Motorcycle helmets for sports riders in the test

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Motorcycle helmets for sports riders in the test
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Motorcycle helmets for sports riders in the test

Product test: racing helmets
Motorcycle helmets for sports riders in the test

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Worn, beaten, tortured: eight top helmets from well-known manufacturers have to show what they can do in the PS test – so that you have the right one on.

Mathias Heerwagen

05/07/2012

A lot has happened in the racing helmet market in the recent past. With the SR1, Schuberth brings a new top model, Lazer also enters the high-price segment with the Kite Carbon Light. Shoei’s X-Spirit II came in 2010 and is still the brand’s top model.

The situation is similar with X-lite: The X-802 developed with MotoGP riders is still the highlight in the range. We have deliberately not given a price range, as every manufacturer defines a racing helmet differently. Scorpion sends the EXO-750 into the race, the cheapest helmet in the test at 249.90 euros. This head protection is worn, among others, by the French superbike champion – so it fully corresponds to the intended use. Soon a real “Racer” will come from Scorpion, which we will test as soon as it is available. In addition to Shoei and Scorpion, HJC, Lazer, Suomy, Schuberth, Shark and X-Lite the challenge. AGV did not want the GP-Tech to take part in the test because they could not rely on “purely subjective perceptions” in the assessment. The Italians would be there for a “pure data test” that deals with damping and aerodynamics. But: who rides a motorcycle under laboratory conditions? Arai argued similarly and did not want to take the test again.

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Motorcycle helmets for sports riders in the test


Army car

Up to 210 km / h on the naked bike, significantly faster on the super sports car – the helmets had to compete against each other on both bikes.

Racing helmets should not only work optimally on the racetrack, but also during the brisk country road chase with a naked bike. PS tested both an Aprilia RSV4R and a Kawasaki Z 1000. We rated the helmets according to the criteria of fit / comfort, aerodynamics, noise, ventilation, field of vision, weight, handling and fogging tendency. But even the lightest and most comfortable helmet is no good if it doesn’t provide protection in the event of an accident. For the mandatory shock absorption test, we brought the helmets to TuV Rheinland in Cologne, where they were tested by experts, impact absorption in detail.

Fit / comfort
Every head is different, every helmet has to be tried on so that it fits optimally. This criterion is very subjective indeed. Nevertheless, experienced editors can judge whether the lining is scratching, the helmet is pressing uncomfortably against the forehead or the ears are pressing against the head. Put on and feel good is especially true for Shoei and X-Lite, which almost get the highest number of points here. Once you get into the Schuberth has squeezed, this also sits very well and comfortably. While sitting down is still bearable, getting down becomes an almost painful affair – the Schuberth is very tight at the bottom. Lazer scores with a full seat and comfortable upholstery. The interior of the HJC is also soft, the fit is less convincing, the helmet does not fit perfectly all over the head. The same goes for the Scorpion.

aerodynamics
While Schuberth and Shark wear complicated spoilers, the other candidates leave it with rather subtle hints. In any case, we don’t notice much of the spoiler work. We test how the helmets lie in the wind, how easily the head can be turned and what buoyancy the helmet generates. We like the apparently roundest candidate – the Scorpion – best of all, on par with the Shoei. The Shark loses points especially when turning its head. The other test candidates do better here, as they can be turned more easily and also lie better in the wind.

Noise development
We award a maximum of ten points in the noise development category. While Lazer, Scorpion and Shoei impress with their relatively quiet helmets even at high speeds, the HJC and Suomy better not drive without earplugs. With the Schuberth Noise Reduction System, you should be able to hear more noises from your bike on the racetrack. When driving on country roads, the small sliders can be closed at ear level and actually reduce the noise level to a minimal extent.

ventilation
Humans give off most of their body heat through their heads. If the warm air in the helmet cannot be evacuated during a long race, concentration suffers. Absolutely exemplary, the Schuberth helmet is the only one to get the full number of points. Its upper ventilation openings allow plenty of air to flow in, and the air throughput on the chin is also excellent. While the other candidates get between five and eight points, Suomy with three and Scorpion with only two points are far behind. The tiny ventilation openings on the top of the Suomy helmet are completely ineffective, but at least the chin ventilation works reasonably well. With the Scorpion, on the other hand, we do not feel a breeze on the front, on the forehead or above; After all, the visor can be locked in the “city position” and thus lets in enough air.

