Review of the Nexx X.R2 motorcycle crash helmet

Page Contents

Nexx X.R2 composite and carbon fibre full face crash helmets

With the launch of the Nexx X.R2, Portugese helmet maker Nexx claims to have made one of the lightest full face crash helmets on the market. The carbon versions weigh in at around 1.27Kg while the composite versions are around 100g heavier. And while we’ve seem other helmets on the market around this weight (check our lightweight helmets section), they’re pretty few and far between.

One of the reasons they’ve tried to make it so light is that it’s a road bike helmet but with track aspirations – so if you’re at the track all day, slamming your bike around for lap after lap, then every gramme counts.

But it’s one thing to make a lightweight helmet – and entirely another to make it lightweight and work really well as a safe and user-friendly track or day-to-day helmet.

So here’s the lowdown on what the Nexx XR2 delivers and what owners think of their XR2s – warts and all.

Both composite and carbon fibre versions available
Sportsbike/track focused helmet
SHARP 3 star safety rated
ECE and DOT certified
Pinlock and tear off-ready
Pinlock anti-fog included (check retailer)
2 shell sizes
1.27Kg (2.8lbs) carbon (+100g composite)
Sizes XS-XXXL
Expect to pay £220-£350

Best places to buy a Nexx XR2?

Please click below to visit the Nexx XR2 helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

nexx-xr2-anima-crash-helmet-white-blue-front-view — This one’s the Nexx XR2 Anima. Note all XR2s come with a clear visor

Safety

The Nexx XR2 is both ECE and DOT certified so you can be happy that it’ll give at least a decent, basic level of protection.

But it’s also been tested by the UK’s SHARP helmet testing labs where it was given a three star rating (out of five).

That’s OK but not great – though as we, and SHARP point out – your first priority when buying any helmet is to buy a helmet that fits perfectly before a great SHARP helmet rating. Though if you can get both, then happy days!

So if you’re after a helmet that’s gonna give maximum protection, you might want to check out one of our SHARP 5 star helmets.

Looking at the SHARP results, the XR2 drops a mark or two on side and rear impact tests. It’s got a very wide visor aperture (see visor section below) so I guess it’s possible that this has weakened the side impacts a little? Just a thought.

Otherwise, there’s some good safety features that you’d like to see in any helmet to be found in the Nexx.

nexx-xr2-dark-devil-crash-helmet-side-view — Mean looking XR2 Dark Devil

First off, there’s the multi-density shock absorbing lining. There’s also a smattering of reflectors on many of the designs and they all have a decent double-d ring fastener on the helmet strap.

There’s also an EQRS or emergency quick release system to help paramedics quickly remove the cheek pads and (hopefully) slide the helmet off without disturbing your spine in the event of an accident.

And of course, that nice wide visor should give you an edge to help see anything creeping up on you in your peripheral vision.

So the XR2 packs a lot of safety features – it’s just a shame they didn’t manage a better score with SHARP!

Helmet Noise

As we find with lots of helmets, Nexx XR2 owners express a wide variety of views on how noisy or quiet their XR2s are.

Taking all these views into consideration, we’re gonna have to plump bang in the middle and say it seems to be about average.

nexx-xr2-carbon-pure-crash-helmet-rear-view — Carbon fibre ‘Carbon Pure’ XR2

Nexx seem to have done quite a bit of wind tunnel designing which should’ve reduced external noise; and their blurb reckons they’ve added anti-noise cheekpads into the mix too. And I don’t doubt any of this. But as far as noise suppression’s concerned, it only seems to bring the XR2 into line with most other helmets so scores an average rating.

Bottom line is that if you find your existing helmet really noisy, you’ll probably find the XR2 pretty good. But if you ride a ‘Wing, slowly, and you’re short and tucked behind the screen, and wear something like a really expensive Schuberth. Then you might not. It really is that dependent on how you ride, the bike you ride and how noisy your current helmet(s) is (are).

Ventilation

There’s a single chin vent and dual crown vent on the Nexx XR2.

The chin vent has a panel that can be flicked down to open it and the top vents have small three-way sliders (for closed, half open, fully open).

From rider feedback, it seems all the opening tabs are quite tricky to operate as they’re small, especially in gloves, so it’d be worth taking some time out to get the hang of them before you ride. If you do, they’ll likely become second nature to find and therefore OK.

nexx-xr2-fuel-crash-helmet-side-view — XR2 in Fuel design

The top vents are generally thought of as great, with lots of people saying the helmet flows lots of air and you can really feel the difference when they’re open or closed.

Having said that, the middle ‘half-open’ position on the top sliders is probably pretty pointless as it’s almost impossible to find when you’re riding along – unless of course you’re someone who sets their vents before they set off (does that sort of rider actually even exist?)

Some owners seem to reckon the chin vents are a bit weedy in the amount of ventilation they offer. A couple of people said the visor can fog easily (which of course most do when it’s cold or rainy and you’re not blasting along) so it’s handy that the XR2 comes with a Pinlock anti-fog in the box (see note below).

Visor

The XR2 comes with a flat, Pinlock and tear-off ready, quick release visor – and in Europe tends to be sold with a Pinlock in the box (though check with your retailer before buying).

nexx-xr2-carbon-crash-helmet-side-view — X marks the spot – where you twist the visor pivot before unclipping the visor (Nexx XR2 Carbon shown)

The visor works on a ratchet and it’s massive according to loads of owners. Like most sportsbike helmets, Nexx have maximised the visor opening to give lots of peripheral vision as well as vertical vision so you can get a good view out of the top of the visor even when you’re in an extreme tuck.

And they seem to have done a great job, as most owners say it’s a really big opening – with a couple of XR2 owners saying they can’t see any of the helmet at all in their peripheral vision. Wow.

It’s possible the large visor aperture has compromised side-impact protection (see Safety section above) but if you’re after and extremely large visor opening, the XR2 is right up there with the best track/sportsbike helmets.

It’s also a quick-change visor – what Nexx call their Fastshot system – not needing any tools to remove the visor. Though it’s a bit different from most quick removal visors.

nexx-xr2-carbon-crash-helmet-rear-view — Rear view of the XR2 Carbon showing rear exhaust vents

With the Nexx, you need to turn and physically remove the plastic pin at the visor pivot before rotating the visor and snapping it out to remove. Quite a few owners find this a bit odd and complain that it feels like you’re going to break the visor when you try it (until you get used to it).

To replace the visor, you need to locate the 3 plastic pins into their holes and close the visor. Again, this can be tricky and needs a bit of practice.

Comfort & Sizing

The internal comfort padding on the Nexx XR2 is anti-allergenic and anti-sweat according to the Nexx website – presumably meaning it’s moisture wicking?

It’s also removable and washable so you can keep it fresh after a hot day in the saddle.

And while the XR2 is seen as a comfortable helmet (as usual – as long as you get the right fitting in the first place) a few folks have been left frustrated by the way the lining is fitted into the helmet, meaning there are some reports that the pads can come loose and move around inside the helmet, with at least one owner resorting to gluing them in place.

nexx-xr2-acid-crash-helmet-top-view — Top view of the XR2 Acid

There’s also a couple of reports that the lining in the rear of the helmet is particularly prone to coming loose, leading to questions about the QA process at Nexx.

Having said that, lots of owners reckon the finish on their XR2 is second to none – things like paint, visor and vents are mostly being bigged-up, with more than a few owners saying their Nexx is up there with the Shoei’s of this world.

It’s worth saying that a few owners mentioned the opening is very tight on the XR2, feeling like it’s pulling your ears off when you pull it on/off. Though they usually say it’s fine when it’s on and you get used to it – that’s if you can get it on in the first place.

Other than those few gripes, the sizing seems to run true.

And of course lots of people buy the XR2 because they want a helmet that’s nice and light and doesn’t give them neck strain. And this is the biggest comment made by owners – that it feels fabulously light – especially the carbon versions.

Couple that with the massive eye port and quite a few folks commented that you can almost forget you’re wearing a helmet with the XR2 and that because of the lightness they can forgive it any other shortcomings.

nexx-x-xr2-anima-black-orange-front-view — This one’s the Anima in black/orange

Looks & Graphics

Most of the carbon versions – that’s the Carbon, Carbon Zero and Carbon Pure, have exposed carbon weave – at least in part. And mostly look very slick and up-market.

The composite fibre versions come in the Fuel, Virus and Acid designs you’ll find up and down this page.

To check the latest prices and offers – as well as the latest designs, click the links through to our recommended retailers below.

Best places to buy a Nexx XR2 helmet?

Please click below to visit the Nexx XR2 helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Nexx X.R2 Video

Here’s a 3m look around the XR2 from the team at WebBikeWorld.

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

The Nexx XR2 has speaker pockets built into the lining – just remove the cheekpads to find them. Owners of both Sena 10s and 20s reported no problems with fitting their sets on the XR2.

nexx-xr2-dark-devil-crash-helmet-rear-view — Rear view of the XR2 Dark Devil

A few glasses wearers reported that the XR2 works really well for glasses.

Onto buffeting – it seems the small rear spoiler and the trim profile at the bottom of the helmet are great for stability as plenty of owners report that the XR2 is really stable with very little buffeting.

Final two points – the XR2 comes with both a breath guard and chin curtain in the box and has a 2 year warranty.

Overall/Summary

The Nexx XR2 seems to be a bit of a flawed diamond. There’s a strange visor removal mechanism and a few worries about some linings falling out. But on the other hand owners love how light weight it is (especially the carbon versions) and that massive visor opening is a real winner too. And that’s mostly why people bought their XR2 and why most people love it. And if you’re after a good sportsbike or track day helmet – stuff like the Pinlock and tear-off ready visor might well be handy too.

It’s a shame it didn’t score better on the SHARP safety tests but if light weight and great vision are most important to you, then you really should take a look at the Nexx XR2.

Crash Helmet Buying Guides & Top 10s

For (hopefully!) other useful information to help you when buying your next helmet, check our various Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guides - or have a look at our Top 10 best helmet lists where we've got the top 10 best rated helmets overall along with Top 10 Best Budget/Top 10 Safest/Top 10 Best Full Face/Top 10 Best Modular/Flip-up/ Top 10 Best Sportsbike/Track helmets.

nexx-xr2-acid-crash-helmet-side-view — XR2 Acid in black/orange

Alternatives to the Nexx X.R2

If you’re looking for a sportsbike/racing helmet, then the Nexx XR2 is very reasonably priced compared to much of the competition.

Of course, you can spend an awful lot more than the XR2’s £300ish by buying a Shoei X-Spirit 3 or an Arai RX-7V which will cost around double that and can be found lining up by the track-load on grids around the world. And great helmets they are too.

But you don’t have to pay that sort of money for a decent racing lid. So here’s a smattering of some interesting alternatives.

First off, the Shark Race-R Pro can be had for the same money as the Nexx. It’s a SHARP 5 star rated carbon fibre helmet that’s about as light as the XR2 too.

The AGV Corsa is a smidge heavier but that’s also a SHARP 5 star rated sportsbike helmet and comes with an optically-correct visor.

For about the same price as the Corsa, we’ll throw into the mix the Schuberth C3 Pro – one of the only sports-modular helmets out there. It’s only SHARP 3 star rated and, because it’s a modular, it’s heavier (though light for a modular).

