Want a helmet that’ll supply the requisite venting, safety and looks for serious track use?
Here, from the results of 12,000 MCN readers, are the top 10 track-ready helmets.
 |
1. Shoei X-Spirit, RRP from £480
MCN Shop best price: £299.99 +£10P&P from Helmet City
The X-Spirit gets replaced as of the start of next year by the X-Spirit II, but MCN readers over the last twelve months has rated the original X-Spirit the best race rep you can buy. A composite fibre shell, four different sized outer shells and a removable and washable liner.
MCN Biking Britain Survey results
Overall 88%
Comfort 92%
Noise 71%
Value 80% |
 |
2. Shark RSR2 Carbon, RRP from £439.99
MCN Shop best price: £299.99 +£10P&P from Helmet City
The RSR2 Carbon has a shell made from carbon and composite fibres, has two shells sizes, an F1-style visor and a quick release visor. It’s been developed on the track by professional riders including Randy De Puniet and Sylvain Guintloi.
MCN Biking Britain Survey results
Overall 87%
Comfort 78%
Noise 71%
Value 87% |
 |
3. Arai RX7-GP, RRP from £524.99
MCN Shop best price: £424.99 from GetGeared
The RX7-GP is the flagship for Arai and is endorsed by GP riders including Colin Edwards, Dani Pedrosa and Nicky Hayden. It’s a composite fibre shell with a broader opening on the visor aperture for better vision and an adjustable air wing.
MCN Biking Britain Survey results
Overall 86%
Comfort 91%
Noise 63%
Value 72% |
 |
4. Arai Viper GT, RRP from £349.99
MCN Shop best price: £279 from Helmet City
The Viper GT is due to be outdated by the incoming Quantum V helmet that goes on sale in 2010. It’s the slightly lesser spec version of the RX7 Corsair before that was updated to the RX7. It has a composite fibre shell, quick release visor, double D-ring chin strap and removable and washable interior.
MCN Biking Britain Survey results
Overall 84%
Comfort 89%
Noise 64%
Value 77% |
 |
5. Shark RSR2, RRP from £349.99
MCN Shop best price: £299.99 from Mick Byrne
The RSR2 features five different sizes of interior polysterene absorbers and comes in two different shell sizes for the best fit. It features a quick release chin strap and visor as well as a full racing ventilation system.
MCN Biking Britain Survey results
Overall 83%
Comfort 87%
Noise 70%
Value 85% |
 |
6. AGV GP Tech, RRP from £399.99
MCN Shop best price: £349.99 +£4.99P&P from Grand Prix Legends
The GP Tech is Valentino Rossi’s helmet of choice. It has a fully integrated ventilation system as designed by the nine-time World Champ himself, a composite fibre shell, quick release visor and chin strap and is fitted with tear-off points.
MCN Biking Britain Survey results
Overall 81%
Comfort 85%
Noise 70%
Value 78% |
 |
7. Shoei XR-1000, RRP from £295
MCN Shop best price: £189.99 +£4.99 P&P from Busters Accessories
The XR-1000 has already been replaced in the last two months by the XR-1100. However, the XR-1000 remains as one of the top performing helmets across all categories including being voted the most comfortable helmet available under £400 in a previous survey.
MCN Biking Britain Survey results
Overall 81%
Comfort 85%
Noise 65%
Value 78% |
 |
8. X-lite X801-RR, RRP from £329.99
MCN Shop best price: N/A
The X801-RR was the top of the range race helmet in the X-lite range until the start of last year when the X802 was released. But X-lite continue to keep the helmet in the range with a nice collection of legend designs. It has a composite fibre shell, race venting system and quick release visor.
MCN Biking Britain Survey results
Overall 80%
Comfort 84%
Noise 65%
Value 78% |
 |
9. X-Lite/Nolan X802, RRP from £339.99
MCN Shop best price: N/A
The X802 is the shell by Nolan and X-Lite under the Nolan Group banner. They’ve got MotoGP big boys Casey Stoner, Marco Melandri and Jorge Lorenzo in this very lid. It’s got a composite fibre shell, has a quick release visor, wicking internal fabric and removable cheek pads.
MCN Biking Britain Survey results
Overall 80%
Comfort 80%
Noise 72%
Value 75% |
 |
10. HJC HQ-1, RRP from £299.99
MCN Shop best price: £249.99 from Mick Byrne
HJC has a perfect ambassador for their race products with Ben Spies and the MCN Survey proves the lids are well regarded. This is the flagship full carbon lid with a quick release visor, seven-point ventilation and a fully removable interior.
MCN Biking Britain Survey results
Overall 75%
Comfort 78%
Noise 60%
Value 81% |