Davida has folded

robs ss

robs ss

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Sad but true - I just looked up on Gov.UK and see that they were finally dissolved on 11 Jan 2024.
I wondered why they weren't responding to emails.
I really liked their gear.
Oh well - I guess that's the way of the world. Sigh!!
Cheers
 
I perused their site a few times and judging by the lack of stock / availability etc, I basically conclude that they never really recovered from covid sadly.
 
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That's sad to hear. I had the first jet type helmet that they made. Back in the late 80s I was wearing a Stadium Project 5 I bought in 1978, & it was getting rather tired to say the least. At the Classic Bike Show I spotted a prototype open face on Davidas stand but David wouldn't sell it to me as it was just that, a prototype. As I was desperately in need of a new lid I mithered him for ages, until he eventually phoned to say that if I came to the works, there was a couple ready. That helmet did me until 2015 or thereabouts.
Eventually I decided to buy a new one & so went back to the Davida works. The lady who dealt with me wanted to know what make my helmet was, to which I replied Davida. She took it to show the boss & he came down to greet me saying he remembered selling it to me. I then got a tour of the works & my custom design paint work on the new lid FOC. They were a great firm to deal with & I'm sure they will be missed, but hopefully that lid will see me out.
 
Too bad - I have one of their pudding basin lids - wore it for many years ( see avatar) . Then I wised up because when wearing an authentic old school helmet you are at risk of an authentic old school brain injury . I wished I had bought one of their Hailwood replicas when they were available as a display piece.
 
I've received an email from Sue at Davida, dated 28th of last May, answering my query and saying that a new batch of Speedsters would be available by the end of July (this month) and that they would be available in four colors only!
It seems I've wasted my time waiting for them...
 
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Still posting on facebook
www.facebook.com

Davida Helmets | Birkenhead

Davida Helmets, Birkenhead, United Kingdom. 11,573 likes · 6 talking about this · 64 were here. Davida: unique, stylish and safe motorcycle helmets since 1974. Classic, retro and modern l
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
 
Hoping they are back in business soon. I like their helmets, I found that they fitted well and were comfortable to wear. I tried ordering a Speedster a few months ago, but they were out of stock in the size / colour I wanted. My credit card is itching....
 
I suggest that due to conditioning, everybody's mindset has changed. Nothing makes things more impossible than thinking they are impossible. I have built about 5 hybrid racing motorcycles out of parts from wreckers and mates who have destroyed their bikes. 3 of those bikes were fast enough to be with the lead bunch in races.
In short, if we really wanted something we made it. I think these days everybody feels the need to go to university to 'become' something. However during my lifetime the earning power of many jobs changed dramatically.
I always had a different approach. I studied and worked at what interested me, and usually in jobs which involved a training component. As a result I am more versatile than many. Australian employers these days are more interested in whether you can actually do the job, rather than formal qualifications. Yet our kids sweat in secondary school and incur large debts for tertiary education.
There is a problem these days - if you mention during a job interview, your desire to improve your education, you can end-up on a training wage, which is lower. - So the bastards have all the bases covered.
 
acotrel said:
I suggest that due to conditioning, everybody's mindset has changed. Nothing makes things more impossible than thinking they are impossible. I have built about 5 hybrid racing motorcycles out of parts from wreckers and mates who have destroyed their bikes. 3 of those bikes were fast enough to be with the lead bunch in races.
In short, if we really wanted something we made it. I think these days everybody feels the need to go to university to 'become' something. However during my lifetime the earning power of many jobs changed dramatically.
I always had a different approach. I studied and worked at what interested me, and usually in jobs which involved a training component. As a result I am more versatile than many. Australian employers these days are more interested in whether you can actually do the job, rather than formal qualifications. Yet our kids sweat in secondary school and incur large debts for tertiary education.
There is a problem these days - if you mention during a job interview, your desire to improve your education, you can end-up on a training wage, which is lower. - So the bastards have all the bases covered.
Click to expand...
And your point, which is linked to Davida Helmets still trading, is…?
 
Dunno but he does have a point that connects his post and the thread if somewhat distantly. Things have been changing for some time and eventually the sh_t hits the fan. Even a old company with experience trading can find the current business environment impossible. Can they get new people who know what they are doing? Can you yourself keep up to date, up to speed?
 
My old Speedster helmet was so tired after 16 years of service that I couldn't wait for the hypothetical new batch promised by the end of July and ordered a new Davida Speedster V4 from Helmet City in the UK.
I've just got it today and I'm really disappointed with the quality compared to my old Speedster and the Jet also form Davida that I used also for 16 years before, no more silk and leather liner and the shell is much bigger, as big as every other brand actually.
If fear that if Davida can no longer offer better quality than the competition and the almost infinite choice of colors as they used to in the past, they'll go bankrupt for good in the end...
 
When business start to struggle they make cuts.

Sadly these cuts often lead to reduced customer experience / satisfaction which, fairly obviously, leads to reduced customers and puts the business into deeper trouble.

So they make more cuts…

And they end up in a pretty inevitable race to the bottom.

The other common issue is business being sold, with the new owner lacking the founders passion, enthusiasm, energy and often thinking they’re clever and ‘optimising’ inappropriately which again leads to reduced customer satisfaction and starts the downward spiral.

I’ve witnessed these numerous times and sincerely hope that neither is the case with Davida.
 
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Probably the nicest helmet I have owned is a Davida Ninety-2 cream open face with "Wheels & Waves" on the sides. It has leather lining and is a joy to wear.
It is so sad that I cannot buy a replacement
t
DAVIDA - Speedster -Cream Wheels and Waves 2016.jpg
 
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daveforty said:
oldish thread, but,,, I just had an e-mail from Davida offering Speedster V4 helmets for sale from mid Sept. So maybe they are back in business? Temptation.
Click to expand...
As mentioned earlier in the thread, I contacted them in July and they confirmed they are still in business. 🪖🪖👍
 
daveforty said:
oldish thread, but,,, I just had an e-mail from Davida offering Speedster V4 helmets for sale from mid Sept. So maybe they are back in business? Temptation.
Click to expand...
Same here. The email says that the new batch of Speedster V4 is now on pre-order.
 

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