Field of view
While the field of vision does not come to the fore on a naked bike because of the upright seating position, it is particularly important on a super sports bike. Crouched behind the windshield in a racing position, your head almost on the tank – you need a large field of vision here, especially upwards. The Shark secures almost all points here. Its large field of vision allows a relaxed head position. Scorpion and Suomy wearers must raise their heads significantly higher to see as much. Schuberth, Shoei and X-Lite are also good, HJC and Lazer end up in the midfield.

handling
In this category, the helmets differ significantly. Among other things, we evaluate how well the ventilation slides can be operated and how easily the double-D locks and visors open. All Scorpion ventilation slides are easy to operate (regardless of the function of the ventilation), the pump for adjusting the cheek pads also works and the visor can be easily opened and changed – very good. The Suomy loses points due to the almost impossible operation of the ventilation openings with gloves and the fiddly clip fastening of the chin strap. The air deflector of the HJC, which is quite loosely seated and sloping down from time to time, deducts points, the easily changeable visor brings the points back in. Nevertheless, the HJC does not seem perfectly processed, especially in the area of ​​chin / visor ventilation. The otherwise convincing Shark loses mainly due to its visor. The opening nose is simply too small, too curved and too far to the side – the visor cannot be opened that easily with thick gloves. In addition, if the visor has become loose, it can only be reattached using a tiny Allen key. The ventilation openings of the Shark can be operated perfectly.

The actually good idea of ​​fixing the protruding end of the chinstrap with a magnet fails because the magnet is too weak – the end loosens and clacks against the helmet at high speed. With the SR1 from Schuberth, the very loosely fitting air deflector and the not clearly pronounced nose of the visor lock bothers. It is difficult to operate with thick gloves. The Lazer initially impresses with a firmly attached breathing air deflector. Unfortunately, almost every time the helmet is taken off, the insertable chin cover comes off because it is poorly attached to the helmet. Almost every helmet in this category has small defects that, in our opinion, shouldn’t be – and at prices of well over 500 euros in some cases, they shouldn’t be either.

Fogging tendency  
Pinlock visors are now almost standard equipment on a good helmet. Not without reason: thanks to the second pane, the visor fogged up significantly less – a clear gain in safety. The Shark visor is anti-fog coated and without pinlock. Among other things, we tested at an outside temperature of around three degrees – the Shark’s visor fogged up very quickly despite the coating. The Scorpion also dispenses with Pinlock, but steams up a little less. The same applies to the Suomy, whose visor steams up, but is quickly free again due to the constant draft. Because although the ventilation openings in the Suomy hardly work, a lot of air comes into the helmet from below.

HJC R-Pha 10


Motorcycle helmets for sports riders in the test


mps photo studio

The R-Pha 10 from HJC as the lightest helmet in the test has few weaknesses and is also suitable for glasses.

Fits, does not wobble, but gives little air: The ventilation openings on the chin and top of the helmet are easy to use, the air throughput is rather weak.

Conclusion
The lightest helmet in the test has few weaknesses, but the competition is a bit better in many respects. The shock absorption values ​​are okay, the visor can be opened easily and the detent fits. The air deflector should be better attached – it fell off more than once when we stuck our arm through the visor opening to wear the helmet. The visor ventilation works quite well, but there is hardly any draft on the top of the head.

Contact: HJC Deutschland GmbH, 41468 Neuss, Tel. 02131/523560, www.hjc-germandy.de
Price: from 359.99 euros
Weight: 1290 g (M)
Huge: XS-XXL

Lazer Kite Carbon Lite


Motorcycle helmets for sports riders in the test


mps photo studio

the Kite Carbon Light from Lazer offers good shock absorption.

The ventilation flaps on the helmet are easy to open, but there is hardly a breath of air to be felt. The chin ventilation lock is on the inside, the air throughput is good.

Conclusion
When it comes to shock absorption on the right and left, the Lazer does very well, but clearly fails when it hits the chin. The fit is convincing, as is the soft lining. The Lazer is only suitable to a limited extent for people who wear glasses – the temples press strongly against the head. Easy to change Pinlock visor. The chin cover constantly loosens when you put it down, as does the plug fastening of the cushion in the neck. The basis is right, with a little detailed work, the Lazer could end up further ahead. 

