Posts in tag

Middleweight Helmet


The New Vemar VSR Helmet What is it exactly that gives certain brands a mystique and cachet? Sometimes, all the marketing dollars (or Euros, in this case) in the world can’t buy excitement. There are a very few motorcycle helmet names that seem to rise above the crowd and somehow become “the” helmet to own. …

Arai XD3 Helmet Review The Arai XD3 helmet is a positive step in the evolution of this hybrid helmet. Although most of the changes have seemingly been oriented towards style, they have brought about tangible benefits to the user. Not a perfect helmet in terms of air flow management and internal noise control, but still …

HJC Sy-Max 2 Helmet Review The Sy-Max II appears to be very similar to the European-only HJC FS-Max we reviewed exactly one year ago, in May of 2007. However, this DOT-approved version has better quality and I’ve come to appreciate the styling, which makes the original Sy-Max look rather plain in comparison. The Sy-Max II …

Givi X.01 “X Zero 1” Motorcycle Helmet Review Let the debate begin: is it the Givi X.01, the Givi X01, the XZero1 or….? Givi has devoted an entire website to this helmet, which they’re apparently calling the XZero1; the Givi UK site calls it the X.01. But whatever you call it, this has to be …

AFX FX-28 Motorcycle Helmet Review Middle-of-the-road flip-up that could use improvement. When I think of motorcycle helmets, AFX isn’t the first brand that comes to mind. AFX probably won’t like me saying that, but I guess I’m not really sure where they fit in the motorcycle helmet hierarchy. I only know that the company has …

Icon Airframe Motorcycle Helmet Review Icon has been around for only a few years, but they’ve had an extraordinary impact on the motorcycle industry. Their edgy “street/stunt” styling pushed the envelope of motorcycle fashion, and everyone else has seemingly been playing catch-up. You can see the influence of Icon’s trendsetting style by taking a look …

New Name, Decent Helmet Excellent quality is a surprise at this price. Non-movable top vents. Sizing runs small. Very nice selection of graphics. Brow vents in visor. Relatively quiet. Slightly short in front-to-back dimensions. I’ll admit it: I hadn’t even seen a SparX helmet, but I knew I wouldn’t like them. Why?  Well, it was …

Zeus ZS 2100B Review Intended to go after the top-end cross-over style of helmet, Zeus has taken a current model and with one minor addition, created a very viable alternative. Overall quality and finish is not up to Arai standards, as an example, but from a function perspective it is very close and even ahead …

An HJC Low-End Helmet The bottom-of-the-line HJC CS-R1 has nice graphics but mediocre venting, a slightly strange internal shape and a flimsy face shield that fogs easily. But, in a 2012 update, I discovered that it works very well indeed on the BMW scooter (blog)! Is more better? Yes for horsepower; no for just about everything …

Shark RSX “Intense” Long-Term Report We published an Owner Report on the Shark RSX in December of 2007. It was submitted by “Mr. Monk”, who really liked his RSX in the “Eagle” graphics designed for the U.S. market. The helmet looked and sounded pretty impressive. And since I’m a big fan of Shark helmets and I’ve been …

The Zox Nevado R The Zox Nevado R is yet another surprisingly good helmet from Zox. It’s an excellent value for the money with high quality throughout. The build quality seems way better than it should be at this price point, with one major exception. And it’s also relatively quiet for a flip-up helmet. How …

Another Mil-Themed Helmet by Akuma High quality, unique graphics, good air flow and a built-in LED flashlight and red LED lights in the “exhaust pipes” make this helmet a standout. How do you one-up the Akuma V-1 Ghost Rider (review)r?  It’s not easy, to be sure. But remember: the Air Force inventory includes the F-117 Nighthawk …

A High/Low End HJC Helmet? Shell seems bulky. The exhaust vents and design of the liner allow higher than average noise levels. Rotating internal sun visor works only in the full on or off positions. The HJC FS-10 fills a gap that HJC apparently perceived in their lineup. The FS-10 is one of the most …

Will Pink Get You Noticed? This Vox flip-up has a strange fit, a very narrow eye port and so-so vent parts quality. The Zox Nevado R (review) is way more helmet for the same money, in our opinion. NOTE: Some Vox 803 helmets have been recalled, see below. We were all set to review the Zox Nevado when a …

