Shoei’s top-dog dirt helmet: the Shoei VFX-EVO.

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Review of the Shoei VFX-EVO motocross helmet.

Shoei’s latest motocross helmet, the VFX-EVO (called VFX-WR in Europe), aims to take – in Shoei’s words – the motocross helmet to the next level.

And when you look at the range of features, you can see why they’d say that. It uses Shoei’s advanced AIM+ shell construction tech we usually see in their hyper expensive race bike helmets.

It’s got EQRS. It’s got a total of 16 intake and exhaust vents for improved ventilation; and it’s been wind-tunnel tested to make a modern looking and complex outer shell shape that Shoei hope will give it superior aerodynamic performance.

Plus – and for the first time on a Shoei – it’s got a system designed to manage rotational forces encountered during an impact. Shoei calls their system motion energy distribution system. I’d guess that’s primarily so it gives them the eye catching acronym MEDS – but either way, it’s designed to allow the helmet a degree of independent movement from the rider and, again according to Shoei, reduces rotation by 15%.

All of that stacks up to make the Shoei VFX-EVO a mouthwatering prospect.

So we researched what owners and riders had to say about their VFX-WR helmets so you’ll know if it’s worth buying – and here’s everything we found.

Composite fiber motocross helmet
DOT & ECE
Snell certified
Four shell sizes
EQRS Emergency Quick Release System
M.E.D.S rotation protection
Double-d ring fastener
Expect to pay $530-$700

Looking to buy a Shoei VFX-EVO?

Please click below to visit the Shoei VFX-EVO 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)

The Shoei VFX-EVO uses Shoei’s Advanced Integrated Matrix Plus shell tech – or AIM+ for short.

shoei vfx evo brayton motocross crash helmet top view — Top down view of the VFX-EVO in Brayton design

That’s the same multi-layered composite material that you find in their top-of-the range track helmet – the Shoei X-Fourteen – and in their outstanding sportsbike helmet the RF-1200.

It uses fiberglass as its base material and Shoei then layers it up with a variety of other materials that Shoei calls organic fibers – designed to be lighter and more elastic to absorb energy.

So far, we’ve seen both the X-Fourteen and RF-1200 AIM+ helmets tested/approved by Snell and tested by SHARP.

SHARP scored the X-Fourteen 5 stars for safety (their maximum score) and the RF-1200 4 stars.

The VFX-EVO has already been Snell M2015 and M2020D certified too, and if SHARP gets their hands on it, we’d expect it to score four or five stars for safety, just like the previously tested AIM+ helmets.

Part of the reason for these excellent scores is because Shoei knows how to make a super-effective helmet shell. But it’s also because they use a multi-density EPS shock absorbing liner inside it which has been proven great at absorbing impact energy.

Unusually (though it shouldn’t be!) Shoei also includes EPS in the chin bar which is a great idea which should give improved protection to the mouth and face too.

shoei-vfx-evo-meds — As you can see from Shoei’s diagram, MEDS sits at the top of the helmet lining

And – for the first time on a Shoei – they include a liner that’s designed to offer some protection to the rider against rotational forces. It’s Shoei’s version of the liner we’ve seen used by Bell and 6D among others – with their version called MEDS (motion energy distribution system).

It’s essentially a skull cap that sits between your head and the EPS liner and allows the rest of the helmet to move semi-independently of the shock absorbing liner. The theory being if you allow the helmet to rotate freely in those important first milliseconds of an impact, it reduces the amount of rotational force passed through to your head.

And while we don’t really have any independent verification of whether MEDS works yet, it certainly sounds like a step in the right direction. It doesn’t seem to give as much coverage inside the helmet as the competition, but I guess we’ll only see how well it performs if we see some of the Snell or SHARP test data.

Back to the helmet shell, and Shoei makes the VFX-EVO in 4 Shell sizes covering fitment sizes XS-XXL. That’s great for optimizing the fit and weight of the helmet (both are important in safety) as well as making the helmet look just right and in proportion to your body size.

Shoei’s also worked to maximize the size of the opening for the goggles. Usually, that’s great for safety because it gives loads of horizontal and vertical vision. But with the Shoei VFX-EVO it’s maximized so you can wear oversized goggles which means your peripheral vision is going to be limited by whichever goggles you choose.

shoei vfx evo solid white motocross helmet rear view — Rear view showing rear exhaust vents and that massive rear aero contouring

Shoei’s also included EQRS on the VFX-EVO. That’s the system that helps paramedics remove the cheekpads more easily and hence helps them remove the helmet on a downed rider with less chance of damaging their neck.

If you take your dirt riding seriously (or your safety!) that’s gotta be near the top of your ‘must have’ list on any helmet you buy?

And finally, the Shoei VFX-EVO has a good, solid double-d ring fastener on it – so as long as you fasten it up nice and tight, that should keep the helmet firmly in place.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

One of the most important things any dirt bike rider needs is lots of ventilation. Spend a day off road and you’re going to sweat loads, right? Well Shoei seems to recognise this as there’s vents and exhausts scattered all over the VFX-EVO.

There’s a brow vent stretching right across the goggle port. There’s a couple of crown vents right above that taking air from the peak and into the helmet.

And of course there’s that massive chin bar vent. That takes air around to the mouth as well as towards the face. And as you’d expect it’s removable, has an aluminum screen and contains a washable foam filter.

shoei vfx evo blazon motocross crash helmet side view — This one’s the Shoei VFX-EVO in Blazon design

There’s corresponding exhausts at the crown, top, lower and collar as well as on the side of the helmet too – all designed to provide a ton of ventilation throughout the helmet to keep you as fresh and cool as you can be when you’re riding off road.

And tons of riders agree that the venting on the VFX-EVO is really good. Apparently a bit of water can get in the chin bar vent if it’s raining but I guess that’s not going to be a problem if you’re working up a sweat.

Overall though, we heard that venting’s anywhere from great to incredible so you should be fine riding when it’s hot and you’re working hard.

Goggles

(more about shields)

Just two things to say about the goggles. First – there’s a large eyeport up front, designed to take oversized goggles. And second, there’s a goggles groove right round the helmet to seat the strap and prevent it coming loose whatever you throw at it.

A few owners said that the goggles groove works really well, keeping your goggles at just the right height and stopping you having to continually adjust them.

The eyeport’s large enough to take pretty well all the different brands of goggle you can throw at them too.

All looks present and correct on the goggles front.

Peak/Visor

(more about sun visors)

The peak acts as a roost guard/sun visor and has been designed to be aerodynamic and reduce lift and buffeting. It also channels air direct towards those crown air vents.

Out of the box, it’s in its highest position (apparently that’s where most pro riders like it set) but there’s some movement to lower it by loosening off a single central screw and sliding the visor down.

That adjustment’s also useful because peaks can generate a bit of lift at speed and adjusting it helps reduce it.

shoei vfx evo josh grant motocross crash helmet top view — Top view of the Josh Grant replica

Three polycarbonate screws hold the peak in place and are designed to shear off under impact – that peak could impart some nasty rotational damage if you have an off and it digs in, so that’s a good thing.

Shoei say the visor’s been fine tuned by their pro off road racing team and we’ve not heard of any problems reported so it seems like it works just like it should.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

Inside the Shoei VFX-EVO you’ll find a full removable and washable liner. It’s made in two parts, the cheek pads and the cap.

The cheek pads are made from contoured foam covered in a moisture wicking material Shoei calls Max-Dry. It’s designed to wick moisture away from the face and pull it into the foam.

The VFX-EVO is also EQRS enabled: you’ll see a couple of red tags at the bottom of the helmet that you can pull to quickly remove the cheek pads out of the bottom of the helmet. This is so emergency services can more easily remove the helmet without putting too much pressure on your head/neck.

shoei vfx evo crash helmet matt black side view — Solid matt black version.

The internal shape of the VFX-EVO is medium oval so it should suit most of us. Word is that if you buy one, it breaks in pretty quickly – though if you find it’s not quite right, Shoei does sell different cheek pads to help you get the fit just right.

And when you do, it’s a really comfortable helmet. We found owners rating it in really glowing terms saying they found it fits like a glove and the materials are particularly nice.

They also seem to reckon the sizing’s about right too (occasionally, helmets can size a bit big or small) so use our helmet fitting guide and order the correct size and you should be good to go.

Oh, it’s worth noting for any serious dirt riders out there – if you wear a neck brace, some riders have found the back lip on the VFX can hit the brace. It doesn’t with all brands but if it might impact you, make sure you buy from someone who’ll refund or exchange without quibbles – and always keep the stickers and tags intact until you’re definitely keeping the helmet.

Looks & Graphics

As usual, if you buy a plain version, it’s going to be a good chunk cheaper than one with fancy graphics.

Solid colors include gloss black and gloss white as well as a matt black version.

At the time of writing, there’s 5 graphics including the Zinger, Glaive, Grant, Brayton and Blazon. There’s at least one of each on this page… but to see more, click through to our recommended stores below.

Best places to buy a Shoei VFX-EVO?

Please click below to visit the Shoei VFX-EVO 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).

Shoei VFX-EVO Video

Here’s an 8m video of the shot by some guy at the Australian Shoei distributor showing you round the VFX-WR (that’s the ECE version of the Evo but essentially the same helmet).

Other stuff – weight, comms, aero, warranty

The VFX-EVO isn’t a lightweight MX lid – but it’s not massively heavy either. The large version weighs about 3.6lbs (1.65Kg). That’s not enough to really feel heavy while you’re wearing it so you should find it OK.

If you’re wanting a helmet you can fit a bluetooth headset into, you might wanna give the VFX-EVO a miss. That external shape doesn’t make it easy to mount at all and we’ve heard stories of owners giving up trying.

It sounds like that complex shape does help with aero though. It’s apparently pretty stable and there’s not much lift until you get to silly speeds. You might find it catches the air a little when you’re looking round, but other that that, aero’s neutral and controlled.

The good news is it’ll come with a five year warranty (7 years from date of manufacture) so there’s a decent bit of piece of mind if you buy one.

shoei vfx evo glaive motocross helmet side view — Shoei VFX-EVO in Glaive design

Overall/Summary

The outgoing VFX-W was a great helmet that owners and riders loved. And it seems the Shoei VFX-EVO, which used the W as its starting point, is an even more accomplished helmet.

It’s got an improved chin bar and peak, a massive space for goggles and a ton of safety features thrown in, from its tried-and-tested AIM+ composite shell through to its new MEDS anti-rotation system and EQRS to quickly remove cheek pads after an accident.

Which means not only is it DOT certified, but the testing team at the Snell Foundation have certified it for safety too.

It’s also got excellent build quality; and the aero, ventilation and comfort are highly rated by owners too.

Couple all that with the fact that it’s been tried and tested by a bunch of pro motocross riders, and the VFX-EVO is one of the most accomplished motocross lids out there. So if you can spare the cash, then we’d say the VFX-EVO is definitely worth a look.

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Good Alternatives to the Shoei VFX-EVO?

You should check out the Bell’s accomplished Moto-9 range – that’s another Snell rated motocross helmet, this time using Bell’s flex tech to reduce impact stresses. It’s tri-composite, got EQRS and it can be had for less than the Shoei.

shoei vfx evo zinger motocross helmet rear view — Rear view of the VFX-EVO Zinger

If you don’t need such a focused motocross helmet, you might want to think about the dual sport Arai XD4. That can work as a motocross helmet or – because it’s got a shield too – can work as a street helmet. It’s also Snell rated. A really versatile helmet the XD4.

Shoei’s version of the XD4 is the Hornet X2. A well built helmet with an optically correct shield that owners seem to love.

Looking to buy a Shoei VFX-EVO?

Please click below to visit the Shoei VFX-EVO 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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Aggressive streetfighter helmet that converts to a 3/4 helmet: Bell Broozer.

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All you need to know about the Bell Broozer motorcycle helmet.

The Bell Broozer’s an interesting concept from Bell. Yeah, it’s a super aggressive looking streetfighter helmet. But unlike lots of the other streetfighter helmets you’ll find on our coolest helmets pages (looking at you Scorpion Covert and Shark Drak!) the Broozer’s actually a modular helmet with a proper, removable, chin bar that’s designed to offer real protection.

So now you can look great on your ride in full face mode or catch the breeze in 3/4 mode – all from the same helmet. Nice.

OK, it’s not the first helmet to offer this – the Nolan N44 does this and even more.

bell broozer cranium modular helmet no chin bar front view — Bell Broozer Cranium – converts to an authentic 3/4 helmet

But if you like the look of the Broozer and love the concept, then you might have just found your ideal helmet because there’s not much other competition out there.

Most similar looking helmets have a non-protective face guard or can’t be converted into an open face helmet.

So, if you’re interested, here’s all you need to know about the Bell Broozer.

Thermoplastic modular helmet
3/4 helmet/full face convertable
Clear/dark face shields included
Micrometric strap
3 Shell sizes
Light – around 3lbs (1.36Kg)
Sizes XS-XXL
Expect to pay $280

Looking to buy a Bell Broozer helmet?

Please click below to visit the Bell Broozer 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

OK, I think it’s fair to say that the Bell Broozer is a budget helmet: it’s made from thermoplastic and it’s not the most feature-laden helmet in the world.

But to focus on price and features is very much missing the point. With it’s aggressive good looks and ability to transform from a full face to a 3/4 helmet (like the Nolan N44) it’s offering something new to the market.

It’s DOT (and ECE) rated and that chin bar is simple to take off and slot back on.

bell broozer cranium modular helmet side view — Side view of the Broozer Cranium with chin bar fitted

It comes with a tinted shield as well as clear and, while we’re not sure how great the venting system is going to be, early word is that it’s a comfortable helmet with no known problems.

So, if you’re after a basic convertable helmet that works well in both configurations and that makes you look great while riding, then the Bell Broozer should be well worth a try.

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

OK there’s two main things about safety on the Bell Broozer.

First, it can be worn in full face mode so you get a helmet that should give decent face protection, but can also be converted into a 3/4 open face helmet if you like riding with the wind in your face.

It goes without saying that you ought to wear it as a full face to maximize protection.

The Broozer’s been designed from the ground up to offer protection – so when the ECE version was tested, they’ve given it a P rating for protective chin guard as well as J for open face. Which means when you want protection, it’s there.

I mention the ECE version because there’s no chin bar test/requirement for DOT helmets.

Secondly, it’s got a thermoplastic shell, made from something called LG PC/ABS. LG is actually the same LG as the folks who make TVs – but in this case it’s LG Chem. The PC stands for polycarbonate and ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene if you must know) – but they’re both thermoplastics and have been blended together to form the shell of the Broozer.

bell broozer matt black modular motorcycle helmet front view — Understated menace: matte blacks are a classic

Not sure if there’s any safety benefit to doing so (probably more a manufacturing process thing?), still thermoplastic helmets can offer excellent impact protection. And in the Broozer, Bell’s added a dual density EPS liner.

Duals tend not to really be cutting edge these days – some have tri-density and some even more – but there’s no reason to suspect it won’t do its job.

The Broozer’s both DOT and ECE rated, but it’s not been Snell certified yet (or SHARP in the UK).

Bell does have some of their helmets Snell approved but they tend to be their higher end composite or carbon fiber helmets, so we can’t get a steer from there on how well the Broozer might do.

In the UK, Bell’s Qualifier DLX is the only Bell thermoplastic helmet that’s been tested and it scored 3 stars out of five. Actually, it was tested twice: the original launch helmet and the MIPS version – and both scored 3 stars.

