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Kali Helmets

Butch

poseur
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Apr 5, 2002
Location
San Jose, bottom of dirty 130
Moto(s)
‘18 Alta EX006, ‘17 Alta MX019, 06R6, 05TM530, 01TM250 2T, ‘24 Yam Tenere 700, Lightning Spark
Name
Butch
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AMA #: 1093637
I have had lots of helmets over the years. I currently have quite a few. All the best, though I have never had a Shoei.

I currently have four Kali helmets. I rather like them. They are very light and fit my noggin. Crash protection is excellent. They have a crash replacement policy so I am gonna have my Prana Carbon inspected and maybe replaced. Tree branch, hard.

I think I am gonna get one of the new bitchin Octane models. Maybe I can get a BARF discount. They are local, Morgan Hill, so I will report back…

https://kaliprotectives.com/product...RJfi_QCe8wZOFfAXKcdoU8Oi2M2V2pCfTI8b8=.QR2fiq
 
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Out of curiosity, why so many helmets? Different helmets for different uses perhaps?
 
Out of curiosity, why so many helmets? Different helmets for different uses perhaps?

I'm old. Shit accumulates. I buy helmets when I come across something i can't resist. I have trouble rehoming them... Yeah, and i don't crash so none get retired for that reason.

And yeah, different helmets for different applications. Gad, I have car racing helmets too, and bicycle helmets. I should post free helmets here on the BARF.

I guess i like cool helmets.
 
Thanks for the link! I'm a huge carbon fiber fan for the lighter weight. Unfortunately I just went through a helmet being spree a couple of years ago so it'll probably be another few years before I'm ready to replace any of the ones I have.

I also have multiple helmets for multiple purposes:
Winter commuting/long distance
Winter around town
Summer commuting/long distance
Summer around town
 
There aren't any photochromic face shields available for Kali helmets are there?

I should buy a new lid, but that's a must have for me.
 
I also have multiple helmets for multiple purposes:
Winter commuting/long distance
Winter around town
Summer commuting/long distance
Summer around town

Out of interest, what features set apart the helmets in each of the categories you listed? I have a single helmet (Shoei RF-1200) that I use year round. What am I missing out on?
 
That's me too. I use a single helmet year round and it works for me. But maybe there is something to using different helmets for long and short rides, and seasonality.
 
Winter commuting/long distance riding: Shoei RF1400. Quiet, comfortable, and warm with the chin curtain.

Winter around town: Simpson Ghost Bandit Carbon. It was going to be my long distance helmet due to the internal sun visor but the awkward placement of the sun visor control lever puts my Sena 10C in a weird position.

Summer commuting/long distance riding: Bell Eliminator Carbon. This thing flows air almost as well as an open face IMHO. Lightweight plus maximum air flow in a full face.

Summer around town: Bell Broozer. Removable chin bar for when I walk into stores and restaurants. Much lighter than a modular.

My Simpson is the only of the four that I originally intended on being my all around winter helmet but like I said, I couldn’t get my 10C to mount in a position I was happy with.
 
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Kali got me into modular helmets.
 
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Wow, i just opened the link. These are pricey but look amazing and seem to be good quality.
Personally I just can’t justify spending more than $400-500 on a helmet.
 
My first helmet was a Kali (10 years ago). It was around $300-400, no complaints, solid helmet. But they seem to completely change their entire lineup every couple of years. It's a bit jarring to have the model you know go away and never come back.
 
It's a bit jarring to have the model you know go away and never come back.

Planned obsolescence? The American way? It’s everywhere, even if they just change the graphics and say NEW!

Technology does evolve in some fields.
 
Last August I bought a Kali Catalyst - only $175, so sub-$200 w/ shipping & tax... This isn't the Catalyst 2.0, which is carbon-fiber and $750, obviously. In fact, my Catalyst appears to have gone from their site, so...

Anyway, I bought this as a 'basic' addition to my helmet family, and so far I like it a lot - I'd prefer a modular, but that's what my Schuberth C3 is for...

It's pretty basic, and the visor can be a bit fiddly to remove/replace, but apart from that it's cool. And cheap :)
 
what kali was like a budget brand back in the day, when did they start competing with 500+ shoeis and arais.....

weird, rather go with companies been doing this for ages and sponsors track riders who test crashes them all the time.....

this is bizzare they have 2 full face units in their lineup, $750-1100 no thanks, thats agv pista $$$, looks like they spend more $ r&d in bicycle helmets since they offer a larger lineup there - definitely hard pass meow that I look into their business moreso
 
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At $1500 I’m not likely to ever own one

Surely there is a BARF discount available. Let me know if you can’t find one. I know peeps.
 
I just bought another jersey for a pal's birthday. $15 including shipping. Priceless!
 
I just bought another jersey for a pal's birthday. $15 including shipping. Priceless!

And another! Sent to a friend’s house with no explanation. He may be shocked and confused. Priceless.
 
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