AGV Corsa R Full Face Helmet Review

The AGV Corsa (and revised Corsa-R) is AGVs second-in-line sports/racing crash helmet. The carbon fiber Pista GP-R was developed alongside Valentino Rossi and is a no holds-barred helmet that’s designed for folks who spend their days on the track or tucked in at high speed. It was also very, very expensive. So AGV created the composite fiber Corsa (carbon/aramid/fiberglass); it’s more or less the same helmet but it’s designed to be a little cheaper (or shall we say less expensive!) and more rider-friendly. It’s still meant for use on the track and with a sports bike, but it’s supposed to be mildly less extreme and easier to live with.

Designed for sportsbike riders
Carbon/aramid/fiberglass full face
SHARP 5/5 safety rating
DOT/ECE certified
EQRS Interior
3Lbs/1.35Kg (light)
Wide, optically correct 3.3mm visor
Great ventilation
Typical price range: $650-$900 (model dependent)

Looking to buy an AGV Corsa R?

Please click below to drop onto the AGV Corsa R helmets pages at Amazon. And if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Corsa or Corsa R?

The Corsa was upgraded slightly in 2017 to become the Corsa-R. The R version has double-sided pads inside the comfort lining (choose between warm or cooling sides) as well as a slightly thicker 5mm visor and uprated ventilation. There’s also EQRS now fitted to the R.

Safety

AGV have an excellent reputation for building safe crash helmets (they’re joint 3rd in our safest helmet brands review). The Corsa is no let down. Its shell is made of a composite of fiberglass, Aramid and carbon fiber and it obviously does its job well because it scored top marks in the SHARP crash helmet test.

AGV Corsa '23' crash helmet design side view — The funky AGV Corsa ’23’ design

Most top-of-the-range lids are manufactured in three helmet shell sizes (different from fitting sizes) but the AGV Corsa comes in four, reflecting AGVs desire to make a lid that fits everyone. It also points to the fact that having a helmet that closely matches your head size is probably safer, having the right ratio of EPS polystyrene padding to shell size.

Another safety feature, that we’ll come onto more in the visor section, is that the Shield opening is wide and high – both giving better visibility and hence helping with safety both on the road and track. It’s also much thicker than normal to give added crash protection.

For other safety features, check the Racing section below. But for now, suffice to say in terms of safety, AGV have done a great job.

Helmet Noise

Of course, racers probably aren’t that interested in a super-quiet helmet because they wear ear plugs. And that’s reflected in the Corsa’s relatively poor showing in terms of noise suppression. Sure, it’s got a chin curtain that does cut out some noise, but AGVs focus on ventilation and performance is at the cost of making a helmet that’s noisier than most. Again, if you’re going to be using it on track lots or religiously use ear plugs for every journey, that’s not going to be a deal-breaker for you. But most owners say it’s around average to poor for quietness.

AGV Corsa crash helmet gloss black rear view — Rear of the Corsa in Gloss black – click to enlarge

Size & Comfort

As mentioned previously, the Corsa comes in four shell sizes. That wide variety of shells is echoed in the larger than usual range of internal fitments – from XS to XXL as usual but with two medium sizes instead of the more conventional one – there’s an MS and a ML. The MS being size 57-58 and the ML covering sizes 59-60. So if you buy a Corsa, double check you order the right size.

If that all sounds a bit of a worry, then fear not. Owners are amazed at how well the Corsa fits – and for good reason. The AGV blurb does say that the helmet’s been designed from the inside out – putting the size and shapes of their customer’s head at the centre of the design, rather than creating the shell then fiddling around with the internals so it fits. And while this could be marketing-speak, it is actually reflected in owners’ views with most saying that if it doesn’t fit perfectly out of the box, a little fiddling with the lining can create a great fitting for anyone this side of an ET head shape!

That’s because the helmet liner is both adjustable, using velcro straps to shorten or lengthen it, and has small pockets that allow you to add foam inserts, again to adjust the shape. And by all accounts, it works very well with no problems with fit or comfort once the size and fitment’s correct.

AGV Corsa crash helmet white front view — Front view showing sculpted chin and head aero

The lining itself is made of lycra and Shalimar (weren’t they a 70’s disco outfit?!) and it’s fully removable and washable – though there was a problem with the studs shearing off on early models so be careful when you pop the lining out.

Ventilation

Ventilation is another area where the AGV Corsa R is good. If you’re at the track all day, you need lots of ventilation and AGV (using feedback from Rossi and others) have increased the amount of air the vents bring in at race speeds.

Unlike the always-open vents on the Pista GP-R (to be fair, you can push a rubber bung in them!), all vents on the Corsa are closable with a slider. Apparently they’re often a bit stiff at first but work OK after a bit of use and getting used to them, and they bring masses of air through the EPS lining, past the comfort lining and onto the head to keep you cool. There are a couple of rear exhaust vents too to remove the hot air.

Having said all that, reports from owners are that the ventilation’s great, but only when you’re going over 50 and especially when you’ve got your head down in a race tuck – otherwise they’re only average. Many people find the forehead vents very fiddly to operate, especially with gloves too. So overall, ventilation is good, but with a couple of caveats.

Shield

Given that good vision and trouble-free operation is a vital prerequisite for any racer, it’s good to see that AGV have done just about everything right here. The shield aperture itself is wider than normal to give outstanding peripheral vision (in fact one owner said he had to re-calibrate his stopping markers on the track because he could see so much more!) but it’s also taller. That means when you’re tucked in, the top of the shield opening shouldn’t get in the way of your vision.

AGV Corsa crash helmet velocity side view — The most popular design is the velocity – this one’s the white/black/red

Which is a great touch and really shows they listen to their customers – or rather it would do if it wasn’t for a potential fly in the ointment. It’s been said that the top edge of the visor can distort a little, reducing the effective viewing angle. It needs saying that it’s only one or two owners which report these problems, but it’s worth being aware. I’d expect that AGV have sorted both these flaws by now since the helmet’s been on the market for a good few months at the time of writing.

That last problem is slightly perplexing (perspexing?) because the shield on the Corsa is an optical class one shield, meaning it’s manufactured to be optically true without distortion, so maybe it was a bad batch that got circulated. It’s also a 3.3mm shield which is much thicker than normal and designed to offer extra protection during a crash – and it has a central locking mechanism to stop it flipping open too. Nice.

The Corsa’s shield also has a really nice quick-release mechanism; just crack open the shield, pull a tab and out it pops. To insert the shield, it just clicks in to place at either side.

Racing

The Corsa R is, of course, designed to work for racers. So there’s lots of features that racers will appreciate. Not only does the Corsa look cool, but it’s designed to be stable while riding at speed. It has a small front area where it attacks the air to reduce wind resistance and channels the air over the helmet and towards a rear spoiler. The spoiler has the dual purpose of reducing helmet lift and directing air over the rear hump of your race suit. It’s also designed to break off in an accident rather than dig in and rotate the helmet, which is a great touch.

Not only is the helmet’s aero designed to work with the hump of your suit, but the bottom edge is shaped to reduce the possibility of collar bone fracture in the event of a fall. There’s no information as to whether this works, but it’s good to know AGV have thought it through. It might just make the difference between pulling yourself up out of the gravel trap and dusting yourself down – or a lengthy/miserable trip to hospital.

AGV Corsa crash helmet Rossi Misano side view — Valentino Rossi’s Misano Corsa

Looks & Graphics

If you’re paying top dollar for a race lid, you want all the technical aspects to be covered of course, but you also want it to look the business too. Well, AGV seem to have done it right because the Corsa looks lean and purposeful. And while there’s only a limited number of graphics available – and they’re very much down to personal preference – the fact that both Valentino Rossi and Guy Martin use one (OK they use a Pista GP but they look the same!) and the fact the Corsa is available in both Rossi and Guy Martin’s colors is going to add to the Corsa’s kudos. AGV do a plain gloss black & white version, as well as a couple of Rossi graphics (Soleluna and the funky Misano) and the recent Guy Martin replica (at the top of the page) but most options are a variant on their popular Velocity color scheme.

Best places to buy an AGV Corsa R helmet?

Pleas

The AGV Corsa (and revised Corsa-R) is AGVs second-in-line sports/racing crash helmet. The carbon fiber Pista GP-R was developed alongside Valentino Rossi and is a no holds-barred helmet that’s designed for folks who spend their days on the track or tucked in at high speed. It was also very, very expensive. So AGV created the composite fiber Corsa (carbon/aramid/fiberglass); it’s more or less the same helmet but it’s designed to be a little cheaper (or shall we say less expensive!) and more rider-friendly. It’s still meant for use on the track and with a sports bike, but it’s supposed to be mildly less extreme and easier to live with.

Designed for sportsbike riders
Carbon/aramid/fiberglass full face
SHARP 5/5 safety rating
DOT/ECE certified
EQRS Interior
3Lbs/1.35Kg (light)
Wide, optically correct 3.3mm visor
Great ventilation
Typical price range: $650-$900 (model dependent)

Looking to buy an AGV Corsa R?

Please click below to drop onto the AGV Corsa R helmets pages at Amazon. And if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Corsa or Corsa R?

The Corsa was upgraded slightly in 2017 to become the Corsa-R. The R version has double-sided pads inside the comfort lining (choose between warm or cooling sides) as well as a slightly thicker 5mm visor and uprated ventilation. There’s also EQRS now fitted to the R.

Safety

AGV have an excellent reputation for building safe crash helmets (they’re joint 3rd in our safest helmet brands review). The Corsa is no let down. Its shell is made of a composite of fiberglass, Aramid and carbon fiber and it obviously does its job well because it scored top marks in the SHARP crash helmet test.

Most top-of-the-range lids are manufactured in three helmet shell sizes (different from fitting sizes) but the AGV Corsa comes in four, reflecting AGVs desire to make a lid that fits everyone. It also points to the fact that having a helmet that closely matches your head size is probably safer, having the right ratio of EPS polystyrene padding to shell size.

Another safety feature, that we’ll come onto more in the visor section, is that the Shield opening is wide and high – both giving better visibility and hence helping with safety both on the road and track. It’s also much thicker than normal to give added crash protection.

For other safety features, check the Racing section below. But for now, suffice to say in terms of safety, AGV have done a great job.

Helmet Noise

Of course, racers probably aren’t that interested in a super-quiet helmet because they wear ear plugs. And that’s reflected in the Corsa’s relatively poor showing in terms of noise suppression. Sure, it’s got a chin curtain that does cut out some noise, but AGVs focus on ventilation and performance is at the cost of making a helmet that’s noisier than most. Again, if you’re going to be using it on track lots or religiously use ear plugs for every journey, that’s not going to be a deal-breaker for you. But most owners say it’s around average to poor for quietness.

Size & Comfort

As mentioned previously, the Corsa comes in four shell sizes. That wide variety of shells is echoed in the larger than usual range of internal fitments – from XS to XXL as usual but with two medium sizes instead of the more conventional one – there’s an MS and a ML. The MS being size 57-58 and the ML covering sizes 59-60. So if you buy a Corsa, double check you order the right size.

If that all sounds a bit of a worry, then fear not. Owners are amazed at how well the Corsa fits – and for good reason. The AGV blurb does say that the helmet’s been designed from the inside out – putting the size and shapes of their customer’s head at the centre of the design, rather than creating the shell then fiddling around with the internals so it fits. And while this could be marketing-speak, it is actually reflected in owners’ views with most saying that if it doesn’t fit perfectly out of the box, a little fiddling with the lining can create a great fitting for anyone this side of an ET head shape!

That’s because the helmet liner is both adjustable, using velcro straps to shorten or lengthen it, and has small pockets that allow you to add foam inserts, again to adjust the shape. And by all accounts, it works very well with no problems with fit or comfort once the size and fitment’s correct.

The lining itself is made of lycra and Shalimar (weren’t they a 70’s disco outfit?!) and it’s fully removable and washable – though there was a problem with the studs shearing off on early models so be careful when you pop the lining out.

