KBC Repsol Theme Helmet Update

[cb1974]

This is what i got back from KBC on the new repsol helmet


Dear Mr Barton



Thank you for taking an interest in our product. As of now, due to some complicated reasons, VR-2 Repsol will not be out as of yet. But it is still in pre stage of developing that model in late 08 or early 09. thank you.



Best regards



KBC America Inc

William Yoo

tel: 818-526-7771

fax: 818-526-7766

[Big Kahuna]

Wow, what a let down. Talk about missing the boat here. :confused:

[cb1974]

Yep, i was really wanting to see that lid this year....oh well

[MeanMachine]

They arent developing the next generation of CPU, its a PAINT scheme! What a bunch of idiots. Late 2008/Early 2009? 2 1/2 years?

They will be filing Chapter 13 long before that if this is the way they run a corporation.

[TX Repsol]

I'm kinda glad to see this post - makes my decision to purchase a non-Replica helmet that much easier.

There was still the little guy on my right shoulder telling me to hold out for a Repsol replica, though the little guy on the left shoulder telling me to get something different was still a little ahead.

The little guy on the right shoulder just got shut up.

[Big Kahuna]

You can buy a new helmet now, and in a few years when you're ready for a new one maybe the KBC Repsol helmet will be out. ;)

[TX Repsol]

You can buy a new helmet now, and in a few years when you're ready for a new one maybe the KBC Repsol helmet will be out. ;)

Maybe in a few years when the new Repsol helmet comes out I'll win one in a RepsolForum giveaway!!! :D

[playajay98]

Thats whats up! Good thinkin'!

[silvercbr]

Its not just a paint job, it is legality and the use of a copywrited name, "Repsol". I can't imagine the amount of BS that they must have to go through to make a Repsol helmet, by acquiring the rights to use the name on the helmet. Besides, no Repsol team members run KBC, which probably makes it even harder to get the rights to use the name.

[1eyebrother]

Its not just a paint job, it is legality and the use of a copywrited name, "Repsol". I can't imagine the amount of BS that they must have to go through to make a Repsol helmet, by acquiring the rights to use the name on the helmet. Besides, no Repsol team members run KBC, which probably makes it even harder to get the rights to use the name.

Exactly what I was thinkin, good post man.....

[MeanMachine]

Its not just a paint job, it is legality and the use of a copywrited name, "Repsol". I can't imagine the amount of BS that they must have to go through to make a Repsol helmet, by acquiring the rights to use the name on the helmet. Besides, no Repsol team members run KBC, which probably makes it even harder to get the rights to use the name.

***NEWSFLASH*** KBC already produced a Repsol Helmet (the VR-2 Repsol produced in 2005). Therefore they obviously have been through this process before and already aquired the rights to use the name once already. Imagine THAT :eek: ... That being said, why would they need to project a possible release date well over 2 years away just to get through something they have already done? The Repsol name is being used by god knows how many manufacturers for everything from models to t -shirts. Copyright agreements are not that damn hard and should not take 2 to 3 years especially when you already have an agreement in place for an identical item.

[1eyebrother]

***NEWSFLASH*** KBC already produced a Repsol Helmet (the VR-2 Repsol produced in 2005). Therefore they obviously have been through this process before and already aquired the rights to use the name once already. Imagine THAT :eek: ... That being said, why would they need to project a possible release date well over 2 years away just to get through something they have already done? The Repsol name is being used by god knows how many manufacturers for everything from models to t -shirts. Copyright agreements are not that damn hard and should not take 2 to 3 years especially when you already have an agreement in place for an identical item.

wow, maybe you should just get the 05 KBC......it is just a helmet.....

[MeanMachine]

Besides, no Repsol team members run KBC, which probably makes it even harder to get the rights to use the name.

Means nothing. Repsol is a team sponsor, as are the various helmet manufacturers. The word Repsol is not on any of the team members helmets and most of them use their own individual designs and many wear a different helmet every race. Helmet brand is not even a factor as the riders are generally free to choose what they like. Their is no direct relation between Repsol and riders helmets. Repsol does not dictate what helmets, jackets, boots, etc. the riders wear. Speaking of jackets, there are how many different Repsol jackets out there? (Joe Rocket, Dianese, MotoGP, etc....) Do the team members wear them all? Ummm, NO!

Like I said, getting the rights to use a name isn't hard, its ADVERTISING for them. KBC has other issues.

wow, maybe you should just get the 05 KBC......it is just a helmet.....

Dude, I never said I wanted either one! KBC helmets suck in my opinion. Noisy and uncomfortable. I wear SHOEI.

My point was simply the rediculous timeframe KBC stated. And Silvercbr's defense of them was off the mark and over simplified my original post. You guys own stock in KBC or something that you took my comments about them so hard? :D

[TX Repsol]

I DO like that helmet better than the other Repsol helmets I've seen so far.

But I'm still not going to wait for it. Lord knows if it will ever really happen.

[1eyebrother]

You guys own stock in KBC or something that you took my comments about them so hard? :D

Don't own stock in them.... just thought it wasn't a big deal, nothing life or death about it....it is what it is....

