Audio company iASUS is about to release its classy Rekon intercom that promises top audio quality, long battery life and the ability to connect up to 6000 riders on one channel.
We have tested their audiophile-quality XSound auxiliary helmet speakers and they are the best we have come across with clear highs and deep bass.
So we have high expectations for their “Rekon wireless smartphone interface”.
Rekon is more than just another intercom
It works with push-to-talk mobile/cellular networks to connect users and is compatible with WhatsApp, Line, Kaokao, WeChat and other voice communication platforms.
That means potentially up to 6000 users can be networked into a riding group. Now that’s an interesting concept on a ride!
The Rekon is expected to be available in the next couple of months, depending on the current unpredictable pandemic ramifications.
It will cost $US349 (about $A580) and will connect with any aftermarket speakers.
Or you can buy the Rekon with their XSound 2.1 speakers for $US399 (about $A665) or with the updated XSound 3 speakers for $US499 (about $A830).
Classy style and function
So they are not cheap, but they are crafted more like a luxury watch with steel, glass and polished aluminium rather than plastic like most intercoms.
The thin, light and minimalist unit features a three-way control with tempered glass face for ease of use.
Its glass face exposes the details of the mechanical movement and, as a showstopper, it’s backlit!
Rekon uses Hi-def aptX and ADP2 wireless audio formats for high-fidelity sound and operates on Bluetooth 5.0 low-energy power management system, which delivers 250 hours of standby with 10 hours of operation time.
The units slides and locks into position on a special mounting bracket which can be easily detached.
Quick-release mounting bracket
Each Rekon comes with two mounting bracket kits.
Interestingly, it attaches at the front of the hemet, rather than on the side, which may affect aerodynamics and head rotation in a crash.
If you have been riding for any time then chances are you have managed to scratch your motorcycle helmet – more than once!
In this article we look through five top tips to help identify, repair or reduce the prominence of scratches on your helmet.
Disclaimer: Consult a qualified expert or retailer if you have damaged your helmet. If there is any question about the structural integrity of your helmet from a road accident, dropping or impacting your helmet you may have compromised its safety performance. Always consult an expert to ensure your personal safety and legal compliance. This article is provided as a guide only for minor cosmetic scratches. We do not advocate modifying your helmet. Following any part of this guidance is done at your own risk – use common sense or live with the scratch! We accept no liability for your action or inaction.
If you are a perfectionist or a fellow OCD sufferer like me, then you like to keep your bike and riding gear in top condition – scratches and imperfections are the enemy.
To repair or improve scratches on your motorcycle helmet there are a few key steps to follow:
Identifying if you are dealing with a scratch or a scuff.
Consider your options for scratch repair carefully – they are:
2.1 Do nothing – Consider leaving it as you may make it worse!
2.2 Renew your gear or get it repaired by a professional – Easiest but most expensive option.
2.3 Tactically place a sticker over it – Cheap and effective where scratches can be concealed.
2.4 Use a suitable permanent marker – This may not work or endure weathering.
2.5 Apply touch-up paint – Effective but potentially tricky blend of art and science.
Test a small inconspicuous area before you bring any chemicals into contact with your helmet to check for any ‘reaction’ with the helmet surface. You have been warned.
Clean your helmet surface to ensure good adhesion of stickers, pen or paint – if you choose any option other than #1.
Ensure colour match. Before you paint your scratch, test a small inconspicuous area. Colours may change or reflect light differently when they dry so select carefully and don’t rush it.
1. Scratch VS. Scuff – The first question to answer
There is a world of difference between a scuff and a scratch. The top search result on YouTube for ‘helmet scratch repair’ shows a guy demonstrating how a ‘scratch’ can be removed by rubbing cotton wool doused in lighter fluid! This is, in fact, a scuff which he removes, not a scratch.
A scuff is when you rub up against a surface such as painted wall and the paint rubs off on to the helmet. A common scenario is walking though a doorway and bumping your helmet on the door frame. Fixing a scuff like this is simply a case of selecting a suitable cleaning agent and carefully rubbing off the scuff, taking care to not damage the paint or surface of your helmet.
A scratch is very different. A scratch is where something hard, sharp and abrasive removes some helmet paint or clear coat.