Finally, for less than the Nexx, a SHARP 4 star safety rated sportsbike helmet is the LS2 FF323 Arrow. Optically correct visor, Pinlock antifog included (check retailer) – that’s gotta be worth a look too?

Best places to buy a Nexx XR2?

Please click below to visit the Nexx XR2 helmets pages at our recommended stores. And if you buy from one, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

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.

Star Ratings

A review of the MT Blade SV full face

mt-blade-sv-featured — MT Blade SV Morph red/white/blue

Page Contents

MT Blade SV – a versatile, good value Crash Helmet

The MT Blade SV is an all-rounder full face helmet at the cheaper end of the pricing range from Spanish maker MT. It’s a development from the old MT Blade with the SV standing for the newly added drop down sun visor.

Polycarbonate full face helmet
Drop down sun visor
Comes with Pinlock Max Vision
Electric visor available!
Micrometric fastener
Sizes XS-XXL
1.45 Kg (about average)
1 year warranty
Expect to pay £90-£130

Safety

The MT Blade SV is both ECE 22-05 (EU) and DOT (US) certified so should provide a decent level of basic protection.

But that’s the same for any helmet for sale in those regions. Beyond that, the old MT Blade (without the sun visor) was tested by SHARP and given a decent 3 stars (out of 5) for safety. But since MT added the drop down sun visor mechanism, it probably needs testing again to get a true view on how safe the SV is (adding a sun visor requires a certain amount of reengineering of the helmet shell).

mt-blade-sv-motorbike-crash-helmet-boss-white-red-front-view — Front view of the Blade SV Raceline with tinted visor

The MT catalogue seems to reckon the Blade SV has been Snell tested/certified. However I couldn’t find any mention of MT or the Blade on the Snell website so I’m a bit dubious about that.

Having said that, MT have a growing reputation for making good quality helmets that offer decent protection (such as their SHARP 5 star Revenge and their 4 star Thunder). And, despite being at the cheaper end of the pricing spectrum, the Blade SV does have a multi-density expanded polystyrene (EPS) shock absorbing lining similar to those found on much more expensive helmets.

The Blade SV is made in two shell sizes (that’s OK for a budget helmet, read more here) and comes with a quick and easy (and safe) micrometric fastener.

It also comes with a Pinlock Max Vision anti fog insert in the box – which, if it means you’re not struggling to see on a cold and rainy morning, has gotta be a great addition (though a few owners reckon the Blade SV really needs it – see visor section below).

Looking to buy this MT helmet?

We recommend SportsBikeShop (UK) for competitive prices, outstanding service and free UK delivery/returns. Or you can click through to the MT helmets pages at Amazon if you prefer to buy from them. Please see here for more info on our recommended stores or click the links to go straight to their MT helmets pages where you'll find the latest designs and deals.

Helmet Noise

mt-blade-sv-reflexion-yellow-rear-view — Rear view of the Blade SV Reflexion fluor yellow showing three rear exhaust vents

Most helmets are quite noisy – let’s face it, you’re blasting through the air, usually in the slipstream of something fairly unslippery and turbulent like a van or car. And feedback from owners is that the MT Blade SV is reasonably noisy too. Not mega noisy, just a few folks said it’s quite noisy.

Stick in some decent ear plugs (which you should really do anyhow) and you’ll be OK.

Ventilation

Ventilation on the Blade SV is reasonably standard for full face lids these days.

There’s a pair of inlets on the chin guard, operated by a single switch, and a couple of vents on the top of the helmet – again with an open/close switch on each – to channel air through to the scalp before exiting via the three rear exhaust vents.

Overall, opinion seems to be that the head ventilation’s pretty good. As for the face vents, those small chin vents don’t let much air in and it really needs the Pinlock fitting to keep the visor clear, especially if you’re riding slowly or the air’s cool.

Check out these helmets if great ventilation is a must for you.

mt-blade-sv-motorcycle-crash-helmet-morph-fluor-yellow-front-view — This one’s the Blade SV Morph in fluorescent yellow/black

Visor and Sun Visor

Other than the tendency to fog, everything else about the visors are as they should be.

The main visor has its opening tab on the left side, works on a ratchet and works well (a couple of owners wished it could be a little wider, but no other complaints). It’s also a quick release visor – pull down a tab on each side and the visor pops out for cleaning.

As mentioned, the Blade SV comes with a nice large Pinlock Max Vision anti fog insert in the box. They’re great for keeping the visor fog-free and the Max Vision version is designed to cover more or less the entire inside of the visor so you don’t get any annoying/dangerous edges of the insert interfering with your line of sight.

The sun visor is an either up or down affair and operated by a lever by the left hand visor piovot. Some helmets have their SV slider on the top rear of the helmet which can be a bit weird/fiddly; but having it on the left hand side is much more sensible.

As an aside, the MT website mentions there is an electric visor available for the Blade SV. Electric visors are well known in the snowmobile world where things can get so cold a Pinlock just can’t cope. It’s probably a bit overkill for a motorcycle but if you do find yourself riding in properly sub zero temperatures, it’s always an option with the Blade SV!

mt-blade-sv-motorbike-helmet-solid-matt-black-side-view — Solid matt black. Sun visor slider is visible near the visor pivot and quick release mechanism

Comfort & Sizing

There’s not a great deal to say about the internals. Its got a removable/washable comfort liner – what MT call their Supermax liner – and has a couple of pockets for bluetooth speakers. And that’s about it.

Of course, you’re only gonna find a helmet comfortable if you get exactly the right fitting – and that’s something that’s vital for safety too. So check our fitting guide and if you’re unsure it’s the right fit when you receive your new helmet, you should return it for a different size to double-check and make sure you’re wearing exactly the right size (and use one of our recommended retailers who all have no-quibble returns policies).

Looks & Graphics

The MT Blade SV is a modern-looking helmet with external grooves and channels that show there’s quite a bit of aero-sculpting gone on to reduce buffeting and wind resistance. It’s available in lots of funky graphics too – as well as a range of hi-viz versions and the usual solid/plain base colours.

mt-blade-sv-reflexion-orange-side-view — Hi Viz Reflection version is available in orange, yellow or gloss white

MT are always updating their designs, so to see the latest range (and the latest offers) check the links to our recommended retailers below.

However, up and down this page you’ll find examples of the Solid, plain colour versions, along with the hi-viz Reflexions, the Morph, Alpha and Raceline graphics.

Best place to buy this MT crash helmet?

Please click below to visit the MT helmets pages at our recommended stores or Amazon UK. 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).

*Quick view retailer T&Cs here.

MT Blade SV Video

Here’s a short video we found that gives you a quick look around the MT Blade SV.

Other stuff – fastener, weight, build quality, chin curtain, warranty

The MT Blade SV comes with a micrometric fastener – if you’re after a fastener that’s really quick to use (and safe as long as you keep them correctly adjusted) then a micrometric is great.

mt-blade-sv-motorcycle-crash-helmet-alpha-top-side-view — MT Blade SV Alpha (also in Fluor green and blue versions)

It weighs about 1.45Kg – which is pretty light for a full face polycarbonate crash helmet (average weight is closer to 1.6Kg). It comes with a chin curtain to keep out the road noise and some draft from around the neck – and a breath guard to help stop the visor steaming up.

For the money, build quality seems to be pretty good – though it only comes with a one year warranty, which ain’t the best.

Overall/Summary

Owners seem to really like their MT Blade SVs. Sure, it’s a budget helmet so folks’ expectations are that it’ll be a little rough around the edges. But it’s got decent build quality, a nice finish and some great features like the sun visor and Pinlock Max Vision that make it a bit of a standout at this price. It’s not really remarkable in any way – but then it was never meant to be. It’s a workhorse. An all rounder. Old reliable for those of us on a budget. So if that’s the kind of helmet you’re after, then you could do worse than giving the MT Blade SV a whirl.

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.

mt-blade-sv-motorbike-helmet-raceline-orange-black-side-view — The classy MT Blade SV Raceline range. Also available in green and black/red

Alternatives to the MT Blade SV

First off, it’s worth mentioning the MT Revenge – it’s pretty similar to the Blade just that it doesn’t have a drop down sun visor. It did, however, score maximum marks in the SHARP safety test, which for a £70+ polycarbonate helmet is amazing value.

But assuming you’re after a similar spec to the Blade SV – i.e. a cheaper full face with sun visor – you might want to check out the Shark 700s – a SHARP 4 star polycarbonate helmet with sun visor.

There’s also the Lazer Bayamo – £70+, SHARP 4 star, 5 year guarantee. Can’t say fairer than that.

Both these helmets are a great alternative for the same or less money than the MT Blade SV. For other alternatives, check out our Budget Crash Helmets pages, our Safest Helmets pages – or even try our smart filters to narrow down the crash helmet features you’re after.

Definitely want an MT?

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

Star Ratings

HJC RPHA 70 full face motorbike crash helmet review

Page Contents

HJC RPHA 70: Style, safety and comfort- does the RPHA 70 have it all?

South Korean helmet maker, HJC, has been producing motorcycle helmets for about 45 years now, and are known for providing decent quality, affordable crash helmets.

So, for their latest helmet, the HJC RPHA 70, to be selling for around the £400 mark, we’re expecting something pretty special. Not only is it their joint most expensive helmet (OK their range-topping RPHA 11 Carbon costs a bit more, but the 70’s the same price as the standard composite RPHA 11), so it’s properly treading on the toes of the big boys – the Arais, Shoeis and Schuberths of this world. And to do that, it needs to pack a real punch.

So what does the RPHA 70 offer?

We’ll, it’s a full faced helmet aimed at the sports-touring market – which really means anyone this side of club racer – though it’ll come with an ACU gold sticker on the back (in the UK only) so they’ll be more than happy for you to use it on the track too.

hjc-rpha-70-motorcycle-crash-helmet-semi-flat-black-front-view — RPHA 70 ‘Semi Flat’ matt black

But there’s quite a few innovations that HJC reckon they’ve thrown at the RPHA 70 – more than pretty well any new crash helmet launch we can remember. So, if you’re sitting comfortably, here’s the main features of the new HJC RPHA 70 full face.

Composite-fibre shell (carbon, aramid & fibreglass)
Full carbon version also available
SHARP 3 Star safety rated
Drop down sun visor
EQRS (emergency quick release)
Double-D ring fastener
Ride Magazine Recommended (2021)
Anti-fog insert included*
Wicking, anti-bac interior
Glasses groove
Sizes XXS-XXL
5 year warranty
Expect to pay around:
- £280-£380 (Composite)
- £430-£500 (Carbon)

Best places to buy an HJC RPHA 70?

Please click below to visit the HJC RPHA 70 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

There’s a full carbon fibre version of the RPHA available.

But most of the RPHA 70 range are made from what HJC call their Premium Integrated Matrix plus or PIM for short. That’s a complex 6 layer composite laminate, including layers of carbon, glass fibre and aramid (kevlar) designed to offer good impact resistance while being light weight.

Of course, impact resistance is only one half of the equation when it comes to an effective crash helmet (with energy absorption being the other half) and if you look at the SHARP safety tests covering HJCs you can see they’ve a mixed bag of results.

