Bell Custom 500 Review: a great quality, low profile 3/4 helmet.

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Bell Custom 500 open face motorcycle helmet review.

Bell’s classic open face helmet has been around – in one form or another – since 1954 when Bell Helmets was formed.

bell custom 500 silver flake helmet front view — Silver flake Bell Custom 500 with nice red leather effect liner.

It’s a reasonably minimal 3/4 helmet that’s been designed to look super cool – with a low profile shell, designed to keep the size of the helmet to a minimum, as well as a huge range of classic and custom graphics.

I guess those are two of the reasons the Custom 500 has always been such a great seller for Bell.

First, Bell got the looks just right, which is arguably the main thing in a helmet like this. And second, even though there are carbon versions that run into the mid hundreds, you can also buy a base fiberglass version for around $100. So it’ll fit most rider’s budgets.

So, you’re looking for an open face helmet. You like the look of the Custom 500. Then here’s the low-down on what owners think of theirs and whether it’s worth your money.

3/4 Open Face Helmet
Fiberglass composite shell
Carbon fiber shells available
5 Shell sizes
Double-D ring fastener
2.8Lbs (1.3kg)
No vents or shield
Designed to be low-profile
Sizes XS-XXL
Expect to pay:
- $125-$150 Fiberglass
- $430 Carbon

Looking to buy a Bell Custom 500?

Please click below to visit the Bell Custom 500 pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Overall/Summary

Great build quality, low profile, classic looks and a range of excellent paints. If that’s what you’re looking for in your next open face helmet, then the Bell Custom 500 may well fit the bill.

bell custom 500 dlx open face helmet rear view — This one’s the Custom 500 Riff

OK so there’s a few issues with getting the fitting right in the first place because they size a bit small. And there’s no ventilation. And they can squash your glasses a bit.

But if these aren’t issues for you (and you don’t mind not having the best protection like you’ll get with one of these full face helmets) then the Custom 500 is a well rated helmet. It’s got the right name on it and there’s sure to be a graphic that’ll suit you and your bike – and if not, there’s always Bell’s custom paint designer!

All in all, if you’re in the market for a new 3/4 helmet and like the looks of the Custom 500, then go for it. It’s a fine helmet.

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

OK, I’ve gotta say it. It’s an open face helmet. If you want the best protection, buy a full face helmet instead and preferably one from our safest helmets pages.

Now that’s out of the way, I guess you’re looking for a 3/4 helmet because you want the freedom of an open face but in a helmet that’ll give you a little more protection than a half helmet.

Well, looking at some of the features of the Custom 500, it’s got a classic style double-d ring fastener on there – which is fine and should do a great job of keeping your lid attached to your head (read more here). And if you want some protection from the rain/dirt, there’s some poppers on the front of the helmet so you can clip on a face shield.

bell custom 500 rally black bronze open face front view — Custom 500 Rally – a classy looking fiberglass version

But in terms of protection, that’s about it.

And if we’re trying to find out more information about what sort of protection you’ll get from a Custom 500, well, there’s not a whole lotta data out there to help us work it out.

Bell does get plenty of their full face helmets tested and approved by Snell. But, weirdly, none of their open face helmets have ever been given Snell approval, so that’s not much help.

Of course, coming from the same stable as the likes of the Bell Star range, the 500 does share some of the same tech and manufacturing as a number of Bell Snell helmets, so that’s promising I guess.

It’s available in either fiberglass or carbon shells too, and they’re backed by a multi-density EPS liner. None of Bell’s Flex or MIPS tech here tho – I guess because that’ll make the helmet look bigger and no-one wants a bobble head open face helmet.

Least of all Bell who has designed the Custom 500 to be as low a profile as they can get away with because that’s what the market wants. Having said that, low profile is generally the enemy of great protection because, as a rule of thumb, the more helmet you have between you and the road, the better.

bell custom 500 vintage white helmet rear view — Rear view of the Vintage white helmet

But then again, if no one will buy an enormous helmet, then there’s not much point in making one, right?

One big plus that Bell helmets have going for them – pretty much across the board – is that they tend to make their helmets with five different shell sizes. In the case of the Custom 500, there’s one shell shared by sizes XS and S then a different shell size used for sizes M, L, XL and XXL.

That allows Bell to optimize the amount of EPS padding for each shell so there’s the right amount of liner to give optimal protection while keeping the profile as low as possible.

But that’s about all we can read into the safety of the Bell Custom 500. The best we can say is it should give a reasonable amount of protection – as long as you don’t faceplant anything of course.

If you think there’s a chance you will, then go for a full face helmet.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

Again, if you’re after a really quiet helmet, check out one of our quietest full face helmets because you’ll not really get a particularly quiet open face helmet.

bell custom 500 dlx vertigo helmet side view — Dazzling Vertigo Custom 500

All that open front – with or without a shield fitted – creates turbulence and that makes open faces particularly noisy helmets.

A couple of owners we found reckon it’s quiet for an open face helmet. But overall folks seem to think it’s noisy and especially noisy at highway speeds.

Of course, it’ll depend on how you ride and whether you’re behind a screen or not. Either way, stick in some decent ear plugs and keep the speed down to legal speeds and you should be good.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

It’s a similar story for ventilation on the Custom 500. You can get most of the ventilation you’ll ever want coming right in the front of the helmet. Which is just as well, because you’ll not get any at all coming in anywhere else.

A couple of useful links…

– Retro Motorcycle helmets –
– Open Face helmet reviews –

To keep the form pure and the profile low, Bell’s opted to do without any ventilation at all – just like in the old days.

bell custom 500 dlx matte black open helmet front view — Front view of the matte black

So, you’ll find a big zero airflow inside unless some creeps in from the front and your helmet’s a bit oversized. If you ride slow in the sun, you might boil in the bag. Up the speed a bit and you might be OK.

Or maybe check out the LS2 Spitfire that cunningly incorporates vents and a hidden faceshield. Or Bell’s other open face/modular that incorporates a couple of top vents – the Bell Broozer.

Face Shield

(more about shields)

Most Custom 500s don’t come with a face shield as part of the package – though some of the carbon helmets come with a shield and/or bag (worth checking before you order).

Bell custom 500 3 snap bubble shield — Bell’s 3 snap bubble shield – lots of colors (and other shields and peaks) available

But there are quite a range of snap-on retro visors and peaks available in lots of fancy colors.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

Bell have designed the Custom 500 to suit medium oval headshapes, so that should mean it’ll generally fit most of us.

However, they do tend to size a bit on the small side. The advice here is to go for your correct fitment size – so if you measure your head and you’re an M, then buy an M. But if you’re between sizes, then go for a size up. Quite a few owners we came across advised doing this.

Comfort on the Custom 500 is mostly rated as pretty good – as long as you’re the correct head shape and you get a helmet that fits just right by following the sizing advice above.

bell custom 500 deluxe helmet package 2 — In some places, the deluxe package includes a peak, shield and holdall

The comfort liner inside is nicely designed for that retro, classic look. And while it looks like it’s leather, it’s actually fake. Which is really a good thing as leather can get really smelly unless it’s looked after whereas the liner of the Custom 500 can be easily wiped down.

Unusually tho, the liner’s not removable so if you want to wash it, you’ve gotta wash it in-situ and leave it a day or two to dry thoroughly.

It is anti-bac treated out of the box tho so you should be OK for a while.

Overall then, get the right size for the correct head shape and you should find the Custom 500 a nice and comfy helmet.

Looks & Graphics

As we’ve mentioned, it’s the great classic looks of the Bell Custom 500, along with how tightly it fits to the head (so no bobble head here) combined with a fantastic range of retro graphics that really sets the Custom 500 apart.

Bell-Custom-500-customized-helmet — I think I might be onto something with this design!

In fact, in the US, Bell has a custom helmet painter on its website where you can choose your lid then customize your helmet with a range of graphics. It’s great fun to play with but it’s really not cheap – typically adding $250-$350 to the base helmet.

But if you simply must have that orange metal flake star on the side of your purple lid, then you know where to go.

Of course, if you’re happy with more standard colors, then there’s a wide range of off the shelf graphics and designs to choose from. Click our partner stores below to quickly check them out.

Best places to buy a Bell Custom 500?

Please click below to visit the Bell Custom 500 helmets pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Bell Custom 500 Video

Here’s a 5m look around a solid black Custom 500 from Chaparral.

Bluetooth

I guess quite a few of us will be looking to fit a bluetooth headset to our helmet and the word out there is that the Custom 500 works just fine with most sets. Obviously you’ll need a boom mic but there’s space inside for speakers and we heard from owners having no problems fitting a couple of Sena units in there.

Weight

The regular fiberglass Bell Custom 500 weighs around 2.8lbs or 1.3Kg. That’s pretty light weight. And of course, the carbon version’s gonna shave a good few ounces off that too if super light weight’s your thing.

Glasses

bell custom 500 rsd checkmate open face helmet front view — Great looking Bell Custom 500 RSD Checkmate carbon helmet

If you need a helmet that’ll work well with eye glasses or shades, then they should fit inside the helmet no problem. But beware. Because it’s a low profile helmet, that means it’ll sit lower on your head and if you have larger glasses, the helmet may press them down a bit.

We came across a few Custom 500 owners who found that a problem, so check it out when you buy one and before you hit the road (at which point you can’t return it).

Build Quality

Overall build quality is reported as very good with several owners saying the paint, fit, finish and materials are great. Which is exactly what you want with a classic style 3/4 – and especially if you’re paying 400 bucks for it.

Warranty

And Bell will back up that quality with their 5 year warranty, which is great for peace of mind and should cover you for manufacturing defects for the suggested lifetime of the helmet.

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Good Alternatives to the Bell Custom 500?

Well, we can’t really recommend any open face helmets from a safety point of view for obvious reasons. But if you are set on buying one…

Arai’s Classic V is a very similar helmet to the Custom 500 except Arai’s helmet is Snell safety tested/certified. It’s also got hidden venting in there which is a great feature – but it’s generally a bit pricier than the fiberglass Custom 500’s – though not necessarily the carbon versions.

Much lower down the price range is LS2’s Spitfire. It’s reasonably low profile and has a useful pull down shield built in. It costs around the same as an entry level Custom 500 too.

For more options, check out the rest of our open face helmet reviews or maybe mosey on over to our Retro Helmets pages for some great old-style lids.

Looking to buy a Bell Custom 500?

Please click below to visit the Bell Custom 500 pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Star Ratings

Shoei RF-1400 review: a fantastic all-rounder Snell certified helmet.

Page Contents

Review of the Shoei RF-1400 sports touring motorcycle helmet.

First up, there was the RF-1100 (great helmet). That was replaced in 2014 by the RF-1200 (great helmet). And so it’s no surprise that Shoei’s further developed the helmet and now we’ve got the RF-1400.

shoei rf-1400 helmet mural graphics side view — See – Shoei can do bonkers graphics too! This is the Mural graphic

It’s designed as an evolution of the old 1200, designed to be that bit better in a few key areas. So now it’s got a slightly redesigned shell with better aerodynamics (to reduce lift and drag) and an improved face shield system and baseplate.

They’ve fiddled around with the internals a little too, but it uses the same AIM+ fiberglass-based composite fiber tech that the outgoing helmet used (see more about that in the Safety section below).

Whatever the changes, Shoei hopes the RF-1400 will be their top dog sports-touring, all-rounder road helmet.

So, here’s all you need to know about the RF-1400…

Composite fiber full face helmet
All rounder sports touring lid
Snell 2020 Safety Certified
Pinlock face shield (Pinlock Evo included)
Double-D ring fastener
Quick release shield
EQRS liner
Sizes XS-XXL (four shells)
Weighs 3.75lbs (1.7Kg) – heavier than average
5 year warranty
Expect to pay $540-$650

Looking to buy a Shoei RF-1400?

Please click below to visit the Shoei RF-1400 helmets pages at our recommended store 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).

Overall/Summary

The Shoei RF-1400 is the long awaited replacement to Shoei’s sales-topping RF-1200.

And, to cut to the chase, it’s a slight improvement on the old helmet – making the RF-1400 a great all-rounder helmet.

shoei rf-1400 matte black motorcycle helmet top view — Matte black Shoei RF-1400

It’s both DOT and Snell certified; so that’s protection taken care of. The shield system’s well thought out, works great and comes with a Pinlock in the box.

It’s particularly comfy for more neutral shaped, rounder heads which is great as there’s not that much choice out there for you guys. Plus it’s got great aero and controls noise very well.

Cons? Well, it’s not the lightest helmet in the world and you might struggle to fit a comms unit – though it can be done (see video below).

But all in all, the RF-1400 is the helmet Shoei promised to deliver. It’s a fantastic all rounder helmet that’s an evolution of the old 1200. And while it’s not cheap, we’d say it’s well worth the money and don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you make the investment.

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

The only real way to know how protective any helmet’s gonna be is to look at lab tests.

Sure, if someone has a spill and they say they’re only here because of their helmet, that’s kinda worth a listen. But you still don’t know whether a $50 helmet would’ve done the same job. And besides, every accident’s different, right?

shoei rf-1400 scanner helmet side view — Scanner graphics

So, the only real way to get an idea of what level of protection a helmet’ll give is to look at the specs, know the brand’s safety record, then look at the test data.

Specs first. Shoei make the RF-14 in four shell sizes which is a good number. More shells mean better fit and more optimized protection – read why here.

The shock absorbing liner is a dual layer multidensity job. Multidensity liners are better at absorbing a range of impact strengths and managing the shock.

There’s a traditional (and effective) double-d ring fastener to keep the helmet firmly on your head. And an EQRS liner inside to help paramedics more easily take it off if the worst happens.

Of course, it’s the helmet shell tech that’s one of the most important factors in protection, and Shoei’s is some of the best.

The RF1400 uses Shoei’s AIM+ shell technology which is their most advanced helmet shell – the one used in their top of the range dirt helmet, the Shoei VFX-EVO, as well as their top racing lid, the X-Fourteen.

shoei RF-1400 helmet AIM+ construction — Shoei’s AIM+ shell contains four layers of resin and organic fibers in a fiberglass sandwich

They’re both Snell tested/certified helmets. And the great news is that the RF-1400 is Snell 2020 certified too. That’s on top of the DOT rating of course.

All in all, if you’re looking for a helmet that covers all the bases for helmet protection, then the RF-1400 pretty well does it all. And that includes having a wide visor and including a Pinlock antifog insert in the box – both to give better all round visibility and keep it clear whatever the conditions.

Great job.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

Helmet noise is a weird one.

Not only is it hugely subjective, depending on rider, motorcycle, screen, speed, conditions and a host of other variables that mean rarely do two people perceive things quite the same.

But in the quest for a really quiet motorcycle helmet, helmet makers are often scuppered because helmet testing bodies specifically state helmets can’t be too quiet because riders need to hear stuff like emergency vehicles and pillions screaming they need the rest room.

So, if you’re after a super quiet helmet a) in most countries, helmet manufacturer’s aren’t allowed to make/sell you one and b) you might still think it’s not that quiet because you ride everywhere at 110mph on a naked bike, and wonder what all the fuss was about.

shoei rf-1400 helmet solid yellow side view — Solid yellow RF-1400

Still, Shoei reckons they’ve done pretty well all they can with the RF-1400.

