Tag Archives: Helmet

Motorcycle News, News

Argon transforms helmet into Iron Man

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Argon Transform hi-tech helmet accessory transforms a standard helmet into an Iron Man helmet with head-up display, bluetooth, GPS and more.

Singapore start-up Whyre claim their Argon Transform is the world’s first dual-camera Augmented Reality attachment for a motorcycle helmet.

The $US795 ($A1140) unit doesn’t look too different to us from several others which are available or coming to market soon.

They include the HUDWAY Sight and Kiwi-designed Reyedr which is still seeking funding.

It also follows a growing wave of smart helmets that integrate HUD, and other tech into a motorcycle helmet.

The latest is the Australian-designed Forcite MK1 which has an LED light strip rather than HUD and includes a HD, wide-angle camera, Bluetooth and VOIP intercom and handlebar-mounted control unit.

Test Forcite smart helmet
Forcite

The advantages of aftermarket tech is that you can swap it to your new helmet when you retire the old one.

Argon TransformArgon Transform HUD

The Argon Transform comes as several Bluetooth-connected stick-on units for the side, front and back of the helmet, plus a screen on the inside of the chinbar.Argon Transform HUD

They combine a see-through head-up display with a Bluetooth handlebar controller, inbuilt GPS unit, plus front and back cameras.

Whyre claim the front and rear units weigh only 150g and balance each other out.

Argon Transform HUD
Rear camera

Riders will be able to see tailor-made info such as caller ID, GPS navigation arrows and speedometer, as well as what’s behind them. Video is recorded and stored on an SD card or accessed via an Argon app.

Argon Transform HUD
Rider’s view of the periphery screen

It will also allow riders to access specific ride statistics, Argon settings, a social community and a logbook that records last maintenance dates, spare part changes/cost etc.

The intercom has range only up to 100m, but the speakers are claimed to have active noise-cancelling which should mean clear sound without background wind noise and no need for earplugs.

Argon Transform HUD
(Never put your helmet on the ground like this unless you wants ants or other bugs in your helmet!)

The offline built-in GPS does not require data and operates in remote areas where phone reception is weak.

Argon claims the lithium-polymer battery will last for eight hours on a charge. 

Whyre has launched an Indiegogo Campaign to get a $US25,000 and is already a third of the way there.

Early customers will get the Argon Transform for $US398 ($A570) compared with the retail price of $US795 ($A1140). They plan to ship in February 2020.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

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Sena Savage Bluetooth helmet review

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If you have been looking for an open-face helmet with Bluetooth communication, the new Sena Savage is the answer.

It features integrated controls, speakers and a microphone discretely in the brow section of the helmet.

As you would expect, it’s noisier than a full-face helmet, the microphone is not as quiet as in a full face helmet, but it’s equal to or better than the boom-mic units people attach to their open-face helmets.

And it is neater as well. The compact two-control functions on the side of the helmet are sadly visible, yet easy to use.Sena Savage

They work the same as the Sena 20S controls wth a button and a dial/button/toggle control.

With just those two controls, you can switch on/off, summon Siri, play music, answer and reject calls, pair t your phone and another intercom, summon an intercom user, skip tracks and change the volume.

The only problem I found with the Savage is that the amplifier and speakers are not powerful enough to provide adequate sound when I wear my filtered earplugs.

The filtered earplugs reduce the overall sound a little, but mainly they filter out the damaging wind noise that gives you tinnitus.

They allow you to hear important traffic sounds such as emergency siren and horns, plus listen to your music and phone conversations at a lower volume that doesn’t hurt your ears.

Unfortunately, this system is a little too quiet, so it’s really only useful up to about 80km/h.

Last year I reviewed the Sena Momentum full-face helmet and I was so impressed it has now become my go-to helmet. Read my review here.

Sena Momentum Lite Bluetooth helmet hi-fi savage
Sena Momentum Lite Bluetooth helmet

It is a shame the Savage does not have the same volume levels as the Momentum Lite.

Still, it’s a very comfortable and useful helmet for around-town duties where an open-face helmet gives you extra vision to look out for errant traffic.

The quality of sound and noise-damping of the brow-mounted microphone is ok, but not great.

They also use this system in their Calvary half-helmet.

Sena Cavalry motorcycle half helmet with bluetooth unit savage
Sena Calvary

I talked to a few people on the phone while riding and they said it sounded a bit distorted at city speeds and over 80km/h there was to much wind noise.

That seems to be vindicated by this promotional video where the rider is mainly cruising around town.