Their average score across all tested HJC helmets is just over 3 out of 5. And while the composite-shelled FG-ST scored a maximum five, their top of the range RPHA 11 only managed a modest 3/5.

hjc-rpha-70-motorcycle-crash-helmet-grandal-rear-view — Rear view of the RPHA 70 Grandal showing red EQRS tabs.

When the RPHA 70 was SHARP tested it was given a 3 star safety rating – which isn’t the best. However, it’s worth remembering that the most important thing with any helmet is to get one that fits right – a SHARP one star helmet that fits perfectly will protect you better than a five star helmet that’s a poor fit. Check our fitting guide here.

Moving on from helmet shell and shock absorption performance, it does have some other useful safety features.

Foremost among these are the emergency quick removal cheek pads (EQRS) – designed to help removing the helmet by emergency staff.

There’s also good ole double-d ring fasteners – it might be an old style way to fasten a helmet but they’re easy to use once you get the hang of em – and safe as houses if you adjust them correctly.

The RPHA 70 will also come with both an anti-fog insert (though it’s not a Pinlock) and anti-fog coated drop down sun visor.

Of course, having an integral sun visor can be very useful – especially for those times when the sun’s dangerously low in the sky. And having it anti-fog coated should be really useful too, though we’ll have to wait and see if the coating’s actually any good: it’s one thing saying it’s anti-fog coated but entirely another whether it works well or not!

hjc-rpha-70-motorcycle-crash-helmet-octar-red-black-side-view — Another cool design – this time it’s the Octar in red & black

Obviously, it’d be great to see a top SHARP test result so we know it’s gonna protect your noggin.

Helmet Noise

It’s rare that we come across a particularly quiet helmet. Usually, one person’s quiet helmet is another’s noisiest helmet they’ve ever used!

But the word on the RPHA 70 seems to be pretty unanimous. This is one helluva quiet helmet. it sounds like HJC has worked some kind of alchemy with the aero and padding because not only is it reportedly one of the quietest helmets around, but that noise doesn’t seem to increase even when the vents are open.

Now, we don’t want to over-promise here and you should still expect to wear ear plugs if you buy an RPHA 70, but we didn’t find a single opinion other than along the lines of ‘damn, that’s a quiet helmet’.

Ventilation

HJC reckon they’ve done a lot of work on making the RPHA 70 one of the best venting helmets on the market – and owners seem to agree.

There’s a couple of chin vents; the top main vent directs air up onto the back of the visor and around the chin area too. The upper vent is easy to operate using a slider in the usual position on the outside of the helmet.

The lower vent is smaller and a bit more fiddly to operate as its slider’s on the inside of the helmet, which is never ideal.

hjc-rpha-70-motorcycle-crash-helmet-octar-black-yellow-top-view — This one’s the RPHA 70 Octar yellow/black. Unique top vents visible

With the RPHA 70, these top vents are actually both intake AND exhaust vents. Bizarre. The switches on the top/size vents are also there to help regulate, not only the amount of cold air entering the helmet but the amount of warm air exiting it too.

We were initially pretty cynical about the venting arrangement – thinking could well be a cost-saving exercise (easier and cheaper to manufacture/fit intake and exhaust vents at the same time).

But now the RPHA 70 has been on the market for a while, owners give the ventilation nothing but praise – saying you can really feel the ventilation on your head, really keeping your head cool on hot days.

And because the RPHA 70 is designed to work for both sports and touring riders, they’ve made special effort to make vents that work in a sportsbike tuck as well as more upright position. They also reckon they’ve improved the internal air channelling to circulate the air around the scalp better.

So that’s top marks for ventilation.

Visor and Sun Visor

The clear visor that comes as standard has both HJCs rapid fire II quick release system and is anti-fog insert ready. The rapid fire system works pretty well to whip off the visor with little fuss.

However, it was initially thought that the anti-fog insert would be a Pinlock – which are great. As it turns out, HJC supplies their own version which isn’t as good, according to several owners.

hjc-rpha-70-motorcycle-crash-helmet-metal-pearl-white-side-view — ‘Metal’ pearl white 70 (sun visor down with optional tinted visor)

A new thing that we’ve not come across before is a two position visor-lock. Close the visor as normal, and the visor locks in position. That’s not new and lots of helmets do that – and you just have to push the visor up at the catch and it opens in one action.

However, with the RPHA 70 you can also slide the lock to the left and it’ll lock the visor closed – so even in an accident where the catch is knocked, the visor shouldn’t open.

It seems a bit over-kill for a road helmet but might come in useful if you spend a lot of time on the track? You’ll have to decide for yourself.

HJC also reckon they’ve redesigned the visor gasket to give an even better fit, reducing water/dust ingress and sealing out more road noise. This is possibly a welcome improvement as we do occasionally hear folks moaning about poor sealing on HJCs so hopefully this will improve things.

hjc-rpha-70-motorcycle-crash-helmet-grandal-top-view — HJC RPHA 70 Grandal

Finally, on the main visor, it does have a ‘cracked open’ position which many riders like; it’s good as a defogging position letting in a bit of ventilation while still protecting the face. So that’s (always) welcome.

Onto the sun visor.

HJC call it a ‘wire type’ sun visor meaning (I think) it’s more controllable – not just giving the options of either fully up or fully down but allowing you to drop it down as much as you like.

They’ve also designed it so the switch is further forwards and easier to reach (much better than on the top/rear of the helmet) and made the slider nice and ridged so it’s easy to operate in gloves.

Nice one HJC.

The sun visor is also anti-fog coated. Again, that’s good (lots of sun visors aren’t) though we’ll have to wait and see if it actually works!

Comfort and sizing

The HJC RPHA 70 sizing goes from XXS through to XXL (that’s size 52/3 through to 62/3).

On the inside, you’ll find the usual removable/washable lining that you find in all but the cheapest helmets (and increasingly even in the cheapest of the cheap helmets!) and you’ll also find a useful glasses groove to help riding in shades and glasses more comfortable.

hjc-rpha-70-motorcycle-crash-helmet-grandal-green-side-view — Same Grandal design as above but this time in green.

Check out the RPHA 70 spec sheet and it looks like it’ll cover all the bases in terms of active fabrics too. It’s moisture wicking, it’s anti-bacterial, odour-reducing and quick-drying. HJCs usually make very good internals and there’s no reason to suspect the RPHA 70 will be any different.

It doesn’t contain some of the swanky materials of some of the competition (see the HJC FG-ST’s SilverCool lining or the Bell Star range’s X-static silver or Cool Jade materials!) but it ticks all the boxes and owners reckon that it’s a very comfortable helmet. One or two thought it was a bit too tight at first, but said that it breaks in quickly and, now it has, they love the comfort even on long rides.

Looks and Graphics

With its chunky mouldings and and aero-influenced spoilers, the HJC RPHA 70 looks about as modern and purposeful as any helmet on the market today.

Of course, much of that is about making a helmet that works; about reducing buffeting and improving stability. And it’s also been shaped to create a pressure differential that’ll help draw air through the helmet for ventilation.

hjc-rpha-70-motorcycle-crash-helmet-semi-flat-black-side-view — Side view of the matt black ‘Semi Flat’

But it’s not just about the aero. That complicated shape’s also been designed to make the helmet look visually compact too – to trick the eye into thinking it’s smaller than it actually is.

And all that design work is accentuated by some really quite striking graphics.

There’s no hi-viz version (yet) but most of us want either a plain black or white lid and you’ve the usual choice of matt or gloss in there (they’re the Metal or Semi-Flat range).

There’s also the Octar, the Dipol, Grandal and Lif graphics – most available in at least two or three different colour combos.

You’ll find many RPHA 70 helmet designs up and down this page, but there are a loads more available. So, for the latest designs and prices, please click our recommended retailer links below. Ta.

Best places to buy an HJC RPHA 70?

Please click below to visit the HJC RPHA 70 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 RPHA 70 Video

Overall/Summary

The HJC RPHA 70 is a well thought-out and carefully designed helmet. And it looks pretty cool too!

It’s not the cheapest, but with that complex laminate shell, a carefully designed visor and sun visor system and features like the EQRS and anti-fog visor insert (not a Pinlock), it offers lots of features and technology for the money.

hjc-rpha-70-motorcycle-crash-helmet-octar-black-yellow-front-view — Front view of the RPHA 70 Octar yellow/black

It scored just above average when tested by the UK SHARP testing labs (see here for 4 & 5 star rated helmets) but it is universally praised for its comfort and quietness.

And because it’s been designed as a sports touring helmet, it should be at home whether you’re sat bolt upright on your BMW or tucked in on your Duke.

It’s also light weight too – though if you want an even lighter weight version, there’s a full carbon RPHA 70 available. That carbon version was a Ride Magazine recommended helmet when they covered high end sports touring helmets in 2021.

All in all, the RPHA 70 is a great all-rounder that owners seem to be very well pleased with.

Alternatives to the RPHA 70?

There’s loads of options if you’re looking for a ‘do everything’ full face helmet. We’ve chosen a few great helmets here to check out, but if you want more options, maybe have a look at our more expensive priced helmets where you’ll find other helmets in the same price range (and more) as the RPHA70; or our great value helmets pages – or even our top 10 full face helmets lists.

But if you’re after some other suggestions, take a look at the AGV GT Veloce – a SHARP five star rated full face helmet that has a nice wide Pinlock-equipped visor and is slightly cheaper than the RPHA 70.

hjc-rpha-70-motorcycle-crash-helmet-lif-side-view — Here’s the HJC RPHA 70 in Lif graphics

If you want a great brand, you could try the Shoei Ryd (only available after Spring 17) – or for something more tried and tested, how about the Shoei GT Air – it’s a great helmet with some excellent features, only let down by a SHARP 3 star test result.

For a helmet that scores maximum results for safety, try the five star rated HJC FG-ST – that’s a fibreglass lid that’s loads cheaper than the RPHA 70 but comes with £30 of Pinlock Max Vision in the box and is also a Ride magazine recommended helmet. Great value that helmet.

Best places to buy an HJC RPHA 70?

Please click below to visit the HJC RPHA 70 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).

More HJC crash helmet reviews/info?

Visit our HJC page to quickly browse all our HJC helmet reviews including all the latest safety-rated full face and modular/flip up helmets.

Star Ratings

MCN RPHA 70: Quality 4/5, Value 4/5

Review of the MDS M13 full face motorbike crash helmet – by AGV

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Budget Buster crash helmet? Review of the MDS M13 full-face by AGV

MDS is AGV’s budget range of crash helmets, and the thermoplastic-shelled MDS M13 can be had for under £60, so is bound to be a popular offering from the Italian manufacturer. Produced using HIR-TH (that’s thermoplastic to you and me) it’s aimed at riders on a budget who want a quality product with a low price tag.

So that’s pretty much all of us then!

MDS full face helmet (made by AGV)
Thermoplastic Shell
Quick Release Visor
4 Star SHARP rated
1 year warranty
Sizes XS-XL
Weight – 1.5Kg (about average)
Available for under £60

mds-m13-gloss-black-motorcycle-crash-helmet-front-view — Plain, simple and great value – MDS M13 in gloss black

Safety

Obviously, safety is paramount for both manufacturer and rider. So with SHARP awarding the MDS M13 a four star rating, it’s great to see AGV showing no sign of lowering their standards, even in their lower-priced range of helmets.

