Nexx X.R2 composite and carbon fibre full face crash helmets
With the launch of the Nexx X.R2, Portugese helmet maker Nexx claims to have made one of the lightest full face crash helmets on the market. The carbon versions weigh in at around 1.27Kg while the composite versions are around 100g heavier. And while we’ve seem other helmets on the market around this weight (check our lightweight helmets section), they’re pretty few and far between.
One of the reasons they’ve tried to make it so light is that it’s a road bike helmet but with track aspirations – so if you’re at the track all day, slamming your bike around for lap after lap, then every gramme counts.
But it’s one thing to make a lightweight helmet – and entirely another to make it lightweight and work really well as a safe and user-friendly track or day-to-day helmet.
So here’s the lowdown on what the Nexx XR2 delivers and what owners think of their XR2s – warts and all.
- Both composite and carbon fibre versions available
- Sportsbike/track focused helmet
- SHARP 3 star safety rated
- ECE and DOT certified
- Pinlock and tear off-ready
- Pinlock anti-fog included (check retailer)
- 2 shell sizes
- 1.27Kg (2.8lbs) carbon (+100g composite)
- Sizes XS-XXXL
- Expect to pay £220-£350
Best places to buy a Nexx XR2?
Please click below to visit the Nexx XR2 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).
Safety
The Nexx XR2 is both ECE and DOT certified so you can be happy that it’ll give at least a decent, basic level of protection.
But it’s also been tested by the UK’s SHARP helmet testing labs where it was given a three star rating (out of five).
That’s OK but not great – though as we, and SHARP point out – your first priority when buying any helmet is to buy a helmet that fits perfectly before a great SHARP helmet rating. Though if you can get both, then happy days!
So if you’re after a helmet that’s gonna give maximum protection, you might want to check out one of our SHARP 5 star helmets.
Looking at the SHARP results, the XR2 drops a mark or two on side and rear impact tests. It’s got a very wide visor aperture (see visor section below) so I guess it’s possible that this has weakened the side impacts a little? Just a thought.
Otherwise, there’s some good safety features that you’d like to see in any helmet to be found in the Nexx.
First off, there’s the multi-density shock absorbing lining. There’s also a smattering of reflectors on many of the designs and they all have a decent double-d ring fastener on the helmet strap.
There’s also an EQRS or emergency quick release system to help paramedics quickly remove the cheek pads and (hopefully) slide the helmet off without disturbing your spine in the event of an accident.
And of course, that nice wide visor should give you an edge to help see anything creeping up on you in your peripheral vision.
So the XR2 packs a lot of safety features – it’s just a shame they didn’t manage a better score with SHARP!
Helmet Noise
As we find with lots of helmets, Nexx XR2 owners express a wide variety of views on how noisy or quiet their XR2s are.
Taking all these views into consideration, we’re gonna have to plump bang in the middle and say it seems to be about average.
Nexx seem to have done quite a bit of wind tunnel designing which should’ve reduced external noise; and their blurb reckons they’ve added anti-noise cheekpads into the mix too. And I don’t doubt any of this. But as far as noise suppression’s concerned, it only seems to bring the XR2 into line with most other helmets so scores an average rating.
Bottom line is that if you find your existing helmet really noisy, you’ll probably find the XR2 pretty good. But if you ride a ‘Wing, slowly, and you’re short and tucked behind the screen, and wear something like a really expensive Schuberth. Then you might not. It really is that dependent on how you ride, the bike you ride and how noisy your current helmet(s) is (are).
Ventilation
There’s a single chin vent and dual crown vent on the Nexx XR2.
The chin vent has a panel that can be flicked down to open it and the top vents have small three-way sliders (for closed, half open, fully open).
From rider feedback, it seems all the opening tabs are quite tricky to operate as they’re small, especially in gloves, so it’d be worth taking some time out to get the hang of them before you ride. If you do, they’ll likely become second nature to find and therefore OK.
The top vents are generally thought of as great, with lots of people saying the helmet flows lots of air and you can really feel the difference when they’re open or closed.
Having said that, the middle ‘half-open’ position on the top sliders is probably pretty pointless as it’s almost impossible to find when you’re riding along – unless of course you’re someone who sets their vents before they set off (does that sort of rider actually even exist?)
Some owners seem to reckon the chin vents are a bit weedy in the amount of ventilation they offer. A couple of people said the visor can fog easily (which of course most do when it’s cold or rainy and you’re not blasting along) so it’s handy that the XR2 comes with a Pinlock anti-fog in the box (see note below).
Visor
The XR2 comes with a flat, Pinlock and tear-off ready, quick release visor – and in Europe tends to be sold with a Pinlock in the box (though check with your retailer before buying).
The visor works on a ratchet and it’s massive according to loads of owners. Like most sportsbike helmets, Nexx have maximised the visor opening to give lots of peripheral vision as well as vertical vision so you can get a good view out of the top of the visor even when you’re in an extreme tuck.
And they seem to have done a great job, as most owners say it’s a really big opening – with a couple of XR2 owners saying they can’t see any of the helmet at all in their peripheral vision. Wow.
It’s possible the large visor aperture has compromised side-impact protection (see Safety section above) but if you’re after and extremely large visor opening, the XR2 is right up there with the best track/sportsbike helmets.
It’s also a quick-change visor – what Nexx call their Fastshot system – not needing any tools to remove the visor. Though it’s a bit different from most quick removal visors.
With the Nexx, you need to turn and physically remove the plastic pin at the visor pivot before rotating the visor and snapping it out to remove. Quite a few owners find this a bit odd and complain that it feels like you’re going to break the visor when you try it (until you get used to it).
