Nexx SX.100 helmet review: a lower-priced all-rounder crash helmet

The Nexx SX.100 is a fairly low-priced helmet aimed at the mass market. That means it’s designed to work for as many riders and bikes as possible and isn’t aimed at any group in particular, such as sportsbike riders or tourers.

But, for this low price point, the Portugese-made Nexx has some great features. That includes a drop-down sun visor, Pinlock antifog insert in the box and wide visor for extra good peripheral vision and safety.

Nexx say they’ve also spent a ton of R&D time and money on making the SX.100 into a helmet that’s aerodynamically slippery, great at noise reduction, and one that vents brilliantly and is breathable.

So, let’s try and pick out what’s real and what’s not, and take you through what the Nexx SX100 offers if you’re on the hunt for a new helmet. We’ll also find out what other owners think of their SX100s – and finally, we’ll suggest some great alternatives that we reckon you should check out too.

All-rounder helmet
Thermoplastic shell
SHARP 3 star safety rated
ECE & DOT compliant
Drop down sun visor
Wide visor with Pinlock anti-fog included (EU not US)
Class 1 optically-correct visor
Micrometric fastener
Designed to integrate with the Nexx X-Com bluetooth
Expect to pay £130-£170

Best places to buy a Nexx SX100?

Please click below to visit the Nexx SX100 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-sx100-i-flux-motorbike-crash-helmet-front-view — Nexx SX.100 in I-Flux graphics

Page Contents

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

The thermoplastic-shelled Nexx SX.100 is both DOT and ECE certified. Of course, that’s good because that means it’s undergone a rigorous testing regime before hitting the shelves. It’s also essential for a helmet to be sold legally in the EU and US (respectively).

It’s also been independently safety tested by SHARP where it scored 3/5 stars. That’s above average of course and exactly what we’d expect from a Nexx – because every one of their helmets tested since 2013 has scored 3 stars!

That’s all relevant if you happen to have an accident in the SX.100, but the best helmets help stop you getting into a scrape in the first place.

To help with that, the SX.100 has a wide visor aperture – that’s great for helping you see what’s coming at you from the side or behind and giving improved all-round vision.

Nexx-sx100-plain-gloss-white-motorbike-crash-helmet-rear-view — Rear view of the gloss white SX100

That’s helped by having a free Pinlock anti-fog insert in the box, because they are massively helpful in keeping your visor clear when it’s cold and wet.

Of course, it’s probably best to go for a helmet that scores four or five SHARP stars. But remember, buying a helmet that fits really well is the number one factor in getting a helmet that’ll give you the best impact protection – so it’s not the be-all and end-all.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

One of Nexx’s goals with the SX100 was to keep noise to a minimum.

Improved, wind-tunnel tested aero, decent padding with noise-reducing cheek pads, and a thick neck roll are all there to contribute to making a quiet helmet.

Only, it seems like it didn’t (quite) work. The word from owners is that it’s about average for noise-suppression. Meaning you’ll need to ride with ear plugs if you’re going any distance or at a decent speed.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

Just like all helmet designers do, Nexx also designed the SX.100 to vent really well. That’s usually two-fold; to keep your head cool in hot weather and to bring in enough ventilation around the visor to keep things clear.

Nexx-sx100-orion-white-red-motorcycle-helmet-top-view — Orion SX.100 showing top vent

There’s a single, central chin vent with a simple slider to open and close it. That’s designed to bring air around the face and onto the back of the visor.

There’s also a single but quite large forehead vent to allow air into the shell of the main helmet; again opened/closed by a single two-way slider.

That top vent takes air through channels in the polystyrene shock absorbing liner towards the scalp.

That’s a common enough config for most helmets on the market these days.

But what’s not so common – in fact this is the first time we’ve seen it – is that there’s an air pocket between the EPS polystyrene lining and the helmet shell.

Nexx claims this helps with the optimum exchange of fresh air with old, stale air which then exits the helmet out of the rear of the helmet via the exhaust vents under the small spoiler.

I hope Nexx are right about that and it doesn’t just become a moisture trap!

Nexx-sx100-toxic-light-concrete-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Urban-style Toxic design SX.100

However, according to owners, the ventilation on the SX.100 is somewhere between average and great, with several owners saying you can really feel the ventilation on your scalp – and you can shut it off completely with the slider.

As for the visor. Well, expect the visor to steam up if it’s cold, rainy or humid, because we’ve yet to find a helmet that will stay fog-free under those conditions, no matter how effective the chin vents are.

But fit the Pinlock anti-fog insert and you’ll have clear vision in all but the most extreme circumstances. Job done.

Visor

(more about visors)

Nexx has gone to town on the visor system for the SX.100.

It’s got a wide visor, for great peripheral vision. It’s also got an optically-correct Class 1 visor to give distortion-free vision (not that distortion is really a problem without it being class 1!).

And it’s also a quick-release visor (Nexx call this X-Swift), meaning you can pull a coupla lugs back on each side to snap off the visor for quick cleaning or replacement. And of course, it’s got a Pinlock-ready visor with free Pinlock the box (Europe only).

Owners like the wide field of vision offered by that wide visor, and say the Pinlock’s a must – unless you live somewhere in perma-sun then I guess, don’t bother! So all good with the visor system.

Sun Visor

(more about sun visors)

It has of course got a drop down internal sun visor too. To operate it, you’ll see the slider on the left hand side, just behind the visor pivot. It’s a novel config we’ve not really seen before but I’m sure you’ll get used to finding it when you need it.

Nexx-sx100-core-neon-yellow-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Neon yellow SX.100 showing sun visor lever

Opinions we’ve found are nothing but happy with the sun visor – except for one person who found it a bit loose and it kept dropping out; though that seems to have been a one-off.

By all accounts, it drops down nice and low, gives decent shading and 99% UV protection – though if you live somewhere that gets lots of sun, don’t expect it to be as good as a pair of dark sunglasses as they legally can’t be too dark.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

The Nexx SX.100 comes with a chin curtain and removable breath guard. The comfort lining is made from X-Mart dry fabrics which are sweat-wicking, anti-allergenic and fully removable and washable.

The helmet is available in sizes XS-XXL but only made in one shell size. That’s pretty common for lower-priced helmets and is usually not ideal for producing a helmet that’s optimally fitted for a range of head sizes.

Nexx-sx100-big-shot-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — SX100 Big Shot (for shy, retiring types 🙂

Having said that, owners’ opinions are that they’ve found their SX100’s to be nice and snug but with plenty of room too. Sounds like a great compromise and most owners seem very happy.

Looks & Graphics

As usual, we’ve put a range of different graphic designs up and down the page. But there’re always new designs coming out so to see the latest models (or different colour combos available of these designs) along with the latest deals, please click through to our recommended retailers using the links below.

Best places to buy a Nexx SX100 helmet?

Please click below to visit the Nexx SX100 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 SX.100 Video

Pretty comprehensive 6m look around the Nexx SX100 from Revzilla…

Other stuff – fasteners, audio, warranty

The Nexx SX.100 comes with a micrometric fastener. It’s also designed to accommodate Nexx’s version of a Sena bluetooth communicator – that’s called the Nexx X-Com. It’s a pretty well-specced bluetooth that will integrate nicely with the SX100 using the pop-out panel on the left of the helmet.

Nexx-sx100-superspeed-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Sporty Superspeed SX.100

Being a thermoplastic helmet, it won’t be the lightest helmet but, weighing in at around 1.5Kg (3.3lbs). That’s just about average weight for a full face helmet so it shouldn’t be too heavy either.

Finally, expect the Nexx SX100 to come with a 2 year warranty, but check with your retailer first if it’s important to you as there’s a bit of confusion about the warranty on the SX100 on the Nexx website.

Overall/Summary

For that low price, the Nexx SX.100 offers real value for money. Sure, it drops a point or two for impact protection and it doesn’t quite live up to Nexx’s helmet design goals of producing a really quiet helmet.

But with a wide, optically-correct visor, decent ventilation, sun visor and free Pinlock in the box – as well as owner’s rating the helmet highly for comfort, the Nexx SX.100 offers great value for money for anyone looking for a new all-rounder helmet. All in all, well worth a look – though do check out our safety-rated alternatives below before you take the plunge.

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.

Good Alternatives to the Nexx SX100?

First off, there’s the good ole AGV K3 SV – that’s a SHARP 4 star safety rated helmet that’s around the same price as the Nexx and with a very similar spec (including Pinlock and sun visor). It just wins out on the SX100 due to that extra SHARP safety star.

There’s also the MT Revenge. That doesn’t have a sun visor, but it’s amazing value and it’s a SHARP 5 star safety rated helmet at a price that’s less than the Nexx.

Or if you can push your budget a smidge higher, there’s the excellent HJC FG-ST. That’s SHARP 5 star safety rated too with a Pinlock and sun visor. That’s a lot of helmet at a very useful price!

Definitely want a Nexx?

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

Other full face helmets?

We've got lots of other ways you can find your ideal full face helmet. You can check out our Top 10 full-face crash helmets list to see our best rated helmets or head over to our Smartish Filters pages and zoom in on helmets with your 'must have' features. You can browse through all our full face crash helmet reviews as well as our safest motorcycle helmets page where you'll only find helmets that are SHARP four or five star rated - so you'll know you're wearing the best protection out there. Finally, check out our helmet gallery to find a lid that takes your fancy.

Best places to buy a Nexx SX100?

Please click below to visit the Nexx SX100 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).

Star Ratings

A review of the Evo-One 2 modular crash helmet by Shark

Page Contents

Shark Evo-One 2 – a compact, flip-front helmet with Pinlock Max Vision included

Shark has been making flip-up/modular helmets for years – with each new model improving bit by bit. There’s the well-known Evoline series of helmets (version one through to the current version 3) and there’s also the Openline.

And now, they’ve added the Evo-One to their line-up. It’s a further development of the Evoline series, but is designed to be slightly more compact (i.e. have a smaller shell and not look as big) and Shark has looked to improve one or two other features from the older Evolines in the range.

Since then, they’re added an evolutionary model to the range – the Evo-One 2. This is very similar to the first Evo-One but with a slightly modified chin bar opening mechanism to make things smoother. Essentially, they’ve tweaked the original helmet here and there and released it as an upgraded model.

So here’s the lowdown on what the Evo-One 2 offers – including tech specs, features, and – crucially – what owners think of them.

Thermoplastic flip-over helmet
SHARP 4 star safety rated
ECE certified
2 shell sizes
Compact shell form
Pinlock Max Vision anti fog included
Sizes XS-XL
Weight – 1.65Kg (about average)
Expect to pay £349-£399

Best places to buy a Shark Evo One 2?

It’s now discontinued in the UK, but you could still buy one at two of our recommended stores the last time we checked. Please click the links to drop straight onto their Evo One 2 pages. And if you buy from either, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

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

Safety

The Shark Evo-One 2 has been ECE certified for sale in Europe and has been safety tested by the SHARP helmet testing labs in the UK.

And just like the original Evo-One, it scored an excellent four out of five stars for safety (read more about their safety testing here).

SHARP also record the % of impacts during testing where the chin guard remains fully locked. In the Evo-One 2’s case, that was recorded as 100%, which is great to know if you’re after a modular helmet where you can rely on the chin bar to give protection.

Though note: early models produced before May 2017 were fitted with a different chin guard latch that performed substantially worse during SHARP testing, achieving a score of only 33%. So if you buy an Evo-One, check the production number on the chin strap – models with a number before production number 077099 have the earlier chin guard latch, so make sure you return it to your retailer.

For other SHARP tested modular helmets where you know you can trust the chin guard to stay locked and closed, you might also want to check out the Nolan N91 Evo, Nolan N104 and the HJC IS Max II – all of which scored 100% for their locks staying closed during testing and all score SHARP four stars.

shark-evo-one-priya-motorbike-crash-helmet-rear-view — Evo-One in Priya design

Finally for safety with the Evo-One 2, it’s also dual-homologated. That means it’s tested/certified to be used in both full face and open face configurations – most modulars are ECE certified as a full face and not necessarily open face. So if you’re planning to go Easy Riding lots, then the Evo-One 2’s good for you.

Helmet Noise

As usual, there’s quite a few conflicting accounts of how noisy the Shark Evo-One 2 is. And as usual, that’s because we all ride different bikes, in different conditions with experience of different helmets to compare it to.

Shark have made efforts to design a helmet that’ll be quiet though. The aero design with rear spoiler and small and round helmet shape, magnetic chin curtain and plush lining are all there to contribute to suppressing noise.

So how does it do?

One owner commented it’s quieter than his Arai Quantum. Another that it’s not as quiet as his Schuberth. While another said it’s the noisiest helmet they’ve ever used!

shark-evo-one-gloss-black-motorcycle-helmet-front-chin-guard-up — View from the front with chin guard raised

The bottom line seems to be if you’re going to be riding fast, you’ll need ear plugs to keep the noise down – but then we’d say wear earplugs for most journeys anyway (it’s the only way to keep things properly quiet and keep your hearing intact).

If pushed, and taking all the comments into consideration, it seems like the Shark Evo One 2 is a quieter than average helmet – which is great for a modular because they’re usually on the louder side.

Ventilation

Ventilation is a plus point for the Shark Evo-One 2 too.

