Nolan N87 full face motorcycle crash helmet review

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Nolan N87 – Review of Nolan’s well-specced polycarbonate full face helmet

The Nolan N87 is Nolan’s top-of-the-range full face polycarbonate helmet aimed at both sportsbike and touring riders. Because it’s polycarbonate, you’d expect it to come in at a lower price point – and you’d be right. But that doesn’t mean you won’t get a load of must-have features for your money.

The N87 comes with a drop-down sun visor, has a wide shield with Pinlock Max Vision insert (included in the box but double-check with your retailer first) and is designed to fit both Nolan’s N-com Bluetooth communication system and their novel rear stop light system (ESS).

It’s not the cheapest polycarbonate full face around (for some great alternatives that come in at the same or lower price than the Nolan, click down to our recommended alternatives at the bottom of the page) but with Nolan’s legendary levels of safety and a load of bang for your bucks, could this make the N87 one of the best value street helmets on the market?

Let’s take a look at what’s on offer…

Polycarbonate full face helmet
ECE & DOT certified
SHARP 4 star safety tested
Not yet Snell tested
Sizes XXS-XXXL
Wide shield
3.1lbs (1.42Kg) – slightly lighter than average
Comes with Pinlock anti-fog in the box
Expect to pay around $259-$310

nolan-n87-ledlight-ncom-black-blue-crash-helmet-front-view — Moody N87 Ledlight

Looking to buy a Nolan N87?

Please click below to visit the Nolan N87 helmets pages at one of our our recommended stores and Amazon. And if you buy from either 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

The Nolan N87 is both DOT and ECE 22.05 certified – and though it hasn’t yet been Snell tested, it has been SHARP tested where it scored four out of a maximum five stars. That’s great going and bang in-line with every one of Nolan’s helmets tested so far which have all scored 4 out of 5 stars when tested by SHARP.

It’s worth noting that the N87 is only made in two helmet shell sizes though – some more expensive helmets are made in four separate helmet shell sizes – and that could potentially slightly compromise helmet safety as well as how the helmet looks when you’re wearing it (read here for more details).

However, the fact that it has a wide shield with Pinlock antifog insert as standard (see below) are safety features it’s always good to see in any helmet.

The N87 is also the first helmet we’ve seen that can fit a brake light into the rear of the helmet – though that’s an optional extra. The light’s designed to automatically show under heavy breaking and can also be used as a flashing fog light.

I guess having an extra brake light (or flashing rear light like lots of cyclists do) might well be a useful safety feature as long as it works as it’s supposed to. As soon as we hear from riders who’ve used one, we’ll let you know how well it works.

Ventilation

The N87 has what Nolan call Air Booster Technology. What that actually means are that it has a chin vent and double forehead vents!

The chin vent is a single large slider that pulls down and lets air ventilate the rear of the shield.

There are two separate forehead/crown vents that are operated by independent switches. These let air into the helmet which is then channeled through internal ventilation grooves set inside the polystyrene lining, ventilating the head and then exiting via a couple of rear exhaust vents built into the rear spoiler.

Word is that all the sliders are nice and easy to find/use – even in gloves – and that the vents pull in a decent amount of air.

Shield

The shield is designed to be wide and high for extra peripheral vision and forward vision when in a sportier tuck. That’s verified by lots of owners who say it’s nice and wide and gives a good field of vision.

It’s also Pinlock-ready and comes with a Pinlock Max Vision in the box. Pinlocks are well worth having if you ride in conditions where your shield suffers from fogging, so including a Pinlock in the box is great and worth $30+ alone.

The Max Vision that comes with the N87 is a larger version of the Pinlock that should mean the edges of the Pinlock don’t get in your line of sight – something the standard (smaller) versions used to suffer from.

Nolan have also revised their shield mount system. Not only does it have an easy to use quick removal system for the shield, but it’s now slightly spring loaded, pulling the shield inwards towards the seal to keep it more air and water tight.

On the main shield front then, Nolan seem to have got pretty much all bases covered.

Sun visor

There’s a built in sun visor operated by a switch on the left hand side of the helmet, just behind the main shield pivot.

Unusually, the sun visor on the N87 works on a ratchet, allowing for a few intermediate visor positions as well as the fully up and fully down positions.

A couple of owners said the sun visor on the N87 is nice and dark – which isn’t always the case – and drops down just the right amount so doesn’t perch on the top of your nose. Though I guess this depends on the size of your schnoz.

Apart from that, the only other thing to note is that it’s a fully UV400 visor, offering maximum UV protection. I suspect most sun visors are UV proof, but surprisingly, makers don’t always shout about it so it can be difficult to know for sure.

nolan-n87-silver-crash-helmet-inside-view — View of the guts of the N87 including chin guard, micrometric fastener and air channels

Comfort & Internals

The Nolan N87 is available in a wide range of sizes from XXS-XXXL.

It features a new, fully removable and washable lining that’s made from ClimaCool material that’s moisture wicking and breathable. Owners say it feels really plush and comfortable.

It also features Nolan’s Adaptive Eyewear System – in simple terms meaning it shouldn’t press the stems of your glasses into your head if you’re a glasses wearer.

Nolan claim the N87 in size medium should weigh in around 3.lLbs (1.42Kg) which makes it slightly lighter than the average full face helmet which is always going to make a helmet that bit easier to wear for longer periods.

Looks & Graphics

There’s plenty of graphics to choose from so click through to our recommended retailers below to see the latest colors and designs.

First off, there’s plain gloss black & white and a matt black. There’s also the Martz range which are near plain colors except for a couple of stripes and come in red, silver, yellow, black and white. There’s also the classy looking Fulgor and Rapid designs which you’ll find on this page.

To find the latest deals on the N87 – and see the latest graphics – please click below.

Best places to buy a Nolan N87?

Please click below to visit the Nolan N87 helmets pages at one of our recommended stores and Amazon. And if you buy from either 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).

Nolan N87 Video

Here’s Nolan’s N87 video giving a 3 minute look around the helmet.

nolan-n87-martz-red-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Cool/sporty Nolan N87 Martz range come in red, yellow, silver, black and white

Other stuff – fasteners, build quality, audio, chin curtain, warranty

The N87 comes with a micrometric 2 fastener. They’re nice and easy to use and, as long as they’re tightened correctly, should keep the helmet in place during an accident.

Lots of owners say that the Nolan N87 is really well built – including really durable parts that stand up well to a bit of a rough life and a nice finish to the paint.

It’s Nolan’s N-Com Bluetooth communicator ready – with space for earphones and mic as well as a place to mount the unit.

Finally, the N87 comes with a chin curtain in the box and is supported by Nolan’s 5 year warranty, something that not all manufacturers offer.

Overall/Summary

The Nolan N87 looks to be a quality package at a competitive price. It has a wide shield with quick release system and Pinlock in the box to stop any fogging – and a UV400 drop down sun visor. It’s pretty light weight for a polycarbonate full face and is bluetooth communicator ready.

It was safety tested by SHARP in 2016 and scored an impressive 4 stars (out of 5) which means it should give very good protection indeed.

At this price, the N87 slips out of our budget helmet category – but even so, with its extensive list of features – including the not-seen-before emergency stop light system (optional extra) – the Nolan N87 offers excellent value for money and heaps of performance and is well worth a look if you’re in the market for a great all-rounder full face helmet.

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Alternatives to the Nolan N87

Even though the Nolan N87 has some great features at a really keen price, it’s not alone. There’s a lot of great helmets available if you’re looking to spend around the $200-$300 mark.

There’s the SHARP four star rated Shark S700 with integral sun visor and great finishing.

nolan-n87-Rapid-N-com-lava-grey-red-crash-helmet-side-view — Classy N87 Rapid in lava grey

Or there’s the Lazer Bayamo – that’s another SHARP 4 star rated helmet with a five year guarantee, integral sun visor and is comfortable with good ventilation for even less than the N87.

For about the same price as the Nolan, there’s another Italian lid, the AGV K3 SV – SHARP 4 star rated with sun visor and Pinlock in the box.

And finally, there’s the Scorpion EXO-R410 – that comes with an optically-correct shield, SHARP 4 star rating and Scorpion’s Air Pump tight fit system to tailor the fit.

All these are excellent choices and offer SHARP tested levels of safety. Alternatively, you can check out our budget helmets section or read our top ten full face crash helmets section to see which we’ve rated as best overall.

Looking to buy a Nolan N87?

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Shark Openline flip-up motorcycle helmet review

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Shark Openline – a low-priced flip-up helmet with free Pinlock and 5 year warranty

The Openline was introduced to be Shark’s lower-priced, do everything flip-up crash helmet that’ll work for most motorcyclists.

Here’s a look at what features you can expect if you buy one, together with what owners and riders think of their Openlines.

Thermoplastic flip-up helmet
Pinlock-ready visor with Pinlock in the box
ECE 22.05 approved (not DOT certified)
3 star SHARP safety rated
Integral sun visor
1 shell size
Micrometric fastener
5 year warranty
Priced around $200

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Overall/Summary

The Shark Openline does exactly what you’d expect. Saying it’s a no-frills type of helmet is probably an injustice, but it does everything pretty well and, at this price especially, it’s a real steal. Drop down sun visor, Pinlock in the box, decent safety, micrometric strap, not bad for noise suppression, and owners say they feel really solidly built.

If you’re after a modular helmet that’ll be easy to live with, give you all the functionality you’ll need and that won’t cost an arm and a leg, then the Shark Openline might be bang on for you.

Shark openline hi viz yellow crash helmet sideview — Hi viz version showing sun visor and micrometric fastener

Safety

The Openline’s both ECE 22.05 approved and SHARP 3 star safety rated, though neither Snell or DOT certified.

That means while it won’t give the level of protection four or five star SHARP rated helmets offer, it should provide decent protection in an accident.

Importantly, when being SHARP tested, SHARP note how often a closed and locked chin guard unlocks – and in the case of the Openline, it remained fully locked in 97% of impacts. That’s a very good score, not quite 100% like you’ll find in Nolan helmets for example, but very good nevertheless.

Like many cheaper crash helmets, the Openline’s made in just one shell size. That’s not ideal and could compromise how the helmet looks and performs (read more about crash helmet shell sizes here).

Shark-openline-prime-black-crash-helmet — Shark Openline in Prime black

Helmet Noise

Of course, crash helmet noise levels is incredibly subjective – what works for one person tucked in on their sportsbike might not work for someone else in the wind on their naked.

That said, feedback from owners around the web points to the Openline being reasonably quiet for a flip-up helmet. Flip-ups are generally noisier than full face helmets anyhow and while the Openline really needs to be worn with ear plugs – certainly above 60mph – it does offer a decent amount of noise suppression compared to some other flip-up helmets.

A couple of owners also reckon that fitting the chin curtain really helps with reducing noise too.

Overall though, even though it’s quiet for a modular, we assess helmets against all other helmets including full face helmets. In this context, the Shark Openline is only around average for noise suppression. That’s still pretty good going for a modular – and use ear plugs and all should be fine.

Shark openline d-tone crash helmet black white front view — Front view of the Opeline D-tone showing single forehead vent and chin vent

Ventilation

Even though it looks to have fairly basic vents, ventilation is one of the Openline’s strong points.

It has a single chin vent and single forehead vent – both operated by a small toggle switch that’s easy to use, even in gloves, after a bit of practice.

The chin vent directs air through to the chin area and rear of the shield. The forehead vent takes air into channels inside the polystyrene shock absorbing lining, through the comfort lining and around the scalp, pulling air through to the rear exhaust vent at the back of the helmet.

Users reckon ventilation is good; you can feel ventilation around the head when you get up to speed and the chin vent works well too. The chin vent isn’t enough to keep the shield fog free when things cool down, but coupled with the included Pinlock insert (see below) the combination works well.

Shield & Sun Visor

The Shark Openline has both a clear main shield and a drop down sun visor, operated by a slider to the left of the helmet.

The shield is opened by a small tab on the left of the shield, and works on a ratchet mechanism, meaning you can open it at several points between fully closed and open.

It has a nice solid feel to it and reports are that the seal is good, keeping air and rain out well.

It also has one of the best quick release shield mechanisms around. As you can see in the video below, just press in a button on each side of the shield pivot and slide forward and the shield comes out.

The sun visor is also removable for cleaning. It’s operated by a large slider to the left of the helmet and works on a friction mechanism, allowing you to drop the visor down to any position required (not just fully down or fully open).

