Any Opinions on OGK FF3/FF4 Helmet?

[mbrewer566]

I tried on an FF4 at the dealer and really like the fit and quality. Then I saw on e-bay the $389 helmet is clearance priced at $199, so I ordered one.

Anybody have riding experience to share? I'm currently using an HJC CL-14 and it is ok, but nothing to brag about.

[racer1735]

OGK is a European brand...highly rated overseas, rarely seen in the States. You might do some research in the various English bike mags...they advertise and test OGK pretty frequently.

[texxter]

I ordered one myself, waiting for it. There are a couple of reviews out there, MotorcycleGearReview (http://www.motorcyclegearreview.com/reviews.php?prodID=851)and WebBikeWorld (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/ogk/ff4/) - both fairly positive. The helmet seems very popular overseas. There is also a lot of discussion about this helmet here (http://www.1000rr.net/vb/), search for "ogk ff4". I talked with the Center of Gravity people distributing this helmet, and they are getting out of the helmet business - the guy I talked with, Owen, one of the owners, seemed genuine when he said that they are losing money with every sale, but they are sitting on $500K worth of OGK that they want to get rid of. I think they overestimated the power of brand in this country - a good, but unknown, helmet will not sell unless there is tons of marketing associated with it.

I think $199 for it is an excellent deal. Hope we're right :-)

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y213/texxter/a.gif

[mbrewer566]

Thanks for the reply and info. These were in stock (at full list price of course) at a local shop and I stopped in to try them on. Felt as good to me as anything I've tried on that is $600. Also sounds like a good time for a deal on the helmet. Wouldn't be a bit surprised to see a UK dealer pick up the balance for a song once the sale is over.

You are right about branding, Americans are crazy to pay hundreds of percent markup and profits to companies with wiz kids in marketing.....oh well, another story.

Hopefully the helmet will arrive shortly and I can post a review.

[texxter]

Got my helmet last night - haven't had a chance to ride it yet - the quality and comfort are superb, and so is the weight! The fit is very good, like the Arai Quantum I tried on the other day. I love it!

Center of Gravity forgot to include the dark gray visor I ordered. I emailed them and they responded with an apology - they are shipping it today.

Still need to test the shield replacement mechanism, I have read that it's very easy and quick to change shields on this helmet. Will also report on the tear-off's included and post some pics.

Very nice helmet for $199.

[mbrewer566]

My helmet came in earlier this week. I've had 3 days of commute time and so far, it's a world of improvement over my HJC. Ventilation is much better, I can actually feel air moving around inside. Field of vision is better, easier to glance back when changing lanes. Fog is not a problem, the breath guard helps and with the better ventilation any minor fogging at stop lights goes away instantly. I haven't had to crack the shield every time I stop.

Noise wise, it seems a little quieter than the HJC, but still need and use earplugs. According to major review sites I have seen, there is no such thing as a quiet helmet.

Quality is top notch, up there with Arai and Shoei.

Sizing and fit: need one size larger (i.e. I normally wear a large, ordered the XL and it fits fine). Fit is for "round" heads, like Shoei.

Great deal going on at Center of Gravity ($199).