Ventilation

Ventilation is another area where the AGV Corsa R is good. If you’re at the track all day, you need lots of ventilation and AGV (using feedback from Rossi and others) have increased the amount of air the vents bring in at race speeds.

Unlike the always-open vents on the Pista GP-R (to be fair, you can push a rubber bung in them!), all vents on the Corsa are closable with a slider. Apparently they’re often a bit stiff at first but work OK after a bit of use and getting used to them, and they bring masses of air through the EPS lining, past the comfort lining and onto the head to keep you cool. There are a couple of rear exhaust vents too to remove the hot air.

Having said all that, reports from owners are that the ventilation’s great, but only when you’re going over 50 and especially when you’ve got your head down in a race tuck – otherwise they’re only average. Many people find the forehead vents very fiddly to operate, especially with gloves too. So overall, ventilation is good, but with a couple of caveats.

Shield

Given that good vision and trouble-free operation is a vital prerequisite for any racer, it’s good to see that AGV have done just about everything right here. The shield aperture itself is wider than normal to give outstanding peripheral vision (in fact one owner said he had to re-calibrate his stopping markers on the track because he could see so much more!) but it’s also taller. That means when you’re tucked in, the top of the shield opening shouldn’t get in the way of your vision.

Which is a great touch and really shows they listen to their customers – or rather it would do if it wasn’t for a potential fly in the ointment. It’s been said that the top edge of the visor can distort a little, reducing the effective viewing angle. It needs saying that it’s only one or two owners which report these problems, but it’s worth being aware. I’d expect that AGV have sorted both these flaws by now since the helmet’s been on the market for a good few months at the time of writing.

That last problem is slightly perplexing (perspexing?) because the shield on the Corsa is an optical class one shield, meaning it’s manufactured to be optically true without distortion, so maybe it was a bad batch that got circulated. It’s also a 3.3mm shield which is much thicker than normal and designed to offer extra protection during a crash – and it has a central locking mechanism to stop it flipping open too. Nice.

The Corsa’s shield also has a really nice quick-release mechanism; just crack open the shield, pull a tab and out it pops. To insert the shield, it just clicks in to place at either side.

Racing

The Corsa R is, of course, designed to work for racers. So there’s lots of features that racers will appreciate. Not only does the Corsa look cool, but it’s designed to be stable while riding at speed. It has a small front area where it attacks the air to reduce wind resistance and channels the air over the helmet and towards a rear spoiler. The spoiler has the dual purpose of reducing helmet lift and directing air over the rear hump of your race suit. It’s also designed to break off in an accident rather than dig in and rotate the helmet, which is a great touch.

Not only is the helmet’s aero designed to work with the hump of your suit, but the bottom edge is shaped to reduce the possibility of collar bone fracture in the event of a fall. There’s no information as to whether this works, but it’s good to know AGV have thought it through. It might just make the difference between pulling yourself up out of the gravel trap and dusting yourself down – or a lengthy/miserable trip to hospital.

Looks & Graphics

If you’re paying top dollar for a race lid, you want all the technical aspects to be covered of course, but you also want it to look the business too. Well, AGV seem to have done it right because the Corsa looks lean and purposeful. And while there’s only a limited number of graphics available – and they’re very much down to personal preference – the fact that both Valentino Rossi and Guy Martin use one (OK they use a Pista GP but they look the same!) and the fact the Corsa is available in both Rossi and Guy Martin’s colors is going to add to the Corsa’s kudos. AGV do a plain gloss black & white version, as well as a couple of Rossi graphics (Soleluna and the funky Misano) and the recent Guy Martin replica (at the top of the page) but most options are a variant on their popular Velocity color scheme.

Best places to buy an AGV Corsa R helmet?

Please click below to drop onto the AGV Corsa R helmet pages at Amazon. And if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Video

Here’s a completely independent and unbiased video (ahem) from AGV UK showing the AGV Corsa Italy. It’s worth a watch though as it does give you a feel for the helmet and explains many of the features of the lid.

Other stuff – fasteners & weight

The Corsa comes with a double-d ring locking mechanism on the strap. A medium sized helmet weighs in at just under 3Lbs (1.35Kg) making it a very light helmet – most owners are surprised just how light the Corsa is.

Useful helmet buying information

You can find useful articles and resources to help you buy the right crash helmet and get the right fitting here.

Overall

The AGV Corsa R is a great helmet for racers and fast sportsbike owners. It’s been designed to be a more user-friendly and cheaper version of the Pista-GP, their top of the range track-only lid. And it works. The amount of thought and attention gone into safety is second to none. It’s comfortable, has great aero and ventilation and its shield system works very well on the track. As long as you don’t have niggles with the shield (see the shield section above) and can live with its uncompromising nature (and the price) then you’ll be very happy with the Corsa R – one of the best sportsbike crash helmets around.

You can check out reviews of other AGV crash helmets here.

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Star Ratings

e click below to drop onto the AGV Corsa R helmet pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Video

Here’s a completely independent and unbiased video (ahem) from AGV UK showing the AGV Corsa Italy. It’s worth a watch though as it does give you a feel for the helmet and explains many of the features of the lid.

Other stuff – fasteners & weight

The Corsa comes with a double-d ring locking mechanism on the strap. A medium sized helmet weighs in at just under 3Lbs (1.35Kg) making it a very light helmet – most owners are surprised just how light the Corsa is.

Useful helmet buying information

You can find useful articles and resources to help you buy the right crash helmet and get the right fitting here.

Overall

The AGV Corsa R is a great helmet for racers and fast sportsbike owners. It’s been designed to be a more user-friendly and cheaper version of the Pista-GP, their top of the range track-only lid. And it works. The amount of thought and attention gone into safety is second to none. It’s comfortable, has great aero and ventilation and its shield system works very well on the track. As long as you don’t have niggles with the shield (see the shield section above) and can live with its uncompromising nature (and the price) then you’ll be very happy with the Corsa R – one of the best sportsbike crash helmets around.

You can check out reviews of other AGV crash helmets here.

Looking to buy an AGV Corsa R?

Please click below to drop onto the AGV Corsa R helmets pages at Amazon. And if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

[xyz-ihs snippet=”AGV-Cat-link”]

Star Ratings

Schuberth C3 Pro (and C3 Pro Woman) crash helmet review

Schuberth C3 Pro in Observer Yellow colours — Schuberth C3 Pro in Observer Yellow colors

Page Contents

Schuberth C3 Pro crash helmet. A high quality (and higher-priced) modular helmet.

In a similar way to other German engineering companies, Schuberth have grown a reputation for producing high quality, well-built and more premium-priced products. They have classic, well-designed looks and with high profile F1 sponsorships first with Michael Schumacher and more recently with Reubens Barrichello and Nico Rosberg, they’ve established themselves as a very much premium crash helmet brand.

The similarities with other German companies doesn’t end there either. In the same way a BMWs 3 GS undergoes evolutionary improvements rather than massive wholesale changes, the C3 Pro is an evolutionary development of the original C3, with Schuberth looking to address some of the problems reported by owners of the previous model. They’ve also added a ladies version to the range too with the aim of fine tuning the fitment to the female face shape.

So is this sporty flip-up helmet worth its premium price and does it live up to the hype?

Overall/Summary

The Schuberth C3 Pro is a beautifully crafted but slightly flawed motorcycle helmet. Build quality is exemplary and it’s a hugely comfortable place to put your head; and it’s made from carefully selected, quality materials. It’s also pleasing on the eye, light for a modular and has great aero qualities with excellent buffeting and turbulence performance reported by owners. However, some of the design goals of creating a sporty, quiet, safe helmet haven’t been quite met. While it’s DOT/ECE certified, it achieved only an average 3 star SHARP safety score, and isn’t as real-world quiet as some of the press would have you believe.

Having said that, it’s still an easy crash helmet to live with which most owners love and, with its long manufacturer’s warranty, should keep you happy through years of solid service.

Schuberth-C3-Pro-crash-helmet-fluo-yellow-open — With chin guard fully raised on the C3 Pro Fluo Yellow

3 stars SHARP safety rated
A modular aimed at sportier riders
5 year warranty
Fibreglass shell
3.5lbs/1.57Kg (lightweight for a flip-up helmet)
Sizes XXS-XXXL
Expect to pay between $450-$680 (depending on design/retailer)

Looking to buy a Schuberth C3?

Please click below to visit the Schuberth C3 helmets page at our recommended store – checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Safety

The most important feature of any crash helmet is its ability to protect the head in an accident, right?

The Schuberth C3 Pro has a fiberglass composite shell that’s designed to be light yet durable. It has, of course, been DOT certified and ECE 22.05 tested/approved, like all helmets must be. But it’s also been independently SHARP safety tested where it scored 3 stars out of a maximum 5. That’s a fairly average score for such an obviously thoroughly designed and well-engineered helmet. It performed pretty badly on the side impact tests and was less than glowing on the rear impact tests too which is disappointing.

Schuberth-C3-Pro-motorcycle-helmet-intensity-black — Intensity Black design

On the plus side, where many flip-up helmets fall down is that they fail to keep their chin guard closed and locked through all the tests. In the C3 Pro’s case, the chin guard stayed fully locked in 97% of impacts, which is a very good score (see our crash helmet safety guide to find out which brands score 100%).

Other safety-related features: both visors are very clear and optically correct, helping reduce eye fatigue. And the micrometric chin strap is not only easy to use but safe too.

All in all, the Schuberth C3 Pro probably isn’t going to give you the same level of protection as some of our SHARP 5 star tested crash helmets, and is about average compared with most other SHARP tested helmets on the market.

Helmet Noise

One of the big features Schuberth highlights about the C3 Pro in its marketing bumf is that its one of the quietest helmets in the world. Indeed, Schuberth uses wind-tunnel testing when creating their helmets, not only to make sure they’re streamlined to reduce rolling resistance and buffeting but to ensure their helmets are quiet for the rider.

And it’s worked. Kinda. Some owners say it’s incredibly quiet while others say they’re disappointed. So what’s going on?

As far as I can work out, if you keep the removable chin curtain in place (which reduces sound ingress from below) and keep the vents closed, it’s mostly pretty quiet. That’s especially true if you’re riding a naked bike or your head’s in clear air. Throw in turbulence from a fairing however or open the vents/remove the chin guard and things can get pretty noisy.

As usual, it’s also very much dependent on what your previous helmet was too. If you’re used to riding with a sports helmet (where noise suppression is usually secondary to light weight or increased ventilation for example) then you’ll most likely love how quiet and serene the C3 Pro is. Conversely if your last helmet was a well-padded touring helmet, then you might not be so impressed.

Of course, flip-up helmets are broadly much noisier than the equivalent full-face helmet (so if quiet’s important to you, go for a full face). However, we rate helmet noise across the types of helmet and, from what owners are saying, the C3 Pro is only about average for keeping things quiet.

Schuberth-C3-Pro-crash-helmet-racing-red — Lovely Racing Red version

Size

The Schuberth C3 Pro is made in a massive range of fitment sizes; from XXS to XXXL (though XXXL is special order only), which is great for those of us struggling to find a really small or large helmet as most only come in sizes XS – XXL.

However, the C3 Pro is only constructed in two shell sizes. You’d expect more shell sizes for a helmet at this price point – most premium helmets are made in at least three shell sizes and we’re starting to see some made in four shell sizes. Just two shells isn’t a good thing because it means they have to over or under-pad the helmet to make it fit the various fitment sizes which can leave the helmet looking proportionally too big or too small on the rider and, arguably, it might compromise safety levels too.

If you’re looking to order a C3 Pro, it’s also worth noting that owners say Schuberth’s sizing is generally a little under-sized, so if in doubt or you’re usually in between sizes, order a size above your usual helmet size. Having said that, Schuberth do offer replacement cheek pads to allow you to fine tune the fitment.

