Daily motorbike news, views & reviews
The single most important item you can wear on a motorcycle is a helmet. Yet there are varying, confusing and comprehensive laws around the world about whether or not you need a helmet and what type of helmet you must have. We sort through al the rules and regulations on helmets and offer advice for the rider. We also preview new motorcycle helmets and road test helmets for protection, soundproofing, comfort, practicality, ease of use, weight, aerodynamics and more, recommending what we like and pointing out the shortfalls.
Bluetooth company Sena has moved into the helmet business with the release of its Momentum full-face helmet range with integrated Bluetooth intercom units. The Momentum with integrated 20S technology costs $A599 and the Momentum Lite with 10Series tech costs $A529. Click here to find out where to buy. The first-generation Momentum INC, Momentum Pro and …
If you wear sunglasses or prescription glasses you will know of the niggling problems caused by wearing them with a motorcycle helmet. Some people wear contact lenses while riding, but be careful as they can dislodge in high winds and on bumpy roads. You could also get your eyes lasered. But neither of these will …
Does helmet safety match how much money you spend on the helmet? It’s an often-asked question that we try to verify with statistics. The Bell helmets ad campaign of 50 years ago “If you’ve got a $10 head, wear a $10 helmet!” may have been true then, but is it now? We could not find …
Some riders will only wear open-face helmets, some will only wear full-face, others wear different helmets in different conditions and some only wear flip-up or modular helmets. So which is best and what are the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of helmet? We don’t want to preach to you about what sort of …
Harley-Davidson has a range of retro-styled motorcycles and now has the helmet to match them with this Bell-made Bullitt Vintage Stripe full-face model. There is no difference from a standard Bullitt helmet except for the traditional Harley orange and black striping and Harley branding. You might expect Harley would add a premium price, but it …
Head-up display (HUD) in helmets has been delayed by controversy and expense, but now a cheaper HUD helmet is promised to hit the market soon. American augmented reality company DigiLens, which has made HUD units for cars, planes and glasses, claimed to have designed a lighter, thinner and cheaper screen called monoHUD. The company has …
Japanese helmet manufacturer Shoei has joined the trend toward retro full-face helmets with their new Ex-Zero. The manufacturer says it will be available from July. Price for Australia is $599.90 for the five solid colour options of off-white, grey, matte black, yellow and red. The Equation graphic will arrive late September. It follows the growing list …
Changes to Australian helmet rules that allow European-approved models is allowing Harley-Davidson to bring in a wider choice of helmets for customers. Last year, the company added several retro-style open-face helmets made by Bell including a special limited-edition 100th anniversary in Australia model, says Harley-Davidson Australia & New Zealand Related Products Manager Sébastien Bureau. Wider …
The lowest-profile open-face motorcycle helmet on the market – the Davida Speedster V3 – is now legal to wear in Australia. UK-made Davida Speedster helmets have long been the lowest-profile helmets, but they were illegal to wear in many markets. Now the Speedster V3 has received European (ECE22.05) and American (DOT) safety approval thanks to …
Not every rider has the same shape of head, so some are riding with helmets that do not fit correctly due to the accepted standards in Australia and the import policies of helmet distributors. According to Australian Motorcycle Council Helmets Committee chair Guy Stanford, most helmets on shelves in Australia are shaped for people of …