That’s an OK score but it’s also Bell’s worst score in years (most Bells have scored 5 stars).

bell broozer gloss black modular helmet no chin bar side view — Gloss black Broozer with chin bar pulled off

And don’t forget, with a modular helmet, you’re never quite sure how strong the chin bar is or how likely it is to unlock: or more likely in the case of the Broozer, tear off.

And apart from knowing it conforms to DOT standards, there’s not much other data to go on.

OK… so far, so unsure. However, if you’re an open face rider who wants better protection from time to time, it’s gotta be better than no face protection at all, right?

The Broozer comes with a regular clear face shield and a dark tint shield in the box – both fully close off the front of the helmet in full face mode so are great if you’re riding fast or there’s lots of dirt in the air.

The whole thing’s held on your head using a metal micrometric fastener. They’re super quick to use and as long as you check they’re adjusted from time to time, they should be safe and secure.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

Obviously, the level of helmet noise you get from the Broozer is gonna depend on which config you’re running.

Either way, because it’s a fairly basic helmet, we don’t expect it to major in quietness – and early adopters suggest that it’s quite noisy once the pace hots up.

Most conventional modulars are pretty noisy though so we suggest if you’re looking for the quietest helmet, early indication is that you should give the Broozer a miss.

Having said that, if you can keep the speed down and/or shove in some decent ear plugs, we don’t expect noise to be too much of an issue.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

If you look at the front of the Bell Broozer, in terms of venting, it looks much like any other full face or modular helmet you’ll find on the market.

bell broozer modular motorbike helmet free ride front view — This one’s the Broozer Free Ride showing front vents

There’s a central chin vent slider and another slider on the top of the helmet to open/close the vents up there too.

And the word is that they’re both pretty easy to find and operate in gloves – and both involve sliding the switch to open or close the vent. So far, so normal.

Slightly weirdly, despite making it so you can close off the chin vent, Bell has also added a pair of always-open vents in the chin bar too. So you can only actually close off some of the venting. Um OK.

A couple of useful links…

– Coolest & Meanest Helmets –
– Flip front helmets top 10 –

Those top vents pull air into the helmet and there’s some generous front-to-back venting channels inside to let the air circulate around before exiting out the… wait a second… there’s no exhaust vent!

bell broozer modular motorcycle crasg helmet free ride rear view — A distinct lack of exhausts on the Broozer Free Ride

Just like we saw inside the Scorpion Covert, there’s nowhere for the warm, moist air to exit the helmet out the back of the helmet. So while you might feel a bit of a breeze coming in, I can’t imagine your head’s gonna keep too cool inside there without somewhere for it to escape, so it might get a tad yucky in there when it’s hot. Eew.

Thankfully, it’s got a removable lining you can pull out and wash.

Shield

(more about shields)

The face shield on the Bell Broozer works in the same way as most modular helmets: it’s not fixed, so you can raise and lower it and you’ll find both a clear and dark tint shield provided in the box.

It has a double opening tab on either side of the bottom of the shield (a good thing) and, while it’s a pretty basic faceshield in some respects, it is also quick-change. So, you can pull down the visor a bit further than normal which then allows you to pull the shield out to very quickly swap it out or clean it.

It’s also got Bell’s NutraFog II anti-fog coating on the back of both face shields.

We found owners of the current Bell DLX and old Star helmets (which both have NutraFogII sheilds) tended to rate them anywhere from pretty poor to OK, so expect the Broozer’s anti-fog to be similar: i.e. not the greatest antifog solution in the world but OK in some circumstances (but expect it to fog up in particularly cold/humid weather).

If you’re riding in the Broozer without the chin bar in place and the shield down, expect wind to get up inside and buffet around at anything above 30mph. Though obviously it’ll still give some eye protection against flying debris and direct impacts so it’s still worth using.

Chin Guard

(more about chin guards)

The chin guard on the Broozer is made from the same plastic as the helmet shell. It’s a pretty basic affair – I guess in line with the ethos of the helmet really – but it has been designed (and ECE homologated) to offer protection.

bell broozer modular motorcycle helmet matte black side view — side view of the matte black in 3/4 config

Unlike most modular helmets where the chin bar unlocks, lifts and stays attached to the helmet, the chin bar on the Bell Broozer actually detaches fully from the helmet.

It’s quick to pull off, but it does mean if you’re doing it out on the road, you’ll need to find somewhere to stow it.

To remove, there’s a couple of grey tabs at the underside of the helmet. Pull those down and you pull off the chin bar – really easy. And once you get the hang of it, you can do it while still wearing the helmet (no, NOT while riding!).

We’re not entirely sure how much actual protection the chin bar will give until it’s independently tested.

Yes, it’s done a good enough job to get ECE certified in Europe, but it does leave me with the question mark as to whether it’ll stay attached to the helmet if the helmet flexes during an impact.

And as we’ve seen with quite a few SHARP tested conventional modulars – most chin bar locks do show some weakness over repeated testing, with it being pretty rare for a modular to stay locked across all 32 impact drops.

FYI – currently available modulars that managed 100% chin bar scores in all SHARP tests (and which scored 4 or 5 star ratings overall) are:

*But don’t forget, these tests were carried out on ECE Euro-spec helmets and we don’t know what changes have been made with US models.

Having said all that, if you like the idea of having a 3/4 lid that can easily convert into a full face when you need to pile the miles on (or vice versa) then the Bell Broozer now gives you a great option to do just that.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

The Bell Broozer is a medium oval helmet, so should work well for most regular head shapes.

Inside, it’s a fairly basic liner but it is fully removable so you can whip it out and clean it.

bell broozer cranium modular helmet rear view — Rear view of the Broozer Cranium

Bell says the Broozer’s eyewear compatible as there are ‘eyewear arm pockets’ sown into the liner. And they’ve added padding to the chin strap which should make it comfortable down there too – that’s a bugbear of quite a few riders so Bell’s obviously been listening.

Weight shouldn’t be a problem. Because it’s a fairly basic helmet, even with the chin bar fitted it weighs around 3lbs (1.36kg) which should make it a comfy to wear even after long days in the saddle.

As for long HOT days in the saddle, with no rear air vents, the jury’s out on how comfy that’s gonna make the Broozer.

Finally, Bell makes the Broozer in 3 helmet shell sizes. Not only is that a good thing in safety terms but it means that the size of the helmet will be more visually optimized and look more compact on your head – so you don’t ride around looking like a bobble-head.

Looks & Graphics

There’s a ton of different graphics available for the Broozer – as long as you like your helmet BLACK!

bell broozer modular motorcycle helmet arc matte black front view — This one’s the Broozer Arc

As you can see from the helmet photos, at the time of writing, every helmet is black. Whether it’s gloss or matt black or black with a highlight such as the Arc, Cranium or Free Ride – they’re all dark helmets with subtle graphics.

The good thing is they’re all very cool and should work well with a huge range of rides.

I can’t believe that Bell wouldn’t release some different colors over time though – and by the time you’re reading this you might be able to see some by clicking the links to our recommended stores below.

Best places to buy a Bell Broozer helmet?

Please click below to visit the Bell Broozer 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 Broozer Video

Posh dude shows you round a Broozer Cranium in a 5m video.

Other stuff – audio, warranty

bell broozer modular motorcycle helmet arc matte black side view — Side view of the Arc

If you want to use a bluetooth headset with your helmet, the Broozer doesn’t have any speaker cutouts inside the helmet. Having said that, the cheekpads do leave space for speakers and we’ve had word of some people fitting them without a problem – including with a Sena smh 10.

Like all Bell helmets, the Broozer comes with a nice long 5 year warranty.

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Good Alternatives to the Bell Broozer?

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

For a more regular style of flip-front helmet, you might wanna check out the Simpson Mod Bandit. Not only does it look very cool but it’s practical, comfortable, comes with a sun visor and has a more advanced composite fiber shell – or carbon fiber if you really want to push the boat out.

The Scorpion Exo-Covert is a mean looking lid but it’s really only a 3/4 helmet – that face guard will protect from the weather but that’s about all. It has got a sun visor though and you can find it on sale for less money than the Broozer.

The Italian Nolan N44 is a really flexible modular that can be worn in 6 different configurations including 3/4 helmet (with or without face shield). It’s also got a sun visor, is dual homologated like the Broozer and is great value for money.

For lots of other options, you might want to check out our coolest helmets, top ten modular helmets or safest helmets.

Looking to buy a Bell Broozer helmet?

Please click below to visit the Bell Broozer 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).

All you need to know about Nexx’s first composite fibre modular helmet: the Nexx X.Vilitur

Page Contents

Nexx X.Vilitur modular motorcycle crash helmet review.

The X.Vilitur is the first modular helmet made by composite fiber helmet maestros, Nexx.

Like most of the lids made by the Portugese helmet maker, it’s got that distinctive Nexx look – lots of folds and angles running across the helmet shell that give it the Nexx vibe while also helping with structural strength.

They’ve designed the X.Vilitur to work as a safe and stylish touring helmet. They also say they’ve optimized aero and added in quite a few sound-insulating features to make it a comfortable and quiet helmet.

Nexx X.Vilitur carbon zero modular motorbike helmet side view — Vilitur Carbon Zero with chin bar down

And they’ve made the shield mechanism so it’s nice and wide and integrated the Nexx N-com bluetooth unit in there.

So, if you’re after a touring lid with integrated bluetooth, then the Nexx X.Vilitur might be right up your street.

Modular touring helmet
Composite fiber shell
Dual homologated
Drop down sun visor
Pinlock-ready faceshield
Micrometric fastener
Nexx X-Com 2 bluetooth headset integration
Mounts for action cameras
Sizes XS-XXXL
Expect to pay $499-$680

Looking to buy a Nexx X.Vilitur?

Please click below to visit the Nexx X.Vilitur helmets pages at Amazon and one of our recommended stores, Revzilla. 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

Nexx has produced a good quality touring helmet that’s a nice modern design.

It’s useful that the X.Vilitur has been dual homologated too (ECE version – read more in Chin Guard section), because that should give you confidence it’s been designed for riding with the chin bar up, which not all modulars can.

Nexx X.Vilitur paradox black red flip up motorbike helmet side view — Side view of the Nexx X.Vilitur in Paradox graphics

There’s a quality shield system on the X.Vilitur that includes an optically correct main shield with nice strong detents that’s Pinlock ready (sadly no Pinlock insert included – that’ll be another $40) and it’s backed up with a UV protecting sun visor.

Nexx has designed the X.Vilitur to be a quiet modular, and so far it seems they’ve done OK. So too the ventilation: it’s a standard setup but should give enough venting for all but the most extremes of heat.

So far, it looks like Nexx has made a nicely designed, modern looking touring helmet that retails at a decent mid level price point and has a range of useful features for touring riders.

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

The Nexx X.Vilitur comes in two flavors – either a composite fiber or full carbon fiber version.

Nexx has heaps of experience with producing complex composites – it was one of their founding principles: to take advantage of composite materials to make strong and highly protective motorcycle helmets.

And the Nexx X.Vilitur uses their X-matrix 2 composite which combines six layers of fiberglass and organic fibers to produce a strong yet reasonably lightweight helmet.

Nexx X.Vilitur plain white modular helmet rear view — Rear contouring on the plain white X.Vilitur. Integrated bluetooth battery pack pocket is behind the white X.

Actually, if you’re after a particularly light weight modular helmet, the full carbon fiber X.Vilitur Carbon Zero helmet is the one to go for as that weighs around 3.4lbs (1.55Kg) which is light weight for a modular helmet (though still a tiny bit heavier than the average full face, non-modular helmet).

The composite fiber version is around 3Oz or so heavier (depending on size) which takes it towards the average weight for a modular.

Nexx has given the X.Vilitur a shield with good peripheral vision, which makes for a more enjoyable ride as well as being better for all-round general visibility and safety.

The shield is Pinlock ready but it doesn’t come with a Pinlock in the box. And there’s an integral drop down sun visor in there too.

Pinlocks and sun visors are great for safety (as well as comfort) but I think most folk would’ve liked to see a Pinlock insert included for this price (like many of the Pinlock helmets here). But looking on the bright side, if you do buy a X.Vilitur, at least you can invest in a Pinlock without having to buy a new shield.

Nexx has included a micrometric 2 metal ratchet fastener on the X.Vilitur, plus they’ve ensured all the chin bar locks are made from metal for added security.

They’ve also had the X.Vilitur dual homologated when it was certified by the ECE which means the chin bar locks open and you can ride with the bar up.

So, all these features look good for making a helmet that gives you good protection. But how will it perform in an accident?

Nexx X.Vilitur plain blue modular helmet side view — Plain blue X.vilitur

Truth is, we don’t really know. It’s been ECE tested/approved in Europe and it’s DOT certified if you buy one in the US. That means they are required to offer a mandatory standard minimum level of protection.

SHARP in the UK has tested two composite fiber Nexx helmets to date, where they both scored three stars out of five. They’ve also tested one carbon fiber Nexx – that also scored three stars.

But the last Nexx helmet was tested in 2017 (at the time of writing) and they’ve never tested a Nexx modular – so I guess their score could go either way.

On paper, it looks like the X.Vilitur should work well and give decent protection. And should either Snell in the US or SHARP test it, we’ll let you know how well it does on this page.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

From Nexx’s marketing bumf, it seems they’ve put quite a lot of effort into making a modular that’s a quiet and calm place to ride.

As you may (or may not) know, modular helmets tend to be noisier than your typical full face helmet.

So, Nexx has stuck in a generous neck roll to stop air and noise getting into the X.Vilitur from below.

Nexx X.Vilitur latitude modular motorcycle helmet side view — Latitude graphic X.Vilitur with chin guard raised

And they say they’ve included some ‘vortex generators in the chin area’ – could be that sticky-out rubber gasket at the bottom, but I’m not entirely sure.

Also, they’ve used a double rubber gasket to tightly seal the shield to the helmet and stop noise getting in that way. And Nexx says they’ve also used anti-noise cheek pads – there’s no details but I guess that means they’re pretty thick so they stop noise getting to your ears?

Does it all work?

Well apparently opening vents can let in quite a bit of noise.

But if you ride with the shield and vents closed and, apart from the usual caveat that any rider’s opinion on helmet noise will depend on a million different factors (speed, bike, riding style, etc. etc.) owners seem to think it’s quite quiet for a modular – which probably makes it about average when compared to full face helmets.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

The early word on ventilation is that the X.Vilitur vents a reasonable amount of air – enough to keep you cool on all but the hottest days, though not enough to keep your shield fog-free on colder days without a Pinlock (mind you, not many helmets will manage that).

Nexx X.Vilitur carbon zero modular motorbike helmet top view — Top view of the Carbon Zero showing top vent and twin rear exhausts

Obviously, it’s a dual homologated modular helmet, so if you ever find yourself getting overheated, you can pull over, push up the chin bar, and you’ll get pretty much all the ventilation you can cope with.

There’s a forehead vent with a large, two position slider covering it. That’s easy to find and means you can fully or half open the vent. It lets air into the helmet and there’s some deep venting channels inside the internal EPS lining to let air circulate around your head.

A pair of closeable rear exhaust vents let the warm/moist air out of the back of the helmet.

In the chin bar, there’s a single central vent with a large tipper-panel covering it. Again, that’s easy to use and directs air onto the back of the shield to help with demisting.

It’s a bit early to have too many views on how well the venting works, but early opinion seems to be that upper helmet air flow is pretty good – not class leading but OK. Similarly, the chin venting is OK but if it’s cold, you’ll need the help of an antifog solution (like a Pinlock that isn’t included in the price).

Shield

(more about face shields)

There’s a class 1 optically correct, Pinlock-ready shield up front, backed by a drop down sun visor.

Nexx X.Vilitur latitude modular motorcycle helmet front view — Front view of a Latitude graphic X.Vilitur

That main shield is quick release for easy cleaning/swapping out and it’s got both left and right side opening tabs on there.

That’s a good thing and something that not enough helmet makers add in – as long as you’ve not gone electric, it makes it easier for the rest of us to open the shield when you come to a stop and you’re holding the clutch in.

Apparently there’s also a very positive-action ratchet shield on there – meaning each detent is very solid and you can ride with the shield at any position and it’ll stay there until you reach silly speeds.

A couple of useful links…

– All our sports touring helmets reviews –
– Looking for our safest modular helmets? –

That first position is a cracked-open city riding position too – great for getting a bit of air into the helmet while still keeping your face protected by the shield.

And while having a class one optically correct shield’s not massively essential, because all shields have to have a pretty minimal level of distortion otherwise they’ll not get approved, it should mean that the face shield’s particularly clear.

As mentioned, the shield’s Pinlock-ready (meaning it’s ready to accept a Pinlock’s Max Vision antifog insert) but there isn’t a Pinlock included for the buy price.

Nexx X.Vilitur matt black flip front motorbike helmet side view — Matt Balack version. Note sun visor slider above/right of main shield pivot.

That’s a real shame because quite a few cheaper brands manage to squeeze one in for less money than the X.Vilitur costs – and we recommend that you invest in a Pinlock as they do go a long way to keeping things clear on the coolest, rainiest or humidest days.

Finally, Nexx has designed the shield to be particularly wide for good all-round vision. That’s always worth having as it helps with giving you better situational awareness and makes for a more pleasant ride.

All in all, Nexx seems to have made a pretty fully-featured shield system for the X.Vilitur…

Sun Visor

(more about sun visors)

…that includes the inclusion of a drop down sun visor.

It’s probably fair to say that no touring helmet worth its salt comes without a sun visor these days (sorry Arai!) and it’s good to see one included on the Nexx X.Vilitur.

It’s operated by that big slider behind the shield pivot and, besides making it easier to ride when things get bright, Nexx says it’ll cut out 99% of UV which is well worth having to protect your eye sight.

Don’t expect it to be massively dark though – legally they can’t be too tinted – but we’ve heard from owners who say it drops down nice and low and it’s pretty effective.

Chin Guard

(more about chin guards)

Obviously, one of the great things about any flip-up helmet is that you can push the chin bar up and out of the way.

Nexx X.Vilitur plain white modular helmet front view — Gloss white X.Vilitur with chin bar fully raised

And in the case of the Nexx X.Vilitur, if you do that, the chin bar will lock in place up and out of the way because it’s dual or P/J homologated.

Note; that’s a European ECE testing thing, as it’s a mandatory testing requirement in Europe, otherwise it wouldn’t be legal to ride with the chin bar up over there. But it’s always good to know that the chin bar on a modular’s been designed with ‘bar-up’ riding if that’s what you’re planning.

The chin bar’s operated by a single central button – push it in and the chin bar slides up easily. All the main locking elements are corrosion-protected metal which is always good to see.

Other than that, there’s not much more to say. We usually like to check SHARP data to see how strong and secure the chin bar lock is but since it hasn’t been tested, there’s no data to look at so we can’t be sure.

Surprisingly, it’s actually rare that the chin bars on modular helmets manage to go through all the SHARP tests without unlocking a few times. So to find the safest modulars, including a few that scored 100% for chin bar security, visit our smart filters pages and choose Safest and Flip-up helmets and you should be able to find them (or click this link 🙂)

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

The Nexx X.Vilitur is a medium oval fitment but with a nod towards longer head shapes. So it should fit most of us and if you have a slightly longer head a few riders reckon it might well fit you too.

Inside is a fully removable/washable comfort liner. Nexx calls it its X-Mart Dry liner – saying it dries out twice as fast as cotton, and that’s about all they say. It’s not a mega bold claim as I’m guessing lots of synthetics will probably dry out faster than cotton.

Still, it’s supposed to be a nice and comfy helmet with soft material – and they’ve usefully included glasses grooves in there so the stems of glasses should slot in without pushing into the head.

Nexx X.Vilitur carbon zero flip front motorcyle helmet front view — Another Carbon Zero, this time with the chin bar raised.

Behind those (noise cancelling) cheek pads, there are speaker pockets and there’s also some cut-aways for wiring which could be useful whether you’re fitting the integrated X-Com system Nexx sells or your own 3rd party headset.

Looks & Graphics

At the time of writing, there’s just the one full carbon X.vilitur – the Carbon Zero. Mind you, it’s a class act so who needs more than one?!?

If you want the composite fiber version, there are several plains and three different graphics to choose from. In plain colors there are several blacks, greys, a white and a blue.

In graphics, there’s the Hyper-X, Paradox and Latitude – most available in a multitude of colorways.

As always – please click through to our highly recommended partner stores below to find any deals or new designs that may have hit the shops since we last checked.

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

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

Nexx X.vilitur helmet Video

Here’s an 11m look around the Carbon Zero X.Vilitur.

Other stuff – fasteners, camera mounts, build quality, warranty

Nexx X.Viliturs come with a metal micrometric 2 fastener. Easy to use and secure – but make sure you regularly adjust them as the straps do stretch over time.

If you’re thinking of mounting a Go Pro or similar camera onto your helmet a) that’s probably not a great idea from a safety perspective and b) Nexx has included a couple camera mounts in the box with the X.Vilitur. There’s one that attaches to the top air vent and another to a side panel for a side mounted camera.

Again, doesn’t seem the best of ideas to mount a camera on your head (potential to compromise the shell and/or help rotate your head in an impact) – still, if you desperately want to mount one, Nexx has handily included them.

A few owners say the helmet feels well built with nice quality materials and a quality finish.

In the US, Nexx X.Viliturs come with a standard 2 year warranty.

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Good Alternatives to the Nexx X.Vilitur?

Here’s a couple of our best-reviewed modular helmets that you really should consider if you’re looking to buy a new flip-front helmet. We can’t recommend any Snell approved modulars because there aren’t any! So the next best thing is some DOT certified helmets that scored well in SHARP tests in Europe – as well as being great performers.

shark-evo-one-2-lithion-black-red-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Shark Evo-One 2 Lithion

First up, how about the Shark Evo One 2 – it’s a SHARP 4 star safety rated modular where the chin bar flips over to the back of the helmet. It comes with a Pinlock in the box too for around the same price as the Nexx.

agv-sport-modular-hi-viz-motorbike-helmet — AGV Sport Modular

If you’re looking for something on the sportier side, the AGV Sport Modular will work better with a sportsbike. It’s a carbon fiber flip-up, has an optically correct, Pinlock shield and is a great helmet – not cheap though.

x-lite-x-1004-hi-viz-motorcycle-crash-helmet-side-view — X-Lite X-1004

Finally, there’s the X-Lite X-1004; a dual-homologated composite fiber flip-front lid that has a sun visor, is priced around the same as the Vilitur and is SHARP 4 star safety rated. Plus that chin bar scored an outstanding 100% in their safety tests. Well worth a look.

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Looking to buy a Nexx X.Vilitur?

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

Review of the Scorpion Exo R1 Air motorcycle helmet.

Page Contents

Scorpion Exo-R1 Air: Amazing value track helmet with MotoGP pedigree.

The Scorpion Exo R1 Air is Scorpion’s top of the range racing/sportsbike helmet. It’s actually the exact same helmet that Fabio Quartararo wears in MogoGP – well it is if you buy a size small because that’s the size that’s been FIM tested/homologated for racing.

It’s a composite fiber full face helmet that’s been designed to work on the track and on sportsbikes. Which means it needs to have great aero qualities and excellent all-round vision as well as give amazing impact protection.

scorpion-exo-r1-air-gloss-white-sports-helmet-front-view — Gloss white Scorpion Exo R1 Air fitted with the (included) dark smoke shield

But Scorpion’s also tried to create a helmet that works on the road too. So they’ve made it bluetooth headset friendly, stuck a glasses groove in there so your frames will sit nice and comfy. And they supply it with a Pinlock-ready race shield (with Pinlock Max Vision in the box).

So maybe you can have the best of both worlds: a helmet to go MotoGP racing on the weekend as well as commute to work in the week 🙂

Composite fiber full face
FIM homologated track helmet
Air pump cheek pads
Pinlock Max vision included
3 Shell sizes to fit XS-XXL
Double-D ring fastener
EQRS
Lightweight (3lbs/1.35Kg)
Expect to pay around $400-$550

Looking to buy a Scorpion Exo R1 Air?

Please click below to visit the Scorpion Exo R1 Air 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 Scorpion Exo R1 Air offers the track day bandit and sportsbike rider a ton of helmet for the money.

Not only does it have a MotoGP pedigree and is track-proven on the head of Fabio Quatararo (as well as impact tested at most races by Alvaro Bautista!) but you get so much track-tested helmet for your money it’s untrue.

Not only do you get a well designed, lightweight composite fiber helmet with EQRS, a titanium double-d ring fastener and decent ventilation system. But with a pair of shields in the box plus a Pinlock Max Vision antifog insert all for the price of an entry level Arai, it’s hard to see how you can go wrong with an R1 Air.

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

The Scorpion Exo R1 Air has a composite fiber shell with multi-density polystyrene EPS liner.

Scorpion Exo R1 Air corpus motogp helmet rear view — Rear aero and spoiler as shown on the R1 Air Corpus

That’s a composite that Scorpion calls Ultra TCT which is a composite of fiberglass, aramid and organic fibers that’s been designed to offer strength and impact absorption while keeping it as light as possible.

There’s also Scorpion’s version of EQRS in there – a must in a track helmet these days to help paramedics more easily remove your helmet after an accident. Though in the R1’s case it doesn’t just remove cheek pads as in most helmets, but that large neck roll too.

The helmet’s held on your head using a titanium double-d ring fastener. They’re pretty easy to use and usually what you’ll find on a racing helmet.

It’s made in three shell sizes, and because it’s made of relatively light weight composite fibers, the finished helmet weighs around 3lbs/1.35Kg (depending on helmet size). That’s pretty light weight – which is great for both comfort and the helmet’s ability to manage impact during an accident.

So does it all work?

Well, the FIM (you know, motorcycle racing’s governing body) has their own testing regime these days. And Scorpion’s sent a size small of the R1 Air over to their testing labs at Ferrara – I guess because that’s the size Fabio Quatararo wears in MotoGP. Over there, it passed all their tests and is now homologated for MotoGP racing.

In addition to that, it has of course been DOT certified for road riding in the US (plus it’s ECE 22.05 certified in Europe).

All of which means there’s no reason to suspect the Scorpion Exo R1 Air will give anything other than excellent protection should you hit the deck on the track or the highway.

Happy days.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

On the front of the R1 Air, you’ll find a double chin bar vent that’s operated by a single slider. And inside the chin bar, there’s another slider that allows you to choose whether you want air towards your mouth or the back of the shield to help with demisting.

Scorpion Exo R1 Air Alvaro Bautista replica racing helmet side view — Bautista Rep version of the R1 Air

Up top, there’s a single forehead vent that routes air through the helmet shell and around the scalp via some very generous and deep venting channels cut into the EPS liner. And all the warm and moist air leaves the helmet through a single exhaust towards the rear of the helmet.

Overall, the sliders are easy to find and use in gloves and the early word is that ventilation’s good. Not class-leading, but good.

And if you’re particularly worried about having enough air getting to your shield, the F1 Air usefully also comes with a pair of Pinlock-ready shields and a nice big Pinlock Max Vision insert in the box.

So, if there’s not enough airflow to keep the shield fog-free, stick in the Pinlock and it should nicely supplement the vents to keep things clear.

Shield

(more about shields)

The shield on the Scorpion Exo F1 Air is quick release, Pinlock and tear-off ready, and has a central shield lock to keep the shield from popping open when you don’t want it to.

Unusually, Scorpion sells the F1 Air with a couple of different shields included in the box – a clear shield as well as a dark tint. Both shields include tear-off shield posts, are Pinlock Max-Vision ready and they also include a Pinlock anti-fog insert in the box too.

Not only is that very useful, but it’s incredible value when you consider the F1 Air is a relatively inexpensive racing helmet to start off with.

A couple of useful links…

– All our track helmet reviews –
– FIM Hologated helmets –

Including a Pinlock in the box is really handy if you’re planning to use an F1 Air as your road helmet too as it’ll keep things fog free for your early morning starts as well as when it rains.

Scorpion Exo R1 Air solid white motogp helmet side view — Solid white R1 Air – clearly showing the collarbone friendly bottom lip design

The shield uses Scorpion’s Ellip-Tec II shield system that’s designed to keep the seal nice and tight when you close the shield. And it’s got an easy to use central lock on there that auto-locks the shield when you close it but is relatively easy to unlock and open when you need to.

That Ellip-Tec shield also includes a decent quick release system: open the shield, pull a lever and off pulls the shield. That’s it.

Of course, if you’re a (very) serious track day rider, you might miss tear offs not being included in the box. But for most of us mere mortals, Scorpion’s got all bases covered with the shield on the R1 Air.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

Scorpion helmets are usually really comfy helmets and the R1 Air shouldn’t be any exception.

It’s designed to fit riders with medium oval headshapes (that’s most of us) and they’ve stuck their latest KwikWick III liner inside that uses comfortable synthetic materials, is moisture wicking and hypoallergenic.

It also includes 3D shaped cheekpads that are integral with a very generous neck roll (that keeps out noise and wind) and incorporates glasses grooves to make it much more user-friendly for glasses wearers.

Scorpion Exo R1 Air matt black sportsbike helmet top view — The R1 Air is actually a pretty compact helmet

If you buy an R1 Air but find things don’t fit quite right inside, you can always swap out the internals for different sizes.

But that ‘Air’ isn’t just a name. It signifies the helmet’s been fitted with Scorpion’s Airfit system: there’s a small balloon behind each cheek pad that can be slightly inflated using a pump that’s located behind the chin bar.

That inflates the balloons and pushes the cheekpads towards your face to tighten things up and hold the helmet more firmly on your head.

Whether you’ll use it much in practice is very much dependent on personal preference – and whether your helmet fits well enough I guess. But it’s a nice feature to have just in case it comes in handy.

If you’re looking to use a bluetooth headset while you’re chasing down Marc Marquez wannabe’s, then Scorpion’s put some cutouts inside the F1 Air so you should be able to fit most popular communicators in there too, provided the speakers aren’t too large.

Looks & Graphics

All Scorpion Exo R1 Air helmets use the same composite fiber helmet shell. Though there is a carbon version of the R1, it seems like it’s the same helmet but with a nice carbon fiber layer on top.

Scorpion Exo R1 Air BlackLetter helmet side view — Competing with Icon in the outrageous graphics stakes – the BlackLetter

In addition to the Carbon Air, there’s also a plain/solid black/white version along with Halley, Infini, Ogi, BlackLetter and Corpus graphics – most with a couple of colorways.

Finally, at the time of writing there’s a limited edition Quatararo replica and Bautista replica available – but expect those to be updated fairly regularly.

Scroll up and down the page to see examples of most of these – but to find the latest graphics and deals on the R1 Air, you might want to click through to the Scorpion Exo R1 Air pages at our recommended stores below.

Best places to buy a Scorpion Exo R1 Air?

Please click below to visit the Scorpion Exo R1 Air 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).

Scorpion Exo R1 Air Video

Here’s a 10m video showing you around a gloss white R1 Air.

Other stuff – chin curtain, warranty

The Scorpion Exo R1 Air comes with a removable chin curtain, breath guard and a wide neck roll that shuts out most of the air and noise from below.