Chin/visor ventilation is provided by a single exterior chin vent operated by a large toggle panel to open/close it.

There’s also another vent opening on the inside of the chin guard too to direct air towards the visor for demisting or away towards the mouth.

Two crown vents are on the top of the helmet, individually opened and closed by small sliders, and warm air exits the helmet just behind, from an exhaust below the spoiler on the top of the helmet.

All in all, it doesn’t seem anything special. But everyone who commented reckon everything conspires to do a great job at keeping your head cool – and in combination with the Pinlock Max Vision (more below) it keeps the visor fog free too.

Visor

Shark have really done their homework with the visor on the Evo-One 2.

Unlike some modular helmets, it doesn’t get in the way of the chin guard when you flip open the helmet (see chin guard section below) – which is good.

It has a Pinlock Max Vision-ready visor and Shark include a Max Vision in the box. Which is welcome because Pinlocks are one of the best ways to keep your visor fog-free.

Shark warned you not to flex the visor when fitting the Pinlock to the original Evo One. Pinlocks can be a bit tricky to fit and in my experience do require some flattening and flexing of the visor when you’re doing it. However, it seems the the visor on the Evo-One was a bit brittle because one owner’s visor snapped.

Shark says the visor and Pinlock on the Evo-One 2 is updated and we haven’t heard of any problems so far, so hopefully this problem’s now a thing of the past.

Let’s hope so because the Evo-One 2 has what Shark call their ‘Autoseal’ system, where the visor mechanism pulls the visor flush against the visor gasket to improve the seal against wind/noise/crap from the road.

This seems to work pretty well by all accounts – but Shark’s marketing blurb does say the system ‘flattens’ the visor against the helmet so let’s hope the new visor is more resilient than the last one.

The visor is also quick-change – something that’s very unusual on a modular and very welcome. It’s not tool-less removal though – to remove the visor, you need to push something like a screwdriver into the recess at each side of the visor and it’ll pop out. To replace the visor, just shove it back in and it’ll click into place. Even though it needs a tool, it’s pretty easy.

shark-evo-one-astor-motorcycle-helmet-froint-view — Showing top vents and sun visor slider on top

However, with the original Evo One, it seems Shark didn’t design the visor closing mechanism to adequately take the Pinlock into account and quite a few owners online say that theirs catches the top of the visor, leading to a nasty mark on the Pinlock that obscures your vision.

Shark did seem to have acknowledged the problem and hopefully, changes to the Evo One 2 will have fully resolved it (we’ve not heard of any problems so far!). However, take note and if you have a problem, get in touch with your retailer to get it sorted – and let us know.

Sun Visor

We often read about sun visors being a bit too light or a bit too short.

So it’s good to hear that Shark have improved at least one of these issues.

They say the sun visor on the Evo-One 2 is 23% bigger than the one found on the Evoline. That’s what they call a ‘full coverage’ sun visor and it’s operated by a big slider on the top of the helmet.

Reports are that the sun visor drops down nicely and it’s a good size, so that’s a thumbs up here.

shark-evo-one-2-slasher-anthracite-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Evo-One 2 Slasher with chin guard fully rotated

Chin Guard

Shark have made quite a thing of the chin guards on their modular helmets.

Unlike most makers (Roof excepted) they try and make it so their chin guards get well out of the way, making their modulars work really well as open-face helmets too.

The Evo-One 2 is no exception. Press a single button centre-bottom of the chin guard and the chin guard moves all the way around to the rear of the helmet where it nestles into the back of the helmet with a ‘click’. That improves the balance and aero of the helmet while you’re using it in jet mode.

The Evo-One 2 also features what Shark call their ‘Auto-up, Auto-down’ system. Don’t be confused though, this relates to the visor only, not the chin guard automatically opening/closing (got me all excited that!).

What it actually means is when you’re opening the chin guard, the visor automatically opens and moves out of the way. Similarly, if you’re in open-face mode with the visor down, pull the chin guard back over and down and the visor will move up to let the chin guard close.

shark-evo-one-2-krono-anthracite-red-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Evo-One 2 Krono in anthracite/red

Shark do say the chin guard should be closed using both hands though and by pulling down at the sides, not the front. Folks do say you can open/close it on the move but, like most modulars, it’s a hefty bit of kit to be pushing and pulling around on the move and will obscure your view ahead quite a bit so it’s really not recommended.

All in all, the chin guard is a pretty slick system and most folks say it works nice and smoothly. It can be a bit tricky at first by all accounts, but you soon get the hang of it.

And of course the Evo-One 2 was safety tested by SHARP, where the chin guard stayed locked 100% of the time. That’s an awesome score and should mean you can rely on the chin guard to stay locked and closed during an accident (data shows you can’t with every modular!).

Comfort & Sizing

The internals of the Evo-One 2 are nice and plush and removable/washable.

Owners seem to reckon they’re comfortable too and the sizing is correct. So if you’re looking to buy one, check your measurements using our guide and the sizing should be good (but do buy from a retailer with a no-quibble returns policy as you’re never sure until you try it).

Looks & Graphics

We usually mention shell sizes in the safety section when we review helmets. But Shark have managed to pull off a neat trick with the Evo-One 2. They’ve managed to make a helmet that scores well for safety (though read the safety section about the chin guard performance), with a flip-front mechanism, but that’s compact too.

shark-evo-one-krono-motorcycle-helmet-front-view — Front view of the Evo-One 2 Krono

That makes for a helmet that looks pretty good. It also helps with aero of course (a smaller helmet offers less wind resistance) but if you’re wanting a modular helmet that looks good and compact on you, then the Shark Evo-One gets the thumbs up.

As for graphics and designs, at the time of writing there’s only a handful of designs around.

There’s the usual range of solid colours – called Blank – and coming in gloss black and white and a matt black.

If you’re looking for some fancy designs though, you’re best clicking through to our through to our recommended retailers where you’ll find the latest deals too. The links below will take you straight through to their Shark helmet pages.

Best places to buy a Shark Evo One 2 helmet?

It’s now discontinued in the UK, but you could still buy one at two of our recommended stores the last time we checked. Please click the links to drop straight onto their Evo One 2 pages. And if you buy from either, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Shark Evo-One 2 Video

Here’s a 4m video taking you round the main features of the Shark Evo-One 2.

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

shark-evo-one-astor-kwr-motorcycle-helmet-rear-view — Rear view of the Evo-One 2

The Shark Evo-One 2 has a micrometric fastener and, internally, a glasses groove to make it easier to push your glasses in/out as well as ride while wearing glasses.

Overall, build quality is reported to be really good, with a nice finish and solid feel to it – especially at this not exorbitant price.

It’s about average weight for a modular and it’s designed for Shark’s Sharktooth bluetooth communicator. As for other communicators – it sounds like it’s a bit tricky to fit em. One owner tried to fit his Cardo headset but found the mic boom too long. Another tried a Sena 10R and had to attach it to the inner lining somehow though found a nice recess to take the battery. One guy found the Sena SMH10 fitted OK though.

Finally, Shark offer a 5 year warranty on all their helmets.

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.

Overall/Summary

With the original Shark Evo-One Shark created an innovative flip-up helmet with the type of features we’ve all come to love and use.

With its compact helmet shell, sun visor, great rotating chin guard that sits out of the way at the back of the helmet – if you’re after a flip-up helmet, what’s not to like?

Only, there were a few problems reported with the original. The good news is that Shark looks to have addressed some of those problems with the Evo-One 2. A revised visor system with new Pinlock means we shouldn’t get problems with visors rubbing on the helmet.

They’ve also revised the locking mechanism to make it easier to use – but they’ve also kept that excellent SHARP test score that’s not only awarded the Evo-One 2 an excellent SHARP 4 stars (out of 5) but it’s resulted in the chin bar staying locked and closed during 100% of the impact tests (make sure you read our Safety section for more information).

The Evo-One has always been a great helmet to use day-to-day. Comfortable, great ventilation and that fantastic out-of-the-way chin guard giving a proper open-faced riding experience. All at a good price too. And now we’re onto the second generation of the Evo-One, then word is many of the niggles have been sorted out which should make the Evo One 2 a great and versatile helmet to live with.

Alternatives to the Shark Evo-One 2

Flip-up helmets are becoming more and more popular, meaning there’s lots of competition and some great helmets out there.

The Caberg Tourmax and Duke are both SHARP five star rated polycarbonate helmets with sun visors and great ventilation – and both are cheaper than the Evo-One 2 and worth a look.

For around the same price as the Shark, there’s the composite shelled X-Lite X-1003 that’s four star safety rated, dual homologated and edges the Evo-One 2 on weight too.

Or for a quirky but cool alternative, how about the SHARP four star Roof Boxer V8 – it’s fibreglass and cheaper than the Shark.

We also love (and, more importantly, so does its owners!) the AGV Compact – another SHARP four star rated flip-up with a sun visor that’s comfortable and well ventilated. It’s a bit noisy though.

Definitely want a Shark?

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

Best places to buy a Shark Evo One 2?

It’s now discontinued in the UK, but you could still buy one at two of our recommended stores the last time we checked. Please click the links to drop straight onto their Evo One 2 pages. And if you buy from either, 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

Which is the Best Motorbike Helmet to Buy?

best new helmet to buy featured — Which is the best helmet for me? click and find out!

There’s never been such a stack of great helmets out of there to choose from. In fact when we’re reviewing helmets, it’s really rare to find one that’s poor all-round, which is why few of the helmets we review rarely score below 3 stars overall.

But if you’re looking for a new helmet, you can get a bit overwhelmed, right? And the answer to the question of which is best to buy is dependent on what you’re going to be using the helmet for. So we’ve dug around a bit to find three of the best motorcycle helmets to check out for each type of ride – commuting, off-road, adventure, touring, street and sports. You can then read our full reviews and decide for yourself!

So, here we go – starting off with the slowest and working our way up…[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Page Contents

Best Helmets for Commuting

Commuter helmets need to be just as durable and user-friendly as any other helmet – even moreso because you’ll be using yours every day. But many commuters using their bike or scooter to get to work will be on a tight budget too, so we’ve chosen helmets that are really great value for money as well. Here’s 3 of the best we’ve seen, but for more choice, click through to see all our commuter helmets.

Three of the Best Commuter Helmets

Best Helmets for Off Road

Off road helmets are real specialised beasts. Spaces for goggles, peaks and roost-guards; they need to give a special type of protection from hitting the dirt – as well as from the dirt hitting you! Here you’ll find our top-3 rated Motocross/off-road helmets – but you can find more motocross helmets over here.

Three of the Best Motocross/Off-Road Helmets

Best Adventure Bike Helmets

Adventure bike helmets are just as good for on- or off-road riding. They give you the best of both worlds and some can even transform from a regular full-face helmet into a full-on motocross lid, complete with roost guard and vent filters. OK, if you do lots of motorway miles, you’re probably best going for a dedicated full-face helmet, but if you don’t stray into triple figures very often and like hitting the green lanes, then an adventure (or dual-sport) helmet is the way to go. Here’s three of the best we’ve seen – but for more choices, drop on by our Adventure bike helmet pages.

Three of the Best Adventure Bike Helmets

Best Touring Helmets

Of course you can go touring in any old helmet – and there’s some great budget helmets around that would do the job very well indeed. But most folks who go touring have specific needs. Whether that’s a helmet that’ll work well with bluetooth sets, or whether that’s a flip-front helmet to make it easier to talk to pillions (or whether it’s a fantastically sound-proofed helmet so they don’t have to!) – whatever it is, you’ll find three of the best touring helmets below. Or you can click to our sports-touring helmet pages to find loads more.

Three of the Best Touring Helmets

Best Streetbike/Naked Helmets

Here’s three of the best helmets for riding a more upright bike – some might well still work great on a sportsbike or a tourer (so you’ll see some sports and touring helmets in here too), but they’re well suited to the urban environment too. And quite a few will have a damn good go at making you look cool too, which is never a bad thing, right?

Three of the Best Street/Naked Helmets

Best Sportsbike/Track Helmets

If you’re going on the track or off for a fast ride on your sportsbike, you want amazing protection and you want a great view of the road ahead when you’re tucked in. Here’s three of the best-rated sportsbike and track-ready helmets. All of these will do the job admirably, but if you want more of a selection, head on over to our Sportsbike helmets pages.

Three of the Best Sportsbike/Track Helmets

AGV Corsa R Full Face Helmet Review

The AGV Corsa (and revised Corsa-R) is AGVs second-in-line sports/racing crash helmet. The carbon fibre Pista GP-RR was developed alongside Valentino Rossi and is a no holds-barred helmet that’s designed for folks who spend their days on the track or tucked in at high speed. It was also very, very expensive. So AGV created the composite fibre Corsa (carbon/aramid/fibreglass); it’s more or less the same helmet but it’s designed to be a little cheaper (or shall we say less expensive!) and more rider-friendly. It’s still meant for use on the track and with a sports bike, but it’s supposed to be mildly less extreme and easier to live with.

Designed for sportsbike riders
Carbon/fibreglass full face
SHARP 5/5 safety rating
Emergency quick release interior
1.35Kg (light)
Wide, optically correct 3.3mm visor
Great ventilation
Typical price range: £450-£500 (model dependent)

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Corsa or Corsa R?