Sena Savage

The Savage is now available in Australia in matte black in medium, large and XL sizes at $A499.95.

That makes it cheaper than buying a helmet and separate Bluetooth unit.

You can also buy optional long and short peaks and we imagine the three press studs would also fit many visors suitable for other open-face helmets.

It is the first open-face helmet with Bluetooth 4.1, connecting with three other riders up to 1.6km.

Like other Sena units, it is an intercom and has integrated 10-station FM radio which can be accessed hands-free with voice controls.

Talk time is 11 hours and the lithium polymer battery charges in three hours.

The composite fibreglass shell helmet weighs just 1100g and features removable and washable padding, with a nylon double-D-ring fastener.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

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Shark gobbles up Nolan helmets

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Italian helmet maker the Nolan Group has been bought by French motorcycle company 2Ride Holding, makers of Shark helmets, Bering and Segura motorcycle clothing and Bagster bike luggage.

Nolan Group make Nolan, X lite and Grex helmets and N-Com Bluetooth intercoms. 

An official statement about the merger does not give any assurances on whether production will be moved from Italy.

However, it does say 100% of Nolan Group’s products are “conceived, designed and created in Europe, and a good majority of them are even manufactured in the European territory”.

We believe many products in the 2Ride Holding range are made in South East Asia.

2 Ride Holding president Patrick François says they have already begun to work together and intend to “optimise all this Italian, French and European expertise in order to offer our global consumers more protective and easier-to-use products”.

Nolan and Shark helmetsNolan N-87 helmet in scratched chrome

Nolan helmets were the most trusted brand in Australia in 2015, the first year of the Canstar Blue customer satisfaction ratings.

Our assessment of the respected UK SHARP helmet safety ratings found Shark was the most prolific helmet brand in the survey with 24 helmets and all but one scored four or more stars, making it the safest, statistically.

Strategic alliance

The official press statement says the “strategic alliance” between these two European companies “attests to their intent on making significant inroads into the global marketplace and will enable them to pursue their geographic expansion plans”.

“With €150 million in sales revenue and a workforce of around 1000, the Nolan Group distributes its products in over 80 countries worldwide and enjoys a global leadership status in the market of protective equipment for motorcycle and outdoor sports,” it says.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

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Sikh rider turban plea knocked on head

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Germany has knocked back a plea by a Sikh rider to wear a turban instead of a helmet on religious grounds.

However, the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig says wearing a helmet does not infringe on Sikhs’ freedom of worship.    

It follows the appeal plea by a Sikh man who also argued that the helmet would not fit over his turban.

Applications for turbans to be worn instead of helmets have also been knocked back in France.

Denmark is cracking down on helmet exemptions that require a doctor’s note or a legitimate non-medical reason such as religious grounds. 

ExemptionsTurban sikhs motorcycle helmets plea

Sikhs are exempt from wearing motorcycle helmets in Indian, Pakistan (in Peshawar only), the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and British Columbia, and the UK introduced the exemption in 1976.

In New Zealand, Sikhs can ride with a turban instead of a helmet at speeds under 60km/h.

Australian Sikhs are also seeking the same exemptions.

Aussie Sikhs plea

Sikh Motorcycle Club rides for charity sikhs turban plea
Aussie Sikhs

The Sikh Motorcycle Club of Australia told us in 2017 that motorcycle and bicycle helmet rules are discriminatory.

They were calling for an exemption for all cyclists and for motorcyclists and scooterists riding at low speeds only.

Founding member Daljeet Singh told us that while initiated male and female Sikhs must cover their hair with a turban, Sikh Motorcycle Club members wear a bandana-style scarf underneath their helmets.

The Central Coast of NSW Sikhs say they have campaigned to Coffs Coast Council for the right to not wear helmets on city streets signposted up to 60km/h.

However, the matter would have to be decided by the NSW Centre for Road Safety (CRS). Neither council nor the CRS can find any record of contact from the group.

There are about 126,000 Sikhs in Australia, according to the 2016 Australian Bureau of Statistics census. It is the fifth largest religion after Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism.

Victoria has seen the sharpest increase in the number of Sikhs with 52,762. The state with the second highest Sikh population is NSW with 31,737 Sikhs, Queensland 17,433, Western Australia 11,897, South Australia 8808, ACT 2142 and Northern Territory and Tasmania have under 700 Sikhs each. 

Turban symbol

Why do Sikhs wear turbans? Here is an explanation from Sikh Council of Australia’s website.

