Modern Buddy

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/loodie/3614254519/" title="2009_Vemar_CKQI_Helmet_White_Pearl_633698729349809501 by loodieisthebestest, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3385/361 ... f703_m.jpg" width="240" height="240" alt="2009_Vemar_CKQI_Helmet_White_Pearl_633698729349809501" /></a>

I bought one off of eBay NIB (it really was) which was a little strange because they aren't available at dealers yet. Anyway, a few brief personal observations.

Blah.

I have noticed of late that you can't trust a product to be manufactured where it is 'designed.' The Vemar CKQI is no exception. It may have been designed in Italy, but in fact it is manufactured in China, at least according to the sticker under the liner. (Note that at least one site, webBikeworld, misreports that it is manufactured in Italy, and no where did I find an express representation that it is made in China). Now, 'Made in China' is not necessarily bad.

But in this case, I think the helmet is sub-par.

First, fit seems to be off - way off. My impression is that they run at least one size too small. The large sits atop my large head like a beanie (by comparison, a large Scorpion EXO 400, or HJC 3/4, fit me like a dream).

Second, finish is poor. Maybe it is not uncommon, but this is the first time I have seen a paint drip on a helmet, and there are a few spots where it looks like they didn't take the time to trim or smooth the 'plastic' edges. Okay, I don't know what material actually was used to construct the outer shell, but it has a 'plastic-like' feel to it. And while the liner is nice, and removable, the inner shell - painted black - is not confidence inspiring and seems to impart a spray paint odor to the inside of the helmet.

Most disappointing is the chin bar. It is held on by two plastic (or plastic-like) tabs on each side, one of which is hook-shaped, with a release button on each side of the helmet. I wouldn't trust the chin bar in an accident no way and no how. It strikes me (pun intended) as pure decoration. Maybe it would protect you from a flying insect or two. But I would no more call this helmet a modular as I would a helmet with a removable sun visor.

Now maybe this particular helmet was a promo or something and not a fair representation of the helmets soon to be available from dealers. And yeah, yeah, don't buy sight unseen. But I guess that is my message to anyone interested in this helmet.

As for me, blah.

is it possible you got a knock-off? i know there are a ton of davida and momo clone helmets coming out of china. which might be why you were able to purchase it NIB before dealers got it.

I'd be more inclined to believe it is a knock-off if it were labeled "Made in Italy."

Seriously, though, although I imagine it is possible, I doubt that this is a knock-off. The packaging appears kosher and is properly labeled. All tags are present in the helmet, including date of manufacture (March, '09). It came with a helmet bag, and a multi-language (Spanish, German, French, English, Italian) manual covering all Vemar models, plus a warranty sheet. The English is stilted here and there, but nothing even approaching, oh say, the Buddy's Service Manual. More a chuckle at the way things are phrased.

If it is a knock-off, then whoever knocked it off went to some lengths to create their forgery, and I gotta question the return they expect, especially considering this is a modestly priced helmet to begin with.

I thought I should add my experience with this helmet.

Fit: The size chart says XL for my measurement(24") Initially I got the impression it was too small but as I have spent the day riding with it I would say it is just shaped weird. The padding in the top is very thin, leaving no room to accept different shaped heads.
The chinbar is very fitted to the face and the tip of my nose and chin actually touch it. I get the impression the shape came out of fitting the shield rather than fitting the face of the rider.
While riding the fit did not bother me nearly as much as when I was putting it on/taking it off.

Noise: Very quiet. I was very happy with how little wind noise creeped into the helmet.

Retracting Sun Shield: It blocks the sun fine but more like a visor than a Shield. There is still quite a bit of viewing area not covered. Again seems too small but then you realize it is a symptom of the design not the size.

Overall: Vemar really needs to rethink this helmet around a human head, it seems like they built it around the shell shape instead. I will use it for cold weather riding due to the chinbar and big faceshield, and who knows I may grow to like it enough to take off the chinbar when it gets warmer.

Dang, I saw the title of this post and thought it was more Russian spam!!!

Skootz Kabootz wrote:Dang, I saw the title of this post and thought it was more Russian spam!!!

EXACTO!

sorry about the helment, from that picture, it looks cool though