And of course, this padding is further developed in the C3 Pro Woman version which is, and I quote; ‘optimised for smaller head shapes and takes into account the particular female face shape with special cushioning in the area of the cheeks.’ Ahem. So, if you’re a lady and you have a problem finding a helmet to fit snugly, it might be worth giving the C3 Pro Woman a shot.

Ventilation

Schuberth-C3-Pro-venting-system — Ventilation routing of the C3 Pro

Improved ventilation is another area Schuberth have worked hard on and their literature does throw lots of factoids about how many gallons of air they scoop up and blow into the helmet.

The C3 Pro has a single chin vent operated by a very easy to use toggle switch and a slider on the top of the helmet to open the forehead vents – again which is easy to use.

However, there’s mixed feelings about how well the vents actual perform. Broadly, it can be summarised as OK. They pull enough air in to keep you cool in the summer, though some owners suspect that opening the vents does increase noise inside the helmet. And in the winter, a few riders do complain that the ventilation doesn’t really pull enough air into the visor area as they find steaming a problem – a couple of people even complaining about it when they’ve got a Pinlock fitted!

Shield

The Schuberth C3 Pro comes with a clear external shield and a drop down sun visor.

The main shield is an ‘optical class 1’ shield which means it’s created to be as optically clear and distortion free as possible – and owners report that if you’ve not worn a class 1 shield before, it’s really noticeably better. It has a couple of tabs at the bottom which is a great idea and allows riders (and pillions) to easily open the shield from either side. It also has small triangular shapes protruding from the top of the shield called turbulators – there, according to Schuberth, to reduce wind noise and whistling. Nobody’s really sure if they work and the occasional owner has reported annoying whistling from their C3 Pro so it’s anybody’s guess whether it’s an improvement or gimmick (let’s face it, nobody else seems to use them).

Schuberth-C3-Pro-dark-classic-orange-side-view — Moody C3 Pro Dark in classic orange

Other than that, the main shield has a nice positive feel, works on a ratchet and has an excellent tool-free quick removal system.

The internal sun visor works well too. It’s a polycarbonate anti-scratch sun visor (not all are) and drops down lower than the shield on the previous C3 model after improvement in response to rider feedback. People who owned the previous model also complained it had a tendency to rattle or slam closed – something fixed on the C3 Pro. Nice one Schuberth!

A final note on the visor is that it comes with a Pinlock Original anti-fog insert in the box, which is great (but double-check with your retailer). The only slight issue is that because the C3 Pro is a sportier helmet, if you do ride a sportsbike with a C3 Pro in a tuck position, you may well find the top of the Pinlock drops into your line of sight – which can get irritating.

Chin Guard

There’s no problems reported with the chin guard on the Schuberth C3 Pro either. As mentioned, it’s (almost) as safe as houses in that it remained locked in 97% of impact tests in the SHARP labs and that’s probably down to the solid metal locking mechanism and tabs.

It’s a particularly impressive score because you only need to press a single button to unlock the Schuberth chin guard (many need a squeeze of two buttons) which makes the C3 Pro particularly easy to open with one hand.

Comfort

Schuberth have put a great deal of effort into making the inside of the C3 Pro as comfortable and high-performing as possible – and it’s worked. Quite a few owners comment just how nice and plush the inside is and how all-day comfortable it is.

Schuberth use high quality materials inside. That includes ‘Coolmax’ panels, designed to regulate temperature, and Interpower coatings designed to wick sweat away from the head.

Also, for the first time we’ve seen in a helmet, the internal materials are Oeko-Tek approved. That’s a certification used to ensure fabrics that come into contact with people don’t contain harmful substances; the more closely they come into contact, the more stringent the approval process. So if you wear your lid every day or you have particularly sensitive skin (not that us bikers are concerned with such namby pamby stuff 🙂 ) then it might be a tick in the box for you.

The previous generation of C3 had problems with quite a few riders complaining about pressure points on the forehead. That area’s been reshaped and most owners reckon it’s a great improvement. However, getting the basics right is still no less important. So, if you’re unused to the world of motorbike crash helmets, check our crash helmet fitting guide first).

Looks & Graphics

Because it’s aimed at sports riders, the C3 Pro is streamlined and physically a little smaller than many other modular helmets. It’s a looker though and its clean and classy designs and paint schemes nicely complement Schuberth’s reserved and conservative image.

Schuberth-C3-Pro-woman-pearl-pink — Schuberth C3 Pro Woman in Pearl Pink

All the usual plain color schemes are available along with nice Racing Red, Gloss Silver and high-viz Fluo Yellow versions. The Dark Classic versions have a hint of swoopy red or orange lines while the Intensity (black or blue) has a classic and moody look.

The C3 Pro Woman (right) comes in Gloss (Pearl) white, Matt Black and Pearl Pink.

You’ll see all the designs available at the time of writing dotted around this page – but to see all the latest color schemes and graphics, click the links to our recommended retailers (below) which will drop you straight onto their Schuberth pages.

Best places to buy a Schuberth C3?

Please click below to visit the Schuberth C3 helmets pages at our recommended store – checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Video

To get a bit more ‘hands on’ with the C3 Pro, here’s a quick demonstration from Schuberth’s distributors at TranAm.

Other stuff – build quality, fasteners, glasses, buffeting, communicator

One overriding comment from owners of the C3 Pro is that it has great build quality. They use quality parts, careful construction and their QA process seems to work well so that you get a beautifully crafted and well engineered helmet that should last.

As mentioned, the C3 Pro comes with a micrometric fastener on the chin strap. That’s fine – they’re quick to use and safe. Schuberth have also moved the strap forwards a bit from the original C3 in response to some owners complaining it cuts into the neck a bit. So if that was a problem for you, you should find the C3 Pro is a bit more comfortable.

Similarly, there’s a bit more clearance for glasses wearers between glasses and the shield/chin guard now – another thing Schuberth listened and improved.

It’s also worth mentioning that it looks like the time spent in the wind tunnel by Schuberth’s designers was well spent, because lots of owners say the C3 Pro is a really stable helmet with very little buffeting or turbulence at speed.

Schuberth-C3-Pro-SRC-communicator — Schuberth SRC communicator controls clip to the underside of the helmet

Many owners of more expensive helmets like to add communication systems to them, and Schuberth have gone to town on integrating their Schuberth Rider Communication SRC System (apparently created for Schuberth by Cardo Systems) with the C3 Pro. The control unit of the SRC clips snugly onto the base of the helmet while the speakers and microphone are designed to fit without fuss. The main trick up the C3 Pro’s sleeve though is that Schuberth have pre-installed two antennas into the fabric of each helmet, designed to offer excellent range and signal quality (apparently their length is ideal for FM signal reception).

Word is that it’s excellent and, for rider-to-rider communications (up to 9 riders) has an effective line-of-sight range of about 1000 metres, give or take. Schuberth retailers (including those linked to below) offer a single package of C3 Pro together with SRC kit.

And finally, it’s a big chunk of money that Schuberth want for the C3 Pro. So it’s comforting to know that it comes with their standard 5 year manufacturer’s guarantee (you need to register your helmet on the Schuberth website to activate it).

Alternatives to the C3 Pro?

There’s plenty of modular helmets out there to choose from. That includes the SHARP 5 star rated Caberg Tourmax (about half the price of the Schuberth), Shoei’s top of the range Neotec modular which is SHARP 4 star safety rated and well worth a look; and the Nolan 104 which is another four star rated modular helmet. Alternatively, click to see all our flip-up crash helmet reviews or visit our top 10 modular crash helmets page.

Looking to buy a Schuberth C3?

Please click below to visit the Schuberth C3 helmets page at our recommended store – checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

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Star Ratings

Shark Skwal 2 Motorcycle Helmet: a great all rounder with built-in LEDs

Page Contents

Shark Skwal 2 review: a mid-priced polycarbonate street helmet with LEDs

The original Skwal helmet has only been with us a couple of years but Shark has decided it’s time for a revamp.

Which is a bit surprising, since the first Skwal is both highly rated by owners and scored well in the SHARP helmet safety test, so should offer great accident protection too.

In our original Skwal 1 helmet review, it scored 3.9 out of 5 stars overall, with the only thing that really let the helmet down being the fact that it was a bit noisy; though of course that’s not a deal breaker for most of us who wear ear plugs.

However, that was one of the goals Shark had for the Skwal 2 – to improve soundproofing along with tweaking the aerodynamics to improve stability. They also say they’ve brightened up the LED lights that you’ll find front and rear on the Skwal 2.

So let’s have a look over what the new Shark Skwal 2 has to offer for its slightly heftier price tag.

Thermoplastic full face helmet
SHARP 4 star safety rated (not Snell)
DOT and ECE versions available
Integrated LEDs front and rear
Drop down sun visor
Pinlock Max Vision antifog insert included
Double-D ring fastener
Internal groove for glasses
5 year warranty
Sizes XS-XL
Weighs around 3.3lbs (1.5Kg)
Expect to pay $260-$299 (depending on graphics)

Looking to buy a Shark Skwal 2?

Please click below to visit the Shark Skwal 2 helmets pages at Amazon and our recommended store, Revzilla. And if you buy from either, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

shark-skwal-2-switch-rider-helmet-side-view — The Shark Skwal 2 Switch Rider

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

The old Skwal did very well in the SHARP safety test, scoring a very creditable 4/5 stars.

It hasn’t been Snell tested yet (Shark don’t really get the Snell guys to test their helmets) but the French made Shark Skwal 2 is DOT certified, or if you buy in Europe/Oz/SA etc. it’ll be ECE 22-05 test certified.

In the last Skwal helmet review, we commented that every polycarbonate Shark helmet has scored at least four stars in the SHARP test (at least, for the last few years they have).

Well, now SHARP has tested this latest Skwal too – and guess what? Yup, the Skwal 2 has scored four stars for safety as well!

shark skwal 2 sharp impact test results — Skwal 2 Impact zone SHARP ratings courtesy of & copyright sharp.dft.gov.uk

Which I guess isn’t surprising, not least of which because the Shark Skwal 2 shares a similar (albeit tweaked) helmet shell shape and similar internals to the original Skwal.

As you can see on the Skwal 2 SHARP test results diagram, the Skwal 2 gives slightly less impact protection on the sides during the 8.5m/s impact test.

That’s a fairly common flaw tbh – if a helmet’s going to have a weakness, it tends to be on the sides.

But overall, it’s a decent result and means you can probably rely on the Skwal 2 to do its job if the worst happens and you hit the deck.

Other than these lab tests, there’s a bunch of other features that the Skwal 2 has that help with safety.

shark-skwal-2-flynn-motorbike-helmet-front-view — Front view of the Skwal 2 Flynn. LEDs are in green.

The most obvious of these with the Skwal 2 is the continued use of LED lights front and rear that we saw with the Skwal 1.

The Skwal 2 has new brighter LEDs than the old helmet and of course they’re powered by a similar integrated battery pack that’s charged by an (included) USB charger.

If you’re looking for the lights on the photos, you can see them in green: one pair above the shield and another pair below at the front of the helmet. There’s another pair to the rear too, just below the rear spoiler.

Other safety features include a quick-release micrometric fastener on the strap and a Pinlock Max Vision insert to keep your vision fog-free (included in the box).

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

Owners of the first gen Skwal rated it at somewhere between average to noisy when it comes to helmet noise, depending on who you asked.

Well, Shark reckon they’ve improved the ‘autoseal’ shield system and revised the aerodynamics on the new helmet: all with a view to make the Skwal 2 both more stable and quieter.

Did it work? Well, there’s still a massively mixed range of opinions out there, with some owners still saying it’s a noisy helmet or okay as long as you’re wearing ear plugs.

Looking across the range of opinions though, there’s definitely more saying they find it either quieter than their last helmet(s) or just plain quiet.

Overall then, we’ll score the Shark Skwal 2 as being slightly quieter than your average helmet, but still not what you’d call a really quiet helmet.

So, Shark has managed to improve things slightly over the original Skwal, just as they claim.