They say they’ve spent more hours in the wind tunnel than is healthy, streamlining the shell to remove unwanted noise. They’ve improved the shield seal to stop noise ingress and they’ve pushed in thicker cheek pads to bung up your earholes a bit.

They’ve even followed Schuberth and their C3 Pro and moulded little plastic nobbles (sorry, vortex generators) into the face shield to break up the air flow and reduce noise.

So they have tried. Really they have.

And does it work?

Well, the old RF-1200 handled noise very well and was one of the quietest helmets around. And owners broadly say the same about the RF-1400 – most owners reckon it’s a really quiet helmet on the road.

shoei rf-1400 dedicated 2 motorcycle helmet top view — Shoei RF-1400 in Dedicated 2 graphics

Which is not to say you won’t need to wear some effective ear protection if you ride for more than a few miles and at more than urban speeds – because you will.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

Ventilation’s important for rider comfort, right? And the good news is that again, Shoei’s evolved and slightly improved the old system.

The RF-1400 has the same layout of vents – three crown vents and twin chin bar vents.

But they’ve uprated the sliders covering them, fiddled around enlarging and adding an additional intake hole in the upper vents, and they’ve bored out that exhaust vent for better flow through.

A couple of useful links…

– All our Shoei helmet reviews –
– Helmets that come in extreme sizes –

You might prefer a helmet with top vents that are all operated with one slider rather than three of course (I know I do) but at least the vents are now nice and easy to find and easy to use in gloves.

shoei rf-1400 helmet arcane graphics rear view — Rear view of the Shoei RF-1400 Arcane

And they do let a good amount of air into the helmet where it circulates through channels in the EPS liner before venting out of the single large (closeable) exhaust at the back.

That works alongside Shoei’s good quality 3D Max Dry 2 liner to keep your head well vented and reasonably sweat-free.

According to owners, it’s a great all-weather system. Close it off in the winter to keep warm, but open it when it’s hot and you can really feel the ventilation work.

Face Shield

(more about shields)

The shield system’s been uprated for the RF-1400 with a new baseplate, seal and a new shield.

It’s a quick release shield like the old one (dead easy – open the shield, pull a tab and it pops off) but Shoei’s made it optically correct too to reduce any distortion, added on those vortex generator thingies for improved aero/noise control, and they’ve moved the opening tab and shield lock from the side to the center.

shoei-rf-1400-helmet-vortex-generators-closeup — Close up of those vortex generators, designed to smooth the air and reduce noise

Good move that as it now means you can open your face shield more easily with your right hand.

Shoei’s widened the shield aperture for better peripheral vision. Plus they’ve worked with Pinlock to produce the Pinlock Evo antifog insert which you’ll find in the box with your shiny new RF-14.

Essentially, the Evo is just the name given to Pinlocks that work with Shoei helmets. But it’s also a nice big insert, and they’ve moved the locating pins right back out of view, which is a good touch.

Like all polycarbonate face shields, the one on the RF-1400 will give great UV protection. Shoei quotes 99% protection with this one so that’s about as good as it gets.

RF-1400 owners are overwhelmingly happy with the visor – saying it seals well and gives a nice wide view of the road. So all good here.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

Internal fitment-wise, the Shoei RF-1400 is more of a round or neutral fit helmet (rather than the regular medium oval most helmets come in). So if you have a longer oval head shape, beware – you may well get pressure points.

Which is not to say all’s lost if you do. Because there are replacement cheek pads and head pads in a variety of thicknesses available – though they’ll cost a few dollars extra.

shoei RF-1400 helmet comfort liner — Max Dry 2 liner is fully removable/washable with alternative skull cap and cheekpads that can be bought and swapped out to adjust the fit

Inside the RF, you’ll find Shoei’s Max Dry II liner. That’s a comfortable liner that’s moisture wicking, washable and antimicrobial.

It features removable ear pads, so you can pluck those out if you’re fitting speakers from a comms unit.

It’s also an EQRS liner which is always good to see. If you’re not familiar, that stands for emergency quick release – essentially you can pull out the cheek pads from below by tugging on the two red tabs at the bottom of the helmet and is there so emergency services can more easily take off your helmet.

As long as you don’t have a longer narrower head shape, you should find the Shoei RF-1400 a super comfortable helmet.

Looks & Graphics

There’s a wide range of graphics and colors available for the RF-1400.

shoei rf-1400 helmet basalt grey side view — Basalt grey RF-1400

Solids come in white, black (incl matte), brilliant yellow, basalt grey and matte metallic blue.

If you want graphics, there’s the Prologue, Faust, Mural, Nocturne, Dedicated, Scanner and Arcane to choose from – some in multiple colorways.

We’ve put as many as we can up and down the page, but to see more (along with latest prices and deals) just click on the links to our recommended stores below where you’ll drop straight onto their Shoei RF-1400 pages.

Best places to buy a Shoei RF-1400?

Please click below to visit the Shoei RF-1400 helmets pages at our recommended store and Amazon. 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).

Shoei RF-1400 Video

Here’s a useful 8m video of a dude on a Triumph (Scrambler 1200?) riding round in a solid white RF-1400.

Other stuff – audio, weight, glasses, aero, buffeting, chin curtain, warranty

If you’re looking to mount a bluetooth headset onto your helmet, the RF-1400 should be OK. It is more contoured than most helmets so that’s probably going to stop you sticky mounting. And there’s quite a large shaped bottom edge that does make it a bit more difficult using a clamp mount.

Having said that, the guy in the video above has successfully mounted his Sena 20S. And Shoei has announced they’ll offer a universal bluetooth mount so that should be solved if/when they do.

shoei rf-1400 nocturne helmet side view — Nocturne graphics is available in 3 colorways

And inside, there’s a nice amount of space for both speakers and a mic.

If you’re looking for a light weight helmet, the RF-1400 is a chunky beast. At around 3.75lbs it’s not light, but it’s only seven ounces over the average weight of a typical composite fiber helmet so shouldn’t cause any problems.

There’s also space for glasses because there’s a nice glasses groove in the lining.

As mentioned, the RF-1400 has been extensively wind tunnel tested. And the good news is that owners say the aero is very good. Shoei quotes figures of 6% lift reduction and 4% less drag. But they’re figures over the old helmet so don’t really help most of us. What does help is that we’ve heard from several owners who say it does have genuinely good aero characteristics and cuts through the air well.

The Shoei RF-1400 comes with a removable chin curtain and breath guard.

And finally, all Shoei helmets come with a full 5 year warranty (or 7 from date of manufacture). That’s awesome.

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Good Alternatives to the Shoei RF-1400?

OK, assuming you don’t want a sportsbike helmet or an open face, here’s a few suggestions for similar – and excellent – all rounder full face lids you should check out.

First up is Arai’s Signet-X. That’s another premium sports touring helmet that’s both Snell (DOT) and SHARP 5 star rated (ECE version). It’s better for longer oval shaped heads though and an excellent all rounder.

sedici strada II primo carbon helmet front view — Sedici Strada II Primo

You can get a lot of Snell certified helmet for much less money than the Shoei and Arai. How about the Sedici Strada II? The carbon Primo version is Snell and well liked by owners – another great all rounder.

HJC i10 semi flat black crash helmet top view — Semi flat black HJC i10

Or for a real budget lid, there’s HJC’s i10. It might be budget but it’s still a Snell approved polycarbonate helmet that’s rated highly for comfort and ventilation. It’s decent build quality too.

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Looking to buy a Shoei RF-1400?

Please click below to visit the Shoei RF-1400 helmets pages at our recommended store 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).

Star Ratings

100% Simpson style but without the price tag: Simpson Speed Bandit Review.

Page Contents

Simpson Speed Bandit review: Simpson’s entry level polycarb motorcycle helmet.

You want a Simpson helmet but you don’t want to pay what Simpson helmets usually cost? Well, the great news for Simpson fans is that the Simpson Speed Bandit gives you all that genuine Simpson look but at a lower price.

simpson-speed-bandit-helmet-gloss-white-side-view — Solid white Simpson Speed Bandit

That’s because the Simpson Speed Bandit is their entry-level, polycarbonate helmet. Designed to look – let’s be honest – the same as the rest of their range, but by using lower priced materials they can cut a chunk off the price, helping it come a bit closer in price to similar helmets like the Biltwell Lane Splitter.

OK, so the price tag’s lower, but what about the performance – has that been cut too?

You can read about the features of the Simpson Speed Bandit all across the web as well as down below.

But we’ve also checked out what owners think too, so if you buy one, you’ll hopefully know if it’ll work great or leave you wanting.

Polycarbonate full face helmet
Double-D ring fastener
Always open vents
Made in 3 shells
DOT (US) and ECE versions
3.3lbs (about avg for a full face)
Fitment sizes XS-XXL
Expect to pay around $280

Looking to buy a Simpson Speed Bandit?

Please click below to visit the Simpson Speed Bandit helmets pages at our recommended store 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).

Overall/Summary

Most folks are buying the Simpson Speed Bandit because it’s got that great retro look of a Simpson, coupled with a lower price. And if that’s your criteria, you’ll probably be a very happy bunny.

Sure, you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere (check out great alternatives at the bottom of the page for a starter) including some that have got that all important Snell sticker on them.

simpson-speed-bandit-motorcycle-helmet-matte-black-front-view — Matte black version. Note, all helmets come with clear face shields

But if you love the Simpson look, then the Speed Bandit is also a comfy lid with a great shield system which makes for a good all rounder motorcycle helmet.

And it’s especially awesome if you’re wanting a helmet that let’s in a whole stack of air, because the Speed Bandit vents really well.

Just beware that it vents really well if it’s cold and if it’s raining outside too, because those vents are always venting whether you want them to or not.

All in all though, it’s a solid performer and a decent lower-cost way to buy into some of that Simpson helmet chic.

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

OK, if you’re looking for a Simpson helmet that’s got a proven safety record, you’re probably best looking at the Outlaw Bandit because that’s the only Simpson that’s Snell certified.

At a push, you could think about the Ghost Bandit too because the European ECE version (called the Venom over there) was safety tested by SHARP and scored 4 stars out of a max of 5.

As for the Speed Bandit, it’s DOT certified if you buy one over here (ECE if you buy in Europe) so should give at least decent minimum level of protection. But beyond that it’s really anyone’s guess how well it’ll protect.

Simpson have been around a long while of course so they should know how to make a good protecting helmet. It’s just that until it’s been independently tested by someone like Snell or SHARP it’s impossible to say.

What we can say is that polycarbonate shelled helmets – while they’re at the cheaper end of the market because they’re easier and cheaper to manufacture – they can make for some great performing helmets.

And while they might not have the same style and kudos as the Speed Bandit, helmets like the HJC i10 and Scorpion Exo R410 are both budget polycarbonate full face helmets that’re Snell certified too – so you know you’re getting some of the best protection out there.

Back to the Speed Bandit: Simpson’s added a tried-and-tested double-d ring fastener on there and a few Speed Bandit owners say they’ve made the face shield nice and wide for great peripheral vision, which is always great to see.

It’s also made in three different shell sizes, meaning that the physical size of the helmet will be more optimized for the fitment size – which is great for the look of the helmet as well as improving protection.

Other than that, it’s quite a basic helmet but one which should offer at least a similar level of protection to other DOT helmets.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

According to Speed Bandit owners, it’s about average for helmet noise.

As far as we can tell, it tends to be more laid back riders coming from 3/4 helmets or who cruise behind big fairings that tend to rate is as pretty quiet. Whereas faster riders on naked bikes are more likely to rate it as a noisy helmet.

But then, that’ll probably go for most helmets, right?

Overall, expect it to be about average quietness for a full face lid, and hopefully you’ll be pleasantly surprised. And if you find it noisy, stick in some good quality ear plugs and hopefully all will be well – or check out one of these quietest motorcycle helmets.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

The Simpson marketing blurb makes a big noise about the ‘speed brow’ on the Speed Bandit.

simpson-speed-bandit-helmet-top-vents — Top vents tucked away in the ‘Speed Brow’. Note: they’re always open.

You see something similar on several Simpson helmets – basically they’re ridges along the brow of the helmet which I guess help give rigidity and strength to the helmet shell but also, in the case of the Speed Bandit, helps push air into the helmet for ventilation.

There’s a couple of venting holes inside the speed brow and Simpson reckons the brow shape creates something called a venturi effect, reducing pressure inside the helmet to pull and speed up air through the helmet, so improving ventilation.

That air then enters internal ventilation grooves inside the helmet which match with venting holes inside the comfort liner to let air circulate around your head.

Plus, there’s a single exhaust vent at the back/bottom of the helmet to let that hot and moist air escape.

A couple of useful links…

– All our Simpson helmet reviews –
– Find a great Retro or Cool looking helmet –

The great news is that owners universally say it works well. A ton of air gets into the helmet from the top vents, and a ton of air gets into the front of the helmet through those six chin bar vents too.

So that’s job done. If you’re after a great venting helmet, then the Simpson Speed Bandit delivers. Which is excellent…

…unless, that is, if you ride somewhere cold or rainy – because those vents are always open, so they work whether you’re in a Texan summer or a Washington winter.

Face Shield

(more about shields)

The shield system on the Speed Bandit works well.

It comes with a regular clear shield in the box – so don’t be fooled by the pictures – although there are a range of colored shields available – smoke, yellow etc. But like all helmets, the Speed Bandit’s shipped with a clear visor only.

simpson-speed-bandit-helmet-gloss-white-front-view — Note shield lock near pivot. It’s Pinlock ready too (Pinlock is extra)

It’s a quick release shield too – which makes it super easy to swap out or take it off for cleaning. And there’s a visor lock on there to lock the shield closed if you take it on the track.

The opening tab is on the left – that’s handy if you only open your shield with your left hand. My preference is for a center tab so you can open it with your right hand too – so when you’re holding the clutch in for example – but then I guess that’d ruin the look of a Simpson a little?

The shield has some solid opening detents – which means you can open the shield to four positions and the strength of the ratchet should mean it’ll hold there until you reach silly speeds.

And according to Speed Bandit owners, it’s a nice wide visor opening too, meaning you get lots of peripheral vision to help with head checks and improving safety.

The shield’s the same one as the Ghost Bandit – so if you’re ever looking for a replacement, you could check those out.

Oh, and if you need a helmet with an anti-fog system, the Speed Bandit’s shield is Pinlock ready. There isn’t a Pinlock included in the box but you can buy one for a few bucks and that should solve all your shield fogging woes.

All in all, it’s a decent shield system with no real problems reported.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

Comfort inside the Speed Bandit is reported as very good.

It has a fully removable/washable hypoallergenic interior lining and it’s designed to fit medium oval shaped heads: that’s most of us.

There aren’t glasses grooves in there (if you’re a glasses wearer, you might wanna check out our ‘best helmets for glasses wearers‘ page) but there are pockets in the cheek pads for headset speakers.

There’s also plenty of space in that chin bar area to comfortably mount a boom mic and we’ve seen several people successfully fit a bluetooth headset – including sets from Sena and Interphone.