It’s their premium helmet and comes with their premium 5 year warranty.

Good Alternatives to the Scorpion Exo R1 Air

Shoei-X-Spirit-III-X-fourteen-motorcycle-crash-helmet-Marquez-TC-1-side-view — Shoei X-Fourteen

If you’re looking for an excellent sportsbike helmet or helmet to take on the track, here’s our pick of the crop which you might want to check out.

arai-rx-7v-IOM-TT-2017-motorcycle-crash-helmet-side-view — Arai Corsair X in IoM TT graphics

The big names on the block are of course the Arai Corsair-X and Shoei’s X-Fourteen. They’re both tried and tested racing helmets that are Snell certified (and scored maximum safety stars in the SHARP test) and will be excellent helmets – though they cost substantially more than the Scorpion.

bell_race-star-motorcycle-crash-helmet-triton-black-silver — Bell Race Star

Bell make a bevvy of quality track helmets to suit most budgets in the form of the Bell Star range. The composite Bell Star is their entry-level version; the Pro Star is their most expensive carbon racing lid that’s FIM homologated for racing; while their Race Star is their middle racing lid. All helmets are Snell certified and great performers.

If you like the idea of a modular helmet for your sportsbike, AGVs Sport Modular is lightweight (for a modular) and comes with a Pinlock in the box and is a great helmet for road riding.

Looking to buy a Scorpion Exo R1 Air?

Please click below to visit the Scorpion Exo R1 Air 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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X-Lite X-903: a great performing, innovative touring helmet.

Page Contents

Review of the X-Lite X-903 touring crash helmet.

The X-903 is Italian helmet maker X-Lite’s top-dog touring helmet.

X-Lite set out to make it a compact touring helmet with outstanding ventilation (designed using fluid-dynamics) and with a shell made of complex composite of carbon, aramid (Kevlar) and fiberglass to give – what they hope – is ‘the best possible helmet experience’.

x-lite x-903 impetus black yellow helmet front view — X-903 from the front. This one’s the composite fiber Impetus graphic.

Which I guess is what most premium-level helmet makers set out to do most of the time. But, looking at the spec sheet of the X-903, there’s a bunch of interesting and unusual features that starts you thinking that in this case X-Lite really means it.

Like what?

Well, an unusual magnetic quick change visor assembly for one. Then there’s EQRS; an active carbon liner; liner positioning control; adjustable Pinlock, and a few other bits and bobs that, at the very least, makes you realize that this isn’t a churn-it-out, bog standard helmet.

No, it’s been properly thought through.

Which is all well and good. But does it all stack up when you’re in the wind. And has X-Lite made a real standout touring helmet?

Touring full face helmet
Composite fibre shell
SHARP 4 star safety rated (ECE helmet)
3 shell sizes
EQRS
Drop down sun visor
Magnetic quick release shield
Micrometric 2 fastener
Pinlock antifog included
Wide face shield
Adjustable carbon filament liner
Sizes 2XS-3XL
Expect to pay around $499 – $599

Looking to buy an X-Lite X-903?

Please click below to visit the X-Lite X-903 helmets pages at our recommended stores and Amazon. 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

In their quest to make the ultimate touring helmet, X-Lite’s really gone to town with the X-903. Not only has it got pretty well every recent innovation on it (EQRS, Pinlock, Micrometric 2 fastener), but there’s some new ones too such as their fantastic magnetic quick release face shield system.

x-lite-x-903-ultra-carbon-modern-class-flat carbon side view — Ultra carbon X-903s aren’t actually much different to the standard composite versions

But it’s no novelty helmet. It does all the basics very well too – it’s comfortable, quiet and the aero’s great. Plus both the sun visor and face shield really work when you’re in the saddle.

And in 2022 the team at the UK’s SHARP testing labs got their hands on ECE X-903’s where it scored a very decent 4 star safety rating (out of 5).

All in all, there are few touring helmets that’ll beat the X-903. Ok, it’s not cheap, but when everything comes together as well as it does on the 903, it actually represents great value for money too.

If you’re on the hunt for a fantastic touring full face, then you really should take a look at the X-Lite X-903.

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

The X-Lite X-903 is DOT certified, and while it hasn’t been tested by the safety testers at Snell, the ECE version of the helmet was tested in the UK by their SHARP labs.

x-lite x-903 modern class flat black touring helmet side view — Composite fiber Modern Class flat black X-903

Over the years, X-Lite has had nine composite fiber helmets tested by SHARP. Seven scored four stars and two scored a maximum five stars.

That’s an incredibly high safety score – but don’t forget that’s testing on ECE standard helmets and we don’t know if X-lite made any changes for their US DOT helmets.

But the ECE X-903 has continued that fantastic tradition by scoring 4 stars for safety. OK, it’s not a maximum 5 stars, but it’s a decent score and hopefully points towards the DOT version giving very good protection too.

One thing that’s worth noting though is that X-Lite says it’s had the X-903 independently tested for rotational impact by an ECE and Snell testing station based in Italy.

SHARP 8_5ms helmet test X-Lite X903 helmet — X-lite X-903 (ECE version): SHARP 8.5m/s impact test results courtesy of sharp.dft.gov.uk

They don’t say what the results actually were, just that they passed the same rotational tests MotoGP and Superbike helmets have to pass for FIM homologation.

Guess that’s another tick in the box – but it would be good if they’d tell us the results tho!

With the X-Lite X-903, they’ve added quite a few features that should contribute to safer riding or improved protection if you do have an accident.

To keep you out of trouble, the X-903 has a wide and tall face shield for extra all-round vision. It comes with a Pinlock antifog insert in the box and features adjustable pins so you can position the Pinlock just right and out of your line of vision.

Behind that, there’s a drop down sun visor which is fantastic to ensure you can actually see if you forget your shades or tinted shield.

x-lite-x-903-ultra-carbon-nobiles-crash-helmet-rear-view — Rear view of the X-903 Nobiles graphic helmet

And there are a pair EQRS cheek pads in there – designed to help paramedics easily remove the cheekpads so they can pull your helmet off without disturbing your head/neck too much. It’s one of those features you’ll hopefully never need but worth having in there anyway – you never know.

The lid itself is made to be extra compact and is made in 3 shell sizes to optimize fit – not only does that make for a better looking helmet but reducing the size and optimizing fit helps to make for a helmet that can manage impact better.

X-Lite sells the X-903 in two variants – there’s a composite fiber and an ultra carbon. But both use a composite of fiberglass, aramid and carbon fiber, just that there’s more carbon fiber used in the ultra carbon, not least for that lovely weave effect as a top layer.

All in all then, the evidence points to the X-Lite X-903 being a safe place to stick your head. And should you hit the deck, we reckon the composite fiber shell should do a good job of minimizing injury.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

The X-Lite X-903 is a well-built helmet with a decent comfort liner – both of which usually help make for a quiet helmet. But that’s only part of the story.

It’s also got plenty of ventilation and those ventilation holes let in noise too – especially when the vents themselves stick up into the air stream and generate turbulence.

x-lite x-903 impetus red white blue helmet side — X-Lite X-903 in Impetus graphic

Thankfully, X-Lite seems to have done a good job all round with the X-903 because owners mostly reckon it’s a pretty quiet helmet.

Whether you’d agree is gonna depend on the bike you’re riding and what sort of fairing you’re sat behind (or not) as well as the speed you’re going and a ton of other factors.

Either way, while it’s regarded as a quiet helmet, don’t expect to be able to ride without some quality ear plugs in place.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

The X-903 has a simple and pretty conventional arrangement of vents – that’s a single chin vent, a single forehead vent and a couple of rear exhausts.

The good news is that X-903 owners reckon it’s a great setup and the helmet vents really well.

Both chin and forehead vents are easy to find and easy to use too – even in winter gloves.

A couple of useful links…

– All our X-lite helmet reviews –
– Sports/touring helmet reviews –

That chin vent is a large sliding open/close panel that directs air straight onto the back of the face shield to help out with demisting.

x-lite x-903 ultra carbon nobiles carbon blue yellow side view — Ultra Carbon X-903 Nobiles comes in four colorways at the time of writing

The top vent is a sliding switch on top of the vent that allows air into the helmet to circulate through a very generous network of venting channels cut into the polystyrene shock absorbing liner.

It’s then pushed/pulled through the helmet and out the pair of rear exhaust vents.

The comfort liner includes large panels of netting so that cooling air can get to your head and easily pull moisture and heat away.

And should you need a little more ventilation around the shield, there’s a useful cracked-open position to let air in while still protecting your eyes.

All in all, X-Lite look to have created a really effective ventilation system on the X-903. And combining that with a Pinlock means you shouldn’t struggle for clear vision either.

Shield

(more about shields)

The face shield on the X-903 does pretty much everything you’d want from a shield.

x-lite-x-903-ultra-carbon-modern-class-helmet side view — Another X-903 with carbon finish – the Modern Class

It’s been designed to give a wide field of view for good peripheral vision. It’s also Pinlock anti-fog insert ready and X-Lite throw a Pinlock max vision insert into the box.

That’s a great antifog solution which complements the antifog coating they already put onto the face shield.

The X-903’s Pinlock pins are actually adjustable. That’s so you can move the anti-fog insert around a bit to position it just right as well as increase/decrease the amount of air behind the insert if you want.

The shield lifts with a central opening tab. That’s OK and means you can open it with either your left or right hands, unlike some shields with only a left hand opening tab.

But it’s X-Lite’s magnetic visor assembly that’s particularly eye-catching here.

It’s a way to simplify the removal and refitting of a face shield and, according to owners, X-Lite has dropped on to a really fantastically simple system.

Essentially, there’s a pair of magnets on each side of the shield – one on the helmet and one on the shield itself.

x-lite x-903 ultra carbon Cavalcade crash helmet side view — Another design – this time the Cavalcade graphic.

To remove it, open up the shield, pull down a lever and the shield pops off. Repeat on the other side. Couldn’t really be simpler.

To replace it, the magnets attract each other so they pull the shield into exactly the right position and and click the face shield into place.

That’s it. Job done.

Seems like Nolan/X-Lite has really developed a class leading system here – and owners love it.

Finally, if you like to ride along with your shield cracked open a little, there is a city-riding position on the X-903. Happy days.

All in all, X-Lite has done an excellent job with the faceshield on the 903.

Sun Visor

(more about sun visors)

Any touring helmet worth its salt should have a sun visor, and the sun visor on the X-903 is operated by a lever right behind the left hand visor pivot.

x-lite x-903 modern class metal white motorbike helmet side view — You can spot the sun visor lever right behind the face shield on this solid metal white X-903

That’s one of the best places to put it and leaves most of the left hand side of the helmet free to mount your comms headset.

The sun visor drops down pretty low out of the box, but its drop is adjustable. Some sun visors are fully up or fully down affairs but with the X-903 you can adjust it to anywhere in between.

That’s especially useful if you find sun visors rest on the bridge of your nose. I know I do and it’s mega-annoying. But with the 903 you can get the drop just right.

Usefully, X-Lite has also added an anti-fog coating to the sun visor too. That’s very sensible but very unusual because most helmet makers don’t bother.

Finally, X-Lite markets the sun visor as UV 400, which is excellent. That’s about the highest standard this side of a welding mask, and means it cuts out over 99% of UVA and UVB.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

The comfort lining inside the X-903 uses the same carbon filament tech X-Lite uses in their racing helmets like the X-803. Which is why they came up with the strange ‘carbon fitting racing experience’ name.

Think it must’ve been lost in translation a bit, but you know what they’re getting at: it’s a racing liner that uses carbon somewhere.

In the case of the X903, it’s a racing style liner designed to give excellent ventilation – and it uses carbon filaments in the fabric to keep it anti-static and help regulate temperature.

That cooling’s helped along because X-Lite uses netting panels in there to help the air reach your head and pull heat away.

The lining’s adjustable as well. Quite a few helmet brands try and make their helmet linings adjustable in some way these days. For X-Lite, they’ve included something called LPC or liner positioning control in there.

That’s a strap that runs front to back over the head that allows you to slightly adjust the liner and reposition the helmet. So, if you buy an X-903 and find it sits too low on your head, you can adjust the strap at the back which will pull the front of the helmet up a little.

I’d hope you wouldn’t need too much adjustment (if you do, you might want to consider getting a different size helmet in the first place!) but it should help with micro adjustments to make the helmet sit just right on your head.

And don’t forget: most helmet authorities say getting a helmet that fits just right is your number one priority to maximize protection from any helmet.

OK, we’ve looked at the featuresi inside the helmet, but how’s the X-903 feel?

Well, it’s good news. If you’ve got a medium oval head shape (and most of us have) then owners reckon it’s a very comfy helmet.

x-lite-x-903-impetus-black-yellow-helmet-rear-view — You can see the track heritage in the lines of this X-903 Impetus

Even though it’s not the lightest full face helmet, weighing around 3.3lbs (1.5Kg) for the ultra carbon version (and another 3.5oz (100g) on top for the standard composite version), owners say it feels light weight when you’re wearing it.

Owners also reckon that the aero is good, with little buffeting reported. And if you need a helmet that’s great for glasses, X-Lite has created ‘Adaptive Eyewear’ cheekpads.

Rather than a regular glasses groove, they’ve added a pre-cut section of the cheek pads that you can pull away to create your own glasses groove.

Overall, there don’t seem to be any issues with the fitment or comfort of the X-Lite X-903 – as always, to get the right fit when buying online, check out our fitting guide then order from a store who’ll do no-quibble returns (see our recommended stores below).

Looks & Graphics

At the time of writing, only solid composite fiber X-903 helmets are being imported into the US. It’s not such a problem in that it’s more or less the same helmet as the ultra carbon – which is still a composite helmet just with extra carbon on the outer layer.

So there’s a solid black and solid white helmet available – please click straight through to the X-903 pages at our recommended stores below to see the latest deals and find out if they’ve brought in the ultra carbon version yet.

Best places to buy an X-Lite X-903?

Please click below to visit the X-Lite X-903 helmets pages at our recommended stores and Amazon. 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).

X-Lite X-903 video

Here’s a pretty comprehensive 8m30s look around an X-903 Ultra Carbon Cavalcade.

Other stuff – fasteners, audio

Most stores should sell the X-Lite X-903 with a micrometric 2 fastener – though the helmet is also made in a double-D ring version too so it’s worth checking before you buy.

It’s been designed to integrate with Nolan’s N-Com bluetooth system. And if you already have a headset, there’s decent speaker cut outs in there so it should work with most popular 3rd party kits too.

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Good Alternatives to the X-Lite X-903?

shoei-rf-sr-or-ryd-helmet-white-side-view — Shoei RF-SR in white

First up, you should take a look at the Shoei RF-SR. It’s a Snell certified (and SHARP 5 star) helmet with EQRS and Pinlock along with that legendary Shoei build quality.

If your budget can stretch (*quite a bit!), then the Arai Signet X is a sports touring helmet designed for longer oval head shapes. It’s Snell certified and comes with a Pinlock – and it’s a great all rounder helmet.

arai-signet-x-crash-helmet-place-blue-side-view — Arai Signet-X

For less money than the X-Lite, the Scorpion Exo ST1400 is another great performer. It’s got a sun visor, EQRS, Pinlock, and it’s lightweight – and comes with a 5 year warranty.

scorpion exo-st1400 gloss carbon frontview — Gloss carbon Scorpion ST1400

For other fantastic alternatives, have a play around with our Smart(ish) filters, check out the motorcycle helmet gallery or take a look at our top ten helmets list.

Looking to buy an X-Lite X-903?

