AVE Helmets?

[hidn45]

Haven't been on much for awhile, but a new job has freed up some time, so I have a question for the group....

Anyone familiar at all with AVE Helmets?  They also offer raingear & tail trunks, but we're looking for new Bluetooth helmets, & this outfit popped up on our radar.  They tout "Italian Design", 'tho I would be willing to bet they're made further east....  Some nice features, & the price is pretty good for BT equipped, but not much info about them.  I did note that they monitor the ratings on Amazon, & seem to be willing to work with any issues that come up.....

Thanks for any feedback-

Randy & Lois

[Moto]

I've never heard of them. I did look through the detailed information for 5 or so that are listed on Amazon. Each one indicated the helmet was discontinued by the manufacturer!

[Bisbonian]

Prices look similar to the Bilt line at Cycle Gear, that is as long as you get the sale price at Cycle Gear and don't pay full retail (but nobody pays full retail at CG anyway).

It looks like AVE has 2 official dealer outlets in the US, including their main location in Miami. If you needed support for their product then that may be a concern. However this is a Moto Guzzi forum so dealer support shouldn't be that big of an issue.

I always get the impression that people who buy helmets with built-in blue tooth are never really impressed with the stock setup quality as opposed to a Sena or other aftermarket solution, but I've never tried it myself.

Personally I have a Sena setup, the mounting kit to put on the helmet is relatively cheap so I can mount my Sena unit on all of my helmets with only the additional $35 or so for the mounting/speaker kit.

You don't say whether you're looking for open face, full face, or modular. Bell has a couple of options which are set up to accept some of the more popular bluetooth units and are plug and play. That is all the wiring and speakers are already in the helmet and you just need to provide the unit.

Buying helmets online is a crapshoot if you can't try them on. I've found that in a Scorpion I wear a size Medium, but in the Fulmer I wear for MSF classes I wear an XL. I also wear a size Medium in the Bell Revolver modular (and it's comfortable) but can't put the Bell Qualifier on my head without very distinct discomfort.

As always, it's better to buy a helmet that you can try on before you buy.

[Arizona Wayne]

Never heard of that brand helmet before.  What brand helmet do you wear now?  More knowledge about helmets than anywhere else @ www.webbikeworld.co m. 

[hidn45]

Always been a Bell guy, my Star saved my life a few decades ago, but the Qualifier I have now is rather a disappointment.... fit is great, but it's loud, it fogs badly, & it's falling apart.  I had a Nolan for a few years, & it was ok, other than being a bit loud, but their Bluetooth systems are out of our price range.....  The Little Woman has a Scorpion open face (hates full-face) that's holding up well, but she rides MUCH less than I, & it's time for new.

We tried a Scala system, but it barely worked (especially with the noisy Bell), & was quite uncomfortable & annoying for us both.  I was hoping we could find an integrated system in matching buckets of both types without breaking the bank, but I'm not coming up with much.  I didn't find anything in Bell with an integrated system, & the dedicated Sena system adds over $200 apiece.  Am I tilting at windmills here?

Thanks for the response - we'll take all the input we can get!

Randy & Lois

[Bisbonian]

I find that ear plugs are a must to hear anything with my Sena at anything approaching highway speeds. The earplugs block the wind noise but I can hear the speakers.

You can also check craigslist for Bluetooth coms at a used price.

Yes, the Bell helmets would require the purchase of the actual Bluetooth unit but have the mount molded into the helmet and wiring already installed.