Modern Vespa

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OPEN-FACE-3-4-DOT-MOTORCYCLE-HELMET-SILVER-BLACK-LARGE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem2ea69503e1QQitemZ200363279329QQptZApparelQ5fMerchandise


I tried to and it did not work out so well. The helmet arrived, and was cheap plastic. The inner tinted visor did not work. Apparently it was not hooked up some how. Paid to send it back, didn't want another, and ended up paying the shipping to receive the broken one as well. I just paid $30 to find out that it is not a helmet anyone should wear. Just thought I would leave a warning.

It does look lovely from the pic

I'm sure there's a lesson in here somewhere

Ouch, that's too bad. Yes, it is a beautiful helmet!

I have never bought a helmet on ebay, but have bought many clothes, never with any bad luck either. Friends of mine are amazed that I buy clothes online when I can barely find decent stuff in stores! (my first degree in fsn design ruined me)

Moral of my story here:
I have found that if a seller takes the time to put on several pictures, and I mean MANY - e.g. different angles, inside shots, detail shots, and so forth - and particularly if they post a very detailed fit guide (e.g. measure exactly here and your X will fit there), then you're much more likely to get a good product.

I'm not surprised that they only had 1 picture.
Darn.

more pics would have been better. It actually has a very flat shape too. Rather bug like. I probably would have dealt with it, if it actually worked. But alas, it was not meant to be. Guess I will plunk down the extra scratch for the HJC is-33. It has been given great reviews

Ooh, the HJC is very nice! think I might have tried that on this weekend, but needed to buy a modular (so I can wear glasses sometimes and also wear it into the winter).

Here's a really good review on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNZoGX0-ZXY Looks like you can order easily from them too.

Have fun shopping.

Here's what I just bought on the weekend... Looks even better in real life.

Had a bad eBay helmet experience myself. It's a haven for illegal crap that doesn't comply with US laws. If it isn't DOT compliant or doesn't bear a DOT label, it's illegal to sell in the US, at least in interstate commerce. So if someone is selling illegal wares (not sure if this is the case here), you have grounds for getting _all_ of your money back.

In my case I paid with AmEx through PayPal. eBay protects eBay, and PayPal protects PayPal. Their "buyer protection" is such a worthless set of "it looks good enough to encourage buyers, but we can weasel out of claims" policies. But credit card chargebacks can really help.

In my case I reported the illegal helmet sale to DOT and issued a chargeback. A few days later, the previously-arrogant seller refunded my money and paid for the return shipping.

I love eBay shopping, but it's truly buyer beware.

You really shoud try on helmets at a shop for best fit. also its you head its worth more then 80 bucks so get a good helmet. 1st

I would never purchase a helmet from ebay unless I knew the specific brand and had tried it on in a store. Vital safety equipment should never be second-guessed. I have bought jacked and technical pants (brand name) on ebay with no problems.
Other than that, caveat emptor still applies.

I would never buy a helmet off of ebay. Ever.

Good looking helmet... DOT Certified too
I guess DOT didn't promiscuously release certificate on that helmet... am I right?

DOT is a standard and is not inforced by anyone. Snell is a Org.

Check out the HJC Sy Max II...it is a modular (flip up chin bar) and has a drop down inner smoke tint sun shield.

One-touch integrated smoke-tinted sun shield deploys quickly and easily

Pic does not show sun shield at all...check it out a local shop...if you're looking for a helmet with a sun shield.

http://www.newenough.com/helmets_eyewear/closed_face_flip_up_chin/hjc/sy_max_2_solid_motorcycle_helmet.html

I bought a couple cheap helmets from eBay when I first got into scootering and they were also junk. I would stick to the name brands. The HJC IS-33 mentioned above is definitely a good, inexpensive alternative. I've been very happy with it.

Shane

Helmet beauty is only plastic deep.

I can't believe you even consider buying a helmet for $60...

...and you have to try them on...

I'm sorry you did not like this helmet. The local scooter shop here sells this brand and I wear a black one with a white stripe every time I ride. I have had no issues with my helment the tinted visor works great the vents are easy to open and close. As for being made out of cheap plastic I have to disagree. The finish is flat vs. shiny for the record a flat finish does not indicate cheap plastic. Also It did cost more than $60 at the scooter shop. As an added bonus I get to look like a "Power Ranger" when I ride. 8)

I think technically that isn't true. The safety tests show that cost != safety. You are buying noise/build quality/paint/paying for name with the extra cash and not improved safety.