To see if you have a scratch or scuff, gently move your thumbnail over the mark.
If your thumbnail dips into the mark and makes an audible high-pitched clicking sound, it’s likely a scratch. If it sounds dull, it’s probably a scuff.
To remove scuffs, try a gentle rub with your finger or a quality microfibre cloth to see if you can remove it. If not, try a cleaning agent that is suited to the helmet’s shell material. Start with a mild specialist helmet cleaner before trying any stronger options. Be careful as solvents are not recommended and can not only spoil the finish, but damage the helmet shell’s integrity. Take particular care with matte or satin finishes. Always spot check in a small inconspicuous area where possible.
WARNING: Never use strong solvents like Cellulose thinners, Xylene or Acetone. They are likely to compromise primary paint and helmet construction materials.
(Note: In the video I used acetone, a thinning solvent, on a matte finish. This is generally a bad idea unless you are experienced or comfortable with the risk of marring. I had already tried specialist helmet cleaner to no avail on the scuff, though I probably should have tried methylated spirits first which is less harsh than acetone. However, I moved quickly and lightly to minimise marring though as you can see in the above image under bright light I did introduce slight marring. Overall though I was happy with the result.)
2. Consider your options for scratch repair – carefully
If there is one thing worse than a scratch it is a bungled of shoddy repair attempt. You can easily make a scratch far more prominent.
Always consider these options before doing anything:
Option #2.1 – Do nothing.
Most people can live with it; I just don’t understand how. Fellow OCDers may need to consult a suitable psychologist, scream into a pillow or seek solace in an alternative means of distraction to avoid the inevitable twitches and sense of discomfort knowing that you have a scratch that has not been dealt with. Alternatively, you may just determine that the scratch is so unbearable, you can afford option 2.2.
Option #2.2 – Replace the helmet.
Other than wear and tear, a scratch is a solid excuse for buying a lovely new shiny, satin or matt lid. Consider giving away the compromised (scratched) article to a more relaxed family member, friend or colleague. (Please make sure if you are giving away gear that it first correctly – helmets need to fit to protect you properly – or just throw it in the garbage, or display it on a shelf and hope the dust will cover the scratch with time).
Option #2.3 – Tactically place a sticker
Some scratches are in a spot where you can easily cover them with a sticker. Be careful though as sticker adhesives vary. You need to ensure that they are compatible with the composition of the helmet shell.
Manufacturer-supplied stickers that often come in packets with your new helmet should be fine.
Be aware that some stickers may cause head rotation and spinal injury in a slide down the road. For these reasons I am not a fan of aftermarket stickers.
Option #2.4 – Use a permanent marker
There is a wide range of permanent markers or “sharpies” available at office supply stores that may mask the attention-drawing effect of, for example, a white scratch on a black helmet. However, the effect may not last. Think lip-stick vs facelift.
Make sure you clean the helmet and allow any cleaning agents to completely dry. Test on a small area to see if the marker matches the required colour.
Some black inks may appear quite different with a white background. White primer can show through in a scratch on a black or dark-coloured helmet. In this is the case and the pen doesn’t work, simply remove it with a suitable cleaning agent, ensuring not to remove or damage the original paint.
Option #2.5 – Apply touch-up paint
Touch-up paint is one of the most effective and durable options for repairing a helmet scratch. However, care and skill is needed in colour matching; cleaning and preparation of the scratch; priming the scratch (for example spray paint may not adhere to the scratch); and judicious application of paint to avoid runs.
A benefit of a touch-up pen is that you often don’t need to apply a primer. However, you may struggle to find a colour match in a touchup-pen. In which case you could try auto spray paint. I suggest spraying a small amount into the spray can lid or a clean plastic container and use a small applicator to dab on the scratch.
Small artist paint brushes, cotton earbuds or a match stick cut to a angle can be very effective for accurate paint application:
3. Test any chemicals or paints you intend using on inconspicuous area
There are many different materials, coatings, graphics and paints used in motorcycle helmet construction and decoration. There is a significant risk associated with applying chemicals, including cleaning agents, solvents, paints, abrasive products and scouring pads and cloths. You should approach using anything to clean your helmet or repair scratches with great caution to avoid problems.