Chin Guard

The chin guard works by pushing a single button on the inside center of the chin guard – so can be operated single-handedly.

Shark openline prime black crash helmet front view open — Cracked open, you can see the chin guard open button in red

It opens to a position just above the sight line and owners reckon it’s really easy to use. Couple that with the fact that the chin guard remained locked and closed during 97% of impacts means the chin guard on the Openline offers a good combination of ease of use and safety – something not always seen in flip-up helmets.

Comfort

The interior of the Openline is both moisture wicking and breathable – and it’s fully removable and washable too.

It also has a glasses groove in the padding, meaning the Openline makes it easy for glasses-wearers to put on their glasses (by opening the chin guard) but the glasses groove stops the stems from pushing into the side of your head.

Importantly, most owners say it’s a comfortable crash helmet. They can feel snug – especially when putting the helmet on – but as long as you get the right size and fitting, then many owners report that there’s no problems with the Openline and it’s good for long days of riding.

Looks & Graphics

Shark openline hi viz yellow crash helmet front view — Hi Viz yellow version

If you’re after an Openline in racy graphics, you’re probably going to be disappointed. The Openline D-Tone (top pic) is about as adventurous as they come because most Openlines come in solid plain colors only. That includes the usual black/whites but also a silver and cool looking gunmetal too. As you can see in the pictures and also in the video further down the page, there’s also a hi-viz version.

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Shark Openline video

Other stuff – weight, fasteners, warranty

Like many modular helmets, the Shark Openline isn’t a light weight helmet. At 3.9lbs (1.75Kg) it’s well over the average weight for a flip-up helmet (average weight is about 3.75lbs/1.69Kg) and a couple of owners did comment that it does feel quite weighty.

Shark openline prime white motorcycle crash helmet side view — Openline prime solid gloss white

The Openline comes with a micrometric fastener – which are both easy to use and safe. It also comes with a class-leading 5 year warranty.

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Alternatives to the Shark Openline?

If you’re looking for a reasonably priced modular crash helmet, here’s some others we recommend you consider.

Firstly, there’s the Openline’s bigger brother, the Shark Evoline 3 – that’s a SHARP 5 star rated helmet that’s both DOT and ECE certified.

For about the same money as the Shark Openline comes the highly rated SHARP 4 star AGV Numo Evo – that has a sun visor too and is ECE dual-homologated.

For a slightly quirky alternative, there’s also the cool-looking Roof Boxer classic – that scored 4 stars when SHARP tested it, is slightly lighter than the Openline but costs a little more.

Finally, there’s the Nolan N91 – that’s a SHARP 4 star rated helmet (chin guard stayed locked 100% during testing too) with a sun visor and is pretty quiet – for a modular.

For other flip-up helmets worth checking out, you might wanna take a look at our top 10 flip up helmets page – or read all our flip-up helmet reviews.

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Star Ratings

Review of the Kabuto Ibuki composite fiber flip up crash helmet

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The Kabuto Ibuki: a composite fiber flip-up helmet designed for sports tourers

Note: The Ibuki is now discontinued, so you might want to check out some of our Top 10 Helmets lists to find your next helmet instead?

The Kabuto Ibuki (formerly OGK helmets) is a fiberglass-based composite flip-front crash helmet aimed at the sports touring market. Most modular helmets are worn by folks who ride a more upright sort of bike, so the Ibuki has been designed to work best in that position and offer the type of features you need when you’re riding lots of miles in a day. That’s decent build quality, low noise, good comfort, decent ventilation, effective anti-fog – and probably a helmet that works with your bluetooth set.

So let’s check out what owners think of the Kabuto Ibuki:

Composite fiber modular/flip up helmet
Sports/touring focused
Not SHARP/Snell tested
Built in sun visor
Pinlock Max Vision antifog included
3.55Lbs (1.6Kg) in weight (lighter than average)
Sizes XS-XXL
Expect to pay around $400

Safety

The Ibuki is both ECE tested and Dot certified for sale in Europe and the US.

It hasn’t been SHARP or Snell tested though so we don’t know for sure if it’ll perform above and beyond these minimum standards.

The only hint at how well it’ll do in an accident is if we look at the Kabuto RT-33 which uses the same helmet shell technology (what Kabuto calls ACT Evo – standing for Advanced Composite Technology). The RT-33 scored an impressive 4/5 stars for safety when SHARP tested it – which is a very decent score – so we might expect the Ibuki to score similarly well, although of course the Ibuki is a flip-up helmet so not directly comparable.

Note: our safety rating at the bottom reflects the fact it hasn’t been SHARP tested. If/when it gets rated, we’ll publish it here and update our rating too.

kabuto Ibuki gunmetal modular crash helmet side view — Gunmetal version of the Ibuki

It’s not totally clear what Kabuto’s ACT composite actually contains but it looks like it’s a multi-layer fiberglass composite. It’s made in 2 shell sizes which is OK (some more premium helmets these days are made in four!) and it’s lined with a dual-density shock absorbing liner which is a feature worth looking for in any helmet.

Other stuff that contributes to safety that you’ll find on the Ibuki are the double-action micrometric strap – it’s double action to prevent accidental opening – and the drop down sun visor, which is great for general use but also to be able to quickly drop down if you’re caught out by lowering sun come autumn.

Similarly, the inclusion of a Pinlock Max Vision antifog is really useful to keep your shield clear at all times of year.

Helmet Noise

Modular helmets are generally noisier than full face helmets – and your perception of how loud a helmet is can be dependent on lots of factors (type of bike, riding style, speed etc. etc.).

That said, most folks rate the Kabuto Ibuki as quieter than average. They reckon that if you leave the chin curtain on and vents closed, it’s pretty good – until you pick up the pace. But if you open things up, it still gets noisy and you’ll need ear plugs.

kabuto_ibuki crash helmet front view_pearl-white — Large, effective, top vent covered by slider

Ventilation

The Kabuto Ibuki’s ventilation is a story of two halves.

The top front vent is opened/closed by a big slider that’s really easy to find and use. The rear exhaust vent is also closeable – again using a large slider. Most owners agree this combo is great – pulling in lots of air that you can really feel circulating around the helmet and keeping you pretty cool even in really high temperatures.

The chin vent is a different matter. The whole lower vent panel is a large toggle switch – press the bottom part and the top opens up to let air in. Problem is, the opening’s too small – letting just a tiny amount of air in and venting it only onto the back of the shield.

Having said that, you can get a decent amount of air into the front of the helmet from below – esp if you remove the chin curtain – and most owners focus on the fact that the top vents are great. So that doesn’t seem to be too much of a problem.

And with the included Pinlock Max Vision, shield fogging shouldn’t be an issue anyhow (I suspect the poor face ventilation is exactly why the Ibuki comes with a Pinlock!).

Main Shield

The main shield works on a ratchet that seems to work well and has a convenient ‘cracked open’ position that’s useful for when you’re ambling around town and riding slowly, to get a bit of air in. As mentioned, it’s a Pinlock-ready shield and the Ibuki comes with a Pinlock Max Vision in the box (the Max Vision being a slightly larger insert that keeps more of the shield fog-free and tries to keep the edge of the insert out of your field of vision).

The main shield does have a quick release shield mechanism, but it seems to be a little trickier to use than most.

Other than that, all works well and no major problems reported.

Click this link if you’re looking for a new helmet that comes with a Pinlock in the box or has a Pinlock-ready shield.

Sun Visor

The sun visor works on a slider on the left hand side of the helmet. It’s an analogue operation – meaning you can slide it down and leave it at any setting you like, rather than a fully-up or fully-down visor you see on some models.

Owners seem to like it, though there are a few saying they wish it dropped a bit lower down.

kabuto Ibuki pearl white modular crash helmet open — Chin guard up, sun visor down

Chin Guard

The chin guard on the Kabuto Ibuki is unlocked, unusually, by a small red switch to the left bottom of the chin guard.

You don’t often see the switch there but pretty well all owners we came across said they actually like it there – and that it’s really easy to find and use.

Once opened, the chin guard stays firmly open in its fully opened position, but there’s no option to lock it there.

Interestingly, one owner said he’d tried lots of modulars and found that when the chin guard’s down, the Ibuki gave the most room for his chin he’d come across.

Obviously, one potential issue for any modular helmet is whether it might unlock and open during an impact. When a helmet is SHARP tested, they note how many times this happens – and we include the figure in our reviews. So if you’re looking around for a modular but want to be sure you’re buying one that won’t spring open, we suggest you check out either Nolan Group helmet (which includes X-Lite too) or an AGV – the top three for chin guard performance.

Comfort & Sizing

Most owners feel that the interior of the Ibuki is good quality and makes for a really comfortable helmet.

The comfort lining is removable and washable and uses Invista’s Coolmax fabric – that’s designed to quickly wick sweat away from the head and keep you cool at the same time, probably because your sweat carries heat away from your head. Coolmax is usually only found on more premium/expensive helmets and together with the good ventilation found in the Ibuki, it seems to do a good job.

kabuto Ibuki aluminum silver modular crash helmet side view — Aluminum Silver version of the Ibuki

The Ibuki comes with an detachable ear piece within the liner to help provide more space for the ears if necessary, and there’s a glasses groove to accommodate the stems of glasses more easily and stop them pressing into the side of the head.

Interestingly, the chin strap is made of a MOFF fabric. That’s a fabric designed to reduce odors. I’m not sure how much a problem sweaty chin straps are – but I guess having a deodorized strap can’t hurt!

Finally, the sizing of the Kabuto Ibuki seems to run pretty true – so if you’re interested in ordering one, check our fitting guide and that should show the size to order – preferably from one of our recommended retailers (see below).

Looks & Graphics

The Kabuto Ibuki is only available in plain, solid designs at the moment – including a hi viz version and a fetching gunmetal and aluminium silver versions. For the latest colors and designs, click through the links to our recommended retailer below – they’ll drop you on the Kabuto helmet page.

Kabuto Ibuki Video

Take a few minutes to have a look around the Ibuki…

Other stuff – audio, weight, buffeting, build quality, warranty

The Ibuki has recesses in the EPS lining to accommodate speakers for communicators and word is that there’s plenty of space for those and a mic. Systems we’ve heard that fitted OK include the Sena 20S and the SMH10 – with the 20S working using a clamp rather than stick on.

kabuto Ibuki pearl white modular crash helmet rear view — Rear view showing buffeting-reducing Wake Stabilizing mouldings

Quite a few owners reckon that the Ibuki feels light – and the figures bear this out. A medium size helmet is just over 3.5lbs (about 1.6Kg) which is slightly lighter than the average flip-up helmet.

It’s good for buffeting too. The ridges on the surface of the Ibuki are there to try and smooth out the flow of air across the surface to reduce buffeting and noise. It’s what Kabuto call ‘wake stabilising’ technology. And a few owners commented that it feels better than their previous helmets and seems to work.

Similarly, a few owners said they were surprised by how well made the Kabuto felt – inside and outside. Kabuto back up the quality with a reasonable 3 year warranty.

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Alternatives to the Kabuto Ibuki

There’s lots of competition in the flip-up helmet market these days with decent offerings whatever your budget.

We’ve gotta mention the Scuberth C3 Pro because it’s a well made helmet that can be found for about the same price as the Kabuto – though it’s only SHARP 3 star rated. Also, there’s the popular Shoei Neotech – a SHARP 4 star rated, well built helmet which again can be found starting at around the same price as the Kabuto.

But there’s some great helmets to be had for much less than the price of these or the Ibuki.

Others worth a mention – and offering considerably better value – are the 4 star rated AGV Numo Evo, the 4 star Lazer Monaco with it’s photochromic shield as standard and claim to be the world’s lightest modular, and the 4 star rated, dual homologated Nolan N91 Evo.

Phew! There’s a few to keep you going!

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Overall/Summary

The Kabuto Ibuki seems to surprise many owners by its build quality and how well it performs. We can’t really tell how well it’ll protect you in an accident as it’s not been SHARP or Snell certified, but what we do know is that it has good ventilation, is comfortable, pretty light and its shield system with included Pinlock and useful drop down sun visor perform well. Overall, owners seem to really like their Ibukis and if you’re in the market for a modular helmet, you could do far worse than trying one out – you never know, you might become a Kabuto convert!