The Corsa was upgraded slightly in 2017 to become the Corsa-R. The R version has double-sided pads inside the comfort lining (choose between warm or cooling sides) as well as a slightly thicker 5mm visor and uprated ventilation. There’s also EQRS in the R.

Best places to buy an AGV Corsa R?

Please click below to drop onto the AGV Corsa R 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

AGV have an excellent reputation for building safe crash helmets (they’re joint 3rd in our safest helmet brands review). The Corsa is no let down. Its shell is made of a composite of fibreglass, Aramid and carbon fibre and it obviously does its job well because it scored top marks in the SHARP crash helmet test.

AGV Corsa '23' crash helmet design side view — The funky AGV Corsa ’23’ design

Most top-of-the-range lids are manufactured in three helmet shell sizes (different from fitting sizes) but the AGV Corsa comes in four, reflecting AGVs desire to make a lid that fits everyone. It also points to the fact that having a helmet that closely matches your head size is probably safer, having the right ratio of EPS polystyrene padding to shell size.

Another safety feature, that we’ll come onto more in the visor section, is that the visor opening is wide and high – both giving better visibility and hence helping with safety both on the road and track. It’s also much thicker than normal to give added crash protection.

For other safety features, check the Racing section below. But for now, suffice to say in terms of safety, AGV have done a great job.

Helmet Noise

Of course, racers probably aren’t that interested in a super-quiet helmet because they wear ear plugs. And that’s reflected in the Corsa’s relatively poor showing in terms of noise suppression. Sure, it’s got a chin curtain that does cut out some noise, but AGVs focus on ventilation and performance is at the cost of making a helmet that’s noisier than most. Again, if you’re going to be using it on track lots or religiously use ear plugs for every journey, that’s not going to be a deal-breaker for you. But most owners say it’s around average to poor for quietness.

AGV Corsa crash helmet gloss black rear view — Rear of the Corsa in Gloss black – click to enlarge

Size & Comfort

As mentioned previously, the Corsa comes in four shell sizes. That wide variety of shells is echoed in the larger than usual range of internal fitments – from XS to XXL as usual but with two medium sizes instead of the more conventional one – there’s an MS and a ML. The MS being size 57-58 and the ML covering sizes 59-60. So if you buy a Corsa, double check you order the right size.

If that all sounds a bit of a worry, then fear not. Owners are amazed at how well the Corsa fits – and for good reason. The AGV blurb does say that the helmet’s been designed from the inside out – putting the size and shapes of their customer’s head at the centre of the design, rather than creating the shell then fiddling around with the internals so it fits. And while this could be marketing-speak, it is actually reflected in owners’ views with most saying that if it doesn’t fit perfectly out of the box, a little fiddling with the lining can create a great fitting for anyone this side of an ET head shape!

That’s because the helmet liner is both adjustable, using velcro straps to shorten or lengthen it, and has small pockets that allow you to add foam inserts, again to adjust the shape. And by all accounts, it works very well with no problems with fit or comfort once the size and fitment’s correct.

AGV Corsa crash helmet white front view — Front view showing sculpted chin and head aero

The lining itself is made of lycra and Shalimar (weren’t they a 70’s disco outfit?!) and it’s fully removable and washable – though there was a problem with the studs shearing off on early models so be careful when you pop the lining out.

Ventilation

Ventilation is another area where the AGV Corsa is good. If you’re at the track all day, you need lots of ventilation and AGV (using feedback from Rossi and others) have increased the amount of air the vents bring in at race speeds.

Unlike the always-open vents on the Pista GP-R (to be fair, you can push a rubber bung in them!), all vents on the Corsa are closable with a slider. Apparently they’re often a bit stiff at first but work OK after a bit of use and getting used to them, and they bring masses of air through the EPS lining, past the comfort lining and onto the head to keep you cool. There are a couple of rear exhaust vents too to remove the hot air.

Having said all that, reports from owners are that the ventilation’s great, but only when you’re going over 50 and especially when you’ve got your head down in a race tuck – otherwise they’re only average. Many people find the forehead vents very fiddly to operate, especially with gloves too. So overall, ventilation is good, but with a couple of caveats.

Visor

Given that good vision and trouble-free operation is a vital prerequisite for any racer, it’s good to see that AGV have done just about everything right here. The visor aperture itself is wider than normal to give outstanding peripheral vision (in fact one owner said he had to re-calibrate his stopping markers on the track because he could see so much more!) but it’s also taller. That means when you’re tucked in, the top of the visor opening shouldn’t get in the way of your vision.

AGV Corsa crash helmet velocity side view — The most popular design is the velocity – this one’s the white/black/red

Which is a great touch and really shows they listen to their customers – or rather it would do if it wasn’t for a couple of potential flies in the ointment. I know I’ve found this myself in the past, but fitting a Pinlock to the visor (it’s Pinlock anti-fog ready) then getting in your race-tuck, the top of the Pinlock can get in the way and obscure your vision. Secondly, it’s been said that the top edge of the visor can distort a little, again reducing the effective viewing angle. It needs saying that it’s only one or two owners which report these problems, but it’s worth being aware. I’d expect that AGV have sorted both these flaws by now since the helmet’s been on the market for a good few months at the time of writing.

That last problem is slightly perplexing (perspexing?) because the visor on the Corsa is an optical class one visor, meaning it’s manufactured to be optically true without distortion, so maybe it was a bad batch that got circulated. It’s also a 3.3mm visor which is much thicker than normal and designed to offer extra protection during a crash – and it has a central locking mechanism to stop it flipping open too. Nice.

The Corsa’s visor is fitted with both Pinlock anti-fog pins (in the UK it should come with one in the box so double check before you buy) as well as pins for tear-offs. It also has a really nice quick-release mechanism; just crack open the visor, pull a tab and out it pops. To insert the visor, it just clicks in to place at either side.

Racing

The Corsa is, of course, designed to work for racers. So there’s lots of features that racers will appreciate. Not only does the Corsa look cool, but it’s designed to be stable while riding at speed. It has a small front area where it attacks the air to reduce wind resistance and channels the air over the helmet and towards a rear spoiler. The spoiler has the dual purpose of reducing helmet lift and directing air over the rear hump of your race suit. It’s also designed to break off in an accident rather than dig in and rotate the helmet, which is a great touch.

Not only is the helmet’s aero designed to work with the hump of your suit, but the bottom edge is shaped to reduce the possibility of collar bone fracture in the event of a fall. There’s no information as to whether this works, but it’s good to know AGV have thought it through. It might just make the difference between pulling yourself up out of the gravel trap and dusting yourself down – or a lengthy/miserable trip to hospital.

AGV Corsa crash helmet Rossi Misano side view — Valentino Rossi’s Misano Corsa

Looks & Graphics

If you’re paying top dollar for a race lid, you want all the technical aspects to be covered of course, but you also want it to look the business too. Well, AGV seem to have done it right because the Corsa looks lean and purposeful. And while there’s only a limited number of graphics available – and they’re very much down to personal preference – the fact that both Valentino Rossi and Guy Martin use one (OK they use a Pista GP but they look the same!) and the fact the Corsa is available in both Rossi and Guy Martin’s colours is going to add to the Corsa’s kudos. AGV do a plain gloss black & white version, as well as a couple of Rossi graphics (Soleluna and the funky Misano) and the recent Guy Martin replica (at the top of the page) but most options are a variant on their popular Velocity colour scheme.

Best places to buy an AGV Corsa R helmet?

Please click below to drop onto the AGV Corsa R 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).

AGV Corsa Video

Here’s a completely independent and unbiased video (ahem) from AGV UK showing the AGV Corsa Italy. It’s worth a watch though as it does give you a feel for the helmet and explains many of the features of the lid.

Other stuff – fasteners & weight

The Corsa comes with a double-d ring locking mechanism on the strap and ACU Gold sticker to show it’s good for use on the track. A medium sized helmet weighs in at 1.35Kg making it a very light helmet – most owners are surprised just how light the Corsa is.

Useful helmet buying information

You can find useful articles and resources to help you buy the right crash helmet and get the right fitting here.

Overall

The AGV Corsa R is a great helmet for racers and fast sportsbike owners. It’s been designed to be a more user-friendly and cheaper version of the Pista-GP, their top of the range track-only lid. And it works. The amount of thought and attention gone into safety is second to none. It’s comfortable, has great aero and ventilation and its visor system works very well on the track. As long as you don’t have niggles with the visor (see the visor section above) and can live with its uncompromising nature (and the price) then you’ll be very happy with the Corsa R – one of the best sportsbike crash helmets around.

You can check out reviews of other AGV crash helmets here.

Best places to buy an AGV Corsa R?

Please click below to drop onto the AGV Corsa R 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).

Definitely want an AGV?

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

Star Ratings

Schuberth C3 Pro (and C3 Pro Woman) crash helmet review

Schuberth C3 Pro in Observer Yellow colours

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Schuberth C3 Pro crash helmet. A high quality (and higher-priced) modular helmet.

In a similar way to other German engineering companies, Schuberth have grown a reputation for producing high quality, well-built and more premium-priced products. They have classic, well-designed looks and with high profile F1 sponsorships stretching back to Michael Schumacher and beyond, they’ve established themselves as a very much premium crash helmet brand.

The similarities with other German companies doesn’t end there either. In the same way a BMWs 3 GS undergoes evolutionary improvements rather than massive wholesale changes, the C3 Pro is an evolutionary development of the original C3, with Schuberth looking to address some of the problems reported by owners of the previous model. They’ve also added a ladies version to the range too with the aim of fine tuning the fitment to the female face shape.

So is this sporty flip-up helmet worth its premium price and does it live up to the hype?

Overall/Summary

The Schuberth C3 Pro is a beautifully crafted but slightly flawed motorcycle helmet. Build quality is exemplary and it’s a hugely comfortable place to put your head; and it’s made from carefully selected, quality materials. It’s also pleasing on the eye, light for a modular and has great aero qualities with excellent buffeting and turbulence performance reported by owners. However, some of the design goals of creating a sporty, quiet, safe helmet haven’t been quite met. It achieved only an average 3 star SHARP safety score, and isn’t as real-world quiet as some of the press would have you believe.

Having said that, it’s still an easy crash helmet to live with which most owners love and, with its long manufacturer’s warranty, should keep you happy through years of solid service.

Schuberth-C3-Pro-crash-helmet-fluo-yellow-open — With chin guard fully raised on the C3 Pro Fluo Yellow

3 stars SHARP safety rated
A modular aimed at sportier riders
5 year warranty
Fibreglass shell
1.57Kg (lightweight for a flip-up helmet)
Sizes XXS-XXXL
Expect to pay between £330-£550 (depending on design/retailer)

Safety

The most important feature of any crash helmet is its ability to protect the head in an accident, right?

The Schuberth C3 Pro has a fibreglass composite shell that’s designed to be light yet durable. It has, of course, been ECE 22.05 tested/approved for sale in Europe, like all helmets must be. But it’s also been independently SHARP safety tested in the UK where it scored 3 stars out of a maximum 5. That’s a fairly average score for such an obviously thoroughly designed and well-engineered helmet. It performed pretty badly on the side impact tests and was less than glowing on the rear impact tests too which is disappointing.

Schuberth-C3-Pro-motorcycle-helmet-intensity-black — Intensity Black design

On the plus side, where many flip-up helmets fall down is that they fail to keep their chin guard closed and locked through all the tests. In the C3 Pro’s case, the chin guard stayed fully locked in 97% of impacts, which is a very good score (see our crash helmet safety guide to find out which brands score 100%).

Other safety-related features: both visors are very clear and optically correct, helping reduce eye fatigue. And the micrometric chin strap is not only easy to use but safe too.

All in all, the Schuberth C3 Pro probably isn’t going to give you the same level of protection as some of our SHARP 5 star tested crash helmets, and is about average compared with most other SHARP tested helmets on the market.

Looking to buy a Schuberth?

We recommend SportsBikeShop (UK) for competitive prices, free delivery and 365 day returns backed by outstanding reviews. We also recommend GetGeared (UK) who offer free delivery (and free 365 day returns) and who get very good online reviews for service too.

Or if you'd prefer to buy from Germany in Euros, Motoin are a quality operation with decent prices and great review scores. Or you can click through to the Roof helmets pages at Amazon if you prefer to buy from there.

Please see here for more info on our recommended stores or click the links to go straight to their Roof helmets pages.

Helmet Noise

One of the big features Schuberth highlights about the C3 Pro in its marketing bumf is that its one of the quietest helmets in the world. Indeed, Schuberth uses wind-tunnel testing when creating their helmets, not only to make sure they’re streamlined to reduce rolling resistance and buffeting but to ensure their helmets are quiet for the rider.

And it’s worked. Kinda. Some owners say it’s incredibly quiet while others say they’re disappointed. So what’s going on?

As far as I can work out, if you keep the removable chin curtain in place (which reduces sound ingress from below) and keep the vents closed, it’s mostly pretty quiet. That’s especially true if you’re riding a naked bike or your head’s in clear air. Throw in turbulence from a fairing however or open the vents/remove the chin guard and things can get pretty noisy.