In the wider scheme of things, gaining a four star rating places the M13 up there with some £500 helmets; so in safety terms, you get a massive bang for your buck with the M13.

Of course, it’s no good having a high safety rating if it doesn’t stay put in an accident. The strap on the M13 is fastened with a micrometric fastner which are nice and easy to use and should be safe as houses as long as you keep it adjusted correctly.

Looking to buy an MDS helmet?

We recommend SportsBikeShop (UK) for outstanding service, 365 day returns and free delivery (UK only). Please click the link to see their full range and latest deals.

Ventilation

A pretty standard ventilation system is fitted to the M13. That’s not massively surprising given the price, but as with most MDS’ or AGV’s, standard should do the job just fine for most of us.

The system consists of a lower triple inlet located under the visor and two horn-shaped upper vents on the forehead. The rear exhaust outlets consist of two sets of four vents which are set on the contour lines of the shell.

Air enters the triple chin bar inlet to ventilate the face and rear of the visor while the upper vents allow air to enter the helmet to (hopefully) keep your head cool. This is assisted by the rear exhaust vents being placed within the low pressure area at the back of the helmet, designed to draw out the warm stale air when you’re riding along.

But does it vent well? Well, from the noise we’ve heard out there, very few people mention how well the M13 vents – which is probably a good thing as most of us get pretty vocal when something’s not right. Having said that, we did find a couple of owners say that the ventilation’s good, so as long as you’re not riding in extreme temperatures, I’d guess it’ll probably work adequately for most of us.

Visor

The M13 comes with a clear visor as standard with an opening tab to the left (left or centre are probably the most convenient).

mds-m13-brush-blue-motorcycle-crash-helmet-rear-view — Rear view of the M13 Brush, cunningly camouflaging the rear exhaust vents

It operates on a ratchet and the visor has AGV’s XQRS or Xtra Quick Visor Removal System – that’s AGVs take on a toolless quick release visor. That’s a feature that’s always worth having and not always available on a budget helmet – get back after a ride in the winter rain or through the flies in summer and you’ll need to whip off your visor to give it a good clean in the sink. So a quick release visor is more or less essential these days.

One drawback is that the M13 doesn’t come with a Pinlock-ready visor – so if you’re after a helmet that won’t fog up in the rain or cold, we recommend you buy one of these helmets that either come with a Pinlock in the box or are Pinlock-ready.

Comfort & Sizing

The M13 is made in two helmet sizes and is available to fit head sizes XS to XL.

Two helmet sizes is pretty good for a budget helmet, meaning it’ll look more in proportion to your body size and, arguably, offer better protection than a helmet manufactured in only one shell size.

The interior lining is also fully removable and washable – again something we don’t always see in a budget helmet and well worth it, especially if you use your helmet on a commute or ride in heat where you’ll sweat a lot.

mds-m13-matt-black-motorcycle-crash-helmet-side-view — Matt black M13 – it might be cheap but it’s a cool design!

According to the AGV blurb, the M13 has a dry comfort lining with sanitized treatment. There’s no further details but that implies it’s moisture wicking and comes pre-treated with antibac – again, that’s good and up there with many mid-priced helmets.

Comfort is one thing that the MDS does well with heaps of owners reckoning that the lining’s comfortable and the helmet’s good for long days in the saddle without a problem – as always, so long as you get the fitment right in the first place.

Looks & Graphics

Standing out from the crowd is never easy but the MDS has five different designs/colours to help you give it a whirl.

From simple plain matt/gloss black and plain white versions to three different colours of the ‘Brush’ design; available in white/black, white/red and white/blue that you’ll see up and down the page.

Most owners love the look of their M13 and are particularly amazed at the build quality – especially at this low price point.

Check our recommended retailer links below to see the latest designs and prices.

Best place to buy an MDS Helmet?

If you found this helmet review useful and you’re interested in buying or checking out prices on an MDS helmet (or any other bike gear), please click the link to the page at SportsBikeShop. They're one of our recommended retailers with a 9.8/10 score on Trustpilot, 365 day refunds and free delivery in the UK. And if you buy from there, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – THANKS! (It's how we pay for the site).

Click above to check out Mds crash helmet prices at Sportsbikeshop — Click above to check out MDS crash helmets at SportsBikeShop

MDS M13 Videos

The only video we could find shows how the M13s quick release visor system works (it’s called a Street 12 visor) on what looks like a gloss black version of the M13.

mds-m13-brush-motorcycle-crash-helmet-side-view — This is the M13 ‘Brush’ – also in red (top) and blue options

Overall/Summary

The MDS M13 is a budget, no frills kind of crash helmet. But it’s true to say that, on paper at least, it looks like it’ll pack quite a punch. We know that AGV know how to make a great helmet and from what we can see so far, with the M13 you get decent quality, SHARP-tested levels of safety and a modern design, packaged into a value for money product.

At this price, and with this little-known brand attached to it, it’ll particularly attract scooter riders, commuters and riders who are new to biking. But with its SHARP four star rating, modern looks and great build quality and finishing (for the price) no doubt thanks to that AGV pedigree, it’s undoubtedly well worth the rest of us considering too.

So if you’re after a great value from your next helmet, then the MDS M13 has to be added to your ‘must check out’ list!

Alternatives to the MDS M13?

It’s amazing what you can get for a few quid these days. There’s some really great helmets to be had for well under £100 so we’ve chosen a few of the best for you to check out if you’re hunting for a new, budget, full face crash helmet.

There’s plenty of other SHARP four star helmets around – including the LS2 FF352 Rookie which is lighter than the M13, comes with an optically-correct visor and retails for about the same as the MDS.

There’s also a couple of helmets from Spanish maker MT, the MT Thunder is also 4 star safety rated and comes with a double-d ring fastener – again for around the same price as the M13. But there’s also a SHARP five star helmet available in the form of the MT Revenge – that’s another polycarbonate helmet but this one’s slightly pricier with prices starting at around £70 (though you can even get a carbon fibre version for £150!).

If you’re after a helmet from one of the better-known brands, Shark’s entry-level S600 starts at about £90. That’s SHARP four star rated too and comes with a Pinlock anti-fog insert in the box (which is worth about £30 alone) and comes with Shark’s 5 year warranty as opposed to the MDS M13’s one year. That makes it a really competitive package compared with the rest.

Finally, if you’re on a tight budget but want to try a flip-up helmet, then MDS’ MD200 is well worth looking over. Prices start at £70 but for that you get a SHARP 4 star rated polycarbonate flip-up with drop down sun visor.

You can check out the latest prices for all these helmets by clicking on the links within each review found above.

X-Lite X-551 Helmet Review

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Summary

The X-Lite X-551 crash helmet is made by Nolan and aimed at supermoto on/off road adventure riders. It’s an interesting combination of full-faced helmet with an integral slide down sun visor as well as a removable/adjustable peak.

1.6Kg (medium weight)
ECE approved (but not SHARP tested)
Great for ventilation
Pinlock anti-fog visor
Only average for noise supression
Integral sun visor
Typical price range: £230-£330

Note. X-Lite X-551 is now discontinued. Take a look at our adventure helmets section for some great alternatives.

If you’re after something a bit different from the usual full or open faced helmets, you might fancy giving the X-551 from X-lite a try. Plus if you’re riding something like a GS12 or a Multistrada and want something that suits the look, this could be the baby.

Safety

The X-551 has been ECE 22.05 approved for sale in the EU, however it hasn’t been SHARP tested yet so we’re not really sure how well it’ll perform in the real world (or as close as we can get without headbutting an A-road!). However, looking through all previous SHARP tests, no X-lite helmet has scored lower than 4 out of 5 and they came 5th in our review of the safest crash helmet brands, so the X-551 is hopefully going to perform well too.

Noise

Reports are that the X-551 is about average for sound proofing. The peak, vents and underside of the helmet all add a bit of turbulence which is always noisy, and the amount of noise does of course depend on the sort of bike you ride and your riding position (a naked at 110 is going to be a tad noisier than stuck behind a barn door fairing). But that said, it’s not a particularly noisy or quiet helmet – bang in the middle according to most riders.

Size

The helmet is made in three different shell sizes – which is a good thing. Manufacturers of cheaper helmets try and get away with having to create fewer physical shells, instead padding out a larger helmet with more lining to fit smaller heads. X-Lite using three different shell sizes means that the X-551 will fit more optimally, and stop you looking like a lollipop if you wear smaller sizes. They’re also arguably safer. The X-551 is available in sizes XS – XXL.

X-Lite-X-551-rear-view-in-silver — Rear view with large central exhaust vent

Ventilation

The X-lite has great ventilation from multiple chin vents and three forehead/crown vents. All vents are pretty easy to use even in gloves. The top vents use a swivel plate – press down at the back to open and the front pops up to act as a little scoop. Simple and effective. Users rate it as really good for ventilation – both to keep the head cool or keep it from misting up in cold weather.

Visor

It’s got two visors – the main visor that users say is particularly optically clear and gives a nice wide view – and a drop down sun visor, operated with a slider on the side of the helmet. The main visor comes with a Pinlock anti-fog insert (these are bang on if you ride in the cold or rainy weather) and the ratchet is nice and firm, locking the visor in four positions that stay there in the wind blast. The sun visor is optically pretty good too and it’s easy to use with a slider. If you’ve got a big hooter, some riders reckon the sun visor can catch on it though as it’s set quite far back.

Comfort

Good quality lining with removable cheekpads so you can micro-adjust the helmet if you find it’s not fitting quite right. Provided you give the helmet a trial so there aren’t any pressure points, users reckon it’s a really comfy place to be.

x-lite-X-551silver-front — X-551 Front view

Peak, Aero, Finish

Onto the rest of the stuff. The peak’s really useful for keeping the sun out. It’s adjustable and removable too if you don’t need it. With all that plastic stuck up front, you’d expect it to create a real racket in the wind. But apparently not. It does make some noise of course, but folks reckon much less than you’d think. They also say the finish of the helmet is great – the water based paint gives a lovely glossy and lacquered finish that’s up there with the best.

Overall

It’s a reasonably cool looking helmet that’s got some great features such as the sun visor and easy-to-use vents. It performs well in pretty well all respects and is a reasonable buy at the price point. If you’re into adventure helmets and like the look, we reckon you’ll be pleased you took the plunge.

For other helmet reviews check out either our Crash Helmet Reviews or SHARP 4 & 5 Star Crash Helmet reviews sections! And, as always, if you have experience of the X-551, please add your thoughts in the comments section below – cheers!

Definitely want an X-Lite?

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

Star Ratings

Shark Vancore 1 and Vancore 2 crash helmet review

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Shark Vancore: a SHARP 4 Star rated urban full face helmet.

Hats off to Shark. Not only have they consistently been in the top half of our Top 10 Safest Helmet Brands list, but they’re always trying to bring innovation into the crash helmet market.

shark vancore 2 helmet neon fluo yellow top view 2 — Top view of the Shark Vancore 2 in neon yellow

First it was the Shark Raw/Drak, an open faced lid with a distinctly lean/mean urban streetfighter look. And then they launched the Shark Vancore – again targeting the hidden urban warrior in us but with with the added safety of being a full faced helmet (hey, I’m as much an urban warrior as the next man, but you’ve got to be sensible haven’t you 🙂 )

They’ve since uprated the Vancore a little and released it as the Vancore 2 – so here’s all you need to know about Shark’s Vancore helmets.

