Bell Motorsport Helmet - Severe Delivery Delays?
Discussion
Not sure if this belongs in GG, feel free to move if not - perhaps UK Club Motorsport?
I do t k ow if anyone else has experienced the same issue as me, but just a heads up if you want to order a Bell Motorspoett helmet for racing and track use.
I ordered a Bell GP3 Carbon back at the end of January, from Demon Tweeks.
DT emailed me to say that there would be a delay on about a month, not long after I placed the order.
At the end of February DT emailed again, to give a updated delivery date of 15/04/2016.
Since then every month an update email has come out, with a updated delivery date which seems to always be the next month.
I called DT back in April, and whilst they had to apologise, explained there was nothing they could do, as the problem was due to an issue with Bells production facilities in the US and Europe.
I have also been speaking to other distributors in the UK, and a major US distributor as well, who recently explained to me that they are now advising that customers cancel any orders for Bell products, and switch to another helmet company.
That US distributor, has told me that they expect no deliveries of the Helmets that are on back order before the end of 2016.
Here's is the official statement from Bell :-
https://www.bellracing.com/bell-helmets-news/bell-...
I was wondering what people thought of this situation, as to me it seems totally unacceptable for a major manufacturer to have such severe delays,,and I wondered if the situation is possible due to a more worrying issue with Bell as a company, perhaps due to financial difficulties?
The list of helmets in the range that are delayed is below, it seems that more than 70% of the range is in severe production backlog.
K.1 Pro – May 16th (In Production)
KC7 CMR – May 16th (In Production)
Sport – May 16th (In Production)
BR.1 – May 23rd (In Production)
Dominator.2 – May 23rd (In Production)
GP.3 Carbon – May 23rd (In Production)
GT5 – May 23rd (In Production)
Vador – May 23rd (In Production)
KC7 CMR (Graphic) – June 20th (In Production May)
M.8 Carbon – June 20th (In Production May)
M.8 – June 20th (In Production May)
GTX.3 Carbon – June 20th (In Production May)
Sport EV – June 20th (In Production May)
GP.3 – July 18th (In Production June)
GTX.3 – July 18th (In Production June)
K.1 Pro Circuit – July 18th (In Production June)
Sport Edge – July 18th (In Production June)
GP.2 Youth – August 15th (In Production July)
Despite the above, Demon Tweeks are now advising my order will be delivered in October, it I fully expect that to also be pushed back.
Anyone else effected by this situation at all? If so what would you do?
I do t k ow if anyone else has experienced the same issue as me, but just a heads up if you want to order a Bell Motorspoett helmet for racing and track use.
I ordered a Bell GP3 Carbon back at the end of January, from Demon Tweeks.
DT emailed me to say that there would be a delay on about a month, not long after I placed the order.
At the end of February DT emailed again, to give a updated delivery date of 15/04/2016.
Since then every month an update email has come out, with a updated delivery date which seems to always be the next month.
I called DT back in April, and whilst they had to apologise, explained there was nothing they could do, as the problem was due to an issue with Bells production facilities in the US and Europe.
I have also been speaking to other distributors in the UK, and a major US distributor as well, who recently explained to me that they are now advising that customers cancel any orders for Bell products, and switch to another helmet company.
That US distributor, has told me that they expect no deliveries of the Helmets that are on back order before the end of 2016.
Here's is the official statement from Bell :-
https://www.bellracing.com/bell-helmets-news/bell-...
I was wondering what people thought of this situation, as to me it seems totally unacceptable for a major manufacturer to have such severe delays,,and I wondered if the situation is possible due to a more worrying issue with Bell as a company, perhaps due to financial difficulties?
The list of helmets in the range that are delayed is below, it seems that more than 70% of the range is in severe production backlog.
K.1 Pro – May 16th (In Production)
KC7 CMR – May 16th (In Production)
Sport – May 16th (In Production)
BR.1 – May 23rd (In Production)
Dominator.2 – May 23rd (In Production)
GP.3 Carbon – May 23rd (In Production)
GT5 – May 23rd (In Production)
Vador – May 23rd (In Production)
KC7 CMR (Graphic) – June 20th (In Production May)
M.8 Carbon – June 20th (In Production May)
M.8 – June 20th (In Production May)
GTX.3 Carbon – June 20th (In Production May)
Sport EV – June 20th (In Production May)
GP.3 – July 18th (In Production June)
GTX.3 – July 18th (In Production June)
K.1 Pro Circuit – July 18th (In Production June)
Sport Edge – July 18th (In Production June)
GP.2 Youth – August 15th (In Production July)
Despite the above, Demon Tweeks are now advising my order will be delivered in October, it I fully expect that to also be pushed back.
Anyone else effected by this situation at all? If so what would you do?
Sounds like a pretty serious f
k up on the planning of integration between new and old manufacturing facilities. Someone's tried to be clever and reduce plant crossover to a minimum and there's obviously been some oversight in the building of the new one.
