Review of the Caberg Levo SHARP 4 star rated flip-up touring helmet.

caberg-levo-featured

Caberg’s composite/carbon touring flip-up motorcycle helmet: the Caberg Levo.

The Levo is Italian helmet maker Caberg’s dual homologated flip-up helmet that’s designed for touring.

It comes in two guises: a lower cost version that’s a tri-composite shelled helmet consisting of layers of fibreglass, kevlar and carbon; plus a slightly more expensive all carbon version.

If you’re in the market for an all rounder touring flip-front, then here’s all you need to know about what Levo owners thing of their helmets…

  • Composite or carbon modular helmet
  • Designed for touring
  • SHARP 4 Star safety rated (out of 5)
  • Drop down sun visor
  • Pinlock Max Vision
  • Micrometric fastener
  • Sizes XS-XXL
  • Light weight for a modular

    Caberg-Levo-matt-black-modular-helmet-chin-bar-up
    Chin bar in fully up position on a matt black Levo
  • 2 Shell sizes
  • Awarded 4/5 stars by German Motorrad magazine
  • Expect to pay: £260-£300

Best places to buy a Caberg Levo?

Please click below to visit the Caberg Levo helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Buy from SportsBikeShop

Safety

Caberg lids are all ECE 22.05 approved so should offer a decent level of protection. If you’re reading this in the US, Caberg don’t DOT certify their helmets so they’re not legal in mandatory helmet states, sorry.

Even so, you’re never really sure about a helmet until it’s been independently safety tested.

Thankfully, the Levo’s been SHARP tested.

Caberg has always scored well in our top 10 safest crash helmet brands list, so you can broadly reckon to count on a Caberg.

Caberg-Levo-prospect-black-bronze-flip-up-helmet-side-view
The Levo Prospect comes in bronze, white or hi viz colourways

That excellent reputation’s been continued with the Caberg Levo because SHARP scored it a very decent 4 stars (out of 5).

Of course, when you’re looking to buy a new modular helmet, you’re probably gonna ride with it in full-face mode a lot of the time, so you expect the chin guard to give you decent protection.

Well, as we’ve seen, that’s not always the case, with some helmet makers making much more dependable chin guards than others!

SHARP safety testing data so far shows that Caberg modulars are usually pretty good here, with their chin guards staying locked and closed between 80-90% of impacts.

Caberg Levo 8.5 ms SHARP test result
Caberg Levo 8.5ms impact test results – reproduced courtesy of sharp.dft.gov.uk

And true to form, the Levo scored a very respectable 90%.

Yep, that’s actually a really good figure (though you’d be forgiven for hoping they’re all closer to 100%). To put it into numbers, out of 32 impact tests that means the chin bar became unlocked three times.

We’ll leave it up to you to decide if that’s OK for you or not.

The Levo is also dual homologated, meaning it’s designed to be legally ridden with the chin guard up and locked open as well as down and closed. That’s probably a must-have if riding around with the chin bar up is your thing.

Caberg-Levante-hi-vizion-modular-motorcycle-crash-helmet
Hi viz version of the tri-composite Levo

Other than that, if you’re safety minded, there’s loads of other features on the Caberg Levo that’ll make the helmet both easier to live with and safer to ride with.

There’s a nice wide visor opening for extra peripheral vision.

There’s also an included Max Vision antifog insert to keep your visor nice and clear and fog free. And there’s a micrometric fastener to keep it tightly fastened and a drop down sun visor that’ll hopefully stop you getting caught out when the sun’s low and/or the surface’s wet.

All told, the Caberg Levo performs pretty well for safety.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

Considering it’s a modular, the Caberg Levo seems to be pretty good for noise attenuation.

Modulars in general can be quite noisy, mostly because all that chin bar mechanism can create a bit of a void that air rushes into. And while a few owners are a bit disappointed – usually when they buy a Levo and it turns out to be noisier than their last helmet – the majority of owners seem to be very pleasantly surprised.

Most owners are finding it’s either a quiet or really quiet helmet – often that’s relative to most modulars out there. Obviously, it’s all subjective and you might not agree if you buy one. And of course you’re still gonna have to wear quality ear plugs to protect your hearing. But if you’re after a quieter modular helmet, it might be worth trying out a Caberg Levo.

Ventilation

The ventilation system comprises a single chin vent operated by a slider and a single forehead vent. To the rear, there’s a couple of exhaust vents which complete the circuit and extract stale air.

Most motorcycle crash helmets really struggle to keep the visor fog free in cold and damp conditions and the Caberg Levo is no different, whatever ventilation it manages to push onto the back of the visor.

