Vox? Zox? You're kidding me, right? Hey -- you asked for it! The el Cheapo crowd is always looking for the
ultimate helmet bargain. Does it exist? Truth be told, I don't
think they'll be satisfied until somebody pays them to take a brand
new helmet! And dollars to donuts, they'll still complain.
Everyone likes a bargain, but can the word "cheap" be used
in the same sentence with "good"? Yep -- we've seen it before, when
the Zox dudes turned out the pretty incredible (for the price)
Zox Azuma R, which proves that 89 bucks and a little research can buy a
lot of helmet.
Our Azuma review got us interested in learning more, but Zox
helmets aren't easy to find -- or to buy. We ordered a Zox Nevado R
flip-up, shown here in blue, on Valentine's Day 2007. That's February
14th for all of you non-attached webBikeWorlders. It was October by
time we finally got the helmet and wore it for the first time, just as we
started getting emails asking about the Vox flip-up, shown here in, uh,
pink.
Pink?? Yeah, pink. You gotta problem wit dat?
If we had to guess, we'd say that Vox helmets are probably
being churned out of the same factory that produces the
Zamp JS-1.
But who knows? As we've seen at the yearly Powersports Dealer Expo (see
our 2007 report), there must be a zillion Chinese factories turning out
helmets by the container-load, and they're sold under as many names
worldwide.
If anyone can find a Vox Helmet website, please let us know.
In the meantime, the Vox can be found on eBay and at a few other online
retailers. We're not part the cheap-is-always-better crowd, having
more than $100.00 worth of respect for our noggins, and the combination of
eBay, $89.00 and no website is a real danger sign, in our opinion.
But that's just cautious ol' us; the Vox brand obviously has
some fans who probably think we're wimps. So we decided to put 'em
both through the mill. Two helmets enter -- one helmet leaves in the
webBikeWorld Vox vs. Zox Battle of the el Cheapo Flip-ups! And guess
what? Yes -- there is a clear winner! BUT...both have a
big problem! Read on...
Let us know what you think by sending your comments to
and we'll post them below.
wBW
Video Tour
of the Vox vs. Zox
►Your Comments and
Feedback
Please send comments to
Comments are ordered from most recent to oldest.
Not all comments will be published (details). Comments may be edited for
clarity prior to publication.
From "J.F.": "I purchased a Vox Modular helmet about
4 months ago. I ordered it from Sterlingtek which seems like where
they all come from eBay, or not. $99 from them, free shipping , or $79
from eBay, $20 shipping, you choose.
Two things I really liked about the helmet was the easy to use sun
visor on long road trips, and the chin bar release is inside the bar not
on the bottom, which I felt could open itself in a crash.
About a month ago I flipped my Vstar 1100. It flipped three
times end over end and I flipped twice. The first time I landed
directly on my head. I was very impressed with the way the helmet
stayed put. The chin bar did not come up like some people say.
The only that happened was the clear visor came off and broke some of
the plastic side gear that holds it on.
The biggest disappointment for me was that I can get a replacement
clear visor for $10 but to replace the gear mechanism, held on by one
screw, I would have to send it into the company. I have examined
the helmet thoroughly and there are no dents, cracks, gouges, inside or
out that would worry me that this was unsafe now. But to send it
in for a repair that I could do myself in less than a minute. I think it
would cost more in shipping, part, and labor, than is worth when I could
get another one for $99.
I will agree the chin bar is too high. I can't see my
speedometer, and yes it is very tight on the cheeks. Other than
that I was happy with it."
Response to "J.F." from "JR": "It appears JF is
going to continue to use his helmet after a crash that landed him on his
head. For anyone who happens through here, please do not do this!
It's one of the worst possible things you can do.
When your helmet is involved in an accident and you walk away, the
helmet has done its job; it has destroyed itself. The material
inside the helmet will no longer provide protection to your head.
One hopes that any MSF class covers this.
When you have been in an accident, REPLACE YOUR HELMET! Contact
the company. S ome will provide a free replacement. Either way,
get a new one."
Follow-up from "J.F.": "I did have to wear the
helmet the rest of the way home, but I never wore it again. I do
keep it on the shelf next to my bike as a reminder of what can happen.
I replaced it with an HJC. It is the right size but it is
uncomfortable and I don't know what it is with the vents but I don't
feel any airflow like I did the Vox. I am going back to a Vox."
and we'll post them below.