You'd just hope that Bell has enough contingency clauses in the contract for building the new plant to cover their losses.
Short answer, I'd buy a different helmet.
k up on the planning of integration between new and old manufacturing facilities. Someone's tried to be clever and reduce plant crossover to a minimum and there's obviously been some oversight in the building of the new one.You'd just hope that Bell has enough contingency clauses in the contract for building the new plant to cover their losses.
Short answer, I'd buy a different helmet.
Sadly it looks like I might have to do just as you suggest guys, and go for another brand.
It's a same though as I have always been loyal to the Bell brand,,and been happy with the products too.
I'm convinced that the issue they have is with the switch to manufacturing in Bahrain, not sure who ever thought that would be a good idea.
Having worked on many very large scale projects in the Middle East, I have experienced just how long things seem to take in that part of the world, decisions are made by over complicated committes and very few people have any power to make things happen any faster.
I do wonder why on earth such a highly successful company as Bell Racing,,with all of their global success and recognition, would make such a short sighted business decision to move manufacturing to another continent, instead of their own country.
It's a same though as I have always been loyal to the Bell brand,,and been happy with the products too.
I'm convinced that the issue they have is with the switch to manufacturing in Bahrain, not sure who ever thought that would be a good idea.
Having worked on many very large scale projects in the Middle East, I have experienced just how long things seem to take in that part of the world, decisions are made by over complicated committes and very few people have any power to make things happen any faster.
I do wonder why on earth such a highly successful company as Bell Racing,,with all of their global success and recognition, would make such a short sighted business decision to move manufacturing to another continent, instead of their own country.
I got so fed up that I paid up front for this, and no official update from bell helmets themselves, I tweeted them directly tonight.
I got an instant response, saying how sorry they were and they would look into it for me.
Seems public shaming gets results, I would be surprised if I was the only one, 9 months to deliver an off the shelf product is shockingly poor service.
I suspect that bell racing are seriously embarrassed by the issues with the switch of manufacturing to Bahrain, a decision I believe that they will have to reverse now!
I got an instant response, saying how sorry they were and they would look into it for me.
Seems public shaming gets results, I would be surprised if I was the only one, 9 months to deliver an off the shelf product is shockingly poor service.
I suspect that bell racing are seriously embarrassed by the issues with the switch of manufacturing to Bahrain, a decision I believe that they will have to reverse now!
I too don't have an Arai shaped head, hence why i prefer the fit and feel of the Bell Racing Helmets.
However despite a quick response, I have now had a reply via Twitter, which is basically a fob off.
I am sure they are still the same company, despite what they say in this response, I suspect they both still get the units manufactured at the new facility in Bharain.
In the interests of good customer service, on behalf of the brand reputation of Bell, you would have thought might have taken the time to pursue it internally, without just a brush off response like this!
However despite a quick response, I have now had a reply via Twitter, which is basically a fob off.
I am sure they are still the same company, despite what they say in this response, I suspect they both still get the units manufactured at the new facility in Bharain.
In the interests of good customer service, on behalf of the brand reputation of Bell, you would have thought might have taken the time to pursue it internally, without just a brush off response like this!
Can't see why you are bothering. It's obvious you're not going to get what you want ie a carbon helmet. Who cares about the reason? Maybe they don't pay their bills and have supply problems; or maybe the carbon fibre enclaves don't work if they moved to another country. Just buy another brand there are many others out there.
This article makes for interesting reading too.
It is a press release regarding the decision to move manufacturing to Bahrain.
http://www.bellhelmets.eu/news/2015/03/20/bell-mov...
In Martine Kindt Cohen's own words:-
" there has been a bit of a delay in the building, and a bit of a delay in everything to be honest! "
This article was published in March 2015, it's almost beyond belief that any company can make such a monumental change in manufacture and supply, and then take 15 months to get back on track!
It is a press release regarding the decision to move manufacturing to Bahrain.
http://www.bellhelmets.eu/news/2015/03/20/bell-mov...
In Martine Kindt Cohen's own words:-
" there has been a bit of a delay in the building, and a bit of a delay in everything to be honest! "
This article was published in March 2015, it's almost beyond belief that any company can make such a monumental change in manufacture and supply, and then take 15 months to get back on track!
CoolHands said:
Can't see why you are bothering. It's obvious you're not going to get what you want ie a carbon helmet. Who cares about the reason? Maybe they don't pay their bills and have supply problems; or maybe the carbon fibre enclaves don't work if they moved to another country. Just buy another brand there are many others out there.
I suspect you are bang on with the issues re manufacture of the Carbon Helmets.I would love to be a fly on the wall at the factory in Bahrain, one can only imagine a scene of thousands of carbon helmets fresh out of the autoclave, but full of manufacturing flaws and destined to be crushed and destroyed!
My Arai came though, doesn't fit well so I sent it back.
"Thank you for your interest in the Bell products.
Please note that our dealers do not have it in stock because we do not have it in stock.
We have delays since the moving of the plant. We are doing our best to catch up.
We are really sorry for all the inconvenience caused.
Best regards,
Vanessa"
nigelpugh7 said:
I too don't have an Arai shaped head, hence why i prefer the fit and feel of the Bell Racing Helmets.
However despite a quick response, I have now had a reply via Twitter, which is basically a fob off.
I am sure they are still the same company, despite what they say in this response, I suspect they both still get the units manufactured at the new facility in Bharain.
In the interests of good customer service, on behalf of the brand reputation of Bell, you would have thought might have taken the time to pursue it internally, without just a brush off response like this!
I got this from Bell Europe:However despite a quick response, I have now had a reply via Twitter, which is basically a fob off.
I am sure they are still the same company, despite what they say in this response, I suspect they both still get the units manufactured at the new facility in Bharain.
In the interests of good customer service, on behalf of the brand reputation of Bell, you would have thought might have taken the time to pursue it internally, without just a brush off response like this!
"Thank you for your interest in the Bell products.
Please note that our dealers do not have it in stock because we do not have it in stock.
We have delays since the moving of the plant. We are doing our best to catch up.
We are really sorry for all the inconvenience caused.
Best regards,
Vanessa"
foxsasha said:
I got this from Bell Europe:
"Thank you for your interest in the Bell products.
Please note that our dealers do not have it in stock because we do not have it in stock.
We have delays since the moving of the plant. We are doing our best to catch up.
We are really sorry for all the inconvenience caused.
Best regards,
Vanessa"
Yep as someone else said, I don't have an Arai shaped head either!"Thank you for your interest in the Bell products.
Please note that our dealers do not have it in stock because we do not have it in stock.
We have delays since the moving of the plant. We are doing our best to catch up.
We are really sorry for all the inconvenience caused.
Best regards,
Vanessa"
Whenever someone says " We are doing our best to catch up" it always makes me think of this!
https://youtu.be/qD5GtohtRYU
Just to stick my thruppence in here.
It would seem that it is not just the carbon helmets that are affected. I have had a pair of GT5 Rally helmets on order since Dec 15th 2015 - still no sign of delivery.
Basically our entire season has been ruined by Bell's apparent inability to manage a factory move - no idea who the bright spark was who decided to 'push the button' on it in a Snell standard change year ...
Anyhow, as with others, I would gladly go with another brand - unfortunately there are not many other options in 'full face with intercom' and it seems both of us have Bell Only shaped heads - so, only choice is to sit and wait and fume ...
It would seem that it is not just the carbon helmets that are affected. I have had a pair of GT5 Rally helmets on order since Dec 15th 2015 - still no sign of delivery.
Basically our entire season has been ruined by Bell's apparent inability to manage a factory move - no idea who the bright spark was who decided to 'push the button' on it in a Snell standard change year ...
Anyhow, as with others, I would gladly go with another brand - unfortunately there are not many other options in 'full face with intercom' and it seems both of us have Bell Only shaped heads - so, only choice is to sit and wait and fume ...
ardm17 said:
Just to stick my thruppence in here.
It would seem that it is not just the carbon helmets that are affected. I have had a pair of GT5 Rally helmets on order since Dec 15th 2015 - still no sign of delivery.
Basically our entire season has been ruined by Bell's apparent inability to manage a factory move - no idea who the bright spark was who decided to 'push the button' on it in a Snell standard change year ...
Anyhow, as with others, I would gladly go with another brand - unfortunately there are not many other options in 'full face with intercom' and it seems both of us have Bell Only shaped heads - so, only choice is to sit and wait and fume ...
I would have to agree that it seems a very stupid and short sighted decision by Bell senior management, at what is a critical change over period during the Snell standard change.It would seem that it is not just the carbon helmets that are affected. I have had a pair of GT5 Rally helmets on order since Dec 15th 2015 - still no sign of delivery.
Basically our entire season has been ruined by Bell's apparent inability to manage a factory move - no idea who the bright spark was who decided to 'push the button' on it in a Snell standard change year ...
Anyhow, as with others, I would gladly go with another brand - unfortunately there are not many other options in 'full face with intercom' and it seems both of us have Bell Only shaped heads - so, only choice is to sit and wait and fume ...
Speaking to Demon Tweeks again, it seems that have been telling all customers to switch their outstanding orders for Bell product to any other manufacturer, as they believe the problem with supply of bell is only going to get worse.
The rep is poke to seemed to be implying that DT might not be a vendor of Bell for much longer, which is not a shock really as no company can keep taking orders for products and failing to supply them after 8 months!!
Seems we will all have to work on another helmet brand that can fit us, and cancel out bell orders.
What a very very sad state for a company of such high profile to allow themselves to get to.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff