Is it too late to return my helmet?

[Paul in NZ]

If people like her didn't come on here for advice we would have hardly any bike related threads.

Ha! True! Mind you this thread is about a crash helmet not a bike so......

[avgas]

Agreed in some instances, but often you'll find the finish (external) and the quality of the padding and materials inside a more expensive helmet are of higher quality. More expensive helmets often have 'removable/washable' lining. Also the impact absorbent inner shell can be of better construction..
You'll also find the buckles, clips and even visor mechanism's can differ vastly in quality.... Example my Nolan flip fronts have a Sharp rating of 100% for the front mechanism against failure, my LS2 flip front has only a 70% rating.

Yes and No.
Depends who they are and where they are targeting.
My KBC is vastly superior than my friends HJC's. Its even as good as my old Shoei was.
But KBC are currently 'new' so need to spend 10 years fighting for their place up the top, so the price is low.

I remember when some new fan-dangled helmet was trying to break into the market with their new helmets and while designs. The helmets were about 60% of the big boys (Shoei, Arai). They were an old helmet brand but had made shit before and now were coming out with some interesting designs on the global market.
That manufacturer was Shark. Good luck in buying a Shark sport helmet these days for NZ$300.

[James Deuce]

Flipping Shark don't make a helmet for me. They have that lovely blue paint job with the monochrome hibiscuseseseses, but no matter the size, it's like sticking my head in a vice and giving the screw a couple of turns.

[Paul in NZ]

it's like sticking my head in a vice and giving the screw a couple of turns.

I thought you liked doing that?

[onearmedbandit]

Am I the only one that feels that the salesman has misled the customer here? Yes he can say there are no statistics, but he's lying. Secondly he could point out that there is more of the face exposed with an open face helmet. From the info we have, he didn't point this out. If I was asked how a 1984 Civic would compare in safety to a 2006 Audi A4, and said there was no statistics and didn't point out that in a crash in the Civic you might as well kiss your arse goodbye then I would be held accountable for that.

[Paul in NZ]

Am I the only one that feels that the salesman has misled the customer here? Yes he can say there are no statistics, but he's lying. Secondly he could point out that there is more of the face exposed with an open face helmet. From the info we have, he didn't point this out. If I was asked how a 1984 Civic would compare in safety to a 2006 Audi A4, and said there was no statistics and didn't point out that in a crash in the Civic you might as well kiss your arse goodbye then I would be held accountable for that.

Um - well you don't know exactly what he said. Like I could say "I'm not aware of any statistics"..... which could well be true.

Anyway - I'm sure if you trawl the web you will be able to argue (backed by statistics) that not wearing a helmet at all will be safer (under certain circumstance and not at all related to riding the motorscooter I just sold you)

[onearmedbandit]

Um - well you don't know exactly what he said. Like I could say "I'm not aware of any statistics"..... which could well be true.

I agree, like everyone else in this thread other than the OP, I don't know exactly what was said. And not being aware of any statistics is a piss weak story. Put on a full face helmet, run for 5m, trip over and don't put your hands out. Now do the same with an open face. Yes maybe the OP should have realised that, but a salesman definitely should have.

[Bassmatt]

Sadly the number of obfuscations, half truths and outright lies I have been told by motorcycle gear salespeople would make a politician look honest.
eg this helmet has a 6 star SHARP rating, you wont be allowed on the track in Taupo without full leathers, these boots are waterproof etc
I could write a fucking book!

[onearmedbandit]

And therein lies the problem. I'd assume that full face helmets move faster than open face, so the chance to sell an open face to an unsuspecting customer could appeal to someone whose interest lies more in the bottom line, or clearing stock, than their customers safety.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Sadly the number of obfuscations, half truths and outright lies I have been told by motorcycle gear salespeople would make a politician look honest.
eg this helmet has a 6 star SHARP rating, you wont be allowed on the track in Taupo without full leathers, these boots are waterproof etc
I could write a fucking book!

That's nothing. You should hear some of the lies I get told by some customers!

[onearmedbandit]

That's nothing. You should hear some of the lies I get told by some customers!

I agree entirely Pete. However as a saleperson yourself when asked the question that the OP asked, how would you have answered?

[Crasherfromwayback]

I agree entirely Pete. However as a saleperson yourself when asked the question that the OP asked, how would you have answered?

I have never, and will never recommend anything other than a full face helmet mate. It's all I've ever worn both off road and on. I like being able to chew my food.

[onearmedbandit]

I have never, and will never recommend anything other than a full face helmet mate. It's all I've ever worn both off road and on. I like being able to chew my food.

Exactly. And any decent salesperson, who actually cares about their customers well-being, would point this out.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Exactly. And any decent salesperson, who actually cares about their customers well-being, would point this out.

Except I guess...sales people that wear open face helmets and have never face planted into the coarse chip!

[MSTRS:Me]

That's nothing. You should hear some of the lies I get told by some customers!

"Oh, Pete. This is the best coffee I've ever had"