To replace the visor, you need to locate the 3 plastic pins into their holes and close the visor. Again, this can be tricky and needs a bit of practice.
Comfort & Sizing
The internal comfort padding on the Nexx XR2 is anti-allergenic and anti-sweat according to the Nexx website – presumably meaning it’s moisture wicking?
It’s also removable and washable so you can keep it fresh after a hot day in the saddle.
And while the XR2 is seen as a comfortable helmet (as usual – as long as you get the right fitting in the first place) a few folks have been left frustrated by the way the lining is fitted into the helmet, meaning there are some reports that the pads can come loose and move around inside the helmet, with at least one owner resorting to gluing them in place.
There’s also a couple of reports that the lining in the rear of the helmet is particularly prone to coming loose, leading to questions about the QA process at Nexx.
Having said that, lots of owners reckon the finish on their XR2 is second to none – things like paint, visor and vents are mostly being bigged-up, with more than a few owners saying their Nexx is up there with the Shoei’s of this world.
It’s worth saying that a few owners mentioned the opening is very tight on the XR2, feeling like it’s pulling your ears off when you pull it on/off. Though they usually say it’s fine when it’s on and you get used to it – that’s if you can get it on in the first place.
Other than those few gripes, the sizing seems to run true.
And of course lots of people buy the XR2 because they want a helmet that’s nice and light and doesn’t give them neck strain. And this is the biggest comment made by owners – that it feels fabulously light – especially the carbon versions.
Couple that with the massive eye port and quite a few folks commented that you can almost forget you’re wearing a helmet with the XR2 and that because of the lightness they can forgive it any other shortcomings.
Looks & Graphics
Most of the carbon versions – that’s the Carbon, Carbon Zero and Carbon Pure, have exposed carbon weave – at least in part. And mostly look very slick and up-market.
The composite fibre versions come in the Fuel, Virus and Acid designs you’ll find up and down this page.
To check the latest prices and offers – as well as the latest designs, click the links through to our recommended retailers below.
Best places to buy a Nexx XR2 helmet?
Please click below to visit the Nexx XR2 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).
Nexx X.R2 Video
Here’s a 3m look around the XR2 from the team at WebBikeWorld.
Other stuff – audio, glasses, buffeting, chin curtain, warranty
The Nexx XR2 has speaker pockets built into the lining – just remove the cheekpads to find them. Owners of both Sena 10s and 20s reported no problems with fitting their sets on the XR2.
A few glasses wearers reported that the XR2 works really well for glasses.
Onto buffeting – it seems the small rear spoiler and the trim profile at the bottom of the helmet are great for stability as plenty of owners report that the XR2 is really stable with very little buffeting.
Final two points – the XR2 comes with both a breath guard and chin curtain in the box and has a 2 year warranty.
Overall/Summary
The Nexx XR2 seems to be a bit of a flawed diamond. There’s a strange visor removal mechanism and a few worries about some linings falling out. But on the other hand owners love how light weight it is (especially the carbon versions) and that massive visor opening is a real winner too. And that’s mostly why people bought their XR2 and why most people love it. And if you’re after a good sportsbike or track day helmet – stuff like the Pinlock and tear-off ready visor might well be handy too.
It’s a shame it didn’t score better on the SHARP safety tests but if light weight and great vision are most important to you, then you really should take a look at the Nexx XR2.
Crash Helmet Buying Guides & Top 10s
For (hopefully!) other useful information to help you when buying your next helmet, check our various Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guides - or have a look at our Top 10 best helmet lists where we've got the top 10 best rated helmets overall along with Top 10 Best Budget/Top 10 Safest/Top 10 Best Full Face/Top 10 Best Modular/Flip-up/ Top 10 Best Sportsbike/Track helmets.
Alternatives to the Nexx X.R2
If you’re looking for a sportsbike/racing helmet, then the Nexx XR2 is very reasonably priced compared to much of the competition.
Of course, you can spend an awful lot more than the XR2’s £300ish by buying a Shoei X-Spirit 3 or an Arai RX-7V which will cost around double that and can be found lining up by the track-load on grids around the world. And great helmets they are too.
But you don’t have to pay that sort of money for a decent racing lid. So here’s a smattering of some interesting alternatives.
First off, the Shark Race-R Pro can be had for the same money as the Nexx. It’s a SHARP 5 star rated carbon fibre helmet that’s about as light as the XR2 too.
The AGV Corsa is a smidge heavier but that’s also a SHARP 5 star rated sportsbike helmet and comes with an optically-correct visor.
For about the same price as the Corsa, we’ll throw into the mix the Schuberth C3 Pro – one of the only sports-modular helmets out there. It’s only SHARP 3 star rated and, because it’s a modular, it’s heavier (though light for a modular).
Finally, for less than the Nexx, a SHARP 4 star safety rated sportsbike helmet is the LS2 FF323 Arrow. Optically correct visor, Pinlock antifog included (check retailer) – that’s gotta be worth a look too?
Best places to buy a Nexx XR2?
Please click below to visit the Nexx XR2 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).
Hello. I have a Nexx xr.2 composite and I can pointsome faults.
Quality and Finish of the shell is very good, but is a very noisy Helmet. You constantly hear a loud and distracting buffering starting around 70km/h. The fastest you ride, the worth is the buffering. Is unbearable to ride at highway speed. I advise to wear hearplugs all the time, like I do.
And the inside padding is good for the first year, but them the helmet will start to became loose around your head. Has a Portuguese I would like to recommend and appraise this Portuguese helmet brand, but this helmet didn’t work for me.
Sorry for my English.
I’m sorry if I didn’t explain well ,but English is not my native language.