As usual, it’s also very much dependent on what your previous helmet was too. If you’re used to riding with a sports helmet (where noise suppression is usually secondary to light weight or increased ventilation for example) then you’ll most likely love how quiet and serene the C3 Pro is. Conversely if your last helmet was a well-padded touring helmet, then you might not be so impressed.

Of course, flip-up helmets are broadly much noisier than the equivalent full-face helmet (so if quiet’s important to you, go for a full face). However, we rate helmet noise across the types of helmet and, from what owners are saying, the C3 Pro is only about average for keeping things quiet.

Schuberth-C3-Pro-crash-helmet-racing-red — Lovely Racing Red version

Size

The Schuberth C3 Pro is made in a massive range of fitment sizes; from XXS to XXXL (though XXXL is special order only), which is great for those of us struggling to find a really small or large helmet as most only come in sizes XS – XXL.

However, the C3 Pro is only constructed in two shell sizes. You’d expect more shell sizes for a helmet at this price point – most premium helmets are made in at least three shell sizes and we’re starting to see some made in four shell sizes. Just two shells isn’t a good thing because it means they have to over or under-pad the helmet to make it fit the various fitment sizes which can leave the helmet looking proportionally too big or too small on the rider and, arguably, it might compromise safety levels too.

If you’re looking to order a C3 Pro, it’s also worth noting that owners say Schuberth’s sizing is generally a little under-sized, so if in doubt or you’re usually in between sizes, order a size above your usual helmet size. Having said that, Schuberth do offer replacement cheek pads to allow you to fine tune the fitment.

And of course, this padding is further developed in the C3 Pro Woman version which is, and I quote; ‘optimised for smaller head shapes and takes into account the particular female face shape with special cushioning in the area of the cheeks.’ Ahem. So, if you’re a lady and you have a problem finding a helmet to fit snugly, it might be worth giving the C3 Pro Woman a shot.

Ventilation

Schuberth-C3-Pro-venting-system — Ventilation routing of the C3 Pro

Improved ventilation is another area Schuberth have worked hard on and their literature does throw lots of factoids about how many gallons of air they scoop up and blow into the helmet.

The C3 Pro has a single chin vent operated by a very easy to use toggle switch and a slider on the top of the helmet to open the forehead vents – again which is easy to use.

However, there’s mixed feelings about how well the vents actual perform. Broadly, it can be summarised as OK. They pull enough air in to keep you cool in the summer, though some owners suspect that opening the vents does increase noise inside the helmet. And in the winter, a few riders do complain that the ventilation doesn’t really pull enough air into the visor area as they find steaming a problem – a couple of people even complaining about it when they’ve got a Pinlock fitted!

Visor

The Schuberth C3 Pro comes with a clear external visor and a drop down sun visor.

The main visor is an ‘optical class 1’ visor which means it’s created to be as optically clear and distortion free as possible – and owners report that if you’ve not worn a class 1 visor before, it’s really noticeably better. It has a couple of tabs at the bottom which is a great idea and allows riders (and pillions) to easily open the visor from either side. It also has small triangular shapes protruding from the top of the visor called turbulators – there, according to Schuberth, to reduce wind noise and whistling. Nobody’s really sure if they work and the occasional owner has reported annoying whistling from their C3 Pro so it’s anybody’s guess whether it’s an improvement or gimmick (let’s face it, nobody else seems to use them).

Schuberth-C3-Pro-dark-classic-orange-side-view — Moody C3 Pro Dark in classic orange

There are also one or two reports of visors not sealing so well against the rain but other than that, the main visor has a nice positive feel, works on a ratchet and has an excellent tool-free quick removal system.

The internal sun visor works well too. It’s a polycarbonate anti-scratch sun visor (not all are) and drops down lower than the visor on the previous C3 model after improvement in response to rider feedback. People who owned the previous model also complained it had a tendency to rattle or slam closed – something fixed on the C3 Pro. Nice one Schuberth!

A final note on the visor is that it comes with a Pinlock Original anti-fog insert in the box, which is great. The only slight issue is that because the C3 Pro is a sportier helmet, if you do ride a sportsbike with a C3 Pro in a tuck position, you may well find the top of the Pinlock drops into your line of sight – which can get irritating.

Chin Guard

There’s no problems reported with the chin guard on the Schuberth C3 Pro either. As mentioned, it’s (almost) as safe as houses in that it remained locked in 97% of impact tests in the SHARP labs and that’s probably down to the solid metal locking mechanism and tabs.

It’s a particularly impressive score because you only need to press a single button to unlock the Schuberth chin guard (many need a squeeze of two buttons) which makes the C3 Pro particularly easy to open with one hand.

Worth noting is that the C3 Pro isn’t dual homologated (i.e. licensed for use as both an open faced and full faced helmet) like some system helmets are. It probably doesn’t mean you’ll have problems from the fuzz riding with the chin guard up, but it’s worth being aware that it might not be as safe using it as an open face helmet as a dual homologated helmet will be.

Comfort

Schuberth have put a great deal of effort into making the inside of the C3 Pro as comfortable and high-performing as possible – and it’s worked. Quite a few owners comment just how nice and plush the inside is and how all-day comfortable it is.

Schuberth use high quality materials inside. That includes ‘Coolmax’ panels, designed to regulate temperature, and Interpower coatings designed to wick sweat away from the head.

Also, for the first time we’ve seen in a helmet, the internal materials are Oeko-Tek approved. That’s a certification used to ensure fabrics that come into contact with people don’t contain harmful substances; the more closely they come into contact, the more stringent the approval process. So if you wear your lid every day or you have particularly sensitive skin (not that us bikers are concerned with such namby pamby stuff 🙂 ) then it might be a tick in the box for you.

The previous generation of C3 had problems with quite a few riders complaining about pressure points on the forehead. That area’s been reshaped and most owners reckon it’s a great improvement. However, getting the basics right is still no less important. So, if you’re unused to the world of motorbike crash helmets, check our crash helmet fitting guide first).

Looks & Graphics

Because it’s aimed at sports riders, the C3 Pro is streamlined and physically a little smaller than many other modular helmets. It’s a looker though and its clean and classy designs and paint schemes nicely complement Schuberth’s reserved and conservative image.

Schuberth-C3-Pro-woman-pearl-pink — Schuberth C3 Pro Woman in Pearl Pink

All the usual plain colour schemes are available along with nice Racing Red, Gloss Silver and high-viz Fluo Yellow versions. The Dark Classic versions have a hint of swoopy red or orange lines while the Intensity (black or blue) has a classic and moody look.

The C3 Pro Woman (right) comes in Gloss (Pearl) white, Matt Black and Pearl Pink.

You’ll see all the designs available at the time of writing dotted around this page – but to see all the latest colour schemes and graphics, click the links to our recommended retailers (below) which will drop you straight onto their Schuberth pages.

Video

To get a bit more ‘hands on’ with the C3 Pro, here’s a quick demonstration from Schuberth’s UK distributors at TranAm.

Other stuff – build quality, fasteners, glasses, buffeting, communicator

One overriding comment from owners of the C3 Pro is that it has great build quality. They use quality parts, careful construction and their QA process seems to work well so that you get a beautifully crafted and well engineered helmet that should last.

As mentioned, the C3 Pro comes with a micrometric fastener on the chin strap. That’s fine – they’re quick to use and safe. Schuberth have also moved the strap forwards a bit from the original C3 in response to some owners complaining it cuts into the neck a bit. So if that was a problem for you, you should find the C3 Pro is a bit more comfortable.

Similarly, there’s a bit more clearance for glasses wearers between glasses and the visor/chin guard now – another thing Schuberth listened and improved.

It’s also worth mentioning that it looks like the time spent in the wind tunnel by Schuberth’s designers was well spent, because lots of owners say the C3 Pro is a really stable helmet with very little buffeting or turbulence at speed.

Schuberth-C3-Pro-SRC-communicator — Schuberth SRC communicator controls clip to the underside of the helmet

Many owners of more expensive helmets like to add communication systems to them, and Schuberth have gone to town on integrating their Schuberth Rider Communication SRC System (apparently created for Schuberth by Cardo Systems) with the C3 Pro. The control unit of the SRC clips snugly onto the base of the helmet while the speakers and microphone are designed to fit without fuss. The main trick up the C3 Pro’s sleeve though is that Schuberth have pre-installed two antennas into the fabric of each helmet, designed to offer excellent range and signal quality (apparently their length is ideal for FM signal reception).

Word is that it’s excellent and, for rider-to-rider communications (up to 9 riders) has an effective line-of-sight range of about 1000 metres, give or take. Schuberth retailers (including those linked to below) offer a single package of C3 Pro together with SRC kit.

And finally, it’s a big wodge of money that Schuberth want for the C3 Pro. So it’s comforting to know that it comes with their standard 5 year manufacturer’s guarantee (you need to register your helmet on the Schuberth website to activate it).

Best place to buy a Schuberth crash helmet?

First off, we suggest you check out SportsBikeShop. They're based in the UK, offer free delivery with 365 day refunds, have really competitive prices (they'll price match too) and offer outstanding service (9.8/10 on Trustpilot at the time of writing).

GetGeared are another recommended UK retailer, with free delivery, a no-quibble 365 day returns policy (with free return postage) and scoring 4.8/5 on eKomi at the time of writing.

Motoin are based in Germany, have decent Euro prices and get great feedback (4.9 and 4.5 out of 5 on Idealo and eTrustedshops at the time of writing) though note, there's a delivery charge to ship outside of Germany, so factor that in (see here for details).

Or you can jump through to the Schuberth helmets pages at Amazon if you prefer to buy from there - but make sure you only buy from the most reputable sellers.

Please click any picture/link to drop onto their Schuberth helmets pages. 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). Click here for more info on our recommended retailers.

Click above to drop onto their Schuberth helmets pages or *quick view retailer T&Cs here.

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

There’s plenty of modular helmets out there to choose from. That includes the SHARP 5 star rated Caberg Tourmax (about half the price of the Schuberth), Shoei’s top of the range Neotec modular which is SHARP 4 star safety rated and well worth a look; and the Nolan 104 which is another four star rated modular helmet. Alternatively, click to see all our flip-up crash helmet reviews or visit our top 10 modular crash helmets page.

Definitely want a Schuberth?

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

Star Ratings

Shark Skwal 2 Motorbike Helmet: a great all rounder with built-in LEDs

Page Contents

Shark Skwal 2 review: a mid-priced polycarbonate street helmet with LEDs

The original Skwal helmet has only been with us a couple of years but Shark has decided it’s time for a revamp.

Which is a bit surprising, since the first Skwal is both highly rated by owners and scored well in the SHARP helmet safety test, so should offer great accident protection too.

In our original Skwal 1 helmet review, it scored 3.9 out of 5 stars overall, with the only thing that really let the helmet down being the fact that it was a bit noisy; though of course that’s not a deal breaker for most of us who wear ear plugs.

However, that was one of the goals Shark had for the Skwal 2 – to improve soundproofing along with tweaking the aerodynamics to improve stability. They also say they’ve brightened up the LEDs that you’ll find front and rear on the Skwal 2.

So let’s have a look over what the new Shark Skwal 2 has to offer for its slightly heftier price tag.

Thermoplastic full face helmet
SHARP 4 star safety rated
Integrated LEDs front and rear
Drop down sun visor
Pinlock Max Vision antifog insert included
Micrometric fastener
Internal groove for glasses
5 year warranty
Sizes XS-XL
Weighs around 1.5Kg
Ride Magazine Best Buy (D-Skwal 2)
Expect to pay £190-£230 (depending on graphics)

Best places to buy a Shark Skwal?

Please click below to visit the Shark Skwal 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).

shark-skwal-2-switch-rider-helmet-side-view — The Shark Skwal 2 Switch Rider

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

The old Skwal did very well in the SHARP safety test, scoring a very creditable 4/5 stars.

Of course, the main helmet test in Europe that every helmet has to pass is the ECE 22-05 test and the Skwal 2 has passed that too.

In the last Skwal helmet review, we commented that every polycarbonate Shark helmet has scored at least four stars in the SHARP test (at least, for the last few years they have).

Well, now SHARP has tested this latest Skwal too – and guess what? Yup, the Skwal 2 has scored four stars for safety as well!

Which I guess isn’t surprising, not least of which because the Shark Skwal 2 shares a similar (albeit tweaked) helmet shell shape and similar internals to the original Skwal.

shark skwal 2 sharp impact test results — Skwal 2 Impact zone SHARP ratings courtesy of & copyright sharp.dft.gov.uk

As you can see on the Skwal 2 SHARP test results diagram, the Skwal 2 gives slightly less impact protection on the sides during the 8.5m/s impact test.

That’s a fairly common flaw tbh – if a helmet’s going to have a weakness, it tends to be on the sides.

But overall, it’s a decent result and means you can probably rely on the Skwal 2 to do its job if the worst happens and you hit the deck.

Other than these lab tests, there’s a bunch of other features that the Skwal 2 has that help with safety.

The most obvious of these with the Skwal 2 is the continued use of LED lights front and rear that we saw with the Skwal 1.

The Skwal 2 has new brighter LEDs than the old helmet and of course they’re powered by a similar integrated battery pack that’s charged by an (included) USB charger.

shark-skwal-2-flynn-motorbike-helmet-front-view — Front view of the Skwal 2 Flynn. LEDs are in green.

