Tag Archives: Motorcycle Helmets

Arai Contour-X Helmet | Gear Review

January 23, 2023 mcnews Leave a comment

Arai Contour-X Snake Red — Arai Contour-X in Snake Red

We’ve all seen the commercials where the Most Interesting Man in the World says, “I don’t always drink beer, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis.” Likewise, Arai doesn’t often release a new helmet, but when it does, it gets it right. More than 70 years of experience went into the development of the new Arai Contour-X.

As we’ve written about in previous reviews and in our “The Why Behind Arai Helmets” feature, Arai maintains a steadfast commitment to building helmet shells with a smooth, strong, round shape. As repeated experience among MotoGP, World Superbike, and other racers has shown, Arai helmets are designed to “glance off” objects, allowing them to maintain sheer integrity, resist deformation, and spread impact energy over the widest possible area. Every exterior feature of an Arai helmet is designed to break away so that the helmet itself will not catch on anything during an impact or slide.

Arai Contour-X Snake Red rear — Arai Contour-X in Snake Red (rear view)

The Contour-X offers excellent protection, comfort, ventilation, and aerodynamics. It features a new Peripherally Belted Complex Laminate Construction (PB-cLc2) shell that’s thinner and lighter thanks to a new fiber material and resin, yet it is just as strong as other Arai shells. The medium-size Contour-X tested here, even with the optional Pro Shade visor and Pinlock anti-fog insert installed, weighs just 3 lb, 9 oz – the same weight as the top-of-the-line Corsair-X.

Like the Regent-X, the Contour-X’s shell flares out 5mm around the opening to make the helmet easier to slide on and off. The bottom of the shell also features Arai’s Hyper Ridge, which improves strength and shock absorption and was reshaped for flatter sides to facilitate easy mounting of a comms system.

Arai Contour-X Snake Red Honda CB500X — Testing the Arai Contour-X on a Honda CB500X. (Photo by Nikolaus Wogen)

Arai helmets have always been a pleasure to wear, and the Contour-X goes even further with a new odor-resistant, brushed-nylon interior that’s removable and washable and features adjustable Facial Contour System (FCS-2) cheek pads that can be released to ease removal during an emergency. Inside, there are speaker pockets and a new neck-roll wire pocket for a comms system. Through short rides, long rides, and repeated donning and doffing, the Contour-X required no break-in and was comfortable at all times.

Arai Contour-X Face Fluorescent Yellow — Arai Contour-X in Face Fluorescent Yellow

Ventilation is fantastic. The new system includes a total of seven intakes, all of which can be closed as needed: a 3D Arai logo vent in the forehead, two F1-derived tear-drop intakes on the crown, two brow vents in the faceshield, and a chin vent. There are also six exhausts: one in the spoiler, two on the sides near the back, and three in the neckroll area. Arai says the Contour-X offers better ventilation than the Corsair-X at street speeds, and I concur.

See all of Rider‘s motorcycle helmet reviews here.

The round shape of Arai helmets helps them slip through the air smoothly, and the new XGR exhaust/spoiler pulls hot air out of the helmet while also enhancing stability and reducing buffeting at speed. I wore the Contour-X on a variety of bikes with and without windscreens, and it remained steady and comfortable.

Arai Contour-X Blue Frost — Arai Contour-X in Blue Frost

The Arai Contour-X is a fantastic lid in every respect. It’s available in sizes XS-2XL, and pricing starts at $739.95 for five different solid colors (Blue Frost, Black Frost, Diamond Black, Diamond White, and Light Grey) and $889.95 for two graphic options (Snake Red and Face Fluorescent Yellow).

For more information, see your dealer or visit the Arai Helmets website.

Arai Contour-X Light Grey — Arai Contour-X in Light Grey

Arai Contour-X Diamond White — Arai Contour-X in Light Grey

The post Arai Contour-X Helmet | Gear Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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New Gear: HJC RPHA 11 Pro Motorcycle Helmet

December 9, 2022 mcnews Leave a comment

Originally built for the racetrack, the RPHA 11 Pro motorcycle helmet from HJC is designed with an aerodynamic shell structure for performance at high speeds.

See all of Rider’s motorcycle helmet reviews here.

The Premium Integrated Matrix shell composition is impact-resistant and lightweight with reinforcement materials that include carbon and carbon-glass hybrid fabric.

The enlarged eyeport provides increased view in a tucked position, making it perfect for sport riders.

The shield offer 95% UV-A & B protection, and an additional 2D dark smoke shield is included. The quick-release shield system offers a simple and secure tool-less system to quickly remove the shield from your helmet.