Full face crash helmet
Integral goggles with Carl Zeiss lens
SHARP 4 Star safety rated (Vancore 2)
1.25Kg (light)
Thermoplastic shell
Sizes XS (53cm) to XL (62cm)
Typical price range: £195-£250

Best places to buy a Shark Vancore 2?

Please click below to visit the Shark Vancore 2 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).

Shell and Designs

Shark Vancore Wipeout Mat EAO — Shark Vancore 1 Wipeout Mat EAO

The Vancore is a thermoplastic lid and comes in five helmet sizes – from XS (53/4 cms) to XL (61/2 cms) but with just one shell size (two for the Vancore 2).

It comes in your usual range of suitably grimy, urban, camo designs that wouldn’t look out of place in Advance Warfare. We’ve put our favourites on the page – including the matt and dual black, the RYU matt with it’s stricking red sun design on one side – and the camo Shark Vancore Matt Wipeout Mat EAO (nice and catchy naming guys!) as shown to the right.

Click the links above to see any more recent designs on the Vancore 2 helmet.

Vancore 2

Shark updated the Vancore with a few changes and renamed it Vancore 2. There’s a slightly redesigned chin bar, the goggles have been reworked – they work the same but have a different strap, thinner frame and offer more space and a better fit for improved aero.

There’s space for the SharkTooth bluetooth communicator in the shell – with cutouts for speakers and enough room for a mic.

When you look at the helmet from the side, don’t be fooled by the chin guard that looks as if it’ll pivot up. It won’t. It’s fixed. It comes with the goggles in place, fastened to each side with a quick release catch and the helmet’s secured to your bonce by way of a mirometric fastener – whack the lid on your head, insert the ratcheted bar into the holder and it clicks in place. Pull a little tab to release it – all nice and simple to use.

Safety

Shark Vancore 2 8.5 ms impact test results — Courtesy of sharp.dft.gov.uk Shark Vancore 2 8.5 m/s Impact test results.

SHARP – they’re the guys who independently safety test UK helmets – didn’t test Vancore 1 but they have tested Vancore 2. Of course, both helmets passed the ECE standards for safety, meaning – at the very least – it’ll give a decent minimum level of protection.

But when SHARP tested the Vancore 2 they awarded it 4 stars (out of 5) which is a very good rating. As you can see from the graphic which offers a snapshot of their highest speed 8.5 m/s test, it dropped a point or two on the side impact tests.

Before we come onto goggles in detail, it’s worth noting that the googles do reduce your field of view compared to a conventional full face helmet. Even though the Vancore 2’s goggles have been pushed further forward and have a thin bezel surrounding them, they’re still pretty deeply set into the helmet – meaning that you need to look left/right a bit more energetically than normal for your life saver – not ideal from a safety perspective.

Looking to buy this Shark?

We recommend SportsBikeShop (UK) for competitive prices, free delivery and 365 day returns backed by outstanding reviews, and Ghostbikes (UK) for amazing ratings, free delivery & free 30 day returns. Or you can click through to the Shark helmets pages at Amazon if you prefer to buy from there. If you like to buy in Euros, Motoin (Ger) are a quality German operation with decent prices and great review scores.

shark-vancore-matt-green-front-view — Goggles fit snugly into the Vancore Blank Mat GMA. Or Mat Green to the rest of us.

Goggles

The goggles are fixed to the helmet by elastic straps that connect to a pin on the sides. They can be quickly released by simply pulling on the tab to one side and they goggles will come away. If you want to lift the goggles up when you’re riding, you can do that too. However they’re fiddly to pull out – they sit deep within the helmet and the elastic needs to be pretty tight to keep them sitting snug on your face. You can pull them up and they’ll sit on your forhead ok – however, it doesn’t take long for the elastic to start going baggy if you do this lots. Which is not so bad because you can tighten the elastic – it’s just another fiddle and if you’re anything like me, reducing the amount of fiddling and faffing about you do with a helmet is pretty high up on your priority list when you’re riding!

The goggles themselves do work nicely though – they sit nice and close to your face and are lined with foam and are by all counts pretty comfy. They are anti fog coated and feature a dual Carl Zeiss lens which gives a nice and clear view of the road ahead. And while they do fit well, they are still goggles and not a flush-fitting visor, so there is a gap around that’ll let air/water/road crap into the helmet. So if you’ll be riding all year round and in dodgy conditions, you have been warned!

shark-vancore-dual-black-top-view — Top view of the Vancore in dual black colour scheme

Comfort & sizing

The lining of the Vancore uses bamboo which, rather counter-intuitively, makes for a really soft, plush place to put your noggin. It’s also got deep recesses in it to allow the top-vent to do it’s job and pass air over your head to let it breathe. Owners say it’s a comfortable helmet – as long as you get the sizing right. A couple of people suggested going for a size up when ordering a Vancore as they tend to be a wee bit undersized. The lining is fully removable and washable.

shark-vancore-black-side-view — Vancore in plain gloss black

Ventilation and Noise

The Vancore has a single vent on the top of the helmet which does the job nicely. Air does get in through the front around the goggles so, by all accounts, the single top vent is all the Vancore needs. It’s easy to operate with gloves and simply slides forwards or back to open/close. It’s not the quietest helmet, but it’s not the noisiest either. Owners reckon it’s probably similar to a decent modular helmet. So if you come to a Vancore from a particularly quiet full face helmet, you’ll think it’s noisy but if you come to it from an open face lid and riding a naked bike, it’ll be the last word in peace and tranquility!

Best places to buy a Shark Vancore 2 helmet?

Please click below to visit the Shark Vancore 2 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).

Video

Here’s Soundslikeaplan994‘s video on his new Vancore (looks enamoured doesn’t he?)

shark vancore 2 helmet overnight black slilver rear view 2 — Rear of the Vancore 2 Overnight

Overall

The Shark Vancore will sell on its looks – it’s that simple. Any why not. It’s probably not the most practical helmet – but you probably don’t walk around in a sensible lightweight spring jacket and hush puppies for the same reason. Who needs practical?

But the thing is, it’s also a serious helmet – as shown by its excellent SHARP safety rating – so it’ll give you some of the best protection out there. Sure you might only really want to wear it on dry days (us urban warriors tend to stay indoors when it’s wet anyhow) and if you do, we reckon you’ll be happy with the Vancore.

Best places to buy a Shark Vancore 2?

Please click below to visit the Shark Vancore 2 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.

Review of the SHARP 5 star safety rated HJC FG-ST full face motorcycle crash helmet

Page Contents

HJCs mid-priced fibreglass jack-of-all-trades full face helmet

HJC have made a name for themselves in producing great value, great performing helmets. And the HJC FG-ST sits slap bang in the middle of their helmet range, offering lots of the kind of features you need in a road bike helmet but in a competitively priced fibreglass package.

On paper, it’s not the lightest and it’s certainly not the sportiest, more one of those jack-of-all-trades helmets that try to offer the best of all worlds. But that’s quite an ask in a section of the helmet market that massively competitive.

So, let’s check out what features the FG-ST offers, what owners think of them and whether it deserves to take a share of your hard-earned dosh.

Note: the HJC FG-ST is no longer available. Why not click a link below to choose from one of our Top 10 Best rated crash helmets?

Take a look at our Best Motorbike Helmet Top 10s to find your next helmet too...

sportsbike-and-track-motorcycle-helmets-top-10

Mid-priced full face helmet
SHARP 5 star safety rated (maximum score)
Fibreglass shell
Drop down sun visor
Pinlock Max Vision anti fog included
Double-d ring fastener
1.6 Kg (heavier than average)
Ride magazine recommended
Expect to pay £180-£230

Looking to buy an HJC FG-ST?

HJC FG-ST’s aren’t widely available now, but the last time we checked you could still buy one at Amazon UK. Please click below to drop straight onto an HJC FG-ST page Amazon. And if you buy a helmet from them, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).

Overall/Summary

HJC have gone and done it again. If you’re able to spend £200ish on your next helmet and want something with all the features, bells and whistles you could ask for in a helmet that offers a maximum safety rating, then you should really check out an HJC FG-ST.

It’s well built too and comes with a Pinlock Max Vision in the box (shouldn’t all helmets for those cold and rainy days?). OK it’s not the lightest but owners don’t seem to care.

If you’re in the market for a fibreglass full face helmet, then the HJC FG-ST is well worth taking a look. Or for alternatives we’d recommend, skip to the bottom of the page.

Safety

The HJC FG-ST is made in two shell sizes – which is OK for looks and safety but not the best, especially if you’re at the extreme ends of the fitment sizes (read here why).

Having said that, it has been tested by the SHARP helmet testing labs where it scored top marks – that’s a five star rating – putting it into a very select group of just 56 helmets ever that’ve scored maximum marks (and most of those are no longer available).

So if you’re looking for a new helmet and safety is your top priority, then you probably ought to check out the HJC FG-ST (or any one of the other SHARP 5 star helmets we’ve reviewed).

In addition to an excellent overall safety rating, it has a number of other features that make for a safer helmet:

There’s a nice large visor with visor lock in the middle – a large visor aperture helps with life-savers when you’re checking for other vehicles and the visor lock could be useful in an accident in stopping rocks and muck entering the visor.

The visor also comes with a Pinlock Max Vision anti fog insert (see visor section below) which is obviously useful for making sure you can see out of the visor when it’s cold and rainy.

hjc-fg-st-motorcycle-crash-helmet-void-graphics-rear-view — Rear view of the FG ST Void

There’s also a double-d ring fastener – they’re great for making you tighten the strap just right with every trip – though they can be a bit fiddly until you’re used to them.

So, as far as safety goes, the HJC FG-ST seems to be pretty damn good and ticks lots of boxes – so gets our maximum rating.

Helmet Noise

Noise levels are always a tricky one to evaluate as it’s soooo subjective. When we research some helmets, there’s so many wildly conflicting opinions, we’ve simply gotta plump for an average rating.

That’s less of the case with the HJC FG-ST as most owners we came across rated it as pretty good – or at least better than their previous helmets. A couple said it has decent noise insulation. Another said it was a bit loud but removing his screen (which directed the air onto his helmet) quietened things down loads!

All things considered, owners seem to regard the HJC FG-ST as a reasonably quiet helmet.

It’s worth saying though that it’s a relative concept and that zamming through the air at 80mph is always going to cause some noise. So you’re always best sticking in a pair of decent ear plugs to properly quieten things down – then you’ll probably be more or less OK with any helmet you buy.

hjc-fg-st-besty-motorcycle-crash-helmet-top-view — Top vents and rear exhaust visible on this FG-ST Besty

Ventilation

Ventilation on the HJC FG-ST is provided by a double chin vent operated by a single up/down switch and double crown vents with switches behind the vent.

It has what HJC call ACS or Advanced Channeling Ventilation System (shouldn’t that be ACVS??) – which in reality means it’s got the same ventilation system you’ll find in most helmets these days. Namely, channels are moulded into the shock absorbing polystyrene lining allowing air to enter the helmet via the vents in the shell and be directed around the scalp via the channels.

The air then gets warm and sweaty and is then directed towards the three rear exhaust vents.

So does it work?