There was a helmet safety study a few years ago and the the second cheapest helmet tested (I think it was a z1r) scored among the highest. That doesn't mean that cheapest is the rule, but it was interesting to see.

Buy what fits/what is comfortable so you are more likely to wear it. Price isn't important.

Seth

Perhaps that you get what you pay for?

I don't know... but $60 for a quality helmet doesn't sound right to me

But then everything is expensive here

Depends on your perspective I'm finding it fairly reasonable here, ok not cheap as such, but not as ripped-off as I'm used to being I suppose when you come from somewhere where cigarettes cost nearly 6 pounds a pack, you'd be hard-pressed to live somewhere more expensive

Back o/t, my accident hat cost EUR70 from my scooter shop and it's great

I would never buy a crash helmet without trying it on first and I certainly wouldn't spend as little as $60 dollars. I value my head far more than that. My current crash helmet was priced at £250 but I got it for £175.

But EUR70 is $100 and not $60

A hundred dollars is still in no way expensive for an accident hat

DOT compliance is claimed by the manufacturer when the helmet goes on sale. Some are tested by the DOT after the fact (see: test results). Should they fail, a voluntary recall is issued. Owners can either exchange the helmets or opt to ride with one that's probably illegal. (There is no federal law stating helmets must be DOT, it's state by state. In fact, I think stores in some states can sell non-DOT helmets. You're just not supposed to wear them while riding.)

This is, in some ways, worse than not having a standard at all because there are many helmets for sale, particularly on eBay and online, which have failed DOT testing, are non-compliant, but which are still sold as "DOT helmets."

In fact, the one I see most frequently was made by HCI, the same company responsible for the OP's dud helmet. In fact, over the years, several HCI helmets have failed. They are sometimes upgraded and re-introduced. (Much like Chinese scooters, the HCI helmets are available in the US under a few different brands and names.)

I made the mistake of buying a HCI helmet off eBay (from jafrum, whose stuff is mostly cheap junk) to have an extra for friends and visitors to wear on short trips. How cheap was it? The lining and inner foam of the helmet popped out easily with a soft tug.



More here: http://www.modernbuddy.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9452

I got this model in December and reallly like it. it's my first modular, but has everything I wanted. the sun visor works well for me. another MVer I know got the HJC model just after this one (IS Max) and is equally pleased.

as mentioned before, the fit of a helmet is deceptive. try one on in a shop even if you end up buying one online.

That original helmet looks identical to one my wife just bought at Scooterville. Hers doesn't have the vents up top, but it's identical otherwise. HCI helmets are cheap chinese crap, but they're classy looking.

I wear a recalled HCI 50 retro. Normally I don't wear a helmet (no law in Iowa) so these things are a step up over nothing.

They're a long way from a Snell helmet, but they're lightweight and comfortable. She likes hers.

Just my two cents. I feel safe enough on a scooter with mine on. If I'm going to buzz down the road at 100mph+ on my motorcycle, I'll throw on my full face Shoei.

Good info!

Please note, guys:
HJC is a Korean company that makes good, but reasonably-priced helmets
HCI is a different organization entirely

(And I always wondered about those Jaffrum dudes
Their prices seemed too good to be true)

I bought a brand new Nolan N102 NCom for $60.....
It was at an bankrupty auction for a custom bike place that went under.....
There are bargains to be had, just make sure they are good bargains!
Go with name brand stuff....

Not shilling here, just an FYI:

Helmet Harbor has some great deals on Shoei X-11 and RF 1000 helmets through the end of July, which is.... egads....only two days away.

When buying a helmet, you must use your head.

you take your chance, for me ebay as been good....had a few deals on there, all brand new....mint, etc.......(1) osbe half visor, from italy....ebay £90........got mine on ebay £60 all in........(2) modena union jack helmet, ebay £65 ish, .....mine £50.........etc so no complaints from me in the uk...

I buy tons of stuff from eBay and have never been burned. If you're patient and smart about how you use it, it's a great source for deals, sometimes on new, name-brand helmets. I think the issue hear is buying a budget helmet from eBay or other online source, sight unseen. Many look good online and bear a close resemblance to similar, higher-priced helmets. It's just not enough for a helmet to look good online and carry a promise of DOT compliance.