Discussion
hi everyone happy newyear to you all,has anyone got one of the v2 pro helmet from www.v2sport.com if so what do you think?.have been told that they run a bit large,they seem very cheap at £139?, any comments welcome good or bad,thanks dave.
ScottHughes said:
You pays your money and takes your chance... Personally I would want to spend a bit more on a lid to protect my important bit, although cost is not always a true measure of quality?
It is not the cost that matters but the standard of protection.These helmets meet the appropriate standard, I had a look at them at the Autosport show last year and if needed a new helmet wouldn't think twice about buying one.
Why pay many times the price for a "name" that still only provides the same level of measured protection?
There has been a lot written about the V2 helmet some good some bad, from my point of view they seem to cheap compared against the other brands, or are the other makes just ripping us of! But then if it is Snell 2005 it must have gone though the same test's as Bell Arai etc etc, i used to have a bell that was ok a few months ago i managed to find on ebay an new unworn Arai GP5 got it for half price it is so comfortable my advice would be try before you buy as you might find it doesn't fit and is uncomfortable, lets be honest we all hope you will never have to put your £150 lid or a £2500 Carbon Arai GP6 to the test....
This has the makings of a good discussion...
The Snell foundation website is pretty good for explaining standards/level of testing, and having read it I do start to challenge the ten quid helmet ten quid head response when any number of products achieve the mandated (Snell or otherwise) standard and you start to question exactly what you are paying for.
There is definitely variation in it fit/finish/quality across the brands, but in my view nothing that justifies one model being up to 5 times dearer than another.
I also challenge the time based lifing of a helmet, but accept that could be the industry protecting us from ourselves...!
The Snell foundation website is pretty good for explaining standards/level of testing, and having read it I do start to challenge the ten quid helmet ten quid head response when any number of products achieve the mandated (Snell or otherwise) standard and you start to question exactly what you are paying for.
There is definitely variation in it fit/finish/quality across the brands, but in my view nothing that justifies one model being up to 5 times dearer than another.
I also challenge the time based lifing of a helmet, but accept that could be the industry protecting us from ourselves...!
mabbott said:
This has the makings of a good discussion...
Sure does and I'm about to lower the tone.I was going to clap hands for the V2 and wholeheartedly concur with what Angus says and then I see it ......... MADE IN CHINA.
Recent politics aside, my near total experience is that unless something is made in China under subcontract for a Japanese Company, it'll be a complete piece of sxxt, today's version of what MADE IN HONG KONG used to mean ...... cheap, nasty and about as fit for purpose as a chocolate teapot; whilst it'll comply with this or that particular US or European standard, it'll doubtless last about five minutes.
I was really annoyed the other day, I had to make a running repair to my Black & Decker Orbital Sander. Just not good enough, that's the second bloody time ......... in thirty five years .......... MADE IN ENGLAND (remember that?)
Sorry, but there's no way I'd place the wellbeing of my (few remaining) grey cells in something made there, however apparently good the price. I can envisage the helmet still looking superb even after the double D strap has fallen apart in your hand.
My own personal belief is that the cheaper helmets might meet Snell standards, but the more expensive helmets will probably exceed them. I'm not sure if F1 helmets are required to be to a higher standard than Snell, but would Felipe Massa have survived with a £200 helmet in Hungary rather than the £15k one they use?
Secondly, the more expensive brands are likely to be more comfortable - there is nothing worse than an uncomfortable helmet which will distract you out on track and will cost you lap time and enjoyment. If you had something on your car which cost you lap time and fun, you'd spend £300 trying to sort it.
Finally, the additional cost of £300 spread over the next three years doing five outings per year works out at £20 per outing. Is that really worth trying to save money on?
Secondly, the more expensive brands are likely to be more comfortable - there is nothing worse than an uncomfortable helmet which will distract you out on track and will cost you lap time and enjoyment. If you had something on your car which cost you lap time and fun, you'd spend £300 trying to sort it.
Finally, the additional cost of £300 spread over the next three years doing five outings per year works out at £20 per outing. Is that really worth trying to save money on?
chrisblades said:
My own personal belief is that the cheaper helmets might meet Snell standards, but the more expensive helmets will probably exceed them.