Well, word is that it’s pretty good. One owner said it’s great, even in the height of summer, and a few more said they work well giving a decent amount of air onto the head – though the MCN reviewer reckoned they could be more effective.

Another said ventilation was OK but he found the helmet seals so well – especially with the breath guard and chin curtian fitted – that his Pinlock fogged up in the rain and the chin vent struggled to cope!

Visor

The HJC FG-ST has a nice large visor aperture. That’s great for improved visibility both on the road and on the track.

So, that means the visor itself has to be nice and big – and if it has a Pinlock, as the FG ST does, then that’s gonna have to be nice and big too. Thankfully, the HJC FG-ST comes with a Pinlock-ready visor and Pinlock Max Vision in the box. That’s the large-size Pinlock anti fog insert that sits in a recess in the back of the visor and covers pretty well all the visible area of the visor.

Pinlocks can fog up in extreme circumstances – but for most day-to-day riding, they should keep your visor nice and fog free.

The visor itself has as locking mechanism front and centre – so close the visor and it’ll auto-lock. That can be seen as a useful safety feature – especially if you’re intending taking your helmet to the track – and usually they only need you to slightly modify your usual visor-opening technique to get the hang of it. But have a go and get used to it before you go for a ride – some folks can find them a little tricky to get used to.

hjc-fg-st-crono-orange-motorcycle-crash-helmet-side-view — Crono orange version (comes in yellow, red & white too)

A final thing to say about the main visor is that it’s got HJCs Rapid Fire quick release visor system. They’re great and make removing/replacing the visor a piece of cake.

Sun Visor

Of course, the HJC FG-ST also has a drop down sun visor. If you’ve not had a helmet with a sun visor on before, we recommend trying one. They’re really useful to have on board and even if you only use it when you forget your shades (or replacement tinted visor) it can be a godsend to have one there when you need it.

Even if you decide you don’t like a sun visor, it really wouldn’t get in the way with the HJC FG-ST because the slider to operate it is tucked away to the left of the visor pivot so you don’t even notice it’s there.

The sun visor on the HJC FG-ST is an up-or-down type though, so if you like to fiddle about with a sun visor and have it at an intermediate position, you might want to look elsewhere (like our helmets with a sun visor section!)

hjc-fg-st-cinnati-motorcycle-crash-helmet-rear-view — Rear spoiler and exhaust vents on the HJC FG-ST Cinnati

Comfort & Sizing

The HJC FG-ST is available in sizes XS-XXL. As with many helmets, you need to get a nice secure fitting when new (see our fitting guide here) and things can loosen off slightly as you wear it more.

None more so than with HJCs from the reports we read. So make sure it feels nice and tightish at first and the slight bit of give over time should mean you get a good fit.

Owners reckon the HJC FG-ST is a comfortable place to be – though if you’re endowned with a larger than average sized hooter it’s worth being aware that a couple of owners said theirs touches the inside of the visor.

Other than that, HJC have made a good quality interior using their Silvercool material. That’s a liner laced with slivers of silver thead which gives it antibacterial properties and so keeps your lining pong-free for longer. It’s also moisture wicking and removable/washable.

And if you find the sizing not quite right, there’s a range of different sized cheek pads available so you can fine tune the internals to your liking (though they’re extra).

hjc-fg-st-motorcycle-crash-helmet-punisher-graphics-top-view — Top view of the shy & retiring FG-ST Punisher

Looks & Graphics

It’s a pretty cool looking helmet and it comes in a range of classy finishes.

There’s the Rubbertone which is effectively the matt black version but with a soft touch finish to it. There’s the metal, which is the white or black gloss versions – and then there’s an ‘I want to scare kids’ Punisher version that’s matt black with a skull on the sides and top.

At the time of typing there’s another five graphics with different colour variations in most – that’s the Crucial, Crono, Cinnati, Void and Besty graphics (conveniently enough, I think I like the Besty bestest – that’s the top image!). We’ve dotted them all up and down this page – but please visit our recommended retailer links below to see the latest prices and graphics. Ta.

Best place to buy an HJC FG-ST?

HJC FG-ST’s aren’t widely available now, but the last time we checked you could still buy one at Amazon UK. Please click below to drop straight onto an HJC FG-ST page Amazon. And if you buy a helmet 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).

HJC FG-ST Video

We simply couldn’t find an English language version of an HJC FG-ST video on YouTube so we’ve had to plump for an Italian version. Just turn the sound down, put on some tunes and this 2m video gives you a quick look around the FG-ST.

Other stuff – weight, glasses, buffeting, build quality, chin curtain, warranty

hjc-fg-st-rubbertone-motorcycle-crash-helmet-side-view — This one’s the FG-ST Rubbertone

Weight – it weighs around 1.6Kg in size L which is heavier than the average full face helmet (though some owners report it doesn’t feel heavy). It also has a glasses groove in the lining meaning it should be a bit easier to put glasses on and their stems shouldn’t press into the side of your head.

Build quality is generally very good with HJC and a few owners said the same for the FG-ST. And because it’s been designed in a wind tunnel, the aero seems effective too with owners reporting it’s particularly stable with little buffeting.

Final two things – there’s a chin curtain and breath guard included in the box, and it comes with a one year warranty (shame – some come with 5 year warranties these days).

Crash Helmet Buying Guides & Top 10s

For (hopefully!) other useful information to help you when buying your next helmet, check our various Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guides - or have a look at our Top 10 best helmet lists where we've got the top 10 best rated helmets overall along with Top 10 Best Budget/Top 10 Safest/Top 10 Best Full Face/Top 10 Best Modular/Flip-up/ Top 10 Best Sportsbike/Track helmets.

Alternatives to the HJC FG-ST?

OK, assuming you’re after a full face helmet with a very good rating for safety that’s not going to break the bank, we recommend you check these helmets out.

hjc-fg-st-metal-black-motorcycle-crash-helmet-side-view — Plain metal gloss black version of the FG-ST

First, there’s that other HJC helmet the IS-17 – that’s another SHARP 5 star helmet that’s got a polycarbonate shell and retails for about £50 less than the FG-ST.

There’s also the 5 star rated AGV GT Veloce that’s a composite fibre sports-oriented helmet with a big visor aperture. Prices start about where the FG-ST leaves off though so you’ll have to dig a bit deeper for that one.

Or how about an X-Lite X-702 GT – that’s another SHARP 5 star composite helmet that’s light and excels in pretty well everything (noise, comfort and ventilation). Again, it’s a tad pricier than the HJC though.

Finally, if you’d rather spend less than the HJC but still want the excellent safety rating, check out an MT Revenge – that’s a 5 star safety rated lid that’s light and retails for half the price (polycarb version) or still slightly less than the FG-ST for the full carbon version.

Looking to buy an HJC FG-ST?

HJC FG-ST’s aren’t widely available now, but the last time we checked you could still buy one at Amazon UK. Please click below to drop straight onto an HJC FG-ST page Amazon. And if you buy a helmet 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).

More HJC crash helmet reviews/info?

Visit our HJC page to quickly browse all our HJC helmet reviews including all the latest safety-rated full face and modular/flip up helmets.

Star Ratings

Schuberth C3 helmet review

Summary: The Schuberth C3 is a flip-up fibreglass helmet that’s generally considered well built, pretty quiet, comfortable and widely liked by owners. It doesn’t score particularly well in the SHARP safety tests though.

Note: the Schuberth C3 is no longer available, so check out its replacement, the Schuberth C3 Pro.

Fibreglass construction
SHARP 3 star safety rating (out of 5)
Comes with Pinlock Antifog as standard
Integral sun visor
Around 1.5-1.6Kg
Typical price range: £260-£300 depending on model/retailer

People Like them Because: Great build quality and finish; quiet and light (for a flip-up); integral sun visor and Pinlock anti-fog insert; comfortable.

People Don’t Like them Because: they’re pricey and not as quiet as some of the best full-faced helmets (though quiet for a modular helmet). Also some problems reported of too much air flow over the eyes (only really problematic in really cold conditions).

The C3 is a fibreglass flip-up helmet made in Germany by Schuberth. Their stated aim is to produce high quality, aerodynamic helmets with a wide range of features. At this premium price point, there’s a good deal of competition so the Schuberth really has to deliver on all counts.

Page Contents

Safety

Straight on to safety – in the SHARP safety test, the C3 only scored 3 out of 5 stars. It’s ECE approved (meaning it passed the mandatory ECE 22.01 range of standard safety tests) but only scored average in the SHARP tests. When testing flip up helmets, SHARP report how often the chin guard stays down. In the case of the Schuberth C3, it stayed down a pretty admirable 97% of the time, however scored badly on side impact tests. If you’re going to have an accident in the Schuberth C3, try and make sure you have an impact on the forehead or rear, not the sides!

Lots of folks who buy the C3 are after the benefits of a flip up and like the idea of buying a German helmet (perception of good quality engineering and reliability). And I have to say people do reckon they’re put together very well. Build quality is reported as being great – including metal parts on the visor closing mechanism, a high quality interior and generally a great finish. However, there are some mentions of leaky visors – leaking cold air onto the face (rather than water). It’s not a universal problem but probably worth being aware of.

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.

Visor

schuberth c3 silver helmet — C3 looking cool in plain silver

Quite a few people note that the standard visor is particularly optically correct – very clear and of high quality. Schuberth visors have something called ‘Turbulators’ on them which are a little row of diamond shapes cast into the top of the visor which are designed to smooth the air flow off the top of the visor. It’s debatable that they actually work but shows how much work Schuberth put into making their crash helmets as aerodynamic and slippery as possible. Doing this should reduce wind noise as well as buffeting so makes quite a bit of sense. On the subject of visors, the C3 also comes with a Pinlock antifog insert as standard and has a built-in sun visor. Both of these work really well – folks saying they’re amazed at the quality of the sun visor and that they don’t know how they managed without a Pinlock!

Ventilation

It always helps having a Pinlock, especially if you’re riding in cold or wet weather a lot. However, you still need good ventilation to make it work at its best. The Schuberth has good ventilation. The forehead switch can be fiddly to operate but Schuberth have made a great deal of effort to make the ventilation work and users reckon it does a great job keeping you cool in the heat and demisted in the cold. The only slight problem is if you’ve got the chin/neck guard in place it can make the helmet it bit stuffy – but generally it’s well fit for purpose.

The neck/chin guard is there to reduce the amount of air that seeps into the helmet, but of course it also helps in reducing noise too. The C3 is pretty quiet in general – not as quiet as the best full-faced helmets but quiet for a flip up. It’s also fairly light at around 1.6Kg (depending on shell size) which considering it has to have extra mechanics in place for the flip-up front, is good going.

Making a helmet as light as possible obviously helps with the comfort when riding and owners reckon the C3 is broadly very comfortable. One or two people say that flip-ups, and the C3 in particular, can take a long time to wear in. But once it’s worn in, it’s a comfortable place to be. The lining is good quality and fully removable and washable.

Flip-up

Overall, owners are very happy with the Schuberth. The flip-up front is constructed with tight tolerances meaning that when it’s closed, it fits snugly, and it’s easily unlocked and opened using either of the buttons on the chin guard. It also has an ‘unlocked’ City mode which allows more air in and the sun visor is easily operated using a slider on the left hand side of the helmet. The chin strap is fitted with Schuberth’s anti roll-off system (designed to stop the helmet moving around and coming off in an accident) and has a microlock mechanism rather than D rings – both highly rated by owners.

