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Q-Tech 901 Motorcross Helmet Review
Blog Date - 25 August 2015
By Ren Withnell
Q-Tech's 901 Helmet.
Let me make one thing absolutely clear right from the start - I am definitely NOT a motorcrosser or a quad rider. I've done a bit of careful trail riding on a 125 and a 650 but the idea of riding round at breakneck speeds on a surface that provides no grip or predictability scares me witless. I admire those with the guts to do it and I envy their skills.
I have made this clear to the folks working for Quads Inn yet never-the-less I have been asked to cast my opinions regarding the helmet they have for sale on their website.(Quads Inn Q-Tech 901 Motorcross Helmet)
When I saw this advertised on their website at £24.95 my heart sank. 25 quid for a helmet? It's going to be one of those dangerous Chinese copies and I'll be scared to wear it around the house let alone on the treacherous streets of North Manchester. So when it came to me I gave it a thorough inspection. There is in fact a tag on the strap showing "E9" in a circle. According to this website page (www.helmet-guide.com) the "E9" suggests it is of Spanish origin. Further reading of the page and several others tells me I need to look for "22 05" as this suggests it at least meets the basic helmet standards for Europe. Sure enough there's a sticker on the rear with these numbers. Finally Quads Inn website assures me it is road legal.
These labels suggest the lid at least meets European standards.
So at least the manufacturers have had it tested and it meets Euro standards. Here in the UK "SHARP" (SHARP) are the de-facto people who thoroughly test helmets in the UK but Q-Tech don't get a mention on their website. That's a shame. Still, considering the price I am already warming to the fact that it's a road legal helmet and should at least provide a minimal level of protection for my head rather than disintegrate at the first stumble.
Luckily the helmet is a good fit for me too. I'd like to remind people that everyone has different shaped heads so it is sheer luck that the 901 is right for me. So with it on my bonce I mount up and head off for a spin around the local area to form my first opinions.
This helmet is noisy, windy, draughty and strange. BUT!! But before I dismiss the Q-Tech lets put this into context. Helmets for off road use have a completely different set of requirements to those for road use. It NEEDS to be draughty and windy because off-roading is hard sweaty work. The breeze around my face allows me to breath, the airflow across my head allows the sweat to do it's thing. I'm not sure if it needs to allow so much noise in but I can imagine that's all part of the off road racing fun. So as a road helmet it's not ideal but for trail riding or racing a quad these things matter for nothing.
What about the details? Well here it really does score well. The chin strap is of the clever ratchet design seen on far more exotic models. The padding is fixed with pop studs so it can be removed and cleaned. The peak has a couple of attachments which I'm sure serve some purpose unknown to to a mere road rider. There's vents all over the place. It's light too. I took the helmet to my bike club, none of whom are serious off roaders. They all agreed it seems like an acceptable lid and were surprised by the price.
Ratchet strap - simple and variable and usually featured on more expensive lids.
My initial verdict? As far as I can see the Q-Tech 901 is a perfectly reasonable piece of kit and the price makes it good value indeed. The helmet now sits next to my usual helmet. I'm using it for short rides here and there to see what it's like to live with for a while and to see how well it lasts. I shall post further updates as and when they become relevant.
I doubt it'll win any design awards but it certainly looks the part too.
Reader's Comments
Ian Soady said :-
As long as a helmet has the right markings, fit and comfort are more important than price and style (to me at least). I've been using Nitro X512 open-faced helmets for 10 years or so and they suit me fine, although the one I bought 3 years ago had a defective catch. The retailer (RaceLeathers Ltd of Darwen, Lancs) - probably in your neck of the woods - was most unhelpful. However, the wholesalers, Group Lloyd, were much better and provided a replacement. This must have been a later model as it had a similar fastening to the one you've reviewed - perhaps the same manufacturer?
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ren - The Ed said :-
Hi Ian. Yes, the most important factor in safety is the fit. You can spend £500 on a helmet but if the fit is all wrong then it won't protect you as well as a cheaper helmet that fits correctly. That said - there have been some cheap imports around recently that are downright dangerous so it's best to check out the helmet has some credentials at least.
It has been pointed out to me via the Bikes And Travels facebook page that this helmet does not have the gold "ACU" sticker which means if it's an ACU race you can't use this helmet. I think Q-Tech would be wise to look into that, it would open up their market quite a bit.
As for the catch - I doubt that implies it's the same manufacturer. My new AGV has the same chin strap ratchet mechanism, the gf's Shark as well. This type of micro adjustable system is becoming de-rigeur these days.
And yes, Race Leathers is but a few miles from where I live.
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
Hi Ren.
The ACU sticker is as you say mandatory for events run under the ACU umbrella but it is only a money spinner for ACU as there's no extra testing involved. The manufacturer / supplier has to pay the ACU - I don't know whether it's per helmet or a one-off.
My first Nitro did have a sticker (gold in fact) interestingly enough but subsequent ones haven't.
The ACU's stranglehold on the sport was challenged by the Amateur Motorcycle Association in the 50s and the AMCA continues to run events where AFAIK helmets don't need stickers......
01/01/2000 00:00:00 UTC
PAUL BATES said :-
THE ACU COMMENT IS NOT TRUE THEY DO TEST HELMETS FOR ACU QUALIFICATION.
07/07/2016 17:10:56 UTC
Ian Soady said :-
No need to shout.
The ACU does not and has never tested helmets at all. What they do have is a list of approved helmets (which in fact the manufacturers have to pay to be on).
I would love to see some authoritative proof of any testing carried out by them. And what precisely they do to test them.
08/07/2016 09:44:43 UTC
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