It’s not the most luxurious interior ever, but it’s a comfortable place to put your head according to Speed Bandit owners. Sizing’s about true too, so measure your head and buy the correct size and it should be about right – though you should always buy from a store who offer no quibble returns/refunds but note: don’t remove the tags or stickers before you’re happy the size is correct for you or they won’t accept returns.

Use our helmet fitting guide to measure your head, then use our recommended store (below) who offer no quibble returns.

Looks & Graphics

Like all Simpsons, it’s a stunning looking and timeless helmet that should suit a wide range of rides. And like all Simpsons, there’s a limited range of colorways available – essentially just a couple of blacks and a solid white. That’s it.

Best places to buy a Simpson Speed Bandit?

Please click below to visit the Simpson Speed Bandit helmets pages at our recommended store 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).

Simpson Speed Bandit Video

Here’s a useful 7m comparison between the Speed Bandit and the Biltwell Lane Splitter.

Other stuff – weight, build quality

At 3.3lbs (1.5Kg), the Speed Bandit is just a smidge over the average weight for a full face helmet. That means you shouldn’t have a problem with the weight – and in fact we found many owners feel their Speed Bandit’s a nice and light weight helmet when they’re riding, so that’s all good.

Onto build quality – generally it’s good, though one or two owners said they could feel where Simpson’s cut corners in the materials used – such as lower quality internals or maybe the way some of the components are finished.

There’s a built in breath guard but they’ve left out a chin curtain too – which is going to make it a bit more drafty and noisier helmet. I guess it’s what Simpson’s had to do to deliver the helmet to a budget.

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Good Alternatives to the Simpson Speed Bandit?

If you love the style of the Simpson Speed Bandit, you might want to check out our reviews of other cool retro helmets or jump on over to our Simpson Helmets review page. If not, here’s a selection of some of the best performing, coolest-looking standout helmets.

The Nexx X.G100R is a composite fiber (carbon available) retro full face lid with an optically correct shield. The ECE version scored a great 4 star SHARP safety rating too and it’s lighter than the Simpson.

Bell Helmets‘ retro lid is the Bell Eliminator. It’s fantastic looking, lighter than the polycarb Speed Bandit and available in both carbon and fiberglass versions. It’s a bit pricier tho.

simpson mod bandit helmet gloss white front view — Solid white Mod Bandit

So too is the Simpson Mod Bandit – the same great Simpson look but in a modular helmet. Like most modulars, it’s a bit noisier but you get the convenience of a flip-front helmet and a drop down sun visor too. The entry level version has a composite fiber shell or you can upgrade a little to a carbon fiber version.

If you’re looking for the best protection, check our Snell helmets pages or Safest helmets pages that include both Snell and SHARP 4 & 5 star helmets.

Looking to buy a Simpson Speed Bandit?

Please click below to visit the Simpson Speed Bandit helmets pages at our recommended store 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).

Star Ratings

Sena Momentum Lite Pro INC Evo and INC Pro Helmet Review

Page Contents

Review of the Sena Momentum Lite, Pro, INC, INC Pro and Evo bluetooth Helmets.

South Korean bluetooth specialists, Sena, are best known by us lot for their motorcycle bluetooth headsets. And since they make a ton of different sets for motorcycles, I guess it was a natural evolution for them to start selling Sena kits already integrated into their own branded helmets.

There’s a good deal of online speculation about exactly who makes the helmets for Sena. My money’s on HJC given they’re another Korean brand who manufacture down the road. But I’ve also read that a Malaysian company called MHR might make them – no I’d not heard of them either.

sena-momentum-inc-pro-bluetooth-motorcycle-helmet — The Sena Momentum INC Pro (the one with the noise cancelling and video camera).

Either way, Sena’s keeping quiet.

I don’t suppose it matters massively who makes them as long as they conform to standards and perform well. And it certainly makes sense for Sena to get into the helmet business to make sure their bluetooth tech is thoroughly and well integrated.

I guess most buyers are gonna buy a Sena helmet because they’re looking for that seamless bluetooth integration without all the fiddling we usually have adding bluetooth kits and getting them to work properly.

Of course, there’s a heap of helmets that offer bluetooth headset integration these days (you can find all the helmets we’ve looked at on our communications-ready helmet pages), but Sena seem to have taken things a little further with their range of Sena Momentum full face helmets.

You can see the differences between the confusing range of Sena Momentums below.

And you can read on down the page to see our full review of the range of Sena Momentums, because we’ve done the research (and when there’s about a gazillion different models of Momentum, it was a lot of research!) so you can more easily see what’s great and not so great about all the Momentum helmets.

Don’t forget, you can use our drop down contents box to quickly jump to the section you’re interested in. And click our affiliate links to see live prices at our recommended stores – we only link to stores with great online reputations for service and delivery.

Full face helmets with integrated bluetooth headsets
Momentum Pros also have HD cameras
Fiberglass shells
Both Medium Oval and Long Oval fitments
Some DOT, others DOT & ECE
Double D-ring fasteners
Pinlock antifog included (not Momentum Lite)
1.6-1.8 lbs in weight (not light but OK)
Expect to pay $399-$699 depending on model

Looking to buy a Sena Momentum?

Please click below to visit the Sena Momentum helmets pages at Amazon. Note: if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Overall/Summary

Most owners seem to really like their Sena Momentum helmets.

sena momentum white helmet — Sena Momentums come in either black or white. That’s your lot.

It’s no surprise that the main driver to buy one is that Sena bluetooth integration. Sena make some great headsets and having them integrated into the helmet and working out of the box is a great idea.

If you’re wanting the latest headset tech, you’re best going for the Mesh-compliant Momentum Evo as some of the others are getting a little long in the tooth (though they’re still fine for most of us). And overall, the audio connectivity, noise cancelling and sound quality are broadly great for most owners.

Niggles? Well there’s some problems with face shields not closing properly, the Apps might not be as great as some would like and the base helmet isn’t very quiet. Oh, and they’re only DOT and ECE certified (some only DOT) so their protection levels haven’t been independently approved by the likes of Snell (or SHARP).

But overall, they’re great performing helmets packed with some really useful tech – and they score highly in this metareview so we reckon if you’re looking for a helmet with integrated voice or video, the Sena Momentum’s well worth an investment.

OK, What are the differences between the Sena Momentum Helmets?

Glad you asked. Here you go…

Sena Momentum Lite

The Sena Momentum Lite is their entry level full face helmet. It’s a fiberglass helmet (same as the rest) that comes with a more entry level Sena 10 series headset integrated.

That’s a basic headset that allows for connection with up to 3 other riders and a 1 mile range (under perfect conditions).

While it’ll allow for listening to music or GPS directions and chatting with other riders, it’s not a mesh system so won’t allow for simultaneous connections – it’s one or the other. DOT and ECE versions made.

Sena Momentum

Essentially the same helmet as the Momentum Lite but with a more advanced bluetooth headset included. It’ll let you connect with up to 7 other riders and allows audio multitasking for simultaneous GPS instructions while listening to music, for example. Same 1 mile max headset range – equivalent to Sena’s 20S standalone heatsets. DOT and ECE helmets.

Sena Momentum INC

INC stands for Intelligent Noise Control. It’s essentially the same as the Momentum but has a built in system that attempts to reduce or cancel out wind noise. It also has a system called ambient audio that amplifies external noise so you can more easily chat to someone without removing your helmet. DOT only.

Sena Momentum Pro

The Momentum Pro has an integral HD video camera mounted on the top of the helmet. It shoots at HD 1080p in 60fps or 1440p in 30fps (what’s called QHD or quad HD – it’s not 4K). It has the same Sena 20S intercom tech (connects to 7 other riders, 1m range) as the INC and Momentum. Shipped with clear Pinlock antifog, made in 2 shell sizes. Weighs approx. 4lbs (1.8kg), DOT only.

Sena Momentum INC Pro

You guessed it. The Momentum INC Pro has all the above in one helmet. Top mounted camera, Intelligent Noise Control system with ambient mode (which Sena’s own graphing seems to indicate will keep noise levels well below 100 decibels at 65 mph) – and a 20S style bluetooth headset. DOT only. Medium oval fitment.

Sena Momentum Evo

The Momentum Evo looks pretty similar to the other helmets, but Sena say it’s an evolutionary development featuring a more streamlined shell and fit, improved ventilation, liner and pads as well as Mesh 2 intercom (similar to those found in their 30k series headsets). Sena says it has a possible max range of 5 miles and can group mesh with up to 24 riders. Sizes M, L, XL only. Pinlock antifog included. DOT and ECE versions available.

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

All Sena Momentum helmets have a fiberglass shell backed by multi-density shock absorbing polystyrene liner, and it’s held in place by a double-d ring fastener.

As a spec, that’s decent, if nothing new. There’s some great performing helmets with a similar spec so we’d expect it to be OK – though the only way we’d know if it’s been independently safety tested.

So far, all helmets meet DOT certification. The Momentum, Momentum Lite and Momentum Evo are also made in ECE spec too (don’t know if they’re indentical helmets or not tho).

None have been independently Snell or SHARP certified though so all we can say is they should give you at least a decent minimum level of protection, as defined by DOT and/or ECE testing standards. That’s it.

All Momentums (excluding the Lite) come with a Pinlock 120 Max Vision antifog insert in the box – which is a great way to keep your vision fog-free.

And a few owners have said the pre-Evo helmets have a nice wide field of view which is great for added awareness as you’re riding.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

Overall, owners seem to find the basic helmet quite a noisy helmet (for a full face) – with the Momentum Evo being a slight improvement over the other helmets.

sena-momentum-inc-pro-noise-graphs — Not overly scientific – Sena says graph shows it’s quieter than some other helmet. Wow, thanks for the insight!

Obviously, the INC (Intelligent Noise Control) and INC Pro helmets have in-built noise cancelling tech which takes external low frequency sounds and tries to cancel them out using the bluetooth kit built into the helmet.

Most owners seem to like it. It works best at lower speeds with opinions mostly ranging from it being OK (it takes the edge off wind noise) to it working really well.

The INC helmets also have an ‘ambient mode’ which uses that same external microphone to let you hear people more easily so you can easily hold a conversation without removing your hat.

Just remember to turn it off before you set off – otherwise it’s definitely not a quiet helmet!

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

There’s a single chin bar vent and single forehead vent on all Momentums – including those with a top mounted camera. All can be closed by nice big fat sliders that are mega easy to find and operate.

A couple of useful links…

– Top 10 Full Face helmet reviews –
– Other Bluetooth-ready Motorcycle helmets? –

There’s also a single large rear exhaust vent to help pull moist and hot air out of the helmet.

sena momentum evo helmet front view ventilation — Chin vents and crown vents aren’t great – but improved on the Evo

The problem is, most owners seem to reckon the vents don’t actually let much air inside the helmet in the first place and the whole venting system doesn’t seem to work very well.

Again, ventilation seems to be improved in the newer Momentum Evo helmet which has a redesigned shell, ventilation system and liner inside.

Face Shield

(more about shields)

The shield on all Momentum helmets is quick release and Pinlock-ready. All Momentums apart from the Momentum Lite come with a Pinlock 120 Max Vision anti-fog insert in the box. The 120’s their top of the range insert – actually designed for Pro Racers – so will give you a nice clear visor in 99% of conditions.

There’s a nice wide field of view in Momentum helmets too – which is great for a more immersed ride as well as for safety, making shoulder checks easier.

And the quick change mechanism for swapping the shield out is super easy. Just open the visor fully, pull the exposed lever on each side and pull the shield away.

While the spec of the shield looks good and most regular Momentum owners are happy with how the shield system works, some Momentum Evo owners are less happy.

A few have reported that it’s a struggle to lock the shield closed and their helmets kept on opening up a crack – which can be really annoying. Especially if it’s raining or you’re really moving!

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

Comfort doesn’t seem to be a problem in any of the Momentums though.

Inside all helmets, there’s a removable and washable interior, with pads made from laser cut foam and using comfortable and quick-drying materials.

sena-momentum-pro-motorcycle-helmet-matte-black — Sena Momentum Pro with its top mounted Quad HD camera

Owners universally reckon it’s a comfortable helmet, though they do generally size a bit small, so you may need to buy a size above your usual fit – especially if you’re in between sizes (the advice is to go for a size up).

All the Momentum helmets up to the Evo (so the Lite, regular, Inc and Inc Pro) are a more medium oval fitment which should suit most head shapes, whereas Sena decided to make the Evo a longer oval helmet.

And despite some of the helmets being festooned in tech, none of them are super heavy, with weights ranging from around 3.5Lbs (1.6Kg) for the helmets without cameras (4 ounces heavier than your average full face) to 4Lbs (1.8Kg) for the fully-loaded Momentum Pro’s (11 ounces heavier than average).

So whichever you buy, it’ll be a tad heavier than some helmets but you shouldn’t find it too heavyweight.

If weight is an issue, you might want to take a look at our lightweight helmets pages instead.

Built-in Bluetooth Headsets

Momentum Lite Bluetooth

In the Momentum Lite, you’ll get Sena’s bargain basement 10 Series bluetooth. That’s a bluetooth 4.1 intercom with a 1 mile range (in perfect conditions) that’ll connect up to 4 riders.

There’s no audio duplexing but it does have in-built basic noise control and an FM radio and will connect to your music, phone and satnav/GPS. It charges in around 3 hours and has a lithium polymer battery and should last all day no problem, under normal riding conditions.

Momentum Bluetooth

The Momentum contains Sena’s 20S bluetooth headset. Again, that’s bluetooth 4.1 with a 1 mile (max) range but this time supports up to 8 riders. Basic noise cancellation, FM radio, same charge time and battery (both integrate into the back of the helmet) and should last around 6-8 hours of constant use. Sena quotes up to 20 hours talk time but I guess that’s with intermittent intercom use.

The Momentum will allow for audio multitasking – so you can listen to music while getting GPS instructions for example. Owners find pairing works well and this set has voice control too. It’s also got something called sound enhancement, though a couple of owners reckoned this just strips out the bass and boosts the treble.

Momentum INC & INC Pro Bluetooth

The Intelligent Noise Control (INC) helmets have the same Sena 20 series bluetooth 4.1 headset incorporated as the Momentum. But there’s also the addition of another control panel on the right/rear of the helmet to control the INC and Ambient Noise mode.

The INC feature cancels out low end frequencies that you’ll find in wind rush to try and quieten the helmet down, while Ambient mode amplifies external sounds so you can chat to people without removing your helmet.

The bluetooth headset is generally basic but well liked and most users find INC great though some others are a bit meh about it.

Momentum Evo Bluetooth

The Momentum Evo has a later Sena 30K Mesh 2 intercom and bluetooth 4.1. Mesh is a system of connectivity for headsets and allows connection with up to 24 riders and up to 5 miles range.

It also has WiFi connectivity to auto update firmware through the 30K utility app – which should futureproof your headset for a few years at least.

Evo owners seem to rate the headset as excellent – good quality audio and louder volume levels compared to the other helmets (which can be a bit quiet) and 3 hour charge time which should power the headset all day, even with heavy usage.

