Bell qualifier opinions

[Stu999c]

Any body have one and liked/disliked.
They seem to be VERY well priced
Are they too good to be true?
I'm tempted to try one as I really like my bell mx9 but I'd line a dedicated road helmet as well

[Mike.Gayner]

I'm curious about this too - seems like a lot of helmet for the money. I'm looking for a second helmet presently.

[EJK]

Any body have one and liked/disliked.
They seem to be VERY well priced
Are they too good to be true?
I'm tempted to try one as I really like my bell mx9 but I'd line a dedicated road helmet as well

Looks like a regular low-end Bell helmet. But I wouldn't hold my breath for good quality. Mind you I have a Bell Revolver Evo helmet which was only under $200 USD and had okay comfort. Quality was okay too but hey I got what I paid for.

[jim.cox]

So where abouts are you seeing these "good prices"?

I've always been very happy with my Bell helmets - and that includes the newer models which I believe are chinese made.

[Stu999c]

Just down the local bike shop in the Hutt.
I think any helmet for 2 hundy is s good price. So long as the product is good
Just seems too cheap.
But if ya buy one and then upgrade the visor to Pinlock it is still cheap for what it is
As a plus the bells fit my head shape well. That is s factor for me.
Fits better than hjc and the other lower priced helmets.
I also tried on a shoei for 800
Nice fit but I'm struggling to see 600 dollars of better for the money.
I KNOW that you get what you pay for but are the dearer ones that much better??

[jim.cox]

As a plus the bells fit my head shape well. That is s factor for me.
Fits better than hjc and the other lower priced helmets.


That's the biggest factor by far

Same for me too - I've said in the past I have a Bell shaped head



I KNOW that you get what you pay for but are the dearer ones that much better??

No they are not.

Helmets sold in NZ all have to meet the same base standard

Then comes the fit - people have different shaped heads - some brands will be more comfortable than others

After that its all about the $$$ you can sucker the punter for....

[Stu999c]

I know there is a dxl version or dlx deluxe?
Comes with a monochromatic visor.
Now as a glasses wearer that spins my wheels

[jim.cox]

Here's an educational helmet fitting video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHOMcSxwF1A

[EJK]

I KNOW that you get what you pay for but are the dearer ones that much better??

Lighter, quieter, prettier graphics (e.g. MotoGP replica graphics) and maybe better quality and bits don't fall off as much I guess. If you don't mind them then all good.

Then some might argue "Is your head only worth $200?" :bleh:

[Stu999c]

I could replace it every 2 or three years at that cost. An 800 dollar helmet I would likely try and stretch the replacement time out some

[HenryDorsetCase]

I used to have a Bell shaped head. First started buying them when Kenny Roberts was wearing them. But NONE of the new ones I have tried have fitted me. :( sad because they are cool helmets.

[Stu999c]

Or this!!https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170209/4cffc756c60ef407b59d01aa5587ba17.jpg

[EJK]

I ain't buyin' unless it comes with Jarvis

[AllanB]

I ain't buyin' unless it comes with Jarvis

She sounds hot :woohoo:

[AllanB]

Noise.

After fit - it's all about noise. The early 'new' Bells had a bad rep for noise - top end ones are reviewing better. But $200 is not top end so noise may be a issue to consider.

Look at HJC - I'm a fan. Build some very good lids.

[Mike.Gayner]

Noise used to be a big deal to me, before I started using earplugs on every ride.

[Stu999c]

Noise used to be a big deal to me, before I started using earplugs on every ride.

Yup me too.

[Runty]

I got over the noise issue by going deaf

Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

[cods4]

I have a Bell Qualifier, although I haven't ever owned a $800+ helmet so I cant really compare it to anything I would have to say the noise seems fairly bad. I have used earplugs on a couple of rides which makes things ok. On the other hand it was very easy to fit my sena intercom, it has pockets for the speakers and easy to route wires etc, but I guess most modern helmets have these features. Another positive is the visor is very easy to remove compared to my girlfriends HJC.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I got over the noise issue by going deaf

Sent from my D6503 using Tapatalk

...............what?

[pritch]

I also tried on a shoei for 800
Nice fit but I'm struggling to see 600 dollars of better for the money.
I KNOW that you get what you pay for but are the dearer ones that much better??

If you went for a plain colour the Shoei might cost less. Above a certain price point you are just paying more for the paint job. The fancier the paint job, the bigger the price. That tops out about $1500 for a Rossi rep AGV.

Are more expensive helmets worth more? Depends, Arai cost more but they are the most comfortable helmets I've ever tried - even if not the most expensive.
I have had a couple of black Shoei that cost $650 and they were nice but the Arai are nicer - a lot nicer, but at up to twice the price? That's just the base price though, you may have to spring extra for a Pinlock visor on top of the helmet price.

Despite an opinion represented here, apart from the fact that they meet a safety standard any cheap helmet I've tried wouldn't rate higher than joke status. Good for people who like hair shirts or beds of nails.

[AllanB]

Helmets are interesting.

I'm quite the HJC fan - they fit my head very well. As do Arai.

However a top end HJC will be $600-700 (RPHA 11 for example), Arai double that.

Both will do the same job in a accident - I have seen absolutely no evidence to counter this.


I feel the budget end may be quite different.

[pritch]

Helmets are interesting.
However a top end HJC will be $600-700 (RPHA 11 for example), Arai double that.


The first Arai I bought was just a bit less than your low end estimate. The second one was ex USA on sale, at about your HJC low end.

I should mention though - for non Arai owners - that buying Arai helmets online does require knowledge of their products. The helmets come in three diffeerent head shapes, you do need to know which shape fits your head.

[nerrrd]

Bought one today.

Actually fits without pressure points unlike the Revolver Evo I've put up with for the last nearly 3 years, it seems there's buggar all consistency, even within brands - same with the LS2 full face I tried (which fitted) vs the same brand modular (didn't fit) even when they're the same size.

Maybe that's another quirk of buying at the cheap end; anyway my number one priority was no pressure points this time, everything else seems to work pretty well.

Can't comment on noise, all mine have seemed bloody noisy at speed (including 'cheap' shoei, givi, caberg and bell.)

[AllanB]

The first Arai I bought was just a bit less than your low end estimate. The second one was ex USA on sale, at about your HJC low end.

I should mention though - for non Arai owners - that buying Arai helmets online does require knowledge of their products. The helmets come in three diffeerent head shapes, you do need to know which shape fits your head.

Last few years Shoei and Arai have been producing a more 'economical' range. Same company philosophy just 'cheaper' less graphics, that type of thing.

I figure they had to - brands like HJC were knocking on their doors.

[mossy1200]

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/bell-qualifier-helmet

[pritch]

Last few years Shoei and Arai have been producing a more 'economical' range. Same company philosophy just 'cheaper' less graphics, that type of thing.

I figure they had to - brands like HJC were knocking on their doors.

I don't think either of mine were particularly budget helmets. The first one bought in NZ had an "Italian Flag" paint job and was $1150. What can I say? I owned a Ducati at the time.

The one ex USA was a race rep Simon Crafar paint job for about $600 from memory. I guess a helmet design based on the New Zealand flag wasn't selling like hot cakes in the US of A.

[rastuscat]

I've had expensive helmets for years. And worn them a lot.

Over time quality shows through. I've had the occasional glitch, but I have always thought it money well spent.

[AllanB]

I've had expensive helmets for years. And worn them a lot.

Over time quality shows through. I've had the occasional glitch, but I have always thought it money well spent.

You mean the tax payer supplied ones ;)


Tell you what I do see on Trademe lately is helmet brands I've never heard of. Not surprising NZ is a small market - appears to be a range of European ones I know nothing about.

[jim.cox]

The WORST helmet I ever had was an expensive European one.

I found the second series of the BMW flip front helmets to be a big pile of pooh.

The visor did not seal properly - leading to a nasty whistle.

The helmet leaked badly where between the face and body pieces meet.

It need both hands to take it if off and to operate the flip mechanism.

I ended up giving it away.

These days I'm using a Bell MX-9 Adventure and I think it is really great - highly recommend them.

[Stu999c]

Mx9 is also what I have.
I found it to be quieter running the sun visor.
Now I'm not using it as an adv helmet Iv taken it off.
Good comfy fit to my skull.
Hence liking at qualifier. Fits just as good

[Motu]

Looking at these too - has anyone bought a visor for one? I like to have 2 or 3 visors, clean and ready to swap out. But $100 ?!!! That's half the price of the helmet, if you get one of the fancy visors it's the same price as the helmet. Looks like I might be better off buying 2 helmets and just changing helmets when the visor gets dirty.

[pritch]

Looks like I might be better off buying 2 helmets and just changing helmets when the visor gets dirty.

I thought everybody did that. Well, at least three helmets with visors in different shades. :innocent:

[MENTAL490]

If you went for a plain colour the Shoei might cost less. Above a certain price point you are just paying more for the paint job. The fancier the paint job, the bigger the price. That tops out about $1500 for a Rossi rep AGV.

Are more expensive helmets worth more? Depends, Arai cost more but they are the most comfortable helmets I've ever tried - even if not the most expensive.
I have had a couple of black Shoei that cost $650 and they were nice but the Arai are nicer - a lot nicer, but at up to twice the price? That's just the base price though, you may have to spring extra for a Pinlock visor on top of the helmet price.

Despite an opinion represented here, apart from the fact that they meet a safety standard any cheap helmet I've tried wouldn't rate higher than joke status. Good for people who like hair shirts or beds of nails.

once i bought my first Arai I stuck with them, the fit is great and it was half the weight of the old one, a crappy ffm from memory, one side of the visor broke while going to fast over Wainuiomata hill, the wind drag wiped my head to the right and i coulnt pull it back, i was well shitting my pants. Thats when i got my new Arai, i dont mind paying a little extra for safty gear now.

[nerrrd]

Looking at these too - has anyone bought a visor for one? I like to have 2 or 3 visors, clean and ready to swap out. But $100 ?!!! That's half the price of the helmet, if you get one of the fancy visors it's the same price as the helmet. Looks like I might be better off buying 2 helmets and just changing helmets when the visor gets dirty.

I already had a revolver evo with a super visor and a raleri adhesive pinlock attached, I just swapped the visors over.

There's a 'qualifier dlx' available overseas which has the fancy light-sensitive visor standard and a couple of other extra features for yes, more or less exactly twice the price, so at least they're consistent.

Interesting that they're now offering genuine pinlock visors for these (and the mx-9 adventure), the anti-fog coating does lose it's effectiveness over time (which is why I ended up with the raleri).

FYI i had a small part of the stitching on the neck roll start to come apart, could have taken it in and replaced it but couldn't find time so stitched it back up myself.