Cheap lids, any good?

[Whosthedaddy]

After quite rashly selling my Caberg V2 helmet at the weekend, I am left in the situation of needing a lid to be able to test ride any potential bikes

I would love a fancy lid costing several hundred quid, but I haven't got that sort of money. Are cheap lids as safe as the more expensive brands, or do you get what you pay for not only in quality (and materials used) but in safety?
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[kawakid]

I do have a couple of cheap lids, one of them free ones from the NEC and another I got for the girlfriend, to be honest the Takachi looks better than my shoei raid.

However its a lot noiser and harder to adjust vents etc. It does have the gold thingy on it, however I read an article in MCN about a takachi
lid that bust at a 30mph slide. Then there were other articles from bike gear shops, saying that they've seen them brake just falling off the back of the bike.

Further points like they get their gold sticker by vetting one lid, there is no sample done of others produced.

The letters went on to say, if you do get a cheap lid, buy one thats made in the EEC or USA/Canada.

When I go to town and I put my lid in my back pack I take the cheap lid as I don't want to scratch my shoei.
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I've a twin and a 4.

[map]

Got the cheap lid from Aldi when it was on offer. Will be used for occasional pillion passenger. Turns out it's a Caberg model that isn't normally sold in this country under the Caberg brand label. It seems to have all the correct safety numbers so I'm happy.

It's not like I'm going to do anything stupid with a pillion on board. In fact I like to think I'm probably more aware.

Now if you're asking if I'd use it myself I'd probably say no. That's only because I like the flip front lids as it makes life easier. Plus I do pay to get a good, quieter model.

However, in your situation where I needed a helmet for a test or occasional pillion then I think I'd cope with the cheaper lid..
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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[Itchy]

if they are approved then they will work ,

so far I've tested 4 nitros to destruction and those lids cost me £20 each , the extra money you pay is either for name or more features , though anti fogging visors are well worth it I reckon , so are good vents for summer.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Sparky]

Gold stamp
correct regulation numbers


Just vents, design/colours brand after that pal!


they are same standard safetywise!
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Previous zxr400 - Current ZXR636 late'03
*Who ever said nothing is impossible never tried slamming a revolving door!*

[dainesefreak]

Not forgetting weight, lining and visor system too.

[kawakid]

[colin1]

i know some people dont like second hand lids, but if a lid has been dropped on anything other than carpet or grass, it gets marked.

Therefore, an unmarked lid is probably an undamaged lid.

I got an arai astro R that retail for £330 new, for £150 second hand off ebay.

You can get lids for a tenner, if they are local to you and you pick them up.

I think something like an arai is probably safer than a cheaply made lid, and it is a bit more comfortable.
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colin1 is officially faster than god

[fast_tzr]

I disagree with some of this, cheapo lids are probably made to just pass the safety regs, and nothing much else. Arai and the like, imo of course, will absorb bigger impacts better.

[G]

First thing is fit.

An amazingly well protecting helmet that doesn't fit will probably be a lot worse than one that just makes the safety standards, but is an excellent fit.

[Itchy]

theres an odd one on the market right now helmet wise , after
looking in my storage area for a spare helmet and realising I didn't
have one after destroying all of my bulk buy helmets I went out to
go try some on in a shop,

Normally I'm an XXL 64 Nitro or a XL62 Caberg or a XXL takahashi
but the new cool lookinh Caberg trip was weird , in that I fit a
L size even though the V2 my size is XL , odd that doesn't inspire
confidence that.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Sparky]

[krebsy]

Compared to my old shark Xri, my new (£110) KBC force RR is a lot more comfortable, quieter and seems to be a lot more substantial a lid.

I was looking at 150-200 quid lids (flip up for preference including one with flip up front and built in drop down tinted visor "fighter pilot style" as I wear glasses) but I popped the KBC on and it felt "right".

My instructor said to me "buy whatever fits and is comfortable. Sod the cost, if it's the 50 quid or 500 quid lid, get what feels best."

K.
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What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.

[Itchy]

[Paul@125power]

I don't think a cheap helmet reduces protection. All helmets have to meet a set standars so you will be getting adequate protection at almost every price. The extra few bob or two just give the little extras like extra comfort and ventilation.

My advice: Find the cheapest one that has double D fastening, gold sticker and feels comfortable to you. If you can also get one with vents go for it.
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If at first you don't succeed.....destroy all evidence that you tried.

Yamaha YQ100 (RIP)......Honda CBR125R

[willie958]

I JUST BOUGHT AN ARAI CONDOR FOR £140 FIT KIKE A GLOVE.THE LOCAL DEALER ARE SELLING THEM AT COST. ASTRO R REPLICAS AT 280 .WORTH A CALL THEY DO MAIL ORDER 0 1 7 3 8 6 3 0 5
5 0

[ProXimaCore]

Shark lids are going for bargain prices just now. Picked mine up for £67. They're doing lots of models for 50% off in most stores.
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Honda NSR125R -> Suzuki GSXR400R GK76a -> Kawasaki ZX636 B1H -> Honda CBR400RR NC29 -> Nothing

[krebsy]

My KBc is really comfortable and has assorted (6) vents so it's very adjustable. A decent lid all round.
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What's my New Year's resolution?

1280 x 1024.

[phk6]

ive just got a nitro n810 vx for £120 off their tinternet site and it feels solid and it fits well and is nice and cool with all them vents, and i read loads of stuff about the n810 befor i got it and its got some realy good reports and it shares alot of its features with "better" makes such as shoei and arai. id recomend one to u.

www.nitro-helmets.com
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Current .. 2008 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure ..
Before .. 2003 Yamaha Fazer 1000 .. 2004 Kawazaki Z1000 .. 2003 Suzuki Sv1000s .. 1999 zx6r Track Bike .. 1999 CB 500 Cup ..
/Phil

[Whosthedaddy]

[Whosthedaddy]