Find a suitable test area that cannot be readily seen such as behind a lining, under the chin or where the visor would cover in normal operation. Use a cotton bud to apply a small amount of any chemical you intend using to check how the surface material reacts. Leave it overnight and review in the morning for evidence of discolouration, bubbling or any other form or undesirable reaction.
4. Clean and prep your scratch
It may not be easy to see, but your helmet will probably be covered in many contaminants such as grease from your hands, wax from cleaning products and particulates from riding.
Clean your helmet with a suitable helmet cleaner.
Then clean out the scratch with a pre-paint wipe or cotton bud dipped in cleaning solution, ensuring that you don’t leave any cotton wool fibres on the scratch which can interfere with paint application.
Avoid using harsh solvents as they may strip paint and graphics, or compromise the integrity of the helmet shell. Consider using less harsh options as far as possible.
5. Colour match your helmet
This is where the art comes into play. Matching colours is notoriously tricky. Buy a couple of touch-up paint options and test dab on a piece of scrap plastic, allow to dry and hold up alongside your helmet in a good light to ensure a match. They have the added benefits of not necessarily requiring a primer or clear coat.
Alternatively, you can use aerosol cans given the range of colour options and spray into a lid or small container before applying.
Some paint shops will mix up to your sample. However, they usually only mix significant minimum quantities and matching results can be variable. The paint may also require a clear coat which adds hassle, cost and complexity. In my view, this is the least appealing option.
Painting
Once you have your paint colour-matched, you are ready for painting. Follow directions for prep and application on any paints used and make sure you:
Apply paint in a well-ventilated place free from dust as far as possible;
Apply paint at a suitable temperature 20-25C degrees;
Do not apply paint or dry under direct sunlight;
Have cleaned and dried the scratch;
You are working on a stable surface; and
You apply paint under good lighting.
Once applied, allow the paint to dry in line with instruction on your touchup or spray can; clean any brushes immediately.
Please share on our Facebook page your before-and-after shots and anything that worked well or failed spectacularly!
German company Schuberth helmets have been producing helmets for motorsport and riders for more than 90 years with the top-of-the-range C4 Pro now available.
Their quality helmets have only recently come to Australia through MB Motorcycles since our helmet laws were opened up to European standards.
We asked Australian Motorcycle Council executive John Eacott to review his new C4 Pro helmet aftera couple of years riding with a Schuberth C4 and previous years with the C3 Pro and the E1.
John’s review of the Schuberth C4 Pro
John Eacott with his new Schuberth C4 Pro helmet
I checked the fit of my regular size 59/60 and ordered online for $A716 plus $56 delivery from European site FC Moto, who I’ve used routinely for many years and always had excellent service plus competitive prices.
(Schuberth is also available in Australia from $1000 for plain colours and $1100 for multi colours.)
Delivery was prompt with Australia Post equaling the time from Germany.
First look at the helmet confirmed my choice as a good one.
The C4 Pro is a flip front with a built-in sun visor and relatively light at 1695g which is about 30g heavier than the C4.
A reworked lining is very comfortable although it looks as if a family of koalas donated their fur!
The C4 and C4 Pro are both sold fully wired with adjustable speakers and microphone for a built-in Bluetooth which is sold separately but installs in seconds into the built-in pockets.
Two variants of Bluetooth, the upmarket has FM radio (antennae for FM and Bluetooth are built into the shell) and a larger group talk capability, all based on Sena SC1.
For spectacle wearers the lining is now perfectly designed to allow glasses to be worn without difficulty; a small point but indicative of the improvements in this helmet.
Pros:
Schuberth build and reputation;
Built-in comms wiring, speakers and microphone;
Comfort;
Quick-release ratchet chinstrap, no double D fiddling to fasten;
Light weight;
Good ventilation, both chin and top mounted adjustable vents;
Pinlock standard fit in the visor, no fogging (almost) guaranteed;
Very wide visor and Pinlock giving excellent lateral vision;
Easy action sun visor; and
Good sound insulation with vents closed.
Cons:
The helmet shell shape has changed. Schuberth flip front helmets have always been made for an oval head, but the C4 Pro is now made with an intermediate oval shape. What was just right for those using the C3 and C4 series may no longer fit with a C4 Pro, which could be an issue. Try before you buy but be aware it may not bed in over time; mine hasn’t.