All in all, the Schuberth C3 is a well featured helmet (there’s even a C3W that’s designed specifically for ladies’ heads). And, while there’s the occasional fault reported, it’s well made, comfortable, and has a great visor system. The interior has also been designed with plenty of space in there for the Schuberth Rider Communication System (a Scala G4) which works well by all accounts (getting boring how everyone seems to like everything isn’t it?!?) If you don’t use a bluetooth headset, the extra space is also useful for glasses-wearers. The only real fly in the ointment is the lowish score in the SHARP safety tests (and safety is, after all, probably the main consideration when buying a motorcycle crash helmet). However, if you can overlook this, the Schuberth C3 helmet seems to have lots of happy owners.

If you’ve ever owned a Schuberth C3, we’d love to hear what you thought about it – please let us know in the Comments area below. For other motorcycle crash helmet reviews, visit our All Crash Helmet Reviews section or our Only SHARP 4 or 5 Star Helmet Reviews section.

And to finish, here’s a short video on the Schuberth C3 helmet I found on YouTube.

We’ll take a look at some of these in future articles.

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.

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.

Caberg Modus flip-up motorcycle crash helmet review

Page Contents

A look at the Caberg Modus modular/flip-up motorcycle helmet

Caberg Modus is a polycarbonate modular/flip-up helmet from Italian crash helmet maker Caberg. In fact, it’s a single helmet but with three versions available (not in all countries).

First there’s the Caberg Modus Easy – that’s the same as the standard Modus but has a removable Caberg sticker and doesn’t come with a Pinlock.

Next there’s the Caberg Modus CPL – that stands for ‘Caberg Pump Lining’. This one has an inflatable internal lining (similar to those found in quite a few Scorpion Air helmets) where you can pump air into small bladders – in this case placed behind the cheek pads and inside the neck roll – which squeezes the lining towards your cheeks and neck to make the fit a bit tighter.

Finally, there’s the standard Caberg Modus which comes with the Pinlock anti-fog insert as standard but without the CPL inflatable lining.

Note, if you’re buying from in the UK, only the standard Modus is available; so buy through one of our continental recommended retailers for the CPL version (see the links below).

All clear? Then let’s see what the Caberg Modus has to offer and what owners think of it.

caberg-modus-motorcycle-helmet-metal-black-side-view-chin-down — Caberg Modus Metal in black

Polycarbonate Flip-front helmet
ECE Dual homologated
Micrometric fastener
Quick release visor
Drop down sun visor
Pinlock anti-fog in the box (except for Easy version)
Weight – 1.7Kg (about average)
Sizes XS-XL
Expect to pay £200-£245
CPL version about £40 more

Best places to buy a Caberg Modus?

The Modus 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 Modus 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).

Overall/Summary

The Caberg Modus ticks a lot of boxes if you’re looking for a fully-featured flip-up helmet.

It’s got a great chin bar mechanism, it’s dual homologated P/J, has a quick release visor with Pinlock insert included – and it’s all backed by Caberg’s second-to-none reputation for safety.

There’s really not much information online about how well the Caberg Modus performs though. But from scouring the web (including lots of non-English language forums!) we’ve found it’s a well-liked helmet. It’s not the quietest (but then, which modulars are?!) but it’s comfy, has a useful sun visor – and owners get on well with them with few niggles reported.

caberg-modus-cpl-motorcycle-helmet-metal-white-side-view — A Modus Metal in white showing the maximum height the chin bar raises and the sun visor drops

At this mid-price point, there’s lots of competition (see our alternatives section at the bottom of the page) but even so, the Caberg Modus is a great flip up helmet and well worth considering.

Safety

The Caberg Modus is ECE 22-05 approved for sale in the UK – which means it’s undergone some thorough impact testing and has a met a number of other safety standards to make sure it’ll offer a decent level of protection when you wear it on your bike.

Unfortunately, it hasn’t been safety tested by SHARP, so we don’t know quite how well the Modus will perform beyond that standard or in comparison to other helmets.

But looking at the data (as we do!) Caberg has a great track record – and at the time of writing are our joint first placed helmet maker for safety.

There’s been four polycarbonate ‘system’ helmets tested by SHARP over the years and, overall, they’ve scored three maximum (five) star ratings and one four star safety rating. That’s pretty amazing going.

caberg-modus-motorcycle-helmet-duale-hi-vision-side-view-chin-up — Side view of the Modus Duale Hi Vision

If you’ve read our flip-up helmet reviews before, you’ll know we also like to see a decent (high) percentage for the number of test impacts the flip-up chin guard stays locked too.

Well, Caberg do very well here too. They’re not scoring the 100% the likes of Nolan Group helmets manage, but they scored an average of 89% across all their tested system helmets, which is pretty good.

Another tick in the box for the Modus is that it’s dual homologated.

That means it’s approved to be used (and give protection) whether you’re riding with the chin guard up or down. Not all modular helmets are dual homologated and therefore legal to be worn like this, so that’s worth having.

Other bits and bobs that add to improved safety?

Well, there’s a Pinlock anti-fog insert in the box (not the Easy version) – that speaks for itself why that contributes to safety on your bike!

There’s also a nice and easy to use micrometric fastener – and as long as the strap’s set up right in the first place, micrometrics allow you to tighten up the strap just right for every trip, to make sure your helmet won’t come off in an accident.

Somewhere between 5-10% of motorcycle accidents see the rider lose their helmet so make sure you get a helmet that fits well and tighten your strap up tightly every trip!

caberg-modus-motorcycle-helmet-metal-white-side-view — This is the Modus Metal white. You can see the removable panel for the Caberg Just Speak bluetooth too

Helmet Noise

Overall, the Caberg Modus offers about average noise suppression for a modular helmet. That means if you go at a decent lick, it’ll get noisy and you’ll need ear plugs – but it’s OK at lower speeds.

A couple of owners said it’s an improvement on previous Caberg modulars they’d tried and another said he thought it was pretty quiet.

One also commented that using the air pump on the CPL version quietened things up a bit more.

Bottom line is that it’s probably about average for a flip-up but is very dependent on how fast you go, whether you’re behind a screen or not, and a few other factors that all contribute to making a helmet noisier and your perception of noise.

Ventilation

Generally, owners say the Caberg Modus gives decent ventilation.

Both front vents are pretty easy to operate with nice big sliders opening both the front chin vent and the forehead vent.

The top vent brings air into the helmet which is then circulated around the scalp via channels cut into the EPS shock absorbing liner. It then exits via the two rear exhaust ports.

However, 0ne owner commented that he found the top vent didn’t bring much air into the helmet because the holes in the interior lining weren’t lined up correctly with the vent holes in the helmet shell. That’s something we’ve come across before and prevents any air ventilating the scalp. Not good.

It’s not a widely reported problem though.

caberg-modus-motorcycle-helmet-matt-black-side-view — Matt black Caberg Modus showing chin vent and top vent slider (in grey) and Pinlock post on visor

Visor

The Caberg Modus has what Caberg call Double Visor Tech. Not sure if that’s referring to the standard clear visor having a Pinlock anti-fog insert on it or the fact that there’s a main clear visor and secondary drop-down sun visor too.

Either way, the Modus is very well equipped in the visor dept.

As mentioned, the main visor is Pinlock ready and comes with a Pinlock anti-fog insert in the box (except for the Modus Easy model). Pinlocks are pretty good and are probably the easiest way to stop your main visor steaming up.

The main visor’s also quick release – which is still pretty rare for a modular helmet. Caberg’s quick release mechanism isn’t the slickest on the market; but once you’ve got the hang of it, it only takes a few seconds to remove the visor (and a bit longer to refit).

The Modus’ sun visor is operated by a big slider on the top/rear of the helmet. It’s not spring-loaded so you can easily drop the sun visor to any point you want and gives infinite adjustment.

We’ve not come across any problems reported with either visor system so all seems good there.

caberg-modus-motorcycle-helmet-hi-vision-side-view-chin-up — Caberg Modus Hi-Vision. Chin guard unlock button can be seen in red above removable chin curtain

Chin Guard

As mentioned in the safety section above, the Caberg Modus is P/J dual homologated.

What does that mouthful mean? Well it’s an ECE (European) testing certification essentially meaning you can legally ride with the chin bar up or down.

And while it’s unlikely you’ll get nicked riding with any modular helmet with the chin bar up, it does mean it should, theoretically, be safer to do so while riding with a dual homologated helmet if you have an accident.

To open the chin bar, you pull the red tab at the bottom-centre of the chin guard which releases the lock. Owners report that it’s very easy to open the chin guard and the action is nice and smooth.

If you watch the video (around 2 mins in) you’ll see how the chin guard raises then is pulled back towards the helmet to secure the helmet in place.

Owners who ride with the chin guard up reckon it’s quite well designed so it’s aerodynamic and doesn’t act as a sail until you get up to motorway speeds.

caberg-modus-cpl-motorcycle-helmet-matt-black-inside-view — Internal view of the Modus CPL showing buttons for air pump on the left.

To lower the chin guard, you pull the chin guard forwards and it drops down – again easily and smoothly.

Again, as we mentioned in the safety section, Caberg have a decent (though not perfect) record of their chin guards remaining locked during an accident – as well as a great overall SHARP safety record.

Comfort & Sizing

The Caberg Modus is made in just one shell size.

Read here why that’s not so good. If you’re looking for one of the smaller sizes, it may mean the helmet looks a bit big for your body size too (the lollipop effect).

Other than that, the Modus comes in sizes XS-XL. It comes with a removable chin curtain which does a good job at reducing wind entering the helmet and cutting out a bit of noise caused by turbulence.

The interior comfort lining is removable and washable and – as long as the helmet fits correctly in the first place – is reported as comfortable.

Note the CPL version has Caberg’s Pump Lining fitted – that’s small air pockets fitted behind the cheek pads and neck roll, that can be inflated by pressing the pump bladder (see picture) and deflated by pressing the reset button.

caberg-modus-cpl-motorcycle-helmet-matt-black-inside-rear-view — Bottom view of the Modus CPL in matt black

We’ve seen this sort of system before and, generally, it seems to be a matter of personal preference whether you’ll get on with it or not.

Inflating it does give a tighter fit and it’s also been said that because it presses the liner in a bit more, it can quieten helmet noise down a bit. And there’s no doubt that getting a good firm fit is an important factor in making a helmet usable and safe in an impact.

However, making sure you get a well fitting helmet in the first place should achieve this; and not everyone can be bothered pumping up their helmet each time they ride.

The Modus CPL is also a bit more expensive than the standard Modus.

Finally, the Modus has glasses grooves in the comfort lining to accommodate glasses’ stems. Reports are that you can also open/close the chin bar with glasses on with no problem and no interference.

Check here if getting a helmet that works with glasses is important to you.

Looks & Graphics

There’s not a massive range of graphics available for the Caberg Modus. There’s a few plain blacks and whites and a couple of hi viz versions (the Hi Viz Vision and Duale Hi Vis) and that’s about it.

You’ll find pictures of all these up and down the page – but to find the latest graphics and prices, click the links to our recommended helmet retailers below.

Best places to buy a Caberg Modus?

The Modus 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 Modus 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 Modus Video

Here you go, some lady from the two wheel centre in UK takes you round the standard Caberg Modus.