Please click below to visit the X-Lite X-903 helmets pages at our recommended stores and Amazon. 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

X-lite’s X-803 Composite, Ultra Carbon and RS Sportsbike Helmets.

x-lite-x-803-featured — Chas Davies WSBK Replica X-803

Page Contents

X-Lite’s top dog racing helmet: full review of the X-803 (Composite, Ultra Carbon and RS).

The X-803 is the successor to Italian maker X-Lite’s X-802 and 802RR. They were great track helmets that were well liked, gave good protection and worked well on the track where riders from Brit Chas Davies to Italian Danillo Petrucci used them in anger in WSBK and MotoGP.

X-Lite-X-803-hot-lap-Ultra-Carbon-RS-side-view — Side view of the X-803 Ultra Carbon RS ‘Hot Lap’ showing race track rear spoiler

Well, now the X-802 range has been shelved, replaced by the X-803 that’s been developed alongside X-Lite’s current crop of MotoGP and WSBK riders including Danilo, Chaz and Ducati test rider Casey Stoner. So, X-Lite sportsbike helmets have certainly got plenty of racing and design know-how poured into them!

As we noted in our review of the outgoing helmet, the only thing the old X-802 was really missing was some of the latest features such as EQRS. But in all other respects, it was a stonking sportsbike helmet.

Having said that, if you’re after a new sportsbike or track helmet, then there’s lots of choice out there because this is where most of the top makers put most of their R&D effort; meaning there’s some fantastic helmets available. In which case you might wanna click through to our top 10 best track helmets.

So, the X-803’s got its work cut out to really bring anything new, different or better to the party. Let’s have a look what it offers.

X-Lite’s latest racing/track helmet
Composite fiber or full carbon fiber versions
Racetrack Setup FIM Homologated version*
EQRS
Pinlock anti-fog included
Double-D ring fastener
3 shell sizes
Sizes XXS-XXL
5 year warranty
Expect to pay $590-$740

Looking to buy an X-Lite X-803?

Please click below to visit the X-Lite X-803 helmets pages at Amazon and one of our recommended stores, J&P Cycles. 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 X-803 range has built on the solid base created by the outgoing X-Lite X-802R, adding a few sensible improvements to make a great helmet even better.

In terms of impact protection, it is DOT certified and there’s even an FIM Racing tested/homologated version so it looks like it should offer great protection in an accident.

However it hasn’t yet been independently SHARP (or Snell) tested, though we’d be surprised if it doesn’t score either four or five stars in the SHARP helmet test (see safety section above)

X-Lite-X-803-Ultra-Carbon-flat-carbon-side-view — X-Lite X-803 Ultra Carbon in plain flat carbon

It has an excellent shield system – including a Pinlock in the box and generous field of view for good all-round vision – vertical and horizontal – along with improved aero and internals and the addition of EQRS; the X-Lite X-803 may well have everything you need from a track helmet.

And owners say it’s really comfy, has excellent ventilation and feels super light weight when you’re wearing it. The only real fly in the ointment is that it’s loud too… but then most proper track helmets are.

One of the great things about the X-803 range though, is that it’s a MotoGP-developed helmet yet it’s available for a much lower price than pretty well all the premium competition.

So, if you’re after a new sportsbike/track helmet, like to get good value for money yet don’t want to compromise on quality and performance, then the X-Lite X-803 range may well hit the sweet spot. It’s a fantastic helmet.

OK, first up, there’s a few different versions of the X-803 to choose from. So here’s how they differ.

X-Lite X-803 – Composite Fiber standard model

x-lite-x-803-start-white-crash-helmet-side-view — Solid gloss white composite fiber X-803

The standard X-803 is the entry level, composite fiber race helmet.

Having said that, it still features most of the race innovations of the more expensive models – including EQRS, Racing Air Flow ventilation system, their Carbon Fitting Race liner and Adjustable Stability Device rear spoiler. In fact, most of the features of the most expensive UC and RS versions, just at a cheaper price and with slightly lower spec composite shell.

X-Lite X-803 Ultra Carbon

The Ultra Carbon X-803 has the same overall construction and feature set as the composite fiber helmet but uses a composite of what X-Lite calls carbon and aramid-glass set in a thermoplastic resin to produce a shell that’s lighter/stronger. A layer of carbon fiber is overlaid and shows through on most models.

X-Lite Ultra Carbon RS

X-Lite-X-803-hot lap-Ultra-Carbon-RS-front-view — Hot Lap Ultra Carbon RS with racing spoiler

This is the current top dog version of the X-803. RS stands for Racetrack Setup and it’s got the same lightweight carbon/aramid shell as the UC. The RS also has additional Racetrack Aerodynamic Spoiler that you’ll see on the WSBK and MotoGP helmets, along with an adjustable liner (called LPC) to let you adjust the internals slightly according to head shape for a better fit. Finally, the RS comes with a green tint track shield as well as a clear shield.

*Note: this is the X-803 that looks closest to the MotoGP and WSBK homologated helmet, though X-Lite doesn’t advertise it as the same helmet. Some X-Lite sources say it is the same though it’s not officially acknowledged and on the FIM website the racing homologated version has the suffix -P so there might be slight differences between the two.

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

Other than the fact the X-803 is DOT certified in the US (ECE certified in Europe) all we can do is look at the helmet’s construction and features to second-guess how much impact protection it’ll offer.

Obviously, there’s two different helmet constructions available. The first entry-level version has composite shell. X-lite as a brand was set up by Nolan to focus on composite shelled lid production so it should be a good ‘un.

Then there’s the slightly more trick full carbon/aramid Ultra Carbons range of X-803s which are a smidge lighter weight – and have carbon weave showing (depending on the design) so it looks cool.

X-Lite helmets have never been through Snell labs in California for testing. However some have been through the UK’s SHARP testing labs. But remember, because they’re in Europe, these will be Eu spec helmets and we don’t know if they’re exactly the same spec helmets.

The old X-802 composite helmet was independently safety tested by the SHARP labs and scored four out of five stars – which is a great result. In fact, SHARP has tested nine composite fiber X-Lite helmets over the years and seven have scored four stars while two scored a maximum five stars.

x-lite-x-803-gloss-black-carbon-crash-helmet-rear-view — Rear view showing adjustable spoiler on an Ultra Carbon

So, I reckon we’re on pretty solid ground expecting the new X-803 scoring either four our five stars in the SHARP test, should they test it!

And of course, there’s an FIM tested/homologated version of the Ultra Carbon which means the FIM’s testing department are happy with the helmets submitted to them for testing (in sizes XS-L).

So, it should give decent protection. But there’s more to helmet protection than just impact protection.

As with most track helmets, X-Lite say the X-803 has a really wide shield; designed to give the best possible view when you’re elbowing your way past other riders on the track (or they’re trying to elbow their way past you!). Which is of course great for road riders too – the more peripheral vision the better/safer on the road.

It also comes with a Pinlock anti-fog in the box. Again, they’re awesome to keep your vision clear and mist-free and help keeping you out of trouble on the road.

One of the biggest upgrades to the safety of the X-803 over its predecessor is the inclusion of EQRS or Emergency Quick Release System. It’s probably a must for a modern track helmet and great to see the X-803 is getting in on the action too.

And finally, like pretty well all track-focused helmets, the X-Lite X-803 comes with a double-d ring fastener. Click the link if you want to find out more about them.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

Noise suppression isn’t usually top of a sportsbike helmet designer’s agenda – so most out-and-out track helmets can be quite noisy.

x-lite-x-803-composite-crash-helmet-chas-davies-front-view — Front view of the Davies Replical X-803

The outgoing (outgone?) X-802 was about average for noise, which actually wasn’t bad for a sportsbike helmet.

The X-803 has a net interior to aid air flow, and an improved ventilation system which means it will let more noise into the helmet along with more air.

And most X-803 owners reckon it’s a pretty noisy helmet. So if you buy one, expect that you’re going to have to wear a decent pair of ear plugs if you’re riding in one for more than a few minutes.

If having a quiet helmet is a priority for you when buying a new helmet, you might want to look at our quietest helmets pages and choose one of those.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

All versions of the X-803 feature X-Lite’s RAF or Racing Air Flow System.

That’s essentially lots of front vents, designed to keep riders cool during the most demanding days at the track.

There’s a pair of front chin vents with a couple of passive chin exhausts to the side of the chin bar.

Up top, there’s a twin forehead vent just above the shield and a pair of crown vents, each with their own sliders to open/close the vent.

x-lite x 803 crash helmet inside view — Internal view showing EQRS (red tabs) and mesh lining

Of course, to get a decent flow through any helmet, the front vents need to be married to a rear exhaust vent or two to help remove all that fetid, stinky air. Thankfully, the X-803 has a decent sized exhaust vent tucked underneath that adjustable rear spoiler.

Inside the helmet, you’ll find decent channels in the internal polystyrene lining to allow the air to circulate, backed by a mesh comfort liner, again designed to allow more air through to the scalp than conventional solid liners.

Overall, X-803 owners say their helmets vent very well – keeping them really cool on long track sessions.

And while some riders say that the sliders and switches do feel a bit cheap and plasticky, overall the ventilation on all X-803s is very good.

Shield

(more about shields)

The shield’s a key component on every helmet, and the ratchet shield on the X-803’s no different.

Like any sportsbike helmet, the X-803 is designed to be used in a sportsbike tuck position. So the shield on the 803 gives improved vertical and horizontal visibility with X-Lite saying they’ve widened the shield still further from the X-802s already wide shield port to give even better peripheral vision.

x-lite-x803-ultra-carbon-RS-MotoGP-race-helmet-front-view — Front view of the X803 RS Ultra Carbon in MotoGP graphics. Note all RS versions come with clear and tinted shields

And owners seem to agree that there’s very good vertical and horizontal vision on the X-803 with the forward view in a tuck position being especially good.

X-lite say they’ve also improved the silicon shield seal on the X-803 too to improve noise/water sealing. But other than that, it seems to be more or less the same as the 802. Which is not a bad thing since the 802’s ticked pretty well every box going for its shield!

Those ticks included Pinlock anti-fog in the box with external Pinlock adjustment, quick release shield system, and shield lock with ‘cracked-open’ position for a bit more ventilation.

That quick release system is one of the easiest to use – just open up the shield and press the button in the centre of the pivot and the shield pulls off.

And if you buy the X-803 RS you’ll get a tinted race visor thrown in too.

So, on the shield front, the X-803 has pretty well got it all covered.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

X-Lite has increased the size of the chin area on the X-803 in response to owners of the old helmet moaning a bit about room being tight around the mouth. Good one for listening X-Lite.

x-lite-x-803-ultra-carbon-crash-helmet-sbk-official-rear-view — Rear view of the SBK Official version

The interior lining of the X-803 is, as usual, removable and washable (including the lining on the straps).

And X-Lite has used netting around the crown area to allow more ventilation to circulate around the head. That, combined with X-Lite’s ‘Racing Experience’ active carbon lining, which includes a carbon weave inner and was introduced with the old X-802RR, should help keep most riders pretty cool and wick away sweat nicely.

And if you do go for the X-803 UC RS helmet, that’s got the Liner Positioning Control mechanism in there which allows you to pull a ratchet strip at the back of the liner to adjust the fit of the liner for different head shapes.

The fitment shape of the X-803 is medium oval and overall, most owners say it’s a very comfortable helmet.

Looks & Graphics

The X-803 is following lots of other track helmets’ designs with its rear helmet shape and adjustable rear spoiler. The standard composite and UC versions are definitely less ‘out there’ something like than Shoei’s top of the range X-Spirit III or AGV’s Pista GP-R. Although the RS version with its large rear racing spoiler is very similar.

So if less extreme track styling’s your thing, then the X-803 or X-803 UC might well fit the bill.

Having said that, the X-Lite more than makes up for it with a range of race replica graphics including several from Davies, Melandri, Checa, Stoner, Petrucci, Bastianini, Pirro and Camier – most of them available in either the composite fibre shell or carbon fibre version.

Other than that, there’s a stack of other classy designs in both versions with the good ole plain pure carbon versions as well as the Puro Sport and unusual tinted weave of the Nuance carbon fiber helmets catching my eye in particular.

x-lite-x-803-camier-motorcycle-helmet-in-blue-side-view — Leon Camier Replica

We’ve tried to put as many as we can on this review – but we’ve run out of space!

So, if you want to see all the latest designs (and deals!) we suggest you click through to our recommended retailers below to see what’s on offer.

Best places to buy an X-Lite X-803 helmet?

Please click below to visit the X-Lite X-803 helmets pages at Amazon and one of our recommended stores, J&P Cycles. 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).

X-Lite X-803 Video

Here’s X-Lite’s own helmet launch video featuring Ducati WSBK’s Chaz Davies at Mugello.

Other stuff – aero & buffeting, glasses, weight, breath guard, bluetooth, warranty

The first thing to mention here is that X-Lite has redesigned the aero on the X-803 to improve stability and air-flow. That includes an adjustable rear spoiler which you can alter according to your riding style.

And owners say it’s very stable at speed with that adjustable spoiler really making a difference.

X-Lite-X-803-SBK-Ultra-Carbon-RS-rear-view — X-803 Ultra Carbon RS SBK with racetrack rear spoiler

If you ride in glasses, then unfortunately none of the X-803s have glasses grooves in there. Which doesn’t mean to say yours won’t work, but it’s a bit of a roll of the dice depending on your head shape and type of glasses.

All the X-803s use pretty trick composites so are light weight. Regular composite fibre versions weigh around 3-3.1lbs (1.35-1.4Kg) whereas the Ultra Carbons are about 3oz lighter.

The X-803 comes with a large anti-fogging breath guard. Combine that with the chin vent which directs air onto the back of the visor and the Pinlock anti-fog insert and there’s no reports of fogging on the X-803!

If you’re looking to fit a bluetooth headset, you’ll be disappointed as there aren’t any speaker pockets. Which doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not possible to fit one, just make sure you buy a bluetooth set with some very flat speakers otherwise you might find them pressing into your head.

Finally, the X-Lite X-803 comes with a 5 year warranty – that’s as long as you’ll get from any manufacturer.

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Good Alternatives to the X-Lite X-803?

There’s a stack of quality alternatives if you’re after a track helmet. You can see our top 10 rated sportsbike helmets here – this list only includes helmets that have been SHARP safety tested and score well in all our safety categories.

But if you’re after a few names to check out here and now, then first up has to be the Shoei X-Fourteen. The X-Spirit is one of the best-loved and most iconic racing helmets out there at the moment. It’s SHARP 5 star safety rated (of course!) and highly thought of in just about every aspect (maybe with the exception of price!) and it’s a great track or sportsbike helmet.

Shark Race R Pro Carbon in blank red colours — Shark Race R Pro Carbon

Shark’s Race-R Pro is another superb SHARP 5 star safety rated helmet. The Pro carbon version is very light weight and prices end where the X-Spirit’s start, meaning it’s a much more cost-effective option.

LS2-FF323-Arrow-C-Solid-Carbon-Crash-Helmet — Carbon fiber LS2 Arrow-C

Finally, how about the LS2 Arrow. It’s MotoGP-developed, SHARP 4 star safety rated; comes in either full carbon or fiberglass versions and works really well on sportsbikes. It’s much cheaper than both the Shark and Shoei too. Happy days!

Looking to buy an X-Lite X-803?

Please click below to visit the X-Lite X-803 helmets pages at Amazon and one of our recommended stores, J&P Cycles. 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).

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STAR RATINGS

Icon Airform: low cost, big attitude all rounder full face from Icon.

Page Contents

Review of the Icon Airform full face polycarbonate crash helmet.

The Icon Airform is Icon’s entry level full face helmet.