But don’t expect to ride in a Skwal 2 without ear plugs (obviously, the same goes for any helmet if you’re doing anything more than a handful of urban, low speed miles).

shark-skwal-2-motorcycle-helmet-trion-yellow-black-rear-view — Rear vents, spoiler and LEDs on the Skwal 2 Trion

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

The Skwal 2 has a single chin vent and a single forehead vent operated by a small slider.

That’s more or less the same system as we saw in the Skwal 1 where it was seen as basic but working reasonably well.

And the word on the ventilation system on the Skwal 2 is that it’s pretty similar.

It flows a reasonable amount of air but it’s nothing to shout home about. A few owners reckon it could be improved and there’s a couple saying that the chin vent is a bit flimsy – although to be fair that’s pretty much the only moan that we’ve found more than one owner having about the Skwal 2.

If you need a helmet to keep you cool in the summer, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you’re a more Northern rider then it might not bother you too much.

One thing that’s really welcome is the addition of a Pinlock Max Vision anti-fog insert (‘free’ in the box) to help out the ventilation around the shield and keep things from misting up in all but the most intense situations.

Shield

(more about shields)

The shield system on the Skwal 2 is both quick release and, as mentioned, comes with a Pinlock Max vision anti-fog insert in the box.

The shield works on a ratchet with the opening tab on the left hand side only.

shark-skwal-2-lorenzo-helmet-side-view — Light-up Lorenzo Rep

Shark reckon they’ve improved the shield system to make for a tighter fit and to improve aerodynamics.

And most owners seem to agree saying the seal’s nice and tight and the shield’s easy to use.

And the inclusion of a Pinlock Max Vision (the anti-fog insert that covers almost the entire internal surface of the shield) is really welcome as they’re one of the best ways to keep your shield fog-free.

For more information on Pinlocks click here. Or to find other helmets that are either Pinlock-ready or come with a Pinlock included click here.

Sun Visor

(more about sun visors)

There’s a drop-down sun visor on the Shark Skwal 2 which is operated by rotating the pointy dial you can see on the left hand side of the shield pivot.

The main thing to say about the sun visor on the Skwal 2 is that several owners say it’s great how low the sun visor drops down to cover all your vision.

Over the years, we’ve come across lots of comments about sun visors complaining that they leave a bright stripe at the bottom because they don’t drop down low enough.

So, if that’s one of your bug bears, then the Skwal 2 might be the first helmet that sorts things out for you.

If you’ve not tried a helmet with a sun visor, we recommend them as they’re mighty convenient.

The sun visor on the Shark Skwal 2 offers UV 380 protection. That’s the current European standard level (Shark are a French company) and should cut out all potentially damaging UV rays.

Having said that, your standard clear polycarbonate shield will cut out anywhere between 90-99% of UV light. So the addition of a sun visor should cut out the rest and, of course, make it easier to ride in bright sunlight!

shark-skwal-2-motorcycle-helmet-gloss-white-rear-view — Wanna be seen? Try a gloss-white Skwal 2

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

Inside the Skwal 2, there’s a fully removable/washable comfort lining that contains glasses grooves to comfortably accommodate glasses stems.

Shark use a bamboo-based material inside too. That’s a nice soft lining that’s both antibacterial/hypoallergenic and helps with moisture (sweat) wicking.

The last Skwal was universally liked for being a comfortable helmet and the Skwal 2 is no different, with lots and lots of owners saying it’s a mega comfortable helmet that feels soft and plush inside.

Just note it’s designed for people with medium oval head shapes, so if your head’s longer or rounder you might find you get a few pressure points.

A few owners do reckon that to get the right size, your new Skwal 2 needs to feel a bit too tight when you first buy it – but it will soften up over the first few weeks to fit perfectly.

Just make sure you follow our fitting guide to make sure you measure your head correctly and know what to look for when you receive your new helmet.

Looks & Graphics

Shark launched the Skwal 2 with a cracking range of graphics – including a Lorenzo rep and the usual range of plain black and white versions.

shark-skwal-2-motorbike-helmet-warhen-side-view — Classy Shark Skwal 2 Warhen

You’ll find examples of some of these up and down the page but for the latest graphics and Shark Skwal deals, please click the links to our recommended motorcycle gear and helmet retailers below.

Looking to buy a Shark Skwal 2?

Please click below to visit the Shark Skwal 2 helmets pages at Amazon and our recommended store, Revzilla. And if you buy from either, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Shark Skwal 2 Video

7m video looking around the Skwal 2 at Revzilla.

Other stuff – fasteners, audio, weight, glasses, aero, build quality, warranty

In the US, the Skwal 2 comes with a double-d ring fastener (they’re old-style but safe and easy to use).

https://billyscrashhelmets.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/shark-skwal-2-draghal-motorbike-helmet-front-view.jpg — Shark Skwal 2 Draghal

It’s designed to be Sharktooth bluetooth communicator ready.

But if you don’t have Shark’s own bluetooth system, it does mean there are speaker pockets in there and it should work with many 3rd party intercom kits.

According to one owner, the speaker pockets are very generous and the helmet’s comfy even with aftermarket speakers fitted.

The Skwal 2 weighs around 3.3lbs (1.5kg) – that’s about the average weight for a full face helmet so you shouldn’t have any problems there.

A couple of owners said it feels nice and light weight while you’re wearing it too.

If you wear glasses – or like to wear sunglasses – then there’s a glasses groove inside the Skwal 2 which a number of owners say accommodates their glasses nicely. One owner commented that the sun visor drops down and easily clears his glasses, so all’s good on the glasses front.

The aero on the Skwal 2 is generally thought to be very good with little buffeting or lift reported. One owner riding a naked bike said there’s no tugging on the helmet even when doing head-checks at speed.

Build quality is something that lots of folks commended the Shark Skwal 2 on. Apart from a couple of complaints about a slightly flimsy chin vent, several owners said it has that premium helmet feel and is well put together.

Evey Shark helmet comes with a five year warranty.

Overall/Summary

The Shark Skwal range has established itself as a great all-rounder.

The LEDs may be a novelty or they may be a serious safety feature depending on how you look at them. But either way, Shark has made evolutionary improvements from the original Skwal helmet and the Skwal 2 is now way more than just ‘the helmet with the LEDs on’ but a well built, well featured all-rounder motorcycle helmet.

The Skwal 2 has brighter LED lights, improved aero which reduces buffeting and lift and has helped reduce noise levels to make the new helmet above average in terms of noise attenuation.

shark-skwal-2-motorcycle-helmet-hiya-graphics-pink-black-rear-view — Rear view of the Skwal 2 Hiya

All that’s topped with a slightly redesigned face shield system, a larger than average drop down sun visor and that excellent SHARP 4 star safety rating (ECE version tested).

All in all if you’re after a quality all rounder helmet with a great shield system – and like the idea of children pointing and staring at your LED-festooned noggin as you ride by – then the Skwal 2 might well be the right helmet for you.

Looking to buy a Shark Skwal 2?

Please click below to visit the Shark Skwal 2 helmets pages at Amazon and our recommended store, Revzilla. And if you buy from either, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Good Alternatives to the Shark Skwal 2?

There’s a stack of great alternatives to the Shark Skwal 2 – unless of course you’re after a helmet with built in LEDs in which case the only alternative is the old Shark Skwal 1!

The Scorpion-Exo R-410 well worth a look. It’s SHARP 4 star safety rated, much cheaper than the Skwal and is highly rated for comfort and ventilation by owners.

Or, if you can stretch your budget a bit further than the Shark and want something a bit sportier, then the Bell Star entry level helmet might be spot on. SHARP 5 star safety rated, good ventilation, pretty quiet (for a sportsbike helmet!), light and owners love em.

For other alternatives – check out our Smart Filters page to quickly zoom in on your ideal helmet.

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HJC CL-Y kids/youth/ladies motorcycle helmet review

Page Contents

A Helmet for Kids or Ladies with Smaller Heads – Review of the HJC CL-Y

The HJC CL-Y has been designed specially for people with smaller heads. Which means it’s ideal for children or ladies with smaller heads.

It’s a lightweight polycarbonate helmet that’s available in kids Small Medium and Large sizes (see more about fitment in the comfort and sizing section below).

Other than that, it’s a fully-functional full face helmet. And while it’s a reasonably basic helmet, without some of the bells and whistles you get on some helmets, that’s reflected in the CL-Ys low price.

Polycarbonate Full face Helmet
Designed for people with smaller heads – kids/ladies
Quick release shield
Light weight
Good for glasses wearers
Available in kids S, M, L sizes (49-55cms)
3 year warranty
Expect to pay $100-$120

Looking to buy an HJC CL-Y?

Please click below to visit the HJC CL-Y helmets pages at our recommended stores and Amazon: both checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

HJC-CLY-Solid-Black-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Solid Black HJC CL-Y

The HJC CL-Y is of course DOT certified in the US which means, like any other helmet legally on sale in mandatory helmet states, it should offer a decent minimum level of protection.

HJC hasn’t released many details about the helmet construction of the CLY, other than saying it’s an advanced polycarbonate construction.

But looking at the features, HJC has designed it with a wide shield port for good peripheral vision, and it’s got multi-density shock absorbing lining which is similar to that found in a wide range of helmets, including some of the best performing.

A few owners also said because the shell size of the CL-Y is nice and compact, it feels very light weight when wearing it. That’s great for safety too as the lighter the helmet, the smaller the inertial forces acting on the head and neck during an accident.

Other than taking a look over what safety features a helmet offers, we usually look at a helmet’s SHARP rating and check out whether it’s been Snell rated too.

Unfortunately, the HJC CL-Y hasn’t been tested by either Snell or SHARP yet. However, if we look at all the polycarbonate full face HJC helmets tested by SHARP to date, their scores are very much a mixed bag. For example, the most recently tested HJC polycarbonate helmet, the HJC IS-17, scored full marks with five stars; though the one before that, the HJC TR-1 scored a lowly two stars out of five.

Of all the helmet brands that SHARP has tested so far, HJC currently lies in 13th position with an average score of 3.1 stars out of 5.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

Helmet noise levels are very subjective (click the link above to find why). But the HJC CL-Y does have some features you’d normally associate with keeping noise to a minimum in a full face helmet.

HJC-CLY-Striker-blue-grey-crash-helmet-rear-view — Rear view of the CL-Y Striker in blue showing rear exhaust vents

That includes a large neck roll and chin curtain to stop noise entering from below. And there’s a range of swappable internals to keep things nice and tight and well padded inside the helmet (read more in the comfort section below).

But from the opinions we’ve been able to find online, owners of the HJC CL-Y seem find it about average for helmet noise – with some finding it reasonably quiet and others a bit noisy (especially with noise entering from below).

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

The HJC CL-Y has a single chin vent and a pair of forehead vents on the front of the helmet. They’re matched to a couple of always-open rear exhaust vents at the rear.

The chin vent is closeable with a central switch and this vent directs air onto the back of the shield to help with de-misting. To help ventilation out in the chin area, there’s also a couple of always-open vents on each side of the chin guard.

The forehead vents are covered by sliders and allow air into the main part of the helmet, with air venting in through the shell and into channels in the shock absorbing lining. Stale air is then vented out of the back through the rear exhaust vents.

The word from owners is that venting into the main part of the helmet is good, though it’s a shame that the shield isn’t at least Pinlock-ready because some say it can fog up pretty easily. However, those forehead vents do pull in a decent amount of air, so you shouldn’t get too sweaty during normal riding.

HJC-CLY-Boost-pink-black-motorcycle-crash-helmet-top-view — This one’s the HJC CL-Y Boost in Pink

Shield

(more about shields)

Apart from the lack of a Pinlock anti-fog, the shield on the CLY does everything you could reasonably hope for from a basic helmet.

It works on a ratchet, allowing you to open the shield in four different positions.

It also has a quick-release shield mechanism, called QuickSlide by HJC. It’s easy to use too – open the shield, push the lever and out pops the shield.

And finally, it has fairly wide eye-port giving decent peripheral vision – something that’s well worth having as a safety feature.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

The inside of the HJC CL-Y is decent quality.

