For $160, all the helmet you’ll ever need

By now, you’re used to seeing us wear crazy expensive motorcycle gear. Custom leather suits, Japanese race gauntlets, fancy jackets and nice boots. That’s because, using motorcycles as our main transportation and frequently doing stupid, stupid things on them, we need the best functionality and safety out there. Especially the safety. But, what if you could find all that safety and most of those features in a helmet that costs just $160? You can in this new Icon Alliance. :continue:

Wes Siler. May 21st, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (49)

The 3 changes they made to the AGV AX-8 Dual

We’ve expounded the virtues of the AGV AX-8 Dual at length, but here’s the short version: weight, price, vision, ventilation, looks, safety. Those factors together make it probably the most appealing helmet on the market right now. Want one? The old model is widely on sale for $200. Half off. Do this year’s upgrades make it worth spending more? Here’s the three changes. :continue:

Wes Siler. May 3rd, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (19)

AGV gets real with the Pista GP

AGV has upped their game with the new AGV PistaGP. They used a freakin’ lazer to scan Valentino Rossi’s head and designed the helmet from the inside out around the resulting 3d model, unlike the traditional method of creating the outer shell first then going inside. The new visor mechanism is minuscule at 71% smaller than before. And then there’s the shape: small, lean and reptilian, it looks more like something out of Tron than a motorcycle helmet. I once said that the XR1R was the nicest helmet ever, but it looks like the PistaGP may be poised to steal the crown.

Update: Now with 77-photo mega gallery

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Sean Smith. March 23rd, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (44)

These clothes were made for riding

Icon’s notorious for tackling the problem of squids not using safety gear with loud, obnoxious products that look more at home in comic books than they do outside the world where chin strap beards and denim shorts are acceptable clothes for an adult to wear in public. And they’ve done that, providing an affordable, quality, safe range of products that now adorn wannabe Ruffryderz everywhere. Now, they’re targeting another emerging demographic of riders equally disdainful of safety — young people living in cities. And they’re doing so not with skulls and klowns and tribal graphics, but with some of the most credible, technically innovative, stylish riding gear ever seen. It’s called the One Thousand collection and it’s about to utterly reverse what you think of the brand.

Photos: Grant Ray :continue:

Wes Siler. March 14th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (142)

Gear: Scorpion EXO-900 Snow Ready

There was a time when I saw Scorpion helmets and turned up my nose, assuming it was so cheaply made I’d invariably break a lid just by trying one on. However, the EXO-400 I purchased for our Labrador expedition opened me to a brave new world. Somehow, that $130 Scorpion managed to be nearly as comfortable and functional as the much more expensive AGV GP-Tech I was wearing at the time, except I didn’t panic every time the EXO-400 got dinged. Scorpion’s $320 EXO-900 Snow Ready is a modular helmet that may be meant for snowmobiling, but it also might be the best damned helmet for any winter riding, regardless of price. :continue:

Grant Ray. February 28th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (34)

This is the city gear that saved my life

About a month ago, I had a terrible motorcycle accident here in LA. Six broken bones, a week in the hospital and three surgeries. About as bad as it gets, right? Well, not quite. That’s thanks to the gear I was wearing — head-to-toe protection. But, I wasn’t in leathers or ungainly Cordura or anything like that, I was in jeans and a jacket; the kind of thing I wear to go to a meeting or a bar. Combining this level of protection with stealthy looks isn’t easy, but it sure was effective. Here’s a break down. :continue:

Sean Smith. February 25th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (27)

AGV Grid: high-end race features at an accessible price

Equipped with most of the features of the flagship GP-Tech, this new AGV Grid is a high-value take on the high-end road racing helmet. Weight is relatively low — 1,500g — comfort is good thanks to a plush, removable liner and it benefits from a new, less-awkward visor mechanism being rolled out across the AGV line. At $400, this ECE22.05-certified helmet undercuts heavier rivals from Arai and Shoei by a couple hundred dollars and also benefits from a host of classic race replica color schemes, including the Marco Lucchinelli seen here.

Wes Siler. February 24th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (5)

Schuberth S2: the everything helmet?

Look at the list of features incorporated into this new Schuberth S2: integrated sun visor, two Bluetooth antennas, huge vents, and an incredibly low noise level (just 85dB at 62mph). All that paints a picture of a nice touring helmet, right? Comfy, quiet, versatile, heavy. But it’s not heavy. A medium weighs just 1,450g, 100g less than the new Bell Star Matte Carbon. Combined with excellent aerodynamic stability developed in wind tunnel testing, that’s make this helmet perfect for canyon carving, commuting or virtually any type of riding this side of getting dirty. It even uses a ratchet mechanism on the straps, combining the ease of seatbelt-style closures with the perfect fit of D-rings.

Update: according to reader Miles Prower, the S2 will be available in the US for $699. :continue:

Wes Siler. February 24th, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (18)

AGV updates AX-8, Dual

Already one of the most distinctive, lightest, versatile and highest value helmets available, AGV has refined its AX-8 dirt helmet and AGV AX-8 Dual for 2012. Changes are relatively minor, if worthwhile. Padding is refined in pursuit of comfort while, less noticeably, the construction of the chin bar has been altered to make it better at absorbing the forces of direct impacts to it. Weights and prices remain unaltered. At $400, the AX-8 Dual is a clear favorite for dual sport and ADV riding (I wear it around the city too), where its extremely wide field of vision and excellent ventilation combine with an all-up weight of just 1,400g (medium) to make literally every rival look silly.

Wes Siler. February 23rd, 2012 - Permalink - Comments (26)

45 photos of more than 21 helmets

Returning to Portland for an encore performance tonight, 21 Helmets showcases the work of local artists on Bell Custom 500 helmets. Here’s all those helmets along with a video revealing the process behind some of them.

Want to see the show in person? It’s joining The One Motorcycle Show in Portland tonight, February 11. We’ll be there and so should you. :continue: