Bell Qualifier Helmet

[guzzi4me]

Greetings!

Just thought I would let the group know that J&P Cycles has some Bell Qualifier helmets on
closeout.

From what the reviews say not a bad buy for $49.

http://www.jpcycles.com/product/103-224

Ride safe and often....

Jeff

[LowRyter]

how could you go wrong.

[redrider]

I have several of their offerings. Well made with the best shield attachment system ever.

[HDGoose]

Ordered mine...

[Dogwalker]

The Qualifier is not rated, but Bell full-face helmets tend to fare well in the Sharp Test.
http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/testhelmetlist?sharp-make=101&sharp-model=&sharp-type=2&sharp-rating=1&sharp-price-from=0&sharp-price-to=9999&discontinued=1

[Rox]

I had one and hated it. Padding inside had this mesh that would scratch your face and was deafening loud over 40mph... Had it 3 weeks and put it on Craigslist..

[cruzziguzzi]

Hell, now it says $42.95. How low can they go?

Looks like a hell of a deal but for me it'd be a no-go. I ride in a lot of rain - regardless of my current Arizona denizency and have yet to find a forwardly vented helmet that will keep water out at speed. I never mind those "Bane" vents at the mouth but the one up-top have caused me dribble-worries to no end. 'Guess I could stuff a depends up there...

Todd.

[HDGoose]

I've never had any helmet leak in the rain though vents. Well, not since the 1990's.

[guzzi4me]

Just to let everyone know...

I ordered the helmet yesterday for $49.99

Saw it went down to $42.99 today.

Emailed J&P customer support and requested a price adjustment.

Just got an email stating that a credit of $7 will be issued.

Now that's customer service!
(and Guzzi content!!)

Ride safe and often,

Jeff

[oldbike54]

 Jeff , 7 bucks buys enough gas to make the round trip to Cedar Vale from my house 

 Dusty

[JoeW]

Just a word about Bell quality. My son was lucky enough to win a Bell Star Carbon helmet at last year's Chicago IMS show. The prize included a custom fitting, it's like an 1100.00 value. The helmet came in about 6 weeks with his name on a plaque on the back. He says it's very comfortable. Last summer was his first season riding with it. I guess you get what you pay for or not pay for. It has some nice features especially the self tinting face shield but, two of the knobs have broken, one that props the face shield open and the other for a vent plus, he says it's very loud. Louder than his previous Chinese made Zox. So, I guess for 43.00 you can't go wrong but, I'm glad he didn't spend over a grand on the Star.

Wasn't it Bell's ads in the 70s, "If you have a $10.00 head, were a $10.00 helmet"?

[guzzi4me]

I have used HJC helmets in the past and found them adequate...not great but they are not bad.

Wanted to try a Bell helmet again after having a Bell Tourstar many moons ago. Really liked that helmet. I know these Bell's are probably different but had to try. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

Will report to the group my impressions. This is a no frills helmet, which I tend to buy, so hoping it will be at least adequate.

And I saved another $7 so have enough gas money for Cedar Vale...as long as I have a good tailwind!!!

Ride safe and often,

Jeff

[oldbike54]

 Jeff , it's downhill all the way , both directions 

  Dusty

[Chuck in Indiana]

he says it's very loud. Louder than his previous Chinese made Zox.

I fully realize we're talking apples and oranges, but I bought a Bell Vortex a couple of years ago. Nice looking, well made, fit very well.
comma but.
Ventilation was great. Noticed that leaving the beach for the mountains on the PCH. Rode in the mountains all day, and thought it was a little noisy. Jumped out on the 10 to the 405 to go back, and it shrieked at intestate speeds. Earplugs and all, it drove me crazy. Tried closing and opening vents, turning my head in all directions, everything I could think of. Nada.
I couldn't wait to get back, get it off and return it. The combination of fit, Scura aerodynamics, and that helmet was unbearable.

[redrider]

Chuck, I too have a Vortex. Noise was an issue but easily remedied. Under the ear padding are pockets for speakers. A big resonant cavity. I cut some open cell foam, shaping it to fit the area. I also used a piece of cotton ball to buffer the flow through the two small vents behind and below the ears. Bliss. My Star is noisy from the flow around the base when seated normally on the Café Sport and Mille but when tucked in on the Sport 1100, quiet as a church mouse. My RSD model is the most quiet of all with no mods but it has a full neck roll that is a bit warm during the summer.

[Moto]

As I've posted before, I really like my Bell RS-1, the best helmet I've had. I like it better than my old Arai. Quiet, comfort, build quality, all first rate.

It does come down to particular models for particular heads; there can't be any helmets that fit all the people all the time.

As for the Vortex being too windy -- the name should have been adequate warning!

Moto

P.S. I just checked my helmet for "knobs" that control the shield, since I didn't recall anything I'd consider a knob. (The arrangement is the same as on the Star Carbon.) There is a small lever that looks fine on mine, and is up to the task. If it ever breaks there is a small Phillips head stainless screw that attaches it; parts are available I believe. Parts don't break themselves; unless I crash, I'm sure mine won't be broken.

[HDGoose]

You guys know that different helmets are made for differ riding positions? My RF1000 and 1100 were more suited towards the sport riding position than for a cruiser.

For $42, I could have had 3 or 4 nice cigars, or a nice sushi dinner, or a case of good German pilsner...

[Chuck in Indiana]

You guys know that different helmets are made for differ riding positions? My RF1000 and 1100 were more suited towards the sport riding position than for a cruiser.

For $42, I could have had 3 or 4 nice cigars, or a nice sushi dinner, or a case of good German pilsner...

True, Gary.. true..