Keeping your head safe while riding a sport bike is an essential consideration. Selecting the right helmet is key to ensuring your safety. In the UK, with its diverse climate and road conditions, the helmet you choose needs to be comfortable, offer excellent protection and ideally, be lightweight. This guide is here to help you determine the best helmet to fit your needs. We’ll be reviewing 5 of the best lightweight helmets for sport bike riders available in the UK.
MIPS Technology: A Revolution in Helmet Safety
Enter MIPS, or Multi-Directional Impact Protection System, a leading technology in helmet safety. MIPS is designed to reduce rotational forces to the brain, which can occur during certain impacts. It adds an extra layer of safety to traditional helmets by moving independently of the helmet shell, helping to distribute and dissipate energy before it reaches your head.
A lire en complément : What are the legal requirements for modifying your sport bike in the UK?
Given the importance of this technology, all the helmets reviewed in this list incorporate MIPS. Let’s now delve into the specifics of the top five lightweight helmets for UK sport bike riders.
Shoei RF-1200: A Balance of Comfort and Safety
Shoei has a stellar reputation for producing high-quality helmets, and the RF-1200 is a testament to that. Despite its robust safety features, it manages to maintain a lightweight build, thanks to its compact design and advanced materials. The helmet weighs only 3.5 pounds, making it ideal for long rides.
En parallèle : Can you legally ride a modified sport bike with a turbocharger in the UK?
The visor provides excellent visibility, offering a wide field of view. It’s also designed to avoid fogging up, a common issue in the UK’s often damp climate. Ventilation is another key strength of the RF-1200, with a sophisticated system that ensures consistent airflow.
The RF-1200 also integrates the MIPS technology, providing an added layer of protection against rotational forces. It comes at a higher price point, but the investment is worth it for the comfort and safety it provides.
Bell Race Star Flex: Designed for Speed
The Bell Race Star Flex is a helmet designed with sport bike enthusiasts in mind. Its aerodynamic shape reduces wind resistance, making it ideal for high-speed riding.
Like the Shoei RF-1200, the Race Star Flex incorporates MIPS technology for maximum head protection. The helmet also comes with a Panovision visor, which offers a wide field of vision, allowing riders to see more of the road.
Despite its durability and robust safety features, the Bell Race Star Flex is quite light, weighing in at just 3.4 pounds. It offers great ventilation, a crucial feature for comfort during those long summer rides. The price is on the higher end, but for the fit and features it offers, it’s a worthy investment.
Arai Corsair X: Crafted for Performance
The Arai Corsair X is a helmet that’s built for performance. It’s touted for its superior fit, thanks to its adjustable padding system that adapts to different head shapes. It’s also incredibly light, with a weight of just 3.5 pounds.
The Corsair X benefits from Arai’s aerodynamic design, which reduces wind noise and buffeting. Its visor offers a wider field of view, ensuring riders have a clear view of the road.
The helmet incorporates MIPS technology, providing extra protection against rotational forces. The ventilation system is also top-notch, helping to keep your head cool during those hot summer rides. With a slightly higher price, this helmet is a good choice for riders who prioritize fit and performance.
AGV K6: Versatility and Value
The AGV K6 is a versatile helmet that’s suitable for both city riding and high-speed road trips. It manages to be incredibly light while offering a high level of protection, weighing only 3.3 pounds.
The K6’s visor provides a wide field of view, and like the other helmets on this list, it’s equipped with MIPS technology. The ventilation system is also commendable, with multiple vents that offer excellent airflow.
The K6 offers great value for its price. Its combination of lightness, safety features, and versatility make it a good fit for a wide range of riders.
Scorpion EXO-R420: Affordability Meets Quality
The Scorpion EXO-R420 is the most affordable helmet on this list, but don’t let the low price fool you. It offers many features often found in higher-priced helmets, such as MIPS technology and an effective ventilation system.
The EXO-R420 has a weight of 3.5 pounds, making it a lightweight option. The helmet’s visor provides a good field of view, and it’s easily removable for cleaning or replacement.
While it doesn’t have the advanced comfort features found in pricier models, the EXO-R420 is a commendable choice for those on a budget. It delivers good quality and safety without the hefty price tag.
Choosing the right helmet is a crucial decision that can impact your safety and comfort on the road. With MIPS technology and other advanced features, these helmets offer excellent protection, comfort, and value. Always remember to thoroughly test any helmet before purchase to ensure it fits well and meets your individual needs.
HJC RPHA 11: Ultimate Lightweight Helmet
The HJC RPHA 11 is noticeably lightweight and renowned for its excellent fit, making it a top choice for UK sport bike riders. This full-face helmet weighs in at just 3.1 pounds, making it the lightest option in our review.
The design of the RPHA 11 is sleek and aerodynamic, which reduces wind resistance and noise – a crucial factor during high-speed rides. The ventilation system is also impressive, featuring a complex system with multiple intake and exhaust vents that ensure optimal airflow.
The RPHA 11 comes equipped with an anti-fog lens and sun visor, allowing for clear vision in various weather and light conditions. And like the other helmets in our review, it incorporates MIPS technology, adding an extra layer of protection against rotational impact.
While the RPHA 11 is not the cheapest helmet on our list, it offers exceptional value for its price. The helmet’s lightweight design, comfort, and superior protection make it an excellent investment for any serious sport bike rider.
Klim Krios Pro: Adventure-Ready Helmet
If you’re an adventure rider, then the Klim Krios Pro should be on your radar. This helmet is designed for both off-road and road bike use and is full of features that make it stand out from the crowd.
Weighing in at 3.3 pounds, the Krios Pro is reasonably light and comfortable for long rides. The helmet’s aerodynamic design minimises wind resistance and noise, making for a smoother ride. It also features a sun visor and a wide field of view, ensuring clear vision in varying light conditions.
The Krios Pro incorporates MIPS technology and additional layers of Carbon Fiber for enhanced impact protection. It also boasts a superior ventilation system to keep your head cool during those long summer rides.
Despite being one of the pricier options, the Krios Pro is worth considering given its versatility and advanced features. Its hybrid design makes it suitable for both on-road and off-road adventures, offering the best of both worlds.
Conclusion
Choosing the right bike helmet is a crucial step towards ensuring your safety and comfort while riding. Whether you’re looking for the best budget helmet, a high-performance helmet, or the best motorcycle helmet for long rides, the options mentioned above offer a variety of choices to suit different needs and preferences.
Remember, a well-fitted helmet with advanced safety features like MIPS technology and a good ventilation system is worth the investment. While the initial cost might be higher, these features could be life-saving in the event of an accident.
Before making a purchase, be sure to read a full review and the helmet’s specifications. Consider getting an expert review or asking for recommendations from fellow riders. And most importantly, never compromise on safety for the sake of saving a few pounds. Your life could depend on it.
