[unclebilly]

Here's the thing about Bell (and probably a few other manufacturers). You arent buying a Bell helmet anymore. You are buying a Chinese made helmet where an importer has licensed the Bell trademark and affixed it to the helmet.

Bell is no longer a helmet manufacturer and has not been for a very long time. They license their name to numerous importers (bike helmets are company x, Motorcycle helmets are company(s) y (and z), and SA helmets are company q).

With Bell, you are paying for a brand that has no link to the Bell products of the 1960s - 1980's that we all associate their quality with.

I went through this a few years ago when I bought a new car racing helmet and eventually went with the Pyrotect becasue they were the Bell importer.