It’s fully removable and washable – just pull out the cheek guards to release the poppers and out it comes.

And if you find the helmet doesn’t quite fit exactly right, there are replacement liners and cheek pads available from HJC to fine-tune the fit.

HJC-CLY-solid-gloss-white-motorcycle-crash-helmet-side-view — Solid gloss white CL-Y

Overall though, owners say their HJC CL-Ys feel both really light and very comfortable.

Sizing should be about right as well – though we’ve found a slight sizing difference between US and EU models – at least according to the HJC websites.

If you’re buying in the US, sizes seem to be one up over the UK or EU fitments:

US sizes – small 49-50, medium 51-52, large 53-54

UK/EU sizes – small 50-51, medium 52-53, Large 54-55 (XS standard adult is size 53-54)

All in all, assuming you follow a helmet fitting guide and buy the correct helmet size, you shouldn’t have any problems with comfort with the HJC CL-Y.

Looks & Graphics

You’ll find all the latest helmet designs by clicking the links through to our recommended helmet retailers below: though we’ve put some of the most popular designs at the time of writing up and down this page.

HJC-CLY-flame-face-orange-black-crash-helmet-side-view — Striking Flame Face CL-Y

If you’re after something plain, there’s a plain solid gloss black and white available, and for most of the designs you’ll find on this page, HJC offer a variety of color choices.

So, if there’s anything you fancy but want it in a different color – or just want to find the latest deals from a bunch of reputable retailers, please click our links below.

Best places to buy an HJC CL-Y?

Please click below to visit the HJC CL-Y helmets pages at our recommended stores and Amazon: both checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

HJC CL-Y Video

Here’s a 4m video taking you around an HJC CL-Y (Tableau graphics).

Other stuff – fasteners, audio, weight, glasses, build quality, warranty

The CL-Y comes with double-d rings in the US (micrometric fasteners in Europe)

It’s designed with internal speaker pockets to fit your bluetooth speakers. And while we’ve no word on exactly how good or deep they are, one owner said the helmet worked just fine to fit their Sena SMH10.

HJC-CLY-Striker-red-black-white-crash-helmet-side-view — CL-Y Striker in red, black, white

The CL-Y is a compact helmet that’s nice and light weight according to owners – and it’s got an internal glasses groove in the lining so should accommodate your glasses stems no problem.

As for build quality: it’s a relatively low price helmet so that’s gotta be taken into account when assessing build quality. Having said that, many owners are very happy with the quality of the CL-Y. A few have reported that the breath guard is very fragile and breaks quickly. But otherwise, the say the materials, fit and finish is excellent and it fells very good quality throughout.

And finally, the HJC CL-Y comes with a 3 year manufacturer’s warranty.

Overall/Summary

If you need to buy a helmet for a child – or if you’re someone with a smaller than average head – then a helmet like the HJC CL-Y might be just the ticket.

HJC-CLY-Simtic-red-black-white-crash-helmet-top-view — Top view of the CL-Y Simtic

It’s a relatively basic helmet – there’s no Pinlock anti-fog or drop down sun shield for example. But that means it comes at a relatively low price too.

And it’ll do most of what you need from a helmet – with decent ventilation and a comfortable interior, not to mention an easy to use quick-release shield system too.

It hasn’t been safety tested by any third party safety testing bodies (such as SHARP or Snell), but it is ECE tested/certified.

And, importantly, there a decent range of lady- and child-friendly designs and color schemes. Well, we all want our helmets to look great, don’t we?!

So all in all, whether you’re after a helmet for your little-un or you’re struggling to find a helmet to fit your under-sized bonce, the HJC CL-Y is worth checking out.

Looking to buy an HJC CL-Y?

Please click below to visit the HJC CL-Y helmets pages at our recommended stores and Amazon: both checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

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Star Ratings

A look at the Bell Stars – the Bell Star, Race Star and Pro Star crash helmets

bell-star-pro-star-race-star-helmet-featured

Page Contents

The Bell Star Sportsbike Helmets Review: the Bell Star, Race Star & Pro Star

Bell has been making Star helmets for a long time. About 50 years in fact. So they know a thing or two about motorcycle helmets.

bell-star-crash-helmet-rsd-blast-front-side-view — Bell Star – RSD Blast design

Over that time, the ‘plain’ old Bell Star has been joined by the Race Star and the Pro Star. They’re all sportsbike-focused helmets though, aimed at the type of rider who spends most of their time seeking that perfect line rather than that perfect view from the saddle.

But in their latest incarnations, they all pretty much look the same. They share the same shell shape, eye port, ventilation and the same fastener – so what’s the difference between the three (apart from the price) and which should you go for?

Here we pick apart what each helmet offers and what owners think of theirs; so you know exactly what you’re getting for your money.

Full face helmets
Sportsbike and track helmets
Composite fiber or carbon fiber shells
5 Shell sizes each
DOT, ECE & Snell certified
Bell Star & Race Star – SHARP 5 star safety rated
Bell Pro Star – FIM Homologated
Race and Pro Star – very light weight
Expect to pay:
- Bell Star $490-620
- Race Star $699-870
- Pro Star $1199-1299

Looking to buy a Bell Star?

Please click below to visit the Bell Star helmets pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Safety

Even though they share the same design and helmet shape, each helmet has a very different construction.

First off, the entry-level Bell Star is a composite fiber helmet. That’s a composite of carbon, aramid (Kevlar) and fiberglass. So, even though it’s the ‘entry-level’ version of the three, that’s no cheap helmet construction. Bell has been improving and evolving their composite expertise for many years now and the Bell Star is the latest example.

All helmets in the range have been Snell 2015 certified and both the composite Bell Star and carbon fiber Race Star have been tested by SHARP where they scored a maximum five stars.

That’s obviously an excellent performance, especially considering the plain ole Star is their entry-level version; and should give you real confidence that the Bell Stars are going to do an excellent job in an accident.

bell-pro-star-crash-helmet-tracer-black-silver-side-view — Pro Star – Tracer design

And we’d expect the Pro Star to do equally well too because both the Race Star and Pro Star have carbon fiber shells. The Race Star’s being a 3K carbon fiber shell (3K refers to the top, visible styling of the weave) whereas the Pro Star uses some trick carbon fiber called TeXtreme. Essentially that’s carbon fiber that’s formed flatter than standard weave so it’s flatter and lighter but stronger.

Carbon fiber used to be just carbon fiber right? Not any longer!

Having said that, Bell US say all three helmets weigh 1.5Kg, so there needs to be another reason to go for the Pro Star version.

The Pro Star has been FIM Homologated, meaning that it’s the same helmet that pro racers use on track. So you can be pretty sure it’s going to do the business if you do go for a slide.

That said, Bell Europe gives the weights as 1.25Kg for the Star and Race Star and 1.15Kg for the Pro Star. From what I’ve read elsewhere, the latter seems more accurate. It also means the Race and Pro Stars are very light indeed.

Shock absorption – and Flex

Obviously, the shell is only one part of the equation when it comes to protection. The shock absorbing lining is just as important.

You can buy many of the Bell Stars with a slightly confusing range of shock absorbing liners; with standard expanded polystyrene (EPS) liners as well as with Flex and MIPS liners (*see MIPS section below).

In addition to polystyrene, there’s a lining of polyolefin to give low speed impact protection and polyproplyene for improved mid speed energy absorption.

Most top of the range helmets from other manufacturers opt for multi-density EPS but well done to Bell for trying to advance shock absorption using different materials (as long as they work!).

They seem work to at least some extent as they’ve passed the Snell test. But we’d look forward to SHARP testing to see how well Flex works in comparison to other top-flight sportsbike helmets.

Bell Stars – now with MIPS

MIPS tech has been rolled out to Bell helmets for a while now – with the Bell Star becoming the fourth Bell helmet in their current line up to get their MIPS treatment.

bell-race-star-crash-helmet-triton-black-silver-rear-view — Race Star – rear view of the black & silver Triton

What is MIPS?

MIPs stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. It’s a system a couple of makers now employ that lets the interior lining – the one that’s in contact with your head – rotate semi-independently from the external shell.

What that hopefully means is that during an impact, which can easily put damaging rotational forces through the head, potentially damaging the brain and neck, a MIPS helmet shell will rotate but because the MIPS lining is attached to the shell by movable connections, the lining isolates your head from some of the rotation.

Interestingly, the UK’s SHARP labs have tested both the standard and MIPS versions of the Bell Qualifier DLX so we can get some insight into how well MIPs might work in practice. Unfortunately, both helmets scored three stars so it might not be quite the safety innovation we’d hoped for – though I guess we’ll really need to see some more MIPs helmets being tested before we can draw any firm conclusions.

Shells

Unusually – in fact I don’t remember ever hearing this before – each of the Bell Star range is made in five shell sizes.

Here’s what they look like (taken from the Arai US social feed)

Bell-star-helmet-shell-sizes — Bell Star – made in 5 helmet shells. Erm, Bell, there’s 6 there..!

That’s great from a fitment, safety and looks point of view – because it’ll both look proportionately better for your body size and will mean the optimal amount of shock absorbing liner is used inside each helmet. Read here for more info.

Premium helmets tend to be manufactured in more helmet shells – but, from memory, four shell sizes is the previous max number we’ve come across, so Bell have gone the extra mile on this one. Good work.

bell-star-street-helmet-isle-of-man-side-view — Bell Star – side view of the Isle of Man edition

Helmet Noise

Sportsbike and track focused helmets are usually pretty loud. Design priorities often dictate focusing on low weight, good ventilation and slippery aero first: and that usually means less padding and more noise-ingress.

The last Bell Star was rated somewhere between cacophony and bedlam (see here) for noise, so expectations were that this latest gen of Bell Stars would be the same.

Well, there’s good news. For the basic Bell Star, there’s a variety of opinions (read why that is and all you need to know about helmet noise) but in general it seems to be regarded as pretty quiet – or certainly above average.

For the Race Star and Pro Star, opinion seems to be that, if anything, it’s even quieter than the Bell Star – which is astonishing for what is essentially a racing helmet.

A few Race Star owners found their visors whistle when raised – though they’re quiet when shut – but apart from these isolated cases, it’s definitely one of the quieter sportsbike/track helmets.

If having a quiet helmet is important to you, you might want to visit our quietest helmets pages for more inspiration!

bell-star-crash-helmet-rsd-blast-front-view — Check the vents on that! Front view of the RSD Blast Bell Star

Ventilation

All three helmets share a similar ventilation system.

That includes a double chin vent, operated by a small slider, a brow vent and a double crown vent. All are opened by sliders which do look a little on the small side for gloved hands though we suspect you’ll get the hang of them after a bit of practice.

At the rear there’s a stack of exhaust vents – three rows in fact – including closable top exhaust vents.

So does the Bell Star vent well?

In a word, yes. All models deliver loads of air into the helmet with several owners saying it’s the first time they’ve felt ventilation like it – especially when you’re in a tuck position.

It’s worth noting that the Pro Star is a more hardcore helmet than the other two. Which is why there’s a plug in the chin vent: if it’s in, air’s directed onto the rear of the shield. Remove it and air’s pushed towards the chin. That’s probably a useful feature for a racer, but less so for road-only riders.

Shield

Like many manufacturers, Bell have listened to feedback from racers and have made the shield aperture as wide and tall as possible.

Racers who spend a lot of time in a tuck position need a tall vertical opening, while everyone – on track or road – needs good wide peripheral vision.

bell-star-crash-helmet-pace-orange-black-front-side-vew — Bell Star Pace design (orange & black)

Bell have called their version Panovision – essentially it’s a big opening and a big shield with a bit of a contoured aperture to further improve peripheral vision.

And owners of all the Bell Star versions say both vertical and horizontal vision is great – which has to be good whether your on the track or the road.

Out of the box, the Bell Star and Race star come with a standard clear lens (though a Pinlock MaxVision-ready shield and a photochromic shield are available too). The Pro Star comes with a Class One Optical version (wooo) which should give crystal clear vision.