It’s been designed as a good all-rounder – and that can mean a bit dull. But Icon definitely doesn’t do dull.

And in the case of the Airform, despite being at the lower end of the price bracket – and hence being made of polycarbonate – they’ve made a more streetfighter-look aggressive helmet that seems, on paper at least, to have most of the features us riders look for from an everyday helmet.

That includes stuff like a drop down sun visor, very easy to use optically-correct shield and quick release main shield with (decent) antifog coating and speaker pockets.

Plus there’s a ton of vents on there which is a good thing – although some of them are always open – which might not be quite so good.

So, read on to find all you need to know about the Icon Airform helmet.

Gloss black Airform

Entry level full face helmet
Polycarbonate shell
Drop down sun visor
Sizes XS-XXXL
Two shell sizes
Optically correct shield
Anti fog coating
Speaker pockets
Always open chin vents
Double-D ring fastener
Weighs around 3.7lbs (1.7Kg – heavier than avg)
Expect to pay $190-$230

Looking to buy an Icon Airform?

Please click below to jump straight onto the Icon Airform 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).

Overall/Summary

The Icon Airform is a good helmet that’s well liked by most owners.

On the plus side it looks great, has a quality, quick-release and optically-correct face shield system that includes an anti-fog and drop down sun visor.

It might be a bit on the basic side and there’s a question mark as to whether it’ll give you better than average safety.

But at this low price point, you’re getting a good quality all-rounder helmet with a big dollop of Icon attitude and style. And if you like its modern, aggressive styling or the range of crazy graphics that Icon delivers, then there’s no reason not to buy one (maybe after looking at some of our suggested alternatives at the bottom of the page!).

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

We’d expect the Icon Airform to offer a fairly average level of safety. Until someone safety tests it, we could be wrong, but here’s what we’re thinking…

Aggressive and mean in profile. This one’s the Airform Conflux in grey

The Airform uses a pretty standard type of helmet construction – a polycarbonate shell with polystyrene EPS liner. That’s cheap to make but if you’ve read many of our reviews, you’ll know that polycarb can make for helmets that give excellent protection.

Some Snell certified and quite a few SHARP 5 star helmets are polycarb or thermoplastic helmets.

While the Airform hasn’t been independently safety tested yet, a few Icon helmets using similar construction have been SHARP tested in the UK – including the polycarbonate Airflite, Airmada and Alliance.

They scored an average of 2.6 stars out of a maximum five when SHARP tested them. Which kinda makes you think the Airform will score something similar.

Remember, SHARP tests European helmets and we don’t know if there’s any change between ECE (Europe) and DOT (US) Airforms.

You’re never sure till it’s been in the SHARP labs, but we’ve found over the years you can usually guess its star rating pretty well based on previous test results.

Icon makes barely any noise about the protecting values of the Airform in its marketing speil. They’re more about the style and attitude. Which is a shame because that’s why we wear a helmet after all!

So, looking over the helmet, it comes in a couple of shell sizes – which is OK but could do better (click the link if you wanna find out why).

There’s a double-D ring fastener (totally fine if you do it up well each ride), a drop down sun visor (can make the difference between being able to see or blinded), and an anti-fog coated clear shield that gives decent enough peripheral vision.

The Airform Illuminatus features glow in the dark highlights (see below)

Most of us need a decent anti-fog solution and Icon’s coatings are generally pretty good for most conditions.

They do however sell a Pinlock-ready shield as an option if you need a more serious antifog solution – but that and the insert are going to cost you the better part of $80.

So overall we expect the Airform to offer adequate but not excellent protection. It’s got a few features you’d look for in a helmet to help keep you rubber side down, but from what we can see, it doesn’t look like Icon’s tried too hard to make the Airform the last word in safety.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

The Icon Airform’s got a pretty conventional construction and internal padding which should make it about average for noise suppression.

But with a lack of chin curtain and those always open front chin vents, Icon seems to have missed a trick or two in removing sound pathways into the helmet and quieten things down.

So while it’s certainly not the noisiest helmet around, owners and reviewers seem to put it slightly noisier than average.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

Ventilation though is widely seen as being better than average.

Chin vents are always open; forehead vent hides behind the Icon logo slider on this Airflow Rubatone

You’ll decide for yourself whether you’d want always open chin vents, but the word from owners of Airform helmets is that they let a load of air in to keep your face cool.

Of course, that’s not always welcome in winter, though if you really want an Airform, it’s easy enough to stick some tape over the holes on the inside to block them up.

And while the ventilation’s great in summer, we’ve heard from riders who’ve had bits of bugs come in through the vent holes too. Nice.

That chin ventilation’s always helpful for keeping the shield fog free though. And Icon’s own Fog Free Optics shield is pretty good at keeping things clear.

The crown vent’s a bit stingy in size, sitting right behind that Icon logo just above the shield. But it is closable to keep air (and flies!) out and it does direct a reasonable amount of air inside the helmet.

The EPS venting channels are particularly comprehensive and deep inside the Airform, and most riders reckon it’s enough to keep you cool when things warm up outside.

Here’s the Airform Illuminatus showing its glow in the dark details

So overall, ventilation’s pretty good – and probably too good in winter with those always-open chin vents.

Shield

(more about shields)

The shield on the Icon Airform works on a ratchet, is quick release, optically correct, and has an antifog coating.

The operation of the ratchet’s pretty good and there’s also a cracked open city riding position on there which is always worth having.

The opening tab’s on the left (that’s OK but we’d rather have one on either side) and there’s a basic shield lock on there – what Icon calls ProLock.

It’s the kind of lock you used to get on shields in your dad’s day – a small peg sticks out of the helmet and locks into a hole on the shield. They work OK but calling it ProLock’s a bit rich. Maybe AmLock’s a bit more like it.

They can be a bit fiddly to find and a struggle to unlock in winter gloves too.

A couple of useful links…

– After a cool-looking helmet? –
– Top 10 safest helmets –

What is well thought out and owners really like, is Icon’s quick change shield system.

To swap out the shield, open it up, pull back the lever and the shield pops off its mount. To refit, line it up right and firmly push it back. Quick and simple once you’ve done it a couple of times.

Icon also applies its own anti fog protection to the shield, which works pretty well by all accounts. Though if you find it’s not good enough for you, you can buy a Pinlock ready shield and Pinlock antifog insert – though as we say, it’ll cost you around $80 if you do.

Icon does say their shields are distortion free – and we’ve not had anyone say they’re anything less than excellent so it seems they’re good.

And while there’s a sun visor fitted to the Airform, Icon do a range of colored and tinted shields to smoke your vision and customize your helmet. And if you like the occasional serious track day, there’s even a tear-off face shield available.

Sun Visor

(more about sun visors)

Like most sun visors, the one on the Icon Airform drops down from inside the top of the helmet shell to cover most of your vision with a lightly tinted visor.

Sun visor sliders located right behind the shield side pod.

They’re not everyone’s idea of anti-sun protection, but they can be really useful, especially when you’re caught out unexpectedly in bright sunlight.

The Airform’s sun visor is dropped down by that slider on the left hand side of the helmet behind the shield mount.

It’s adequate but a couple of riders have said it doesn’t come down quite low enough, leaving a bright band at the bottom. But that’s usually different for each rider and can depend on your riding position, bike and face shape.

Oh, and like most sun visors out there, it’s not antifog which is a bummer on cold but bright days.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

The Airform’s in between a medium oval nudging towards a rounder fitment (more neutral), but that should suit most riders’ head shapes pretty well.

It’s produced in fitment sizes XS-3XL and while most owners found the sizing to be spot on, a couple found theirs slightly small. So maybe if you are on the border between two sizes, we’d suggest going for the larger size.

Another shy and reserved Icon Airform! This one’s the Sacrosanct graphic.

Inside the Icon Airform is a typical Icon Hydradry liner. They’re not the last word in soft-touch fabrics but they are totally fine and use a moisture wicking, antimicrobial fabric.

The liner is easily removable – it uses poppers and velcro to keep things in place – and most riders say it’s very comfortable.

It comes with a removable breath guard but there’s no chin guard in the box.

If you look at the shape of the rear of the helmet, you can see it’s been slightly raised so the rear of the helmet won’t interfere with your jacket collar or hump. Nice touch.

And while there aren’t any glasses grooves inside the Airform to accommodate your glasses, people say it will fit most types of glasses OK.

Looks & Graphics

The Airform’s a striking helmet and would be a perfect accompaniment to any streetfighter or naked.

Rear view of the Airform Conflux shows single rear exhaust vent and those two large black replaceable spoilers.

And as you’ll see up and down the page, Icon loves to offer a range of urban and crazy graphics to match those in-your-face looks.

They’re also keen for folks to customize their helmets with eye-catching shields, and in the case of the Airform, they’ve made it so those two rear decals (Icon calls them spoilers) can be swapped out to match your iridium shield, colored jacket or bike.

Icon aren’t slow to churn out more and more graphics over the lifetime of a helmet so as you’re reading this, there’s sure to be a stack of new designs and colorways out there.

So if you’re thinking of getting yourself an Airform, please click our partner store icons below to drop straight onto their Airform pages and discover the new looks (and any discounts!).

Best places to buy an Icon Airform?

Please click below to visit the Icon Airform 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 Airform Video

Here’s a comprehensive 14m review of the Icon Airform from Chaparral.

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

Inside the Airform, there’s a couple of medium sized speaker pockets so you can use a bluetooth headset in there.

But note, a few owners have said it’s not the easiest fitment for a clamp mount because of that thick base gasket around the bottom of the helmet. There’s plenty of space for a sticky mount though.

The Airform Lycan comes in red or grey colorways

The Airform has actually been built to fit Icon’s own bluetooth kit – the RAU communicator. So if you’re looking for an integrated headset, then the Airform might well fit the bill.

Weight wise, while most owners say it feels on the lighter side when you’re wearing it, it’s actually a heavier full face helmet.

For reference, it’s about as heavy as your average modular helmet; and at nearly 3.7lbs (1.7Kg) it’s a smidge heavier than most thermoplastic full face lids.

But I guess how it feels when you’re riding is the most important thing and you really shouldn’t have a problem with the Airform.

Build quality is generally seen as good, especially for the money you’re paying. But if anything does go wrong, you’ve only got a stingy one year warranty to get any manufacturing problems sorted out with Icon – though there is a very comprehensive range of replacement parts available should you ever need to fix your Airform.

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Good Alternatives to the Icon Airform?

Well if you’re particularly interested in an Icon because of their mental graphics, you can find all our Icon helmet reviews here.

Or check out these sections if you’re after a cool looking helmet or a retro helmet.

HJC C70 lianto hi viz motorbike crash helmet side view — Hi viz HJC C70 Lianto

First up, there’s the 5 star safety rated HJC C70 full face: it’s the same sort of money as the Icon, plus it comes with a sun visor and it’s Pinlock ready.

shark-ridill-motorcycle-helmet-oxyd-front-view — This one’s the Ridill Oxyd in black, grey and pink

So too’s the Shark Ridill – plus it’s 4 star safety rated, has a sun visor, comes with a Pinlock in the box and is pretty quiet too.

If you can stretch your budget a little more, you could pick up the composite fiber Scorpion Exo ST1400. SHARP 4 star but with EQRS, sun visor, less weight and a 5 year warranty.

scorpion exo-st1400 carbon top view — Matt carbn ST1400

If none of those float your boat, take a look at some of our other suggestions in our top 10 helmets pages or maybe use our smart(ish) filters or helmet gallery to find a helmet you like?

Looking to buy an Icon Airform?

Please click below to jump straight onto the Icon Airform 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).

Star Ratings

Billy’s Sena 10s Bluetooth intercom review

Page Contents

Sena 10’s headset. A reliable mid-range bluetooth communicator.

The Sena 10S is Sena’s replacement for the old SMH10. Sena bills it as their flagship headset on their website, though I’m not entirely sure why as it sits around the middle of their range in terms of price and features.

The 10S is a pretty middle of the road comms unit in terms of size and fitment too: It’s not the slimmest or lightest and it doesn’t have the latest features (like a camera or mesh group chat for example) but it is a step up from your more basic, generic units – the type that you’ll find unbranded on Amazon or the like.

If you’re in the market for a new helmet communicator, then here’s all you need to know about Sena’s 10S.

Max range = 1 mile (1.6km)
Rider-to-Rider, phone, GPS and music
Bluetooth based
Supports 4 riders
12 hour talk time
3 hour charge time
FM radio
Sena app compatible
Universal Intercom ready
Water resistant
Expect to pay around :
- $220 (single pack)
- $400 (dual pack)

Looking to buy a Sena 10S?

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Overall/Summary

The Sena 10S intercom is a great mid-range bluetooth headset that the vast majority of owners rate as a solid piece of kit.

It’s been around for a few years now which means Sena has ironed out any problems through firmware and while some owners might have a problem or two, it’s generally a very reliable and well liked bluetooth headset.

Sena-10S-mounted-on-helmet — Here’s how the Sena 10S looks mounted on a helmet

It has most of the features riders are looking for in a headset – rider-to-rider intercom and pillion connection; phone conversations, GPS and music player connections along with a 3.5mm external connection.

And while it’s not the slimmest headset, it does mean it’s relatively easy to use and sturdy. Plus it comes with a wide range of adapters, mounts, fasteners and a couple of microphones in the box.

All in all, if you’re looking for a good quality intercom headset for your ride, then the Sena 10S is well worth the investment.

But don’t take our word for it. Here’s some other scores for the Sena 10S we found online.

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Quick overview – how the Sena 10S will work for you

Like most comms units that aren’t integrated into the shell of the helmet, the Sena 10S can be clamp or sticky/velcro mounted.

Inside the box, you’ll get the main communicator unit, a pair of speakers, data cable and a ton of connectors, sponges and mounting options. You’ll also find the clamp unit that you slot the communicator onto before mounting on the rim of your helmet.

The 10S has been designed to be as flexible as possible – so it’ll work with as many helmet types as possible and cover all the functions most of us will want.

So that’s rider-to-rider intercom, pillion intercom, GPS audio feed, phone calls and music player connection.

sena-10s-bluetooth-headset-with-functions-labelled — sena 10s bluetooth headset with functions labelled

Installation

There’s a pretty good guide that comes with the helmet and while helmet headsets always have possibility to be fiddly when you try and install them, most owners we came across reckoned it was relatively straightforward with the 10S.

In the pack, there’s a boom microphone on a flexible stem and a wired mic – so you’ve got options on which to use, depending on which you prefer or which will fit your helmet best.

Sena 10S mount clamp with wired microphone and speaker — The mounting plates, speaker s and 2 x microphones that come with your 10S

There’s also a range of connectors, ties and pads that’ll help you tailor the fitment to you and your helmet.

Mounting

The Sena 10S bluetooth unit comes separately from the clamp mount in the box. So to clamp mount it to your helmet, you’ve to push the bluetooth unit onto the clamp.

Once connected together they’re a pretty chunky unit and that clamp mount isn’t the thinnest, which has presented challenges to some owners.

Because it’s chunky, it can make it difficult to slip around the rim of some helmets and meant that they’ve had to use the sticky (or glue) mount instead.

Free Sena App

There’s a companion app for iPhone and Android that’s free to download/use and lets you configure quite a few settings, including as audio multitasking priorities, group chat setup and noise control.

Sena-10S-smartphone-app-Bluetooth-Headset-Intercom-Sena — Free Sena Smartphone app works on iPhone and Android

It will tell you what firmware version you’re running too but if you’re looking to upgrade the firmware (and Sena does release upgrades and fixes via firmware – as do most manufactuers) you’ll need to connect it to a PC/Mac and use the Sena Device Manager.

