Well I've been looking at low profile open faced helmets to replace my now shabby looking LS2, and some of the best, un astronaughty, or balloon head looking options are American, such as the ones by Daytona for instance. (I'm not talking about the crappy skullcap, or German Panzergrenadier with a chrome fettish, helmet styles you can find on ebay by the way). Unfortunately these are all DOT (American), safety rated and not GB or Europe rated, making them illegal for UK/Eur road use. However. Does it actually matter? I mean who's checking? I would bet £1000 that plod are never going to stop and nick me for wearing a yank skid lid. Even if they pulled me for something else, Dibble wouldn't bother to check the lid. Also, I'm pretty sure that the Septic's (Septic tank's), are intelligent enough to have a decent crash rating on lids. I should imagine that the ones they make for NASA & the USAF have a DOT sticker on them, (just below the Goose, Razorman, War Daddy, & Get Some, etc stickers)? Seriously though, Bell released the 500 on the UK market and according to them it wasn't modified in any way for submission to our testers, so that's an old design American DOT helmet that's passed BS testing. And before anyone mentions insurers, yes they will pay out. So then. Should I worry about the sticker on the back? Or just go and buy a lid that I like from the states?
"So then. Should I worry about the sticker on the back? Or just go and buy a lid that I like from the states?" The short answer is, I didn't ! I have one of those piss-pot style lids you mentioned with EU stickers on (yeah right) but no-one has ever checked or commented on it. The bottom line is that the DOT helmet will not be legal in Europe, so only you can decide if you want to be a real rebel or not Dave
If they saw my helmet mate, you would see flack !!!!!!!!!!! Actually, just for the sake of clarity - my motorcycle helmet
Not at all Tom - never had any issues at all with it, bearing in mind the open drains I use for exhaust cans "Les Poulets" have every excuse to "speak to me".
A couple of years ago I purchased a Nicky Haydon repsol replica helmet made by KBC from a race shop in america, and yes it came with a Snell sticker on the rear, no Sharpe rating sticker, or ACU track sticker, however my point is this, it would take a very clued up official to know that technically it,s not UK legit, and I can't imagine for ten seconds that kbc has a USA, and a UK/euro production line, or that it's protective qualities are less, given that the us is the land of sue me sue you, it came with spare visor,helmet bag, and full instructions on use/care etc,for a fraction of the price I'd have paid here,, so was well happy. Martingw1
Will do Dave. Should have it by mid week. This is the one I've bought. The photos showing the difference between the DOT helmet I've gone for, and a typical EU rated open face. Mines the one on the left.
well if you ask me... the fact that the studs line up perfectly on the import is definitely a reason why it cant be legal over here! What do you stick on the one on the right, A Tiara? nice lids by the way mine is like the one on the right and a i feel like a Teflon head
Here in Germany they don't really care if it's EC or not, but don't get caught in Italy they will impound your bike if you've got a non approved EC Helmet. DOT also a no no.
Don't underestimate traffic cops and certainly don't underestimate the bike cops. They'll know all about the legal requirements. Whether any of them will be arsed to check is another thing entirely! It's more likely to be a last resort when they can't get you for anything else. Which reminds me of an article I read on the law regarding reflective helmet stickers in France where it seems the police don't bother to enforce it unless they can't get you for anything else!
Yeah they do look good, it's just the size when you get them on your head. They make you look like a helicopter pilot!