[silvercbr]

***NEWSFLASH*** KBC already produced a Repsol Helmet (the VR-2 Repsol produced in 2005). Therefore they obviously have been through this process before and already aquired the rights to use the name once already. Imagine THAT :eek: ... That being said, why would they need to project a possible release date well over 2 years away just to get through something they have already done? The Repsol name is being used by god knows how many manufacturers for everything from models to t -shirts. Copyright agreements are not that damn hard and should not take 2 to 3 years especially when you already have an agreement in place for an identical item.

Not trying to instigate anything..........but most use of a copywrite is for a limited time, based on the contract KBC has with Repsol. With the success of the team, they may want more money to use their trademark. KBC may be waiting to produce the helmet because if Rossi wins the championship, then they may be able to acquire the coprywrite from Repsol at a smaller expense.

As for other manufacturers using the Repsol nameplace, I would venture to guess that the majority of them are using it illegally. Look at the point of origin, and shipping address, and most come from China. China is notorious for producing copies of things without going through the correct channels to gain rights to copywrites and patents. Look at the influx of CRF50 knockoffs from Chinese companies. They copied every part of the bike and built their own.

Since KBC has made the helmet in the past, it is possible that the contract expired and Repsol sold the rights to another helmet manufacturer. KBC may be waiting for this contract to expire before they can start making the helmet. It is the same as Joe Rocket and their deals to produce leather from Kawi, Suzuki, Jordan, and Repsol. They paid these companies for the rights because they can afford to do it right.

[MeanMachine]

Not trying to instigate anything..........but most use of a copyright is for a limited time, based on the contract KBC has with Repsol. With the success of the team, they may want more money to use their trademark. KBC may be waiting to produce the helmet because if Rossi wins the championship, then they may be able to acquire the copyright from Repsol at a smaller expense.

As for other manufacturers using the Repsol nameplace, I would venture to guess that the majority of them are using it illegally. Look at the point of origin, and shipping address, and most come from China. China is notorious for producing copies of things without going through the correct channels to gain rights to copywrites and patents. Look at the influx of CRF50 knockoffs from Chinese companies. They copied every part of the bike and built their own.

Since KBC has made the helmet in the past, it is possible that the contract expired and Repsol sold the rights to another helmet manufacturer. KBC may be waiting for this contract to expire before they can start making the helmet. It is the same as Joe Rocket and their deals to produce leather from Kawi, Suzuki, Jordan, and Repsol. They paid these companies for the rights because they can afford to do it right.

The market is somewhat limited for a Repsol Helmet, with the colors and all that the market is primarily Repsol owners and some Honda owners, but few non Repsol owners wear the first KBC Repsol Helmet now. Waiting over 2 years when its totally unknown if Honda will even do another Repsol would be risky at best since they may produce a helmet with little or no market by that time. Waiting on whether or not a Repsol team member wins the championship is a shot in the dark guess on your part, and doesn't make alot of sense. I can hear the conversation in the KBC Boardroom... "Lets wait and see if Repsol loses and maybe the price will go down. We might have a smaller market by then, but we are a suck ass company and can't afford what everyone else can so lets roll the dice and hope Rossi wins it." Yeah, then Yamaha owners will be waiting 2 years for cheaper rights for a Fiat/Yamaha helmet.

If they sold rights to another helmet manufacturer, then where is it? No one else is producing one, and there is no future Repsol helmet mentioned other than a future KBC. If someone else had the rights you can bet your ass they would have helmets on the street NOW while the market is hot. Another brilliant :rolleyes: theory down the toilet.

Illegal use? Not by companies like Dianese, Joe Rocket, MotoGP, Tamiya, NewRay, etc. (and the list goes on). They would be all over them like white on Chinese rice. Except for the occasional t-shirt or sticker with an illegal Repsol logo, there are VERY few legit companies that would risk it. And if these companies can afford the rights, but KBC can't, then they are not much of a company are they?

At any rate, my comment was simply that a 2 1/2 year time frame to produce a helmet is ridiculous at best, and they are in fact idiots at KBC. IF you are correct and they are waiting on purpose for a lower price, then again, they are idiots at KBC. Either way, its piss poor marketing.

End of a useless discussion.

[silvercbr]

The market is somewhat limited for a Repsol Helmet, with the colors and all that the market is primarily Repsol owners and some Honda owners, but few non Repsol owners wear the first KBC Repsol Helmet now. Waiting over 2 years when its totally unknown if Honda will even do another Repsol would be risky at best since they may produce a helmet with little or no market by that time. Waiting on whether or not a Repsol team member wins the championship is a shot in the dark guess on your part, and doesn't make alot of sense. I can hear the conversation in the KBC Boardroom... "Lets wait and see if Repsol loses and maybe the price will go down. We might have a smaller market by then, but we are a suck ass company and can't afford what everyone else can so lets roll the dice and hope Rossi wins it." Yeah, then Yamaha owners will be waiting 2 years for cheaper rights for a Fiat/Yamaha helmet.