The RPHA 11 Pro is DOT and ECE approved. Other safety features include reflective patches on the rear neck area and an emergency release cheek pad system for safe and quick helmet removal. The RPHA 11 Pro is available in four solid colors and 13 graphics in sizes XS-2XL. Pricing ranges from $399.99-$629.99.

SHOP FOR THE HJC RPHA 11 PRO

The post New Gear: HJC RPHA 11 Pro Motorcycle Helmet first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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Tucker Powersports to Distribute Forcite Products in Australia and America

October 12, 2022 mcnews Leave a comment

What makes a brand successful, really?

Is it the quality of the product itself, or perhaps the integrity and grit of the amazing team that contributes an unholy amount of time and energy behind the scenes?

I would counter all the above, but that a massive percentage of success has to do with exposure, marketing and distribution licensing…which is why we were so jazzed to hear that Tucker Powersports will officially be the dealer for an Aussie smart lid that’s been making ripples since the unit sold out in under 30 minutes.

A rider taking off his Forcite helmet. Media sourced from Equitise.

Forcite – known for their recent drop to the bike community, the MK1S Smart Helmet – will purportedly celebrate debuts for their products in both Australia and the U.S., with everything becoming available by 2023.

Suffice it to say Forcite Co-Founder Alfred Boyadgis is excited to see what’s next for the partnership.

“We’ve created a motorcycle helmet that looks slick, and also packs a punch with cool features that lift the riding experience,” shrugs Boyadgis in the recent press release.

“This new partnership with Tucker Powersports promises to deliver as both companies look to the future of what’s possible in the motorcycle category.”

Bond's Scrambler 1200 XE, used by Daniel Craig in 2022's "No Time to Die." Media sourced from MCN.

A Tucker bike. Media sourced from Vital MX.

“We are constantly seeking partners and products that enhance the adventure of riding a motorcycle,” adds Marc McAllister, the CEO of Tucker Powersports.

“Forcite is clearly focused on that riding experience and on the future of our favorite pastime.”

We look forward to seeing what these two bring to the proverbial table; in the meantime, check back for updates, drop a comment below letting us know what you think, and as always – stay safe on the twisties.

Media sourced from PR Newswire, Equitise, and Vital MX

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

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Schuberth C5 Modular Helmet and SC2 Communicator | Gear Review

August 3, 2022 mcnews Leave a comment

The Schuberth C5 modular helmet is a clean-sheet design that shares no parts with the company’s C4/Pro. Informed by a spatial study, the new architecture has an intermediate-oval head shape that’s less round than the C4/Pro with more interior space. The chinstrap was moved forward, and the new chinbar locking mechanism doesn’t use pins, which avoids the helmet getting tighter when the chinbar is closed.

Having worn several generations of Schuberth’s modular helmets, the changes were immediately noticeable. Sliding the helmet on and off my head is easier, and comfort while riding is greatly improved. Airflow through the helmet has been increased with larger vents and better interior channeling.

The C5 was designed to meet Europe’s new ECE 22.06 helmet safety standard, which sets higher benchmarks for impact protection and requires a larger eyeport for better visibility. The C5 meets the P/J homologation standard. “P” stands for “protective” and refers to full-face helmets; “J” stands for “jet” and refers to open-face helmets. P/J-homologated helmets can be used in both the open and closed positions, and the C5 has a tab to lock the chinbar in the open position.

The shell is made using Schuberth’s proprietary Direct Fiber Processing. Glass fibers are blown into a mold with a precise amount of resin and compressed in a high-pressure vacuum, creating an exceptionally strong shell. The C5 is not dual homologated to meet ECE and DOT standards. A DOT-specific version of the C5 has a shell reinforced with a basalt layer for added strength.

Inside the shell is a dual-density EPS liner and a new comfort liner with customizable pads. There are optional “sport” and “comfort” cheek pads and replaceable rear pads that can make the interior more round or more oval. The faceshield includes a Pinlock anti-fog insert, and a new patented memory function keeps the faceshield open at a desired level after opening and closing the chinbar.

The C5 is prewired for the optional SC2 Bluetooth 5.0 communicator ($349), which is made by Sena and based on the 50S with voice activation and mesh networking. HD speakers and an antenna are built into the helmet. A remote-control unit clicks into the left side of the helmet, and the SC2 main unit with rechargeable battery plugs into the back of the helmet.

Our C5 in size medium with the SC2 installed weighs 4 lb, 2 ounces. Fit, finish, comfort, ventilation, and functionality are excellent. It’s available in sizes XS-3XL in solid colors for $749 and graphics for $849.