Star Ratings

Review of the LS2 FF320 Stream touring motorcycle crash helmet

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The LS2 FF320 Stream: a great value, full face crash helmet with integral sun visor

The FF320 Stream is a polycarbonate full face helmet produced by Chinese maker, LS2. It’s been designed to suit as many people as possible – not necessarily full-on sportsbike riders but for the rest of us – the cruisers, tourers or naked bike riders who don’t spend their days with helmets glued to the tank. It is a lower priced helmet – but it does come with some useful features such as a drop down sun visor, optically correct main shield and quick-fasten micrometric strap.

So here’s the lowdown on what the LS2 FF320 Stream offers – and crucially, a round up of what owners and riders think of it.

Polycarbonate full face helmet
SHARP 3 star safety rated
Drop down sun visor
Pinlock-ready shield (Pinlock not included)
Micrometric fastener
3.4Lbs (1.5Kg) in size M (slightly heavier than average)
Sizes XXS-XXL
Expect to pay about $119-$129

Looking to buy an LS2 Stream?

Please click below to visit the LS2 Stream helmets pages at two of 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).

LS2-FF320-Stream-Wind-Motorcycle-Helmet-Pinkjpg — Rear view of the LS2 FF320 Stream in ‘Wind’ design

Safety

The LS2 FF320 Stream is SHARP 3 star safety rated, produced in one shell size, has a lockable and optically-correct main visor, useful sun visor and micrometric fastener. Next!

Ok, there’s lots to take in there but all these elements combine to make a helmet that should be pretty safe.

The LS2 is reportedly both DOT certified and ECE 22.05 approved (meaning it’s been rigorously tested before going on sale – more here). It hasn’t been Snell tested but it has been tested by SHARP, the UK government crash helmet testing labs, where it scored a reasonable 3/5 stars. It’s not the best (look here if you want to see the helmets that scored four and five stars when tested) and it does highlight some potential flaws – but it’s pretty good.

To put it in context, Arai’s average score across all tested helmets is 3.5 out of 5 stars!

So I’ll not go on further about polycarbonate shelled helmets or dual density linings etc. – the SHARP test wraps up all the pros and cons of the safety of each helmet into a single simple score.

The LS2 Stream is also only made in one shell size. Some helmets are made in four shell sizes meaning they’ll look better and have just the right ratio of shock absorbing lining and comfort lining so they’re not padded out or under-padded to accommodate the different fitment sizes. So that’s not a feature in the LS2’s favor.

However, there are a few other features that are welcome on the Stream and contribute to overall safety.

LS2-FF320-Stream-Omega-Motorcycle-Helmet-side-view — Stream ‘Omega’ in red

The main clear shield locks closed and is optically correct – both potentially good for safety. It also comes with a sun visor making it less likely you’ll get caught out when the sun’s low and dazzling – and the micrometric fastener is nice and easy to use, hopefully meaning you’ll get your helmet fitting securely for every ride.

Helmet Noise

Lots of owners seem to think the LS2 FF320 Stream is one loud helmet.

There’s always a mix of opinions when it comes down to helmet noise, depending on the type of bike you ride, whether you’re behind a screen or not – or even what your last helmet was like. All these factors usually color our judgement. And while some owners reckon the Stream is OK, there are lots who say it’s very loud.

As usual, stick in a pair of decent ear plugs and you should be fine though.

Ventilation

Good ventilation is needed to keep you cool on hot days and help keep your visor fog-free on cold days.

LS2-FF320 Stream-plain matt black Motorcycle-Helmet top view — Plain matt black Stream with two top vent sliders

Ventilation on the LS2 FF320 Stream is through a single chin vent and twin forehead vents.

The chin vent works with a simple toggle switch – one that’s nice and big and easy to use in gloves.

The forehead vents are covered with sliders. Again, they’re both nice and easy to use and allow air to flow through channels inside the helmet and out of the rear through a single exhaust vent.

However, even though they’re nice and easy to use, reports are that the flow through them is only about average. If you’re riding on a cold or rainy day, your visor will probably fog up without a Pinlock or similar (tbh that’s same for most helmets though). And if you’re riding on a really hot day, the flow through possibly won’t be enough to keep you cool (if masses of ventilation’s your thing, check out one of these helmets).

If you’re only going to be riding in moderate temperatures though – or using it for shorter journeys – the LS2 Stream should be fine though. It’s only in more extreme temperatures where users reckon it struggles.

Main Shield

The LS2 comes with a 3mm thick optically correct clear main shield.

The main shield works on friction (rather than a ratchet) meaning you can open it and position it wherever you want and the shield should stick open in any position. However, some folks say it can struggle to stay open at intermediate points, slamming shut without warning and leaving riders with the options of fully-open or closed. Not good.

One or two also report an annoying whistling from the Stream – possibly because of a faulty seal around the shield.

But overall, most folks don’t seem to have a problem with it – and they seem to positively love the quick release shield mechanism. Check the video from the LS2 dude below to see how easy he finds it (though we have to say that you can make most quick release mechanisms look REALLY easy in a video – once you’ve given it hours of practice!).

One nice feature on the Stream’s shield is that it locks closed; but is still really easy to unlock and open with one hand. What’s not so good is that when you do it, the shield opening tab is so close to the chin vent that you can end up closing the chin vent every time you do it! Ooops.

LS2-FF320 Stream-plain matt black Motorcycle-Helmet side view — With main shield open showing sun visor fully lowered

Sun Visor

Onto the Sun visor and it’s a decent sun visor that’s operated by a lever near the left shield pivot.

There’s usually two areas relating to sun visors which draw criticism from owners. First is that sun visors can be a bit light. Second is that they sometimes don’t come down low enough.

A few owners commented the sun visor on the LS2 FF320 Stream doesn’t drop down low enough, leaving a stripe of really bright light at the bottom. Obviously, sun visors have to fit a lot of different shapes and sizes of faces & noses so they’re always gonna be a bit of a compromise. And whereas you might well buy shades that sit right against your cheeks, sun visors usually sit a little bit away from the face so they don’t rub uncomfortably.

We didn’t see any comments about the sun visor being too light though – and one owner did say it was nice and dark – so that’s a big tick in the box if you live somewhere very sunny so want a shade that’s a bit darker than most.

Overall though, owners seemed very positive about how the drop down sun visor works.

S2-FF320 Stream-bang Motorcycle-Helmet interior — Under the Stream ‘Bang’ showing micrometric fastener and neck roll

Comfort & Sizing

The LS2 Stream can be a tight fit when you first pull it on. One or two people commented it can be a bit like a birthing experience (!) – but once it’s on it’s nice and comfortable.

It’s worth knowing that it’s been designed to fit people with slightly longer, narrower heads best (what some folk call long oval heads). Also that there’s a split between owners who say the Stream’s sizing is about right and others who say it’s a bit on the small size.

We’d suggest you measure your head (using our guide) and then order the right size. But if you’re between sizes, maybe go for the size up. Also if you’ve noticed your previous helmets have pressed uncomfortably on your forehead, that probably means you’ve a longer type of head. In which case the Stream might well be good for you.

The interior lining is removable and washable, hypoallergenic (i.e. shouldn’t cause an allergic reaction) and is widely reported as being nice and comfy. There’s also a glasses groove in the sides to stop your glasses’ stems digging into your face, and there’re modest cut-outs to fit speakers (see more below).

Overall, owner feedback is that it’s a good comfortable helmet.

Looks & Graphics

The LS2 FF320 Stream certainly looks the part; with its complex shape and sun visor it looks like a purposeful, modern crash helmet.

S2-FF320-Stream-bang-Motorcycle-Helmet-side-on-in-blue — This LS2 Stream ‘Bang’ is also available in red (below) and titanium (above)

There’s quite a few designs around too – the usual solid, plain colors (one white and two blacks) – and our pick of the others include the bright pink Wind, the urban Fan helmet (especially in orange!), the black/white Lunars and the bonkers Bang designs. There’s lots of others though so if you want to see the latest designs, it’s probably worth clicking on the links to our recommended retailers below, which will drop you onto their LS2 helmets pages where you’ll find some of the latest designs around.

Best places to buy an LS2 Stream?

LS2 FF310 Stream helmet video

Bloke from LS2 USA gives you a quick tour around the 310 Stream.

Other stuff – weight, audio, chin curtain, warranty

The LS2 Stream is slightly heavier than the average full face helmet – but then it does have a drop down sun visor which most full face helmets don’t. Owners don’t moan about the weight too much though so we think you’ll probably find it OK to live with.

LS2-FF320-Stream-Bang-Motorcycle-Helmet-Black-Red — LS2 Stream Bang in Red

If you’re looking to fit a bluetooth set to the Stream though, it’s possibly not the best. The speaker pockets are there but they’re a bit small and there’s not much thought gone into microphone placement either. Some owners have successfully fitted a kit though – including a Cardo Scala Q3 – though they suggest you have to mount it with sticky velcro tabs.

Finally, the FF320 Stream comes with a removable chin curtain and breath deflector – but only a 1 year warranty (some helmets come with a 5 year warranty these days).

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Alternatives to the LS2 Stream

So you’re wanting a full face helmet with sun visor but don’t want to pay much (makes sense to us!)?

Well there’s not much around (shows what great value the Stream is!) but you might want to read about the Shark 700S – that’s a SHARP 4 star rated polycarb helmet that’s about the same weight as the Stream and can be had for around the same money.

LS2-FF320-Stream-Lunar-motorcycle-crash-helmet — Striking LS2 Stream Lunar

There’s also AGVs K3 SV – that’s a tad more expensive than the LS2 Stream, but it’s fully loaded with SHARP 4 star safety rating, sun visor, Pinlock, great ventilation – and it’s slightly lighter too.

If you’re not so bothered about a sun visor, there’s a couple of other SHARP 4 star rated helmets you might want to look at: the Scorpion EXO R410 is a great budget crash helmet – and so too is the Shark S600 which can also be had for a few dollars less than the LS2!

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Overall/Summary

We go into quite a bit of detail in our reviews so you’re aware of any niggles that might be coming your way. And we found a few with the LS2 FF320 Stream. But you’ve gotta put that into context – and that is that you’re getting a whole lot of features and performance at a really attractive price!

And that’s the calculation that most owners make. Yep, you can point out a few failings here and there – but for this low price you’re getting an awful lot of crash helmet. We’d say, you might not be getting the lightest, safest, or quietest helmet on the market, but it’s a competent all rounder which will suit lots of people’s needs – and their bank balance. So if that sounds like where you’re coming from, then the LS2 FF320 Stream is definitely worth a look.

Looking to buy an LS2 Stream?

Star Ratings

Caberg Drift full face motorcycle helmet review

Page Contents

Caberg Drift full face motorcycle helmet review

Note: Caberg helmets are not DOT certified for use in mandatory helmet states (only ECE 22.05 certified for sale/use in Europe).

The Caberg Drift is a composite fiber full face helmet that’s designed to suit most riders – think sports/touring and you’ll not go far wrong.

So what makes the Caberg Drift different from all the other sports/touring helmets out there?

Well, the main selling point of the Drift is that you’re getting a composite helmet with a Pinlock anti-fog and drop down sun visor at an extremely reasonable price. I mean, really really reasonable. How does $250 for a tri-composite sound? Or £300 for a carbon fiber version? Thought so.

But price is far from the whole story. It’s gotta work well too.

The great news is it looks like Caberg have designed-in some very useful features that could well make it a really nice helmet to live with too.

Composite fiber full-face
Full carbon version also available
SHARP 3 star safety rated
3lbs (1.35Kg) – lighter than average
Drop down sun visor
Pinlock Max Vision anti-fog insert included
Size XS-XXL
Expect to pay $250 (composite) $300 (carbon)
Plain white version of the Drift

Safety

The shell of the Drift is made from a composite of carbon, kevlar and fiberglass to make a helmet that should, on paper at least, be strong and light. And the scales bear this out – the Drift is around 1.35Kg for a medium size (the average weight across all full face helmets tested by SHARP is 1.48Kg).

That’s good for both helmet safety performance and comfort.

And if you want a Drift that’s even lighter, there’s the full carbon fiber drift that shaves a further 100g off the weight of the composite version (and looks pretty mean as well!). It’s only about $50 more too which is amazing value for a full carbon helmet.

Unfortunately, Cabergs aren’t DOT certified yet (or Snell) so not legal in mandatory helmet states. And because the Drift hasn’t yet been tested by SHARP, it’s very difficult to know how well it’ll protect you in an accident.

caberg-drift-carbon-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Full carbon version of the Drift – a real bargain

In the past, Caberg have produced some really safe helmets – in fact at the time of writing they’re our joint first place safest brand with their helmets scoring a massive 4.6/5 stars for safety across their tested range.