That was the point I was going to make, the standard is always a minimum and therefore some may exceed it? The Snell web site standards guide states that they do not rank in order of effectiveness but only state if a helmet has passed. The problem I have with this is "manufacturing tolerance" I would want to know if my helmet has just scraped through the test as the chance of all future helmets being able to meet the standard in my opinion is slim... and I bet they don't spot check as many as we would like? I 'get' most of the reasoning for the commentary so far, lets be fair its nothing more than conjecture until someone can report back which I guess is the original poster's request... It could be that it's a pile of toss, equally it might not.
I put my hand up, I've always bought Bell or Arai for all the usual reasons but the topic just got me thinking that without proper information we are are all guessing, which is understandably something you might be reluctant to do when it comes to your own head (!) hence we typically buy the 'best' we can afford but I guess my point is how do you arrive at what constitutes the 'best'?
I'm sure it will be different for different people hence the basis of a a good discussion...
I put my hand up, I've always bought Bell or Arai for all the usual reasons but the topic just got me thinking that without proper information we are are all guessing, which is understandably something you might be reluctant to do when it comes to your own head (!) hence we typically buy the 'best' we can afford but I guess my point is how do you arrive at what constitutes the 'best'?
I'm sure it will be different for different people hence the basis of a a good discussion...
Hi Splitpin, the majority of electronic components are made in China, the majority of consumer electronics are made in China, my guess that a high number of the circuits utilised in your car are assembled in China, from Chinese manufactured components... You put your life in their hands every time you drive your car. (even if your car has no electronics, ABS etc most others do) same applies for boats, trains and planes, plus all the air traffic computers, rail signalling equipment etc, etc, Its a fair bet that any smoke alarms you have will have been manufatured in China, or at least the active components will have been.
BTW I have several 'British' products including a Range Rover and a TVR that would not even meet first sigma quality. IMHO country of origin should not be the gate criteria used to judge quality
Simon
www.tillingmotorsport.com
BTW I have several 'British' products including a Range Rover and a TVR that would not even meet first sigma quality. IMHO country of origin should not be the gate criteria used to judge quality
Simon
www.tillingmotorsport.com
Hi Splitpin, the majority of electronic components are made in China, the majority of consumer electronics are made in China, my guess that a high number of the circuits utilised in your car are assembled in China, from Chinese manufactured components... You put your life in their hands every time you drive your car. (even if your car has no electronics, ABS etc most others do) same applies for boats, trains and planes, plus all the air traffic computers, rail signalling equipment etc, etc, Its a fair bet that any smoke alarms you have will have been manufatured in China, or at least the active components will have been.
BTW I have several 'British' products including a Range Rover and a TVR that would not even meet first sigma quality. IMHO country of origin should not be the gate criteria used to judge quality
Simon
www.tillingmotorsport.com
BTW I have several 'British' products including a Range Rover and a TVR that would not even meet first sigma quality. IMHO country of origin should not be the gate criteria used to judge quality
Simon
www.tillingmotorsport.com
Hi Simon
I accept that there's an awful lot of hq very specialist electrical componentry that comes out of China, but equally, my firsthand experience is that there is an awful lot (far more) of poor quality less specialised stuff that is absolute trash.
When you said this, did you mean made in China in a complimentary way? >
Question > If you were say in the market for an Arai, both relevant standard compliant, would you buy a £200 one made in China or a £400 one made in Japan?
I accept that there's an awful lot of hq very specialist electrical componentry that comes out of China, but equally, my firsthand experience is that there is an awful lot (far more) of poor quality less specialised stuff that is absolute trash.
When you said this, did you mean made in China in a complimentary way? >
Simon T said:
Don't believe everything you are told about Radical..
Compare the spares prices with that of other race car manufacturers rather than the price you can get cheap, usually chinese, pattern parts for mass produced road cars
Simon
Truth Be Told, with a 2 in 5 chance of being supplied with a complete duffer, I've always managed to resist the temptation of buying a Rangie.Compare the spares prices with that of other race car manufacturers rather than the price you can get cheap, usually chinese, pattern parts for mass produced road cars
Simon
Question > If you were say in the market for an Arai, both relevant standard compliant, would you buy a £200 one made in China or a £400 one made in Japan?
