Does anybody know of any american based websites where i can order Airoh or Caberg helmets from?

I
Chinese stuff has a way to go yet.

First of all, they're Italian. These aren't some just-started Chinese companies of unknown quality, they've been making helmets for a while.

And they pass all necessary ECE helmet standards, which are more stringent than those of the DOT, so they may not cost $500, but according to the most commonly used international helmet standard, they're perfectly fine. Also, I've seen several favorable reviews of some of the models Airoh makes, as I've also been looking for a visored dualsport helmet that doesn't cost $arm + $leg, which no one sells here in the US.

So which helmets specifically did you witness Snell tests for, I wonder? or did you get to see one cheap helmet get destroyed and then use that one experience to pass judgement on all inexpensive helmets without a Snell sticker?

"You get what you pay for" just sounds to me like after-the-fact justification for buying a helmet that costs too much.

For the last 40 years of riding and selling helmets and also crashing and seeing other helmets that have been crashed (all of this is first person participatory) I draw a direct conclusion that the helmets sold in the USA are: you get what you pay for.

I'm currently testing a new HJC flip up.

I bought an Airoh SV55 flip-up helmet about two years ago.
The quality is not very good. After a few months my sun visor was stuck and would not go down. That was repaired at no cost for me (guarantee) but since a few months I noticed that the sun visor does not always stay all the way up but drops down about a centimeter from the top. Not a big problem but it should not do that.

It is not a bad helmet and it fits me very good (that is why I bought it in the first place) and I do like the sun visor very much but the quality could be better. Another thing is that it is very noisy.
But then, Mollydog wrote "You get what you pay for" and that is right.

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I've a Caberg Justissimo, and I'm very pleased with it. It's not perfect, but it's the first helmet that I'd replace with the same model, when the time comes.

It's a flip up helmet, and it's made of polycarbonate rather than fibreglass or exotic composite. Will it take a 100mph spill? I don't know, but then I no longer own a bike capable of 100mph so it's not a real issue for me. I can't put it on without opening the hinged section, so (assuming the latches hold) it won't be wrenched from my head in an accident. That's unlike my previous Arai which could almost be pulled off my head by hand when fully fastened, after a year's wear and about twelve thousand miles. Even if the latches give way, it still has the protection of a standard open face helmet.

At some point safety factors merge with comfort and convenience. Riding into the setting sun I can flip the front to provide a sunshade and drop the tinted visor as well, for excellent visibility. With the Arai I would squint, slow down and hope for the best.

Bad points are noise and draughts. Nothing major. I'd prefer a double D ring fastening. The fit and finish is good, the lining is resilient and stays clean, and can be washed. Ventilation is good (too good sometimes). The latch snicks neatly into place after a year and a half of everyday use, and is operated by the side of the first joint of your index finger - very ergonomic design. Changing the visor is easy after the nerve wracking struggle with the sidepods on the Arai. It's brilliant for touring, for putting on while wearing glasses, for petrol stations and toll booths.

The Caberg has won many multi helmet tests in the UK, including RIDE magazine reports, against much more expensive oppostion. I believe that Caberg do make crappy cheap helmets as well, but so do many other makers.

Iknow this is a very old post but I need to go back to the original question. I need to buy a Airoh SV55s somewhere near Denton, Texas by Weds 29th July 2009! I smashed mine up in an accident in Belize and I'm finding it hard to buy any type of good helmet in Belize! I have a friend flying into Denton, Texas tomorrow and I'm trying to find a dealer that has them so I can replace it. Failing that, I'll need to travel by bus to North Belize to try some on (taking 2 days round trip). Apperently they only have USA DOT approved helmets in Spanish Lookout.

Any hlep would be much appreciated

Greasy Sprocket

I too have a Caberg Justissimo and am very satisfied with it. Unfortunately I've been told that they are no longer available in the US. I'll be obtaining some spare parts while I'm still in Germany.