If you’re looking for the lights on the photos, you can see them in green: one pair above the visor and another pair below at the front of the helmet. There’s another pair to the rear too, just below the rear spoiler.

According to owners, the LEDs are nice and bright (much brighter than on the Skwal 1), can work on either full-on or flashing modes and don’t take very long to charge (around 20-30 minutes).

The only downside is that it’s tricky to find the button to turn them on while you’re riding – and even if you do find it, it’s impossible to know whether you’ve turned them on until you either stop or look in your mirrors.

Other safety features include a quick-release micrometric fastener on the strap and a Pinlock Max Vision insert to keep your vision fog-free (included in the box).

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

Owners of the first gen Skwal rated it at somewhere between average to noisy when it comes to helmet noise, depending on who you asked.

Well, Shark reckon they’ve improved the ‘autoseal’ visor system and revised the aerodynamics on the new helmet: all with a view to make the Skwal 2 both more stable and quieter.

Did it work? Well, there’s still a massively mixed range of opinions out there, with some owners still saying it’s a noisy helmet or okay as long as you’re wearing ear plugs.

Looking across the range of opinions though, there’s definitely more saying they find it either quieter than their last helmet(s_ or just plain quiet.

Overall then, we’ll score the Shark Skwal 2 as being slightly quieter than your average helmet, but still not what you’d call a really quiet helmet.

So, Shark has managed to improve things slightly over the original Skwal, just as they claim.

But don’t expect to ride in a Skwal 2 without ear plugs (obviously, the same goes for any helmet if you’re doing anything more than a handful of urban, low speed miles).

shark-skwal-2-motorcycle-helmet-trion-yellow-black-rear-view — Rear vents, spoiler and LEDs on the Skwal 2 Trion

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

The Skwal 2 has a single chin vent and a single forehead vent operated by a small slider.

That’s more or less the same system as we saw in the Skwal 1 where it was seen as basic but working reasonably well.

And the word on the ventilation system on the Skwal 2 is that it’s pretty similar.

It flows a reasonable amount of air but it’s nothing to shout home about. A few owners reckon it could be improved and there’s a couple saying that the chin vent is a bit flimsy – although to be fair that’s pretty much the only moan that we’ve found more than one owner having about the Skwal 2.

So, if you’re a hot-head and need a helmet to keep you cool in the summer, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you’re a typical Euro-rider then it might not bother you too much.

One thing that’s really welcome is the addition of a Pinlock Max Vision anti-fog insert (‘free’ in the box) to help out the ventilation around the visor and keep things from misting up in all but the most intense situations.

Visor

(more about visors)

The visor system on the Skwal 2 is both quick release and, as mentioned, comes with a Pinlock Max vision anti-fog insert in the box.

The visor works on a ratchet with the opening tab on the left hand side only.

shark-skwal-2-lorenzo-helmet-side-view — Light-up Lorenzo Rep

Shark reckon they’ve improved the visor system to make for a tighter fit and to improve aerodynamics. And most owners seem to agree saying the seal’s nice and tight and the visor’s easy to use.

And the inclusion of a Pinlock Max Vision (the anti-fog insert that covers almost the entire internal surface of the visor) is really welcome as they’re one of the best ways to keep your visor fog-free.

For more information on Pinlocks click here. Or to find other helmets that are either Pinlock-ready or come with a Pinlock included click here.

Sun Visor

(more about sun visors)

There’s a drop-down sun visor on the Shark Skwal 2 which is operated by rotating the pointy dial you can see on the left hand side of the visor pivot.

The main thing to say about the sun visor on the Skwal 2 is that several owners say it’s great how low the sun visor drops down to cover all your vision.

Over the years, we’ve come across lots of comments about sun visors complaining that they leave a bright stripe at the bottom because they don’t drop down low enough.

So, if that’s one of your bug bears, then the Skwal 2 might be the first helmet that sorts things out for you.

If you’ve not tried a helmet with a sun visor, we recommend them as they’re mighty convenient.

The sun visor on the Shark Skwal 2 offers UV 380 protection. That’s the current European standard level and should cut out all potentially damaging UV rays.

Having said that, your standard clear polycarbonate visor will cut out anywhere between 90-99% of UV light. So the addition of a sun visor should cut out the rest and, of course, make it easier to ride in bright sunlight!

shark-skwal-2-motorcycle-helmet-gloss-white-rear-view — Wanna be seen? Try a gloss-white Skwal 2

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

Inside the Skwal 2, there’s a fully removable/washable comfort lining that contains glasses grooves to comfortably accommodate glasses stems.

Shark use a bamboo-based material inside too. That’s a nice soft lining that’s both antibacterial/hypoallergenic and helps with moisture (sweat) wicking.

The last Skwal was universally liked for being a comfortable helmet and the Skwal 2 is no different, with lots and lots of owners saying it’s a mega comfortable helmet that feels soft and plush inside.

Just note it’s designed for people with medium oval head shapes, so if your head’s longer or rounder you might find you get a few pressure points.

A few owners do reckon to get the right size, your new Skwal 2 needs to feel a bit too tight when you first buy it – but it will soften up over the first few weeks to fit perfectly.

Just make sure you follow our fitting guide to make sure you measure your head correctly and know what to look for when you receive your new helmet.

Looks & Graphics

Shark launched the Skwal 2 with a cracking range of graphics – including a Lorenzo rep and the usual range of plain black and white versions.

shark-skwal-2-motorbike-helmet-warhen-side-view — Classy Shark Skwal 2 Warhen

You’ll find examples of some of these up and down the page but for the latest graphics and Shark Skwal deals, please click the links to our recommended motorcycle gear and helmet retailers below.

Best places to buy a Shark Skwal?

Please click below to visit the Shark Skwal 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).

Shark Skwal 2 Video

7m video looking around the Skwal 2 at Revzilla.

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

The Skwal 2 comes with a micrometric fastener (they’re safe and really easy to use).

https://billyscrashhelmets.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/shark-skwal-2-draghal-motorbike-helmet-front-view.jpg — Shark Skwal 2 Draghal

It’s designed to be Sharktooth bluetooth communicator ready. But if you don’t have Shark’s own bluetooth system, it does mean there are speaker pockets in there and it should work with many 3rd party intercom kits.

According to one owner, the speaker pockets are very generous and the helmet’s comfy even with aftermarket speakers fitted.

The Skwal 2 weighs around 1.5kg – that’s about the average weight for a full face helmet so you shouldn’t have any problems there.

A couple of owners said it feels nice and light weight while you’re wearing it too.

If you wear glasses – or like to wear sunglasses – then there’s a glasses groove inside the Skwal 2 which a number of owners say accommodates their glasses nicely. One owner commented that the sun visor drops down and easily clears his glasses, so all’s good on the glasses front.

The aero on the Skwal 2 is generally thought to be very good with little buffeting or lift reported. One owner riding a naked bike said there’s no tugging on the helmet even when doing head-checks at speed.

Build quality is something that lots of folks commended the Shark Skwal 2 on. Apart from a couple of complaints about a slightly flimsy chin vent, several owners said it has that premium helmet feel and is well put together.

Every Shark helmet comes with a five year warranty.

Overall/Summary

The Shark Skwal range has established itself as a great all-rounder.

The LEDs may be a novelty or they may be a serious safety feature depending on how you look at them. But either way, Shark has made evolutionary improvements from the original Skwal helmet and the Skwal 2 is now way more than just ‘the helmet with the LEDs on’ but a well built, well featured all-rounder helmet.

The Skwal 2 has brighter LED lights, improved aero which reduces buffeting and lift and has helped reduce noise levels to make the new helmet above average in terms of noise attenuation.

shark-skwal-2-motorcycle-helmet-hiya-graphics-pink-black-rear-view — Rear view of the Skwal 2 Hiya

All that’s topped with a slightly redesigned visor system, a larger than average drop down sun visor and that excellent SHARP 4 star safety rating.

All in all if you’re after a quality all rounder helmet with a great visor system – and like the idea of children pointing and staring at your LED-festooned noggin as you ride by – then the Skwal 2 might well be the helmet for you.

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.

Good Alternatives to the Shark Skwal 2?

There’s a stack of great alternatives to the Shark Skwal 2 – unless of course you’re after a helmet with built in LEDs in which case the only alternative is the old Shark Skwal 1!

For about the same price as the Skwal, there’s HJCs very awesome FG-ST. That scores maximum marks for safety, has a sun visor, comes with a Pinlock Max vision and is a fantastic all-rounder.

If you’d rather keep your dosh in your back pocket, then take a look at the more budget MT Thunder 3. It’s half the price of the Skwal yet scores 4 stars for safety too.

Or, if you can stretch your budget a bit further than the Shark and want something a bit sportier, then the Bell Star entry level helmet might be spot on. SHARP 5 star safety rated, good ventilation, pretty quiet (for a sportsbike helmet!), light and owners love em.

For other alternatives – check out our Smart Filters page to quickly zoom in on your ideal helmet.

Best places to buy a Shark Skwal?

Please click below to visit the Shark Skwal 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).

Definitely want a Shark?

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

HJC CL-Y kids/youth/ladies motorcycle helmet review

Page Contents

A Helmet for Kids or Ladies with Smaller Heads – Review of the HJC CL-Y

The HJC CL-Y has been designed specially for people with smaller heads. Which means it’s ideal for children or ladies with smaller heads.

It’s a lightweight polycarbonate helmet that’s available in kids Small Medium and Large sizes (see more about fitment in the comfort and sizing section below).

Other than that, it’s a fully-functional full face helmet. And while it’s a reasonably basic helmet, without some of the bells and whistles you get on helmets costing three times the price, that’s reflected in the CL-Ys low price.

Polycarbonate Full face Helmet
Designed for people with smaller heads – kids/ladies
Quick release visor
Light weight
Good for glasses wearers
Available in kids S, M, L sizes (49-55cms)
3 year warranty
Expect to pay £90-£100

Best places to buy an HJC CL-Y?

Please click below to visit the HJC CL-Y 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

(more about helmet safety)

HJC-CLY-Solid-Black-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Solid Black HJC CL-Y

The HJC CL-Y is of course ECE 22/05 certified in Europe and DOT certified in the US which means, like any other helmet legally on sale, it’ll offer a decent minimum level of protection.

HJC hasn’t released many details about the helmet construction of the CLY, other than saying it’s an advanced polycarbonate construction.

But looking at the features, HJC has designed it with a wide visor port for good peripheral vision, and it’s got multi-density shock absorbing lining which is similar to that found in a wide range of helmets, including some of the best performing.

A few owners also said because the shell size of the CL-Y is nice and compact, it feels very light weight when wearing it. That’s great for safety too as the lighter the helmet, the smaller the inertial forces acting on the head and neck during an accident.

Other than taking a look over what safety features a helmet offers, we usually look at a helmet’s SHARP rating.

Unfortunately, the HJC CL-Y hasn’t been tested by SHARP yet. And if we look at all the polycarbonate full face HJC helmets tested by SHARP to date, their scores are very much a mixed bag. For example, the most recently tested HJC polycarbonate helmet, the HJC IS-17, scored full marks with five stars; though the one before that, the HJC TR-1 scored a lowly two stars out of five.

Of all the helmet brands that SHARP has tested so far, HJC currently lies in 13th position with an average score of 3.1 stars out of 5.

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

Helmet noise levels are very subjective (click the link above to find why). But the HJC CL-Y does have some features you’d normally associate with keeping noise to a minimum in a full face helmet.

HJC-CLY-Striker-blue-grey-crash-helmet-rear-view — Rear view of the CL-Y Striker in blue showing rear exhaust vents

That includes a large neck roll and chin curtain to stop noise entering from below. And there’s a range of swappable internals to keep things nice and tight and well padded inside the helmet (read more in the comfort section below).

But from the opinions we’ve been able to find online, owners of the HJC CL-Y seem find it about average for helmet noise – with some finding it reasonably quiet and others a bit noisy (especially with noise entering from below).

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

The HJC CL-Y has a single chin vent and a pair of forehead vents on the front of the helmet. They’re matched to a couple of always-open rear exhaust vents at the rear.

The chin vent is closeable with a central switch and this vent directs air onto the back of the visor to help with de-misting. To help ventilation out in the chin area, there’s also a couple of always-open vents on each side of the chin guard.

The forehead vents are covered by sliders and allow air into the main part of the helmet, with air venting in through the shell and into channels in the shock absorbing lining. Stale air is then vented out of the back through the rear exhaust vents.

The word from owners is that venting into the main part of the helmet is good, though it’s a shame that the visor isn’t at least Pinlock-ready because some say it can fog up pretty easily. However, those forehead vents do pull in a decent amount of air, so you shouldn’t get too sweaty during normal riding.

HJC-CLY-Boost-pink-black-motorcycle-crash-helmet-top-view — This one’s the HJC CL-Y Boost in Pink

Visor

(more about visors)

Apart from the lack of a Pinlock anti-fog, the visor on the CLY does everything you could reasonably hope for from a basic helmet.

It works on a ratchet, allowing you to open the visor in four different positions.

It also has a quick-release visor mechanism, called QuickSlide by HJC. It’s easy to use too – open the visor, push the lever and out pops the visor.

And finally, it has fairly wide eye-port giving decent peripheral vision – something that’s well worth having as a safety feature.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

The inside of the HJC CL-Y is decent quality.