With vents open the external noise can be tiresome.
Should you like the C4 Pro I suggest a spare visor and a spare Pinlock are worth getting at the time of purchase.
If you need one later then waiting for a replacement could be a delay in getting out to ride your bike.
I’m expecting I’ll get as much use out of my new C4 Pro (3000km so far) as I have out of previous Schuberth flip-front helmets and that it will be as comfortable and safe as a quality helmet should be.
If you’ve ever been showered with bugs on your ride, you will know how difficult they are to remove from your helmet visor and your motorcycle.
That’s because the wind quickly dries them out and they become very hard and stick like glue to any surface.
Cleaning bugs off your bike
While bugs on a motorcycle are mainly a cosmetic issue, they can interfere with the performance of your headlight or clog up oil coolers and radiators.
We suggest trying to remove most of them from headlights and coolers with water from a service station while out on the road.
You won’t get them all, but you should remove enough to be able to continue riding.
Leave the rest of the bug removal until you get home as it’s only cosmetic.
We suggest using a special bug remover that you can buy from most motorcycle shops, service stations or auto shops like Supercheap. There is little difference we can detect between specific motorcycle cleaners and car cleaners.
Motul insect remover
Visor cleaning
As for your visor, bugs can create substantial vision impairment which is a serious safety issue, so it’s important to remove them while out on the road.
Never try to wipe bugs off your helmet with your glove as you will only smear them and create a mess.
Wiping dried bugs can also create almost invisible scratches which may not appear to be a problem … until you are riding into the sun or at night and all you can see is a “spiders web” of scratches!
If you don’t have a sunglasses or prescription glasses cloth, any soft microfibre cloth will do.
Spray a liberal amount of the solution on the visor and let it sit for about 30 seconds. Don’t rub straight away, but also don’t leave it long enough to dry.
This softens the bugs and loosens them from the surface.
Then gently wipe the bugs away with one side of the cloth. Don’t push too hard. You may have to repeat this process.
When they are mainly gone, give your visor one more spray, then wipe it dry with the other side of the cloth.
Crusty demons
If there is a thick crust of bugs on your visor, call into a service station, rest area or anywhere you can get water and toilet paper or a paper towel.
Soak the toilet paper or hand towel in water and then place it on your visor and let it sit there for about 30 seconds. You can also use a soft cloth such as your hanky or neck sock soaked in water.
Peel off the wet paper being careful not to rub the surface as some paper towels can be fairly abrasive.
Then apply your cleaning solution as per the instructions above.
Never use a servo windscreen squeegee
Never use the windscreen squeegee provided at service stations as they may have been dropped on the ground.
They can have oil, diesel, fuel or small particles of gravel and dirt in them which can smear and scratch your visor.
When it comes to riding a motorbike, having the right safety gear is of utmost importance.
Riding is far more enjoyable when you have the confidence you are safe. A helmet is the most important part of your bike safety gear as it protects your head and face. In the event of an accident or collision, it can save your life.
Properly certified helmets are designed to give you maximum protection. They are made of durable materials that can withstand impact. When it comes to buying a helmet, you shouldn’t try to save money. After all, how much is your head worth? In this article, we will tell you how to pick the right helmet for a safe ride.
How to choose the right helmet
When buying a helmet, there are few things you need to keep in mind.
1 Get the perfect fit
Choosing an ill-fitted helmet may not only feel uncomfortable to wear but may also compromise your safety. A loose helmet will allow your head to move around inside the helmet on impact. A too-tight helmet will cause fatigue and pain which can lead to a crash.
2 Choose a comfortable helmet
A comfortable fit is one thing, but the helmet should also have a comfortable lining and plenty of ventilation for riding on hot days and to prevent fogging on cold and rainy days. You should always try on a helmet for at least 10 minutes before buying it. This will give you an idea of whether it is right for you or not.
3 Durability
A helmet needs to be durable to withstand impact. Cheap plastic helmets are not as good as fibreglass and carbon fibre helmets. This is why you are advised to buy high-quality helmets that are made of high-quality materials.
4 Straps
Lastly, you should also check the straps before buying a helmet. The straps should be comfortable and secure. Quick-release clasps may be handy but they may not be as secure as a simple Double-D clasp.
