Found Helmets cheaper in Germany; delivered to Arizona in 3 days!

[JamesLaz]

I had been looking for some modular helmets for my wife and I. We have half helmets but I wanted some better coverage for longer trips.

I had an LS2 Valiant a while back but sold it with my last two-wheeler that I really liked. I found the newer version, the LS2 Advant, and we went to a local shop and tried them on.

The shop had them for $399 each; I found them on Amazon for $369 each; and from LS2 direct they are $369.98 each. I was looking on-line for a seller and found a site for FC Moto in a motor sports store in Germany. I didn't realize I was on a German site as everything was in English with US dollars shown. They had them for as little as $235.64 each, and the helmets we got were $253.60 each; I was not too sure about this price as their site states that you may be charged extra for taxes or tariff's once the product reaches your country.

I read as many reviews as I could, then took the chance and ordered them. I should add, this was on Wednesday and my wife's birthday was Friday of the same week, and I wanted to give her the new helmet for her birthday. Imagine my surprise when shipping for both from Germany to Gilbert, AZ was only about $55, and the helmets were in my hands by noon on Friday - in time for her birthday. I was still waiting for any extra charges but there were none at all.

I am very happy with our purchase and would happily order from them again. I came on here to see if anyone had ever ordered from them but nothing came up in my search so I thought I would post my experience for anyone who may be in the same situation.

I would very much recommend physically trying on the helmet locally first as I imagine returns would be complicated, even though they did send me the required forms for a return if needed.

Thanks,
James

 

[AndysF3S]

Good info James, I placed an order for the LS2 - Advant X Modular Helmet here in Canada and paid almost twice what you did (CAD$). I am not sure they are the same helmet and mine hasn't been shipped yet. When it arrives, I will post a few pics and my opinion on it.

 

[GS1]

Nice I ordered my Schuberth C5 from them, same experience

 

[3Tyme]

I ordered my helmet from ChromeBurner Motorgear in The Netherlands. I couldn't believe how fast the shipping was. I placed the order on Wednesday morning and received my helmet on Friday. The only problem I had was that my credit card company kept blocking international use, but I discovered ChromeBurner had a listing on Ebay at the same price.

 

[RickWB]

Good info James, I placed an order for the LS2 - Advant X Modular Helmet here in Canada and paid almost twice what you did (Cdn$). I am not sure they are the same helmet and mine hasn't been shipped yet. When it arrives I will post a few pics and my opinion on it.

Hi Andy - that European version has a different approval than DOT, not sure if more stringent.

 

[RickWB]

I priced a Schuberth C5, plus the SC2 comms, on FC Moto, and the delivered price was about $80 more than local price, and that did not account for any duties or taxes. Another online retailer, MotardInn was over $100 more than local, excluding taxes and duties. I have bought from MotardInn before, but I think Schuberth has increased dealers in Canada.

 

[BajaRon]

Hi Andy - that European version has a different approval than DOT, not sure if more stringent.

The European (ECE) requirements are more stringent than DOT, and in many expert reports, a better motorcycle standard than our Snell rating. Snell is more stringent than ECE. But more stringent is not necessarily a better gauge of function in a crash. The big difference in the Snell testing is that they require the helmet to protect the wearer from multiple strikes to the same spot on the helmet - something that is extremely rare in a motorcycle crash. This requires the helmet to be thicker, heavier, and more rigid than would otherwise be necessary. Being heavier can add to injury possibilities. And being more rigid can reduce shock absorption abilities.

So, why would Snell require a helmet pass a test that it is virtually never going to encounter in the real world? Because Snell has its roots in auto racing. When you are strapped into a car with roll bars and other fixed hard parts in close proximity, it is common to strike the same spot on a helmet multiple times in a crash. Experts have been trying for years to get Snell to drop this 'multiple impact to the same spot' from motorcycle helmet testing. But they never have.

Here is a great article on just about all you can know about helmet ratings. They don't breach the controversial subject above. And recommend Snell as the better of the two ratings (ECE & Snell) because of this extra step.

https://agvsport.com/blog/which-helmet-standard-is-the-best-snell-dot-ece-sharp-or-fim.html

 

[2dogs]

We also bought our helmets from ChromeBurner Motorgear in the Netherlands several years ago. It was fun to track them all the way here. We saved a lot of money buying 2 helmets. One of the differences between European and US testing is that Europe tests after manufacturing instead of during manufacturing as DOT does. This helps to eliminate a defective helmet from making it into the marketplace. Since we bought our helmets DOT's testing process may have changed.

 

[honsfun]

It is really important to remember that only DOT-approved helmets are legal in the US. Even if your helmet meets the latest ECE 22.06 standard, it is not legal to wear in the US unless it also has DOT approval.