Contact: Cima-Lazer UG, 85617 Wehringen, Tel. 08234/902363, www.cima-motorradbekleidung.de
Price: 499 euros
Weight: 1445 g (M)
Sizes: XS-XXL

Schuberth SR1


Motorcycle helmets for sports riders in the test


mps photo studio

The PS test winner: SR1 from Schuberth.

We couldn’t take advantage of the spoiler, but it still looks good. The edge of the visor lock does not have enough grip.

Conclusion
Extremely tight putting on and taking off, once inside, the Schuberth fits well. The visor lock should be easier to grip, the air deflector hangs on three tiny rubber noses – okay for driving, it comes off immediately when carried. The ventilation works perfectly, the chin ventilation is on the inside. Schuberth is the only one to offer a restraint system for the chinstrap that prevents the helmet from slipping off the head. All in all the best helmet and therefore test winner.

Contact: Schuberth GmbH, 39126 Magdeburg, Tel. 0391/8106555, www.schuberth.com
Price: from 599.99 euros
Weight: 1330 g (M)
Sizes: XS – XXL

Scorpion EXO-750


Motorcycle helmets for sports riders in the test


mps photo studio

The Scorpion EXO-750 scores with good aerodynamics.

Ineffective: The ventilation openings on the forehead, chin and top of the helmet. Effective: The cheek pads can be individually adjusted using a pump ball.

Conclusion 
Not a bad helmet, but inferior to the other candidates in many categories. The Scorpion scores with good aerodynamics, a low level of noise and good handling. The poor shock absorption values, the practically non-functioning ventilation, the restricted field of vision and the rather high weight cost the Scorpion many points. For around 250 euros, the helmet is still a bargain, tear-off visors are included in the scope of delivery.  

Contact: Scorpion Sports Europe, F-67300 Strasbourg, Tel. 0721/1616790, www.scorpionsports.eu
Price: 249.90 euros
Weight: 1605 g (L)
Sizes: XS – XXL

Shark Race-R Pro


Motorcycle helmets for sports riders in the test


mps photo studio

The Race-R Pro from Shark is a light helmet with good shock absorption values.

Very effective, easy-to-use front ventilation with filter. The complicated-looking spoiler does not bring any noteworthy advantages.

Conclusion 
A light helmet with good shock absorption values, a very large field of vision and functioning ventilation. There are small cutbacks for the not-so-snug fit, the somewhat high level of noise and the not optimally functioning anti-fog coating – Pinlock nil Cumbersome: A loose visor can only be reattached with a tiny Allen key. The nose on the visor is too small and too far to the side – it is difficult to open.

Contact: Shark Helme Deutschland GmbH, 21224 Rosengarten, Tel. 04108/458000, www.shark-helmets.com
Price: from 629.95 euros
Weight: 1315 g (M)
Sizes: XS- XL

Shoei X-Spirit II


Motorcycle helmets for sports riders in the test


mps photo studio

Due to the somewhat heavy weight, the X-Spirit II still loses counters.

The forehead ventilation is difficult to operate. Shoei is the only one to offer a mechanism with which the cheek pads can be removed quickly in an emergency.

Conclusion 
With better shock absorption values, the Shoei could have been the test winner, because the X-Spirit II gets plenty of points in almost all other categories. The helmet only loses counters due to its somewhat heavy weight. Fit, aerodynamics and noise level are great, as is the ventilation and handling – except for the tiny slider on the forehead ventilation. At 699 euros, the Shoei is a good 280 euros more expensive than the X-Lite, which also does well.

Contact: Shoei Europa GmbH, 40595 Dusseldorf, Tel. 0211/1754360, www.shoei-europe.com
Price: from 699 euros
Weight: 1470 g (M)
Sizes: XS – XXL

Suomy Vandal


Motorcycle helmets for sports riders in the test


mps photo studio

The Vandal by Suomy scores with the great La Cocca design in the 50s style.

