Just buy both. The mirrored is not bad at night, but I try to avoid using it. The smoked cannot be used at night, you cannot see anything. I use all three. The smoked if its bright and I know I will be back before dark, the mirrored if there is a possibility it might get a little dark before I get home and the clear when I leave my house and it is dark.

 

i have the mirrored on too....I don't like wearing it at night. I swap with the clear at night!

 

Damn, wierd coincidence, my buddy has a KBC helmet, with the "smoking gun" design, looks badass, but he went down today on a friends CBR6RR, trashed the helmet pretty bad. We were talking about how I never really heard of KBC till he got that helmet.

Anyways, he has the dark smoke visor, and likes it. he said even at night it isn't too dark. his helmet kinda looked like this, but black with maroon fins, and i dont think his visor is that dark

So what do you think of the KBC helmets? do they compare with the arai and shoei ???

 

So what do you think of the KBC helmets? do they compare with the arai and shoei ???

Honestly, do not waste your money on a KBC. They have some incredible designs, but that's where the features stop. I've got 2 of them and a Scorpion. The Scorpion is far, far, far superior to the KBCs. The first KBC (TK77) was 89 dollars and I got it with my first bike. The padding stretched out quickly (3 weeks) on it, my head was like a hot dog in a hallway. The second was a VR-2 for 199 dollars. It was better but, the padding still stretched out. And the little clips on the visor break very easily. All three of my visors have broken clips. I don't forsee any problems with my Scorpion. I have no experience with Shoei, but Arai is the business. In my opinion they're alongside Suomy, though I like Suomy a little more. They seem a little more exclusive. If my Scorpion get stolen or too old I think I'll get a Suomy as a treat to myself.

AJ

 

Honestly, do not waste your money on a KBC. They have some incredible designs, but that's where the features stop. I've got 2 of them and a Scorpion. The Scorpion is far, far, far superior to the KBCs. The first KBC (TK77) was 89 dollars and I got it with my first bike. The padding stretched out quickly (3 weeks) on it, my head was like a hot dog in a hallway. The second was a VR-2 for 199 dollars. It was better but, the padding still stretched out. And the little clips on the visor break very easily. All three of my visors have broken clips. I don't forsee any problems with my Scorpion. I have no experience with Shoei, but Arai is the business. In my opinion they're alongside Suomy, though I like Suomy a little more. They seem a little more exclusive. If my Scorpion get stolen or too old I think I'll get a Suomy as a treat to myself.

AJ

great info man. ive bought two HJC helmets, which aren't bad for the price, but im looking forward to buying some "nice" gear sometime soon. I do like the paint schemes of the kbc

 

I have read numerous stories of riders going down hard and wearing a KBC with no problems. I crashed hard in a VR2 Euro and it definately saved my head...twice even.
My brother crashed in one of my VR2's and his head slammed into a curb and all he had was a headache and the helmet was just chipped up. Mine fits my head like a glove but I have never worn one of the higher end helmets so I really can't compare.

 

KBC helmets are like mesh jackets...

Sometimes they fit well and look good, but keep saving for something better.

I've got one, and like it, and use it, but it'll never see track duty.

 

Nothing I've tried on compares to an Arai. I've only ridden with an Arai and a Shoei, prefer the Arai.

I almost bought a Ducati helmet off ebay - found out it's made by Suomy. Too bad no one carries them around here so I could actually try it on my egg shaped melon.

I would not suggest getting the mirrored one if you plan on swapping it with a clear while riding. The mirror finish scratches easily. I usually ride with my blacked out one and carry the clear in the seat in a flannel pouch.

Yet another reason I want a couple helmets - I'm a lazy bastard and I'd rather just leave the clear on one, smoked on another

 

My personal opinion is I would never wear a KBC, HJC or Icon to protect my nogan. Just not worth it.

Helmets I have owned where Arai and Shoei. The Shoei I bought used off of eBay and did not fit right. I usually only ride with Arai.

If I was short on cash I would get a Scorpion. I have tried those helmets on and they feel real comfy. Suomy's are also pretty comfortable as well. Shoei's just feel weird on my head. You heard of the expression "you are either a Arai head or Shoei head"...I'm definately an Arai head, but Suomy and Scorpions do mimic the Arai feel pretty good.

 

What do you mean by they just arent worth it?


The lower end helmets protect better than the light expensive ones. KBC, HJC, and the like are only heavier, and more quiet.




You could consider it a "beginner helmet" I guess. That way when you buy a light helmet you can tell its light, and appreciate it for what it is.

 

aigh well I decided I wanna buy the light smoke visor as some other fellows on the kawiforums were explaining how with the smoke its fine at night but the dark tint isnt.

I see some professional riders using KBC on the track, now dont jump to conclusions just because they get paid money and offered a helmet for free that there gonna wear anything, I dont think the professional riders would risk killing themselves over a free helmet from KBC or some other company just cause its sponsorship.

In other words I dont think Mat Mladin would wear a KBC if it was known to crack if he went down, just cause someone is offering him the helmet for free because of publicity etc..

 

aigh well I decided I wanna buy the light smoke visor as some other fellows on the kawiforums were explaining how with the smoke its fine at night but the dark tint isnt.

I see some professional riders using KBC on the track, now dont jump to conclusions just because they get paid money and offered a helmet for free that there gonna wear anything, I dont think the professional riders would risk killing themselves over a free helmet from KBC or some other company just cause its sponsorship.

In other words I dont think Mat Mladin would wear a KBC if it was known to crack if he went down, just cause someone is offering him the helmet for free because of publicity etc..