All three feature the same quick release system and owners reckon it’s super-quick and easy to use and it’s one of the best on the market. Just press a button and push forwards and out comes the shield; slide back and, click, it’s back in. Nice.

Comfort & Sizing

Whenever you buy a new crash helmet, getting the right fit and a comfortable helmet is vital – experts agree; it’s even more important than buying a helmet with a high safety rating.

bell-pro-star-solid-matte-black-rear-view — Pro Star – rear view of the solid matte black version

So, buy from a retailer (like our recommended retailers) who’ll exchange a helmet it you don’t get the fitting right first time.

There’s two different comfort linings that come with the Bell Star range.

Even though the Bell Star is the entry level helmet, Bell have used some quality materials inside the helmet. It has what they call their X-static XT2 silver liner – essentially, silver has antimicrobial properties so weaving thin silver thread into a fabric imparts those properties – keeping bacteria at bay and reducing odors. Nice (and not cheap!).

For the Race Star and Pro Star, that’s nudged up a notch further, using a material from a company called Virus who do the same with jade. This Virus Cool Jade lining is apparently laced with jade and this reduces skin surface temp by up to 10 degrees (f) so it’s there to keep your head really cool. Wow.

Race Star and Pro Star also feature magnetic cheekpads. Rather than snappers clicking the cheekpads into place, they use magnets. That means they’re easier to whip out and wash if they get hot and sweaty – and it also doubles as Bell’s version of EQRS, making it easier for paramedics to pull the cheek pads out first before removing your helmet.

Owners love the magnetfusion internals – they really seem to live up to their promise. And the magents even extend to the chin strap with a magnet there helping tidy up a flapping strap – that’s a nice touch.

If you’re thinking of ordering a Bell Star, it’s worth noting that the fit is medium oval (that’s most folks who don’t have rounder heads). And while most Bell Star helmets tend to be quite tight at first but loosen up after a bit of wear (that’s normal) a few Race Star owners mentioned the regualar size was too small and they had to go a size larger.

So, again, make sure you order from a retailer who accepts no-quibble returns.

Best places to buy a Bell Star?

Please click below to visit the Bell Star helmets pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Looks & Graphics

The Bell Star, Race Star and Pro Star all look externally identical. However, each range comes with their own unique color schemes and designs.

We’ve dotted a selection of each up and down the page – but we’ve also created a gallery of some of the most popular designs for each model. And you might want to click through to our stores above to see some of the latest designs too.

Bell Star

Race Star

Pro Star

Bell Star videos

Here’s a look at the development of the Pro Star and some of the riders who use one.

Next up, a video taking you through some of the features of both the Race Star and the Pro Star.

Finally, the scintilating tones of the guys at WebBikeWorld taking us over the Bell Star.

bell-race-star-crash-helmet-ace-cafe-matte-black-front-side-view — Race Star – Ace Cafe version

Other stuff – fasteners, glasses & warranty

All versions of the Bell Star come with a double-d ring locking strap. They also come with a glasses groove in the lining making it easier to slip your glasses or shades on/off.

If you’re looking to fit a communicator to any of the Bell Star range, they’re a bit limited. The main issue seems to be a lack of speaker pockets – though don’t be tempted to cut your own out of the lining as this will compromise the helmet’s effectiveness.

A few Sena owners reckoned you have to stick the unit to the outside and there is space for a mic – but if you can, one tip is to buy the slim speaker kit and that should fit in with space for your ears!

All Bell Stars come with Bell’s 5 year manufacturers warranty.

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Summary/Overall

The Bell Star range look superb – the design and the graphics make for a helmet that really looks the part.

And the great news is that with Bell’s outstanding reputation for producing some of the safest helmets – including their position as joint first in our Safest Helmet Brands list – you should get a helmet that not only looks cool, but delivers when the going gets really tough.

Both the Race Star and Pro Star have been Snell certified, plus the Pro Star is FIM homologated for use in circuit racing (including MotoGP).

In Europe, the Bell Star and Race Star have been SHARP tested and both scored maximum 5 stars for safety so we’d expect the entire range to be 5 star safety rated.

Owners reckon the build quality is great too – especially for the more expensive Race Star and Pro Star – and all helmets perform everything well: that includes ventilation, vision, comfort and noise (which is amazing for a sportsbike helmet).

Overall then, the Bell Star is an accomplished helmet which owners seem to love. They love the graphics, the build quality and the looks – but then find it’s a helmet that really works on the road or track too. And apart from that open/closed shield with only two positions, there doesn’t seem to be any real downside – except for maybe the price of the Race and Pro Star.

All in all a very accomplished helmet for the sportsbike rider or racer.

Looking to buy a Bell Star?

Please click below to visit the Bell Star helmets pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Alternatives to the Bell Stars?

Obviously, the Bell Star range covers quite a variety of sports-oriented helmets. So if you’re after some alternatives to check out, take a look at our sportsbike crash helmets page – or, depending on your budget, you might want to take a look at our expensive crash helmets, medium priced helmets or budget crash helmets pages.

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Star Ratings

Review of the Bell RS-2 Full Face Motorcycle Helmet

Page Contents

Bell RS-2 helmet: decent build quality but noisy and uncomfy?

The Bell RS-2 is the successor to Bell’s successful RS-1 helmet. That means it’s a helmet with a sporting heritage, but one that’s now firmly aimed at riders looking for an all-rounder, do-it-all helmet.

With a fiberglass shell, drop down sun visor and design that’s less aggressive than many full-on sports bike helmets, the Bell RS2 should work for a wide range of bikes and riding styles.

And now it’s been on the market a year or two, there’s loads of opinions of what its good points are – and its really bad points!

So here’s what we’ve found out about the Bell RS-2.

Fiberglass full face helmet
Designed to be an all-rounder
SHARP 3 Star Safety Rated (ECE helmet)
Drop down sun visor
Weight 3.3lbs (1.5Kgs)
Double-d ring fastener
Expect to pay around $160-$230

Looking to buy a Bell RS-2?

Please click below to buy a Bell RS-2 at Amazon. And if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

Of course, the Bell RS-2 will be both DOT certified (for the US) and ECE 22.05 approved (for UK and Europe).

bell_rs2_helmet-solid-plain-white-front-view — Note all Bell RS-2s come with a clear visor

But the old RS-1 was also SHARP and Snell approved too. It was Snell M2015 approved and scored four out of five stars in the SHARP test, which is pretty damn good; and since the new RS-2 shares much of the old helmet’s heritage, we hoped that the RS2 will score something similar when it’s finally tested.

The DOT version of the RS-2 hasn’t been tested by Snell yet. And unfortunately, when SHARP got hold of an ECE RS2 in 2021, it dropped a point from the old helmet, scoring 3 stars for safety (out of a maximum 5).

As most safety organizations seem to agree, the most important factor in getting a motorcycle helmet that protects well is ensuring your helmet fits perfectly. Still, I’d probably pass on a 3 star helmet myself and opt for one of the four or five star helmets you’ll find on our safest motorcycle helmets pages instead.

The RS-2 is made in three different shell sizes and it’s also not too heavy, weighing in around 3.3lbs (1.5Kgs) – which is about bang-on average weight for a full face helmet.

Bell RS2 SHARP 8.5 ms impact test — ECE Bell RS2 test results – Courtesy of sharp.dft.gov.uk Bell RS-2 8.5 m/s Impact test results.

Both these are good for safety (click the link in the header if you want to find out why).

And of course it also has a drop down internal sun visor: again that’s great not only for convenience but for safety too so you don’t get caught out and distracted by a low sun or dazzling.

So, it doesn’t look like the RS-2 will be the last word in safety given its middling SHARP rating and lack of a few useful safety features (there’s no EQRS for example) – take a look at our safest helmets section to find some that are.

But for the price, and provided you get the fit spot on, it should give a decent level of protection. It’s also made by a helmet maker who has over half a century of helmet-crafting know-how (and is in our top 10 safest helmet brands at the time of writing).

bell_rs2_helmet-solid-plain-white-rear-view — Rear view of the RS-2 gloss white – showing x4 rear exhaust vents

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

The jury’s in on how noisy the RS-2 is. And it’s not good news (for Bell).

We found words like deafening and unbearable used – and you rarely hear words like that when describing even the cheapest of helmets.

Yes, one or two did say it’s OK or good even, but the vast majority – and from riders with lots of years riding under their belts – say it’s a really noisy helmet.

If you’re planning to use your RS2 below urban speeds and always wear ear plugs, you might get away with it. But for anything faster, word is that it can get really loud.

If you’re interested in buying a quiet helmet, here’s all you need to know about helmet noise and here’s our quietest helmet reviews.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

The Bell RS-2 has a single 2-position chin vent and a twin crown vent; with both crown vents operated by the same central slider.

To the rear, there’s a small spoiler with two exhaust vents underneath, and another couple of vents towards to bottom rear.

The front vents suck air into the helmet, through the helmet shell and into a couple of front-to-back channels inside the EPS shock absorbing lining that’ll channel air into the helmet and onto your scalp – then out of the rear.

It’s a pretty conventional arrangement and most owners of RS-2s seem to agree that, even though the RS-2 does without the brow vents of the old RS-1, it actually gives a reasonable amount of airflow.

It’s far from being the best in class, but it’s adequate.

If great ventilation’s important to you, check out all our reviews of lids we know have fantastic ventilation.

bell-RS2-matte-black-motorcycle-crash-helmet-front-side-view — Moody matt black solid version of the RS-2

Shield

(more about shields)

The RS-2 will come with a clear shield, though everything from a variety of smoked and tinted shields, all the way to Bell’s excellent transitions photochromic range of shields are available for it too.

Out of the box, it’s a relatively basic shield system that works on a ratchet and with its opening tab to the left hand side (shame it’s not in the middle for easy opening if you’re at stop lights).

It is quick-release though, so you can quickly swap out or clean your shield without needing tools; though it’s not Pinlock anti-fog ready which is a shame.

Other than that, Bell tend to make decent face shields. There are one or two complaints about shields not seating as well as they could with the RS-2, but most owners find the mechanism just fine.

Sun Visor

(more about sun visors)

Unlike the original RS-1, the Bell RS-2 has an integral, drop down sun visor.

It’s a relatively straight forward sun visor – it drops down pretty low and it operates by a slider on the left hand side of the helmet by the shield pivot. That’s one of the more convenient places for the slider so you should find it relatively easy to find and use.

And unlike some helmets with sun visors that are spring-loaded, the sun visor on the RS-2 is a simple system – slide it down to drop the visor down, pull back up to raise it.

No fuss and no fiddling and it seems to work well from the feedback we’ve seen. OK, if you do your riding in sunshine states, you’ll probably find it a bit too light, but that goes for most tinted sun visors as they try to maintain legality across juristictions.

But other than that, it’s good.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

Inside the Bell RS2, there’s a fully removable and washable lining.

Unlike some of the higher-end Bell helmets, the inside of the RS2 isn’t retained by magnets (what Bell call MagnetFusion) – so you’re gonna have to slum it with the rest of us and use poppers.

bell-RS2-black-red-tactical-motorcycle-crash-helmet-rear-side-view — This one’s the RS-2 Tactical in black and red

Having said that, with a bit of a pull, the lining comes out quickly and without fuss.

It also has a pair of sculpted cheek pads to give a decent snug fit.

And it also has Bell’s X-Static XT2 Silver Lining fabric to keep things from becoming too stinky (click the link above for more information about X-Static linings).

There’s also space for ear phones inside the helmet so you can fit a bluetooth headset in there.

We heard about folks fitting a Cardo Solo in there without any problems.

Most Bells are designed to fit medium oval heads, and so too is the RS-2.

Only, we’ve heard quite a few owners complaining that it’s tight around the ears. RS-2s can take a while to break in when you first get them, but it really does seem that the internal fitment’s a bit longer and narrower than the usual medium oval fit.