That said, most of their helmets tested to date by SHARP have been polycarbonate so their SHARP score isn’t massively useful when we’re talking about a composite fiber helmet.

In fact, the Drift is the first Caberg composite helmet that we’re aware of that’s been lab safety tested by SHARP. It scored three stars (out of a maximum 5) in their safety testing, dropping a couple of stars for average side impact protection.

If you’re after a helmet with a higher safety rating, you should click through to our Safest Crash Helmets pages where you’ll find all our SHARP 4 & 5 star rated helmets.

Of course, like all helmets in the EU, it’s been ECE 22-05 certified; and that’s no walk in the park. It’s a very comprehensive testing regime meaning the Drift should give at least an acceptable level of accident protection.

caberg-drift-shadow-motorcycle-helmet-front-view — Caberg Drift in Shadow black/red design.

One final note on the shell and safety is that the Drift’s only manufactured in one shell size. That’s not ideal for either fitting or safety – for those with smaller heads it may mean the helmet looks overly large on you and for those with larger heads, comfort and/or polystyrene lining will have to be reduced in thickness to compensate. Potentially, that’s not great.

Want to buy a Caberg Drift?

Have a quick jump to our UK site where you’ll find our UK and EU recommended retailers who’ll be delighted to ship you a Drift. But bear in mind, if you’re in a DOT state, a European ECE certified helmet isn’t legal.

Helmet Noise

Word is that the aero and padding on the Caberg Drift work pretty well and combine to make a helmet that’s slightly above average for helmet noise suppression.

Of the owners who mentioned helmet noise, three quarters thought it’s reasonably quiet, with one saying it gets noticeably noisy above 70 mph and another saying it’s noisier than average. One comment a couple of people said was that whether the vents are open or not doesn’t seem to make much difference to the noise levels – which is unusual (and welcome!).

caberg-drift-armour-union-jack-motorcycle-crash-helmet-side-view — Classy looking Caberg Drift Armour

As usual, everyone’s perception of helmet noise is different and it’s dependent on lots of factors (type of bike, riding position, fairing, speed) so you’ll have to take any review’s findings with a pinch of salt.

Ventilation

Onto ventilation, and there’s a single chin vent and single crown vent to bring air into the helmet and a single rear exhaust vent to help remove it.

All three have a large slider covering them, and word is they’re nice and simple to use and are great for using in gloves. And while it doesn’t sound like the most comprehensive ventilation system in the world – indications are that it works well.

Owners reckon it pushes a decent amount of air onto the rear of the visor and the top vent channels a decent amount of air around the scalp.

Shield and Sun Visor

The main shield is quick-release and has a spring loading mechanism that’s designed to pull the shield onto the rubber seal and create a nice tight joint against wind and rain.

It’s also nice and large and has a potentially useful shield lock/opener just to the rear of the left-hand shield pivot. In one position it locks the shield; or flip it backwards and it’ll crack open the shield about half a centimetre for defogging.

caberg-drift-flux-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — If you’re a fan of Tron, you’ll probably be a fan of the Drift Flux

I say it’s potentially useful because no-one mentioned they actually used it. And besides, most of us probably won’t really use the cracked-open position too much because if you need a bit of air, I suspect most of us will crack the shield open in the conventional way – i.e. open the shield a bit. And also because there’s a Pinlock Max Vision antifog insert included free with the Drift, that should see the shield being fog-free in all but the most extreme circumstances (i.e. think slamming down with rain in near-zero conditions and stopped at traffic lights!).

And even then you’ll usually be fine with a Max Vision in place.

The shield works on a ratchet (as opposed to friction alone) and has a couple of tabs on the bottom for opening with either left or right hands. That’s good.

Underneath the left shield pivot is another slider – this time for the drop down sun visor.

Word is that all’s well with the sun visor. It comes down nice and low and, while it can be prone to fogging, that’s not uncommon with sun visors. And because the sun visor slider works on friction, that means you can have the sun visor either fully-up or down or any position in between.

Comfort and Sizing

Inside the Drift, you’ll find the usual removable/washable lining found in all but the most budget helmets these days. The drift’s lining is both removable/washable and hypoallergenic. It also comes with a neck roll to reduce turbulence and a chin curtain to reduce noise.

And owners overwhelmingly say that the Caberg Drift is a comfortable helmet. They reckon it feels light to wear, is a roughly neutral shape and, as long as you get the fit correct in the first place, should be all-day comfy. Sizing seems to be true, so if you don’t know what size you are or would like to double-check, just follow our fitting guide to find the right size for you.

Looks and Graphics

There’s a stinkload of graphics options available for the Drift. We’d say the most-eye catching are probably the raw carbon version (when are we gonna tire of carbon fiber!? It’s just timeless!) and of course the moody black versions.

caberg-drift-tour-motorbike-crash-helmet-side-view — This one’s the red/white/blue Caberg Drift Tour

Of the rest, the Shadow Italia is pretty striking, as is the Armour and it’s subtle Union Jack design. And we’d have to give a nod to the excellent Drift Tour – which’d go very nicely with any non-Repsol Honda HRC Racing bikes out there!

Other than these, please check out our recommended retailer links below to see all the latest designs and deals for yourself.

Looking to buy a Caberg?

(Note Cabergs aren’t legal for use in US DOT states)

Then head on over to our UK site where you can find links to some excellent retailers who’ll ship you a Stunt.

Caberg Drift Video

Here’s a short video looking at the Caberg Drift (a Drift Shadow orange/grey in fact) from those funsters over at WebBikeWorld. He can barely contain himself can he 😉

Other Stuff – fastener, communicators, build quality, warranty

The Drift comes with a double-d ring fastener – which are a little fiddly compared to micrometric fasteners but are nice and safe.

caberg-drift-shadow-italia-motorcycle-crash-helmet-side-view — Caberg Drift Shadow Italia

The Caberg Drift has been designed to work with a range of bluetooth sets. There’s fairly generous speaker and microphone pockets/spaces included, so hopefully it’ll fit a wide range of communicators – along with Caberg’s own Just Speak range.

If you’re thinking of buying one, it’s worth noting that Caberg helmets come with just a one year warranty against manufacturing defects. Many manufacturers offer a 5 year warranty these days so if you’re after a bit more protection on your purchase, click the link and check out one of those helmets.

Overall/Summary

The Caberg Drift looks to be a smashing helmet – it’s got a great spec with some quality and useful features – all for not very much money at all.

caberg-drift-shadow-motorcycle-helmet-rear-view — Rear view of the Drift Shadow

If you buy a Drift from Europe, it be ECE certified – meaning it’s been tested to European safety standard level – though it did drop a couple of stars when safety tested by SHARP. But owners reckon it’s a good helmet to live with that’s comfortable, reasonably quiet, has a good shield with Pinlock anti-fog, has great build quality and decent ventilation. In fact, there’s very little that owners seem to find fault with their Caberg Drifts. And it’s a great route to composite fiber or carbon fiber crash helmet ownership for not very much money. Well worth a look.

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Alternatives to the Caberg Drift

At this price point, there’s lots of great alternatives to the Drift.

Around around the same price as the Drift is AGVs K5 – another composite fiber crash helmet with a sun visor and this one is SHARP 4 star rated.

Or, if you can afford another $100 on top of the price of the Drift, you’re into the territory of the more exclusive Schuberth SR1. It’s a little more track focused but this carbon composite helmet is SHARP 4 star rated and has great build quality (and of course there’s now the Schuberth SR2 to contend with).

There’s also the Nexx X.R2 – it’s a few more $ than the Drift but it’s super light weight, got a great shield and is popular as a track helmet in particular. And, like the Drift, you’ve got the option of composite or full carbon fiber versions to choose from. Oh, and it’s a real looker!

Star Ratings

Shoei VFX-W off-road/Motocross helmet review

Page Contents

The Shoei VFX-W motocross crash helmet: a classic design still going strong

The VFX-W is Shoei’s top of the range dirtbike crash helmet. It was designed to offer all the features you’d hope for in an off-road motorcycle helmet – safety, sun peak, lots of ventilation and all-day comfort. And it looks the part too – lots of mouldings in the shell and it comes in a massive range of funky graphics. Thing is, it’s been around a long time now with no significant updates; which got us thinking. Maybe that’s because Shoei got it so right in the first place?

Here’s the low-down on all the features and what buyers and owners around the web think of the VFX-W.

Fiberglass Motocross full face
Snell approved (not SHARP tested)
ECE & DOT certified
Double d-ring fastener
Emergency cheek pad removal
Wide aperture for goggles
5 year warranty
2.8Lbs (1.27Kg) size m (that’s light)
Sizes XS-XXL
Prices range from $350-£550

Note: The Shoei VFX-W is now discontinued, now replaced by the Shoei VFX-EVO.

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Safety

We reckon the Shoei VFX-W is gonna perform well in an accident.

Like all helmets on sale in the US, it’s DOT certified (it’s ECE 2205 tested and approved for Europe too). And while it hasn’t been SHARP tested to verify quite how well it’ll perform in relation to other helmets, it has been Snell tested and certified M2015 in the US.

The shock absorbing liner is dual-density and the shell is a fiberglass composite using what Shoei calls it’s AIM+ or advanced integrated matrix process. Other Shoei helmets using this AIM+ construction include the old XR1100, the NXR, X-Sprit 2 and the Qwest – and three of those scored 5/5 stars and one 4/5 stars in the SHARP helmet test.

You’ll draw your own conclusions from that, but we think with a heritage like that, combined with Dot certification and Snell testing/approval, chances are the VFX-W is probably going to offer really good protection in an accident.

There’s some other features which will help with safety too. Shoei have designed that peak to easily snap off in an accident – so it doesn’t pull your head around and damage your neck. It’s also got a double-d ring fastener – which means you have to readjust your strap every time you put the helmet on – hopefully meaning you’ll have a nice tight fit every time you ride.

Shoei-vfx-w-motocross-crash-helmet-rear-view-taka — Rear of Shoei VFX-W in Taka design

There’s also EPS (polystyrene) shock absorbing lining backing the chin guard of the VFX-W too – which is a great touch and not something we often see in crash helmets. That’s a surprise because I know I’d like my jaw to remain intact if I faceplant terra firma and adding EPS to the inside of the chin guard is one way of helping achieve that. Nice one Shoei!

If you do have an off, the VFX-W also features emergency quick removal cheek pads – designed to help paramedics pull the cheek pads out of the bottom of the helmet before attempting to remove your helmet. There’s a sticker on the side of the helmet that tells them what to do too. Hopefully you’ll never need to test it but anything that gives you an edge in an accident is worth it – who knows, EQRS might be the difference between a full recovery and neck injuries?

One final thing to note on safety is that the VFX-W is produced in four shell sizes. We’ve only seen a couple of other helmets made in that many shell sizes so far, and it means you should have more or less the absolute optimal amount of shock-absorbing liner for each size of helmet and you’ll get a helmet that fits proportionately bang-on. Read more here about why more shell sizes is a good thing for safety and looks. Suffice to say, it’s a big thumbs up from us.

Overall then, evidence so far points to very good marks for safety.

Shoei-vfx-w-motocross-crash-helmet-Maelstrom-TC-8 — VFX-W Maelstrom design

Helmet Noise

Not many owners mentioned anything about helmet noise – I guess it’s not really a big concern when you’re off-roading. But those that did mention noise said words along the lines of ‘it’s not the quietest’. If noise is an issue for you when offroading, then we’d advise you to avoid the VFX-W – or buy one and stick in some ear plugs and you should be fine (alternatively, you could always just buy one of our quietest recommended helmets!).

Sizing

The Shoei VFX-W comes in sizes XS-XXL – that’s six fitment sizes covered by four helmet shell sizes.

Owners seem to be split between saying their fitment sizes are bang-on correct or they’re a bit tight. We suspect the feeling they’re a bit tight is linked to comments that the cheek pads can feel tight when you first get your new helmet, but that the helmet breaks in quickly after that (so perception may be that it’s tight).

Of course, if you do buy a VFX-W and find it’s a bit tight in the cheeks, like all Shoei’s, you can buy replacement cheek pads. Shoei make them in thin, standard and thick sizes so you should be able to swap them out and get the fitting just right.

However, if you measure your head and find you’re between sizes, the best advice seems to be to order the larger size (and if you order from one of our recommended retailers, you’ll be able to exchange it for a different size with no problems anyway).

