[dsn_klr650] nklr hsc cl-12 and lt12, what is the catch!

[Tom Simpson]

Brad Davis wrote:

> First of all I would like to thank all the folks who have answered > questions from me on tires, helmets, etc. , as I learn about > motorcycling and the KLR. I have been very pleased with this groups > willingness to take the time to answer my basic questions which must > seem mundane to the more experienced rider. Thank you! > > Now on to my question . I had thought I had decided on a > Shoei RF- > 800 until I went to my local shop and tried on a HSC CL-12. It fit > great and seemed high quality to my inexperienced eye. I know some of > the other listers have HSC helmets and are satisfied with them. Well, > what is the catch? The CL-12 is $140 and the RF-800 is $220 (from > www.helmet.shop). If it is only that HSC has lower advertising costs > and chooses to pass them on to the consumer, please let me know, I > rather get the HSC and save some $$$. Both helmets are Snell95/DOT > rated so I am really curious about what the differences may be that > would justify the 70% greater cost. Isn't it true that the HSC is > built in Korea and the Shoei in the USA? I don't know for sure > but > possibly the difference is due to labor costs.

You mean HJC, right? I dont know. My dealer says that "some people have Shoei heads and some people have Arai heads". As it turns out, my XXXL bucket of a head is a HJC head. The CL-12 (and the CL-0 it replaced) fit me perfectly, so thats what I g owith. Never have tested them to destruction, I am happy to say but I have a high degree of confidance in them, even though the XXXL size is not Snell rated. -Tom '96 KLR 650