For more information, visit Schuberth.com.

The post Schuberth C5 Modular Helmet and SC2 Communicator | Gear Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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HJC RPHA 1N Helmet | Gear Review

June 24, 2022 mcnews Leave a comment

The HJC RPHA 1N is the same full-face helmet used by top-tier racers in the MotoGP and WorldSBK series. I’m not a racer, and even trackdays are few and far between for me. But one of my top priorities for a helmet is protection in the event of a crash, and the RPHA 1N has achieved FIM homologation for safety. The helmet also meets or exceeds DOT and ECE 22.06 standards for energy attenuation, penetration resistance, and chinstrap structural integrity. That gives me peace of mind.

HJC’s PIM+ shell is made from a blend of materials that includes carbon and carbon-glass hybrid fabric, resulting in a strong, lightweight lid. My medium RPHA 1N weighs just 3 lbs, 5.3 oz. The shell shape was developed using wind-tunnel testing to make it as aerodynamic as possible, and the back of the helmet has a large spoiler that smooths airflow and pulls hot air out of a large rear exhaust vent.

Inside is a Silvercool comfort liner that is anti-bacterial, moisture-wicking, removeable, and washable. It also has side channels to accommodate eyeglasses and sunglasses. For me, the fit is perfectly snug with no hot spots, and the thick neckroll does a good job of managing wind noise without making it difficult to pull the helmet on and off.

Since the RPHA 1N is designed to keep racers comfortable on hot, demanding racetracks, it has more ventilation than most full-face helmets. There are five vents along the forehead and two vents on the chinbar, all of which can be closed to keep out rain or cold air. There are two exhaust vents on the sides of the chinbar and two more on the back of the helmet. With all the vents open, the 1N moves a significant amount of air through its interior channels. The only downside is added wind noise, but that can be mitigated with earplugs.

For added security, the faceshield has a double locking system, and it is attached using metal screws with hinged D-ring heads that either lay flat during riding or fold out to remove the screws without tools. The shield filters out 99% of UV radiation, has an anti-scratch coating, includes a Pinlock anti-fog insert, and has outer posts for tear-offs. In emergency situations, the cheek pads can be pulled out so the helmet can be easily removed.

If you’re a motorcyclist who doesn’t compromise on safety and comfort, the HJC RPHA 1N is an impressive, top-of-the-line helmet worth considering. It’s available in sizes 2XS-2XL in solid colors for $699.99-$709.99 or graphics starting at $799.99, and it’s covered by a 5-year warranty.

For more information, visit HJCHelmets.us.

The post HJC RPHA 1N Helmet | Gear Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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Fly Racing Odyssey Adventure Modular Helmet | Review

June 14, 2022 mcnews Leave a comment

Anyone who follows Rider knows that we’re big fans of the flip-up convenience of modular helmets. We’re also fans of ADV helmets, which combine the sun-blocking peak and pointy chinbar of a dirtbike helmet with the faceshield and other features of a street helmet. The Fly Racing Odyssey Adventure Modular Helmet offers the best of both worlds, with a flip-up chinbar and a 2-in-1 design with ADV (peak visor) and street (no peak) modes.

Read Rider‘s other Fly Racing apparel reviews

The Odyssey has a polycarbonate outer shell with a slippery shape sculpted in a wind tunnel. Inside the shell and reinforcing the chinbar is dual-density EPS for impact absorption, and there are recessed speaker pockets for installing a comms system. Between the EPS and the rider’s noggin is a removable, washable, moisture-wicking Quick-Dry comfort liner that’s perforated to aid ventilation. There’s also a removable chin curtain and a dual D-ring chin strap.

The clear faceshield has an exterior hard coating to resist scratches and an interior coating that resists fogging. A tinted drop-down sunshield blocks 100% of harmful UVA/B radiation. Fly Racing’s True Functional Ventilation system combines intake vents in the chinbar and the top of the helmet with a negative-pressure rear spoiler that has a built-in exhaust vent.

Versatility is the name of the game with this helmet. It is comfortable, reasonably quiet, and well-ventilated, and it works well on hot days, cold days, pavement, and dirt. The chinbar release, sunshield lever, vents, and faceshield are easy to operate with gloved hands, and the faceshield has large detents for three open positions.

There are two drawbacks, however. The first is weight. My medium Odyssey with the ADV peak installed weighs 4 lb, 5 oz, making it one of the heaviest modular helmets we’ve tested. The second is sensitivity to dry, dusty conditions. After riding in someone’s dust cloud for a while, the chinbar release became finicky. This is a problem that plagues moving parts like zippers and hinges on all sorts of riding gear, not just the Odyssey. A quick rinse at the end of the day cleared things right up.

