Top 5 helmets just in time for this year's riding season

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There is no more important motorcycle safety apparel than headgear. After years of stagnant design, the motorcycle helmet has recently undergone something of a revolution. Here, then, are the top five lids we’ve tested over the last 12 months.

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6D ATS-1

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As outwardly high-tech — carbon-fibre construction, built-in communication systems, etc. — as motorcycle helmets have become in recent years, their inner construction remains decidedly old school, their energy-absorbing internals using basically the same expanded EPS polystyrene that is used to make coolers, surfboards and sometimes even the “packing peanuts” in which your helmet was shipped.

Essentially, the inner layer of closed-cell EPS in your helmet protects your brain from injury by crushing, thus absorbing the energy of the impact and reducing the blow passed along to your skull. In an ideal world, said foam would be soft enough to offer cushioning against any impact and thick enough to absorb any blow, no matter how brutal. In reality, it’s a decidedly low-tech compromise between enough resistance to ward off hard blows and enough compliance to absorb softer blows to the noggin.

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Enter 6D. Basically, what 6D does is split said EPS layer in two, separating the two layers with 27 tiny shock absorbers in what the company dubs an Omni-Directional Suspension (ODS) system. The science is ingeniously simple: The comparatively soft rubber dampers absorb low-energy hits, minimizing their impact on the rider. Then, under larger jolts, the dampers compress enough to ‘bottom out’ the shock and the two layers of EPS come together, managing the high-energy strikes in much the same way traditional helmets do.

Perhaps even more important, says co-founder Robert Reisinger, is that “traditional helmets do nothing to reduce angular impacts.” But the ability for the ATS-1’s two EPS layers to rotate with respect to one another mitigates angular acceleration — think of the impact of a Joe Frazier left-hook on the chin — “in the neighbourhood of 80 per cent.” This is crucial, says Reisinger, “since the medical industry says that rotational energy is the number one cause for brain injury.”  

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Unfortunately — actually, fortunately — I didn’t have cause to test 6D’s energy absorption claims. That said, the new ATS-1 is also a darned fine helmet. It’s comfortable, the ventilation more than adequate and the face shield unaffected by distortion. This last also featured extremely robust detents, meaning the shield could be held open at any desired angle, even at speed. The 6D is nothing short of a safety breakthrough and should be on any motorcyclist’s protective gear short list, especially anyone actively racing. The ATS-1 is available for $1,149.99 from blackfootonline.ca .

Schuberth E1

If the 6D ATS-1 is the most protective motorcycle helmet available, then the Schuberth E1 is the most comfortable. Schuberth’s first modular “adventure” lid, the E1 is one of the quietest helmets I’ve ever tested, its silence made all the more laudable because of the E1’s two-part “flip up” design. Most two-piece shell designs are typically noisier than uni-shell designs, so full props to Schuberth’s wind tunnel testing.

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The interior padding is incredibly lush, the three venting systems — head, visor and chin — effective and the optics of the retractable sun visor are excellent. The E1 is also compatible with Schuberth’s Pro version of its Rider Communication hardware.

Available in seven sizes from XS to XXXL, including two different-sized shells, the E1 has removable — and therefore interchangeable — cheek cushions. Schuberth technician Matt McBride of Riders Choice in Mississauga, Ontario, custom fit the lining/cheek pads to my head, resulting in the best fit I’ve ever had in a helmet. With a superb finish, plush liner and surprising silence, this is my go-to helmet for everyday street riding. Only its loose-fitting off-road peak (which is removable) mars a perfect performance. The E1 retails for $1,099.00 at riderschoice.ca .

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AGV Sportmodular

Modular helmets — full-coverage head gear, but with a pivot that allows the entire front fascia to pivot upwards — are the fastest-growing trend in protective headwear. It’s easy to understand why: Offering the same overall coverage as full-faced helmets, they’re far more convenient to slip into and allow the rider a full ‘open’ face when the shield is pivoted upwards.

The only issue is their two-piece design generally makes them heavier than their one-piece alternatives. That’s why AGV’s Sportmodular is such a breakthrough. Constructed of the same carbon-fibre as the company’s topline racing helmets, AGV claims the Sportmodular is the lightest modular helmet available, weighing but 1,295 grams — significantly lighter than fibreglass designs.

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It’s also incredibly well built. The paint is first class and much of the interior trim made from reversible Ritmo/Shalimar fabric that cools or warms the rider’s head. Most impressive is how quiet the Sportmodular is, the new AGV proved all but as silent as Schubert’s E1, the quietest modular helmet I’ve tested.

My only complaint was with AGV’s sizing for the Sportmodular. The company’s large was too small for my cranium and the XL version too loose, the jump between the two surprisingly large. Indeed, the Sportmodular’s sizing is different than any other AGV lid I’ve ever worn, making it one helmet I’d try on before buying online. Monotone Sportmodulars start at $949.95, while multi-coloured versions retail for $1,099.95 at GPBikes.com .

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AGV AX-9

AGV’s latest helmet, the AX-9, is also its most versatile. Indeed, by removing its peak and visor, either together or separately, AGV says its AX-9 is convertible to four different configurations ranging from pure off-road (peak on and visor off, so you can fit motocross goggles) to pure street-oriented (peak off and visor back on, so that the latest AX looks like a typical touring lid). Even the front air vent is customizable, with a foam filter easily added to filter dust while off-roading

The AX-9 is also almost as comfortable as the Sportmodular, with soft Ritmo and Shalimar anti-bacterial liners and a plush Nubrick neck roll that’s also water resistant. It’s also, again like the Sportmodular, surprisingly quiet, the tight faceshield fitting coming in for particular praise in minimizing windblast.

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Also like the Sportmodular, the AX-9’s visor offers a “panoramic” 190-degrees of peripheral vision, significantly more than comparable helmets. Indeed, my only complaint is that, despite AGV’s claim that the liner is specifically designed to allow wearing glasses, I had a heck of a time actually fitting my eyewear every time I donned the AX-9. That same tight-fitting but plush liner that makes the helmet so quiet and comfortable makes it difficult to fit the temples between head and helmet.

The all-new AX-9 starts at $639.95 and ranges to $849.95 for the carbon version at fortnine.ca.

Bell Revolver Evo

Bell’s Revolver Evo isn’t as light as the AGV Sportmodular. Nor is it as quiet as Schubert’s whisper-quiet E1. Its paint isn’t perfect — there are what looks to be taping marks marring the graphics — and, to tell the truth, its ear holes seem unnecessarily large. But here’s the thing: It’s still a great helmet. Or, more accurately, it’s a great bargain.

For just $269.95 from blackfootonline.ca , you get all the same host of features as the more expensive AGV — modular, “flip-up” design, a built-in retractable sunshade and fog-resistant faceshield. As mentioned, it’s not as light as the carbon-fibre Sportmodular — the Revolver weighs in at somewhat portly 1,750 grams — but, it’s otherwise quite comfortable. Indeed, my sole compliant is that the Evo is rather noisy, probably the result of having quite large ear holes. Earplugs are a must with this lid, but nonetheless, at 300 for a fully featured modular helmet, the Revolver Evo is a steal.