Shoei vfx-w motocross crash helmet top view block pass design — Top view of the VFX-W block pass

Comfort

Inside the VFX-W you’ll find a removable/washable comfort liner. It’s made from the usual polyurethane foam and is what Shoei call a 3D Max liner, covered in a material that abosorbs/wicks sweat – and I’m quoting the Shoei website here – twice as fast as conventional nylon.

Now I may not be a materials scientist (actually, I was once but I’m not now!) but is nylon really known for it’s absorbancy!?

Doesn’t seem like much of a claim, however owners seem satisfied and say that, together with the great ventilation and reasonably light weight (see below) it works well and it’s a very comfortable helmet to wear.

Ventilation

Shoei have developed the VFX-W in cahoots with lots of pro motocross riders (Kevin Windham, Josh Grant, Josh Strang, Destry Abbott). The upshot is that they’ve said great ventilation is vital and Shoei seem to have listened because ventilation is reportedly top notch in the VFX-W.

There’s a single large chin vent, three brow vents above your goggles and a couple of forehead vents, all venting through five rear exhausts (including a massive rear, collar exhaust vent).

Overall, owners say the airflow is really great – couple that with Shoei’s 3D Max liner and it’s great at keeping your head cool and (relatively!) sweat free.

On that, it’s worth saying that none of the vents can be closed. Might not be an issue where you live, but then again… Oh and when folks have asked whether rain gets in, it’s not seemed to be an issue with a couple of guys saying they’ve ridden in rain without problems. Of course, there’s rain and there’s RAIN!!!

Finally, Shoei have added a nice foam filter to the rear of the chin vent – meaning you can take it out, wash out the s**t, dry it and slot it back in. Good feature that works well by all accounts.

Shoei vfx-w motocross crash helmet rear view turmoil — Rear view of VFX-W in turmoil design showing moulded rear designed to take goggles.

Goggles & neck braces

The front opening on the Shoei VFX-W was designed by Shoei to be nice and large so it would give good peripheral vision and accommodate pretty well all popular brands of goggles.

They seem to have done a good job as we couldn’t find anyone complaining they couldn’t fit their goggles. Oakley Airbrakes, Crowbars, 100% Racecraft, Dragon NFX – all reported to fit easily in there.

As you can see by the rear mouldings of the shell, there’s a nice groove designed-in too so when you’re wearing goggles the strap fits snugly around the back of the helmet and the moulding keeps it sitting nicely in place. Works well according to owners too.

There’s a few mentions from folks saying the VFX-W works fine with most neck braces as well. One guy who wears a Leatt support says it can tap on the jutty-out bit on the moulding at the back, but it’s nothing more than a niggle.

Looks & Graphics

The Shoei VFX-W has been around for a good while now and there’s lots of graphics options to be had. There’s quite a few plain, solid versions – including gloss/matt black, white – plus you might find the odd silver, orange and plain yellow versions around.

But most feature funky designs and we’ve thrown as many of the best ones as we can onto this page. As usual, for the latest and greatest ranges of designs, we recommend you click the links to our recommended retailers (the links on this page will drop you on their Shoei helmets page) and have a browse around what’s on offer.

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Shoei VFX-W Video

Here’s a sub-3 minute video giving you quick scan around the VFX-W.

Other stuff – warranty, weight, peak, build quality

The VFX-W comes with Shoei’s 5 year warranty (original buyer only). At 2.8Lbs (1.27Kgs) it’s nice and light weight with quite a few owners commenting how light it feels and how the lack of weight seems to help make comfy for a day’s offroading.

Shoei-vfx-w-motocross-crash-helmet-barcia-side-view — VFX-W Barca comes in two different schemes – this one’s the shy and retiring TC-3!

We’ve not mentioned the peak much so far. That’s probably because it does its job well. It’s adjustable and is secured by plastic screws – plastic so if you do take a tumble the screws will snap off to stop the peak digging in and wrenching your neck. It’ll also mean you can pick up your peak, get some new plastic screws (available from Shoei) and screw it back on again. Good design that. The VFX-W also comes with an anti-glare strip in the box, so you can stick it onto the underside of the peak if you suffer from sun glare.

Finally, lots also say how nicely finished the Shoei is – in line with pretty well all other Shoei’s with good build quality and high quality finish on paint and decals.

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Alternatives to the Shoei VFX-W

We’ve not reviewed a massive number of Motocross helmets so far (something we’ll look to improve) but you can find all our other motocross crash helmet reviews here.

Overall/Summary

The Shoei VFX-W is a great helmet that’s well liked – in fact we didn’t find a single person who moaned about their VFX-W which is saying something (we all love a good moan on the internet don’t we?!?).

Shoei’s design team seem to have listened to off road riders good and hard and that’s resulted in a helmet that’s got all the features dirt riders seem to need.

It hasn’t been SHARP tested for safety (though it has been DOT and Snell approved) but all the evidence so far points to the VFX-W being a really safe helmet too.

So, great features, well designed, superb build quality, safe. In a nutshell, if you’re in the market for a new motocross helmet, the Shoei VFX-W should really be at the top of your list to check out.

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Star Ratings

Full review of the Nexx X.T1 full face composite helmet

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A full-face composite fiber touring crash helmet: Nexx X.T1 review

Portugese manufacturer Nexx (or Nexxpro as they’re officially known) has been focusing on developing composite helmets since their formation in 2001.

With the Nexx X.T1, they’ve produced a composite fiber touring helmet that’s designed to be light and offer a full range of features that touring riders look for – including sun visor, lots of ventilation, Nexx X-Com intercom integration and a wide, Pinlock-equipped shield.

So, here we take you through all the features of the X.T1 and find out what owners and riders think of their helmet.

Composite shell (Carbon version available)
Designed for touring
Not yet Snell or SHARP safety tested
ECE 22.05 and DOT certified
Comes with a Pinlock anti-fog
Drop down sun visor
3.1 – 3.2lbs (1.4 – 1.45Kg)
3 different shell sizes
Sizes XS-XXXL
Expect to pay around $280-$320 (composite)
$300-$450 (carbon versions)

Nexx XT1 plain titanium graphite crash helmet front side view — A wide range of plain/solid colours are available.

Safety

You’d be forgiven for thinking that helmets made of composite fiber that include materials like carbon, aramid (kevlar) and fiberglass will always make for incredibly safe helmets. But that’s not always the case.

In our study of the safest helmets, we found that you get good and bad performing helmets whatever the material used for the shell. And while the safety level of composite-shelled helmets are second only to carbon fiber helmets in broad terms, that doesn’t necessarily mean each composite helmet will be a real performer.

So far, Snell hasn’t certified any Nexx helmets and SHARP has tested only 3 – including two composite helmets and one carbon. And so far, every one has scored 3 stars out of a possible 5. That’s OK but far from the best (and don’t forget that getting a helmet that fits just right is the number one consideration to get the best protection from your helmet).

The XT1 hasn’t been SHARP tested yet but previous scores obviously point to it scoring around three stars too – though we can’t be certain until it’s been tested.

Of course, like all helmets for sale in mandatory helmet states, it’s been DOT certified and it’s also been ECE 22-05 tested/approved in Europe/Oz which means it should offer at least a decent, base-level of protection.

Nexx XT1 lotus motorcycle helmet rear view — Rear view of the XT1 Lotus

However, until it’s been Snell or SHARP tested, we won’t know for sure just how good it is.

Helmet Noise

Word is that the Nexx XT1 is a bit noisy – on two levels.

First off, a few owners reckon it’s generally quite a noisy helmet when riding. It seems that because there’s a good amount of ventilation getting into the X.T1 (see below) it’s making for a helmet that doesn’t suppress noise very well – that’s despite Nexx saying the X.T1 comes with noise-suppressing cheek pads. Of course, ride with ear plugs in and you should be fine.

Secondly, a few owners said it seems like the sun visor slider catches the air and makes either a whistle or vibration noise which can get really annoying. It doesn’t happen for everyone but when it does, it’s the sort of noise that can drive you crazy.

If you do decide to go for an X.T1, then make sure you buy from a retailer that’ll swap it without any fuss (like our recommended retailers) so if you get one that whistles, you can try another without any hassle.

Ventilation

Ventilation is via a dual top vent and a single chin vent (both open/closeable) and there’s four rear exhaust vents to help the flow and remove warm air out the back.

Owners seem to reckon both vents are easy to use in gloves and overall rate the XT1 highly for ventilation. A couple of people said the chin vents are more effective than the top vents, but mostly folks rate it highly for ventilation. That doesn’t mean it’s not going to stop the shield fogging up when things get cold or humid of course, but overall there’s no problems here.

Nexx-XT1-plain-hi-viz-crash-helmet-side-view — Plain hi-viz green version of the XT1. You can see the sun visor slider top right

Shield

The shield on the XT1 seems to be a bit hit and miss.

On the ‘hit’ side, it comes with a clear main shield which, Nexx claims, has a larger than normal opening size – what Nexx calls a Panoramic Eye Port. It has a quick-change shield too that’s Pinlock-ready and comes with a Pinlock anti-fog in the box. That’s a good thing, especially for those of us who live somewhere cold (or humid!).

The issue is that none of it works quite as well as Nexx intended. It’s OK, but there’s a few problems.

First off, the shield is spring-loaded, designed to pull the shield tight to the gasket around the shield to keep it nice and watertight. That part works well but unfortunately, it seems there’s a bit too much tension as the ratchet for the shield is a bit stiff and requires quite a tug (which makes it a bit of a pain in the ass to use according to a few owners).

When closed, everything fits nice and tightly keeping water and air out. However, there’s also an auto-locking mechanism on the shield to keep it closed and locked. That’s not a problem as quite a few helmets do this – it’s just that the unlock mechanism on the X.T1 is far too fiddly for some riders.

The opening tab on the shield is at the bottom-center of the shield, but so is the shield lock release button which is immediately below the shield tab and pretty small. A few owners have complained that it’s really hard to locate even without gloves and can be nearly impossible in gloves – it’s just too small and too close to the shield tab. Seems like it’s a bit of a design flaw?

Other than that, the shield’s nice and wide and has Nexx’s own take on a quick-release mechanism (called X-Swift). It takes a bit of practice to get the hang of it but it does work once you do.

Sun Visor

Behind the main shield is a drop down sun visor. These can be really useful to have and I’d recommend getting a helmet with a sun visor – though unusually, the lever for dropping the sun visor is to the top left of the crown of the helmet (most are either central or below the left hand shield pivot).

What’s good about the X.T1’s sun visor is that it’s a bit darker than most and it covers more area than most – covering about 95%+ of the view. That’s very good. If you get complaints about sun visors it’s that they’re either too light or not big enough. Seems like Nexx has sorted both these problems, so top marks here.

Comfort and sizing

Inside the Nexx X.T1 you’ll find a good quality removable and washable lining that’s made from anti-allergenic materials with Coolmax panels (that’s a fabric designed to wick away moisture and so keep your head cool). Nexx also say there are anti-noise cheek pads inside – but given owners reckon it’s a noisy helmet, we’ll ignore that bit!

Nexx-XT1-pursuit-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Striking Pursuit graphics.

The shape of the helmet will suit folks with longer rather than rounder heads – it’s not an extreme shape by any means but riders with very round heads should probably look elsewhere.

A useful feature that comes with the XT1 is a pouch of sticky pads that you can use to pad out the helmet a bit if you find it loose fitting. Having said that, a few owners reckon they come as a pretty tight fit – moreso than most other helmets – so you probably won’t need to use them. They do seem to break in quickly though, so if you buy one and it’s tight, don’t panic.

Finally, the X.T1 comes with an emergency cheek pad removal system (or EQRS) – pull the red bands at the bottom of the helmet and the cheek pads pull out helping get your helmet off more easily if you have an accident. Looks like Nexx have really thought-through the internals on the XT1 and covered lots of bases.

Looks and Graphics

The XT1 is a bit of a looker – and that’s the reason lots of owners fell in love with it in the first place and had to buy one. In fact, even though there’s a few niggles with it, most folks are prepared to overlook them because they love the look.

That’s helped by a great range of graphics and you can find most of the designs available at the time of writing up and down the page – but for the latest range of graphics and any deals, please check out the links to our recommended retailers – click the links below and you’ll be taken straight to their Nexx helmets pages.

Nexx X.T1 videos

Here’s a couple of videos – first a 9m video from a guy at competition accessories, and secondly a 3m video of a guy looking round his unboxed white XT1.