The tiny ventilation knobs can hardly be operated with gloves. Even when they are open, there is not a breath of air to be felt

Conclusion 
The Suomy cannot score strongly in any category and lands in penultimate place. The poor fit, the loud interior noise, the small field of vision and the poorly functioning ventilation cost the helmet many points. The shock absorption values ​​are also hardly convincing. The somewhat aging helmet can no longer keep up with the competition. The great La Cocca design in the 50s style doesn’t change that either.

Contact: Suomy Germany, 73575 Leinzell, Tel. 07175/309316, www.helmets leather-more.de
Price: from 349 euros
Weight: 1425 g (M)
Sizes: XS – XXL

X-Lite X-802


Motorcycle helmets for sports riders in the test


mps photo studio

The X-802 has an almost perfect fit. It is a good 180 euros cheaper than the cheapest SR1 from Schuberth and therefore the HP purchase tip.

Almost everything is right here: Both the chin and the upper head ventilation work and can be operated quite easily, even with gloves

Conclusion
Quietly and secretly, the X-lite takes one point after the other and is only barely second in the end – just one point behind the Schuberth. In the standard decor, the X-802 costs a good 180 euros less than the cheapest SR1 and is therefore our best buy. An almost perfect fit, good aerodynamics and low weight make the X-802 the ideal racing helmet. If the shock absorption values ​​had been slightly better, the X-lite would have won.

Contact: Nolangroup Deutschland GmbH, 71272 Renningen, Tel. 07159/93160, www.nolangroup.de
Price: from 419.50 euros
Weight: 1365 g (M)
Sizes: XS – XXL

Shock absorption

Shock absorption in detail

For the shock absorption test, PS worked with the helmet experts from TuV Rheinland. So was checked. All helmets that come onto the market in Europe must be tested according to the current motorcycle helmet standard ECE-R 22.05. However, the requirements of this standard are not very high. Helmets for 39.90 euros from the discounter usually pass the shock absorption test, as do high-tech specimens for well over 700 euros. Why is that? The current standard was adopted over ten years ago, but the limit values ​​set at that time are far too high from today’s perspective. The HIC value (Head Injury Criterion, a measure that indicates the expected severity of the head injury) is given as 2400. The accident researcher Florian Schueler assumes that half of the permitted value leads to serious head injuries. The same applies to the limit value of the maximum deceleration. 275 g are allowed, Schueler considers a maximum value of 130 g to be necessary – and technically feasible. The prescribed test conditions of the ECE standard are also not very practical. That’s why the PS sister magazine MOTORRAD developed its own, more sophisticated shock absorption process two years ago in close cooperation with experts. Instead of a flat anvil, the helmets meet a sigma post, which is used as a holder on many guardrails. According to the ECE standard, an impact speed of 7.5 m / s is prescribed. But does the material used in the helmet also dampen at lower speeds? To find out, we let the helmets hit the left side at an additional 5.5 m / s. And instead of the absurd minus 20 degrees, as prescribed by the standard, PS can be tested at room temperature. The ECE standard provides for a chin strike at 7.5 m / s on a flat anvil. However, we drop the helmets on an edge anvil. Part of the resulting forces are passed on to the chinstrap and are not recorded by the TuV test bench. The indication of the g-values ​​therefore only serves to complete and is not included in the evaluation of the shock absorption. The Lazer Kite and the Suomy Vandal particularly benefit from this. Their g-values ​​when striking the chin are almost five times higher than the Shark Race-R Pro, which achieves by far the best values ​​here. As expected, all helmets remained below the ECE limits. Nevertheless, some of the results differ significantly. The HIC value of the Schuberth SR1 when striking the right side is 7.5 m / s, 36 percent lower than that of the Shoei X-Spirit II, which achieves the worst value here. Amazing: When it hits 5.5 m / s, the X-Spirit II again delivers better values ​​than the SR1. Scorpion’s Exo-750 does not show a scratch on the left side after the crash. This suggests a hard outer shell that absorbs impact forces only poorly. In fact, the Scorpion’s scores are worse than the other candidates. Interesting: The outer shells of the three best in the impact test (Shark, Lazer and Schuberth) are each made of carbon-aramid fibers or, in the case of the Schuberth, a carbon-glass fiber compound. These three helmets show significant damage after the blows – the material gave way and, together with the damping material in the helmet, reduced the energy of the blow. To evaluate the test results, we added the HIC values ​​of the right and left lateral sweep and then graded according to the following point system: 2000-2200: 10 points; 2201-2400: 9 points; …; 2801-3000: 6 points etc. We scored the g-values ​​as follows: 280-300: 10 points; 301-320: 9 points; …; 381-400: 5 points etc. Then the points for the HIC and g values ​​were added so that a maximum of 20 points could be achieved. None of the candidates achieved the maximum number of points. Schuberth, Shark and Lazer still achieved good values ​​with 17 points each.