Unshorn hair (‘Kesh’) are also an essential part of the Sikh Code of Conduct. This makes Turban an essential part of a Sikh’s attire. Like the ‘Kirpan’ issue, this is another issue where the Government and its departments as well as the wider Australian community need to be informed about the importance of the Turban for a Sikh. More importantly, in order to tackle the hate crimes and discrimination based on the ‘looks’ the Australian community is being educated about the distinction between a Sikh and other members of the community who may also wear a Turban or cover their head or perhaps may look the same due to other items of clothing (for example the salwar and kameez for the women).

Hopefully the Government will introduce measures which will allow the wider Australian community to be more aware and tolerant and not discriminate against someone wearing a Turban and not assume that they might be a terrorist.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

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AGV AX9 is a versatile helmet

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The versatile new AGV AX9 helmet can be worn as an adventure helmet, MX lid with goggles or even a touring helmet with its quickly removable peak and visor.

Once removed, there is no unsightly attachment hardware to affect the shell’s aerodynamics or aesthetics.

It is available in black or white for $699, multi-colours for $799 or matt carbon for $899 and comes in sizes XXS (51-52cm) to XXXL (65-66cm).

versatile new AGV AX9 helmet
AGV AX9 colour line-up

This is not the first such versatile helmet as Shark has had the Explore-R for several years at $599 and it includes the attached goggles, whereas the AGV AX9 doesn’t.

Shark Explore-R motorcycle helmet ax9
Shark Explore-R motorcycle helmet

Both have lightweight carbon variants weighing about 1.3kg. The AGV fibre-composite models weigh 1.4kg.

AX9 tested

AGV claims their helmet “reaches new standards in aerodynamics and ventilation” in wind tunnel and laboratory tests.

There are five adjustable vents including an adjustable chin guard vent so the rider can direct air flow exactly where the want it.

It also has moisture-wicking cheek pads and top liner and a water-resistant neckroll to prevent water from channelling inside the helmet.

Removable and washable cheek pads are made from Ritmo fabric, the crown pad is made of durable Shalimar and the base is made of moisture-resistant Shalimar and Nubuck to keep the helmet dry when you take it off.

The wide anti-scratch visor comes with a Max Vision Pinlock anti-fog insert and has six hold positions to allow extra air.

Their adjustable peak has been wind-tunnel tested to prevent lift which can cause neck pain after riding for some time at highway speeds.

AGV claims they also lab-tested the noise level at 97dB at 110km/h.

That’s still fairly loud and we recommend using earplugs for long rides to avoid short-term fatigue and long-term tinnitus.

Alpine MotoSafe earplugs make riders safer sound
BUY Alpine MotoSafe earplugs now in our online shop

AX9 safetyversatile new AGV AX9 helmet

AGV claims the helmet far exceeds ECE 22.05 safety standards.

Safety features include a shell, neck roll and chin shape that reduces impact pressure and the subsequent risk of collarbone injury.

Between the outer shell and the interior fabrics, AGV has fitted a multi-density EPS with four different foam densities, so it has maximum protection in any size.

It comes with a standard double-D chin strap for secure fastening.

ARK communicationversatile new AGV AX9 helmet

The AX9 is also set up to accommodate their soon-to-be-released integrated ARK aerodynamic communication system at $399.

It was developed by Sena not only for the AX9, but also Sportmodular, K-5 S and K6.

They claim it will seamlessly communicate with up to four riders simultaneously at the click of a button.

Range is said to be up to 1.6km and it features Sena’s Advanced Noise Control ambient noise control for quiet phone and intercom conversations.

It integrates a built-in FM radio tuner with station scan and save function.

The ARK can be applied to the helmet with an AGV Intercom Adapter without affecting the aerodynamic shape.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

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Your chance to test Forcite smart helmet

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Here’s your chance to be a test pilot for the Forcite smart helmet that integrates a camera system, navigation and intercom in the shell and was developed right here in Australia.

The ultralight and ultra-hi-tech smart helmet will hit the market in December, but you can test it in July and August.

CEO and co-founder Alfred Boyadgis says their 6500 early supporters or “test pilots” can register to test the MK-01 helmet on their Launch Tour around Australia.

Dates are listed below and you can click here to register to attend.

Test Forcite smart helmet

The tour kickstarts with a track-day in Sydney and demo events in all states and territories.

“Throughout the tour, we will be gathering and utilising all the valuable feedback our Test-Pilots give us to further improve and refine the MK-01 helmet to make it the best we possibly can before delivering it to them in December,” their invitation says.