Caberg Trip Helmet Review High-quality helmet with unique styling (for a flip-up). Comfortable, relatively quiet and one of the lightest weight flip-ups available. Venting could be better, but overall, a good value. Let’s do something different and start with my conclusion: it didn’t take long for the Caberg Trip to become my favorite flip-up motorcycle …

The Walmart Bell Helmet Go ahead and scoff, but I’m declaring the Bell Zephyr to be the Motorcycle Helmet Bargain of 2007. A Zephyr review was originally suggested by a webBikeWorld visitor, and, I’ll admit, I was skeptical. The helmet is primarily sold by Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart?  Motorcycle helmets? But, we’ve tried ’em all, from the …

Entry Level Shark Helmet There are dozens of motorcycle helmet brands and models to choose from today — and just as many reasons to select one over another. Of course, there’s always the “Big Three” — Arai, HJC and Shoei — who have a deserved reputation for high-quality products and a commitment to safety. But …

World’s Quietest Motorcycle Helmet? Very quiet helmet in most riding conditions. Excellent quality. Good air flow. Includes internal sun visor. SCHUBERTH claims that the new R1 helmet is “the quietest motorcycle helmet in the world”. And guess what? We agree. Of course, the usual caveats apply: the helmet must fit the rider and the rider …

ROOF Rover Helmet The Rover is another unique helmet from ROOF. It’s based on the ROOF Boxer, but the Rover is an open-face helmet with a twist: a “Rider Mask” can be attached across the front. If you want to own something different, ROOF can surely oblige. Here’s another new design from the folks that …

Fulmer’s High-End Helmet The Fulmer AFS7 is relatively quiet, which is a surprise. It’s also pretty comfortable with a “Neutral” internal shape that tends towards “Round”. It has a removable liner and a quick release face shield. The graphics are interesting and nicely done, especially considering price. The AFS7 also meets DOT and Snell standards. …

The Zox Azuma R Helmet Surprisingly good helmet for the money with high quality throughout. The build quality seems way better than it should be at this price point and, in fact, rivals some helmets costing 3-4 times as much. It’s quiet, it has a nice, solid, clear visor, good air flow and relatively light …

The Scorpion EXO-400 Is A Bargain Bargain helmet with quality features, very nice graphics and paint and a few quirks. Heavy, but doesn’t feel it. Probably one of the highest quality helmets currently available at this price point. What’s a more polite term for “bottom of the line”? I guess I could say that the …

ROOF Boxer V Helmet Review The ROOF Boxer V is a significant upgrade from the original Boxer. This helmet is unique, idiosyncratic and avant-garde. Its futuristic design still looks great today, nearly a decade after its initial release. This says a lot for its originality but also for its capabilities and its unmatched functionality. The ROOF …

KBC Tarmac Radiation Motorcycle Helmet The KBC Tarmac is the most basic helmet offered by KBC. But it’s comfortable and it includes some interesting features. It also feels solid with good build quality. It meets both DOT and Snell safety standards, rare at this price. It’s New Year’s Eve and this will be our last …

KBC Force RR Motorcycle Helmet Visitor feedback tells us that KBC helmets are ultra-popular — every time we review one, you ask for more. We reviewed the KBC VR-1 (review), the KBC VR-2 (review), the KBC VR-3 (review) and the KBC FFR (review) flip-up. But that wasn’t enough; now you want the Force RR! No Problemo!  But…I’m not sure why there …

The URBAN N20 Astro UPDATE: As of December 2010, Urban Helmets is apparently no longer in business. UPDATE: September 21, 2007 – Photos and information on the DOT safety standard versions of the URBAN N20 Astro and N350 Moto helmets! The N20 shown here retails for only $199.95 in Matte Black and $229.95 for graphics. The N350 Moto retails for $179.95. …

Joe Rocket RKT 101 The Joe Rocket RKT 101 helmet has excellent quality helmet with solid features and attention to detail is surprisingly quiet in most situations. Slightly heavy and visor clarity issues don’t detract from our overall impression of this new helmet from Joe Rocket. Joe Rocket recently introduced a new line of motorcycle …