Hi,
If you buy pattern parts they are usually cheaper and usually made in China...
Re the Arai, I can honestly say I did not check where my Arai was manufactured (will have a look though) I bought it because of the fit, the fact that it met the relevant standards, the reputation that the brand has plus I have had a couple of bike crashes whilst wearing an Arai and my head is still in one piece
Simon
If you buy pattern parts they are usually cheaper and usually made in China...
Re the Arai, I can honestly say I did not check where my Arai was manufactured (will have a look though) I bought it because of the fit, the fact that it met the relevant standards, the reputation that the brand has plus I have had a couple of bike crashes whilst wearing an Arai and my head is still in one piece
Simon
Unfortunately i have a shelf full of 'tested' helmets in the garage from too many accicidents while racing bikes.. from £100 Nitro's up to £500 Arai's.. Obviously none of my accidents could be taken as scientific in terms of equal impacts/forces etc.. but i genuinely believe none were any better/stronger than the other.
I definately reckon best fit is best, so if thats a £130 V2 rather than an Arai then go for it... I must say for me Arai are by far the most comfortable for my head shape - and i may look to getting one for the car sometime.. i currently have a sparco which i'm not fussed on, haven;t been able to try on a V2 yet.. but if i get the opportunity will do so..
I definately reckon best fit is best, so if thats a £130 V2 rather than an Arai then go for it... I must say for me Arai are by far the most comfortable for my head shape - and i may look to getting one for the car sometime.. i currently have a sparco which i'm not fussed on, haven;t been able to try on a V2 yet.. but if i get the opportunity will do so..
doctordave said:
very good point,what helmet is made in england?
Blimey, the £100 starter question and already I'll have to phone a friend! I think the answer is very few ....... if any ...... there used to be loads and loads, but they died shortly after the British Motorcycle Industry ....... only the odd company like Cromwell (a lot of the Police Forces used to use them I recollect) nowadays I think.I think we all agree that the most important thing is fit; some makes fit some heads better than others, so really the only way is to get out there and try some on; only when you know what actually suits your bonce on a comparative basis should you buy over the internet; don't buy blind. And don't buy one that only has an ECE22-05 sticker, because these are no longer accepted by the MSA: As of 2010, as far as the MSA is concerned, has to be SFI Foundation 31.1A 31.2A, SNELL SA2005 or BS6658 Type A/FR. Things tighten up further in 2011.
The upcoming Autosport Show would give you an excellent opportunity to try most every type of helmet make and variant if you're able to get over. Reckon on spending say £250 - £300, find the helmet make and type that suits you best, then get the tightest size that you could wear for a couple of hours without getting any appreciable discomfort. A proper fitting helmet should mean that someone can't slip any fingers up the sides when it's on, that when they wiggle it even slightly, your head wiggles and even before you strap it up, someone can't actually pull it off your head, stood in front of you lifting vertically.
chrisblades said:
My own personal belief is that the cheaper helmets might meet Snell standards, but the more expensive helmets will probably exceed them.
Secondly, the more expensive brands are likely to be more comfortable - there is nothing worse than an uncomfortable helmet which will distract you out on track and will cost you lap time and enjoyment.
Finally, the additional cost of £300 spread over the next three years doing five outings per year works out at £20 per outing. Is that really worth trying to save money on?
Your personal belief has no basis in fact only the testing foundation can comment.Secondly, the more expensive brands are likely to be more comfortable - there is nothing worse than an uncomfortable helmet which will distract you out on track and will cost you lap time and enjoyment.
Finally, the additional cost of £300 spread over the next three years doing five outings per year works out at £20 per outing. Is that really worth trying to save money on?
Yes you should always try the helmet for comfort.
If the helmet costs a quarter of the price, you can have 4 new ones for the price of a four year old one.
Edited by SportsLibre on Sunday 3rd January 22:16
well some fantastic comments guys thank you all,now all i have to do is buy around trip plane ticket £3oo hire car for two days,travel lodge £50,food and beer,and try some helmets for size.this is wot living on a island is like,count you lucky stars and all the racing u can do with just a short drive away,hope to put faces to names this year,dave.
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