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

[2dogs]

Like many other opinions, the ECE vs DOT issues will never be resolved on this site. Like 3Tyme mentioned, I've never heard of anyone anywhere ever being cited for wearing a non DOT helmet. The funniest thing I ever witnessed was a grubby biker wearing a beany helmet covered with a wig. Talked to him once and he said he'd been pulled over by the police more times than he could remember. I asked him if they'd ever ticketed him or got mad at him. He said no they were all pretty much good natured about it and once his joke got around none of them stopped him anymore.

 

[ahtsix]

I purchased a pair of Schuberth C4 Pro helmets and communication systems for my wife and I from FC Moto a couple years ago, I was very pleased with the price and speed of delivery. I couldn't find a C4 Pro ladies XS in stock anywhere in the US. FC Moto had exactly what I wanted in stock for much less than any other source I could find.

 

[BajaRon]

Like many other opinions, the ECE vs DOT issues will never be resolved on this site. Like 3Tyme mentioned, I've never heard of anyone anywhere ever being cited for wearing a non DOT helmet. The funniest thing I ever witnessed was a grubby biker wearing a beany helmet covered with a wig. Talked to him once and he said he'd been pulled over by the police more times than he could remember. I asked him if they'd ever ticketed him or got mad at him. He said no they were all pretty much good natured about it and once his joke got around none of them stopped him anymore.

...Or anywhere else, for that matter.

 

[Peter Aawen]

Like many other opinions, the ECE vs DOT issues will never be resolved on this site. Like 3Tyme mentioned, I've never heard of anyone anywhere ever being cited for wearing a non DOT helmet. The funniest thing I ever witnessed was a grubby biker wearing a beany helmet covered with a wig. Talked to him once and he said he'd been pulled over by the police more times than he could remember. I asked him if they'd ever ticketed him or got mad at him. He said no they were all pretty much good natured about it and once his joke got around none of them stopped him anymore.

We don't have any DOT requirement here in Oz, but we do have Australian Design Rules (ADR's) covering national standards for road vehicle safety, equipment safety, anti-theft, and emissions et al, with mandated compliance indicated by approved labels & stickers etc. - and with our National Helmet Laws specifying that riders must wear an ADR approved helmet while riding, there have been quite a few riders here on Oz who've been booked for wearing helmets that weren't appropriately approved &/or with the required stickers/labels present, intact, & clearly legible!! There are even some who've been required to park their bike by the side of the road while they go to get an ADR Approved helmet before being allowed to ride on!! I haven't personally been booked on any of those, but I have been present when others have! :lecturef_smilie:

Plus, we aren't allowed to use most Track or Test facilities without the appropriately approved & labelled/stickered gear, including helmets & armour, etc. with mandated regular inspections to confirm that everything is compliant. I've even had to replace just my helmet liners on a couple of (still quite young, within date, usable, and otherwise compliant in every respect... ) helmets because the ADR labels had faded/worn thru regular use - the ADR stickers on the outside of the helmets were OK, but the sewn-in liner labels were faded & no longer clearly legible... :shocked: Frayed or faded labels, stickers, straps, liners, and sticky or worn buckles &/or clips are all common failure items at scrutineering... but then I do feel that I'd much rather they failed there than in use! nojoke

 

[Jetfixer]

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

Not just that, but whether or not your insurance company would pay up for injuries with a non-dot helmet...

 

[RayBJ]

I buy my lids from the Netherlands because they are cheaper and I can get a ratchet strap instead of D-rings. I suppose IF I get pulled over by LEO for speeding, they can tack on the non-DOT lid if they're A$$holes.

 

[BajaRon]

Every helmet I know of that is sold in the US that has the ECE sticker, is also DOT approved. I'm told there may be some that are ECE and not DOT. But I have not been able to confirm this. Where you might (slim to none) get into trouble will be with a helmet purchased outside the US. Since there is no need or purpose to get DOT approval outside the US. And it costs money to do so, why bother? At that point, it's just a worthless sticker.

To pass ECE the helmet has to be built to a standard that will also meet DOT. So, it makes sense.

 

[2dogs]

I buy my lids from the Netherlands because they are cheaper and I can get a ratchet strap instead of D-rings. I suppose IF I get pulled over by LEO for speeding, they can tack on the non-DOT lid if they're A$$holes.

Generally, it's the speeding A$$hole that causes the LEO to become an A$$hole. That's what I've been told anyway.

Every helmet I know of that is sold in the US that has the ECE sticker, is also DOT approved. I'm told there may be some that are ECE and not DOT. But I have not been able to confirm this. Where you might (slim to none) get into trouble will be with a helmet purchased outside the US. Since there is no need or purpose to get DOT approval outside the US. And it costs money to do so, why bother? At that point, it's just a worthless sticker.

To pass ECE the helmet has to be built to a standard that will also meet DOT. So, it makes sense.

I can't find it to post it now but sometime back I saw an illustration and breakdown of recorded head injuries from M/C accidents. The number one contact point and injury to the head was the chin. The chin by far outnumbered all other contact points, IE; back of the head top of the head, and so on. After knowing this I'm astounded to see how many people still use open-face helmets thinking they are fully protected. My wife and I wear full face helmets with a retractable chin guard. When I bought our helmets the only ones available at the time were in Europe. Now that same helmet is being sold here in the USA. They were only ECE so now they are DOT also.

 

[RangerRick]

I buy my lids from the Netherlands because they are cheaper and I can get a ratchet strap instead of D-rings. I suppose IF I get pulled over by LEO for speeding, they can tack on the non-DOT lid if they're A$$holes.

My Shoei Neotec II I just bought has the Ratchet strap, much nicer than the D-Ring set-up that's for sure

 

[Raven]

I am all for getting a deal. But I would rather support my local dealers.
If you got a good local guy. Buy from him even if it costs more.
If not he might not be there anymore.

 

[RayBJ]

I am all for getting a deal. But I would rather support my local dealers.
If you got a good local guy. Buy from him even if it costs more.
If not he might not be there anymore.

I agree - in general. But when a D-ring lid costs $650 in the US and the same lid with ratchet strap is $400 delivered from off-shore dealers, I'm willing to wait an extra week!

 

[2dogs]

I agree - in general. But when a D-ring lid costs $650 in the US and the same lid with ratchet strap is $400 delivered from off-shore dealers, I'm willing to wait an extra week!

I agree also. It's just MHO that certain businesses are taking advantage of inflation to increase their profits under the guise of inflation. I have a small business and I've kept my prices fairly close to prepandemic levels and I can still make decent money.

 

[Mikemac]

For technical reasons A) he did not buy a non-dot certified helmet in the USA. It was shipped from Europe. B) just like a suit, and liquor I purchased in Paris, and at the duty free store respectively - when you travel some of us shop. Since DOT standards are minimum standards and the Euro standard are higher in criteria its a moot point. Go to any motorcycle show or rally and someone is selling stickers - DOT and Gas, Grass, or Ass no one rides for free stickers. Always buy the best safety gear, and always buy liquor that's older than you are. The reasons are clear the older you get.

 

[Mikey]

For technical reasons A) he did not buy a non-dot certified helmet in the USA. It was shipped from Europe. B) just like a suit, and liquor I purchased in Paris, and at the duty free store respectively - when you travel some of us shop. Since DOT standards are minimum standards and the Euro standard are higher in criteria its a moot point. Go to any motorcycle show or rally and someone is selling stickers - DOT and Gas, Grass, or Ass no one rides for free stickers. Always buy the best safety gear, and always buy liquor that's older than you are. The reasons are clear the older you get.

And always look at the born-on date on a post!