I was lucky enough to come out of my 80 mph tumble down the highway with 90% of the scratches to the replaceable visor, another 9% to the vent on top, and 1% to a small chip in the paint on the back. Amazing really cuz the whole thing should have been scratched all over the place with as many times as I rolled over and over. However, I wasn't sure if the internal safety portion had been cracked or compromised in any way. I didn't receive a concussion but I've heard you should never use a helmet that has received a blow unless professionally inspected.

Well I really love this helmet cuz I think it looks bad ass with the Duhamel dragon and also cuz I got Kevin Schwantz's autograph on it. So I went to the Shoei website and sure enough they have a FREE inspection service. I sent it to them, they inspected and said the internals are intact and that they can replace the scratched top vent for like $40!!!:rock :rock :rock

I also wanted to see if they could touch up the paint chip in the back and re-clear coat it but they said they are not set up for that kind of thing in California. Clear coating is only done at their manufacturing facility in Japan. Oh well, I'm still happy as a clam at getting it back in near new shape!!!

Still interested in getting it clear coated though to protect the autograph if anyone is interested in professionally hooking me up.

Cheers,

JG

I hear that if you're helmet doesn't pass their inspection, they chop off your straps making the helmet even more useless. Just wondering if that's true?

I heard that after they do that they'll chop off ur balls and hand them to you

Now that's what I call a lucky helmet.