Connection & Pairing

Pairing’s straightforward in theory but there’s always chance it’ll be a pain – especially at first. Most owners don’t have a problem but you’re never quite sure. But once it’s paired, the 10S is designed to automatically reconnect in future.

Pairing to a phone involves pressing the large central button on the 10S for five seconds to enter pairing mode. You then have to look for the Sena on your smartphone bluetooth list and pair from there.

To connect with up to 3 other Sena 10S headsets, you press the large button for 5 secs on each unit until a red LED starts flashing on both and it the 10S says ‘intercom pairing’. Then press the button on one unit and they should connect.

And if you want to connect to more Sena 10S headsets, you do the same to connect to the next headset and so on.

If you’re used to bluetooth kits, then you’ll know it’s the usual sort of step-by-step routine that you have to go through for most bluetooth devices.

And of course you can also connect the 10S with another rider plus your phone and satnav at the same time (for example).

Screenshot_Sena 10S main features — The main features of the Sena 10S

Key Operations

The Sena 10S is well designed and has far fewer buttons than many units. That makes some operations nice and straight forward but it can mean you have to memorise lots of combinations of button presses to reach the more obscure functions.

Having said that, most of the basics are pretty easy to access and that’s probably what counts for most of us.

Rider to Rider

When you connect to another Sena 10S, that’s the first paired unit. You can call to chat with that unit by pressing the jog dial once – and the same again to disconnect.

It becomes progressively more complex to connect to two sets so you’ll have to pour over the (good) manual and do lots of practice connects before you become a dab hand. But essentially, connecting to the next headset involves two button presses and so on for the third.

A small handful of riders seem to have problems with connecting to other 10S headsets, but most seem to not have a problem and overall connecting to other riders with the 10S is about as simple as it gets.

Phone and voice commands

There’s button at the back of the unit to activate the phone feature when you’re connected to a bluetooth phone.

For an incoming call, press the phone button or jog dial button to answer/drop the call.

sena 10s bluetooth end view — Rear of the 10S showing the phone button and the 3.5mm jack socket (covered) so you can connect any non-bluetooth devices.

The 10S also has a speed dial function where you can use the jog dial and phone button to choose a stored speed dial number.

Plus, the 10S has a Vox facility that works on intercom or phone. It’ll then pick up on key words to start a conversation or answer a call automatically.

And if you make lots of calls throug your headset, there’s also an HD voice facility to enable higher definition calls.

Music Playback

If your connected device supports AVRCP (Audio/video remote control profile) then you can control playback from a Sena 10S. That includes stuff like changing volume, skip around a track, changing track etc.

If it doesn’t, you’ll have to use your phone or player to control the music – or just set your playlist going before you ride and leave it.

sena10s bluetooth headset full kit view 2 — Another view of what’s included in the box (doesn’t show the multitude of covers, pads and fasteners tho).

If you’re connected to other riders or a pillion, you can share you music with them. Whether your music (or other source) will quieten when you’re talking is dependent on your audio multitasking priorities (set via the app) and number of bluetooth connections you’re running.

There’s also a 3.5mm stereo audio jack socket on the back of the 10S so you can plug in an external audio device and listen through your in-helmet speakers.

Radio

There’s an FM radio built in to the Sena 10S that you can access by pressing the phone button for one second.

And like most radios, you can select station presets or seek forwards/backwards using the jog dial button.

Best places to buy a Sena 10S?

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Tech

The Sena 10S uses bluetooth 4.1 to make connections with up to 3 other headsets.

It’s older tech than some of the latest Mesh headsets which can support up to around a couple dozen riders (or more). But it’s generally reliable and has as good a range as pretty well any other set on the market.

sena 10s bluetooth communicator side view — The circular jog dial is intuitive and easy to find/use.

Universal Intercom

The 10S is Universal Intercom ready, meaning it can connect with other Universal Intercom bluetooth kits – not just Sena kits. All the kits have to support the HFP or Bluetooth Hands Free Profile, but it means not all your riding partners have to have a Sena before you can connect with them.

10S Range

Like most bluetooth headsets, the Sena 10S reckons it’s good for a range of about a mile. Expect that to be in perfect conditions – think a nice warm day in the middle of a flat desert with a straight road with no buildings or vehicles.

Deviate from that and expect the effective range to be hit.

Having said that, the word from owners is that their stated range is achievable, so that’s very good – but expect your group ride out to get less than the stated max range in most conditions.

And if you do most of your riding in the sticks/hills/city, that’s gonna be vastly reduced most of the time.

Audio Quality

Audio quality’s very good. It’s not going to be Apple airpod or Beats headphone quality if you’re used to that, but most owners say they’re more than adquate.

Quality perception may be distorted by: helmet type; how well they’re mounted in your helmet and how far away from your ears; type of motorcycle you’re riding, as well as whether you’re wearing ear plugs or not.

And, as always, once you get a move on and wind noise increases, audio quality and volume’s going to be diminished further as you get faster.

But overall, most riders say the quality of the speakers is fine. But get over 60-70 and expect things to get difficult to hear.

sena-10S-closeup-mounted — 10S mounted using the clamp mount

Volume

Volume’s an important factor when you’re buying a bluetooth kit because cheaper kits can start to become inaudible and very low speeds. And when you’re cruising between states at high speed, you really need your comms unit to perform.

On the Sena 10S, you use the jog dial ring to increase/decrease the volume. That’s much easier than on some headsets where you’re supposed to find a minute button, blind, while you’re riding.

Plus the 10S has a volume boost function (louder but lower quality) and a noice control function to reduce background noise when talking.

The 10S also remembers the volume for each device, even after restarts. So you might have one volume for rider-to-rider and another for MP3 playback. That’s a fantastic feature.

Most owners of the 10S we’ve Come across say it’s loud enough and good quality.

Battery/Charging

The 10S comes with a USB charger but not a wall charger. So you’ll have to either charge it up from your USB device (like a computer) or buy a plug adaptor.

Sena quotes its lithium polymer battery as giving 12 hours talk time and 10 days standby time from a 3 hour charge.

It’s not really possible to verify whether that’s true or not in the real world – suffice to say that owners reckon it lasts long enough for an all day ride without running out of juice.

A couple of useful links…

– Our Top 10 Modular Helmets –
– Snell certified helmet reviews –

Weather Proofing

The Sena 10S isn’t billed as waterproof, just water resistant. Having said that, in our research, we didn’t find anyone who’s had a problem using the 10S in rain.

Sena might have marked the 10S down as just water resistant because they’ve put that 3.5mm jack socket on the rear so you can plug another player such as an MP3 player into it.

3.5mm stereo audio sockets can be really useful but they’re not waterproofable. And even though it’s got a rubber cover over it, that’s possibly why Sena has just called it water resistant.

According to several owners, it’s fine in all weathers. Just don’t go swimming with it!

Size and Weight

The bluetooth module itself weighs just 60g but together with the clamp mount that goes up to 125g. Not heavy in the scheme of things, but pretty sizable for a small piece of electronics.

It’s also not the most slimline unit either. The bluetooth module is 85mm long, 57mm tall and 27mm thick. It’s not big enough to really be a problem except for catching a bit of air and making a noise.

sena 10s bluetooth side view — It might be a bit chunky, but like the best of us, it just means it’s easier to handle!

The flip side of this of course, is that a bigger unit means it’s easier to locate on the side of your helmet and operate those chunky buttons and jog dial in gloves.

So it’s a compromise and most owners reckon it’s paid off with the 10S.

The speakers are 40mm in diameter and 6.5mm deep – so check your existing helmet to make sure they’ll fit. In the box you’ll also find a pair of thin foam speaker covers along with a pair of thick and thin speaker pads.

Sena 10s Issues/Problems

Like most pieces of tech that have to work in a hostile environment (i.e. your noisy helmet) and are self-fitted, there can be some problems. As you can see from the overall scores, most owners are happy with their Sena 10S’s but there have been one or two problems reported.

A couple of people said they couldn’t get their Senas to pump audio out of both speakers. There’s also the occasional problem connecting to other riders and other hardware like obscure phones or older operating systems on common phones.

But that’s the usual story with modern tech I guess – a mixture of the occasional QC issue and device compatability.

The bottom line is that your config is probably going to be slightly different from the next person. So while the scores show most folks are happy, we’re all guinea pigs to some degree, right?

So buy a 10S in good faith, but buy from a store that’ll give you a refund if it doesn’t work for you.

Sena 10s Video

Here’s an excellent 6m look around the Sena 10S.

Looking to buy a Sena 10S?

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Speed and Strength SS5100: sporty-looking composite fibre full face helmet.

Page Contents

Speed and Strength SS5100 Helmet review: all you need to know.

The SS5100 is Speed and Strength’s top of the range, racing-inspired full face helmet.

It’s a tri-composite shelled lid with a dual-density anti-shock liner inside. But while it’s the top of their range and with its prominent rear spoiler, it looks a bit like a sportsbike helmet, don’t be fooled. It’s more of an all-rounder helmet for folks who like their helmets to have the more aggressive look of a racing helmet.

S&S says it offers higher quality, more comfort and lighter weight along with that cool and modern look.

So if that appeals, read on to find out everything there is to know about the Speed and Strength SS5100…

Tri-composite full face helmet
Medium to Longer oval fitment
Double-D ring fastener
Optically correct shield
Sizes XS-XXL
Expect to pay around $330

Looking to buy an SS5100?

It’s not widely available but you could still find it at Amazon the last time we checked. 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

speed-strength-SS5100-revolt-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — You can see the SS5100’s sporting style best from the side

The SS5100 has a reasonably trick composite fiber shell and covers all the basics that you’ll want in a full face pretty well.

There’s a ton of vent holes, optically correct face shield and comfy interior. It’s also a stylish design with an anti-fog coated shield and removable, washable lining.

At this price point there’s a huge amount of competition out there – and from some of the big boys who’ve been in this game for years (see Alternatives section at the bottom).

But if you like the SS5100’s style and don’t need anything too fancy from your full face helmet, then go for it. Otherwise, shop around. We reckon you can get more bang for your buck.

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

Speed and Strength now make all their helmets to be DOT and ECE (Europe) compliant.

Obviously, that means it should give a decent level of protection – and that ECE certification means it’s had to undergo and pass a series of carefully monitored lab-based impact tests (FYI DOT helmets don’t have to undergo mandatory type-approval testing before they’re put on sale).

speed-strength-SS5100-fast-life-helmet-rear-view — Rear of the SS5100 Fast Life graphic

So stuff like decent levels of impact attenuation, a good solid fastener and the like should all be guaranteed.

To meet the standards, Speed and Strength has created a tri composite helmet shell comprised of Carbon fiber, fiberglass and, erm, Nylon (!) That’s the first time we’ve heard of nylon being a construction component in a motorcycle helmet but SS don’t provide any information on quite how it’s used.

Still, they’ve also added in their dual-density EPS polystyrene liner to control impact energy – multidensity is what you want in a helmet to manage both larger and smaller impacts in a controlled manner.

Having said that, some makers offer slip-plane internals to manage rotation forces (including some Bell helmets and the 6D ATS 1) and others produce tri-density liners (like several Arais and Shoeis).

The Speed and Strength SS5100 is made in two helmet shell sizes, which is an OK number but not leading edge. The more helmet shells a helmet’s made in, the more the overall helmet it tailored to your head and body size, and the more optimal it is for impact protection. For example Bell makes some of their Star helmets available in 5 helmet shells.

Just saying Speed and Strength!

Speed and Strength does sell the SS5100 with an optically correct face shield to minimize distortion, and it’s anti-fog coated to keep things clear when it’s cold or humid.

It’s all held on your head with a double-d ring fastener which is fine as long as you’re careful to make sure it’s fastened nice and tight every ride.

speed-strength-SS5100-solid-black-crash-helmet-front-view — Check out the vents on that! Note the brow vent and push-up crown vent on the solid black SS5100

So, the SS5100 has many of the basic safety features you’re looking for on a full face helmet. It’s maybe missing some like EQRS or a sun visor – and its safety levels haven’t been independently verified by someone like Snell or SHARP.

But composite fiber helmets do tend to score a little higher for safety than plastic or fiberglass, and they tend to be a little lighter, which is good for impact management.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

Speed and Strength has covered the SS5100 with air vents.

In addition to the usual chin and crown vents, there’s a pair of brow vents just above the visor too.

Both the top vent and the brow vents pass air through the helmet shell and into venting channels moulded into the internal anti-shock liner.

Those channels are pretty deep and comprehensive and move air through the helmet to the rear exhaust vents.

A couple of useful links…

– All our mid-priced helmet reviews –
– Snell certified helmet reviews –

The top vent is unusual in that it’s got a spring-loaded panel. Push it down and it springs open, push it again and it closes.

It’s nice and big so you shouldn’t have a problem to find it in gloves, and it’s simple to use. On the other hand, the brow vents are really tiny sliders that will be pretty tricky to find and use when you’re on the move.

speed-strength-SS5100-revolt-motorcycle-helmet-rear-view — SS5100 in Revolt graphics. See other angles below.

The chin vent has as large sliding panel to open/close it – that’s easy to find and use and directs air onto the back of the face shield.

Speed and Strength has made quite an effort to make the SS5100 a great venting helmet and early info is that they’ve succeeded.

Shield

(more about shields)

The face shield on the SS5100 is antifog, antiscratch (obv) and quick release. And it has a locking lever on the left so if you like to lock your shield shut when you’re riding, you’re sorted.

If your shield’s closed, you can also use that lever to crack open the shield a little for a bit of ventilation or antifogging. Nice touch.

Speed and Strength have included a pair of opening tabs on the bottom of the shield with the SS5100. More makers should do that as it’s useful for opening your shield, not just on the move but also with your right hand when you’re stopped and keeping the clutch pulled in.

Other than that, the shield system on the SS5100 does everything you really need – quick release to make it easy to clean after a ride, or to swap it out with an optional iridium or smoke shield.

speed-strength-SS5100-revolt-motorcycle-helmet-front-view — Here’s the side view of the Revolt. All SS5100s come with a clear shield.

Plus, the stock shield is also optically correct, which is not something that’s really essential as most shields are pretty good in this respect – but it’s a nice extra to have.

All polycarbonate face shields offer good UV protection; it’s the nature of the material. SS says their shield gives over 90% of UV protection which is about the minimum you’d expect – and some makers rate their shields at 99% (like the one on HJC’s i90 street helmet).

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

Inside the SS5100 is a suede-effect CoolMax liner that’s designed to wick sweat away from your head, hence the ‘cool’ bit in CoolMax; because the net effect is that your head will feel cooler.

It’s also antimicrobial and removable and washable – so you’ve no excuse to ride with a stinky helmet!

Word is that it’s a slightly longer than medium oval helmet. Shouldn’t be a problem for most riders although if you want to fit pretty deep speakers and you usually fit a medium oval helmet, you might find they’re a bit tight in there.

There are a pair of generous speaker pockets inside though, and the SS5100 comes with a novel pair of removable chin curtains (help to reduce wind getting inside the helmet) and a breath deflector.

It’s sold in sizes XS – XXL.

Looks & Graphics

speed-strength-SS5100-fast-life-full-face-helmet-side-view — If retro hipster is your thing, the Fast Life’s the SS5100 to go for

At the time of writing, the SS5100 is available in just three graphics. There’s a solid matt black plus the Revolt and Fast Life helmets – both with a hint of retro about their designs.

You’ll examples of all these up and down the page, but to find more pictures as well as find more graphics that might’ve been released – along with the latest prices – please click through to our partner stores below. They’ve all been chosen because they have excellent online ratings and offer great customer service.