Video Cameras (Momentum Pro and INC Pro)

The Pro helmets have top-mounted forward-facing HD cameras built in.

You can choose from 1080P (30 or 60fps) or 1440P 30fps (called Quad HD) and in loop mode, it’ll record for up to 2 hours, looping round to continuously record the last 2 hours.

sena-momentum-pro-helmet-camera-view — Top mounted camera on the Momentum Pros, right behind the top air vent

Quality’s great according to owners, and there’s an option to record your voice too while riding if that’s your thing. You’ll need a 64Gb Class 10 Micro SD card (won’t take larger cards) and it’ll record videos in 4Gb chunks – automatically creating the next 4Gb file once one’s completed.

Word is that it uses a separate battery from the intercom too, so lots of camera use won’t drain the intercom battery.

Sena Apps

The Sena Smartphone App works on Apple and Android devices. It contains guides on how to use your headset as well as configure its settings. There’s also a Sena Camera App which lets you configure settings as well as preview live video and manage recorded videos and connects to the camera with WiFi.

sena-momentum-bluetooth-helmet-apps — Companion Apps control all the usual settings and contain the manuals

While paring with phones and using Apps seems pretty good, there’s a few instances of owners grumbling about the Apps being poor – too complex and generally not working very well.

Looks & Graphics

Apart from the fact that the Pro helmets have cameras stuck out of the top, the other helmets look pretty identical. They’re not the most funky or eye catching of helmets but they’re neat enough .

The Momentum Evo has a very slightly redesigned shell but the other helmets all share a common shell and are only available in matte black or white. So what you see up and down this page is pretty well all you’re gonna get in terms of graphics and colorways!

Best places to buy a Sena Momentum helmet?

Please click below to visit the Sena Momentum helmets pages at Amazon. Note: if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Sena Momentum Video

First up is a 12m video from J&P Cycles looking over the Momentum Inc Pro, followed by a 4m video of how one guy got on with his Momentum Evo after a couple of months.

Other stuff – fasteners, glasses, chin curtain, warranty

All Sena Momentum helmets come with tried-and-tested double-D ring fasteners.

If you ride wearing glasses, there aren’t any glasses cutouts inside any of the Momentums. A couple of owners said it can be a struggle to get the glasses on in the first place but once they’re there, they work OK. I guess it depends on how big the arms of your glasses are and how tight the fit of the helmet is for your head – especially in the Evo which is a narrower fitment helmet. Check here for helmets that work really well with glasses.

All Momentum helmets come with a chin curtain to reduce the amount of air/noise getting into the helmet from below, and breath guard to help reduce fogging on the shield.

Finally, all Momentums come with a 5 year helmet warranty – which is great. What’s not so great and slightly bizarre is that part that Sena manufactures (the bluetooth headset) only has a 2 year warranty. Guess there’s more to break in a headset.

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Good Alternatives to the Sena Momentum?

There’s a stack of helmets that will work well with a bluetooth set – and you can find all those on our Bluetooth Communicator Ready Helmets Pages.

HJC i10 rank crash helmet side view — Hi Viz Rank graphic HJC i10

Of those, the HJC i10 is a great value Snell approved full face helmet that should work with a range of bluetooth sets.

At a premium price point (i.e. expensive!) is the Arai DT-X which is a great all-rounder composite fiber Snell certified helmet.

Some manufacturers integrate bluetooth headsets (usually made by some of the big brands like Sena or Cardo) into their helmets.

Shark helmets does that with several of their helmets – including the excellent Skwal (the one with integral LED lights) – as does Schuberth with the likes of the C4 Pro.

schuberth-c4-pro-magnitudo-yellow-modular-helmet-side-view — C4 Pro Magnitudo

Finally, Nolan helmets are pretty well all headset-ready and designed to fit their N-Com bluetooth systems – including the versatile N70-2 and N100-5 modulars – though they’re not widely distributed in the US.

Looking to buy a Sena Momentum?

Please click below to visit the Sena Momentum helmets pages at Amazon. Note: if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Star Ratings

Arai Classic V review: a premium quality, Snell certified open face helmet.

Page Contents

Arai Classic V open face motorcycle helmet review.

The Arai Classic V is a fiberglass open face helmet that uses similar helmet tech to Arai’s range of full face helmets. It’s what Arai calls SFL or Special Fiber Laminate which is a complex fiberglass composite. And it also features their peripheral belting (a strengthening strip running above the eye port) as well as the usual R75 rounder shell shape found across the Arai range.

And of course, it will offer the same handmade build quality you find with pretty well all Arai helmets. Which is why they command such a premium price.

If you’re thinking of buying an Arai Classic V (sold as the Urban V in Europe) it’s most likely it’s that excellent build quality associated with the Arai brand that you’ll be buying into.

But there’s more to the Classic V than that. Read on for our full Arai Classic V review…

Fiberglass 3/4 open face helmet
Snell safety rated (DOT helmet)
Hidden ventilation
Double-d ring fastener
Sizes XS-XXL
Rear goggles loop
Expect to pay $350-$600

Looking to buy an Arai Classic V?

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

Overall/Summary

The Arai Classic V is a quality helmet. Not only is it well built and uses quality materials (like pretty well every Arai helmet) but the Classic V is a well thought out 3/4 helmet too.

arai classic v frost black open face helmet side view 2 — Ever popular Frost Black Arai Classic V

Crucially, it’s reasonably compact so it doesn’t look too big while you’re wearing it (thanks partly to the fact Arai makes a helmet shell for every two fitment sizes).

And unlike most 3/4 helmets, Arai has incorporated hidden venting channels in there to keep your head cool – and according to Classic V owners, they work well.

Sure, it’s similar in most other respects to many other basic open face helmets. But you do get Arai’s proven fiberglass composite helmet shell tech in there – the same that’s used on many of their full face helmets.

Plus the DOT version of the helmet has been Snell tested/approved so it should work well if you ever have to put its protection to the test.

Of course, if you’re after ultimate protection, buy one of these full face helmets. But if you’re after a high quality, well designed open face helmet – and your finances can stretch this far – then the Arai Classic V is a great open face helmet that owners love.

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

As mentioned, the Classic V uses similar composite fiber helmet tech that you’ll find in most Arai helmets.

That includes their own Special Fiber Laminate construction that Arai has honed over the years to give a particularly strong helmet shell. That’s reinforced by a strengthening band across the brow (which is the point at which DOT helmet testing occurs but it also reduces helmet flex during an impact) and it’s backed by their multi-density shock absorbing EPS liner.

Of course, it’s an open face 3/4 helmet so there’s always going to be a large part of your face exposed compared to a full face helmet. But the Classic V has been DOT certified so the actual helmet shell should be more or less as protective as a full face helmet… as long as you don’t take a hit to the face.

arai classic v blitz brown copper open face helmet side view — This one’s the Blitz graphic in copper

So while we always recommend wearing a full face helmet (or a modular if you really must have your face exposed from time to time) if you’re going down the open face helmet route, then the Classic V should give good protection.

So good in fact that in the Classic V has been Snell approved, meaning it’s right up there with the best in terms of giving excellent impact protection.

As with all ‘classic’ style helmets (and in fact all Arais) the Classic V uses a double-d ring fastener to keep it tightly fastened to your head.

But unlike most, Arai makes the Classic V in three shell sizes – one shell size covering every two fitment sizes. That’s great for comfort and looks as well as safety.

So, in terms of safety, it seems the Classic V will offer as good protection as you’re going to get with an open face helmet. It’s just never going to be as good as a decent full face helmet.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

It’s an open face helmet so it’s never going to be the quietest helmet around either.

arai-urban-v-diamond-white hlemet side view — Diamond White Classic V

It does have a smooth shape though with great aero (see below) and there’s plenty of plush comfort liner in there to help cut out some noise.

But with an open front and with ventilation channels cut into the helmet – which let noise as well as air into the helmet – it’s quite a noisy place to put your head.

If you want a quiet helmet, buy a full face lid – and preferably one of these quietest helmets.

And if you do buy an open face, make sure you buy some quality ear plugs to go with it so you don’t damage your hearing.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

Unusually for an open face helmet, Arai has incorporated some hidden vents into the shell of the Classic V.

So, not only will you get plenty of wind blast around your face, but when it really heats up, air can actually get through to your head courtesy of three intake vents hidden behind the liner above your goggles.

That takes air in a front-back strip through the EPS liner, across your head and out of a couple of exhaust vents just about visible next to the neck roll.

And it all really works: even in the height of US summer where a few owners said you can really feel the cooling air across your head.

Of course, that might not be such a great thing if you’re thinking of using an Classic V during a winter North of the border – because those vents are always open!

Visor/Goggles

(more about visors)

The Classic V has 5 studs on the front – with the top 3 there to take a regular face shield or sun peak and the bottom two to help if you need a 5 stud fit for a bubble shield or similar.

If you’re wanting to ride in goggles, word is that pretty well any goggles will fit and there’s the usual handy goggles loop at the back to keep them in place.

A couple of useful links…

– All our open face helmet reviews –
– Helmets where money’s no object –

While I couldn’t find any specific Arai shields available for the Classic V, given that the studs are standard fitment with pretty well all other open face helmets, most other face shields should fit.

We’ve heard from owners fitting Biltwell and Bell visors without a problem. In fact some, like Bell’s 3 snap bubble shield, have adjustable snappers so maybe go for one of those if you’re unsure.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

According to several owners, Arai Classic V’s size correctly (so no need to buy a size up or down) and thanks to the fact that Arai makes a different helmet shell size for every two fitment sizes, each should be pretty well optimised in terms of padding and EPS liner.

arai urban v blitz brown open face helmet side view — Brown Blitz Classic V

It also means that, while the Classic V isn’t the most compact helmet, you won’t look like a bobble head because; firstly, you won’t be wearing an oversized helmet shell and secondly, the Classic V has been designed to sit reasonably low on the head.

Pretty well all Classic V owners we came across said that it’s a comfortable helmet too.

I guess the fact that it weighs around 2lbs 10oz (1.2Kg) helps too because that’s a light weight helmet – about average for an open face but light compared to a full face.

Arai uses a semi-removable comfort lining inside the Classic V. That means you can swap out the cheek pads (or remove them for cleaning) but not the upper part of the liner.

It is however antimicrobially treated and the cheek pads are washable.

Oh, it’s worth mentioning that if you’re looking at the pictures of the Classic V and thinking it looks like stitching on leather around the helmet, don’t be fooled. It’s faux plastic leather.

I guess that’s much more suitable than leather for making a helmet weather proof. Though if you’re after a quality ‘occasional ride’ helmet, that could be a bit of a let down.

Looks & Graphics

You can buy an Classic V in a range of plain blacks, whites and greys. And Arai has also released a few classic-style retro graphics – the Era and the Blitz both available in a few different color combinations and shown further up the page.

Best places to buy an Arai Classic V helmet?

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

Arai Classic V video

Here’s a 4m look around a frost black Classic V…

Other stuff – audio, aero, build quality, warranty

If you’re wanting a helmet you use with a bluetooth headset, you should be OK with the Classic V. There’s a pair of generous speaker pockets inside and there’s enough space to fit a sticky or clamp mount on the side.

arai classic v modern grey open face helmet side view — Modern Grey version of the Classic V

Helmet lift can be a problem with open face helmets as the wind can get inside the lid at speed and start to pull it upwards. The word from a couple of owners of the Classic V is that it’s particularly good at reducing this – possibly due to the venting system letting air go through the vents and out of the exhausts rather than going into the helmet and having no where to go.

One of the main reasons people buy an Arai is because they want a quality item and – as usual – several owners commented on how well the Classic V is built with nice finishing and paint and materials used throughout.

All Arai helmets come with a lengthy 5 year warranty.

Good Alternatives to the Arai Classic V?

Shoei J-Cruise Corso orange open face motorbike helmet side view — Shoei J-Cruise

Another helmet that’s well built and shares its shell tech with the range of full face helmets is the Shoei J-Cruise. That also has a drop down sun visor as well as a clear main visor.

Same quality goes for the Shoei Jo. That’s a well liked and comfortable helmet and while it looks like a classic open face helmet, it’s got a drop down clear visor too.

LS2 Spitfire RUST - graphics side view — LS2 Spitfire Rust

If you’re on a budget, the LS2 Spitfire is a really low price thermoplastic alternative. It’s low profile and has a hidden drop down sun visor in there.

Finally, there are quite a few modular helmets that let you convert them to an open face – in case you want the flexibility. Such as the Nolan N40-5 range that you can ride in full face, adventure or open face mode whenever the mood takes you.

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Looking to buy an Arai Classic V?

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

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Star Ratings

Nexx X.G100R Racer review: a retro full face motorcycle helmet with face shield.

Page Contents

Nexx X.G100R Racer: Retro cool full face helmet; now with added face shield.

First, Nexx introduced the X.G100. That’s a composite fiber retro helmet with a chin bar but no fixed shield. You can get a slightly weird external soft plastic shield held in place by snaps, and that’s fine if you like to try something a little different, but not if you’re riding serious miles.

The Nexx X.G100R (R for racer) is the next step in the X.G100’s evolution.

Nexx X.G100R carbon fibre motorbike helmet front view — Mean, moody and always classy – the full carbon X.G100R

For the R, they added an extra shell size to the line up, which means both the X.G100 and X.G100R cover more fitment sizes (now from XS – XXL); they added an internal slider to let you close off the chin vent, and they uprated the interior lining (see comfort section below).

And – crucially – you can now buy an X.G100 with a permanent, articulating shield. Yay.

All in all, now you can look cool and, when posing time finishes and riding time begins, have a more usable and practical helmet!

At least that’s the theory.

If you’re thinking of buying one, here’s what Nexx XG100R Racer helmets offer, along with what owners think of their helmets when they’re using them on the road.

Retro full face helmet
Now with faceshield
SHARP 4 Star Safety Rating (ECE helmet)
Class 1 optically correct shield
Composite fiber and full carbon versions
Closeable chin vent
Weighs 3lbs (1.35Kg) – that’s lightweight
2 Year Warranty
Expect to pay:
- $390-$470 Composite
- $550 Carbon

Looking to buy a Nexx X.G100R?

Please click below to visit the Nexx X.G100 helmets pages at Amazon and one of our recommended stores. 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).

Overall/Summary

Like the original X.G100, the R or Racer version is well put together, has a nice light weight shell and, with the addition of a face shield, now works much better as a real world helmet for modern day riding.

Nexx XG100R racer retro helmet Purist White front view 2 — Nexx XG100R in Purist White

Of course, you’re probably going to buy one because of how it looks – which is why most owners bought their XG100Rs. But because it’s now been proven to offer excellent protection thanks to its SHARP 4 star safety rating (ECE version of the helmet), we expect it to do the business if you have a spill too.

Like most retro helmets, it’s fair to say it’s a bit of a compromise. Nexx has decided to do without head vents (and the chin vent isn’t the best) and that old style shield doesn’t give you all the utility of modern face shields.

But it is a comfortable helmet (if a bit of a squeeze for some) and it’s pretty quiet too. Overall it works very well for most owners and is available in a large range of stylish classic color schemes and graphics to match your tastes and your ride. It’s an excellent retro helmet that works well on the road and is easy on your pocket too – and is highly recommended.

