for the question "for that matter, how do u know that the MT or the LS2 or any other brand which says their brands are DOT certified, are actually certified?"

Well, they sell the same helmets there that they sell here, and if they are spreading false info, they can be fined 5000$ per helmet, so I believe that they are legit. Vega doesnt even sell the Boolean in the USA, so they wont be fined. Just put on a DOT sticker on a Boolean, who even bothers to check the internet before buying a lid. :P

[cep]

Re: Helmets

I have a Vega Boolean, and it doesn't say 'DOT Certified'. It just says ISI-compliant.

I am curious to know if you guys are talking about the same company. The logos look different on both the sites, and the Facebook page of Vega Helmets India doesn't seem to point to the US site, although in the 'About' section of the Indian site, it says "...has also left its footprint overseas on the shores of USA, GERMANY... ... ..."

It would be nice to have someone confirm this one.

[AK3D]

Re: Helmets

for that matter, how do u know that the MT or the LS2 or any other brand which says their brands are DOT certified, are actually certified?


following is the link to a random helmet on the vega helmet website.
it specifies DOT as well as european standards compliance...

Insight - Vega Helmet

No one bothers to use search anymore.
We keep having these discussions every few months I guess.

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/general-biking-discussion/29079-mt-helmets-genuine.html

The ECE certification is in the 6th post in black and white and also can be verified on the EU site given on the side of the certificate, I'm quoting from [MENTION=29015]Sunnyside_up![/MENTION] here "You can verify the authenticity of the document by going to the website that is printed on the side of the letter - it is a government archive site - and then type in the verification codes printed in bold after that. Remember to disable your pop-up blocker as the actual archived document appears in a pop-up window."

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/general-biking-discussion/29079-mt-helmets-genuine.html#post1062842

Also this post.

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/general-biking-discussion/29079-mt-helmets-genuine-8.html#post1187326

As for LS2, given the replies from that company and their distributors, and so many discrepancies that popped up, I wouldn't buy one personally. I'm not sure if they have gotten their act together by now, but for the safety of riders, I do hope so.

[jack_daniels]

Re: Helmets

Anybody knows where I can get such a helmet lock online or through some neft/rtgs mode shipping stores? It's urgent.

[Kos]

Re: Helmets

No one bothers to use search anymore.
We keep having these discussions every few months I guess.

.

Guys please note I'm not questioning the quality of imported helmets, I'm trying to understand how the Indian ones compare to the imported ones.
And no offense to the builders of the xbhp website, it's a great site, but the search feature is not very intuitive , not easy to search and find specific data...

[AK3D]

Re: Helmets

Guys please note I'm not questioning the quality of imported helmets, I'm trying to understand how the Indian ones compare to the imported ones.
And no offense to the builders of the xbhp website, it's a great site, but the search feature is not very intuitive , not easy to search and find specific data...

No one is questioning your right to question. In fact, one should always research what they want to purchase, to understand what the quality is, why the additional costs etc. Your queries would have been answered easily enough if you had read the thread, and also searched for other relevant information. For example the shifty replies by the LS2 guys about the labelling, weight and model numbering in the LS2 thread etc. (so you see, you ARE right to question the quality).

To give an example, for the bikes I wanted to purchase (the ZMA and CBR250R), I read both the threads thoroughly, and tried to understand if those vehicles were right for my needs. Yes, I had to filter out a lot of useless information, but there's no easy method to get the info you want. Also, was in touch with many riders who gave their feedback and inputs in making my decision.

While the search isn't great, it does give us specific information as required .

Coming to Indian helmets, Vega isn't too reliable while the Studds Shifter and Scorpion models are pretty well built.

[V 12]

Re: Helmets

Hey Guys i currently have a Vega cruiser and want to upgrade .
My budget is 2k +- 300 rs .
Please suggest.
I am currently convinced towards studds scorpion , shifter and vega boolean

[sanjaysangar1990]

Re: Helmets

Hey Guys i currently have a Vega cruiser and want to upgrade .
My budget is 2k +- 300 rs .
Please suggest.
I am currently convinced towards studds scorpion , shifter and vega boolean

Studds shifter should be the ideal choice.

Cheers,
Sanjay