Let’s agree on one thing - the “Radiation” graphics may not be for everyone.
But it has one very curious feature, as you’ll discover… The Tarmac is an interesting helmet, and still a good bargain at the current sale price of $109.99, or even at the list price of $149.95. Which brings us to New Year’s Eve, and here I am at 5:30 am trying to crank this one out to end the year. So I ordered one in the wild “Radiation” graphics, but I’ve been having too much fun wearing it and I never did seem to have the time to write about it. The price is what caught my attention, since webBikeWorld visitors are always interested in learning about good helmets at reasonable prices. When this KBC Tarmac arrived about 5 weeks ago, RevZilla was running a special sale, and the helmet was priced at $79.99. It’s just natural - surely you’re going to hold a $700.00 SCHUBERTH to different standards than a $109.95 KBC Tarmac, correct?Īctually, I have a confession to make. We’ve said it before: Price definitely has an effect on a helmet review. With that said, you’re probably thinking the KBC Tarmac is a bust, right? Wrong. See More Motorcycle Helmets, Motorcycle Visor, Motorcycle Intercom Where to Buy KBC Tarmac Helmet Check Reviews & Prices on Amazon Check Reviews & Prices On RevZilla Sure, new paint and graphics is cool, but we’d like to see some innovation and the flawless quality that motorcycle consumers expect in 2008. So the bottom line - and I guess I’m getting way ahead of myself here - is that I think KBC needs to step it up a couple of notches. We’ve reviewed several KBC helmets, and every one of them has one or more minor quality issues that are frustrating because they could easily be fixed by paying more attention to the small details that separate the good from the great. And one more thing, while we’re on the subject: our opinion remains that KBC quality leaves something to be desired. I’m sure the KBC folks would disagree, but I’ll leave it up to our readers to decide. The same basic design has been used for years and appears on just about every KBC helmet we’ve tried. But other than that, the KBC strategy appears to be based on modifying existing designs with new colors and graphics.įor example look at the chin vent on this KBC Tarmac. KBC did release a flip-up helmet a couple of years ago, the FFR. I guess there’s nothing wrong with that, but it sure seems to me that KBC has taken one or two basic helmet shell designs and, well, milked the heck out of ’em. Sure, it has a different paint scheme and probably a few tweaks here and there, but the profile is unmistakable. We first reviewed a KBC VR-1 way back in…2001?Īnd, believe it or not, that helmet is still available.
Best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2009 to all! Without your support (and your support of our sponsors!), none of this would be possible. Thanks to all the hard work by our evaluators for their contributions during the year, and thanks also to our loyal visitors! We’ve really been pumping ’em out this year, and I can easily say that features more detailed motorcycle helmet (and other motorcycle product) reviews than any other website, print magazine or other source of information in the world. It’s New Year’s Eve and this will be our last helmet review of the 2008. It meets both DOT and Snell safety standards, rare at this price. It also feels solid with good build quality. The KBC Tarmac is the most basic helmet offered by KBC.īut it’s comfortable and it includes some interesting features.