MCN’s recent Helmet Buying Guide showcased some of the most protective and coolest looking lids on the planet.
Here we’re concentrating on looks…
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AGV LONGWAY £119.99-£129.99
SHARP rating: 4
Sizes: XS-XL
Colours: Four plain (silver, white, gloss and matt black), and two multis (inc the Daytona, above)
Shell: Thermoplastic
Contact: www.agv.com
We say: The Longway is AGV’s only flip-up lid, but still gets a four-star SHARP rating.
It comes in one shell size only, but it does have front air intakes and rear extractors, a removable and washable lining and an anti-scratch visor. The chin strap buckle is quick-release, too.
www.motorcyclenews.com/shop |
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AGV Ti-Tech Evolution
SHARP rating: 4
Sizes: XS-XL
Colours: Two plains (black or silver), multi-coloured 'Rose' and 'Lines' options.
Shell: Carbon-Kevlar
Price: £299.99-£319.99
Contact: www.agv.com
We say: Multi-coloured Rose design is fine if you're a Lancastrian, but there's no Ti-Tech Rossi rep this year.
'Lines' design is classy, though. The Ti-Tech comes in two shell sizes, a removeable and washable Coolmax lining, double-D strap closure, quick-release visor and titanium air vents (see where the lid gets its name now?).
www.motorcyclenews.com/shop |
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Airoh Speed Fire £59.95
SHARP rating: 4
Sizes: XS-XL
Colours: Three multi-coloured options - Graphire (pictured), Grifo and Rise.
Shell: Thermoplastic
Contact: www.airoh.com
We say: Take what you want from SHARP's findings, but you can't argue with a four-star rating on a 60 quid lid.
The cartoon design 'Graphite' is seriously cool, too. Same removeable, washable innards as the Leox.
www.motorcyclenews.com/shop |
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Arai Condor £239.99-£309.99
SHARP rating: 2
Sizes: XS-XXL
Colours: Black, white, silver plains, plus three multi-coloured options (included flag of St George) and Neevesy replica.
Shell: Composite-fibre
Contact: www.whyarai.co.uk
We say: Features the same quick-release visor system favoured by racers and road riders the world over (and also featured on the range-topping RX7 GP), eyebrow vents, multi-adjustable vents, double-D ring closure and de-mist visor lock.
www.motorcyclenews.com/shop |
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Bell M4R £269.95-£379.95
SHARP rating: 5
Sizes: XS-XXL
Colours: Plain black or multi-coloured Mugello or Indy (pictured), plus carbon.
Shell: Composite fibre (or carbon)
Contact: www.bell-motohelmets.com
We say: Another stack of cool and classy designs on this five-star helmet.
Features adjustable air vents, 3.2mm-thick anti-fog visor with UV filter, anti-allergy removeable and washable lining, customisable cheek pads and a double-D ring closure. |
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Nolan N62 £134.99-£174.99
SHARP rating: 4
Sizes: XXS-XXL
Colours: Plain black (gloss and matt) or silver, plus 12 multi-coloured designs and race reps (including Casey Stoner and Marco Melandri, pictured).
Shell: Thermoplastic
Contact: www.nolan.it
We say: There’s a staggering number of designs available, but the one shown here is by far the coolest.
Who cares about boring old Stoner? Support the underdog! Spec is what you’d expect from a high-end lid – the N62’s features include Nolan’s patented Microlock fastener, in which a serrated rubber strap feeds into a lever-operated buckle.
Sanitised lining is washable and removable, too. |
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SCORPION EXO-700 £169-£189
SHARP rating: 4
Sizes: XS-XXL
Colours: Six plain (inc black, metallic black, blue, silver) and five multis (inc Chameleon, above)
Shell: Polycarbonate
Contact: www.scorpionusa.com
We say: After a brief spell of availability on the UK market, Scorpion is back. The lid is wind-tunnel tested and has a quick-release visor.
The visor is also hard-coated to make it anti-scratch and is anti-fog, too. The liner is removable/washable and you can choose between different colour linings. |
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SHARK RSR2 £319.99-£349.99
SHARP rating: 5
Sizes: XS-XL
Colours: Seven multi-coloured options (including the Indy pictured)
Shell: Composite fibre
Contact: www.shark-helmets.com
We say: Helmet of choice for Brit WSB hopeful, Tom Sykes. Features five different sizes of interior polystyrene absorbers and comes in two shell sizes for optimum fit.
The French firm’s top-of-the-range helmet has a quick-release chin strap as well as a full ventilation system. |
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X-LITE X602 £249.99-£309.99
SHARP rating: 4
Sizes: XS-XXL
Colours: Six plain (inc silver, graphite, black and white), and 25 multis/reps (inc Lorenzo, above)
Shell: Composite fibre
Contact: www.nolan.it
We say: Three shell sizes are available.
The lining is sanitised but not washable, however the chin strap is a double D-ring, the visor is anti-scratch and there is a massive choice of colour schemes and replicas of current GP stars, Jorge Lorenzo and 2007 world champion, Casey Stoner. |
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X-LITE X801 £329.99-£419.99
SHARP rating: 4
Sizes: XS-XXL
Colours: Two plain (matt and gloss black), and 15 multis inc six Legends reps (inc Pasolini, above)
Shell: Composite fibre
Contact: www.nolan.it]
We say: Now replaced by the X802 as the top spec X-Lite helmet, X-Lite has kept the X801 on the market and added the Legends range of colour schemes which are some of the most beautiful helmet designs you can buy.
Has a double D-ring fastener, an anti-scratch visor and an ACU Gold stamp. |