Other stuff – weight, shell sizes, aero, fastener, breath guards, bluetooth, warranty

One of the best features of the Nexx X.T1 is its weight. The composite fiberglass, carbon and kevlar version weighs around 3.2lbs (1.45Kgs) in weight – that’s a smidge lighter than most full face lids and slightly lighter than most composites. The full carbon version is around 8Oz (500g) lighter still – to the point lots of carbon XT1 owners commented on how super light it feels.

It’s made in 3 shell sizes – which is a good thing, especially at this medium price point (used to be that only the very top-of-the-range helmets would be made in 3 different shell sizes). Here’s more information on why it’s a good thing. Suffice to say, more shell sizes equals a better looking and better fitting helmet and arguably a safer one too. Each shell size covers these fitment sizes: XS-S, M-L, XL-XXXL.

All that detailing and moulding on the helmet shell seems to work well too. Several owners commented on how stable the XT1 is – with very little buffeting even when turning your head and little turbulence.

Nexx XT1 carbon zero motorcycle helmet top down view — Top view of the full carbon version of the X.T1 – the carbon zero

The helmet’s secured with a micrometric chin strap and there’s the usual removable breath guard and chin curtain included. It’s also compatible with the Nexx/Sena X-com bluetooth system, with a built-in slot on the side of the helmet to take it.

And finally, all Nexx helmets come with a 2 year warranty.

Overall/Summary

Looking over the Nexx X.T1 it seems like a good deal of design thought has been lavished on it – and it offers a high spec of helmet at a very attractive price.

It’s reasonably light weight (especially the full carbon version which falls into our lightest helmets category), cool looking and comes with a host of features lots of touring riders are looking for (sun visor, bluetooth, great aero, good interior, wide shield).

All that is spoilt for some owners because of a few niggles. There’s that fiddly shield lock and stiff shield movement – and it’s a bit noisy with a few owners complaining of an intermittent whistling. You might be lucky and none of this troubles you – in which case you’ll get a great looking helmet with stacks of features. Or they might annoy the hell out of you and make you want to trash it.

If you do decide to go for one, just make sure you buy from a supplier who’ll swap it over without any messing.

Nexx-XT1-galaxy-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Seven variants of the X.T1 Galaxy design are available.

Alternatives to the Nexx X.T1

There’s lots of options for around the same price as the Nexx X.T1. Take a look at AGVs K5, it’s a carbon/fiberglass composite sports-touring helmet with a drop down sun visor and that’s been tested and rated by SHARP at 4 stars (Eu version).

You might also want to think about the Shark Skwal. OK it’s polycarbonate (but that’s not really a bad thing) but it scores 4 stars for safety by SHARP, has a Pinlock included in the box, and a drop down sun visor, and of course it’s got those novel/cool built-in LED lights too (oooh!).

Finally, there’s the Scorpion Exo 500 Air. That’s well rated overall, SHARP 4 star safety rated, wind-tunnel developed, sun visor, Pinlock Max Vision in the box – and has Scorpion’s air pump system to get the fitting just right.

All these helmets get good overall ratings and would make a great (and safety tested) alternative to the Nexx X.T1.

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Review of the AGV AX8 series of motorcycle helmets

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AGV AX-8 series crash helmets (including Evo, Naked and Dual Evo)

The AGV AX8 series of helmets are all based on the same basic helmet shell but they’ve been reconfigured to change the base-level motorcross helmet into a dual-sports or adventure helmet by adding a combination of shield and sun peak. So we’ll cover the helmet components that are common across the range as well as assess the elements that make for these different models in the review below.

But for starters, here’s some main points covering the AX8 helmet range and a description of their differences at-a-glance.

MotoX, full face and adventure variants
Not SHARP or Snell safety tested
Composite shell (except pure carbon version)
Sizes XXS-XXXL
3 Shell sizes
Large shield aperture
Double-d ring fastener
2.87Lbs size M (very light)
Expect to pay $319-$499 (depending on model)

Note: this helmet is now discontinued, replaced by the AGV AX-9 range.

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The AGV AX-8 range – unravelled!

AGV AX8 – the basic motocross offroad helmet.

AGV-AX-8-dual-carbon-matt-crash-helmet-side-view — AX8 Dual Evo features both clear main shield and adjustable peak

AGV AX8 Evo – a slightly evolved version of the AX8 with different internal padding and slightly changed chin guard shape (designed to reduce interference with a neck protector and decrease the risk of impact traumas).

AGV AX8 Dual Evo (and Dual Carbon) – adventure helmet suitable for on or off road and touring. Note Dual Carbon is actually the same composite of carbon, aramid and fiberglass found across the range). The Dual Evo also has an extra top center vent.

AGV AX8 Evo Naked (and Naked Carbon) – same as Dual Evo but without a sun peak, designed to work best on naked motorcycles. Again, Naked Carbon version exposes the carbon fiber weave but is actually still a composite shell.

Safety

All the AX-8 range share the same shell construction, namely a composite of fiberglass, aramid and carbon fiber – what AGV call CAAF.

All the range are both ECE approved for sale/use in Europe and DOT certified for US sale, but none have been independently tested by either SHARP or Snell, so it’s difficult to say how well they’ll perform in an accident in comparison to other helmets.

AGV-AX-8-Evo-Arma-crash-helmet-side-view — AX-8 Evo crosser helmet in Arma graphics

The shell of the AX8 is manufactured in 3 different sizes which is good in terms of fitting and, arguably, safety (read more here).

However, what we can say is that AGV have a great reputation for building safe crash helmets. They’re (at the time of writing) our 2nd safest crash helmet brand and of all their composite helmets tested by SHARP to date, all have scored either 4 or 5 stars for safety out of a maximum of 5, with the average score being 4.5.

It’s never entirely safe to second guess how well any helmet performs by looking at past performance, so we’ve erred on the side of caution and scored the AX-8 an average 3 star rating for safety. However, we’d expect all AX8s to perform well so if and when SHARP do test the AGV AX8, we’ll update this review as soon as the results are available.

Obviously, it’s not just the crash helmet shell that contributes to safety, but the overall design of the helmet does too – hopefully helping prevent an accident in the first place.

So other features which are great to see and should contribute to keeping you safe include: it has a wide aperture to give great all round vision; the shield’s coated in AGVs own anti-fog coating (with mixed reviews though); and there’s a double-d ring fastener which, as long as you tighten them up correctly, are about as safe as fasteners come.

AGV-AX-8-naked-mono-matt-black-motorcycle-helmet — The AX-8 Naked (no peak, with shield) in matt black

Helmet Noise

Helmet noise is massively subjective – one person’s noisy helmet is another’s whisper quiet helmet. Riding position, motorcycle type and previous helmet experience all contribute to your view of how quiet you’ll rate your new helmet.

Overall though, folks reckon it’s about average. If you’re riding with one of the dirt/motocross versions without a shield or chin curtain, you’ll broadly find it noisier than the dual sports or naked versions. But then, if you are wearing an AX-8 Evo, you’ll probably be motoring off road so either won’t notice it or might even want to hear sounds from outside the helmet, keeping a close ear on engine revs for instance.

The chin curtain does help knock a few dbs off the noise – although consensus seems to be that the curtain’s pretty poorly made and either falls off or disintegrates (one of the main complaints of the AX8). Both closing the vents and fitting the shield does help reduce noise though. But don’t expect the AGV AX-8 to be the quietest helmet you’ve ever owned, cos it probably ain’t gonna be.

One other thing to note if you’re thinking of using one of the shielded versions to take on the road (the Naked or the Dual Evo). There’s quite a few folks reckon there’s an irritating whistling noise, especially at higher speeds and especially noticeable when doing shoulder checks/life savers. Not everyone complains of it so you might be lucky, but worth being aware of.

AGV-AX-8-evo-naked-multi-karakum-camo-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — The AX8 Naked in Karakum design

Either way, bung in some decent ear plugs and you should be fine – unless you’re the kind of person a niggly whistle might get to in which case you might want to look elsewhere.

Sizing

The AGV AX-8 range is available in sizes XXS-XXXL, so a wider range of sizes than most helmets we see.

In terms of look and safety, it’s best to have a helmet shell size that more closely matches your fitment size, so it’s good that the AX8 comes in 3 shell sizes, with the smaller shell fitting sizes XXS-S, middle shell fitting sizes M-L and the larger shell covering sizes XXL-XXXL.

A few buyers have noted that the fitting sizes for the AX8 can be a bit on the small side. So if you measure your head and find you’re between sizes (or just know you’re usually on the cusp) then we advise you to a)order the larger size and b)make sure you buy your lid from a store with a generous no quibble returns policy and ideally free returns, just in case.

AGV-AX-8-Evo-Arma-Energy-helmet-rear-view — Rear view of the AX8 Evo Arma

Ventilation

Nothing massively remarkable to mention in the ventilation department.

On most models, there’s a single chin vent with open/close slider and two forehead vents (ditto) in all versions of the AX8. The chin vent’s are easy to operate in gloves, the forehead vents less so. The Dual Evo version has an extra vent top-middle with a slightly fiddly open/close slider to the rear of the vent.

Air that’s pushed into the forehead area is channeled around the skull through channels in the EPS shock absorbing liner and exits the shell via 4 rear exhaust vents. So far so normal.

One interesting feature though, is that the whole chin vent gubbins on the Dual Evo and Naked models can be popped out and replaced by the motocross version which loses the plastic slider and replaces it with a metal mesh. Looks meaner (if mean’s what you’re after!) and much more practical for off-roading. Note, the dirt/motox version comes with the metal grill as standard while the shield versions (dual & naked) come with the plastic road version.

Overall, if you’re riding the off-road version of the AX8, you’ll probably have no issue with lack of ventilation (nss!) but owners reckon the shield versions are about average for ventilation.

AGV-AX-8-evo-mono-white-crash-helmet-side-view — Most models are available in solid versions, including this AX8 Dual Evo in white.

Shield & peak

According to users, the shield aperture on the AGV AX8 is nice and big, with lots of owners saying it’s the biggest they’ve worn.

Having said that, some serious dirt riders reckon it’s smaller than some other crosser helmets they’ve used, saying goggles that fit other helmets are a struggle in the AX8. So if you’ve some favorite goggles you like to use, it’ll be worth either trying before you buy – or same advice as in the sizing section above – find a retailer with a great returns policy (see our recommended retailers).

If you buy a version with a shield, note that it’s not a quick-change shield and you’ll need a flat head screwdriver to remove it. Otherwise it’s a large shield with an opening tab bottom left and a nice positive ratchet. It also comes with AGVs own anti-fog coating, although a few owners reckoned it’s not up to much and can wear off quickly.

But there’s also a couple of more serious problems reported.

AGV-AX-8-Evo-Multi-whip-dirt-bike-helmet-side-view — AGV AX8 Evo Whip. It’s a long helmet, front to back!

First off – either the shield doesn’t open as far shields found on most motorcycle helmets or the shape of the bottom edge of the shield means the bottom of the shield can interfere with rider vision. It’s not a problem reported by the majority of riders but if you’re riding a more lean-forward bike like a sportsbike, it’s possibly more likely to be a problem for you.

Secondly – and this is reported by quite a few owners – it seems the shield gasket that seals the shield against the helmet and stops rain getting in, can scratch the shield when you open it. If it does occur, the scratches seem to appear towards the top of the shield and in the peripheral vision. It sounds like this might be caused by the rubber gasket being a bit too hard – or possibly because of the quality of the shield (we’ve seen quality problems with Chinese-made AGV shields before). Either way, it’s another niggle some owners mentioned in their reviews of the helmet.

Onto the peak. All versions, except the Naked, come with a peak. It’s adjustable and removable (and comes with spare screws and blanking plates in the box).

AGV-AX-8-dual-evo-multi-grunge-crash-helmet-side-view — Grunge design on the Dual Evo.

Overall, owners think it’s well designed. It can catch the wind a little especially at speed and one or two owners reported it vibrating slightly, but generally it seems to work well.

Comfort

The AX-8 has a fully removable and washable internal lining and is made from what AGV call a Dri-Lex fabric that’s antibacterial and wicking.

Owners mostly say it’s very comfortable (though obviously that’s only going to be the case if you get a helmet that fits right in the first place) and the lining feels high quality. AGV say the dual sports version of the helmet is suitable for high mileage types and owners broadly seem to agree that it’s comfortable for using for long days in the saddle.

There are some who find it a little tight around the ears and, unusually, there isn’t a cut out to accommodate speakers like there is with most helmets. And this may accounts for some owner being aware of the lining touching their ears.