It’s fully removable and washable – just pull out the cheek guards to release the poppers and out it comes.

And if you find the helmet doesn’t quite fit exactly right, there are replacement liners and cheek pads available from HJC to fine-tune the fit.

HJC-CLY-solid-gloss-white-motorcycle-crash-helmet-side-view — Solid gloss white CL-Y

Overall though, owners say their HJC CL-Ys feel both really light and very comfortable.

Sizing should be about right as well – though we’ve found a slight sizing difference between US and EU models – at least on the HJC websites.

If you’re buying in the UK or EU, sizes seem to be one down over US fitments:

UK/EU sizes – small 50-51, medium 52-53, Large 54-55 (XS standard adult is size 53-54)

US sizes – small 49-50, medium 51-52, large 53-54

All in all, assuming you follow a helmet fitting guide and buy the correct helmet size, you shouldn’t have any problems with comfort in the HJC CL-Y.

Looks & Graphics

You’ll find all the latest helmet designs by clicking the links through to our recommended helmet retailers below: though we’ve put some of the most popular designs at the time of writing up and down this page.

HJC-CLY-flame-face-orange-black-crash-helmet-side-view — Striking Flame Face CL-Y

If you’re after something plain, there’s a plain solid gloss black and white available, and for most of the designs you’ll find on this page, HJC offer a variety of colour choices.

So, if there’s anything you fancy but want it in a different colour – or just want to find the latest deals from a bunch of reputable retailers, please click our links below.

Best places to buy an HJC CL-Y?

Please click below to visit the HJC CL-Y 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).

HJC CL-Y Video

Here’s a 4m video taking you around an HJC CL-Y (Tableau graphics).

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

The CL-Y comes with a micrometric fastener.

It’s designed with internal speaker pockets to fit your bluetooth speakers. And while we’ve no word on exactly how good or deep they are, one owner said the helmet worked just fine to fit their Sena SMH10.

HJC-CLY-Striker-red-black-white-crash-helmet-side-view — CL-Y Striker in red, black, white

The CL-Y is a compact helmet that’s nice and light weight according to owners – and it’s got an internal glasses groove in the lining so should accommodate your glasses stems no problem.

As for build quality: it’s a relatively low price helmet so that’s gotta be taken into account when assessing build quality. Having said that, many owners are very happy with the quality of the CL-Y. A few have reported that the breath guard is very fragile and breaks quickly. But otherwise, the say the materials, fit and finish is excellent and it fells very good quality throughout.

And finally, the HJC CL-Y comes with a 3 year manufacturer’s warranty.

Overall/Summary

If you need to buy a helmet for a child – or if you’re someone with a smaller than average head – then a helmet like the HJC CL-Y might be just the ticket.

HJC-CLY-Simtic-red-black-white-crash-helmet-top-view — Top view of the CL-Y Simtic

It’s a relatively basic helmet – there’s no Pinlock anti-fog or drop down sun visor for example. But that means it comes at a relatively low price too.

And it’ll do most of what you need from a helmet – with decent ventilation and a comfortable interior, not to mention an easy to use quick-release visor system too.

It hasn’t been safety tested by any third party safety testing bodies (such as SHARP or Snell), but it is ECE tested/certified.

And, importantly, there a decent range of lady- and child-friendly designs and colour schemes. Well, we all want our helmets to look great, don’t we?!

So all in all, whether you’re after a helmet for your little-un or you’re struggling to find a helmet to fit your under-sized bonce, the HJC CL-Y is worth checking out.

Best places to buy an HJC CL-Y?

Please click below to visit the HJC CL-Y 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).

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.

Star Ratings

Review of the Bell Stars – the Bell Star, Race Star and Pro Star crash helmets

bell-star-pro-star-race-star-helmet-featured

The Bell Star Sportsbike Helmets Review: the Bell Star, Race Star & Pro Star

Bell has been making Star helmets for a long time. About 50 years in fact. So they know a thing or two about motorcycle helmets.

bell-star-crash-helmet-rsd-blast-front-side-view — Bell Star – RSD Blast design

Over that time, the ‘plain’ old Bell Star has been joined by the Race Star and the Pro Star. They’re all sportsbike-focused helmets though, aimed at the type of rider who spends most of their time seeking that perfect line rather than that perfect view from the saddle.

But in their latest incarnations, they all pretty much look the same. They share the same shell shape, eye port, ventilation and the same fastener – so what’s the difference between the three (apart from the price) and which should you go for?

Here we pick apart what each helmet offers and what owners think of theirs; so you know exactly what you’re getting for your money.

Full face helmets
Sportsbike and track helmets
Composite fibre or carbon fibre shells
5 Shell sizes each
Bell Star & Race Star – SHARP 5 star rated
Bell Pro Star – FIM Homologated
ECE & Snell certified
Race and Pro Star – very light weight
Expect to pay:
- Bell Star £340-399
- Race Star £470-£649
- Pro Star £630-750

Best places to buy a Bell Star?

Please click below to visit the Bell Star 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

Even though they share the same design and helmet shape, each helmet has a very different construction.

First off, the entry-level Bell Star is a composite fibre helmet. That’s a composite of carbon, aramid (Kevlar) and fibreglass. So, even though it’s the ‘entry-level’ version of the three, that’s no cheap helmet construction. Bell has been improving and evolving their composite expertise for many years now and the Bell Star is the latest example.

All helmets in the range have been Snell 2015 certified in the US, and both the composite Bell Star and carbon fibre Race Star have been tested by SHARP too – where they scored a maximum five stars.

That’s obviously an excellent performance, especially considering the plain ole Star is their entry-level version; and should give you real confidence that the Bell Stars are going to do an excellent job in an accident.

That’s not to say the others would definitely score the same with SHARP because they all have very different shell and liner constructions; though it’d probably give you a bit of confidence that they might do very well too!

bell-pro-star-crash-helmet-tracer-black-silver-side-view — Pro Star – Tracer design

And we’d expect the Pro Star to do equally well too because both the Race Star and Pro Star have carbon fibre shells. The Race Star’s being a 3K carbon fibre shell (3K refers to the top, visible styling of the weave) whereas the Pro Star uses some trick carbon fibre called TeXtreme. Essentially that’s carbon fibre that’s formed flatter than standard weave so it’s flatter and lighter but stronger.

Carbon fibre used to be just carbon fibre right? Not any longer!

Having said that, Bell US say all three helmets weigh 1.5Kg, so there needs to be another reason to go for the Pro Star version?

The Pro Star has been FIM Homologated, meaning that it’s the same helmet that pro racers use on track. So you can be pretty sure it’s going to do the business if you do go for a slide.

Bell US says they’re the same weight, but Bell Europe gives the weights as 1.25Kg for the Star and Race Star and 1.15Kg for the Pro Star. From what I’ve read elsewhere, the latter seems more accurate. It also means the Race and Pro Stars are very light indeed.

Shock absorption – and Flex

Obviously, the shell is only one part of the equation when it comes to protection: the shock absorbing lining is just as important.

You can buy many of the Bell Stars with a slightly confusing range of shock absorbing liners; with standard expanded polystyrene (EPS) liners as well as with Flex and MIPS liners (*see MIPS section below).

In addition to polystyrene, Flex has a lining of polyolefin to give low speed impact protection and polyproplyene for improved mid speed energy absorption.

Most top of the range helmets from other manufacturers opt for multi-density EPS but fair play to Bell for trying to advance shock absorption using different materials (as long as they work!).

They seem to work to at least some extent as they’ve passed the Snell test. But we look forward to SHARP testing to see how well Flex works in comparison to other top-flight sportsbike helmets.

bell-race-star-crash-helmet-triton-black-silver-rear-view — Race Star – rear view of the black & silver Triton

Bell Stars – now with MIPS

MIPS tech has been rolled out to Bell helmets for a while now – with the Bell Star becoming the fourth Bell helmet in their current line up to get their MIPS treatment.

What is MIPS?

MIPs stands for Multi-directional Impact Protection System. It’s a system a couple of makers now employ that lets the interior lining – the one that’s in contact with your head – rotate semi-independently from the external shell.

What that hopefully means is that during an impact, which can easily put damaging rotational forces through the head, potentially damaging the brain and neck, a MIPS helmet shell will rotate but because the MIPS lining is attached to the shell by movable connections, the lining isolates your head from some of the rotation.

Interestingly, SHARP has tested both the standard and MIPS versions of the Bell Qualifier DLX so we can get some insight into how well MIPs might work in practice. Unfortunately, both helmets scored three stars so it might not be quite the safety innovation we’d hoped for – though I guess we’ll really need to see some more MIPs helmets being tested before we can draw any firm conclusions.

Shells

Unusually – in fact I don’t remember ever hearing this before – each of the Bell Star range is made in five shell sizes.

Here’s what they look like (taken from the Bell US social feed)

Bell-star-helmet-shell-sizes — Bell Star – made in 5 helmet sizes (with another thrown in for good measure by the looks!)

That’s great from a fitment, safety and looks point of view – because it’ll both look proportionately better for your body size and will mean the optimal amount of shock absorbing liner is used inside each helmet. Read here for more info.

Premium helmets tend to be manufactured in more helmet shells – but, from memory, four shell sizes is the previous max number we’ve come across, so Bell have gone the extra mile on this one. Good work.

bell-star-street-helmet-isle-of-man-side-view — Bell Star – side view of the Isle of Man edition

Helmet Noise

Sportsbike and track focused helmets are usually pretty loud. Design priorities often dictate focusing on low weight, good ventilation and slippery aero first: and that usually means less padding and more noise-ingress.

The last Bell Star was rated somewhere between cacophony and bedlam (see here) for noise, so expectations were that this latest gen of Bell Stars would be the same.

Well, there’s good news. For the basic Bell Star, there’s a variety of opinions (read why that is and all you need to know about helmet noise) but in general it seems to be regarded as pretty quiet – or certainly above average.

For the Race Star and Pro Star, opinion seems to be that, if anything, it’s even quieter than the Bell Star – which is astonishing for what is essentially a racing helmet.

A few Race Star owners found their visors whistle when raised – though they’re quiet when shut – but apart from these isolated cases, it’s definitely one of the quieter sportsbike/track helmets.

If having a quiet helmet is important to you, you might want to visit our quietest helmets pages for more inspiration!

bell-star-crash-helmet-rsd-blast-front-view — Check the vents on that! Front view of the RSD Blast Bell Star

Ventilation

All three helmets share a similar ventilation system.

That includes a double chin vent, operated by a small slider, a brow vent and a double crown vent. All are opened by sliders which do look a little on the small side for gloved hands though we suspect you’ll get the hang of them after a bit of practice.

At the rear there’s a stack of exhaust vents – three rows in fact – including closable top exhaust vents.

So does the Bell Star vent well?

In a word, yes. All models deliver loads of air into the helmet with several owners saying it’s the first time they’ve felt ventilation like it – especially when you’re in a tuck position.

It’s worth noting that the Pro Star is a more hardcore helmet than the other two. Which is why there’s a plug in the chin vent: if it’s in, air’s directed onto the rear of the visor. Remove it and air’s pushed towards the chin. That’s probably a useful feature for a racer, but less so for road-only riders.

Visor

Like many manufacturers, Bell have listened to feedback from racers and have made the visor aperture as wide and tall as possible.

Racers who spend a lot of time in a tuck position need a tall vertical opening, while everyone – on track or road – needs good wide peripheral vision.

bell-star-crash-helmet-pace-orange-black-front-side-vew — Bell Star Pace design (orange & black)

Bell have called this Panovision – essentially it’s a big opening and a big visor with a bit of a contoured aperture to further improve peripheral vision.

And owners of all the Bell Star versions say both vertical and horizontal vision is great – which has to be good whether your on the track or the road.

Out of the box, the Bell Star and Race star come with a standard clear lens (though a Pinlock MaxVision-ready visor and a photochromic visor are available too). The Pro Star comes with a Class One Optical version (wooo) which should give crystal clear vision.

All three feature the same quick release system and owners reckon it’s super-quick and easy to use and it’s one of the best on the market. Just press a button and push forwards and out comes the visor; slide back and, click, it’s back in. Nice.

The only fly in the ointment?

That race visor has two positions only: open or closed. What’s good for the track ain’t necessarily best for the road and quite a few owners found it alarming and really missed having a ratchet.

If that’s you, you have been warned.

Comfort & Sizing

Whenever you buy a new crash helmet, getting the right fit and a comfortable helmet is vital – experts agree; it’s even more important than buying a helmet with a high safety rating.

bell-pro-star-solid-matte-black-rear-view — Pro Star – rear view of the solid matte black version

So, buy from a retailer (like our recommended retailers) who’ll exchange a helmet it you don’t get the fitting right first time.

There’s two different comfort linings that come with the Bell Star range.

Even though the Bell Star is the entry level helmet, Bell have used some quality materials inside the helmet. It has what they call their X-static XT2 silver liner – essentially, silver has antimicrobial properties so weaving thin silver thread into a fabric imparts those properties – keeping bacteria at bay and reducing odours. Nice (and not cheap!).