KBC's are fine. They have the "snell approved dot" which is just as safe as any higher end model. Mine doesn't stretch and the clips work fine and are very durable. I change my visor like I change my socks...

 

Yeah I have a KBC that works well, is pretty light, shiled is easy as hell to get on and off. The only complaint I have is that it's really loud... but oh well, you get used to it pretty quickly.

WOOT!

 

Sorry I don't have a pic of my dark shield, But I have had two kbc's, one AGV Ti Tech, and a ICON. The KBC VR 2 which I crashed in saved my bacon big time. Literally slammed my head right into the pavement about 60 MPH (I know it isn't that fast) and it was the very first thing to hit the pavement. Owe my life to that helmet. I have progressed to the AGV for most riding now, but have your helmet as well, I split time between all 3 now.

 

My personal opinion is I would never wear a KBC, HJC or Icon to protect my nogan. Just not worth it.

Helmets I have owned where Arai and Shoei. The Shoei I bought used off of eBay and did not fit right. I usually only ride with Arai.

Let me get this straight - You won't buy or use a new DOT/SNELL approved helmet like HJC, but you'll buy a used helmet off Ebay, not knowing if it had been dropped and the structural integrity compromised?

Sounds like you need to re-think that...

 

I have a VR-2 and yes, the shield tabs break off on all the visors. Well, usually just one so it doesnt close very snugly. I just bought a Scorpion EXO-400 today and IMO, this helmet is easily worth twice as much as I paid for it. it feels much better built, the visor actually seals with the helmet, the visor is much more substantial and seems like it would take an impact much better, not to mention the breath guard fits better, it fits nicer with glasses on, and the visor does not fog at all. Also, the release mechanism for the visor is far more robust and definitely easier to use than the VR-2.

Overall, I would definitely recommend the $140 Scorpion over the $200 VR-2. Way better helmet.

 

Yeah I have a KBC that works well, is pretty light, shiled is easy as hell to get on and off. The only complaint I have is that it's really loud... but oh well, you get used to it pretty quickly.

WOOT!

Im going to take that as sarcasm :lao

Let me get this straight - You won't buy or use a new DOT/SNELL approved helmet like HJC, but you'll buy a used helmet off Ebay, not knowing if it had been dropped and the structural integrity compromised?

Sounds like you need to re-think that...

the guys on gixxer.com said it was ok though nfloor

 

No, no sarcasm, the shield works fine on mine. I actually really like my helmet.

 

I have a VR-2 and yes, the shield tabs break off on all the visors. Well, usually just one so it doesnt close very snugly. I just bought a Scorpion EXO-400 today and IMO, this helmet is easily worth twice as much as I paid for it. it feels much better built, the visor actually seals with the helmet, the visor is much more substantial and seems like it would take an impact much better, not to mention the breath guard fits better, it fits nicer with glasses on, and the visor does not fog at all. Also, the release mechanism for the visor is far more robust and definitely easier to use than the VR-2.

Overall, I would definitely recommend the $140 Scorpion over the $200 VR-2. Way better helmet.

You mentioned something that I forgot about. The visor closure on my VR2 sucks. I don't know how it never just popped open while riding. The Scorpion visor almost doesn't want to open. I dig it. I would highly recommend a chin skirt for the Scopion. Not that I've ridden without one and it needed it but because it's cheap and it seems to keep air out just fine.

To the original poster who is wondering about wearing a dark smoke at night. I implore you not to. I got caught out one night about 100 miles from home it is was hell. I had to borrow a friends helmet to get home. I couldn't see anything with it. I have used a mirrored visor a lot at night and it is great. I do not feel the least bit uncomfortable with the mirrored KBC visor. It helps tremendously with oncoming headlights. The whole idea of getting caught out with a dark smoke visor just made me change my mind about the dark smoke one I ordered. I just picked up my mirrored Scorpion visor today. The only downside is how easily they scratch. It looks like this Scorpion visor will hold up better than my KBC one. IMHO, mirrored anything (yellow, blue, rainbow, metallic) is a great all around visor.

AJ

 

As for shields, I only used the clear on my KBC VR1, so I can't help you much with that one.

On my Scorpion EXO-700, I alternate between the clear and the light smoke. I find that I use the light smoke alot more--almost exclusively. The light smoke is nice because it works for me just fine in the daytime or at night. If I'm leaving in the daytime and I'm not sure that I'll be back before dark, I can use the light smoke shield and not worry about it. It cuts just enough glare to be comfortable in the daytime (as long as I don't have to look right into the sun), but it doesn't cut out too much light for night time riding. I prefer the clear shield at night, but if I have to pick one shield for both, I go with the light smoke.

ETA: Another plug for the light smoke shield--the light smoke shield has a coating that provides UV protection. None of mirrored shield do (at least not for the Scorpions).

As for the quality/protection of KBC helmets, I can only speak for the VR1 Euro. I severely crashed a KBC VR1 about a year ago. The impact to the back of the helmet was severe and the helmet was destroyed. I was knocked unconscious and came away with a moderate concussion and no memory of the accident or the approximately 1 hour following the accident (during which I apparently called and spoke to my wife on my cell phone at least four times, repeating the same conversation each time). The helmet basically did just what it was supposed to do. It took the brunt of the impact and protected me from life-threatening or incapacitating injury. It may not be the "best" helmet available, but it will do its job.

So far, I haven't had to test the Scorpion--and I don't intend to do so anytime soon.