You should always wear a helmet when riding a bike. Don’t gamble with your life. instead, you can play sports betting online.
Future motorcycles may not need mirrors with this Revan helmet-mounted live-feed camera that screens images to a head-up display (HUD).
Some may find this bulky camera and HUD device as a safety feature that eliminates blind spots while others may view it as a dangerous distraction.
The Revan system includes an intercom for VoIP-based group calling and bluetooths to your phone so you can hear GPS instructions, take and make calls and listen to music.
Crowd funding
Revan hopes to take this to market through a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign which has already more than doubled its $47,689 goal with32days still to go.
The South Korean developers claim it will cost $US999 (about $A1600) or $US699 (about $A1130) for early supporters.
However, there is no timeline for when the product will be produced and delivered.
We warn potential supporters of Kickstarter crowd-funding campaigns that they do not issue a refund. Backers will have to contact the campaigner for a refund, put a stop to their payment or cancel their credit card.
How Revan works
The Revan system is the most bulky camera or HUD system we have yet seen.
It features a big battery unit on the back and large camera on top of the helmet, plus speakers inside the helmet all connected by messy wiring.
We have to wonder about the dangerous rotation of your head in a crash and the damage that could cause to your spine.
Proposed helmet accessories testing regulations have concerned riders that aftermarket externally fitted Bluetooth intercoms and cameras may be banned.
However, one helmet expert says there is no cause for concern!
The new UN ECE 22.06 proposal also seeks to include testing for head rotation in a crash, visor shatterproof durability and the ability of modular helmets to protect you when the chin bar is in place and when it is open.
Members of the UN Working Party will continue discussions on the ECE 22.06 proposals in June 2020 with two years of research results incorporated before it’s finalised.
This would mean the new regulations would not come into effect in Europe until, at the earliest, 2023.
That will be followed by three years of coexistence with ECE 22.05 rules.
Longtime Australian helmet law advocate Wayne Carruthers says that means they would not affect Aussie riders for about five or six more years.
New helmet regulations
The controversial change is that helmets should not be modified from original manufacturer specification, which appears to have serious implications for intercoms and action cameras.
“Accessories must be fitted in accordance with the helmet manufacturer’s instructions,” the proposal says.
“Only accessories approved by the Authority shall be used. In case of any other modification or addition of non-approved accessories (helmet cameras, visors, communication devices, etc.) the helmet homologation becomes invalid.”
The Australian Motorcycle Council has long said that ECE 22.05 only affects the helmet at the point of sale and should not impact on the owner’s desire to fit accessories, so long as they do not affect the integrity of the helmets.
For example, you shouldn’t drill holes in the helmet to fit them.
However, the new rules seems to suggest that helmets are not allowed to be modified … ever!
Not so, says Wayne.
“Basically the move means helmet manufacturers selling helmets with their own accessories must test them to ensure the helmet with their accessories fitted meets the standard and have approval numbers for the accessories,” he says.
Wayne points out that the phrase “Only accessories approved by the authority shall be used” means aftermarket accessory manufacturers would have to go through an approval process for use on helmets.
“Since comms and camera technology development is moving so fast by the time 22.06 came into force in Europe let alone Australia we would be likely to see standardised inbuilt mounting cavities in helmets for many makes and models of accessories,” he says.
Spokesperson Wim Taal says: “The way I read it, this means you will not be allowed to fit accessories that were not tested with the helmet. It is hard to imagine the police checking this.”
Obviously Wim is unfamiliar with Australian police!
The new AGV K6 carbon helmet has more shell area and less visor mechanism for maximised protection, though the visor still offers peripheral vision of 190°.
The lightweight 1220g road helmet is based on technologies derived from the Pista GP R which is their MotoGP helmet.
K6 protection
The carbon-aramid fibre shell and the five different densities of EPS offer protection that is 48% greater than that required by ECE 22.05 standards regarding head injury criterion and G values.
By “G values” they are fearing to impact testing which measures acceleration of your head inside the helmet when it is dropped from a fixed height onto a spherical and flat surfaced anvil.
The standard allows a peak acceleration energy of 400 G (G being “gravity constant” or an acceleration value of ft. per second x seconds).
AGV says the visor mechanisms are “extremely limited in size to maximise the area of shell coverage, keeping safety levels at a peak across the entire surface of the helmet”.