Nexx X.G100R grand win red white blue side view — Classic lines and classy retro paint scheme on the Grand Win

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

The X.G100R is available in both full carbon and Nexx’s X-Matrix composite material. That’s a composite of pretty well every well-known hi-tech helmet material you can think of – fiberglass, aramid, carbon and organic fibers all forming a complex laminate.

Which should make for a decent and strong helmet shell.

We originally guessed it’d score around 3 stars in the SHARP helmet safety test, simply because every Nexx helmet to date has scored 3 stars.

But I’m delighted to be proven wrong – because it actually scored a very creditable 4 stars out of 5, making it joint safest Retro style helmet alongside the Simpson Ghost Bandit which scored 4 stars too.

But don’t forget, both those scores are on the ECE European version of both helmets (the Ghost Bandit is called the Venom over there) so we can’t be 100% sure they’re exactly the same helmet.

Nexx XG100R 8_5ms SHARP impact test results — ECE Nexx XG100R 8.5 m/s Impact test result courtesy of dft.sharp.gov.uk

Having said that, it is of course DOT and ECE certified – and don’t forget that having a helmet that fits really well and is comfortable is just as important for safety as Snell certification or a high SHARP rating. So, if you’re unsure, follow our helmet fitting guide.

Having a good quality, clear shield is massively important in keeping you out of trouble in the first place – so that’s another tick in the box for the X.G100R over the old X.G100.

It’s also a wide shield to give extra good peripheral vision, and it’s secured with a double-d ring fastener. They’re fine, as long as they’re fully and tightly secured every trip. If they’re not, they can come off (unlikely but possible) although that goes for every type of helmet fastener, not just the d-ring.

Check out the review of the original X.G100 to find more details on safety.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

One good thing about having a simple and round shell without many vent holes (see below) is that it should make for a slippery helmet that doesn’t create much turbulence and doesn’t have many places for external noise to penetrate into the helmet.

Nexx X.G100R motordrome titanium yellow front view — Motordrome graphics are available in red, green, white, blue – and this titanium/yellow version

And from owner feedback, it seems that’s the case. They broadly rate it as a pretty quiet helmet – and certainly one of the quietest retro helmets we’ve come across.

Sure, if you ride fast with your head in the air and without ear plugs, you might not agree. But overall from owner feedback, it’s rated as a reasonably quiet helmet.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

As per the original X.G100, there’s not much ventilation going on in the form of vents. Of course, with the original, there wasn’t a fixed shield in place so it was always going to be pretty windy in there – at least around your face.

There is a single small chin vent/slot in there and that does help with cooling a bit, but if it chucks it down in the old shieldless X.G100, you can get a mouth full of rain.

So, for the X.G100R, Nexx has put an open/close slider on the inside of the helmet so you can close it off; again, making the Race helmet more user-friendly and practical than the old helmet.

Still, if you’re looking for a helmet with great ventilation, according to XG100R owners, this isn’t it.

nexx x.G100R white crash helmet rear view@1x — Classic retro helmet lines

That chin bar vent does let in a trickle of air once you get a bit of a move on. But up top, there’s nothing – so if you’re thinking of riding in the sun, you’re going to be testing out that moisture wicking comfort liner quite a bit!

Face Shield

(more about shields)

The main difference between the old X.G100 and the R version is, of course, the addition of a face shield.

It’s a flat polycarbonate shield – Nexx mentions that it’s a Lexan shield but that’s just a manufacturer of polycarbonate so nothing to really write home about because all shields are polycarbonate.

The ‘flat’ part means that it’s not shaped – apart from being stamped then wrapped around the helmet when it’s fitted. Racing helmets tend to have flat shields because it reduces distortion and means you can fit tear-offs.

There aren’t any tear offs available for the X.G100R that we’re aware of, though there are various colored smokes to suit your helmet or your bike.

Nexx X.G100R purist gloss black motorcycle helmet front view — Nexx X.G100R in plain gloss black

Nexx do advertise that the XG100 Racer has a wider-than-average shield, though we found at least a couple of owners disputing this. It doesn’t seem to be particularly narrow but they do say you can see the edges of the visor aperture in your peripheral vision.

If you live some where cool/rainy/humid, you’ll probably be needing an antifog solution on your shield. The shield on the XG100R does have a tendency to fog but thankfully there is an antifog insert available to keep misting to a minimum.

The ones available for the X.G100R aren’t the usual Pinlocks though, they’re by an Italian company called Raleri who make inserts for all kinds of sports goggles and visors as well as for motorcycles.

They’re sticky inserts so not located between pins – and we’ve not had any feedback on them, though because of their pedigree, we’d expect them to be pretty good.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

The X.G100R is an identical fitment to the old X.G100 – that’s a medium oval fitment with a nice plush liner.

Having said that, Nexx has upgraded the lining with the R version (and retrofitted it to the old X.G100) and they both use Nexx’s X-Mart Dry moisture-wicking, anti-allergenic materials. That’s decent performance fabric and one that makes for a comfortable helmet lining.

Nexx X.G100R billy b white red top view — X.G100R in Billy B graphics

It also features 3D padding for a closer fit and is fully removable and washable.

They’ve also added a nice retrotastic leather-look chin curtain to the bottom of the chin guard to keep out extra draft and noise (a bit).

There are a couple of niggles reported by owners though.

While it is generally a nice comfortable helmet for most, a few owners said they had to go up a fitment size to get the right fit.

And a few more said it can be a really tight squeeze once you’ve got the helmet on because the cheek pads can press in on your face a bit and make it quite a tight fit to get the helmet on/off.

And because Nexx only make the XG100 Racer in two shell sizes, a couple of owners reckoned theirs looks big on them, giving them a bit of a bobble head look. The two different shells cover sizes XS-M and L-XXL so I guess it might only be an issue if you’re at the bottom end of each shell size; so either a size XS or L.

Other than that, all good.

Looks & Graphics

Obviously, the looks of the X.G100R speak for themselves and you’ve probably read this far because you’re sold on the idea of a retro helmet but one with a few modern touches.

Nexx XG100R racing record retro helmet front view — Front view of the Record graphic Nexx XG100 Racer

The graphics are important too – and Nexx has been busy creating some really rather nice paint schemes that really set off the form of the helmet.

There’s a great looking plain carbon version (carbons are about $50 more) but if you’re looking for a graphic version to set off your bike, the rest use Nexx’s X-Matrix lightweight composite shells.

Please visit our recommended retailer pages to check the latest graphics in addition to the ones you’ll find up and down the page here. Please use the links below to jump straight to their Nexx Helmets pages.

Best places to buy a Nexx X.G100R crash helmet?

Please click below to visit the Nexx X.G100 helmets pages at Amazon and one of our recommended stores. 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).

Nexx X.G100R Video

Here’s a 4m video showing you around the X.G100R in plain gloss black and a pair of motordrome graphics.

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

All Nexx XG100 Racer’s come with old school Double-D ring fasteners.

They’re not really designed to work with a bluetooth headset and there aren’t any speaker pockets or cutouts inside. Having said that, we have heard of owners managing to squeeze a headset in there and saying it works just fine.

Nexx X.G100R jupiter black white red motorbike helmet rear view — Rear view of the Jupiter in black/white/red graphics

Same goes for glasses. There aren’t any grooves inside to help accommodate the stems of your glasses but we’ve heard of owners managing it with different levels of success. It seems if your glasses have narrow stems then you should be okay, but if they’re thicker you might struggle.

The nice smooth shell shape of the XG100R seems to be a reasonably slippery shape as far as aero’s concerned, and we’ve heard owners saying it has the best aero of all the retro helmets out there.

Build quality is universally praised, which considering it’s not the most expensive helmet around is a great fete by Nexx.

Finally, all Nexx XG100R Racer helmets come with a standard 2 year warranty.

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Good Alternatives to the X.G100R?

You can find all our reviews of retro helmets here.

But if you’re after a retro helmet with a shield, there’s the excellent AGV X3000 which is an authentic-looking fiberglass helmet based on Agostini’s old racing helmet and comes with an articulated shield like the Nexx. Prices start where the Nexx leaves off.

bell bullet crash helmet in blue flake — Bell Bullitt in blue flake

Or there’s the Bell Bullet. That costs about the same as the Nexx, is SHARP 3 star safety rated and there’s a range of interesting shields available – including a bubble shield.

The Simpson Ghost Bandit might not look massively retro but we’ve added it because it’s a modern take on their classic styling. It’s a great helmet too with SHARP 4 star safety rating (ECE version), Pinlock shield with sun visor.

Looking to buy a Nexx X.G100R?

Please click below to visit the Nexx X.G100 helmets pages at Amazon and one of our recommended stores. 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).

Star Ratings

Schuberth’s C4 flip-front helmet: great for touring and sportsbike riders.

Page Contents

Schuberth C4 Basic, Pro and Pro Carbon Review.

The Schuberth C4 Basic and Pro are fiberglass flip-up helmets (Pro Carbon is full carbon fiber) that’s designed to work for both touring and sportsbike riders.

The C4 originally hit the market in the plain ole ‘Schuberth C4’ guise (no Pro or Basic then) and was designed to be a super slippery and compact, high quality and quiet modular helmet.

Which it kinda did and kinda didn’t. While the basics were OK, there were quite a few niggly problems which really shouldn’t have made it through Schuberth’s quality control.

schuberth-c4-pro-carbon-fusion-red-helmet-open — Schuberth C4 Pro Carbon with chin bar fully raised

These problems included a chin bar vent that was prone to breaking, a rubbish in-house version of a Pinlock that didn’t stop fogging and a communicator battery that could rattle loose.

But there were also quite a few other areas that Schuberth quickly identified needed improvement too.

In fact there’s a Schuberth document that itemises around 30 points of improvement from more comfortable comfort liner to deeper speakers and speaker pockets, improved internal shape, better glasses grooves, improved chinstrap padding – which have all been improved on the newer models.

That improved version is now called the C4 Basic – which should now have all those original niggles ironed out. And the Basic has been joined by the bluetooth-ready C4 Pro and Pro Carbon – you can see more info on the differences between the Basic, Pro and Pro Carbon helmets below.

As always, we do the research for you by scouring the internet’s forums, reviews, videos and comments to find out whether the Schuberth C4’s worth your hard earned money or if it’s a helmet you should avoid.

Fiberglass modular helmet
SHARP 3 star safety rated (C4 Basic ECE helmet)
SHARP 4 star safety rated (C4 Pro ECE helmet)
Drop down sun visor
Large shield (vertically and horizontally)
Genuine Pinlock anti-fog included
Integrated aerial, mic & speakers (Pro)
Micrometric fastener
3.6lbs (1.66Kg) average weight for a modular
Sizes XS-XXXL
5 year warranty
Expect to pay:
- $900 (Pro Carbon)
- $700-$800 (Pro)
- $600-$700 (Basic)

Looking to buy a Schuberth C4?

Please click below to visit the Schuberth C4 helmets pages at our recommended store – checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Overall/Summary

The Schuberth C4 is a great looking modular helmet that’s designed for touring riders but with a sporty edge.

schuberth-c4-pro-swipe-grey-flip-up-helmet-side-view — Schuberth C4 Pro in Swipe graphics

The first gen of C4’s dropped the ball and had a few niggles that made for a premium helmet that really wasn’t worth the money. The C4 Basic and Pro that replaced it have improved it in several areas and makes the latest Schuberth C4 a much better helmet.

It’s not perfect though. The ventilation could be better, the integrated comms unit in the C4 Pro ain’t the best. For safety reasons, the C4 Pro is the one to go for as an ECE Pro scored a SHARP 4 star rating for safety whereas the C4 Basic dropped a couple of stars when tested by SHARP (though the chin bar performed slightly better scoring 100% to the Pro’s 93%).

That said, it’s a nice compact helmet with an excellent shield system (with Pinlock and sun visor that work well), it’s comfortable and attenuates noise well for a modular helmet.

At this price, owners are (rightfully) demanding, and the slight inadequacies of the C4 range might be a deal breaker for some. In the real world though, no helmet’s perfect and while the C4 does have a chequered history, the latest versions are good helmets that the majority of owners find to be accomplished and stylish flip-up lids.

C4 Basic or Pro/Pro Carbon?

There’s Basic or Pro versions of the C4, plus there’s a carbon fiber version of the Pro.

schuberth-c4-pro-carbon-fusion-white-helmet-side-view — Fusion graphic version of the C4 Pro Carbon

The Pro is essentially the same helmet as the C4 Basic but with an integration for the Sena SC1 bluetooth headset. That means all the wiring’s pre-installed inside the helmet along with speakers and microphone (but not the controller unit itself which you’ll have to buy separately).

For more info, see ‘Comms Unit’ section below.

The C4 Pro Carbon is the same helmet as the Pro except it has a 100% carbon fiber shell that saves around 60g in weight (Schuberth’s own figures) over the fiberglass Pro.

Safety

Schuberth say the fabrication of their fiberglass shell, using a technique called DFP or direct fiber processing, makes for a much stronger shell. They also say their approach to producing an EPS or shock absorbing liner (which is now made in sections) will enhance shock absorption in different areas of the helmet.

Which is all fine and dandy – but does it work?

No DOT Schuberth C4 has been Snell certified yet, but the UK/ECE version of the fiberglass C4 Basic was tested by the SHARP helmet testing labs.

schuberth c4 8_5ms SHARP safety result — Schuberth C4 8.5 m/s Impact test result courtesy of dft.sharp.gov.uk

When they tested the old C3, it scored 3 stars (out of a possible 5) and the average score across all SHARP tested Schuberth helmets to date is also 3 stars.

So guess how well the C4 Basic did? Yep, it scored another 3 stars out of 5.

Overall, that’s a reasonable score – but certainly not the best. You can find our top 10 overall modular helmets here.

Having said that, more recently SHARP tested the C4 Pro and it nudged its way up to a 4/5 star rating.

Schuberth does make a noise about how compact (i.e. small) the C4’s helmet form is – which can get a distant alarm bell ringing because the smaller a helmet is, the less material there is to absorb shocks and stop it passing through to the rider. Which I guess may be reflected in the fact the C4 drops one or two stars.

That and the fact it’s only produced in 2 shell sizes which isn’t great for a premium price helmet.

Schuberth C4 Pro SHARP 8_5 ms test graphic — ECE Schuberth C4 Pro 8.5 m/s Impact test result courtesy of dft.sharp.gov.uk

Of course, SHARP also assesses how often that all-important chin guard unlocks during impact testing – because we all want it to stay locked and closed all the time, right?

The good news is that Schuberth modulars are usually very good here. Their average score across three tested helmets so far is 97% (two 97%’s for both the C3 and C3 Pro and a 100% for the now defunct C2) – and now the C4 Basic gets a perfect 100% rating and the C4 Pro a 93% rating.

So that should mean you can rely on the C4 Basic’s chin guard to stay in place should you have a spill – which is always very nice to know!

Onto the rest of the stuff that should help with safety; there’s a nice wide shield and drop-down sun shield for when the sun gets low.