Thankfully, there’s a Pinlock Max Vision included with the Levo which owners reckon is an essential fit to keep things clear in all but the most demanding situations.

As for the overall helmet venting, owners reckon it’s really effective with a ton of air venting over the helmet and keeping you cool in even the hottest weather. And of course, because it’s a modular, you can always push up your chin bar if you really need to get more air into the helmet. Just make sure you pull over first before you try!

Caberg-Levante-flow-modular-flip-up-motorbike-helmet
This one’s the Levo Flow. Visit our recommended retailers for more designs and latest prices

Visor & Sun Visor

The Caberg Levo comes with what Caberg call their double visor tech – that’s a main clear visor (with included Pinlock) and drop down sun visor to the rest of us.

The main visor works on a ratchet (four settings with a cracked open position) and features Caberg’s great quick release system for fast, toolless visor changes.

It’s also been designed with a very wide visor opening to maximise peripheral vision. That’s always welcome of course – the bigger the view, the better to ride with and safer it is to help catch hazards in your blind spot – and it’s a feature that’s highly rated by owners who say it gives a very wide view of the road.

We’ve seen in the past that a large visor aperture can compromise helmet safety by weakening the overall helmet structure. But as we’ve seen with the SHARP test results, Caberg’s done a good job to build a helmet that’s got a wide visor but scores well for safety too.

Caberg-Levo-gloss-white-modular-helmet-rear-view
Gloss white Levo showing micrometric fastener and rear exhaust vents

The sun visor is operated from a slider by the left visor pivot – that’s a convenient spot for the the sun visor switch that also keeps it mostly out of the airflow, reducing noise and affecting aero.

It also means there’s space at the bottom of the helmet to mount a bluetooth headset if you want (and if you’re a touring type, you probably do want).

Chin Guard

The chin guard on the Caberg Levo is operated by a single button in the middle of the guard.

A single button makes opening the chin guard easy, but it’s not always good for keeping the guard locked in place. Nolan helmets – the best for keeping their chin guards locked and closed during testing – use a two button method that’s still easy to use but works well with their sturdy latches and has kept all their modulars locked 100% of the time during testing (check here for our safest modular helmet reviews).

As we’ve seen, the Levo dropped a few points here, scoring 90%. That’s still way up there compared to many other helmet brands, but it’s still not 100%.

As mentioned in the safety section, the Levo is also dual homologated (or P/J homologated – same thing) meaning it’s been Euro tested and passed to work as giving protection in both full face and open face configurations. That’s always a good feature to see your new modular helmet.

Finally, a couple of owners mentioned that there’s not too much space behind the chin bar – so if you have a particularly big chin, you might want to wear it in the house for a few hours before you take the stickers and labels off and commit to buying it.

Caberg-Levante-matt-black-modular-motorbike-crash-helmet
Matt black Levo

Comfort & Sizing

The internals of the Caberg Levo are fully removable and washable, hypoallergenic and moisture wicking. There’s also glasses grooves in there to accommodate glasses stems and stop them pressing into the side of your head.

These glasses grooves work well though one owner we came across reckoned they have to put the helmet on first before pushing their glasses on which was a bit of a nuisance.

The shell of the Levo is produced in two shell sizes – with one shell covering sizes XS-M and the other sizes L-XXL.

The most expensive helmets these days are produced in more than two shell sizes so the helmet looks in better proportion when worn and, arguably, offers better protection during an accident. In fact, Bell are starting to make all their helmets in five shell sizes for just these reasons!

So for a helmet costing around £300 we’d have hoped for more shell sizes to cover fitment sizes available for the Levo.

Having said that, Levo owners universally say the helmet’s either comfy or really comfy. A couple reckon it can be a tightish squeeze at first until things loosen up, but the internal padding is soft and it’s generally a very comfortable lid. And even though modulars are a tad heavier than a similar full face, the Levo’s not too heavy (1.6Kg – 1.7Kg depending on size) and we didn’t come across anyone saying weight’s a problem. So overall, job done here.

Looks & Graphics

At the time of writing, the Levo is available in plain matt black and gloss white. There’s also a hi viz version and a couple of graphic versions – Prospect and Flow. And of course, the carbon version comes wearing its carbon weave unpainted and with pride.

To check out any deals or any more graphic designs and colourways that have been released recently, please so click the links below to our recommended retailers (where you can buy a Levo with confidence).

Best places to buy a Caberg Levo helmet?

Please click below to visit the Caberg Levo helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Buy from SportsBikeShop

Other stuff – communicators, weight, build quality, warranty

Because it’s a touring helmet, Caberg realise owners will bring lots of different 3rd party bluetooth systems along to try and fit in the Levo.