For the Race Star and Pro Star, that’s nudged up a notch further, using a material from a company called Virus who do the same with jade. This Virus Cool Jade lining is apparently laced with jade and this reduces skin surface temp by up to 10 degrees (f) so it’s there to keep your head really cool. Wow.

Race Star and Pro Star also feature magnetic cheekpads. Rather than snappers clicking the cheekpads into place, they use magnets. That means they’re easier to whip out and wash if they get hot and sweaty – and it also doubles as Bell’s version of EQRS, making it easier for paramedics to pull the cheek pads out first before removing your helmet.

Owners love the magnetfusion internals – they really seem to live up to their promise. And the magents even extend to the chin strap with a magnet there helping tidy up a flapping strap – that’s a nice touch.

If you’re thinking of ordering a Bell Star, it’s worth noting that the fit is medium oval (that’s most folks who don’t have rounder heads). And while most Bell Star helmets tend to be quite tight at first but loosen up after a bit of wear (that’s normal) a few Race Star owners mentioned the regualar size was too small and they had to go a size larger.

So, again, make sure you order from a retailer who accepts no-quibble returns.

Best places to buy a Bell Star helmet?

Please click below to visit the Bell Star 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).

Looks & Graphics

The Bell Star, Race Star and Pro Star all look externally identical. However, each range comes with their own unique colour schemes and designs.

We’ve dotted a selection of each up and down the page – but we’ve also created a gallery below, featuring some of the most popular designs for each model. To see some of the latest designs, you might want to click through to the Bell Star pages on the retailer link above.

Click the pics to enlarge.

Bell Star

bell-star-motorbike-crash-elmet-solid-white-side-view — Bell Star – solid white version

bell-star-street-helmet-isle-of-man-rear-view — Bell Star IoM edition – rear view showing exhaust vents

Race Star

bell-race-star-crash-helmet-ace-cafe-matte-black-front-side-view — Race Star – Ace Cafe version

bell-race-star-motorcycle-crash-helmet-rsd-chief-rear-view — Race Star – rear view of the RSD Chief

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

bell-race-star-motorbike-crash-helmet-rsd-chief-side-view — Bell Race Star

Pro Star

bell-pro-star-crash-helmet-ratchet-black-white-side-view — Pro Star – Ratchet black & white

Bell Star videos

Here’s a look at the development of the Pro Star and some of the riders who use it.

Next up, a video taking you through some of the features of both the Race Star and the Pro Star.

Finally, the scintilating tones of the guys at WebBikeWorld taking us over the Bell Star.

Other stuff – fasteners, glasses, bluetooth communicators & warranty

All versions of the Bell Star come with a double-d ring locking strap. They also come with a glasses groove in the lining making it easier to slip your glasses or shades on/off.

If you’re looking to fit a communicator to any of the Bell Star range, they’re a bit limited. The main issue seems to be a lack of speaker pockets – though don’t be tempted to cut your own out of the lining as this will compromise the helmet’s effectiveness.

A few Sena owners reckoned you have to stick the unit to the outside and there is space for a mic – but if you can, one tip is to buy the slim speaker kit and that should fit in with space for your ears!

All Bell Stars come with Bell’s 5 year manufacturers warranty.

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.

Summary/Overall

The Bell Star range look superb – the design and the graphics make for a helmet that really looks the part.

And the great news is that with Bell’s outstanding reputation for producing some of the safest helmets – including their position as joint first in our Safest Helmet Brands list – you should get a helmet that not only looks cool, but delivers when the going gets really tough.

Both the Bell Star and Race Star have been SHARP tested so far, and even the entry-level Star scored maximum 5 stars for safety (so did the Race Star) so we’d expect the entire range to be 5 star safety rated.

The Pro Star hasn’t been SHARP tested yet, but it has been FIM homologated for use in circuit racing (including MotoGP).

Owners reckon the build quality is great too – especially for the more expensive Race Star and Pro Star – and all helmets perform everything well: that includes ventilation, vision, comfort and noise (which is amazing for a sportsbike helmet).

Overall then, the Bell Star is an accomplished helmet which owners seem to love. They love the graphics, the build quality and the looks – but then find it’s a helmet that really works on the road or track too. And apart from that open/closed visor with only two positions, there doesn’t seem to be any real downside – except for maybe the price of the Race and Pro Star.

All in all a very accomplished helmet for the sportsbike rider or racer.

Best places to buy a Bell Star?

Please click below to visit the Bell Star 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).

Alternatives to the Bell Stars?

Obviously, the Bell Star range covers quite a variety of sports-oriented helmets. So if you’re after some alternatives to check out, take a look at our sportsbike or track helmets pages – or, depending on your budget, you might want to take a look at our expensive crash helmets, medium priced helmets or budget crash helmets pages.

Definitely want a Bell?

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

Star Ratings

MCN Bell Race Star DLX Flex: Quality 5/5, Value 5/5

Review of the Bell RS-2 Full Face Motorcycle Helmet

Page Contents

Bell RS-2 helmet: decent build quality but noisy and uncomfy?

The Bell RS-2 is the successor to Bell’s successful RS-1 helmet. That means it’s a helmet with a sporting heritage, but one that’s now firmly aimed at riders looking for an all-rounder, do-it-all helmet.

With a fibreglass shell, drop down sun visor and design that’s less aggressive than many full-on sports bike helmets, the Bell RS2 was built for a wide range of bikes and riding styles.

And now it’s been on the market a year or two, there’s loads of opinions of what its good points are – and its really bad points!

So here’s what we’ve found out about the Bell RS-2.

Fibreglass full face helmet
Designed to be an all-rounder
SHARP 3 Star Safety Rated (ECE helmet)
Drop down sun visor
Weight 1.5Kgs (3.3lbs)
Double-d ring fastener
Expect to pay around £190-£250

Best place to buy a Bell RS2?

Please click below to visit the Bell RS2 helmets pages at our recommended store. 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).

Safety

(more about helmet safety)

Of course, the Bell RS-2 will be both DOT certified (for the US) and ECE 22.05 approved (for UK and Europe).

bell_rs2_helmet-solid-plain-white-front-view — Note all Bell RS-2s come with a clear visor

But the old RS-1 was also SHARP and Snell approved too. It scored four out of five stars in the SHARP test, which is pretty damn good; and since the new RS-2 shares much of the old helmet’s heritage, you’d hope that the RS2 would do just as well.

Unfortunately, when SHARP tested it in 2021, it dropped a point from the old helmet, scoring 3 stars for safety (out of a maximum 5).

As most safety organisations seem to agree, the most important factor in getting a motorbike helmet that protects well is ensuring your helmet fits perfectly. Still, I’d probably pass on a 3 star helmet myself and opt for one of the four or five star helmets you’ll find on our safest motorbike helmets pages instead.

The RS-2 is made in three different shell sizes and it’s also not too lardy, weighing in around 1.5Kgs (3.3lbs) – which is about bang-on average weight for a full face helmet.

Both these are good for safety (click the link in the header if you want to find out why).

And of course it also has a drop down internal sun visor: again that’s great not only for convenience but for safety too so you don’t get caught out and distracted by a low sun or dazzling.

So, it doesn’t look like the RS-2 will be the last word in safety given its middling SHARP rating and lack of a few useful safety features (there’s no EQRS for example) – take a look at our safest helmets section to find some that are.

But for the price, and provided you get the fit spot on, it should give a decent level of protection. It’s also made by a helmet maker who has over half a century of helmet-crafting know-how (and is in our top 10 safest helmet brands at the time of writing).

bell_rs2_helmet-solid-plain-white-rear-view — Rear view of the RS-2 gloss white – showing x4 rear exhaust vents

Helmet Noise

(more about helmet noise)

The jury’s in on how noisy the RS-2 is. And it’s not good news (for Bell).

We found words like deafening and unbearable used – and you rarely hear words like that when describing even the cheapest of helmets.

Yes, one or two did say it’s OK or good even, but the vast majority – and from riders with lots of years riding under their belts – say it’s a really noisy helmet.

If you’re planning to use your RS2 below urban speeds and always wear ear plugs, you might get away with it. But for anything faster, word is that it can get really loud.

If you’re interested in buying a quiet helmet, here’s all you need to know about helmet noise and here’s our quietest helmet reviews.

Ventilation

(more about helmet ventilation)

The Bell RS-2 has a single 2-position chin vent and a twin crown vent; with both crown vents operated by the same central slider.

To the rear, there’s a small spoiler with two exhaust vents underneath, and another couple of vents towards to bottom rear.

The front vents suck air into the helmet, through the helmet shell and into a couple of front-to-back channels inside the shock absorbing lining that’ll channel air into the helmet and onto your scalp – then out of the rear.

It’s a pretty conventional arrangement and most owners of RS-2s seem to agree that, even though the RS-2 does without the brow vents of the old RS-1, it actually gives a reasonable amount of airflow.

It’s far from being the best in class, but it’s adequate.

If great ventilation’s important to you, check out all our reviews of lids we know have fantastic ventilation.

bell-RS2-matte-black-motorcycle-crash-helmet-front-side-view — Moody matt black solid version of the RS-2

Visor

(more about visors)

The RS-2 will come with a clear visor, though everything from a variety of smoked and tinted visors, all the way to Bell’s excellent transitions photochromic range of visors are available for it too.

Out of the box, it’s a relatively basic visor system that works on a ratchet and with its opening tab to the left hand side (shame it’s not in the middle for easy opening if you’re at the lights).

It is quick-release though, so you can quickly swap out or clean your visor without needing tools; though it’s not Pinlock anti-fog ready which is a shame.

Other than that, Bell tend to make decent visors. There are one or two complaints about visors not seating as well as they could with the RS-2, but most owners find the mechanism just fine.

Sun Visor

(more about sun visors)

Unlike the original RS-1, the Bell RS-2 has an integral, drop down sun visor.

It’s a relatively straight forward sun visor – it drops down pretty low and it operates by a slider on the left hand side of the helmet by the visor pivot. That’s one of the more convenient places for the slider so you should find it relatively easy to find and use.

And unlike some helmets with sun visors that are spring-loaded, the sun visor on the RS-2 is a simple system – slide it down to drop the visor down, pull back up to raise it.

No fuss and no fiddling and it seems to work well from the feedback we’ve seen. OK if you do lots of your riding in bright sunshine, you might find it a bit too light. But other than that, it’s good.

Comfort and Sizing

(more about comfort and sizing)

Inside the Bell RS2, there’s a fully removable and washable lining.

Unlike some of the higher-end Bell helmets, the inside of the RS2 isn’t retained by magnets (what Bell call MagnetFusion) – so you’re gonna have to slum it with the rest of us and use poppers.

bell-RS2-black-red-tactical-motorcycle-crash-helmet-rear-side-view — This one’s the RS-2 Tactical in black and red – showing that rear spoiler and exhaust vent

Having said that, with a bit of a pull, the lining comes out quickly and without fuss.

It also has a pair of sculpted cheek pads to give a decent snug fit.

And it also has Bell’s X-Static XT2 Silver Lining fabric to keep things from becoming too stinky (click the link above for more information about X-Static linings).

There’s also space for ear phones inside the helmet so you can fit your bluetooth communicator in there.

We heard about folks fitting a Cardo Solo in there without any problems.

Most Bells are designed to fit medium oval heads, and so too is the RS-2.

Only, we’ve heard quite a few owners complaining that it’s tight around the ears. RS-2s can take a while to break in when you first get them, but it really does seem that the internal fitment’s a bit longer and narrower than the usual medium oval fit.

On the other hand, we did come across a couple of owners saying there’s more room to either side than their usual helmets – so this is definitely a helmet to try on first. If you want one, all our recommended stores will do refunds with no quibble and most pay for delivery and returns so you shouldn’t lose out if it doesn’t fit.

If you’re a size XS also note that Bell starts its helmet sizes one cm below most other helmet brands so read our helmet fitting guide, choose the correct helmet size and double check sizing on any ordering pages.

See info on our recommended retailers here.

Looks & Graphics

There’s a ton of classy graphics launched with the Bell RS-2. That includes a matt and gloss plain solid black and a gloss white.

But it’s some of the more adventurous graphics that are particularly cool (have to say, Bell do do a nice line in particularly classy helmet designs) – that includes the Empire and Tactical designs: you’ll find examples of these up and down the page but all are available in different colours so please click through to our recommended retailers below to check these out and see the latest offers.

Best place to buy a Bell RS2 helmet?

Please click below to visit the RS2 helmets pages at our recommended store. 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).

Bell RS-2 Video

Here’s a quick 2m video showing you around the RS2.

Other stuff – fasteners, weight, audio, glasses, warranty

The RS-2 has a double-d ring fastener – they’re nice and easy to use and safe as houses once you fasten them up tightly.

It weighs around 1.5kgs (3.3lbs) which is about average weight for a full face helmet, though several owners said it feels really light weight when you’re wearing it – which I guess is the most important thing.

bell-rs-2-crash-helmet-empire-side-view — The RS-2 Empire is available in this hi viz yellow/blue red as well as copper/black and white/black/red

If you’re looking to add a bluetooth communicator to the RS-2, there’s space inside for speakers and a microphone, and there’s space enough on the outside to stick on the bluetooth unit too.

Inside the helmet, Bell say it’s also been designed to accommodate glasses.

And finally, the Bell RS2 comes with a superb 5 year warranty as standard.