Mirrored visors

Silver or blue mirrored visors increase the coolness factor considerably. What good are the tours? And are they allowed?
The coating on one of our editorial helmets peeled off after a short time. So we had some manufacturers send us mirrored visors to see what they could withstand. At this time of year we could not test with dried flies, but a dry sponge and a brush simulate the hardship case. While the treatment with the sponge does not leave any marks on the inside or outside of the visor, the brush has an effect. Fine scratches quickly form on the mirrored visor of X-lite. The visor also scratches the Scorpion and Suomy quite quickly. The Shark disc, which also makes the most robust impression, is completely unimpressed by the brush. Even after brushing the visor edges for a long time, the coating did not come off any of the candidates – perhaps our editorial helmet was an isolated case.

Visors should only be cleaned with lukewarm water and a soft cloth, for stubborn soiling with a mild soapy solution. According to Schuberth, damp glasses cleaning cloths are not suitable, as their substances can attack the anti-fog coating. Is the visor clean? Then off to the street. But only if it is not too heavily tinted or mirrored. “A maximum of 50 percent tinting is allowed according to the ECE standard,” says helmet expert Peter Schaudt from TuV. “You are not allowed to drive this one on the street,” says Schaudt as he takes a closer look at the mirrored visor of the Suomy Vandal. There are no indications whatsoever on the visor as to whether it is legal to drive it. On the other hand, the Schuberth, Shark, Shoei, Scorpion and X-lite lenses read “not ECE-approved” or “daytime use only” – only use during the day. Where there is no plaintiff, there is no judge, after all, you can drive with mirrored sunglasses. However, if you have an accident with a “daytime use only” visor in the twilight, you may have bad cards.

Visors

Mirrored visors

Silver or blue mirrored visors increase the coolness factor considerably. What good are the tours? And are they allowed?
The coating on one of our editorial helmets peeled off after a short time. So we had some manufacturers send us mirrored visors to see what they could withstand. At this time of year we could not test with dried flies, but a dry sponge and a brush simulate the hardship case. While the treatment with the sponge does not leave any marks on the inside or outside of the visor, the brush has an effect. Fine scratches quickly form on the mirrored visor of X-lite. The visor of Scorpion and Suomy also scratches quite quickly. The Shark disc, which also makes the most robust impression, is completely unimpressed by the brush. Even after brushing the visor edges for a long time, the coating did not come off any of the candidates – perhaps our editorial helmet was an isolated case.

Visors should only be cleaned with lukewarm water and a soft cloth, for stubborn soiling with a mild soapy solution. According to Schuberth, damp glasses cleaning cloths are not suitable, as their substances can attack the anti-fog coating. Is the visor clean? Then off to the street. But only if it is not too heavily tinted or mirrored. “A maximum of 50 percent tinting is allowed according to the ECE standard,” says helmet expert Peter Schaudt from TuV. “You are not allowed to drive this one on the street,” says Schaudt as he takes a closer look at the mirrored visor of the Suomy Vandal. There are no indications whatsoever on the visor as to whether it is legal to drive. On the other hand, the Schuberth, Shark, Shoei, Scorpion and X-lite discs read “not ECE-approved” or “daytime use only” – only use during the day. Where there is no plaintiff, there is no judge, after all you can drive with mirrored sunglasses. However, if you have an accident with a “daytime use only” visor in the twilight, you may have bad cards.

Conclusion

Conclusion
The lightest helmet in the test has few weaknesses, but the competition is a bit better in many respects. The shock absorption values ​​are okay, the visor can be opened easily and the detent fits. The air deflector should be better attached – it fell off more than once when we stuck our arm through the visor opening to wear the helmet. The visor ventilation works quite well, but there is hardly any draft on the top of the head.

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