Best place to buy an SS5100 Helmet?

It’s not widely available but you could still find it at Amazon the last time we checked. 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).

Speed and Strength SS5100 Video

Here’s a 2.5m video looking around the Fast Life graphics SS5100.

Other stuff – warranty

All Speed and Strength helmets come with a bare bones 1 year warranty.

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Good Alternatives to the SS5100

There’s a ton of great full face helmets out there that are proven performers.

Scorpion’s ST1400 costs around the same as the SS5100 – it’s light weight, has a drop down sun visor with 5 year warranty and comes with a tried and tested Pinlock antifog insert in the box.

speed-strength-SS5100-solid-black-crash-helmet-rear-view — Solid Black SS5100 from another angle

If you’re after a lid that stands out, Simpson’s Ghost Bandit looks cool, has a trick composite or carbon shell, sun visor and it’s pretty light weight.

On a tight budget? The Scorpion R420 is a low priced Snell certified polycarbonate full face with EQRS.

And finally, you can get the fantastic Shoei RF-SR AIM+ shelled helmet for the same money as the SS. It’s also got EQRS, is Snell certified and comes with a Pinlock. Now that’s good value.

Looking to buy an SS5100?

It’s not widely available but you could still find it at Amazon the last time we checked. 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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HJC i90: A good value modular with plenty of features.

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Review of the HJC i90 flip-front motorcycle crash helmet.

The HJC i90 is a modular helmet that replaces HJC’s old IS Max II. That was a well liked mid-priced modular that HJC’s decided to bring up to date with the i90, giving it a more modern look and including many of the features riders are looking for with a flip-front helmet, including making it dual-homologoated and pushing a Pinlock antifog insert in the box.

Here’s some of the main features you’ll find on the HJC i90 followed by a more in-depth look at what it offers:

Polycarbonate modular helmet
Drop down sun visor
Pinlock antifog included
Sizes XS-5XL
DOT and ECE versions
Double D ring fastener
Bluetooth-ready
Glasses groove
Expect to pay $210-$250

Looking to buy an HJC i90?

Please click below to visit the HJC i90 helmets pages at our recommended stores and Amazon: both checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Overall/Summary

The HJC i90 is a great value package if you’re looking for a no nonsense modular helmet that’ll work well for general road riding as well as touring on a more sit-up style of motorcycle (i.e. not a sportsbike).

HJC I90 solid gloss white modular helmet side view — Gloss white i90 with chin bar fully raised and sun visor fully down

HJC has a great reputation for making polycarbonate helmets that work well and give good levels of protection (see safety section below). And the i90 has a full range of features most folks will be looking for from a modular, including sun visor, quick release face shield with Pinlock, antibac and wicking liner and wide shield aperture for good peripheral vision – as well as integration ready for bluetooth kits and dual homologation for open face riding.

And the good news is that the vast majority of i90 owners are happy with their helmets. It’s a comfy helmet once it’s worn in (see comfort below) and many say it’s great quality too. And several i90 riders love the fact that you can integrate HJC’s own Sena bluetooth headset into the helmet too.

All of which means, while there are more impressive modular helmets out there (check the bottom of the page for suggested alternatives or visit our modular helmet top 10), the i90 has all the basics covered very well and should prove a trusty companion.

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

HJC has a great reputation for making polycarbonate helmets that offer great levels of protection.

How do we know? While HJC has had a bunch of helmets Snell certified, the i90 hasn’t been (yet!). So we have to turn to the UK’s helmet testing folks at SHARP, where they buy a load of ECE i90s* and put them through their paces in the testing labs.

Over the last few years, they’ve scored an average over 4 stars (out of max 5) for safety across all their tested HJC polycarbonate helmets – which is obviously a really good score.

HJC I90 Hollen black red motorcycle helmet side view — Hollen graphics HJC i90

They haven’t had many tested ‘system’ helmets recently (what SHARP calls a modular helmet) – in fact they’ve only tested the outgoing IS Max II recently – the helmet the i90’s designed to replace.

That scored an excellent 4/5 star rating when it was tested – and SHARP recorded that the chin guard stayed locked and closed in every single impact. That’s a fantastic score because very few flip-front helmets can manage 100%. Only one helmet ever (the now defunct BMW System 5) scored a 5 star rating with 100% chin bar performance.

So, looking at the stats, there’s hope that the i90 will score very well for safety too. Note* all that’s based on the Europe spec i90 and which may differ from the US version. It’s worth mentioning, but how relevant it is to the DOT i90, we’ll let you decide.

Looking at the other specs of the i90, you get the feeling HJC’s design department has done what it can to add lots of safety features in there – aside from the shell’s impact performance.

First up, it’s been designed to be OK to be used either with the chin bar raised or closed – called dual homologated (not all modulars have been).

HJC also says they’ve designed-in a wider view port to give improved peripheral vision.

That’s always useful for safety.

HJC I90 gloss white crash helmet top view — Top view showing front and crown inlet vents.

And of course, a good antifog solution is vital for most of us. So, HJC has included a Pinlock antifog lens in the box so you can ride fog-free in pretty well all conditions. That’s worth $30-$40 alone and well worth having – though check one’s included when you buy as not all stores seem to offer them.

Finally, the i90 is made with 3 different shell sizes. For a lower priced helmet that’s a good number and will help with making for a helmet with an optimal fit – which improves both fit and safety.

Like many flip-up helmets, it’s a bit on the heavier side, weighing in around 3.75lbs (1.7Kg) which isn’t ideal if you do have an off – the lighter the helmet, the less impact force the helmet has to deal with and the more potential there is for damage to your head and neck.

But on the whole, HJC looks to have ticked most of the safety boxes we look for with the i90.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

Modular helmets are usually noisier than regular full face helmets. But you can see HJC’s done some work to improve that with the i90.

The internals as pretty plush and they’ve added a nifty extra curtain/flap to the bottom of the neck roll to help with cutting out wind and noise from the bottom – alongside the usual chin curtain.

But there’s still the issue of speaker pockets and the chin bar mechanism that provide space for noise to reverberate around a bit.

And there’s a wide range of views out there as to how noisy/quiet the HJC i90 is, with about an equal number of people saying it’s really noisy to those who reckon it’s quiet (and lots somewhere in between).

So overall, we’re gonna score it about average for helmet noise, though that’s not bad considering how noisy some modulars can be.

Like most helmets though, it should be fine if you put a good pair of ear plugs when you ride – which you should do every time.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

The HJC i90 has a single chin vent in the chin bar that takes air inside towards the mouth and up onto the back of the shield for demisting. But don’t expect it to demist the shield on its own in wet, cold or humid weather because it won’t; you’ll need to fit the included Pinlock if you want to minimize fogging.

The chin vent is covered with a nice large slider panel that’s easy to find and use in gloves.

HJC I90 white modular crash helmet rear view — Pair of exhaust vents on the rear

Up top, there’s a single crown vent. Again, the slider is pretty easy to find and use in gloves and allows air to enter the helmet where it can circulate through generous venting channels that cover all the crown of the head.

The whole system is an evolutionary improvement on the old IS Max II. That system was widely praised, and the system on the i90’s pretty good too with several owners saying that there’s a decent amount of air circulating up top as well as venting on to the back of the face shield.

If a great venting helmet’s what you’re after, you might want to check out our best venting helmets section too.

Shield

(more about shields)

The face shield on the HJC i90 works on a ratchet, has wider peripheral vision than the outgoing model (HJC quotes 11% wider) and uses HJC’s RapidFire quick change system for quick and easy swaps.

A quick change shield is important on a helmet, not least for letting you easily whip off your shield to give it a good clean after a ride. And HJC’s RapidFire system is a decent system, once you get the hang of it.

A couple of useful links…

– All our modular helmet reviews –
– Snell certified helmets –

HJC has put a couple of opening tabs on the bottom of the shield – one left, one right – which is great to see and makes it much easier to open your shield when stationery and holding in the clutch for example.

HJC I90 Hollen motorcycle helmet rear view — Rear view of a Hollen graphics i90 – this one in red/white/blue

Like all face shields, it’s made of clear polycarbonate so offers excellent UV protection.

HJC advertises 99% protection which is a particularly good level. Couple that with the additional protection offered by the sun visor too and that’s gonna be almost 100%.

And of course, HJC includes a Pinlock antifog insert in the box (double-check with retailer before you buy) which you can slot onto the back of the Pinlock-ready shield to give excellent anti-fog protection for most circumstances (cold rain or humidity included).

The inclusion of a Pinlock’s a big plus point for most i90 buyers and a few owners also say how much they like the shield’s wide aperture that gives a really wide field of view.

All in all, the shield system on the i90’s well liked and offers all you need for high quality forward vision in 99% of circumstances.

Sun Visor

(more about sun visors)

Sun visors can be really handy to have in any helmet. When the sun’s low in the sky and dazzling, you can quickly drop down the sun visor and ride in comfort.

The sun visor on the i90 is only medium smoked – so it’s probably not as dark as your sunglasses, but that’s partly a legal thing so it doesn’t interfere with your vision too much. But they’ll cut out most of the glare when you need them to and they’ll tuck away out of sight at the push of a button – or slide of a slider.

HJC I90 semi flat blue crash helmet side view — Note sun visor slider is on the bottom edge – right where you’ll want to clamp your comms unit.

In the case of the HJC i90, there’s a two-way slider on the bottom left hand edge of the helmet that drops and raises the sun visor.

That’s one of the best places to have it to make it easy to find. And whereas some sun visor sliders can get in the way of mounting bluetooth units, the good news is it doesn’t on the i90, leaving a reasonable amount of space to mount your bluetooth controller if you’re thinking of fitting one.

The sun visor on the i90 can be dropped or retracted to any position using the slider – not just fully up or down. According to several owners, the action on the slider’s nice and smooth and it comes down low, cutting out most glare without too much of a ‘bright stripe’ at the bottom.

Chin Guard

(more about chin guards)

The chin bar is opened using a single button underneath the middle of the chin bar. Grab the chin bar, push the single button up with your thumb and the chin guard raises easily until it clicks in place, fully open.

hjc-i90-helmet-in-matt-black-chin-bar-raised — Full extent the chin bar raises on the i90

Note – never do this while riding, for obvious reasons. It can be tempting but it’s a bad habit that’s caused more than one rider to lose control.

Because the HJC i90’s dual homologated, you can push up the chin bar and you’re legally OK to ride in Europe with the bar raised – same as with any dual homologated helmet (or P/J as they’re sometimes called). Obviously, that’s not a legal thing in the US but it’s nice to know its been designed for use that way.

Chin bars can be a weak point with modular helmets – and they can come unlocked in an impact. Again, SHARP UK’s independent testing that tracks whether a chin bar has become unlocked during testing is particularly useful here.

Unfortunately SHARP hasn’t tested the i90 yet so we can only look at historic data to give us an idea of how safe HJC chin bars are.

Years ago, they were pretty poor with some helmets scoring as low as 40%. Unfortunately, there’s only one recently tested HJC modular helmet to look at and that’s the HJC IS Max II. The good news is it scored a fantastic 100% score for the chin bar, meaning the chin bar stayed locked through the entire test.

So we can only hope the i90 – the IS Max 2’s replacement – will score just as well.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

The i90’s designed to fit the most common head shape which is medium oval – so if you’ve a particularly round or long head you may struggle (buy and try from one of our recommended stores who all offer no quibble returns – and some will pay for postage both ways).

HJC I90 fluo hi viz green crash helmet side view — If you’re looking to be seen, grab yourself a hi viz fluo i90.

The internal comfort lining is removable and washable – all held in place by plastic snaps.

It’s got an HJC SuperCool lining – in the i90’s case that’s a very plush and comfortable liner that’s moisture wicking and has antibacterial properties courtesy of micro silver filaments in the fabric.

Silvered fabrics are usually only seen on higher end helmets so that’s a pretty good feature to find inside the mid-priced i90.

It’s also got grooves for your eyeglasses in the liner, designed so you can easily slide your glasses or shades on and they won’t dig in while riding. A few owners say it works really well and you can actually get your helmet on without removing your glasses with the i90.

What is common with most HJC helmets – including the i90 – is that the cheek pads are often very tight when you first get the helmet. The vast majority of owners say theirs broke in nicely over the first week or two of ownership and after that, it’s a very comfortable helmet. But it’s something that’s worth being aware of.

Also, a few owners said that the i90 tends to size on the small side. So, if you’re between sizes, we recommend going for the larger size as that’s more likely to be correct. It’s also worth knowing that HJC sells replacement cheek pads for the i90 to help you tailor the fitment some more if it’s not 100%.

Read our helmet fitting guide and make sure you buy from a store (like our recommended stores) who’ll offer no quibble returns if the sizing’s not quite right.

Aside from that, there’s the usual neck roll and chin curtain included with the i90, designed for comfort and to reduce wind and noise getting inside the helmet. And HJC has added an extra flap to the neck roll for an even tighter fit.

Looks & Graphics

The i90 is a modern looking flip-front with plenty of flow lines across the shell to help direct and manage the wind, courtesy of HJCs wind tunnel design process.

HJC I90 davan crash helmet side view — This one shows the Davan graphic i90

If you’re interested in buying an i90, they’re available in plain gloss white, silver, wineberry (red), and hi viz green/yellow along with matt black and blue.

Graphics options are just the Hollen and Davan – though they’re bound to release new ones regularly so please click through to the HJC pages at our recommended online stores below to see what’s new (we only recommend stores with high online review scores).

Best places to buy an HJC i90?

Please click below to visit the HJC i90 helmets pages at our recommended stores and Amazon: both checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

HJC i90 Video

Click the video below to hear a guy from Chaparral give you a decent 10m look around a silver i90.

Other stuff – fastener, audio, weight, warranty

The i90 generally comes with a double-d ring fastener in most places though they do make one with a micrometric strap too so double check before you buy.

It’s been designed to integrate HJC’s own bluetooth kit (made by Sena) called the Smart HJC Bluetooth. So, if you’re looking for a helmet with an integrated bluetooth solution, the i90 should suit because it means the main body (incl battery) of the kit will push nicely into its purpose-built recess at the back of the helmet and there’s channels for the wiring and tailor-made speaker pockets in there too.

HJC I90 davan crash helmet top view — Another i90 Davan – this time in matt black and fluo yellow

For the rest of us with 3rd party sets, it should mean that most will work in there too plus those handy wiring channels will make installation easier. We’ve heard from owners who’ve successfully mounted Sena, Cardo and Freecom units without a problem.

Like most modular helmets, the i90 isn’t the lightest helmet you’ll ever see. But at 3.75lbs (1.7Kg) it’s certainly not heavy enough to cause any problems when riding and it’s actually just a smidge over the average weight for a flip-up helmet (1.68Kg).

Finally, the HJC i90 comes with a 3 year warranty.

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Good Alternatives to the HJC i90?

Shark’s Evo One 2 is a highly rated flip-front helmet that’s more expensive than the i90 but it’s lighter too and features a chin bar that flips right round the helmet for better open face helmet appeal, if that floats your boat.

HJC I90 davan matt black crash helmet side view — Solid matt black i90

If you don’t mind spending a bit more and/or you ride a sportier bike, AGV has the Sport Modular which is a carbon fiber flip-up helmet designed for more lean-forward riding. It’s a fair bit lighter than the others too and comes with a class one optically correct face shield.

Finally, the Shoei Neotech is a really well built fiberglass modular. SHARP 4 star, great ventilation and it’s all day comfy, despite weighing more than the i90. It’s not cheap though.

Looking to buy an HJC i90?

Please click below to visit the HJC i90 helmets pages at our recommended stores and Amazon: both checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

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