Caberg Levo gloss white modular helmet side view
Gloss white Levo with sun visor fully dropped and chin bar locked fully raised

So, Caberg have designed the Levo to work with their own Just Speak Evo headset as well as giving it large speaker pockets and plenty of space for a microphone so it should work with a variety of other kits.

Unfortunately, if you have any other Just Speak kit than the Evo, the word is that it won’t fit. But we came across owners of Packtalks, Senas and other brands who said they found their communicators went in without a problem.

The standard composite version of the Levo weighs 1.6Kg while the carbon comes in a 1.5Kg. Both those figures are light weight for a flip up helmet (the average weight for a flip up helmet is 1.68Kg) and there doesn’t seem to be any problem with neck ache.

Even though Caberg helmets tend to be cheaper than your premium helmets, plenty of owners reckon that the quality of materials and the fit and finish of the Levo is top notch – especially at this price.

Thing is, if it’s that well built, it’s a shame Caberg only back their helmets with a paltry one year warranty – same goes for any Caberg on sale at the moment. Come on Caberg, up your warranty coverage – lots of brands back their products with a 5 year warranty!

Overall/Summary

The Caberg Levo is a great package. It’s designed for touring riders who’re pretty demanding on features – looking for good bluetooth compatability, tons of comfort and decent ventilation. And, according to owners, it’s a helmet that works very well and ticks all the right boxes.

The Levo has a nice wide visor and Pinlock Max Vision anti-fog in the box too so unless you’re crossing the alps in February, your vision should stay clear all year round.

Caberg Levo flow high viz modular helmet front view
Levo Flow with high viz highlights

Plus, if you’re riding all day, comfort and weight are paramount. We didn’t come across anyone moaning about weight – though if you’re worried you can also go for the carbon version that shaves a few grams off the weight making it closer to 1.5Kg (depending on fitment size). In fact, the Levo is one of the lighter modular helmets around.

As for overall comfort, owners universally say the Levo’s great.

And the icing on the cake is that SHARP 4 star safety rating. OK, it dropped a mark for the chin bar becoming unlocked occasionally during testing, but it’s still a very good safety rating overall.

All in all, the Caberg Levo is a very competent, well built helmet with a great bunch of features at a sensible price. Highly rated.

Best places to buy a Caberg Levo?

Please click below to visit the Caberg Levo helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Buy from SportsBikeShop

Alternatives to the Caberg Levo?

There’s lots of choice around if you’re looking for a new modular helmet. Here’s our pick of the bunch from helmets that have been launched, tried and tested (by SHARP and by owners).

First off, the Shark Evoline 3 retails for about the same as the Caberg. It’s a SHARP 5 star tested modular with sun visor – though it’s heavier than the Levo.

Shark also do the Evo-One 2 – that’s about the same price as the Evoline 3, is SHARP 4 star safety rated and comes with a Pinlock Max Vision anti-fog in the box. Both these Sharks are thermoplastic helmets, so not quite as high-tech as the Caberg.

So too is the Caberg Duke II – an excellent performing modular that’s SHARP 5 star safety rated and comes in around half the price of the Levo (that’s gotta be worth a look!)

Owners also like the AGV Compact ST – SHARP 4 star safety rated, costs a chunk of money less than the Levo and has a sun visor. It’s a bit heavier than the Levo though.

On the flip side, the Shoei Neotec II is a wodge pricier than the AGV, but for the money you get a great quality fibreglass flip-up that’s SHARP 4 star safety rated, has a wide visor and is a great all rounder helmet. Its chin bar didn’t score as well as the Levo in safety testing though.

For more options, check out our top 10 modular motorbike helmets list or our safest flip-up helmets page.

Definitely want a Caberg?

Here you'll find all our Caberg crash helmet reviews and previews including full face, flip-up and open face helmets.

REVIEW OVERVIEW
Safety
Comfort
Noise
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Next articleThe Nolan N100-5 and N100-5 Plus flip-up. The perfect modular helmet?
caberg-levo-flip-up-motorcycle-crash-helmet-reviewThe Caberg Levo's a well rated helmet. Comfort, visor system. ventilation are all rated highly and it's backed by a very solid SHARP four star safety rating. There's plenty of space if you're looking to fit a bluetooth communicator (whether it's your own or Caberg's Just Speak Evo) and the sun visor mechanism works well. Plus it's available at a competitive price point so what's not to like. If you're in the market for a mid priced touring modular helmet, then the Caberg Levo is a great option.

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