AX-8 Evo Naked carbon motorcycle helmet — Proper streetfighter style helmet in carbon – the AX-8 Naked Carbon

The AGV AX-8 comes with a breath guard and removable chin curtain (though many users reckon the chin curtain is poor quality and drops off in no time).

Looks & Graphics

Given the range of AX8 helmet models, there’s a massive range of designs and color schemes around. Most are available in the usual solid colors, but if you want to see the latest designs, we recommend you click through our links to our recommended retailers further down the page where you’ll be dropped onto their AGV helmet pages and see the latest available designs and helmet prices too.

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AGV AX-8 Videos

Here’s a couple of videos showing you around the AX-8. First, AGVs video showing the AX-8 carbon crosser helmet. Second, a look at the AX8 Dual Evo.

Other stuff – audio, weight

AX-8 Evo Klassik dirt motorcycle helmet — Klassic design of the AX8 Evo. This is the stripped down dirtbike helmet without shield.

We’ve touched on the audio before, but it’s worth mentioning that the AX8 isn’t really designed with communication systems in mind. Some owners have managed to fit them – including a Scala Rider Q2 – and found enough space behind the padding to fit the speakers. But if you need a helmet that’ll work with your bluetooth, either check out our communications-ready crash helmets pages or, if you really want an AX-8, it’s probably worth seeing the helmet in person before you buy.

The only thing we’ve not really mentioned is that the AGV AX8 is a very light helmet, with the medium version weighing in around 2.87Lbs (1.3Kg) which is really light. In fact, lightness is the one feature most mentioned by owners.

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Alternatives to the AGV AX8?

We suggest you check out our pages covering all our MotoX helmets here or our adventure bike helmet reviews here.

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Overall/Summary

There’s no denying the AGV AX8 is a great looking helmet. If it was on looks alone, we’d have to give it a five star rating.

And it was a great idea by AGV too – produce an off road helmet that really works, then add a shield to make a really durable adventure bike helmet that’s good for both on and off road. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, the basic off road version of the helmet is widely liked and performs well. Like all of the family, we can’t know quite how well they’ll perform in an accident because they haven’t been SHARP tested yet; though we’d expect them to do well.

But it seems that when AGV added the shield to make the Naked and Dual Evo versions that a few niggles crept into the picture. Which is not to say they’re not great helmets; most owners still seem to love their AX8s. But it’s the reported problems with the shield that seems to let it down.

We’d certainly say the AX-8 in all it’s forms is worth a look. But if you’re thinking about buying one (and with that fantastic mean and moody look who can blame you) go into it with your eyes open because it’s possible that one of the problems owners report may stop this great looking helmet becoming your perfect riding partner. If not, we’re sure you’ll be very happy together.

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Star Ratings

LS2 FF323 Arrow full face helmet review

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LS2 FF323 Arrow – feature-rich, track-developed bargain sportsbike helmet

Chinese crash helmet maker LS2 worked with the likes of Moto GP rider Yonny Fernandes and Moto 2 rider Isaac Vinales (Maverick’s cousin) to develop the FF323 Arrow series of helmets.

So you can probably guess the type of rider the Arrow FF323 is aimed at – sportsbike riders and track day junkies who spend most of their time in a tuck position. Usually, it also means a helmet that’ll cost an arm and a leg, because top-of-the range sportsbike helmets just do.

Not so with the LS2 Arrow though, because LS2 has managed to make a track/sports helmet that, with discounts, can be found as low as the $200 mark which, if you know anything about sports-focused motorcycle helmets, is a fantastically low price.

So the big question is – will it deliver?

There’s precious little information out there about how well the FF323 Arrow performs – so we’ve scoured around for all the information we can to see what owners actually think of their helmets. So here’s the lowdown.

LS2-FF323-Arrow-C-Solid-Carbon-Crash-Helmet — Mean-looking plain carbon fiber LS2 Arrow-C

Full face helmet
Sportsbike-focused
Fiberglass and carbon versions available
Not Snell tested
SHARP 4 star safety rated (ECE version)
FIM homologated (size M)
DOT & ECE certified
Optically correct class A shield
3 shell sizes
Double-d ring fastener
Weight 3lbs (1.35Kg) – that’s light
Sizes XXS-XXL
Expect to pay around $349-$399 (carbon version)

Looking to buy an LS2 Arrow?

Please click below to visit the LS2 Arrow helmets pages at one of our recommended stores and Amazon. And if you buy from either 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

The first thing to say is that while the LS2 FF323 Arrow is both DOT certified (US) and ECE tested (Euro), it hasn’t been Snell tested.

However, it the ECE European version of the Arrow was SHARP safety tested, and while ECE testing is actually a pretty comprehensive testing regime to pass (read about it here) the SHARP test allows us to get a fully independent or comparative view on how safe the FF323 Arrow actually is compared to other motorcycle helmets.

Two previously tested fiberglass LS2s scored a very respectable 4 stars out of 5 – and so did the LS2 Arrow. That’s a very respectable score and shows the Arrow should perform well if you have an ‘off’.

A size M LS2 Arrow has also been tested by the official motorsports governing, the FIM, and approved to be used in professional circuit racing. Which is a nice thing to have if you’re looking to buy a track helmet.

LS2-FF323-Arrow-yonny-hernandez-motorcycle-Helmet-rear-view — Yonny Hernandez replica LS2 Arrow FF323

As always, if safety is your No.1 concern, we recommend playing it safe and checking out our safest crash helmets pages – or looking at our suggested alternatives at the bottom of the page – all those are SHARP tested.

Of course, it’s not just the helmet shell and EPS liner that contributes to safety (though it’s worth noting that the helmet shell is constructed in 3 shell sizes and contains a multi-density EPS shock-absorbing liner – tick/tick). Other features of the FF323 Arrow that we’d consider make for a safer crash helmet include: the double-d ring fastener; a very large shield aperture with 3mm lockable shield and anti-fog insert; and the emergency quick-release cheek pads.

All in all, we reckon the LS2 FF323 Arrow is probably a pretty safe helmet – and certainly has lots of features that make it easier and safer to live with.

Helmet Noise

Like many track and sportsbike focused crash helmets, the LS2 FF323 Arrow is generally regarded as pretty noisy.

When you’re developing a sports helmet, light weight, reduced buffeting and a host of other features take priority over noise suppression – and after all, riders who spend lots of time on the track wear earplugs pretty well all the time so a quiet helmet doesn’t really matter.

It’s fair to say that one or two owners do think their LS2 FF323s are reasonably quiet – and as we always say, how quiet you think a helmet is is very personal and down to lots of factors including your type of bike and how quiet your previous helmet was. But they’re in the minority with most folks saying it’s a noisy helmet.

As usual, if you’re going more than a few miles or taking your LS2 FF323 Arrow onto the track, stick in a decent pair of ear plugs and you should be good to ride all day without any problems.

LS2-FF323-Arrow-gloss--white- — Solid white Arrow FF323

Size

A couple of important things to note here, so read on.

Firstly, the LS2 FF323 Arrow is designed for people with longer, narrower heads – long oval as they’re often called. Most helmets these days are designed to fit people with slightly rounder heads (i.e. most of us), but LS2 have mentioned it on their website and reviewers mention it too – so if you’re not sure whether that’s you, I’d recommend trying before you buy (or use a retailer you can send it back to with no quibbles like our recommended retailers).

Secondly, the fitment size is noted by a couple of owners as being slightly small. So if you’re between sizes, we suggest you go for a size up.

Ventilation

Overall, owners reckon the FF323 Arrow is a decent venting helmet.

It has a system called Dynamic Flow-through Ventilation, which is really the kind of design you find in most helmets these days.

LS2-FF323-Arrow-C-carbon-fiber-fury-hi-viz-helmet — Showing top vents on the FF323 Arrow carbon fiber hi-viz Fury

There are four vents in the chin guard – the upper two vents push air onto the back of the shield and are opened/closed with the front slider on the chin. Weirdly, the bottom two of the four chin vents, which are designed to direct air to the chin, are opened/closed by a separate slider on the inside of the chin guard. We’ve seen a system use a hidden slider before on AGV helmets, though I can’t remember another helmet with both external and internal sliders on one lid.

The top front vents are there to pull air through channels in the shock absorbing liner and around the scalp. Both these vents are closeable with sliders and all sliders are ok to operate in gloves – once you’ve got used to finding them!

Finally, there’s four exhaust vents to the rear – two towards the top and two near the collar.

Whatever the configuration, owners and reviewers who commented on ventilation were all very positive – so if good ventilation‘s important to you, which it probably will be if you go on the track regularly, then you should be good with the LS2 Arrow.

Shield

Like quite a few of the most recent track-focused helmets, there’s a very large shield aperture on the LS2 FF323.

When you’re on a sports bike in a tuck position, you need a high shield opening to be able to see ahead well and, like most modern racing helmets, having the maximum peripheral vision is important as well to see when someone’s ducking inside you (pretty damn vital when riding on the road too of course!). So LS2 have made a really large shield opening – one which several owners commented is excellent – including one guy saying it’s worth buying the Arrow for this feature alone!

The shield itself is a 3mm thick, class-A optically correct shield which means you should have distortion-free vision. It also comes ready to take a Pinlock or Fog Fighter (that’s LS2s own version of Pinlock) which is useful but there’s no insert in the box.

It has an excellent quick-release shield mechanism too – press a lever and out it comes – that’s up there with some of the best we’ve seen.

Like many racing helmets, it has a locking mechanism to keep the shield closed at high speed (or when you’re rolling through a gravel trap!) but press the lock and the shield cracks open a little to let some air in, which is a nice feature.

I did notice one reviewer who mentioned that, while the shield has a ratchet mechanism, there’s not enough positions in the movement, i.e. the shield only has a cracked open and fully open ratchet position and nothing in between. Having said that, no other owners seem to have a problem with it (or didn’t think to mention it as a problem!) so it doesn’t seem to be much of an issue, and all in all the shield system on the LS2 FF323 Arrow seems to have pretty well every conceivable base covered!

LS2-FF323-Arrow-R-Burner-motorcycle-crash-helmet-rear-view — Fiberglass FF323 R Burner showing rear spoiler and vents

Comfort

The FF323 Arrow comes with a fully removable/washable internal comfort lining that’s hypoallergenic, moisture wicking and breathable.

It also has an emergency cheek pad removal system which could (but hopefully won’t!) be useful if you have an accident as it’s designed to help the emergency services remove your helmet more easily and reduce the chance of aggravating any neck/spine injuries while removing it.

As mentioned briefly above (and in pretty well all our reviews) the most important thing when buying any motorcycle helmet is to ensure your helmet fits correctly in the first place. That’s vitally important to ensure your helmet offers max protection in a crash. But it’s also important for comfort too – and especially with the LS2 FF323 Arrow because of its longer, narrower head form.

So if you’ve the right shaped head for the helmet and you get the fit right, then the FF323 Arrow seems to be a comfortable helmet.

Looks & Graphics

The LS2 FF323 Arrow is a reasonably aggressive and sporty looking helmet, and because of its race-bred development, there’s a couple of race replicas available in the form of the Hernandez and Vinales reps. There’s also the usual solid white black colours, but there’s also four other designs, the Comet, Ion, Matrix and Burner as well as a couple of nice carbon variants (plain carbon weave and hi-vis).

We’ve put examples of all these designs around the page; but helmet manufacturers are always releasing new designs and colours, so please check out the recommended retailer links below to drop onto their LS2 helmets pages and see the latest designs (and prices).

Looking to buy an LS2 Arrow?

LS2 FF323 Arrow Video

Here’s a dude from LS2 giving us a 3 minute look over the FF323 Arrow.

LS2-FF323-Arrow-R-Comet-Helmet-White-Black — White/black LS2 Arrow-R ‘Comet’

Other stuff – fasteners, weight, buffeting, build quality, chin curtain

Like all track-focused helmets, the LS2 FF323 Arrow has a double-d ring fastener. While they can be a bit fiddly, they’re about as safe as fasteners come and a must if you’re planning to take your helmet on the track.

Similarly, you don’t want a really heavy helmet on the track – or anywhere for that matter – so LS2 have worked hard to keep it as light as possible. The Fiberglass version weighs in at a very light 3lbs (1.35Kg) for the medium version which is very respectable – the average for a full face helmet is about 3.2lbs (1.48Kg).

Buffeting and stability have also benefited from the track development because owners reckon it’s a stable helmet with a slippery shape that reduces buffeting.

Many also commented on the great build quality of the LS2 FF323 Arrow – especially at this low price point and for such a well-featured helmet.

Finally, in the box, you should find there’s a breath deflector and chin curtain already fitted and there to reduce noise and cut fogging.

LS2-FF323-Arrow-R-Ion-green-helmet-side-view — Arrow R Ion design FF323 (also available in cool matt black variant)

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Alternatives to the LS2 FF323 Arrow

You can find some cracking alternatives to the FF323 along with all our other sports bike crash helmet reviews on our sportsbike helmets page.

But if we were to pick out some other lower-priced sportsbike helmets (though not as low as the LS2!), then you might want to read about the Kabuto RT-33. That’s another SHARP 4 star tested sports bike helmet that is comfortable and surprisingly quiet.

AGVs lower priced sportsbike focused helmet is the AGV Corsa – that’s SHARP 5 star rated, light, and also has an optically-correct shield. Similar to the Corsa but a bit more sports-touring is the AGV GT Veloce – that’s another SHARP 5 star helmet with a wide/tall shield aperture but that’s a little less track-focused.

Finally, we suggest you check out the Shark Race-R Pro. Another SHARP 5 star lid, this one’s made from carbon fiber and is even lighter than the LS2 – though it’s a bit more expensive.

LS2-FF323-Arrow-carbon-fiber-crash-helmet — Looking into the FF323 Arrow Carbon – showing one of the red emergency cheek pad removal tabs

Overall/Summary

The LS2 FF323 Arrow is a great helmet – especially at this price. Track/sports focused helmets are usually at the upper end of the price range, but somehow, LS2 have managed to develop and sell a helmet you can see on the Moto GP grid at a fraction of the cost of their competitors.

It’s SHARP 4 star tested as well as FIM homologated, so is almost as safe as they come – which is not to say it’s perfect – you’ll need to have the right head shape to fit it. But with its large shield opening, class-A optically correct shield, good ventilation – and a host of other useful features – if you’re in the market for a sportsbike helmet and you have a longer/narrower head shape, then you really should think about checking out the LS2 FF323 Arrow.

Looking to buy an LS2 Arrow?

Star Ratings

Scorpion EXO-R2000 crash helmet review

Page Contents

Top of the range sportsbike helmet from Scorpion – the EXO-R2000

The EXO R2000 is Scorpion’s Moto-GP derived sports bike helmet.

It’s a full face helmet with a shell made from Scorpion’s TCT composite material – that includes layers of fiberglass, aramid and organic poly resin (whatever that is – sounds like a fancy word for plastic!) and aims to take on the top-of-the range helmets from the likes of AGV, Arai and Shoei. That’s a big ask – especially when Scorpion are undercutting the rest with a hugely competitive price point.

Snell 2010 tested/certified
Composite fiber shelled helmet
4 Shell sizes
Emergency removal cheek pad system
Great ventilation & build quality
5 year warranty
Includes extra smoked shield*
Sizes XS-XXL
Expect to pay around $299

Note: the R2000 is now discontinued. You might want to check out our other Scorpion motorcycle helmet reviews or our Top 10 Helmet lists to find your next helmet instead.

Scorpion-EXO-2000-Evo-Air-carb-crash-helmet-front-view — Exo R2000 Carb with mirrored shield (extra)

Safety

The EXO-R2000 is the first time we’ve seen Scorpion’s TCT composite fiber shell, so it’s difficult to know exactly how well it’ll perform in an accident – though it has been tested by Snell and was awarded their M2010 rating which is a very good sign.

It hasn’t been tested by SHARP yet though so we can’t tell quite how safe it is relative to other helmets.

However, the EXO 2000 scored 3 stars back in 2014 and Scorpions have scored an average of 3.5 stars out of 5 for safety across all SHARP-tested helmets, and analysing the data, we’d expect the EXO-R2000 to score a similar rating (which we’ve shown in our star ratings at the bottom). Of course, if SHARP do test it, we’ll update this report as soon as they do.

There are of course other elements, apart from the helmet shell materials, that add to safety of course. The Scorpion EXO-R2000 is manufactured in 4 shell sizes and has dual density EPS shock absorbing lining, all of which is good news. It features Scorpion’s AirFit system, allowing you to ensure the helmet fits nice and tightly at all times (good helmet fit is one of the most important features of an effective helmet in an accident) and the shield is lockable meaning, all being well, it’ll stay closed and locked in an accident.

Finally, it features a double-d chin strap locking mechanism, which are old-style but very effective at keeping your helmet tightly locked and on your head during an accident. The great thing about a double-d strap is that you can tighten it up exactly right every time, keeping the helmet nice and secure on every trip.

Scorpion EXO-2000 Evo Air crash helmet fortis — Rear view of the Scorpion EXO-R2000 Fortis

Helmet Noise

The Scorpion EXO-2000 Evo Air is a racing/sportsbike helmet and, as we’ve found out before, because helmet noise is not so much of a priority for racers – or designing a racing helmet – they can be pretty noisy.

And true to form, the Scorpion only manages about average for quietness.

It’s fair to say that a few owners so say it’s a quiet helmet, but more say it’s noisy – and overall, the opinion of owners and pro reviewers that we’ve seen point to the Scorpion EXO-R2000 being about average for noise suppression. As always, it’s very much dependent on the bike you ride and what helmet you’ve had before.

Ventilation

Ventilation is resoundingly a massive strong point for the EXO-R2000.

Scorpion reckon it has six inlet vents on the front of the helmet and ten exhausts on the rear. I reckon they’re counting some twice; but even so, EXO-R2000 users say the vents gulp up loads of air and keep you feeling cool and comfortable when you need it.

There’s a 2 position chin vent – position 1 pushes air up onto the shield, position 2 brings it round the chin guard.

Then there’s a forehead vent and a vent either side at the top of the helmet – all are closeable and all pull air through the channels in the polystyrene, around the scalp and out of the back of the helmet – through one of an array of always-open exhaust vents.

Scorpion EXO-2000 Evo Air track crash helmet — Rear view of the Track black/white – showing 5 of the exhaust ports

The two main vents – the chin and forehead – are both easy to find and open/close in gloves, though the other two top vents are less easy. But overall, the ventilation system is bang on and pulls in heaps of air into the helmet – especially when you’re in a sportsbike tuck position where the vents are more in the airflow. Bang on. If good ventilation is your priority, then the EXO-R2000 is worth a serious look.

Shield

The main shield on the Scorpion EXO-R2000 features what Scorpion calls its Ellip-Tec system. The main features of this system is a quick-release shield and a combo of rubber gasket around the eyeport and shield mechanism that pulls the shield into towards it to form a nice tight seal against air and wind.

The quick release mechanism is very good – like many helmets including HJC, you have to open the shield, push a small lever near the pivot and the shield pulls out. To reinstall, just click the shield back in to the pivot – really quick and easy.

It’s got a good action too, with a nice, positive five position ratchet mechanism and reports are that the Ellip-Tech sealing system works well too.

The Shield on the Exo R2000 is coated with Scorpion’s EverClear anti-fog treatment and is both anti-scratch and optically correct. The anti-fog seems to be OK but a couple of owners reckon it’s a little prone to being removed if you clean your shield too vigorously – and generally it’s not up to the standard of a dedicated Pinlock.

scorpion exo r2000 ravin side view — EXO-R2000 hi vis Ravin

There’s also a small lever beneath the shield pivot on the left. In the back position, this locks the shield closed. Push it forwards, and it keeps the shield in a ‘cracked open’ position and stops it from closing. That’s a nice feature and is easy to use.

Being a sportsbike-focused helmet, it’s useful to have a good wide shield aperture and a number of owners said the field of vision is good and noticeably wider than their previous helmets.

*Note. In the US it usually comes with a replacement smoked shield in the box – but check with the retailer before you buy as this can vary slightly from retailer to retailer.

Comfort & Sizing

The Scorpion EXO-R2000 is available in XS-XXL sizes. Quite a few users reckon it sizes on the small side though, so if you’re between sizes you should probably buy a size larger – and you may even find you need to go a size larger regardless.

As to comfort, the lining features Scorpion’s KwikWick II material which is antibacterial and wicks sweat away from the head. Owners reckon it’s a comfortable lining and seems to do its job well, with a couple of owners saying they’ve worn the helmet all day and found it to be really comfortable.

Scorpion-EXO-2000-Evo-Air-crash-helmet-bautista_neon_red — EXO R2000 Bautista (who helped in the development)

There’s a few other features worth noting about the internals. It is of course removable and washable – only the cheapest helmets aren’t these days – and has a glasses groove down each side so your glasses’ stems can sit in there without pressing into your head.

It’s also got emergency removal tabs at the bottom – the idea being it helps the emergency services remove the helmet more easily by pulling on the tabs and the cheek pads pulling out of the bottom of the helmet. Nice touch – as long as the emergency services know to look for them!

There’s also the AirFit system as mentioned above. There’s a couple of small air bladders behind each cheek pad – you can inflate them by pressing the air bulb bottom center inside the chin guard, which has the effect of pushing the cheek pads out into the cheeks and keeping the helmet fit nice and firm.

It’s a useful feature, especially for folks with narrower chins. But it’s also helpful for keeping the helmet tightly fixed in place, helping reducing any movement caused by buffeting and should increase safety; a nice snug-fitting helmet is one of the most important factors in ensuring a helmet can do its job during an accident.

Looks & Graphics

The Scorpion EXO-R2000 has a modern, slightly aggressive and sporty look which is, at the time of writing, supplemented by 8 different designs including the Fortis, Track and Bautista, as well as the usual solid matt/gloss blacks and a white versions. We’ve tried to include as many as we can around the page but check out our recommended retailer links that’ll drop you straight onto their Scorpion helmet pages where you can check out the latest graphics and prices. To find out more about why you should try our recommended retailers and for a quick glance at their delivery costs, check here.

Video

Here’s Scorpion’s promo video of the EXO-2000 Evo Air.

Other stuff – fasteners, buffeting, build quality, chin curtain.

As we mentioned before, the Scorpion EXO-R2000 comes with a double-d ring fastener. What we didn’t mention is that it’s a titanium double-d ring fastener! We’re not sure why it’s made out of titanium but it’s the first time we’ve seen it on a motorcycle helmet and we like it (who doesn’t like titanium stuff?!)

A few owners have said that the EXO-R2000 feels very stable and slippery and doesn’t buffet around half as badly as their previous helmets. Making a helmet that’s slippery as possible and that’s doesn’t pull on the rider when you’re looking around was one of Scorpion’s aims when designing the helmet so it sounds like they’ve done a good job.

The Scorpion EXO-R2000 comes with a removable chin curtain and neck roll fitted, both of which are there to reduce noise and creating a tighter fit around the neck.

Finally, many owners – several who own helmets from the likes of Arai and Shoei – commented that the Scorpion’s got great build quality and finish; especially at this price.

Scorpion-EXO-2000-Evo-Air-crash-helmet-black solid — Matt black version of the R2000

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Alternatives to the Scorpion EXO-2000 Evo Air

Most of the sportsbike helmet competition tends to be more expensive than the Scorpion – which is one of the Scorp’s main selling points of course. If you’re willing to spend a bit more and need an out-and-out sports helmet, then there’s lots to choose from.

There’s the SHARP 5 star rated AGV Corsa – that’s AGVs 2nd most exclusive sports helmet that’s got great ventilation and an optically-correct shield. For something a little less mainstream, how about Schuberth’s carbon-compostite SR1, a track-focused SHARP 4 star lid. Or there’s the Shoei X-Spirit III – you’ll see a smattering of those across pretty well every motorcycle grid at the moment so they must work well (and of course, at the time of writing, there’s deals to be had on the outgoing X-Spirit II). Finally, if we’re talking about track helmets, we have to include an Arai. If you’ve the money to cover it, take a look at the Arai RX-7V, their range-topping race-bred helmet.

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Overall/Summary

The Scorpion EXO-R2000 is a great helmet that owners seem to love. It’s got great build quality, comfort and outstanding ventilation all at a really competitive price – especially for a sportsbike, racetrack-developed helmet. It’s Snell M2010 certified too so should protect you well in an accident. So if you need a new helmet, especially if you ride a sportsbike and don’t want to spend big bucks, then the Scorpion EXO-R2000 is well worth looking at. From what we can see, you’ll get a great helmet with some really useful features and get lots of helmet for your money.

Star Ratings

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