And whereas the old C4 came with it’s own (pretty poor) version of a Pinlock, both the C4 Basics and Pro come with a pre-fitted Pinlock 120 antifog insert. So you should always have a clear, fog-free shield.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

Schuberth has made efforts to make the shell of the C4 particularly compact and slippery – and they’ve also increased the internal padding and the thickness of the neck roll to help insulate the rider from external noise.

While modular helmets do tend to be noisier than full face helmets in general, it seems most riders do reckon Schuberth’s efforts have worked, as while there are a few riders saying it’s noisier than they expected, most owners do feel it’s a pretty quiet helmet.

Whether you’ll feel the same if you buy one, it’s difficult to say but overall it does seem it’s one of the quieter modular helmets out there.

Ventilation

The Schuberth C4 has a single chin and single crown vent.

The crown vent is opened by the 3-way slider above the vent and feeds air through channels in the shock absorbing lining, through the inner comfort lining and onto the scalp.

schuberth-c4-pro-carbon-fusion-red-helmet-front-view — Front view of the Fusion red C4 Pro Carbon

The chin vent takes air into the helmet and up onto the rear of the shield. Unusually, the chin vent is opened/closed by pressing the vent rather than sliding.

That’s a nice touch because I, for one, can never remember which way to move the slider to open or close it. So with the C4 you don’t need to!

On the first gen of C4 helmets though, the chin bar vent had a tendency to break. So it’s been uprated in the C4 Basic and Pro and is now more robust.

That’s all fine, but overall the venting system on the C4 leaves a bit to be desired. Owner’s opinions we came across range from ‘average’ to ‘very poor’.

The top vent does flow some air but not enough to really feel it circulating around your head unless you’re riding above 50mph. And the chin bar vent is particularly ineffective with several riders saying they can’t feel much breeze on the face or back of the shield ever.

So it’s probably a very good thing that it comes with a top-spec Pinlock to keep that shield clear.

schuberth-C4-motorbike-helmet-front-view — Single chin vent works on a press to open, press to close basis. C4 also has large shield opening

Shield and Sun Visor

The main shield is designed to be as large as possible – both horizontally for improved peripheral vision – as well as vertically for good forward vision in a more sporty tuck position.

You can find other helmets with large shields if that’s something you’re particularly looking for right here.

It has a couple of opening tabs at the bottom edge of the shield with one on each side; which is exactly how most of us want them so you can open while riding along or while stationery and pulling the clutch in.

It’s also a class 1 optically correct shield so there shouldn’t be any distortion. And it comes pre-fitted with Pinlock’s most effective 120 insert. That’s a big step up from Schuberth’s own version of the Pinlock which apparently didn’t work very well on the original C4.

schuberth-c4-pro-carbon-fusion-yellow-helmet-rear-view — From the rear – the Fusion Pro Carbon this time in yellow

Overall, C4 owners say the shield system works well and gives a nice wide and deep view of the road ahead, so all good here.

The sun visor is operated using a slider to the bottom left edge of the helmet. The slider has a direct connection with the sun shield, meaning you can drop it down to any position you like rather than the fully-up or fully-down only some visors allow.

Again, we’ve not found any problems with sun visors on the Schuberth C4 and found several owners say it works just fine. So if you’re looking for a helmet with an integral sun visor that works well (and we highly recommend you do) then the C4 should fit the bill.

Schuberth C4 Pro: SC1 Integrated Communications

One of the big features of the C4 Pro and Pro Carbon is that fact that Schuberth have now integrated an aerial into the fabric of the helmet and have pre-installed both speakers and a microphone in there. So if you’re serious about your communicators, you’re probably very interested in the C4 Pro.

schuberth-sc1-sena-bluetooth-for-C4-R2-helmets-3 — Schuberth SC1 blutooth is integrated with both C4 and R2 helmets and just slots into the rear of the helmet

Schuberth has worked with bluetooth specialists Sena to develop the SC1 communicator for the C4 Pro (and R2) and designed the helmet to accommodate it.

There’s a couple of panels at the bottom rear of the helmet where the battery slots in place and another where the bluetooth sits. There’s also a companion app so you can configure the communicator and there’s an optional remote too.

That’s the good news. The not so good news is that many C4 Pro owners complain that the SC1 headset isn’t very good. Or at the least that it’s last-gen technology and most riders expect more from their headsets these days.

Yes, Schuberth has improved things from the old C4 where the battery could rattle loose and the microphone placement was so poor it picked up noise from the vents making conversations above 30 mph painful.

But there’s quite a few people saying the SC1 struggles to remember pairings and the buttons are hard to find and operate (amongst other things!).

Also, if you buy a Pro Carbon version it seems the carbon fiber shell interferes with the signal enough to cut the effective range down to about half a mile – which is a bit of an oversight!

There are some owners who say it works just fine (especially if you make sure you’ve got the latest firmware update which some say does really improve things) but if you’re buying a helmet with integrated comms – especially at this price point – many people probably want to install a decent latest gen headset?

Having said that, if you want to use a different headset with your helmet, then you can always opt for the C4 Basic which doesn’t come with pre-installed speakers/mic so you can fit your own.

Chin Guard

Schuberth have a very good record for producing helmets with a well designed chin guard in terms of staying locked and closed during impact testing.

The chin guard on the C4 is opened by a single central button. And while with some brands, that can mean it’s prone to open under impact, of all the modular ECE Schuberth helmets tested by SHARP so far, they’ve scored an impressive 98% average for the number of times the chin guards have remained locked.

And when tested by SHARP, the C4 was awarded a perfect 100% rating – meaning you should be able to rely on the chin guard on the C4 staying locked and closed in an accident. Job done.

Again, those SHARP tests are always done on ECE certified helmets (not US DOT) and Snell hasn’t certified any modulars so far so that data’s the best we’ve got. But it’s worth being aware as DOT helmets might perform differently.

schuberth-pulse-C4-flip-front-helmet-side-view — C4 Pulse black/white/blue helmet

Comfort & Sizing

The older version of the C4 was an intermediate oval shaped helmet. Which means it fits like most helmets on the market and should mean it’s comfortable for the vast majority of riders.

Word is that the reworked Basic and Pro helmets are slightly rounder fitment though – more like the fitment of previous Schuberth helmets.

Also, the old C4 used a fabric called ShinyTex. That was a material from a Chinese company that produces a range of fast-drying and antibacterial performance fabrics.

For the C4 Basic and Pro helmets that’s now been upgraded to a more comfortable CoolMax material. Again that’s both antibacterial and moisture wicking but it has a more comfortable nap to the surface.

Like the previous liner, it’s also Oeko-Tex 100 certified. That’s a certification that ensures fabrics aren’t harmful to the end user. So if you’ve a particularly sensitive skin, it might be a really handy feature.

All Schuberth C4 helmets come in sizes XS-XXXL and, providing you’ve a medium or slightly rounder shaped head, most owners say it’s a really comfortable helmet – and particularly comfortable since the liner upgrade.

And now that Schuberth has improved the glasses groove, it works well with glasses too, including when the sun visor’s down.

Looks & Graphics

At the time of writing, there’s a limited but classy range of graphics available for the C4 Basic. That’s a matt black or gloss white/silver.

schuberth-c4-pro-Magnitudo-White-Front — C4 Pro Magnitudo in white from the front

For the C4 Pro, there’s a much wider range of fairly muted graphics – the Fragment, Magniutdo and Swipe designs, with most available in red, yellow or black versions.

For the C4 Pro Carbon, all have exposed checkerboard style carbon fiber but with simple overlaid graphics – in Fusion or Tempest designs.

As usual, you can see all the designs available at the time of writing up and down this page – but to check them all out in more detail, as well as any more recent releases and deals on the C4, click through directly to the Schuberth C4 helmets pages at our recommended retailers below.

Best places to buy a Schuberth C4 Helmet?

Please click below to visit the Schuberth C4 helmets pages at our recommended store – checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Schuberth C4 Pro Video

Here’s an 8m look around the C4 Pro from Revzilla.

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

All Schuberth C4s come with a micrometric fastener.

Weight varies a little between the models. The C4 pro carbon is around 1.6Kg with the C4 basic around 50g heavier and the C4 Pro 50g over that (because of the comms pack).

1.65Kg (3.6lbs) is about bang on average weight for a modular helmet so none of them are particularly light, though it does mean you shouldn’t have any issues with weight either.

schuberth-C4-gloss-silver-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Classy gloss silver C4

Schuberth tests all of their helmets in a wind tunnel to ensure they’re slippery (so reduce buffeting) and aren’t too noisy.

And we came across several owners who said the aero is excellent. They cut through the wind nicely with very little lift or buffeting.

Build quality is another feature several owners rated highly. C4s feel well built and sturdily made and their fit and finish are widely praised.

And finally, all Schuberths come with a 5 year warranty – but make sure you register on their website to activate it.

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Good Alternatives to the Schuberth C4?

There’s plenty of good alternatives to the Schuberth C4. If you’re after a good quality flip-up helmet then take a look at these highly rated lids. Again, the SHARP ratings refer to the ECE tested helmet.

shark-evo-one-2-slasher-anthracite-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Evo-One 2 Slasher

You should check out the SHARP 4 star rated Shark Evo One 2 – it’s dual homologated, with sun shield and is a fraction of the price of the C4.

ls2-valiant-solid-gloss-white-modular-crash-helmet-rear-view — LS2 Valiant

The LS2 Valiant is another cheaper modular and, like the Shark above, its chin bar flips right around to the back of the helmet and out of the way. It’s SHARP 4 star rated and more suited to riders with a longer oval head shape than the C4.

agv sportmodular tricolore motorcycle helmet side view — AGV Sport Modular Tricolore

Finally, if you want a modular that works best with a sportsbike, then the AGV Sport Modular might be best for you. It’s a full carbon fiber SHARP 4 star safety rated helmet with sun shield, optically correct shield and Pinlock included.

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Looking to buy a Schuberth C4?

Please click below to visit the Schuberth C4 helmets pages at our recommended store – checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

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Star Ratings

Sedici Strada II Review: well liked fiberglass and carbon helmets.

Page Contents

Sedici Strada II full face motorcycle helmet review.

If you thought a brand like Sedici is gonna be Italian, think again. The Sedici range of motorcycle gear is actually a house brand of Cycle Gear/Revzilla (who’re both part of the Comoto Holdings group).

Obviously, that’s not necessarily a problem at all and will, in theory at least, mean they could keep their over-the-counter prices lower by cutting out the middlemen, so we get better value gear.

Which, if you look at the prices of the Sedici Strada II helmets with their fancy fiberglass/Kevlar or carbon fiber/Kevlar helmet shells, does seem like it might be the case.

They actually seem pretty cheap for the tech you get. Which is great… as long as the helmet’s a good ‘un.

The original Sedici Strada was widely seen as a bit uncomfortable, a bit noisy and, well, generally a bit underdeveloped.

So now there’s a follow up – the Sedici Strada II – and it comes in four flavors.

Sedici Strada II, Carbon, Primo & Parlare

sedici strada II animale helmet front view — Strada II in Animale graphics

First up is the regular Strada II. That’s a fiberglass/Kevlar helmet with drop down sun visor that’s DOT and ECE rated.

sedici strada II carbon helmet front view — Strada II regular carbon helmet

Second is the Sedici Strada II carbon helmet; that’s a full carbon fiber helmet using 6K fiber (and still with the Kevlar stripe over the top) that also has the sun visor and is DOT/ECE.

Third, there’s the Strada II Primo which is the carbon fiber helmet but one that doesn’t have a sun visor and has been Snell 2020 safety approved (I guess either Snell’s not too keen on helmets with sun visors or it failed their test).

Sedici Strada II Parlare helmet side view — Parlare version with built-in headset

Finally, there’s the Strada II Parlare which is the same helmet as the regular Strada II but comes with an integrated Sena DWO-6 bluetooth comms unit already fitted.

All helmets have been designed to be nice and compact, have great aero and noise-reducing properties – as well as give good protection and look cool!

So, if you’re thinking about buying one, here’s the lowdown on the Sedici Strada II range of helmets.

Sporty looking street helmet
Fiberglass or carbon shell with Kevlar reinforcement
3 shell sizes
Snell approved (Strada II Primo)
Drop down sun visor (Carbon, Strada II, Parlare)
Double D-ring strap
Pinlock ready shield
DOT & ECE versions
Sizes XS-XXXL
Expect to pay $200-$350

Looking to buy a Sedici Strada II ?

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

Overall/Summary

Sedici Strada IIs are well liked helmets. Whether it’s the carbon fiber or fiberglass you go for, they’re great all rounders that represent excellent value for money.

And they do everything pretty well – not amazingly well but pretty well. The shell tech is great – good enough to let the Primo Carbon fiber version achieve Snell approval. And while they don’t have the best ventilation on comfort levels on the market, they’re generally quite well rated for both.

Helmet noise levels are OK too and the whole thing’s put together and finished nicely. But it’s that excellent value for money that owners like most and the Sedici II gives it in spades.

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

Strada II helmets have either a fiberglass or a carbon fiber shell that’s reinforced with a band of Kevlar running from above the visor to the rear of the helmet.

sedici strada II primo carbon helmet side view — Carbon fiber and Snell certified Strada II Primo

If you want to be sure that a helmet will give good protection, you’re best going for a Snell approved helmet as that’ll mean the Snell labs has put the helmet through its set of tests and given it the thumbs up. In that case, go for the Snell certified Sedici Strada II Primo.

Which is not to say the other non-snell helmets won’t give great protection. All Strada IIs are DOT and ECE certified (except the Primo which is DOT and Snell) so should offer the levels of protection demanded by US and European regulators, including putting samples through their testing labs (the ECE test requires this before going on sale).

It’s just that when a helmet’s Snell certified, we know it’s been rigorously tested beyond DOT levels of testing, so should offer excellent protection.

Having said that, all Strada II helmets also have a dual-density shock absorbing EPS liner and all are fastened using a tried-and-tested D-ring strap.

Most models have an integral sun visor too – which is not only very convenient but can really be a life saver (I’ve known riders being caught out by the lowering sun and crashing).

sedici strada II solid matte blue helmet rear view — Matte blue Strada II

Shells are made in three different sizes which is a good thing: it means the shell size will be better optimized for your head and isn’t over- or under-padded to make a shell fit you.

It also means it should look better when you’re wearing it and help with improving protection as you’ll be carrying less helmet weight and have the right amount of EPS inside the helmet.

All in all, the Sedici Strada II should give good protection. But if you want to go that extra mile and have the peace of mind that you’re wearing proven protection, we recommend going for the slightly more expensive Snell approved Strada II Primo Carbon helmet.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

Sedici make quite a few claims about how they’ve reduced the amount of noise getting into the Strada II. They say their improved aerodynamics should quieten noise coming into the helmet through the helmet shell, while a larger chin curtain and neck roll will prevent it coming in from below.

sedici strada II horta blue green helmet front view — Strade II Horta graphics

And while a couple of owners commented that the helmet can get noisy, especially when the vents are open, most owners reckon it is above average when it comes to quietness.

Because helmet noise is so personal and subjective, we always find a range of opinions, so if you buy one, it’s still possible that you’ll find the Strada II noisy.