Visor mechanisms are made of metal to increase visor impact resistance.
The 4.3mm-thick visor also comes with a 100% Max Vision Pinlock 120 anti-fogging system.
A micro-lock system allows you to securely lock the visor slightly open to increase air flow.
The profile of the helmet is designed to not hit the collarbone in a crash, an AGV invention that is now standard in racing.
Better aero
AGV also claim an improvement in aerodynamics no matter whether you are crouched forward on a sportsbike or sitting upright on a naked bike which means less neck fatigue.
They claim the dynamic weight is well balanced for a neutral feel at cruising speeds.
The interior is made with anti-wear, waterproof fabrics on the outer layer and a breathable material that absorbs sweat for the inner.
AGV K6 should also be suitable in hot conditions with a ventilation system featuring five large air vents.
If you want to secure your helmet on your motorcycle and helpanimal rescue efforts after the bushfires, buy a Helmet Hook for your bike.
For every $19.95 Helmet Hook bought, about $7.45 will be donated to animal rescue.
Australian importer Bill Murphy says his American supplier is a “huge animal lover” who was “devastated by the images he was seeing on the TV over there”.
“We were talking about doing this in early January while the fires were at their worst but I had no stock of Helmet Hooks at that stage due to a shipping error from the Chinese end, so we’re doing it now.”
However, Bill will backdate the donations to when his stock arrived until the end of March.
Furthermore, the USA supplier will donate $US3 (about $A4.45).
“We’ll tally it all up and make the donation in one transaction, rather than small amounts along the way,” says Bill.
“We’ll publicly post up proof that we have actually donated.
“It’s not a lot but neither of us is swimming in cash so it’s a way we can help.
“Also those customers of ours who have wanted to donate but are also tight on funds can at least do a little bit to help.”
Bill says he is a vegan and regularly donates to wildlife and environmental charities.
“Along with constantly being shocked by all my favourite motorcycling areas going up in flames, one of my first thoughts were that the animals were being forgotten to a certain extent,” Bill says.
“The animals don’t have insurance and, for them, the road to recovery is going to be long waiting for the areas to regenerate. And now they are having to deal with floods as well.”
The Helmet Hook sits on the end of your left handlebar.
It was designed in the USA and injection-moulded in China from 1/4″ ABS plastic and has a metal washer inserted in the middle for the bar end bolt to go through and two holes in the “J” section to fit a padlock.
American inventor George Penev says the Helmet Hook was born from frustration.
“I simply dropped my helmet one too many times. My helmet only cost me $137 and it still hurt every time that thing fell on the ground and started rolling around. I can only imagine what people feel that have a $500-700 helmet.”
On your seat because bit can easily fall off in a gust lot wind or if the bike is bumped. Then your helmet and/or visor is scratched and possibly damaged even to the point of not being able to wear it safely.
On the mirrors or footpeg because they will indent the inner lining. And don’t place it on the ground as spiders and ants can crawl inside and make a surprise visit down the road!
And let’s not forget that most service stations don’t have anywhere for you to safely store your helmet even though they demand you take it off before refuelling.
Nowhere to place your helmet on the top of the bowser at a service station
Some bikes supply a helmet holder under the pillion seat, but they are sometimes difficult to access because you have to remove the seat first and/or the helmet rests up against the body work, scratching the helmet and your bike.
The Helmet Hook is easy to access, it can be locked securely and the helmet doesn’t rest against the bike, but swings freely by the chin strap D-fastener.
Unscrew bar end
Fit Helmet Hook and tighten
Hooked!
Bill says the only bikes e knows where it won’t fit is BMWs with a wider bolt, which can be rectified by people drilling out the metal washer, and some Hyosungs that did not have screw on bar ends.
You can use the Helmet Hook with ratchet-type quick release chin straps, just by threading the strap itself through the hook an can able locked with the padlock.
It may not be able to be used with some bar-end mirrors.
Australian importer Bill Murphy says the hook can be rotated out of the way so it is no hindrance to riding.
We tried it on a couple of our bikes and found it didn’t get in the way of the clutch operation.
The official launch is on 27 February 2020, but we’ve had one for a couple of weeks now and been testing it in the real world.