If they sold rights to another helmet manufacturer, then where is it? No one else is producing one, and there is no future Repsol helmet mentioned other than a future KBC. If someone else had the rights you can bet your ass they would have helmets on the street NOW while the market is hot. Another brilliant :rolleyes: theory down the toilet.

Illegal use? Not by companies like Dianese, Joe Rocket, MotoGP, Tamiya, NewRay, etc. (and the list goes on). They would be all over them like white on Chinese rice. Except for the occasional t-shirt or sticker with an illegal Repsol logo, there are VERY few legit companies that would risk it. And if these companies can afford the rights, but KBC can't, then they are not much of a company are they?

At any rate, my comment was simply that a 2 1/2 year time frame to produce a helmet is ridiculous at best, and they are in fact idiots at KBC. IF you are correct and they are waiting on purpose for a lower price, then again, they are idiots at KBC. Either way, its piss poor marketing.

End of a useless discussion.

Somebody may have the rights to use the Repsol brand on their helmets but wish to not exercise that right. Some companies purchases rights to use things, but never do, because it screws other companies. I do believe it is bad marketing by KBC, but then again I don't work for them and can't say what is up.

Since KBC is not a major player in the helmet market, they may not be able to afford the rights, that is all I am saying. Because of the success of the Repsol team in say, oh the past 5-6 years in MotoGP, they may be asking for some ridiculous sum of money. Hey, it is an Oil company and we all know how greedy they are.

Companies like Joe Rocket, Dianese, and the others you named have the funds to purchase the rights. While it is a niche market, it may be KBCs top helmet design, and they think they can bank on it. I agree that it is gamble for them, seeing how Honda may never produce another Repsol Replica. Just my $.02

[Big Kahuna]

Well, limited market or not, try to find yourself a KBC Repsol VR2 anywhere. They are few and far between because they were so popular with Repsol owners. Who really knows what's going on, but it would appear that if KBC does make a Repsol helmet in late '07 or early '08, they will surely sell them, but will miss out on the onslaught of new owners that are hitting the streets on their Repsol already.

KBC is not a small company, they have been making inexpensive lines of helmets for decades now. Most riders are not like us, they don't appreciate what a good high end Helmet can bring. They would never spend $500+ on something they can pick up down for around 200 bucks.

I received two free KBC helmets with the purchase of my '98 900. At the time they were fine for my wife and I but the more I road and saw other brands I found the KBC to be heavy and not as flashy. Since I've worn Shoei, Arai, Suomy and again my KBC Repsol helmet. They have come along way and the Repsol VR2 is actually not a bad helmet. It's light, comfy and has removable liners like its higher priced counterparts. Sure, its fit and finish don't match that of the hight end manufactures, but my head really can't tell the difference and I'm happy with the helmet.

[MeanMachine]

Well, limited market or not, try to find yourself a KBC Repsol VR2 anywhere. They are few and far between because they were so popular with Repsol owners. Who really knows what's going on, but it would appear that if KBC does make a Repsol helmet in late '07 or early '08, they will surely sell them, but will miss out on the onslaught of new owners that are hitting the streets on their Repsol already.


You can still find them on ebay, and in various places online. Its not that hard to find them and the price is usually in the 2s. And the timeframe given was late 08/early 09 which is very far off (not late 07). If Honda doesnt make a Repsol after this year, and KBC comes out with a Repsol Helmet in late 08/early 09 the market may not be that great if the last Repsol was made 2 years before the helmet is released.

[Big Kahuna]

You can still find them on ebay, and in various places online. Its not that hard to find them and the price is usually in the 2s. And the timeframe given was late 08/early 09 which is very far off (not late 07). If Honda doesnt make a Repsol after this year, and KBC comes out with a Repsol Helmet in late 08/early 09 the market may not be that great if the last Repsol was made 2 years before the helmet is released.Well, have you checked eBay lately. Sure, eight months ago when I bought my Repsol, finding the right size KBC Repsol VR2 wasn't to hard to find, but now they're aren't many at all. Only one XXL available tonight when I checked.

I did read the above post where KBC themselves said they wouldn't have a helmet ready till '08 or '09, my point was that if they don't get a Repsol helmet out this year or early '08, they might as well not bother.

[MeanMachine]

Well, have you checked eBay lately. Sure, eight months ago when I bought my Repsol, finding the right size KBC Repsol VR2 wasn't to hard to find, but now they're aren't many at all. Only one XXL available tonight when I checked.

I did read the above post where KBC themselves said they wouldn't have a helmet ready till '08 or '09, my point was that if they don't get a Repsol helmet out this year or early '08, they might as well not bother.

Depends on timing. Last week there were 3 active auctions, this week one. Point is, there are still some out there and ebay is not the only source online. Another point, a year ago they were practically giving them away on ebay (most less th $200), dozens of auctions (that was BEFORE the 07s came out). The 07 sparked interest and created a new demand with new owners.

I wholeheartedly agree that if they dont come out with one this year, don't bother. Just like demand died down a year after the 05s came out, demand will decrease by this winter and the market will not be cost effective to release a Repsol helmet the season AFTER the bike was made.