The Arai Vector motorcycle helmet is new to the 2007 Arai lineup. The Arai staff have been pretty busy lately, because the Vector comes right on the heels of the recently released and all-new Arai Profile, which replaced the Signet. The Vector (known as the Arai Chaser in the UK), which replaces the Astral-X in the …

Shoei Multitec Flip-up Helmet The Shoei Multitec is without a doubt the most anticipated motorcycle helmet of 2006. The Shoei Syncrotec (review), the Mulitec’s predecessor, was getting “long in the tooth”. Although it was still one of the best-selling modular helmets in the world. So, I’m sure everyone wants to know if the Multitec is the ne …

AFX FX-87X Snowmobile Helmet Review Convertible helmet for motorcycle and/or snowmobile use is a bit clumsy on the road. Our reviews of the Shoei Hornet, Arai XD and Airoh S4 “Enduro” style motorcycle helmets are very popular with webBikeWorld visitors. Many of those visitors have also suggested the AFX FX-87X helmet as a potential candidate for a webBikeWorld review, so …

Icon Mainframe Helmet Icon Helmets are relatively new, having only appeared within the last couple of years, along with other Icon branded products. The edgy Icon ads have appeared in just about all of the motorcycle print magazines in the U.S.A., but apparently the products are not available in the U.K. or other parts of …

AGV Miglia Helmet Review I used to be the world’s biggest fan of flip-up, or “modular” motorcycle helmets. It wasn’t because of styling or comfort or convenience; it was due to poor eyesight. A modular helmet offered the only full-coverage solution that I could find to wear over my eyeglasses. I really wanted to ride …

Z1R Eclipse Helmet How time flies! It was just about one year ago since our Z1R ZRP-1 helmet review. We probably wouldn’t have reviewed it, except that Motorcyclist magazine ran a very interesting story on helmet safety and the ZRP-1 scored very highly in their non-standard testing, so we figured we’d have to give it a …

KBC VR-2 Motorcycle Helmet I guess I’ve become the de facto KBC reviewer. As soon as we posted our recent take on the KBC VR-3, the emails started pouring in, asking about the KBC VR-2 “Mirage”. We originally thought that the VR-2 was similar enough to the original VR-1 that it wouldn’t be worth the effort of …

KBC VR-3 Stealth Motorcycle Helmet It seems like ages ago since we posted a review of the KBC VR-1, the first of KBC’s “VR” series of motorcycle helmets. The VR-1 put KBC on the map as a motorcycle helmet manufacturer that offered high-end features at rock-bottom prices. Our conclusion was that the VR-1 offered “excellent value for …

Bell Apex Helmet Review The Bell Apex is made with very high quality, it has a comfortable liner, good air flow on the chin but weak up top. The helmet also meets the U.S. DOT standard and it is Snell certified. Like the proverbial Phoenix, Bell Helmets rose from the ashes a few years ago. …

Shoei Hornet Japanese Version Our review of the Arai XD was way more popular than we anticipated. And that tells me that there’s a huge market for what we’re calling “dual sport” motorcycle helmets! I’m not sure if it’s the enormous popularity of the BMW R1200GS or the maybe-it’ll-be-here-someday Supermoto fad that drives the interest in this …

The “Beginner” Shoei? Self-doubt. It’s a terrible thing. I can feel it around here lately because we’re beginning to wonder just what really does make one helmet better than another. For example, just when we thought we had the helmet noise issue all figured out, the Suomy Vandal (review) blew our theories went right down the tubes. The Vandal …

Vega Summit II Flip-up No doubt about it: the original Vega Summit has been the most popular motorcycle helmet of webBikeWorld visitors. Logs show more people visiting our Vega Summit XPV review article than any other helmet review posted on the site. We haven’t spent much more time analyzing the data, but it’s obvious that motorcycle riders are looking …

Arai XD Helmet Review For some reason, Arai doesn’t strike me as a company that takes a daring approach to motorcycle helmet design. I’m sure there are many who will disagree with me, but the words that come to mind when I think of Arai are deliberate, evolutionary and staid. Radical they’re not. Maybe the …