The carbon-fibre Atlas 2.0 will come in a range of 15 colours, raw carbon and three limited-edition graphics with prices from $US430 ($A620) to $US490 ($A720). (More colour images at the end of the article)
Raw carbon
Improved Atlas 2.0
Elijah Weir of Ruroc says they listened to feedback from Atlas 1.0 owners to improve the quality.
That includes less wind noise yet better ventilation, a tricky combination that they seem to have got right.
There is also a Bluetooth compatibility section for their Shockwave audio system which we have also tested.
The most interesting innovation is the quick-release chin strap buckle which they call a Fidlock magnetic strap.
It clasps together like a monkey grip, but holds together by magnetics.
Now that might not sound strong, but we defy anyone to tear the connection apart.
Yet when you pull the red tag it immediately releases.
Simple, easy, secure and convenient. We love it.
They say the visor shape has been improved, but we still find the view a bit limited when you look back over your shoulder.
It now comes with a very solid visor lock that makes it a little difficult to snap shut the first few times, but it certainly won’t be coming open at 200+km/h on the track!
Visor lock
The lock and rubber gasket around the visor opening also ensure you get no water in through the visor gap.
Atlas 2.0 comes Pinlock ready and the specially shaped anti-fog Pinlock visor is difficult to fit into place but it snaps so tightly into position it will never move.
Once in place, it is a very effective anti-fog visor, but the ridges around the bottom of the visor can be distracting at first.
Air and aero
Vents
There are plenty of air vents in the chin, on each side and on the top plus three exhaust vents at the back.
Three vents at the back
While the ventilation is excellent, on these really hot days, we’ve occasionally opened the visor for more air and found there is a fair amount of wind whistle.
However, it’s pretty quiet with the visor closed as the side intake vents have been pushed back behind the ears.
The visor can also be removed now without tools, but there is a fiddly system with plastic brackets on the ends of the visor and a swivel plug that can easily be dropped in the process.
There are other quicker and more secure ways of removing a visor.
However, this one does have a very strong ratchet system when in place and you can put the visor in just about any position.
Complicated but effective visor attachment ratchet system
The aerodynamic shape may look little like a Stormtrooper’s helmet, but it works. There is little drag at high speed and therefore no neck ache or fatigue at the end of a long day’s riding.
It also means the helmet is pretty quiet and there is a chin wind guard and longer neck rolls to further dampen wind noise.
Comfy fit
Inside, the helmet feels plush and immediately comfortable even when new and tight fitting.
The cheek pads can also be quickly released by first responders so the helmet can be taken off a crashed rider without damaging their neck or spine.
They are marked with bright red “Emergency” loop tags on each side so they are obvious to first responders.
The Atlas 2.0 helmet feels light yet strong, weighing 1538g or 1618g with the Shockwave Bluetooth system installed.
Shockwave audio
The audio system is just for phone calls and listening to music and/or satnav directions at this stage.
However, Elijah tells us Ruroc developers are looking to integrate intercom and extras very soon.
It’s a neat little system that tucks away discretely without any wires or extraneous parts that could cause neck rotation in a slide down the road.
It screws flush into a pocket in the very back of the helmet with two good quality speakers and a bud mic that sticks inside the chin piece.
There was a rubber plug for the charge socket, but it fell out and we lost it. However, riding in the rain didn’t seem to affect the unit. There are three small buttons for on/off as well as play, answer call and pause functions, plus volume/track up and down buttons.
They are all very small and difficult to feel with a gloved finger.
Also, it’s quite difficult reaching all then way around the back to access them. Much less convenient than controls on the side of the helmet.
In fact, the down track/volume button on the right that — unless your an orangutan — can really only be accessed with your throttle hand, which is certainly not recommended.
Voice command would be a nice extra in future versions.
We’d also like to see the system get a bit more volume as it is difficult to hear them with our filtered MotoSafe earplugs in place.
Quick-release mounting bracket
John Eacott with his new Schuberth C4 Pro helmet
Motul insect remover
Never use a servo windscreen squeegee
Battery unit
Remote control
Nowhere to place your helmet on the top of the bowser at a service station
Visor lock
Vents
Three vents at the back
Complicated but effective visor attachment ratchet system
Sport 
Limited edition 
Classdic 
Special