Overall/Summary

The new Bell RS-2 slots neatly into the Bell line-up – sitting somewhere between the lower-cost Bell Qualifier DLX and the Star Range, which are designed for sportsbike riders.

And for the price, you get a whole lotta helmet.

You get a fibreglass shell along with multi-density EPS lining. We reckon it should give decent protection, especially if you get the fit bang on. However, it’s probably not the last word in motorcycle helmet protection – as shown by its SHARP 3 star safety rating (UK ECE helmet).

That said, most riders seem to reckon it’s noisy at anything over urban speeds and many (not all) say it fits a bit weirdly and can be uncomfy – so make sure you buy from somewhere that’ll refund your money if it doesn’t fit your head quite right.

So it’s a bit of a flawed gem. If you find it fits right and you’re after a helmet for your slow ride to work, it might be a bargain. But if you’re after a quiet helmet for your motorway blast, I’d recommend leaving well alone and taking a look at one of our recommended alternatives below.

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.

Good Alternatives to the Bell RS-2?

We’ve gotta mention the Bell RS-2s little brother the Bell Qualifier DLX.

While the standard version dropped a couple of stars in the SHARP helmet test, it comes as standard with a Bell Transitions photochromic visor in the box and has now been joined with a MIPS version, designed to reduce helmet rotation during impact. That makes the Qualifier DLX well worth looking over too.

Outside of Bell, there’s loads of other brands and helmets you should check out.

There’s the excellent SHARP 5 star rated HJC FG-ST – that’s another fibreglass full face helmet with a sun visor. But the HJC comes with a Pinlock Max Vision anti fog insert included in the box too – all for less than the Bell RS2.

If you’re looking to spend as little as possible, then how about the LS2 FF352 Rookie. OK it’s a polycarbonate helmet, but it still scores a very respectable 4/5 SHARP stars, comes with an optically-correct visor – and it’ll give you folding change out of £100.

Or how about the AGV K5S? That’s a carbon/fibreglass composite helmet with sun visor and SHARP 4 star safety rating for less than the RS2.

Best place to buy a Bell RS2?

Please click below to visit the Bell RS2 helmets pages at our recommended store. 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).

Other full face helmets?

We've got lots of other ways you can find your ideal full face helmet. You can check out our Top 10 full-face crash helmets list to see our best rated helmets or head over to our Smartish Filters pages and zoom in on helmets with your 'must have' features. You can browse through all our full face crash helmet reviews as well as our safest motorcycle helmets page where you'll only find helmets that are SHARP four or five star rated - so you'll know you're wearing the best protection out there. Finally, check out our helmet gallery to find a lid that takes your fancy.

Definitely want a Bell?

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

Caberg Stunt full face polycarbonate helmet review

There’s no doubt that Caberg’s Stunt looks very cool. It’s a polycarbonate full face helmet that’s aimed at folks who like a more aggressive-looking lid but don’t want to pay through the nose to get it. But is it all show?

Here’s what you can expect if you buy a Caberg Stunt (including what owners think of their Stunts).

Polycarbonate shell
Full face helmet
SHARP 2 star rating (poor)
ECE 22.05 approved but not DOT certified (US)
2 shell sizes
Fitment XS-XXL
Sun visor
Pinlock-ready main visor (not included)
Micrometric fastener
Expect to pay £119-£149

Best places to buy a Caberg Stunt?

The Stunt is being phased out nowadays, but you could still find it at Amazon UK the last time we checked. Please click below to visit the Caberg Stunt page at Amazon – 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).

caberg-stunt-matt-black-motorcycle-crash-helmet-front-view — Front view of the plain matt black Caberg Stunt.

Page Contents

Safety

Most folks are probably going to buy the Stunt because a) it looks mean and b) it’s pretty cheap.

In my book, they’re both valid reasons to buy. But it’s also a Caberg polycarbonate which usually means it’s gonna be very safe too (click the link to see more about polycarbonate helmets and see our guides for lots more information on expensive v cheap helmets and other analysis of what makes for a safe motorcycle helmet).

To date, Caberg have shown they’re one of the safest helmet makers out there. However; the bad news. SHARP tested the Caberg Stunt in Feb 2017 and reported it only scored 2 stars (out of 5) which is Caberg’s lowest score yet.

So far, most of their helmets have scored maximum points in the SHARP test – including their last three polycarbonate helmets. Which just goes to show the past isn’t always a good indicator of future performance!

As always, when you’re buying a new helmet, the most important feature to consider is making sure it fits right. As SHARP themselves say, you’re better off with a one star helmet that fits perfectly than a five star helmet that doesn’t. Still, not sure I’d want to be buying a SHARP two star helmet myself – might as well go for a really safe helmet in the first place right? Even if it looks as cool as the Stunt. Looking for a helmet that stands out from the crowd – try one of these coolest crash helmets.

caberg-stunt-blade-white-black-full-face-motorcycle-helmet-rear-view — Rear view of the Caberg Stunt blade.

The helmet comes in 2 shell sizes so it shouldn’t look too massive on your head and it’s fastened in place with a micrometric fastener. They’re nice and easy to use – but do keep checking they’re still tight as chin straps do stretch over time so you’ll probably have to slightly readjust the fastener every few months or so.

Helmet Noise

So, it’s not the safest helmet according to SHARP. But is it any good to live with?

Well, as far as helmet noise is concerned, the answer’s a resounding… nope.

It seems the fact that there’s tons of air vents in the shell of the Stunt means there’s lots of holes for road noise to get in too.

Comments from owners are that if you get any kind of a lick on, the Stunt gets really noisy. Some folks say anything above 30, others anything above 70mph and it gets noisy.

caberg-stunt-motorbike-helmet-blizzard-black-green-fluo — Stunt Bizzard in black and green

Close the vents, I hear you shout. Well, you can close some but not all. So the only solution when riding with a Caberg Stunt is to stick in a good pair of ear plugs. Which, by the way, is what you should do with most helmets if you’re riding for any distance.

Do that, and you shouldn’t have a problem. Prefer to ride without ear plugs? Then, you’re probably best walking away from the Stunt and trying one of these quieter helmets.

Ventilation

As we said, the Caberg Stunt has lots of ventilation holes. There’s a single multi-point chin vent that’s opened by pressing in the whole chin panel and pressing a slider to close it. There’s three top crown vents with sliders to open/close plus there’s a couple of always-open side vents.

To the rear, there’s a single huge exhaust, plus a few other smaller exhausts towards the side and rear.

All of which makes for a helmet that vents very, very well. The chin vent channels air up onto the inside of the visor and the top vents pull it through channels in the lining through to the scalp. So good is the venting that the fact that there’s loads of air whooshing through the helmet is one of the biggest comments made by owners. All of which means it should be a great summer helmet but not so much of a good winter helmet!

caberg-stunt-motorbike-helmet-blizzard-black-yellow-fluo — Caberg Stunt Blizzard with fluo yellow panels showing main visor and sun visor

If you’re a summer rider, then read on. If you’re all seasons, then move on (and check some of our suggested alternatives towards the bottom of the page).

Visor

Lots of ventilation should mean that there’s lots of air inside the helmet to stop the visor fogging up, right? But that’s not necessarily the case. As with most helmets, if things get cold and damp (or warm and humid) the visor will tend to fog up, and quickly.

Thankfully, the visor on the Stunt comes Pinlock-ready. Unfortunately, there’s no Pinlock anti-fog insert included in the box. Boo. Lots of helmets, even at this price point, do include a free Pinlock in the box. Check our Pinlock helmets, and if one’s included in the box, we’ll mention it in the bullets heading up each review.

Other than the fogging, Stunt owners like the visor, It works well and gives a nice wide field of view. It works on a ratchet and has a nice positive movement.

If you decide to buy a Pinlock, you’ll need to pull off that visor. And while it’s not exactly a traditional quick-change visor, it’s still pretty simple and quick.

caberg-stunt-motorbike-helmet-blizzard-black-anthracite-rear-view — Rear view of the Caberg Stunt Blizzard in anthracite

You’ll find a screw-off plastic bolt at each visor pivot. Unscrew both and the visor pulls off – easy.

Sun Visor

The Caberg Stunt has a built-in drop down sun visor. It works from a slider on the left hand side of the helmet under the visor pivot point.

It slides the visor down and means you can drop it down as far down as you like. Owners say it works well and, while it’s not massively dark (most aren’t) it’s good enough to stop all but the strongest glares.

Comfort and Sizing

Owners reckon their Stunts are really comfy helmets. Comments are that it’s very comfy and has nice, plush feeling materials inside. The word snug was used more than once!

A few folks reckoned the sizing is true (so if you’re a size M, go for a size M!) but they can feel a bit tight when new. Though wear it for a few days and it’ll break in nicely – still feeling nice and tight but not too tight, just like a helmet should be.

A couple of other comments are that the Stunt is nice and high at the back, meaning it doesn’t interfere with collars at the back like some helmets do. Also, that elongated, adventure style front means there’s lots of room for your snout.

caberg-stunt-blade-motorcycle-helmet-matt-black-pink-side-view — This one’s a Stunt Blade in black and pink

The interior of the Stunt is hypoallergenic and fully removable/washable. A couple of folks said it’s good for glasses wearers and they found it easy to put them on in the Stunt.

Finally, lots of people said their Caberg Stunts feel really nice and light, especially for a lower-priced polycarbonate helmet. The official weight is about 1.45Kg for the smaller shelled helmet (that’s for sizes XS-L) and 1.5Kg for XL-XXL. However one owner said he weighed his M at 1.3Kg.

Whatever the truth of the weight, lots of owners said their Stunt feels really light, especially for a helmet with a sun visor. So maybe you’ll feel the same way if you buy one (let us know!).

Looks and Graphics

There’s new graphics coming out all the time for the Caberg Stunt – so check out our recommended retailers below to find the absolute latest designs.

As to those all-time favourite colours, there’s a matt black and gloss white (called Metal White). There’s also a rather attractive black anthracite version that’s matt black with some very subtle designs over it which looks very cool. If you’re after a bit of hi-viz, there’s the Stunt Steez and Stunt Blizzard which are available with hi-viz green flashes all over them.

Other than that, we’ve included various Stunt Blades and all the other designs up and down this page.

Best places to buy a Caberg Stunt helmet?

The Stunt is being phased out nowadays, but you could still find it at Amazon UK the last time we checked. Please click below to visit the Caberg Stunt page at Amazon – 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).

Video of the Caberg Stunt

Here’s a quick 2m look over the Stunt by J&S.

Other stuff – fasteners, aero, build quality, warranty

The Caberg Stunt comes with a micrometric fastener and it also comes with a removable chin curtain and breath deflector.

Aero on the Stunt is apparently very good. Caberg themselves say it’s been wind-tunnel designed and a couple of owners say it’s really effective – including one who said even at 150 you can feel the aero working and there’s very little buffeting!

For a helmet at this low price point, a few owners said the finish and build quality is very good. Unfortunately there’s only a 1 year manufacturers warranty to back this up though which is particularly poor; lots of makers these days give a 5 year warranty.

Overall/Summary

caberg-stunt-blade-matt-black-red-motorcycle-helmet-side-view — Caberg Stunt Blade in matt black and red design.

The Stunt’s a cool-looking helmet that’s got everything you need to look mean and moody on your bike and has enough features on it that should make it easy to live with even on a daily commute. Ventilation’s great in the summer (but a bit drafty in the winter) and it’s available for a fraction over the ton – just a shame it’s not as safe as it could be and it’s a bit noisy.

If pressed, because of the low safety score, we’d have to say, read on to find a better alternative helmet for your money – one that scores higher for safety.

But if you’ve fallen for the look and style of the Stunt and just have to have one, click the link through to our recommended retailers (and read our fitting guide to make sure you get one that fits perfectly!).

Alternatives to the Caberg Stunt?

The Stunt might be a really attractive proposition, but it’s not alone. There’s some great helmets available for this price (and less) – including some that’ve been SHARP tested and scored great marks, so we know they’re safe.

The Shark S600 is available for less than the stunt, scores 4/5 stars in the SHARP test and comes with a Pinlock anti-fog in the box – and it comes with a 5 year warranty (Cabergs have a 1 year warranty).

caberg-stunt-white-motorcycle-crash-helmet-side-view — Gloss ‘Metal’ white version of the Stunt

For about £50 you can get a Box BX-1, that’s a four star SHARP rated full face helmet. It doesn’t have some of the features of the Stunt but if you’re looking for a no-nonsense helmet at a really low price, owners do like em.

Same goes for the MT Revenge – but this one’s a five star helmet that’s available for £30 less than the cheapest version of the Stunt – though granted, it probably doesn’t look quite as cool (if that’s your thing).

Finally, if you’ve got a little more money to spend, then have a look at AGVs K3-SV – that’s a SHARP 4 star polycarbonate full face helmet with sun visor and weighs about the same as the Stunt. And if you’re thinking of buying a Stunt and a Pinlock, then it’s worth knowing that the AGV comes with a Pinlock in the box – so it’ll probably end up costing you about the same in the long-run.

Best places to buy a Caberg Stunt?

The Stunt is being phased out nowadays, but you could still find it at Amazon UK the last time we checked. Please click below to visit the Caberg Stunt page at Amazon – 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).