 

[BajaRon]

We also bought our helmets from ChromeBurner Motorgear in the Netherlands several years ago. It was fun to track them all the way here. We saved a lot of money buying 2 helmets. One of the differences between European and US testing is that Europe tests after manufacturing instead of during manufacturing as DOT does. This helps to eliminate a defective helmet from making it into the marketplace. Since we bought our helmets DOT's testing process may have changed.

DOT has the manufacturer do their own testing and verification. That's why they do it in house. An honest manufacturer makes a big difference with a DOT certified helmet.

 

[ekusafetyman]

I recently purchased a pair of modular helmets from Daytona helmets in Daytona beach FL. They came with a clear visor and pinlock installed on it. They also have a 2nd retractable sun visor built into the helmet. They don't flip clear back like the LS2 but for the money difference, they are comfortable and have the DOT sticker. They were under 175.00 each.

 

[3Tyme]

It is really important to remember that only DOT-approved helmets are legal in the US. Even if your helmet meets the latest ECE 22.06 standard, it is not legal to wear in the US unless it also has DOT approval.

Not all states require that you wear a helmet. I've never heard of anyone being cited for having a non DOT certified helmet even if the state requires it.

 

[BajaRon]

Not all states require that you wear a helmet. I've never heard of anyone being cited for having a non DOT certified helmet even if the state requires it.

I think about the only enforcement in this regard is in the courtroom where someone is suing someone.

 

[3Tyme]

I think about the only enforcement in this regard is in the courtroom where someone is suing someone. Check your motorcycle insurance. It may stipulate that you must be wearing a certified helmet to receive coverage in an accident.

Good point. I wasn't thinking about the insurance side. But I think my CEC helmet provides much better protection than my DOT half helmet.

Apologizes to JamesLaz, we may have hijacked this thread

 

[canamjhb]

Not all states require that you wear a helmet. I've never heard of anyone being cited for having a non DOT certified helmet even if the state requires it.

My thoughts exactly! For many years I removed DOT stickers plus any others I didn't like to give my helmets a cleaner look. Never, ever got pulled over for a helmet inspection! I felt the stickers were more for advertising.

 

[troop]

Motostorm IT has great helmet prices. That said, I know that HJC USA, Scorpion USA, and LS2 USA WILL NOT warranty any issues for their helmets purchased outside the USA. Just a bit of buyer beware information.

 

[JamesLaz]

I didn't expect such a response but I'm glad it stared a conversation. All good information. That's what I like about this site, sharing of information so we all may know a bit more.

I did think about the DOT part of it, but the NHTSA website states that a helmet sold in US must be DOT approved. I can't find anything that states you must wear a DOT approved helmet. The helmets are ECE 22.05 certified witch is legal in the US from what I can find. I also believe the ECE 22.05 standard is more stringent the DOT standards.

https://www.nhtsa.gov/motorcycle-safety/choose-right-motorcycle-helmet#check-safety-ratings

Thanks,
James

 

[BajaRon]

Motostorm IT has great helmet prices. That said, I know that HJC USA, Scorpion USA, and LS2 USA WILL NOT warranty any issues for their helmets purchased outside the USA. Just a bit of buyer beware information.

This is pretty universal across all of the helmet manufactures that I am aware of. It's just to keep people from buying outside of their designated distribution sources. Arai goes so far as to name the same helmet something else in different geographic areas. Some of this has to do with marketing. But much of it, I think, is to discourage cross area sales.

 

[LongIsland]

This on the NHTSA site, which agrees with JamesLaz: While all motorcycle helmets sold in the United States are required to meet the federal standard and have the DOT certification label, there are online and brick-and-mortar retailers who sell what are known as “novelty helmets” that do not meet our safety standards. There are also fake DOT labels being sold to put on these unsafe helmets.

I then googled whether or not insurance companies require DOT approved helmets and found this: 'Insurance companies may take helmet usage into account when assessing claims. If a rider was not wearing a DOT-approved helmet and sustained injuries in an accident, their insurance coverage could be affected, leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses."

Since I live in NY I googled NYS law which returned: "Once you cross that state boundary into New York, though, every rider and passenger has to wear a DOT helmet regardless of age, training, or riding experience. Failure to comply with New York State law will get you a ticket."

So, while NHTSA requires helmets sold in the US to be DOT compliant, unless a state has a specific law about it, it is legal to wear a non-DOT helmet. In states that require the certification, your insurance company will require it as well (contacted GEICO for this information).

 

[JamesLaz]

I should add that these helmets meet the DOT requirements, they just don't have a DOT label as they were not sold here.

I also wonder has anyone ever had an officer check their helmet?