On the other hand, we did come across a couple of owners saying there’s more room to either side than their usual helmets – so this is definitely a helmet to try on first. If you want one, all our recommended stores will do refunds with no quibble and most pay for delivery and returns so you shouldn’t lose out if it doesn’t fit.

If you’re a size XS also note that Bell starts its helmet sizes one cm below most other helmet brands so read our helmet fitting guide, choose the correct helmet size and double check sizing on any ordering pages.

See info on our recommended retailers here.

Looks & Graphics

There’s a ton of classy graphics launched with the Bell RS-2. That includes a matte and gloss plain solid black and a gloss white.

But it’s some of the more adventurous graphics that are particularly cool (have to say, Bell do do a nice line in particularly classy helmet designs) – that includes the Empire and Tactical designs: you’ll find examples of these up and down the page but all are available in different colors so please click through to our recommended retailers below to check these out and see the latest offers.

Best places to buy a Bell RS-2?

Please click below to buy a Bell RS-2 at Amazon. And if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Bell RS-2 Video

Here’s a quick 2m video showing you around the RS2.

Other stuff – fasteners, weight, audio, glasses, warranty

The RS-2 has a double-d ring fastener – they’re nice and easy to use and safe as houses once you fasten them up tightly.

It weighs around 3.3lbs (1.5kgs) which is about average weight for a full face helmet, though several owners said it feels really light weight when you’re wearing it – which I guess is the most important thing.

bell-rs-2-crash-helmet-empire-side-view — The RS-2 Empire in hi viz yellow/blue/red

If you’re looking to add a bluetooth communicator to the RS-2, there’s space inside for speakers and a microphone, and there’s space enough on the outside to stick on the bluetooth unit too.

Inside the helmet, Bell say it’s also been designed to accommodate glasses.

And finally, the Bell RS2 comes with a superb 5 year warranty as standard.

Overall/Summary

The new Bell RS-2 slots neatly into the Bell line-up – sitting somewhere between the lower-cost Bell Qualifier DLX and the Star Range, which are designed for sportsbike riders.

And for the price, you get a whole lotta helmet.

You get a fiberglass shell along with multi-density EPS lining. We reckon it should give decent protection, especially if you get the fit bang on. However, it’s probably not the last word in motorcycle helmet protection – as shown by its SHARP 3 star safety rating (UK ECE helmet).

That said, most riders seem to reckon it’s noisy at anything over urban speeds and many (not all) say it fits a bit weirdly and can be uncomfy – so make sure you buy from somewhere that’ll refund your money if it doesn’t fit your head quite right.

So it’s a bit of a flawed gem. If you find it fits right and you’re after a helmet for your slow ride to work, it might be a bargain. But if you’re after a quiet helmet for your freeway blast, I’d recommend leaving well alone and taking a look at one of our recommended alternatives below.

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Good Alternatives to the Bell RS-2?

We’ve gotta mention the Bell RS-2s little brother the Bell Qualifier DLX.

While the standard version dropped a couple of stars in the SHARP helmet test, it comes as standard with a Bell Transitions photochromic shield in the box and has now been joined with a MIPS version, designed to reduce helmet rotation during impact. That makes the Qualifier DLX well worth looking over too.

You should also probably check out the base-level Bell Star. All Bell Stars are M2015 certified by Snell and the entry-level Star also gained maximum 5 stars for safety by SHARP in the UK. It comes in 5 shell sizes for best size/weight/fit ratio too, though it’s more track/sportsbike focused than the RS-2.

Outside of Bell, there’s loads of other brands and helmets you should check out.

If you’re looking to spend as little as possible, then how about the LS2 FF352 Rookie. OK it’s a polycarbonate helmet, but it still scores a very respectable 4/5 SHARP stars, comes with an optically-correct shield – and it’ll give you folding change out of $100.

Or there’s the well-rated AGV K5-S? That’s a carbon/fiberglass composite helmet with sun visor and SHARP 4 star safety rating for less than the RS2.

Looking to buy a Bell RS-2?

Please click below to buy a Bell RS-2 at Amazon. And if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

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FIM announces new racing helmet testing shake-up

New Track Helmet Standards for 2019

It looks like the FIM (or Federation Internationale de Motocyclism – otherwise known as the dudes who control worldwide motorcycle racing) have finally decided that they ought to have their own testing regime for motorcycle helmets used on the track.

After a chunk of consultation with helmet manufacturers and other involved bodies (Dorna, the Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers Association and others) they’re going to release a bunch of standards that crash helmets used in racing will have to meet from 2019 onwards.

To date, the FIM has relied on international testing standards – such as ECE 22.05 and DOT – to ensure helmets are fit for purpose. But that’s not really what those standards were meant to do.

They were set up to ensure minimum standards were met for helmets used on the road – which is not really the same as having an off at 200mph at Mugello!

So it’s undoubtedly a good thing they’re taking the issue more seriously.

Unfortunately, the only detail that’s been announced so far is that they’ll use state-of-the-art testing and that the test will include oblique testing. That’s something the best testing – including SHARP – already does.

But we can imagine super high speed friction testing to simulate helmets scraping down a track for 150 yards, would come in useful. So too will more consistent strapping mechanisms designed to stop Simoncelli-style accidents in the future.

And who knows, if all the manufacturers get on board, maybe we’ll see some more useful innovations being integrated into track helmets and ultimately crossing back over to road helmets?

Either way, improved testing and helmet safety has got to be a good thing so we’ll keep an eye on developments from the FIA with interest and look forward to them releasing the full standards soon.

Read all our tested crash helmets for use on the track here.

The Shoei RF-SR full face helmet review

Page Contents

Review of the Shoei RF-SR full face crash helmet (Shoei RYD in the UK/EU)

The RF-SR is Shoei’s full face street helmet, designed to look both sleek and minimalist.

It’s also designed to be a jack of all trades – Shoei say it’s suitable for short street rides or long tours – it’s also designed to be quiet, stable and aggressive/mean-looking.

I’m not too sure about that last point, but let’s take a look over the Shoei RF-SR and find out what it’s good (or not so good) at…

Full face street helmet
4 shell sizes
AIM+ shell (usually scores well for safety)
Snell M2015 certified
UK SHARP 5 star safety rated (maximum)
Emergency quick release system
Pinlock-ready shield (with Pinlock Evo lens in the box)
D-Ring fastener
Great ventilation
Sizes XS-XXL
Expect to pay around $299-£399

https://billyscrashhelmets.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/shoei-RF-SR-or-Ryd-blue-side-view.jpg — Solid blue version of the Shoei RF-SR.

Looking to buy a Shoei RF-SR?

Please click below to visit the Shoei RF-SR helmets pages at two of our recommended stores – both checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Safety

First onto the helmet shell.

The RF-SR is made with Shoei’s AIM+ tech (that’s Advanced Integrated Matrix plus). That’s a composite of 5 layers of fiberglass and organic fibers that Shoei say makes for a tough, strong and ‘elastic’ helmet.

As usual Shoei don’t actually tell us what the organic fibers are (cotton candy? straw??) but I guess that’s Shoei’s trade secret.

What I do know is that AIM+ has been a top performer in the safety stakes for a few years now.

Of the five Shoei AIM+ helmets launched so far – including their top-of-the-range X-Fourteen race helmet (though that’s a 6 layer composite) – four have scored SHARP‘s maximum five star safety rating. Which is obviously awesome.

As far as the RF-SR’s safety’s concerned, SHARP have now got their hands on the RF-SR and have given it a maximum 5 stars for safety! So if you’re after one of the safest helmets for your noggin, then you can probably trust the RF-SR as much as any helmet on the market.

It has also been tested by Snell and like quite a few other Shoei helmets, it’s M2015 certified which is great and means you can rely on your RF-SR to give decent protection in an impact.

Other good stuff on the safety front is that the RF-SR is made in four shell sizes. That’s great news because it means you’ll not be carrying around more helmet than you need to – that’s got both looks and safety implications (the bigger the helmet, the higher the inertia in an accident). It also means you should have the right proportion of shock absorbing EPS to helmet shell, and not have a helmet that’s over- or under-padded to make it fit.

shoei-rf-sr-or-ryd-helmet-white-rear-view — Rear view showing exhaust vents and red EQRS tabs

Shoei have also added EQRS into the mix – that’s the emergency quick release system to you and me. Pull those red tags at the bottom of the helmet and it’s designed to pull the cheek pads straight out the bottom of the helmet, making for easier helmet removal in an accident.

EQRS is becoming increasingly common in crash helmets these days, which will hopefully mean paramedics are starting to use it more and more leading to fewer neck injuries when the helmet’s removed. So that’s a great addition.

And finally… it’s got Shoei’s usual multi-density polystyrene shock absorbing (EPS) liner. Multi density is good as it’s needed to help absorb both big and little shocks that come with an accident, and give a progressive level of deceleration.

So all in all, it sounds like Shoei have got helmet safety covered.

And all this box-checking detail aside, Shoei have an excellent reputation for making some great performing and safe crash hats so we’d expect the RF-SR to be just the same.

Helmet Noise

shoei-rf-sr_helmet_solid-white-front-view — Supposed to be a slippery shape…

Shoei has been hard at work tuning that fine balance between ventilation and noise ingress – put more vents in a helmet and it’s not just air that gets in!

And Shoei do mention reduced noise in their marketing, so we had high hopes for the RF-SR.

So how does the RF-SR perform in the real world?

Well, as usual, there’s a range of opinions out there.

A couple of owners said it was the quietest helmet they’ve owned: one guy on a sportsbike said there’s minimal noise coming through, another guy on an MT07 said it’s about average – and a couple of owners saying there’s quite a bit of noise gets in from the rear of the helmet, which is unusual.

Taking all opinions we came across into account, it seems like the RF-SR is somewhere between average and quiet – but as usual, it depends on the type of motorcycle you ride and a number of other factors (style of riding, previous helmet noise etc. etc.)

So if owning a quiet helmet is important to you, you might want to check out our Quietest Helmets pages.

Ventilation

There doesn’t look to be much special/novel at first glance.

All vents are operated by sliders and there’s a single chin vent and dual forehead vents – with a couple of rear exhausts just under the mini rear spoiler (which can’t be closed).

Shoei say the black plastic has been chosen to look aggressive, so maybe the forehead vents are designed to look a bit like frowny eyebrows?

Whatever, owners of the Shoei RF-SR reckon the ventilation is excellent. One owner even said it’s pretty much perfect – with the rest we came across saying it’s great.

Good job Shoei!

Shield

The RF-SR will come with a standard clear shield but there’s no drop down sun visor included which is a shame.

The RF-SR uses Shoei’s CWR-1 shield shape though – that’s a shield that’s used on a few of their other helmets which should mean there’s plenty of replacements available – and it also means there’s Shoei’s Transitions photochromic shield available for it, though they’re not cheap.

The RF-SR also comes with a Pinlock anti-fog insert and a Pinlock Evo in the box. That’s great because Pinlocks are really effective in keeping things fog free – but not so good if it comes with the (old) standard Pinlock because the edges can get in the way when you’re in a tuck position.

The Evo is Pinlock’s top of the range anti-fog insert, designed to give maximum fog-avoidance and cover all the inside of the shield. So that’s a great addition to the RF-SR.

shoei-rf-sr-or-ryd-matt-black-side-view — Matt black version of the RF-SR

Comfort & Sizing

The Shoei RF-SR is available in fitment sizes XS-XXL.

It features the usual quality Shoei lining – that means it’s anti-microbial, moisture wicking and fully removable and washable.

It also means there’s quite a few size adjustment options such as replacement cheek pads to help you get the fit just right.

Having said that, pretty well all owners we came across said something positive about the comfort and fit of their RF-SRs, including that it’s all day comfortable without any pressure points.

A couple also said that it works well with their glasses.

A few also said that they find their RF-SR’s very light – something that also helps with making a helmet very wearable over long distance and is also great for safety, reducing helmet inertia during an impact.

