My main helmet for comparison is a Shoei RF1100, which is a fantastic helmet with so many online reviews I needn't waste more Internet space with another. Suffice to say, the RF1100 is a superior helmet in every way. Very comfortable, cool and classic in matte black, and full of customizable features like top head vents and a chin/neck cover for colder weather. Now onto the M30. This helmet, is a licensed replica of the 1970s era Simpson M30, without a doubt, one of the coolest looking full face helmets ever made. The company manufacturing these helmets is called Norix, and they are based out of Canada. Unfortunately, these helmets are only available in Japan at the moment, and therefore DOT and Snell approvals have not been attached. That said, this helmet is no joke. It is not a novelty helmet, and judging by the strictness of the Japanese motorcycle licensing system, this helmet is a fully functional and hopefully tested crash helmet of the highest quality. It certainly feels that way on my head, and it felt that way when I bought it. The helmet is right around $500 USD, which puts the M30 in the upper price range for any motorcycle helmet. At first I was a little unsure of the comfort, as the helmet tended to press a little on my forehead, but after wearing it I can honestly say it is as comfortable as my RF1100. And the visor is phenomenal. I have both a clear (stock) and a smoked visor, which is what I have on the helmet now. The smoked visor is so dark, that in bright daylight your eyes will remain very happy, but you had better get home before sunset, otherwise you will be either riding blind or with bugs and wind in your watering eyes. Yes, it is that dark. But dark is what we are going for. The matte black version was the only option for me, and the finish is really nice and seems quite durable. The front vents in the mask portion of the helmet let plenty of fresh air pass right into your mouth and nose, which makes fogging minimal and lets breathing feel very normal. The chin strap is easy to lash and tuck away so it is not flapping while you are riding. Another nice thing about this helmet, is that all the stickers come off readily, so you are not left with the obnoxious SIMPSON logo spoiling your Darth Vader from hell look. Living the USA, the best option to get one of these helmets is through a Japanese auction site, like www.Noppin.com or Yahoo Auctions. You will pay through the nose, but you will be happy in your Simpson M30. Hopefully soon Norix will get them tested and licensed in the USA. I even think they look cool in white...if that is your thing.
I bought one of these after reading this review. These helmets have stickers saying "not for road use, display use only" or something similar. They are also made of soft plastic, not composite. So, yep, they look good, but nope, they're just show, not go.
ReplyDeleteIf you bought one of the ones from Taiwan or China, you did not get the real thing. Mine is a real motorcycle helmet from Japan. I have no idea what you bought. What did it cost you? If you bought it new and it didn't cost you $500+, then you must have found some sort of knock off helmet. These are sold in all motorcycle shops throughout Japan, and they are real protective helmets. I even talked to a Norix representative, and he said these helmets pass all safety inspections required by Japanese laws, and he said the standards in Japan are as high as SNELL or DOT if not better. Send me an e-mail with more info about your helmet, I would be curious to know what it is and where you got it...
DeleteThis is what you want:
http://www.noppin.com/portal_ya_details/detail/?auctionUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fpage11.auctions.yahoo.co.jp%2Fjp%2Fauction%2Fn134488692
BTW, my helmet DID NOT come with any stickers like you mentioned yours did. I have to wonder, did you buy one of these types of helmets?
Deletehttp://www.ebay.com/itm/STAR-WARS-Motorcycle-Street-Full-Face-Vintage-Bandit-Style-Helmet-Matt-Black-DOT-/311018406796?pt=Apparel_Merchandise&var=&hash=item486a24438c&vxp=mtr
If so, that IS NOT the same thing. This is some sort of knock off from Taiwan...
It came in a Norix box with norix stickers bag etc and all the kit like you said, just like the picture you sent. The neck pad is stamped Norix etc I bought from a supplier in Japan (i'll check later which one i can'tremember off the top of my head). Of course price isn't a real indicator, but i did pay a comfortable fee for it, yep.
ReplyDeleteThat's quite strange. Like I said, mine did not have any stickers or warnings on it stating that it is not an actual crash helmet. Mine is made really well, like I said, it's even more comfortable than my Shoei. You might try to contact Norix and see what they say. You've got me wondering now. I think I paid something like $460 for mine, plus extra for the smoke visor and shipping. It was around $550 total for everything. I looked at and tried on several of the helmets at motorcycle shops in Japan when I was there, and I only bought on Noppin to get the matte black in XL which none of the stores had when I was there. I'll have to look into this further...thanks.
DeleteHave a look here:
Deletehttp://www.norix.ca/en/simpson/
Norix is a licensed Simpson helmet manufacturer, and I HIGHLY doubt a company like Simpson would sell helmets with their name on it without the helmets being up to snuff. I still have to think you somehow got some sort of fake or knock off...which totally sucks!