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The
KBC VR7 Wolf is the 'ONLY' helmet for you if you're going for the
"street fighter" look. Learn the pros and cons of the
KBC VR7 Wolf.
Motorcycle
helmet reviews
How did it rate? Where can you get one?
Read on!
If
the VR-7 made the list of candidates for YOUR next helmet, you'll
have all the information you need to make a better decision after
reading this motorcycle helmet review.
Let's start with the specifications:
Manufacturer: KBC (Headquarters in Burbank CA, and
the UK) Designation:
KBC VR7 Wolf, KBC VR7 Lightening (Part of KBC's "Streetware"
series)
Available
Colors / Graphics:
Wolf:
- Black Chrome
- Gloss Black
- Flat Black
- Gunmetal
Lightening:
- Black / White
- Blue / White
- Red / White
Made
in:
Korea
Suggested
Retail: Blacks: $199.95 / Black Chrome: $249.95 / Lightening:
$229.95
Available
accessories: Replacement
visors in Blue, Blue Metallic, Dark Smoke, Light Smoke,
Mirror, Red/Orange and Yellow. Street prices range from $25 to $45
depending on color.
Pros:
-
Beautiful Finishes
- Very
low wind noise
- Ambient
sounds easily heard
- Ventilation
system does a good job
- Great
peripheral vision
- Well
balanced and aerodynamic
- Super
Exquick tool free visor change system.
Cons:
- There
have been some infrequent reports of the air scoops on top of
the KBC VR7 Wolf not being adhered properly.
- Extra
snug fit around the bottom. (This could also be a pro,
depending on your preference)
- Not
as light as the VR-1
The
WiseGuy's review of the KBC VR7 Wolf
To
the untrained eye, the KBC VR7 Wolf looks very similar to the VR-1
Euro and it actually DOES have some of the same parts
and features. There are plenty of things to point out that set the
VR7 apart though.
First
of all, the chin guard is deeper than the VR-1 and the ventilation
controls are on the INSIDE of the chin guard as opposed to the outside.
The
rear of the helmet is more traditionally rounded and doesn't sport
the VR-1's characteristic 'hump'.
The
Graphics on the Lightening models are very bold, yet simply designed.
The finishes on the black colors are simply awesome.
I have tried taking pictures to include in my eBay
auctions and the Flat Black helmet actually soaks up
so much light that it's difficult to photograph. It's sort of like
a 'black hole'.
The
Gloss Black KBC VR7 Wolf has very 'deep' paint. Check out this photograph
to see what I mean.
To
give you the best idea of what it's like actually wearing the KBC
VR7 Wolf, I'm going to turn this review over to one of my website
readers. Jim D. of Cabool, Missouri contributed this review after
taking his first ride with his new KBC VR-7 Wolf. . .
The
KBC VR7 Wolf was gorgeous...inside and out. The gloss
black paint is just beautiful. I decided that I'd hold off
on making judgments about this helmet until I could take it
out and ride.
This
afternoon I had the opportunity to wear it on a 60-mile ride
in sunny, 70 degree temps with very gusty winds. I was amazed
that wind noise was all but absent, while the engine and pipes
were easily heard.
It was near silent in wind speeds that must have gone to 80mph
or better! This helmet has less wind noise than my
very quiet Shoei TZ-1 and yet it still allows me
to hear ambient sounds much more clearly than the Shoei. That's
impressive.
The ventilation system does a surprisingly good job although
I can't say with confidence which of the 3 chin vent positions
does what. I have a full windshield with lowers so I don't
get the level of flow that would make it easy to be sure what
was going on.
The
Wolf handled the sun's heating effects on the gloss black
helmet beautifully, albeit it was only in the 70's during
this ride. There does seem to be more air flowing inside this
helmet than the Shoei; at least under conditions like this.
An area that I thought the Shoei would have a big edge on
the Wolf was in the viewable area from the within the eye
port because the Shoei's area is larger.
On
the road, the Wolf actually has better side to side
peripheral vision and because the Wolf's eye port
has less top to bottom area, there are fewer reflections from
the rider's face on the inside surface of the shield. While
there really is less view port area, the Wolf turns that into
an advantage.
The size and fit of the Wolf is very similar to the Shoei
TZ-1; both tend to be very snug and generally distribute the
pressure very evenly for a comfortable fit.