Other stuff – audio, weight, build quality, warranty

The Caberg Modus is designed to be bluetooth communicator ready (but it seems like you’ll have to get the special Modus Just Speak kit and not the universal – see comments at the bottom of the review). The little pull-away section you can see on the left hand side of the helmet can be popped out to accommodate the unit.

Onto weight – the Modus is about 1.7Kgs which is a tad heavier than the average modular crash helmet (after a light weight helmet?)

Build quality is reported as very good by most owners and the Modus, like all other Cabergs, comes with a weeny one year warranty only (if that’s a deal breaker for you, check out which helmets come with a five year warranty).

Looking to buy this Caberg?

It's not stocked in too many places, but you could still find it in these two stores last time we checked. First off, try the Caberg helmets pages at Amazon. Also try Motoin in Germany who are a quality outfit with decent Euro prices and great review scores. Please see here for more info on our recommended stores or click the links to go straight to their Caberg helmets pages.

Alternatives to the Caberg Modus?

There’s tons of helmets to choose from if you’re after a competitively priced flip-up helmet.

First off, there’s the hugely well rated duo of Caberg helmets – the Caberg Duke and Tourmax – they’re both cheaper than the Modus and both are SHARP 5 star safety rated (that’s the maximum!) though the Tourmax is more a dual-sports style modular and a bit heavier.

Going upwards in price next – have a look at the HJC IS-Max II – that’s SHARP 4 star rated with most of the features of the Modus but for considerably less money – same goes for the AGV Compact and the Lazer Paname which are both 4 star safety rated with sun visors too.

Going up the price scale from the Caberg Modus, there’s the X-Lite X-1003 – SHARP 4 star, 100% chin guard locked, Pinlock, lighter than the Modus but more expensive. And if we’re looking at modular helmets then we’ve got to include a Shark – in this case the 4 star Shark Evo One with its chin guard that rotates to the back of the head – it’s dual homologated too and includes a Pinlock Max Vision.

And finally, another SHARP 4 star rated helmet – the Shoei Neotech. It’s well liked with a wide visor aperture and that legendary Shoei build quality – though you’ve to pay a hefty sum over the price of the Caberg Modus to get it.

Best places to buy a Caberg Modus?

The Modus 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 Modus 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).

Star Ratings

LS2 FF352 Rookie crash helmet review

ls2-rookie-disc-featured — LS2 Rookie is now discontinued

Page Contents

LS2’s SHARP 4 star rated full face motorcycle helmet – the LS2 FF352 Rookie

NOTE: the LS2 Rookie is now discontinued. For great alternatives either visit our our top 10 full face helmets page or see all our LS2 helmet reviews.

The LS2 FF352 Rookie is their entry-level helmet aimed at folks who don’t want to spend too much but still want a helmet that works well – one that’s comfortable, reasonably quiet with a nice visor and that’s going to protect them in an accident. So even though you’re not wanting to spend too much, it’s still gotta perform.

Well, at around £60 that sounds like a big ask. So we’ve scoured all the reviews we can find and we’ve incorporated what we’ve found owners think of the LS2 Rookie in our review below.

One thing to note though. At this price point, many owners seem to be new to riding or have limited experience of other helmets – so what’s comfy and quiet to them might be irritating and noisy to you in your £600 Schuberth!

Budget full face helmet
Thermoplastic shell
ECE approved but not DOT certified
SHARP 4 star safety rated
Micrometric fastener
Optically correct ‘Class A’ visor
1.35Kg (lighter than avg)
Sizes XXS-XXL
Expect to pay £50-£70

ls2-ff352-rookie-motorcycle-crash-helmet-matt-black-side-view — Solid matt black LS2 Rookie

Overall/Summary

Folks who bought an LS2 Rookie FF352 resoundingly seem to like it.

Sure, it’s short of a few features you expect on more expensive helmets, but that’s not why people bought it. They want a good all rounder at a reasonable price – and the LS2 delivers in spades.

It’s comfortable, has a nice visor, decent ventilation and – to top it all – scored highly in the SHARP crash helmet tests, scoring a massive 4/5 stars (that’s the same as a £500 Arai!).

So, if you’re after good protection for not much wodge, we’d recommend you check out an LS2 Rookie (along with our suggested alternatives at the bottom of the page). Oh, and the best place to buy one? From our recommended retailers below of course!

Safety

Even though this might be what folks call an entry-level helmet, it has to give good protection.

Well, if it’s on sale in Europe, it has to be ECE 22-05 certified, which the Rookie is. So it offers a decent all-round level of protection.

But it’s also been tested by SHARP and rated four stars out of a maximum five for safety.

That’s a great score for any helmet full stop. But at this price point, it’s an incredible score and proves, once again, that you don’t have to pay big bucks to get a helmet that’s going to offer you lots of protection.

ls2-ff352-rookie-motorcycle-crash-helmet-fluo-black-white-rear-side-view — Rear view of the Rookie Fluo black/white

So what’s making the LS FF352 score so highly?

It’s got a thermoplastic shell which are tough and durable (even though they’re cheaper to manufacture). That’s backed by multi-density EPS or expanded polystyrene foam liner. Multi-density liners are good at absorbing energy at different speeds and are what you find in the most effective helmets.

And even though the Rookie is only manufactured in one shell size (which is not great for a number of reasons) it obviously works well in the form of the LS2 Rookie.

Looking to buy this LS2 helmet?

Please click below to visit the LS2 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).

Helmet Noise

Owners seem to think the liner on the LS2 FF352 Rookie is pretty plush feeling – that’s nice and thick and soft – which helps with noise reduction. Unfortunately though, it doesn’t come with a chin curtain, which is a shame because that usually helps with reducing noise too.

However, owners mostly seem to reckon it’s not too noisy as it is.

ls2-ff352-rookie-motorcycle-crash-helmet-flutter-white-purple-side-view — Classy FF352 Rookie Flutter is available in purple/white (above) or purple/black

As usual, we’ve gotta warn you that noise perception is relative – and depends on lots of factors individual to you (riding style, type of bike, last helmet noise etc. etc.).

But having said that, consensus seems to be that it’s pretty good at suppressing noise, as long as you don’t go too fast where things can become a bit noisy.

Of course, that shouldn’t be too much of a problem anyway if you wear decent ear plugs.

Ventilation

No complaints on the ventilation, except that the visor can fog up. But that goes for any helmet without an anti-fog treatment on the visor.

The FF352 Rookie has a single chin vent operated by a slider (that’s easy to use in gloves).

It also has a single brow vent and a pair of rear exhaust vents just below the small spoiler at the back.

And like most higher-priced helmets, it has channels cut in the EPS lining to allow air to circulate around the scalp before it exits the lid via the rear exhausts.

ls2-ff352-rookie-motorcycle-crash-helmet-ranger-black-red-top-view — Top vents and rear exhaust on the FF352 Rookie Ranger

Word is that ventilation’s good – though as I mentioned at the top of the page, most owners we came across (though by no means all) seem to be new to biking or after a cheap helmet for a pillion for example, so whether the ventilation will work for you on a day’s tour in 30 degree heat is unclear.

However, there’s no issues reported other than the fogging of the visor.

Visor

Which leads me neatly into talking about the visor.

The LS2 Rookie has an optical class A visor – which is amazing because we usually only see those on expensive helmets. Class A visors are designed so they shouldn’t distort your vision at all.

It’s also quick release (open the visor, push a lever and out it comes) and is supposed to come with an anti-fog coating.

ls2-ff352-rookie-motorcycle-crash-helmet-gloss-white-side4-view — This one’s the solid gloss white version

Having said that, one or two owners reckon it steams up pretty easily so don’t expect it to stay clear if it’s cold or raining and your visor’s closed.

But that’s not a fault of the Rookie – it’s just what all helmets do without an anti-fog treatment or Pinlock on the visor.

Comfort & Sizing

The FF352 Rookie is rated as nice and comfortable by pretty well all owners.

It has a nice thick comfort lining that’s hypo-allergenic and breathable and it can be unclipped and removed for washing.

Again, removable and washable linings used to be the preserve of more expensive helmets so it’s good to see budget helmets like the Rookie now being fitted with them.

ls2-ff352-rookie-motorcycle-crash-helmet-x-ray-rear-side-view — Want to shock? Try the LS2 Rookie X Ray

If you’re going to buy an LS2 Rookie, one or two owners reckoned they needed a size larger than they’re used to. So if you’re in two minds about which size you need (or in between sizes) we’d go a size larger – and buy from a retailer who’ll accept returns/replacements without quibbling (like one of our recommended retailers).

Looks & Graphics

The LS2 Rookie FF352 is a nice and modern looking helmet. It comes in the usual plain colours (matt/gloss black and gloss white) as well as six other designs – at the time of reviewing.

They are the Fluo and Fan designs (including hi-vis yellow versions) as well as the Flutter, One and Ranger. There’s also a skull design called the X Ray.

As usual, we’ve put pics of those designs up and down the page – but to check out any new designs and see the latest prices, please click the links to our recommended retailers below.

ls2-ff352-rookie-motorcycle-crash-helmet-fan-matt-orange-side-view — LS2 Rookie Fan matt orange (also available in hi viz yellow)

Best places to buy this LS2 helmet?

Please click below to visit the LS2 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).

LS2 Rookie Video

A quick spin around the LS2 Rookie Flutter…

Other stuff – fasteners, audio, warranty

ls2-ff352-rookie-motorcycle-crash-helmet-ranger-black-white-bottom-view — Rear of the LS2 Rookie Ranger

The LS2 FF352 Rookie comes with a micrometric fastener (dead easy to use and safe as houses).

There’s not much information around about how well it works with bluetooth headsets – but check out the video above as he explains how he’s attached a mic and a Go-Pro, so it sounds like it’s possible to fit one.

Finally, the LS2 comes with a one year warranty. That’s not quite the five year warranty some of the best known brands offer, but probably acceptable at this price. We’ve heard tales of the occasional screw coming loose in the visor base plate but other than that, it seems to be pretty well built.

Crash Helmet Buying Guides & Top 10s

For (hopefully!) other useful information to help you when buying your next helmet, check our various Motorcycle Helmet Buying Guides - or have a look at our Top 10 best helmet lists where we've got the top 10 best rated helmets overall along with Top 10 Best Budget/Top 10 Safest/Top 10 Best Full Face/Top 10 Best Modular/Flip-up/ Top 10 Best Sportsbike/Track helmets.

Alternatives to the LS2 FF352 Rookie?

First off, we suggest you look at the MT Thunder – which is another SHARP 4 star rated polycarbonate full face that’s available in kids sizes to XL for just £50.

That’s amazing value – until you see the MT Revenge – which is slightly more expensive at £70 but scores the highest possible SHARP 5 star rating and is both comfortable and has great ventilation.

You might also want to look at the Box BX-1 – thermoplastic shell, SHARP 4 star rated and does everything well.

If you can stretch to a bit more money, you can start looking at some of the better known brands. There’s the four star rated Nolan N64 – which is good but noisy and around £80. Or for a bit more still you can have the very capable AGV K3 – another four star safety rated helmet with great build quality and finish that’s a well-liked good performer.

Definitely want an LS2?

Here you'll find all our LS2 crash helmet reviews and previews.