Looks & Graphics

At the time of writing, there’s only plain colors available. That’s the usual blacks, a solid gloss white, a metallic grey, blue and tangerine, as shown up and down the page. We’d expect to see one or two designs unveiled pre-launch (not too many – this is Shoei we’re talking about!) so click the links below to our recommended retailers to see the latest designs from Spring 2017 onwards.

Best places to buy a Shoei RF-SR?

Please click below to visit the Shoei RF-SR helmets pages at two of our recommended stores – both checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Shoei RF-SR Video

Here’s a 7.40m video taking you round the RF-SR…

Other stuff – buffeting, warranty

shoei-rf-sr-or-ryd-helmet-white-side-view — White RF-SR showing vents and shield lock

The RF-SR comes with Shoei’s excellent five year warranty – that’s standard across their entire range.

Finally, because there was lots of wind-tunnel testing and development done, Shoei make a ‘thing’ of the helmet being slippery and stable with reduced buffeting.

Well, the jury’s in and owners we heard from said that the aero on the RF-SR is great – it feels very slippery and aerodynamic with hardly any buffeting.

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Alternatives to the Shoei RF-SR

The RF-SR is at the upper end of what we’d call a mid-price helmet – though it’s actually at the lower end of what you’ll pay for a Shoei.

So if that’s your sort of budget to spend on your next full face helmet, here’s our recommended alternatives…

Around that price you can get Shoei’s NXR – low noise, good ventilation and SHARP 4 star rated.

The AGV GT Veloce is a cool-looking SHARP 5 star rated lid that’s light and comes with a Pinlock. Can be found for under the $399 mark too.

Or if you’re looking for something at the sportier end of the market, Nolan’s X-802R is 4 star safety rated, nice and light and with great ventilation too.

Of course, they’re just a few to take a look at but there’s lots more. Why not check out our medium priced motorbike helmets pages for something for less than $300 – or click our full-face helmets page to see all our reviews and previews – or search our helmet gallery page to find a helmet that looks up your street?

Overall/Summary

There’s no doubt about it – the Shoei RF-SR is a great helmet.

Build quality’s up to the usual Shoei standard, it’s comfy and uses quality internals and lining – the aero’s class with most riders saying there’s very little buffeting from that nice round shape. It also excels for ventilation and has an excellent visor system. And with it’s Snell M2015 and maximum SHARP 5 star safety rating, they’re very much the icing on the cake!

All in all, if you’re after a great ‘all rounder’ helmet, then the Shoei RF-SR is well worth considering.

Looking to buy a Shoei RF-SR?

Please click below to visit the Shoei RF-SR helmets pages at two of our recommended stores – both checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

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Star Ratings

All you need to know about comfort and sizing in motorcycle helmets

helmet-comfort-and-sizing-featured — This is what the inside of a helmet looks like...

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Comfort and Sizing: what to look out for in your new helmet

The first thing you need to know about getting the right motorcycle helmet, is that having a comfortable helmet that’s the right size is really, really important.

Not only stop you being grumpy when you’re riding, but it’ll mean your helmet’s working at its optimal level – and that means it’ll give you better protection in an accident and have more chance of absorbing an impact.

But don’t take my word for it, it’s what all the experts say – both SHARP and Snell will tell you the same.

So, what should I look out for (in relation to helmet comfort and sizing) when I’m in the market for a new helmet?

Fitting

Check our helmet fitting guide for everything you need to look out for. But essentially, you need your helmet to be tightish but not too tight, without any pressure points.

And remember, when you first buy a helmet, it’ll feel nice and tight but will loosen up slightly after you’ve used it a few times.

So, you need to get a helmet that fits right. That means, if you buy your new helmet over the internet, make sure you buy from a retailer who’ll give you a return with no questions asked – that way if the size isn’t right, you can easily return it for one that’s bang on.

Of course – all our recommended retailers do this (hint, hint!)

Glasses

If you wear glasses while riding, you’ll need a helmet that can accommodate your glasses’ stems. If your helmet doesn’t it makes putting glasses on/off really annoying and the stems can dig into the side of your head when riding.

Fortunately, where folks tell us a helmet works well with glasses or where a helmet has glasses grooves in the cheek pads, we’ll let you know and put that helmet in our ‘helmets that work well with glasses‘ section. Hurray!

Removable lining

They used to be rare and only found in expensive helmets, but most helmets these days have comfort linings inside that can be (relatively) easily removed so you can wash them.

Most tend to use plastic studs to secure the lining in place (one or two use studs and magnets) so you just need to carefully pull the poppers out and the lining can be hand washed – and often machine washed. But check the user guide for your helmet before you do.

Materials used

There’s lots of names and acronmys used for the weird and wonderful sounding materials used in helmets these days.

CoolMax, Hydradry, Interpower; you’ll find them all used in helmets. Which is fine and there’s lots of R&D money gone into these technical fabrics.

But most helmet linings are moisture wicking and antibacterial these days – and they’re also pretty comfortable. Here’s some of the fabrics you’ll find used inside helmets:

Aegis Microtech is found in some Shark helmets. Aegis is a brand specializing in odor control from a company called Microban; it’s a treatment that should keep things bacterial and fungus free, which is always nice.

CoolMax is one of the most common fabrics used inside lots of different makes of helmets (Kabuto, AGV, Nexx, etc.). It’s a polyester fabric designed to be moisture wicking and breathable – and in pulling moisture away from your head, keeps your head cooler, hence the name.

Dri-Lex is sometimes found in AGV and 6D helmets. It’s a moisture wicking material made by Faytex that also has a nice soft feel, is odor resistant, breatheable and with decent abrasion resistance.

Eco-Leather isn’t eco or leather but a plastic faux leather used where you want waterproofing and wear resistance.

Hydradry is a breathable and moisture wicking material used inside Icon helmets.

Interpower is a fabric treatment found inside some Suomy helmets that’s designed to reduce the contact points between the skin and fabric thereby reducing moisture build-up.

KwikWick 2 is the name Scorpion Exo gives to the linings of many of their helmets. It’s a nice soft material that wicks sweat away from the skin, is hypoallergenic and machine washable.

Max Dry/Max Dry II is a high quality and comfortable moisture wicking fabric used by Shoei. They claim it absorbs and dissipates sweat twice as fast as nylon interiors.

Nylex is sometimes used inside HJC comfort liners and is just a trade name for a man-made fibre. It makes for comfy liners tho. Sometimes they refer to bioceramic Nylex but there’s no word on why you should want a bioceramic material in there or how it improves things.

Oko-Tex 100 is again sometimes found in Schuberths. This is an international certification program that ensures a fabric isn’t harmful to the end user – so stipulates certain manufacturing processes and materials aren’t used. So if you’ve particularly sensitive skin, then this might be good for you.

Polygiene is found inside some HJC helmets. It’s designed to reduce odor by stopping bacterial growth using tiny amounts of silver chloride in its fabrics. The treatment should last the lifespan of the helmet.

Ritmo is a cooling, moisture wicking and breathable material used by AGV to cover some of their cheekpads.

ShinyTex is sometimes found inside Schuberth helmets – but as far as we can find, it’s just the name of a Chinese textile company that makes the fabric!

Shalimar isn’t an 80’s disco band – it is in fact a warm, napped material used inside some AGVs.

SpaSoft is found in GMax helmets. It’s a brand name covering a variety of fabrics including bamboo charcoal fibers which are designed to eliminate odors, are antistatic and antiseptic.

SuperCool is HJCs comfy, moisture wicking and antibacterial fabric designed to pull sweat away from your head and keep you not just cool but SuperCool.

Virus Cool Jade is a name you might see associated with Bell helmets. Cool Jade linings are apparently laced with jade, designed to reduce skin surface temp by up to 10 degrees (f) so it’s there to keep your head really cool. Virus is the name of the company that makes the fabric.

X-Mart is a fabric that’s designed to wick-away moisture and is also hypo-allergenic. It’s used inside some Nexx helmets.

X-static XT2 silver liner is something used in some Bell Helmets and LS2 helmets; this time it’s for their lining that contains silver-coated thread. Essentially, silver has antimicrobial properties so weaving thin silver thread into a fabric imparts those properties – keeping bacteria at bay and reducing odors. Other makers use silver thread too, so if you see the word silver involved, this is probably what they’re referring to.

What to look for in a motorcycle helmet sun visor

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All you need to know about motorcycle sun visors when buying a new helmet

More and more helmets these days are being made with an integrated, drop-down sun visor. The reason’s easy: it means you don’t have the hassle of fiddling around with sun glasses or swapping out shields for a dark shield, but when things get bright, you’re still protected.

If you do want a helmet with a sun visor, click the link to see all our helmets with an integral drop down sun visor.

So what should you look out for in a sun visor when buying a helmet?

Mechanism Type

You can find either binary or analogue sun visors. By that I mean some are either fully up or fully down (with no in between position) whereas others let you drop the visor down as much or as little as you like.

In practice I suspect most of us will drop it down fully when we need it and retract it fully when we don’t. But if you want a sun visor you can drop down just a little bit, then read our reviews carefully as we’ll try to mention the type of sun visor it is.

Also, some sun visors are manually dropped-down and retracted. But others make use of a spring system – so you can press a button and it’ll retract itself. They can be nice and quick to use, but mean you have to locate two buttons instead of one – so can be fiddly to use in practice.

Slider position

Most sun visors use a type of slider to drop or retract them. But some are positioned in weird and wonderful places and some are more out of reach than others.

We generally find the best place to have them are somewhere towards the lower left hand side of the helmet – some are placed at the bottom left of the helmet and these are usually easy to find.

But you’ll find some with sliders that are behind the visor pivot point (a bit more tricky) and others that are waaay up top behind the crown vent and these can be trickier still to find and use.

UV protection

Of course, you use a sun visor to cut out glare and sunlight so you can see better. But the added benefit is that in doing so, you’re reducing the amount of harmful UV rays that enter your eyes.

The best level of protection is the UV400 level which should block out all UVA and UVB ultraviolet (the bits that damage eyes in natural sunlight) and while we think pretty well all sun visors will do this, unfortunately not many manufacturers actually say so.

However, if they do happen to mention the level of protection their sun visors give, we’ll put it in our helmet reviews.

Depth of Drop

Some sun visors drop really low, while others don’t. That means some visors cover all your vision while others can leave an annoying ‘stripe’ of bright sunlight at the bottom.

Of course, what works for one person (and their nose) won’t necessarily work for you and yours. But if lots of folks say a sun visor drops down really low or hits the bridge or the nose (or whatever) then we’ll always mention it so you can judge for yourself.

Anti-fog

We’re all used to anti-scratch and anti-fog main shields, but it’s different for sun visors. Most will be anti-scratch, but fogging is a different matter and you can find if it’s cold and you drop your sun visor down, it suddenly turns solid as your warm breath instantly condenses on its cold surface.

Having made you aware of this, there is, unfortunately, little to be done about it. Some makers say they’ve coated their sun visors with anti-fog treatments, but we’ve invariably found these to be, erm, lacking.

The good thing is that – and maybe it’s because they’re darker than the main shield so warm up quicker – or maybe because they’re not usually directly in front of your breath-holes – but in our research, fogging doesn’t seem to be a massive problem people encounter with their sun visors.

Darkness

Finally, it’s worth remembering that most countries/states limit the amount of tinting that you can have in front of your eyes when driving – whether that’s a car, truck or motorcycle.

Which probably accounts for one of the most common moans about drop down sun visors: that it’s not dark enough!

Some makers offer a range of darknesses of sun visor so you can sometimes buy a darker-than-stock replacement. Or you can stick with swapping out your main shield for a dark smoke shield or wack on a pair of shades like you did in the 90’s.

Either way, expect that your sun visor probably won’t give you Ray-Ban levels of tinting on the sunniest of days, but should keep off most of the most annoying glare – enough to keep you safe, which is the main thing.

If you do want a helmet with a sun visor, click the link to see all our helmets with an integral drop down sun visor.