The
exception in this area is that the cheek pads in my Wolf are
overly snug and a bit uncomfortable, especially after a half
hour or so. I would like to swap them for thinner ones.
With
a head size of 22-1/8, I was afraid the medium in the Wolf
may be a bit large, but the fit is plenty snug. I
would recommend anyone considering getting the Wolf to try
the next size up over what the charts call for.
All in all, KBC's Wolf is a light, well balanced and aerodynamic
helmet that delivers in the same league with its upscale
competition. It's obvious that a great deal of thought
went into the design of this helmet . . . I hope I made it
evident in my email that I don't want to give this one back....ever!!
Jim
D. - Cabool, Missouri -November 2003
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Here
are some other comments by VR-7 owners . . .
I
have been wearing my black chrome KBC VR7 Wolf for about two
months
now, and I can say without a doubt it is THE coolest
helmet on the market.
Everywhere I go people want to take a closer look at it. This
finish is just
amazing! Most people automatically assume it's an Arai or
Shoei. When I tell
them it's a KBC and that I got it for well under $200 dollars
they're blown
away!
One
of by riding buddies has a Nicky Hayden replica helmet, and
I get at
least twice as many people admiring my KBC VR7 Wolf as he
does his Arai. Short of a custom paint job, there's
no better way to grab people's attention with a helmet.
Keith
Watts - Kent, Washington - December 2003
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| I
bought this KBC VR7 Wolf sight unseen, after trying on various
KBC helmets at the local shop. . .
Initial Impressions
The helmet came with a helmet bag. Yea! I like that. Great
looking helmet when I got it out. I cant believe I paid the
same price for my Bieffe RTX as this one. - Implying the KBC
VR7 Wolf is TONS better.
Quality:
It looks great. Finish is perfect. Liner looks to be very
nice, with good quality materials. Vent levers feel well made.
Visor/Shield mount leaves some to be desired. It is somewhat
difficult to remove/reinstall with only 2 hands. Also, the
visor seems like it is too wide and you have to squeeze the
sides in to get them in place, while pulling down on a tiny
spring-loaded tab, and . . . just a PAIN in general. Once
installed, the visor seems tight and secure.
Fit: Fits well, snug all around, but no painful
spots. Comfy. The KBC helmets do run about a size smaller.
I got a Large, and it fits right, but I wear a Med according
to the average helmet size charts.
Appearance:
Can you say Darth Vader? I got a dark
smoke visor for it, and it makes it look Bad. The KBC
VR7 Wolf is pretty large (outer diameter), so it looks a little
goofy while standing in my living room with no jacket, but
I guess that should be expected with most helmets.
The chin on the helmet is large compared to most helmets.
This adds to it looking big. But, there are vents in the sides
of the chin bar, that are just slits. Very smooth. No plastic
tabs to flip up/down and accidently break off if you drop
the helmet. It is adjusted with a pull tab inside the helmet,
and the top vents are controlled by 2 levers on the top-back
of the helmet (protruding from the back of the top vents)
- very smooth.
Conclusion:
The KBC VR7 Wolf seems like a really nice helmet, worth far
more than I paid, . . . I'm very happy with my purchase.
Dave Baumann - Jeffersonville,
Indiana - January 2004
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What's
the WiseGuy's final rating?
Recommended!
Thanks
for the comments, Guys!
Want
to add your two cents worth about the KBC VR7 Wolf? Just
use this handy form to send your comments in. I'll post your comments
here for the benefit of other readers. View
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Where
can you get a KBC VR7 Wolf?
Congratulations! If you've read this far you are
much better prepared to make your VR7 buying decision.
If
you've noticed my eBay auctions page, you already know that I'm
an active seller of KBC helmets including the VR-7, so if you're
ready to get the best deal on a VR-7 Wolf or Lightening and don't
want to wait for an auction to end, contact
me with your size and color preference and I'll let
you know what I have available. You can even send your request using
the form above.
I apologize for the inconvenience. I'm working on
a store page that should be ready soon. I think you'll be pleased
with the deal that I can give you.
Check
out my gallery of VR-1 helmets wearing the different tinted
replacement visors that are available. The VR-7 takes
the same replacement visors as the VR-1.
You
can get more information about the KBC
VR7 Wolf at KBC's website.
Check
the WiseGuy's current eBay auctions
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KBC VR-7 Wolf Review
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