Bought a new off-road lid.

[earthmover]

My Arai VX pro is getting a bit shaby and scuffed after a couple of years of use, and Denise needs a helmet for off-roading. So she can use the old one, and I can get a shiny new one.
As ever, my timing is crap. Arai have brought out the new VX 3, which is gorgeous, but £350. The old stocks of VX pro's can be had now for as little as £195 (bargain!), if you can find one in your size, which of course, I can't.
I spent a few hours at the weekend trying on the entire stock of DK's helmet department. Bell, Lazer, Hebo, HJC, etc etc, with little sucess. The shop was very busy, and I didn't bother asking for any assistance, as I thought I would be able to find what I wanted. The Arai's were stll the most comfortable.
Hunting around the internet brought no joy on any old stock, so I called a few places to see what they had, again to no joy.
Back to DK yesterday afternoon, and this time it was quiet, so I got to speak to one of the lads there. My second choice was a Lazer, but the "small" helmet on the rack had been a bit too tight, and the "medium" a bit too loose. The assistant spotted that the cheek pads in the small were the larger size, and found a small helmet with normal sized pads in. Result! Fits like a glove, almost as comfy as an Arai. So with the right size sorted, I bought the Carbon Light model. At 1050 grams, it is only slightly heavier than a baseball cap!
I wore it last night on the GS, and it is no worse than the Arai for the road. Time will tell if it's as good in other areas.

http://www.lazer.be/detail_2_motor.asp?casque_id=131&langue=EN

Mark

 

[Jon P]

Don't you just love a bargain..........I recently bought a Bell Moto 8 helmet for $165US. It was 07 colors, buy who cares? What I do know is that with the strength of the pound maybe you guys should try getting stuff from over here? Have a look at www.bellmoto8.com it is their top of the range helmet that retails for about $400US.

 

[earthmover]

The Bell Moto 8 was the biggest disapointment, it didn't fit me well. Their carbon lid was a tad steep too (over here that is) at £300.
The only problem is that US lids don't have the gold ACU sticker, which means you cannot use them in competition.
Mark

 

[Jon P]

OK, I didn't think about the sticker. Over here we have DOT and SNELL stickers, I remember when I came here checking with Arai about my UK helmets and being told that they manufacture helmets the same around the World, in fact I got a letter from them to satisfy the examiner for my US motorcycle test (that's a joke, just ride around some cones and you are good to go, cost me $2!). But yes I remember the Gold ACU stikcker - still I guess if you don't race......then again what will insurance people say if you have an 'off' and hurt your head.............there's always some sort of scheme to get your money!