Bilt (Eeks!) helmet review

[Chuck in Indiana]

So the Scorpion I have out here in California has seen better days. Time for a new one. Went to the local Cycle gear. I've had good experiences and really good warrantee stuff from them. I have a big head.. gotta have some place to put all those brains..  and the selection was small. At home in Indiana, I have a Shoei GT Air. Big bux with even bigger bux for custom sized cheek pads. (Just to show you that I'm not afraid to spend a little money if necessary.) 
After trying on all the available stuff, I had settled on a fairly high buck carbon fiber helmet, but thought I'd at least look at the low priced spread.

They had one XXL. Hmmm. This fits *me* really well, the old Arai shape. Has a drop down sun shield. I especially like them out here where there are tunnels.. Ok, probably the shield mechanism sux. You know, too far to the first detent, so you can't just leave it cracked in hot weather. Even had a slider gizmo that keeps it from fully closing at speed or can lock it closed. Hmmm again. Dang! I kinda like it.  Ask the salesgirl if I can bring it back after a test ride. "Sure."
Gave her my credit card fully expecting the worst. <shrug> Dumpstered the old Skorpion. <sigh> Another one gone...
On the ride back to the beach I was impressed on how quiet it was. I bought a new fairly expensive helmet a couple of years ago that when I got out on the 405 running 80 or so just shrieked. No changing vents open or closed, turning my head from side to side to side, up or down would stop it. I couldn't wait to get off the expressway and send that sucker back. I fully realize that a combination of aerodynamics can cause this, but it totally didn't work on the Mighty Scura.
This Bilt may be the quietest helmet I've ever had. (!!!) Out on the 405 headed to the mountains, it was whisper quiet. *maybe* it's because it fits me well? Dunno.
The eyeport is bigger than my high buck Shoei. Definitely. Better peripheral *and* top to bottom vision. Major props there.
The only  downside I've seen so far is the breath shield just touches my beak. Need to trim that..
At any rate, I'd recommend it to your attention.
Cheap.  $109.. They call it the Raptor. Ugly booger..
 

[canuguzzi]

An expensive ill fitting helmet is no better than a good fitting cheap helmet and probably worse.

[rboe]

I picked up a Bilt (on sale, too cheap to pass up), it's not bad. Covering/hedging my bets I picked up a very nice HTC a couple months ago, impressed by it, nice flat red to match the CB and seems quieter. Then the Honda dealer had a yard sale and I picked up a nice fitting Bell for cheap (and some FirstGear gloves). Some of the green kinda goes with the Griso (trying to justify the third helmet......  ).

Now you have me thinking I need to try the Bilt again, may be missing something.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  Helmets are for protecting things that my head might hit.

[Rox]

I have one of the Bilt Flip ups with the bluetooths . It's a pretty good helmet. The speakers will push into my ears after a long ride but overall Im happy with it. Very impressive for the price. Their Sedici line is also good.

[guzziknight]

My current helmet, and one of all time favorites, is a Bilt Evolution flip front. Quiet, comfortable, well made, came in hi-viz yellow, and cost me $115!!

Wife liked it so much I bought her one for Xmas.

[George_S]

  Helmets are for protecting things that my head might hit.

It ain't worth protecting your head?

[Sasquatch Jim]

Brain?

[davedel44]

People poke fun at Cycle Gear all the time but I have found their product to be well made and their warrenty is top notch.

Dave
Galveston

[charlie b]

I like their stuff too.  Their helmets don't fit me but I like their gloves and my leather jacket came from them.  I love their sales.

[Bisbonian]

I had a Raptor.
They may run a little large as I wore a Medium in it when I normally where a large.
The UClear speakers fit in it well and my wife could hear me talk on the phone when I called her from the road.

It did it's job and sacrificed itself when my head hit the pavement.

Faceshields for these are around $15 at Cycle gear; clear, smoke or mirrored. Smoke or mirrored may be a touch more but not bad.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Another thing that has impressed me from CG is their "freeze out" line. Naturally, you have to buy it "On Sale" for half price with maybe a balaclava thrown in. (Guzzi content.) 

[Arizona Wayne]

I bought a Bilt Apollo modular helmet  for $100 a couple years ago to replace my Nolan just because the Nolans have gotten too pricey for me.  It's heavier than I'd like and it didn't keep the cold out ,whistled, was pretty noisy.  Then I discovered ther was no real seal between the lense top & helmet.  In fact it was a real gap!  I got some white weather stripping, cut it to length and now no more whistling and it seals the cold out and not as noisy.     Still not light but that's it's only negative now.

Also last summer I managed to drop it and the lense popped loose on the right side.  I was able to finish my trip but at certain angles the lense would come loose on that side.    Finally figured out why and the part needed was at my nearest CG store for $5/pair, so I bought 2 sets for if it happens again.

[canuck750]

I have had this Techno Bluetooth for a couple seasons, fairly quiet and comfortable

http://www.cyclegear.com/BILT-Techno-Bluetooth-Modular-Motorcycle-Helmet

And I got this one for free when I bought a coat and pants for my son, its OK, wore it for a week this summer

http://www.cyclegear.com/BILT-Explorer-Adventure-Helmet

[hooah54]

I love my Bilt Techno bluetooth helmet.  Had problems with the latch on the first few which were replaced easily.  and have rode hours comfortably...you do have to push the speakers up into place but a great helmet.