Josh Herrin wasted no time in 2013 getting his first AMA Pro American Superbike victory after falling short on several occasions during his rookie Superbike campaign in 2012. He earned it at the very first race of the season at Daytona International Speedway. And he earned it while wearing a Bell Star Carbon helmet. Continue Reading »
Arai has a new model helmet for 2013 called the Defiant. Based on the RX-Q the new helmet, shown here in Base Orange Frost, is meant to appeal to the motorcyclist who desires urban-aggressive styling coupled with Arai’s reputation for safety and comfort.
More than just a styling exercise, the Defiant boasts new technologies unseen even on the company’s flagship Corsair-V helmet. Inside the Defiant the exposed areas of the cheekpads and neckroll feature Arai’s water-repellent Dry-Max material that prevents water absorption in wet conditions. The new IR Neckroll pad has been reshaped to flow more air to the bottom of the helmet at lower speeds. Continue Reading »
We’ve seen a lot of teaser images in the motorcycle industry, but this might be the first time we’ve seen a teaser campaign for a helmet. But that’s what landed in our inbox, a grainy photo of an all-new helmet from Bell Powersports. The photo was also posted on Bell’s Facebook page with the caption “Something wicked this way comes—from Bell in 2013″.
The picture shows a helmet with a vented mask and what appears to be an attachment mount, perhaps suggesting the mask and chin bar is removable. A spokesperson from Bell’s PR agency says the new helmet is for cruisers and is “like nothing else on the market today”.
Bell will release more information during the second week of January, and we’re curious to see what Bell has in store. We’re also curious about that small pencil eraser-shaped object not-so-subtly placed in front of the helmet. Check back at this space in the next few weeks for more details. Continue Reading »
AGV has revealed an updated version of its Marco Simoncelli tribute GP-Tech full-face helmet and a pilot-style visored open-face helmet in the colors of the late motorcycle racer.
The AGV GP-Tech Special Marco Simoncelli Tribute helmet has been restyled to more closely resemble the late MotoGP racer’s helmet. Key changes include the addition of a Dainese logo on top of the helmet shell and a heart graphic in the colors of the Japanese flag Simoncelli had added in memory of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.
Even more notable, enough to question why it wasn’t done for the original version of the tribute helmet, is Simoncelli’s signature #58. The previous version used the number 1, for some reason. Continue Reading »
Colorado-based Super Seer is recalling certain helmets because they fail to meet federal safety requirements.
The recall campaign affects extra large sizes for Super Seer S1602, S1602V, S1608 and S1608V helmets. According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the extra large helmets do not meet penetration and retention requirements for Federal Motor Safety Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218.
Super Seer will replace non-compliant helmets at no charge. The campaign affects 186 helmets produced between Nov. 1, 2008 to June 21, 2012. Continue Reading »
Sunlight International of America is issuing a recall on the Rodia RHD-103 and Outlaw 103 helmets.
According to documents released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the helmets in question do not meet the frontal impact requirements as stated by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218.
Random testing by the Department of Transportation and NHTSA determined the helmets’ external shell and EPS foam liner may thin, allowing the transfer of over 450 G of acceleration. The DOT mandates energy transference be below 400 G.
All recalled helmets must be returned to get a new, thicker EPS liner installed at no charge to the consumer.
[NHTSA campaign ID# 12E014000]
Michigan governor Rick Snyder has signed into law a bill repealing the state’s mandatory helmet laws. As of today, motorcyclists can ride without wearing a helmet.
Senate Bill No. 291, introduced Republican State Senator Phil Pavlov, amends state law to allow riders 21 and older to ride without a helmet provided they have carry an additional $20,000 in medical insurance and have either passed a motorcycle safety course or had their motorcycle endorsement for at least two years.
Passengers over 21 may also ride helmet-less provided the passenger is covered by a $20,000 insurance policy purchased by the passenger or rider. Continue Reading »
From now until May 31, U.S. motorcyclists who purchase a Shoei RF-1100 helmet are eligible to receive a free face shield. After making your purchase from an authorized Shoei dealer or online retailer simply fill out the promotion form and mail it with proof of purchase to receive your choice of a clear, light smoke, mellow smoke or dark smoke shield.
“Shoei is very excited to help our authorized dealers further extend the sales leadership of the RF-1100 with this exciting new promotion,” noted Shoei Safety Helmet President Hiro Mizushima.
The RF-1100 features AIM+ Shell construction, a fully removable comfort interior and dual-layer EPS liner, and comes in five shell sizes across its size range of XXS to XXL.
Who says a motorcycle show has to contain Concours-level machinery? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and the 2012 One Motorcycle Show, sponsored by Bell, celebrates motorcycling in a rather unusual way. Continue Reading »
AGV has unveiled its PistaGP helmet, the first product of the AGV Standards program that creates a helmet’s fit from a laser scan of the rider’s head.
Traditional helmets designs begin with the outer shell first, with the internals designed after, resulting in helmets that fit various generic head shapes. That’s not a problem if your head is one of those shapes. Otherwise, you’ll usually have to sacrifice some element of comfort for a decent overall fit.
AGV Standards starts with the inside first, with laser scanners creating a digital version of a rider’s head. This digital scan can be used to create a 3D model with exact measurements various contours on the head. For the PistaGP, AGV recruited MotoGP star Valentino Rossi to help with development.