But overall, most Sedici Strada II owners seem to think it’s somewhere between average to good when it comes to suppressing helmet noise.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

The venting systems on all versions of the Strada II are the same.

In the chin bar, there’s a single vent covered with a large, glove-friendly slider to open and close it.

Up top, there’s a pair of crown vents, again with large sliders covering them, that have to be opened/closed individually.

They take air through the helmet shell and into some pretty miserly internal channels that are designed to carry air through the helmet, before taking the warm, moist air out of the helmet through the four rear exhausts located under the rear spoiler and on each side of the rear shell.

A couple of useful links…

– About carbon fiber helmets –
– Snell certified helmet reviews –

So far, so good. It’s a similar system to 90% of helmets on the market today. But it’s how well it’s been designed and implemented that makes all the difference.

sedici strada II dino helmet rear view — Rear view of the Sedici Strada II Dino

Visually, those internal venting channels moulded into the EPS liner do look narrow, and it seems they might be the culprit – because most owners seem to think venting around the head isn’t as good as it could be. Yes, some owners think it’s fine – but others, probably folks who live in warmer states, seem to find the venting average to poor.

Chin bar venting on the other hand seems to be OK with some riders saying there’s enough air getting to the back of the shield to quickly clear fogging without a Pinlock being fitted.

I guess that’s in pretty optimal conditions, but still it’s not bad going.

Overall then, ventilation to the chin bar is good but not so great around your head.

Shield

(more about shields)

The face shield fitted to all Sedici Strada II helmets is a 2D racing style shield that’s Pinlock anti-fog ready (Pinlock insert sold separately for around $30). It’s a toolless, quick change visor system with a ‘cracked open’ city riding position and opening tab in the middle/bottom of the shield.

Several Strada 2 owners commented that the viewport is nice and wide as well as giving a larger than average downward view, making it easier to see your instrument panel.

sedici strada II donna helmet side view — This one’s the Strada II in Donna graphics

The quick release system on the visor couldn’t really be much easier – just open up the shield, pull a tab and the shield pulls off for easy cleaning.

It’s a shame the Strada II doesn’t ship with a Pinlock insert free in the box, but if you ride somewhere it gets cold/wet/humid, it might well be a good investment as they really will stop your shield fogging up.

Having said that, a couple of owners reckoned there’s enough venting to the back of the shield to clear up fogging quite quickly.

Note: all Strada II helmets come with a clear face shield fitted, despite all the photos showing a smoke shield.

Sun Visor

(more about sun visors)

All Strada IIs, except the Snell certified Primo carbon fiber, come with a drop down sun visor.

It’s operated using a slider located on the bottom left hand edge of the helmet, which may interfere with mounting a clamp-mount bluetooth controller if you’re looking to use one – though there’s plenty of room for a sticky mount comms units above.

Most owners seem to find the sun visor works just fine: it’s easy to use, drops down low enough and is dark enough. Sun visor tint is always going to be a compromise and if you live in sunnier states you might well prefer it to be darker. But overall the majority of owners are finding it works just fine.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

Internal fitment of the Strada II is medium oval – so it should fit most of our head shapes here in the US.

sedici strada II solid matte black helmet front view — Solid matte black version of the fiberglass Strada II

The internal comfort liner is a smooth-to-the-touch antimicrobial and moisture wicking liner that’s fully removable and washable, with 3D contoured cheekpads and 5mm removable panels in the forehead.

These panels can be added/removed to tweak the fitment a little. Several owners have commented that their Stradas felt a little tight when they first got them and adjusting these panels can help – although Strada IIs usually break in nicely over the first few rides.

One thing a few owners comment on is that, with the large neck roll and (removable) chin curtain, it can be a bit of a struggle to get the helmet on or off in the first place. A bit of a birthing experience. Which can make a helmet a real pain to live with – in more ways than one.

However, once you do get the helmet on, and as long as you’ve bought the right size, most owners say it’s a really comfortable helmet. And the sizing’s true, so measure your head, order the correct size and it should fit.

Looks & Graphics

The carbon fiber Strada IIs use a 6K carbon fibre (the 6K actually referring to the number of individual fibers within each thread – 6000). The carbon fiber Stradas are available in matte and gloss carbon, whereas the Snell Primo helmet is matte only.

sedici strada II horta helmet front view — Sedici Strada II Horda in pink/green

Other than that, if you’re looking to buy a fiberglass Strada II, there’s a wide range of solids and graphics available. If you’re looking for a solid, there’s matte black and blue and white, grey and black.

For graphics, there’s Animale, Dino, Curvone, Horta and Donna – and we’ve tried to put examples of all these up and down the page.

But if you want a closer look at any or to see any deals or designs that might have come out since our review, please click through to the Sedici II pages at our recommended stores below.

Best places to buy a Sedici Strada II helmet?

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

Sedici Strada II Video

Well, the Strada II is an own-brand Revzilla helmet so they might be just a little bit biased… but it’s the best video I could find covering the Strada II so here’s their 11m video looking around a solid grey fiberglass version.

Other stuff – audio, weight, glasses

All Strada II helmets have generous speaker cutouts inside so should be able to accept many 3rd party bluetooth headsets. But note: the slider for the sun visor sits just where you’d want to mount a clamp mount bluetooth controller so you may need to use a sticky mount (where sun visor is fitted).

If you want to buy a helmet with a headset already integrated into the helmet, then you might want to consider the Sedici Strada II Parlare helmet. That comes with a Sena DWO-6 bluetooth headset.

sedici strada II dino motorcycle helmet side view — Dino graphic Strada II

That’s a headset that seems to be made specifically for this helmet so you won’t find it for sale, but is equivalent to a Sena 10R headset and that’s a $200 bluetooth – so if you are looking for a helmet and headset combo, the Parlare looks to be pretty good value.

As to weight, well there’s a range of helmets and sizes to consider. But overall, the Strada II weighs around 3.5lbs (1.6Kg) which is a few ounces heaver than the average weight of a typical fiberglass helmet. Though expect the carbon fiber helmets to be a few ounces lighter.

If you’re looking to ride in glasses, we’ve only heard bad things about the Strada II – like it’s tricky to push them on and it’s tight when you do. It’s doable but sounds like it’s far from ideal. So if you are looking for a helmet to work with your glasses – you might want to take a look at some of these helmets that are good for glasses.

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Good Alternatives to the Sedici Strada II?

Here’s a selection of highly rated full face helmets that we recommend you check out.

scorpion exo r 410 motorcycle crash helmet techno graphics grey — Scorpion EXO-R420

First up is the Scorpion Exo-R420. It’s a lower priced Snell certified full face helmet with an Everclear antifog shield and EQRS. A great value package.

Or how about the HJC i10? That’s another Snell approved polycarbonate full face that’s got great ventilation and offers an excellent bang for your buck.

agv-k5s-motorbike-helmet-Hurricane-black-green — AGV K5S Hurricane

A bit further up the food chain is AGV’s K5S: a great composite fiber sports touring helmet with sun visor that’s comfortable, well built and with good aerodynamics on the road.

scorpion exo-st1400 gloss carbon frontview — Scorpion ST1400

Finally, another sportier touring helmet that’s well liked is the Scorpion Exo ST1400. That’s a bit pricier than the Sedici but comes with a Pinlock and EQRS and is known to be a great venting and comfortable helmet, even though it can be a bit noisy.

Looking to buy a Sedici Strada II ?

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

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Star Ratings

Icon Airframe Pro full face motorcycle crash helmet review

Page Contents

Icon Airframe Pro: a cool-looking aggressive streetbike helmet

The Icon Airframe Pro is Icon’s most aggressive, sportsbike-friendly full face helmet yet. It’s not quite a track helmet, but with a sportsbike focused ‘head down and in the bubble’ design and with a tear-off ready shield in the options list, it’s definitely on the way there.

It’s also a very cool-looking helmet with a range of urban and out-there graphics to match.

But is it all bling and no burble?

Here’s what the Icon Airframe Pro offers and what owners who invested their cash think of it…

Sportsbike helmet
Full face helmet
Fiberglass and carbon variants
Great ventilation
Pretty noisy
Four shell sizes
Sizes XS-XXXL
Expect to pay:
- $395-$440 (fiberglass)
- $480-$600 (carbon)
  Airframe Pro in Deployed Camo green

Looking to buy an Icon Airframe Pro?

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

Safety

We love Icon for their mixture of attitude, performance and in-your-face graphics. And the Icon Airframe Pro is no different. But how about safety?

With the Airframe, there’s the option of either a fiberglass or a carbon fiber shell. Icon say precious little about the shock absorbing properties of the helmet but by pulling out the comfort liner, we can see it looks a reasonably conventional shell backed with an expanded polystrene shock absorbing liner in there.

There’s a double-d ring fastener underneath to make sure everything stays put and there’s an extra-wide shield to help keep your peripheral vision as clutter free as possible.

Rear view of Carbon Airframe – note neck roll cutout (see comfort section for info)

All Icons are multi-certified so they’re legal in a wide range of countries – including both DOT and ECE (Europe/Australia) certification. That gives you peace of mind that it’s not going to shatter on impact and will give at least a decent minimum level of protection.

Over and above that, a handful of Icons have been tested by the UK SHARP helmet testing scheme (though unfortunately none by Snell) including the last generation Airframe.

When that old Airframe was tested it scored a great four star rating (out of five) – although two other Icons have been tested since and they scored a three and a two star rating.

Having said that, both these were polycarbonate helmets whereas both the new and old Airframes are fiberglass helmets, so maybe the four star is more relevant; but it’s hard to say until SHARP tests this newest Airframe Pro.

On the plus side, Icon does produce the Airframe in four different helmet shell sizes which is a great thing for safety and for making a helmet that fits well – and looks right.

Helmet Noise

This one’s the Icon Airframe Pro Halo Carbon Glory

There was hope that because this latest Airframe Pro has smaller vents and because it looks super swoopy and slippery that those features might mean it’s a quieter helmet.

Unfortunately, that’s not what owners seem to report.

You always get at least a few folks saying every helmet is quiet – and that’s the case with the Airframe. But overridingly owners say it’s noisy. Some say it’s exceedingly loud, others just a bit noisy, but the vast majority say it’s a loud lid.

Much of that’s dependent on your riding style, bike and helmet history of course – and, if you buy an Airframe Pro, stick in some good quality ear plugs and you’ll be riding around happily and without damaging your hearing.

Ventilation

Ventilation is one area where the Icon Airframe excels.

And so it should. On the front of the helmet there’s six air vents and on the rear, five exhaust vents. Now that’s a lot of venting!

The shy and retiring Airframe Pro Cottonmouth

In the chin guard, there’s a couple of always-open vents to each side and a single closeable vent in the middle to drive air onto the back of the shield and around the mouth.

Above the shield there’s another three vents – two brow vents to either side and a larger central vent, all closeable.

All those top vents push air through the shell and distribute air through channels in the expanded polystyrene lining and onto the scalp.

Lots of helmets reckon they do this, but if you look closely it’s only in a stripe at the top of the helmet.

The Airframe pushes ventilation wider than that. And that’s borne out in owners comments that it vents tons of air and can keep you cool in even the most extreme temps. OK there’s the occasional comment that some of the vent switches are a bit tricky to find, especially in gloves. But overall, it’s all very positive.

So if you’re after a helmet that vents well and will keep you cool, the Airframe should fit the bill.

The Airframe Pro Construct in black (see title photo for white version) showing rear exhaust vents

Shield

The shield system on the Airframe is a reasonably low-tech affair. There’s no sun visor, there’s no Pinlock antifog, there’s no photochromic.

However what is there works reasonably well by all accounts.

It’s a ratchet shield with a shield lock on the left hand side. It’s quick release too – what Icon calls its Rapid Release system – so you can whip it off quickly to clean it or swap it out for a tinted shield.

And while Icon doesn’t push it in their bumf, quite a few owners comment on how wide the shield opening is, giving really wide peripheral vision. That’s probably even more useful on the road than it is on the track.

Having a decent anti-fog insert is very important for many of us. Unfortunately, the Icon Airframe isn’t Pinlock ready. It has its own anti-fog coating on it and while there’s no word on how effective it is, our experience is that antifog treatments applied to the back of standard shields aren’t that great. That might not be the case with the Airframe of course, but if pushed we’d expect it to be a bit poor.

If having a shield that doesn’t fog up is important to you, you might want to check out our helmets that are Pinlock-ready (with many coming with a Pinlock in the box).

Fiberglass Airframe Pro Flash Bang

Comfort & Sizing

The Icon Airframe Pro has an interesting 5-part internal comfort liner inside the helmet.

All but the cheapest helmets have removable internal comfort liners, though that’s mostly so you can take them out and wash them. But we’re seeing quite a few of the more premium brands/models offering customizable parts so you can take out the lining to tailor the fit. Adding in new panels or removing parts can help you pack out or slacken off the lining and get your helmet to fit just right. That’s important for both comfort and safety.

Well, Icon has taken things further, with every part of the comfort lining being swappable for either a thicker or thinner piece. That should help you get the fit just right – and that’ll make it more comfortable and much more user-friendly. It does cost a bit extra for the kit to customize it but it’s good to know that if things aren’t quite right, rather than just send it back for a different size, you can play around with things and (hopefully) get it bang on.

Aside from that, the Airframe’s lining uses a material called Hydradry – that’s both a wicking and antimicrobial fabric, designed to keep things both moisture and pong-free.

But does it all work? Well it very much seems so because most owners reckon it’s a really comfy helmet.

Bonkers Brozak graphics

As long as you’ve an oval rather than rounder head shape (the Airframe’s designed for oval heads) and follow our guide to get a helmet that fits right, you should be fine. Though note, a number of Airframe Pro owners reckon Icons size a bit small, so you might need to go for a size larger than normal.

One other cool feature of the Airframe is that rear cut away at the bottom rear off the helmet (in the neck roll). That’s there to stop the helmet interfering with the collar of your jacket or hump (or back pack if you wear one), and lots of owners said it works great and really helps in freeing up head movement.

And if you’ve a big head and need a more extreme large fitment sizes, you’re in luck, because the Airframe is available in up to size XXXL. Yay!

Looks & Graphics

Icon puts a lot of effort into the design of all their gear, and the Icon Airframe Pro is no exception. OK, there are aggressive helmets out there, but the Airframe is a really aggressive looking full face and comes in some quality, out-there graphics.

You can have both a raw fiberglass and raw carbon helmets where their weave is exposed (the Construct and Carbon respectively). There’s the camo-effect Deployed Camo and the reasonably crazy cartoon/monster Brozak (above). The Halo are available in lots of colors as are the Airframe Pro solids which are in black, white and Rubatone (a matt rubberized version).

But as always there’s new graphics coming out all the time – as well as retailer discounts. So to see these, click our recommended retailer links below and we’ll drop you straight on their Icon Helmets pages so you can take a look.

Best places to buy an Icon Airframe Pro?

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

Icon Airframe Pro videos

First up, the official Icon helmets trailer – that’s a moody 2m long look around the carbon Airframe Pro. Below that, a more detailed 5m video.

