MCN Biking Britain survey: top 10 five-star SHARP-rated lids
By Marc Abbott -
Helmets
13 January 2010 15:18
From the responses of 12,000 MCN readers, here are your top 10 helmets that also receive the highest SHARP safety rating possible.
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1. Shark RSR2 Carbon, RRP from £439.99
MCN Shop best price: £299.99 +£10 P&P from Helmet City
The RSR2 Carbon’s shell is mix of carbon and composite fibres. It comes in two shell sizes, has a quick release visor, looks stunning and has been crashed to destruction (with very favourable results) by one lucky staff member (see MCN, December 23, 2009).
Overall 87%
Comfort 78%
Noise 71%
Value 87% |
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2. Shark RSR2, RRP from £349.99
MCN Shop best price: £299.99 from Mick Byrne
The RSR2 comes in two different shell sizes for the best fit. It also has a quick release chin strap and visor, removable and washable lining, anti-fog 3mm visor and an extensive venting system. ‘Indy’ paintjob (pictured) is the pick of the bunch.
Overall 83%
Comfort 87%
Noise 70%
Value 85% |
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3. Shark RSX, superseded by RSF-3
MCN Shop best price: £169.99 from Helmet City
The RSX’s shell is made from carbon/Kevlar and comes in two sizes. The visor is treated to be anti-scratch and anti-fog and is also quick-release. The Coolmax liner is fully adjustable, removable and washable. Launched in 2006 but now available at bargain prices at www.mcnshop.com.
Overall 83%
Comfort 86%
Noise 68%
Value 83% |
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4. Arai GP5X, now discontinued
MCN Shop best price: £199.99 from George White
Adjustable twin brow vents and chin intake don’t clutter the look of this overtly car-style lid. 3mm visor is reassuringly tough but visor change can be very fiddly. Sadly discontinued, but that means there are cheap ones to be found online.
Overall 82%
Comfort 85%
Noise 65%
Value 72% |
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5. AGV GP Tech, RRP from £399.99
MCN Shop best price: £349.99 +£4.99 P&P from Grand Prix Legends
As developed and used by some bloke called Rossi. There’s an integrated venting system, composite fibre shell, quick release visor and chin strap, plus a washable and removable Coolmax liner. Rossi ‘five continents’ replica is the nuts.
Overall 81%
Comfort 85%
Noise 70%
Value 78% |
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6. AGV Stealth, RRP from £199.99
MCN Shop best price: £125 + £4.99 P&P from M&P
Although some of the colourschemes are questionable, the spec isn’t. Front air intakes, rear extractors, two shell sizes, a removable and washable lining, and a quick-release visor that’s also claimed anti-scratch and anti-fogging.
Overall 77%
Comfort 79%
Noise 61%
Value 78% |
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7. Caberg V2R, RRP from £109.99
MCN Shop best price: £79.99 from George White
Considering its spec and its five-star SHARP rating, the V2R represents supreme value for money. It comes in two shell sizes, has an anti-scratch, anti-fog visor and Caberg's natty internal sun visor system.
Overall 77%
Comfort 77%
Noise 61%
Value 83% |
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8. AGV S4, RRP from £169.99
MCN Shop best price: £105 + £4.99 P&P from Busters
The shell is made from composite fibre, there’s an easily removed anti-scratch, anti-fog visor, a quick release buckle closure and it comes in two shell sizes. And can be picked up for just over a ton on our shop website.
Overall 76%
Comfort 78%
Noise 62%
Value 80% |
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9. Marushin Tiger, RRP from £99.99
MCN Shop best price: £49.99 from George White
A five-star helmet that’s available on our website for fifty quid. Features a removable and washable anti-allergy lining, visor and visor release system, plus a seatbelt-style closure.
Overall 76%
Comfort 78%
Noise 68%
Value 84% |
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10. HJC HQ-1, RRP from £269.99
MCN Shop best price: £249.99 from Mick Byrne
There’s a removable and washable moisture-wicking lining, seven-point vent system, and quick-release, anti-fog visor on the top-end HJC. With the added bonus of a Ben Spies replica.
Overall 75%
Comfort 78%
Noise 60%
Value 81% |