The Odyssey Adventure Modular Helmet is a good value at $279.95 for solid colors (gray, white, and black) or $289.95 for the Summit graphic (black/gray/white, navy/gray/white, and tan/black/gray). It’s available in sizes XS-2XL and comes with a soft fleece helmet bag, a color-matched peak visor (for ADV mode), and color-matched visor block-off plates (for street mode). Mirror-tinted and Pinlock-ready faceshields are also available.

For more information, see your dealer or visit FlyRacing.com.

The post Fly Racing Odyssey Adventure Modular Helmet | Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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Scorpion EXO-GT930 Transformer Helmet | Gear Review

May 31, 2022 mcnews Leave a comment

I don’t know anybody who loves wearing a helmet, but most of us who do wear them appreciate their – shall we say – utility. And a motorcycle helmet is a lot more comfortable than the helmets the U.S. Army issues, though the purpose is the same – to save your life.

There are five basic types of motorcycle helmets: full-face, off-road, modular, three-quarter open-face, and half helmets, also called shorties. In 1956, I bought my first bike, and my mother bought me a shorty helmet – that was all there was. Then around 1959 Bell introduced the 500TX, which may have been the first three-quarter open-face. I immediately sprung for one and wore open-faces for the next 20 years or so. Until I got a job in the industry and was told photos would be done with a full-face. I am mildly claustrophobic, but I adjusted to the enclosed feeling, more or less. Then modulars came along, and I’ve been a fan of those for many years, being able to lift up the chinbar when idling through town or going slow on a wooded lane.

Scorpion’s EXO-GT930 is called the Transformer because it serves both as a modular, with the chinbar and visor opening up, and as an open-face. You can easily detach the chinbar and faceshield and put on the peak visor. I like using the open-face configuration while riding along paved roads on a warm day through the little-trafficked countryside with vineyards and cattle.

Check out more of Rider’s helmet reviews

Modular crash-hats tend to be heavier than full-face ones because of the hinges and locking systems. Scorpion uses three different shells for the seven sizes, from XS to 3XL, and I figure my XL uses the largest. The modular configuration weighs 4.1 pounds; the open-face with peak visor weighs 3.4 pounds. The outer shell is polycarbonate, and the life-saving crushable middle portion is multi-density expanded polystyrene (or EPS), which absorbs impacts should you have the misfortune to use the helmet for its intended purpose. Inside is a removeable, washable KwikWick comfort liner, and the helmet stays put with a traditional double D-ring chinstrap.

The mechanism for flipping up the chinbar works just fine, and when opened it can be locked in place. Removing the chinbar and attached anti-fog faceshield is merely a matter of holding down the spring-loaded levers just below the pivot point, one at a time, and then pulling the chinbar forward. Easily done after a little practice, as is installing the peak visor. A drop-down tinted sun shield can be used in either configuration.

Ventilation, comfort, and build quality are good. Solid colors retail for $249.95-$254.95, and the Modulus graphic (shown) in three colorways retails for $269.95. A matte black version with an EXO-Com Bluetooth communication system retails for $424.95.

For more information, visit scorpionusa.com.

The post Scorpion EXO-GT930 Transformer Helmet | Gear Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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EngineHawk: Fall Collection Revealed Along with Site-Wide Black Friday Discounts

November 5, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

Ruroc‘s Motorcycle gear line has just announced a site-wide sale in commemoration of Black Friday – and as if the 30% discount weren’t enough, they’ve also given us three sweet items to add to the wardrobe.

Based out of the UK, EngineHawk is on a mission “to revolutionize the motorcycle apparel industry. We make gear that looks better, fits better, and performs better.” To that effect, the brand has managed to create a stylish – yet protective and functional – gear collection that suits Ruroc’s helmets to a tee.

EngineHawk’s official website states that their Black Friday sale features up to 30% off in discounts (with up to $130 off certain items) and will only be in effect for three more days, after which point everything returns to normal, and the drool-worthy leathers are hiked back to the regular price.

The all-new fall collection that’s just dropped contains three items: the MOTHER TRUCKER jacket, COMBAT shirt, and TACTICAL gilet (or vest) – the latter two of which go swimmingly when you purchase as a pair.

The website also boasts high-quality protection in all of their jackets. With material from Europe’s biggest manufacturer of PPE CE-approved armor, SASTEC, Enginehawk has managed to create a triple flex level 1 (and 2) for the back of their jackets, as well as shoulder and elbow armor to ensure safety above style, always.