Other stuff – audio, weight, aero, warranty

If you’re looking to use a bluetooth communicator with your Airframe Pro, that’s fine as long as the speakers are pretty thin. There is a cut-away in the EPS liner to slot the speakers in there, and one owner said it works fine with their Sena. But another said they can feel it’s very tight in there even though their bluetooth sticks to the helmet shell without any problem.

Rear view of the Deployed Camo

One of the big selling points of the Icon Airframe that it’s light weight. That’s especially true for the carbon fiber version that weighs in at 3lbs (1.36Kg) whereas the fiberglass version is actually a bit heavier than the average fiberglass helmet at 3.4lbs (1.53 Kg).

Onto aero, and the smaller, more aggressive profile of the Airframe (one of Icon’s design aims) seems to have contributed to making a helmet that’s got great aero characteristics. Most owners reckon it’s got great stability, doesn’t lift and has little buffeting.

Finally, unfortunately Icon offers a paltry one year warranty on their helmets. With many manufacturers offering 5 year warranties these days, that’s a bit disappointing.

Overall/Summary

Most owners are going to be grabbed by how cool the Airframe Pro looks – and how crazy the graphics are. And why not, we all love a cool-looking helmet.

But beyond that, it’s gotta work well. And in most respects, the Icon Airframe Pro delivers.

Intimidating full carbon version

It’s not the quietest helmet and it doesn’t offer some of the bells and whistles of some other helmets (check our alternatives below if you want some of those). But it’s comfortable, has great fitment flexibility with its customizable lining, it’s got wonderful ventilation and while that shield’s a bit basic, it gives a nice wide view of the road. It’s got great dynamics on the road too, so you can riding along in a buffeting-free zone while looking super cool in your Airframe Pro.

OK it’s a bit noisy and we can’t be sure how great that impact protection’s going to be until SHARP (or Snell) run some tests on it. But it’s the look of it along with that decent price point that’s probably gonna sway things for most buyers. And if you’re already sold, check out all the designs on our recommended retailer’s sites above, and we wouldn’t be at all surprised if you’ll have many happy years together!

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Good Alternatives to the Icon Airframe Pro?

The Airframe Pro Halo is available in green, blue, black and red

If you’re after a mid-priced full face helmet, there’s a massive range to choose from. So let’s narrow it down a bit to some of the safest and best rated helmets out there.

First up is HJCs 5 star safety rated FG-ST. Just like the composite version of the Airframe Pro, The HJC is a fiberglass full face helmet too, but it’s a bit cheaper than the Airframe, and comes with a Pinlock Max Vision anti-fog in the box.

Then there’s the AGV K5S – SHARP 4 star safety rated, sun shield, carbon composite shell – and for less money than the Icon (though the graphics may not be quite as cool!).

Another Italian thorougbred is the 5 star safety rated X-lite X-702 GT. Yep, it’s more of a touring helmet, but it’s fairly light, pretty quiet and has great ventilation. Well worth checking out.

Finally, if you’re after something carbon and sporty, then how about the LS2 FF323 Arrow? It’s MotoGP developed, light, comes with a Pinlock, optically-correct shield in the box and is SHARP 4 star safety rated. And you get all that for about the same price as the Airframe.

Looking to buy an Icon Airframe Pro?

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

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Star Ratings

HJC C70: Great value all-rounder full face helmet.

Page Contents

HJC C70 full face polycarbonate motorcycle helmet review.

The HJC C70 is HJC’s replacement for their IS17 helmet. Which means it’s designed to be a great all-rounder motorcycle helmet at an affordable price.

It also means it has one heck of a job to do – to replace one of their best selling, highest safety rated and fullest-featured crash helmets on the market.

Like the IS17, the C70 is a polycarbonate shelled helmet with a drop down sun visor, micrometric fastener, quick release and Pinlock-ready main faceshield. But sadly, unlike the outgoing helmet, there isn’t a Pinlock in the box.

So if you’re after a good quality, well performing but affordable helmet that’ll work from any bike from moped to a tourer (but not so well on a sportsbike) then read on as we tell you all you need to know about the HJC C70 helmet.

Full face all-rounder helmet
Polycarbonate shell
Drop down sun visor
Made in 2 shell sizes
DOT certified
Pinlock ready shield (insert not included)
Micrometric fastener
Quick release main shield
Sizes XS-XXL
Expect to pay $150-$190

Looking to buy an HJC C70 ?

Please click below to visit the HJC C70 helmets pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

HJC has a pretty good reputation for safety, not least among their polycarbonate helmets.

HJC C70 lianto hi viz motorbike crash helmet side view — After a hi viz C70? This one’s the HJC C70 Lianto

The helmet it’s replacing was actually given a maximum safety rating of 5 stars by UK helmet testers at SHARP (ECE version), and of course the HJC C70, like all helmets for sale in the US, is certified DOT compliant too.

HJC does send the occasional helmet off to the Snell foundation for testing, but to date, there’s no sign of the C70 on their website yet (though the HJC i10 is).

Where a helmet has been tested by the UK’s SHARP helmet testing labs, we also mention the score there.

However, in the case of the C70, HJC USA has confirmed to us that the US version of the C70 is different from the European version. Over there it scored a maximum 5 stars, but since HJC has confirmed that the two helmets aren’t comparable, we’ve removed the test results from this page.

Right onto other safety features…

HJC-C70-boltas-blue-black-motorcycle-helmet-rear-view — Rear spoiler and exhaust vents on the C70 Boltas in blue and black

The shield’s been designed to be wide to give good peripheral vision. And an integral drop down sun visor’s always really useful to have on your helmet, to stop you getting caught out when the sun’s blinding; so that’s a very worthwhile safety addition.

And finally, the HJC C70 is made in two shell sizes. That’s probably to be expected for a helmet at this price point but we like to see more these days as more shells means a more optimized fit, less weight and – arguably – improved safety.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

HJC does say the C70 has been wind tunnel designed for improved aerodynamic performance. Which should help reduce wind noise entering the helmet of course.

That maybe the case, but where you have ventilation holes, you also have pathways for noise. And while there’s plenty of padding inside the C70 – including those ‘generous cheek pads’ (see comfort section below), it seems the C70 is about average for noise suppression.

As we often find, some owners think it’s a really quiet helmet while others say it’s noisy – all dependent on different motorcycles, riding styles, fairings, previous helmets etc. etc. It’s all very subjective, but given that we found an equal number of owners on either side of the fence, we’ve plumped for a score of about average when it comes to noise suppression.

And if you do buy a C70 – hopefully you’ll be pleasantly surprised (but always wear decent ear plugs when you ride to protect your hearing).

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

As you can see from the photos, there’s one large top vent and a single vent in the chin bar too.

That chin bar vent is covered by a sliding panel used to close it off or open it up and direct air behind the shield.

The top vent is opened by a small slider right on the top of the helmet. According to C70 owners, it’s actually really easy to find and, because it sticks up nicely, it’s simple to use and means gloved fingers can easily grip it .

HJC-C70-white-helmet-top-down-view — Top down view of the gloss white C70 – showing crown vent and sun visor sliders.

This top vent passes air through the helmet shell and into grooved channels inside the helmet.

It’s a similar system to the outgoing helmet and, according to several owners, it works well – pulling in a decent amount of air that can be felt across the top of the head inside the helmet.

Same goes for that chin vent. And if you’re riding in more Northern states, you’re going to want to buy and fit a Pinlock antifog insert in there to stop fogging.

If you’re a summer-only rider, you might get away without. Otherwise, expect the shield to fog up on cold mornings or when it rains.

Pinlocks are about $30.

A couple of links you might find useful…

– Click to see all our HJC Helmet Reviews –
– Here you’ll find all the safest helmets we’ve looked at –

Shield

(more about shields)

OK, the shield on the C70 does pretty much everything you’re going to need on your helmet – except come with a Pinlock antifog insert.

It is Pinlock-ready, meaning it’s got those Pinlock pegs fixed on the shield so you can buy a Pinlock and fit it on there. Just some helmets come with the Pinlock itself in the box – whereas the C70 doesn’t.

Find our helmets that are Pinlock-ready or come with a Pinlock insert in the box by clicking the link.

HJC C70 valon pink crash helmet side view — HJC C70 Valon

You can understand why the C70 doesn’t come with an insert. HJC obviously wanted to keep the cost of the helmet down and including a Pinlock would’ve nudged it up a bit.

But it’s a real shame because, according to a few C70 owners, it can fog up pretty easily, though to be fair, most helmets can when it’s cold and wet.

Other than that, the shield system on the C70 looks pretty good.

It’s nice and wide to give good peripheral vision. It also features HJCs RapidFire II shield quick removal system. That’s one of the best and just involves raising the shield, squeezing a trigger and popping off the shield.

Why do you need that? Well for easy cleaning mostly. Get home covered in dust/bug juice – pop it off and wash it in soapy water. Job done.

The C70’s shield’s also got a small locking mechanism on it. When you snap the shield closed, it’ll click-locked. But it’s easy to push up on the shield tab, releasing the lock and opening the shield in one go.

A shield lock’s probably not that important to most of us outside a race track, but it does help a little with securing the shield against the shield gasket and keeping wind/rain out.

Sun Visor

(more about sun visors)

A sun visor’s always a mega useful addition to a helmet. Not only is it really convenient – quickly dropping it down to keep the sun out of your eyes – but it’s also an important safety feature when the sun’s low and dazzling.

HJC C70 matt black motorbike crash helmet side view — Matt black C70

The sun visor on the C70 is operated by a slider sat high up and far back on the crown of the helmet. It’s kind of an OK position for the slider, though it can be a bit tricky to find until you get used to it.

Unlike the old model which returned the sun visor to it’s fully up position using a spring-loaded, button operated mechanism, the C70’s sun visor needs to be slid down, then manually slid back up again.

That does give you the option of choosing exactly which position you drop it down to – whether you want it fully down or just down a little.

Plus, the spring mechanism on the old IS17 was known for getting a bit tired – meaning it’d raise it a bit but not fully. So this system does away with that potential problem.

Feedback from owners on the sun visor on the C70 is that it’s super easy to operate, it’s fairly dark and that it’s easy to find and use in gloves. So all good there.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

The inner lining on the HJC C70 is removable and washable and uses a material HJC calls SuperCool. That’s a moisture wicking and antimicrobial material that’s soft to the touch too.

HJC C70 lianto black red motorbike crash helmet side view — Black/white/red version of the Lianto

It’s available in sizes XS-XXL and is a medium oval fitment.

If you are looking to buy a C70, check out our helmet fitting guide first. Then when you receive the helmet, make sure it’s a reasonably tight fit (but expect it to give a little over the first days/weeks) and make sure it’s comfortable.

Ensuring your helmet fits correctly should be your number one priority when buying a helmet because a correctly fitting helmet means the helmet can do its job in an accident. If it’s too loose, it won’t give you the best protection.

And make sure you always tighten your chin strap fully, because loose helmets are known to come off in accidents if they’re not correctly tightened.

Like several HJC helmets, a few owners say that while it fits well, the cheek pads in the C70 can be really tight when you first get it (though they do break in pretty quickly). So if you’ve chubby cheeks – beware and expect to have to do some breaking in.

But note: you can buy different size cheek pads if it doesn’t break in as quickly or as much as you’d like.

Looks & Graphics

HJC’s expecting to sell lots of C70s and you can see that in the number of graphics available.

If you’re after a solid/plain helmet, there’s a gloss black and gloss white as well as a matt black version.

HJC-C70-troky-black-hi-viz-motorcycle-helmet-top-down-view — This one’s the Troky in black and hi-viz

And there’s also a heap of funky graphics that we’ve scattered up and down the page: the Valon, Lianto, Troky and Boltas available in allsorts of color options including some hi-viz.

If you’re interested in seeing the latest discounts and deals as well as any new designs that have surfaced since we last looked at the C70, feel free to click the links below to our recommended stores – recommended because they all score high marks in online reviews meaning they’ll look after you well if you buy from them.

Best places to buy an HJC C70 ?

Please click below to visit the HJC C70 helmets pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Other stuff – fasteners, glasses, aero, breath guard, comms/audio, warranty

The C70 is available with a micrometric fastener from most stores in the US and continental Europe (but mostly double-d in the UK). Either system’s fine – click the links to find out more about either fastener if you’re not sure.

HJC-C70-troky-black-orange-crash-helmet-top-side-view — Black and orange C70 Troky

And if you prefer riding in sun (or normal) glasses, then the C70 is good for glasses wearers because there’s glasses grooves inside the C70. We found a couple of owners who said the grooves work great and the C70 is fantastic if you wear glasses because the slots make it really easy to shove your glasses on and stop the arms pressing into your head.

HJC says the slightly redesigned shell of the C70 was wind-tunnel tested to reduce noise, buffeting and give all round improved aero performance.

We found owners who said the aerodynamic performance is very good, finding the helmet doesn’t ‘pull’ when you’re riding or looking around.

It comes with a removable breath guard inside the box to help reduce fogging on the shield.

While there aren’t any specific speaker cutouts inside the helmet, a few owners reckoned there is space to fit speakers comfortably and pockets in the cheek pads for them to go. So it seems you shouldn’t have a problem fitting a bluetooth kit as long as the speakers aren’t too oversized.

Finally, whereas some HJCs come with a 5 year warranty (RPHA range of helmets) the C70 only comes with a paltry 1 year guarantee 🙁

Overall/Summary

The outgoing IS17 was a great helmet, and so too is its replacement, the HJC C70.

The C70 has a slightly redesigned shell for improved aero, but other than that and a few other minor tweaks, it’s a very similar helmet.

Owners say the C70 has good ventilation, a great face shield and sun visor system and, as long as your face isn’t too squeezed by the cheek pads, is very comfortable.

It’s well built too – for a helmet at this price point.

HJC-C70-white-motorcycle-helmet-rear-view — Rear of the solid gloss white C70

All of which means that if you’re after a budget helmet for your more upright motorcycle (so nakeds, adventure bikes etc. but probably not sportsbikes) that offers real performance and all the major features you need – like sun visor and Pinlock-ready main shield – then the HJC C70 very much delivers.

It’s a great helmet offering max levels of protection* at a low price point. Highly recommended.

Good Alternatives to the HJC C70?

HJC make some great performing lower-priced helmets, and we expect the C70 to be a good buy. But there are quite a few other great helmets available for not very much money.

Here’s a selection of recommended alternatives to take a look at. These have all scored well on safety tests – and you can find more by using our smart(ish) filters page, for example by checking the ‘budget’ and ‘safest’ boxes to find lower priced helmets that offer great safety levels.

The Scorpion Exo R-710 is a Snell certified, light weight full face helmet that comes with a 5 year warranty and is great value for money.

Same goes for its slightly more expensive stablemate, the Scorpion Exo R2000. That’s a composite fiber Snell certified helmet that comes with EQRS and works particularly well with sportsbikes.

The Shark Skwal 2 is SHARP 4 star rated (ECE version), has a Pinlock in the box, sun visor, is reasonably light weight and has in-built LEDs for extra visibility.

Looking to buy an HJC C70 ?

Please click below to visit the HJC C70 helmets pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

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