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KBC Helmets

1sicv8 said:
from what ive heard....as far as the KBC base plate issue goes. they did have some design flaws on the prior designs, the reason new shields come with free base plates is that they are redesigned and work great now...
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Not in my experience. Been selling the new VR-2's (which is now the VR-2R) with the new baseplates, same as the ones that come with the replacement shields, and we still get them coming back broken.
 
DarkNinja75 said:
Not in my experience. Been selling the new VR-2's (which is now the VR-2R) with the new baseplates, same as the ones that come with the replacement shields, and we still get them coming back broken.
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How does KBC treat the returns you're store is experiencing? How does KBC treat their customers when they call after experiencing this issue? I'd be interested to know.

Yes I hear you about the design being poor but are the new baseplates any better or are they just the same old replacement baseplates? How often will a normal customer go through baseplates in a year on the KBC helmets?

I'd love to get an Arai Haga replica helmet but I just can't justify spending the $600 - $700 on it. The Shoei RF1000 is a great helmet and the fit, finish (overall quality) is much better than the KBC. But for the money KBC is not a bad product.

Is KBC the most problematic helmet manufacturer out of all the other helmets you sell?
 
I have 2 KBC Helmets: a TK-8 and a Force RR. I like both helmets, and they both fit very well. I have had no breakage issues, even when changing visors.
 
streetsquid said:
How does KBC treat the returns you're store is experiencing? How does KBC treat their customers when they call after experiencing this issue? I'd be interested to know.

Yes I hear you about the design being poor but are the new baseplates any better or are they just the same old replacement baseplates? How often will a normal customer go through baseplates in a year on the KBC helmets?
...
Is KBC the most problematic helmet manufacturer out of all the other helmets you sell?
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I can't say for sure how KBC treats the returns. Helmet returns are mostly a Cycle Gear policy. As a store we try to keep extra base plates around to give to the customers since it's such a common problem. But even that isn't working now since (surprise!) our vendor ran out of stock.

The new baseplates, as far as I can tell, are exactly the same as the old ones. I specifically remember one customer who bought the helmet 3 months ago and was on his third set of base plates. He said, "Shit man, it's a good helmet but I don't want to be replacing these things every month."

KBC is the most problematic based strictly on numbers returned, but in our store we only stock Shoei, Arai, Xspeed, and Arashi. Shoei and Arai are obviously high quality, and we haven't sold enough Xspeed or Arashi helmets to tell if they're bad or not.

The only problem you should have (if any) with a KBC VR-2R or Force RR is broken baseplates. Otherwise they're fairly solid helmets.
 
Thanks for the info. I bought my KBC at Cycle Gear in SF and I haven't had any problems with the base plate at this time. Maybe I'll see if I can pick up a few extras - just in case. But since I don't change my visor often (at all) then hopefully it should be good to go.

Otherwise, I'm still happy with the KBC given the price I paid. Maybe I'll wear my RF1000 next week to see if I notice any real differences.
 
id be curious to how they keep breaking. ive never broken any. its probably a USER issue then a product issue..

reguardless. i love my helmets and ill def be a return customer
 
Went in and bought a new VR-2R today at cycle gear. They've got them on sale 15% off. I think it might have been only today though. Stroke of luck for me. I love this thing. Way lighter than my HJC and the visor change-out is stupid easy.
 
one more thing, kbc and hjc i would go to ebay for them. you can find them like 50percent less than in store. i got my hjc for 60 bucks brand new on ebay when cycle gear was selling for like 250 or something
 
I've been using my Shoei RF1000 all week instead of my KBC Force-RR and I find that more of my head fits inside the KBC than my Shoei. Maybe I have an odd shaped head but I can definitely get more of my head inside the KBC and it's a noticeable difference for sure. I don't think it poses any difference in protection levels but it's just something I noticed.

My RF1000 seems to sound louder than my Force-RR as well but the RF1000 appears and feels more plush on the inside.
 
I had a KBC helmet for a few days (it was a really good deal). However, quality-wise it didn't match up to my HJC in comfort nor build (the visor mechanism seemed really flimsy). For the price, it's hard to beat HJC or Scorpion.
 
I hit the ground in my KBC helmet on the 4th. Those that were there would also attest to the fact that that helmet took everything I threw at it and then some. It completely absorbed the impact of the crash and I honestly have no pain in my head or neck area whatsoever. There's nothing Arai or Suomy could've done that this helmet didn't do. I will be buying a VR-2R again.
 
To be 100% honest, these helmets are great for the price. "For the price" is the main part. I have had two. VR1 and a VR3. The VR3 held up in the last accident well. Oddly, i think my VR1 was more comfortable than the VR3. More padding. Now, the lady has the VR1, I'm ready for a step up to the very comfortable Arai. And comfort is the only reason for me to spend over 2x the price of a KBC.

Also, I hate KBC shields. those stupid tabs break way too easy. Not on the baseplate, but the ones on the visor itself. break two and the whole thing flaps up on the freeway. KBCs don't have any visor lock. =(
 
I've never found a KBC visor to be flimsy in any way. Furthermore, I think the whole comfort aspect is relative to each individual. My VR-2R was just as comfortable to me as any Arai I ever put on.
 
Also, I hate KBC shields. those stupid tabs break way too easy. Not on the baseplate, but the ones on the visor itself. break two and the whole thing flaps up on the freeway. KBCs don't have any visor lock. =(
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Yep, same happened to mine. Not only doesn't if have a visor lock, now it doesn't ratchet into any position where it will stay. Beyond the shield issue, it's a relatively comfortable helmet (Force S) but doesn't begin to compare to any of my Arai helmets. The KBC is short ride comfortable, while the Arai are all day comfortable. The KBC is slightly quieter.....but the comfort factor makes up for that. Still, KBC is good value for the money, they're worth what KBC charges for them maybe slightly more. I don't think the venting is great either but I have a couple of Shoei that don't vent as good. Arai venting is superb. Also, I don't know what KBC models have removable/interchangeable interior padding/lining. At least Arai liners can be removed and washed as well as mixed and matched to make a custom fit. I'd buy a KBC again but I'd rather have another Arai..........sean
 
I have a new kbc helment that I just called cycle gear today to see if they will take it back...all the plastic trim is comming unglued and the chrome viso I got with it rubs the top of the face opening and has made a real bad rub line now right in the view spot...the helment fit great and felt killer but I have only used it a hand full of times and its falling apart...I have already broke down and got a new bell just hope they take this crap back for a store credit...I will post pics if you guys want..one thing that was cool cycle gear looked me up and will work with me evean with no recept :thumbup:thumbup:thumbup now thats good service...
 
Which one is it? They make good and bad models. I've personally crash tested a VR-2 and believe me, it's a great helmet! I went right back and bought another one.
 
I realy have only used it like 5 or 6 times in the last 2 months I have had it..I think they will just take it back..
 
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