Check out the photo gallery below if you’re curious about the new 2021 fall collection, and make sure to also head over to Enginehawk’s official website to take advantage of the discounts.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

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Schuberth R2 Carbon Helmet and SC1 Communicator | Gear Review

October 12, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

Schuberth R2 Carbon helmet review — The Schuberth R2 Carbon in Stroke Gold

According to Schuberth, its R2 Carbon helmet is the first full-face carbon helmet with an integrated communication system. Thanks to a pre-installed, invisible speaker, microphone, and antenna, this helmet comes factory-ready for easy installation of a branded Schuberth comm setup created in partnership with Sena.

The R2 Carbon is exceptionally light. Schuberth uses two shell sizes for the R2 line, which spans from sizes S to 2XL. With the SC1 intercom and battery installed, my XL R2 Carbon weighs 3 pounds, 2.1 ounces, about half a pound lighter than my Arai Corsair-X without a comm system – a significant weight reduction well appreciated during a long day’s ride.

Once you understand the insertion procedure for the separate battery and comm module, it’s easy to slide them into their little pockets on the bottom rim of the helmet. It took a little fiddling to get two SC1 sets – one for me and another for my wife, Katie – working and linked. Once the SC1s are paired, small and easy-to-reach rubber-sealed buttons on the comm module adjust volume levels. Simple and effective. We tried the helmet/comms setup with and without earplugs, and we both preferred plugs. The SC1 offers plenty of volume without distortion, and wind noise becomes less tiring with this method.

The R2 exudes quality and it’s well sealed to prevent wind noise from interfering with comms. So much so that behind a well-faired bike like our Honda Gold Wing, I was wishing for a couple more helmet vents beyond the two-position forehead vent and small chin vent. As a passenger, Katie felt airflow through the R2 was fine, comparable to other helmets. On non-faired bikes the R2 works better for me, so just be aware of the limited ventilation if you’re doing a lot of warm-weather riding on touring rigs.

The R2 Carbon has a fast-drying, antibacterial, removable, and washable comfort liner, as well as emergency-release cheekpads. The faceshield is easy to remove and reinstall, and an anti-fog insert comes standard. A tried-and-true double D-ring secures the chinstrap.

Overall, Katie and I are happy with the fit and comfort of the helmets, and we appreciated the ease of use of the communicators. We opted for the Stroke Gold graphic (shown), but the R2 Carbon also comes in Stroke Red, Bold Chrome, Cubature White, and Cubature Yellow. The R2 Carbon retails for $649, and the SC1 is $229.

For more information: See your dealer or visit schuberth.com

The post Schuberth R2 Carbon Helmet and SC1 Communicator | Gear Review first appeared on Rider Magazine.
Source: RiderMagazine.com

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HJC Releases First-Ever Red Bull Licensed Motorcycle Helmet

October 7, 2021 mcnews Leave a comment

HJC Helmets and Red Bull have been working on launching the ﬁrst-ever Red Bull licensed motorcycle helmet. Until now, any helmet sporting a Red Bull graphic has been exclusively available to sponsored riders, but HJC and Red Bull have partnered up to design a very special helmet, the RPHA 1 Red Bull Austin GP helmet.

For years, Circuit of the Americas has hosted a paramount MotoGP race for Red Bull, and the RPHA 1 Red Bull Austin GP helmet will pay tribute to this event with a graphic that celebrates the Grand Prix of the Americas. The sleek design accentuates the aerodynamic lines of the RPHA 1, HJC’s premium race helmet, while featuring the unmistakable Red Bull logo and COTA colors. The RPHA 1 has also been reserved for professional racers, but HJC will ﬁnally release their highly anticipated race helmet to the public in December 2021.

The RPHA 1N Red Bull Austin GP helmet was officially launched on October 3rd at the Red Bull Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas. October 3rd also marked the 50th anniversary for HJC Helmets.

HJC Helmets has released several successful licensed helmets in the past, but the RPHA 1N Red Bull Austin GP helmet is one of a kind. The largest helmet maker in the world has teamed up with one of the most popular brands in motorsport.

The relationship began with HJC supporting the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and becoming the official helmet partner for the series. From there, the relationship evolved and the next step of the partnership sees the release of an exclusive helmet collection that will be available to all motorcycle riders, something that has not been done before with any other brand.

MSRP for the RPHA 1N Red Bull Austin GP helmet is $949.99. For more information, visit hjchelmets.com.

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Source: RiderMagazine.com

*Media sourced from PR Newswire, Equitise, and Vital MX*

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