Test pilots will also be able to buy a limited-edition founder carbon composite helmet with gold logos for under $1000.Forcite smart helmet funding

Forcite sales director Dylan Ross says the planned retail price for the helmet when it comes to market in December 2019 will be $A1299.

Flaws fixed

In this video he admits that their earlier Mach 1 model had a few flaws such as the camera position on the top.

He says that the top-mounted camera worked for sports bike riders, but those sitting upright mainly videoed the sky. And if the rider raised their visor, it obscured the camera.

The 160-degree camera has now been repositioned in the chin area.

Forcite smart helmet delivered in December
Chin bar helmet

Alfred also confirms that they have not altered the physics of the helmet which still complies with European ECE22.05 standards.

He says none of the lightweight electronics (<200g) is embedded in the foam lining to ensure the integrity of the helmet’s protection.

The Forcite helmet’s electronics are powered by two ceramic batteries that are guaranteed not to rupture or ignite in a crash.

Uni design project beginnings]

The Forcite helmet evolved from an undergraduate UNSW design project with co-founder Julian Chow.

It followed Alfred’s “near-death experience” when he crashed his motorcycle in an oil spill about five years.

He says he broke his knee and cracked his helmet in half. The attached action camera almost penetrated his skull.

Forcite smart helmet delivered in December
Alfred with Mach 1 and founder helmets

The helmet is based on similar smart helmets Forcite has developed for other industries, and the business recently received mentoring in the UNSW 10X Accelerator. 

They say their helmet and software package give riders “greater situational awareness and allows them to overcome their lack of visibility on the road by communicating essential information about their ride in a completely safe manner”.

It can also alert riders to nearby safety hazards with audio and light signals in the chin bar.

The helmet also provides video and audio recordings of the ride and it can be controlled via a smartphone app.

Forcite smart helmet delivered in December
Mobile app monitors helmet technology

All the technology is integrated inside the helmet with no external attachments.

Alfred says helmet attachments are illegal in NSW and being investigated by standards bodies in many countries.

(Our understanding is that NSW and Victorian police still believe external fittings render a helmet illegal, but NSW have been ordered not to fine riders until the issue is officially resolved.)

He says helmet attachments add weight to a helmet and at high-speed impact, can crack helmet shells, leading to death or injury.

There is also concern that they can cause dangerous head rotation in a crash.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

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Domio Bluetooth helmet sound adds mic

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The Domio Sport Bluetooth helmet system provides music without internal speakers and messy wires, but has now added a microphone system that has no internal or boom mic.

The Canadian company launched a Kickstarter crowd-funding campaign to raise the funds to start production of their Domio Pro unit with the mic.

UPDATE AND WARNING: We have contacted the company on several occasions to ask when these will be delivered and have not received a response. Customers say they have not yet received theirs, so please DO NOT pay them until they confirm delivery. Their Facebook page says they are shipping in a week. We will advise if customers start receiving units.

Domio Sport and Pro use micro-vibration technology to deliver sound into your helmet.

The Sport model is similar to Headwave Tag which uses “surface transduction” to transmit vibrations through the helmet. However, we tested the Headwave unit and found it awful. Click here to read our review.

Headwave Tag turns your helmet into a speaker domio
Headwave tag

At $US129 ($A175), the Domio Sport is much cheaper than the Headwave Tag ($A449), but neither has a microphone — until now.

How Domio Pro works

Domio Pro includes a wireless, noise canceling “air mic” that, like the sound unit, sticks on the outside of the helmet.

It uses “beamforming” technology which is a process that allows you to focus a WiFi signal.

Domio Pro Bluetooth helmet sound system
Air mic

In this case it also cancels out wind noise and sound vibrations coming from the helmet shell and only accepts sound from a small area right in front of your mouth.

It’s not a Bluetooth intercom unit, so if you want to talk with another rider or your pillion, you will have to call them on your phone.

You can pre-order Domio Pro now for a 35% discount on the retail price of $US199 (about $A270).

Domio Pro Bluetooth helmet sound system
Domio Pro with speaker on top and mic at the side

Given our dismal experience with Headwave Tag, we can’t recommend this unit until we have tested one.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

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Sena +Mesh links unlimited intercoms

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Bluetooth giant Sena has introduced a +Mesh wireless adapter that will link any version of their intercoms to any number of other Sena headsets.

It basically turns any Sena into a Bluetooth intercom with their +Mesh technology that allows people using the headset to come and go from a linked conversation without breaking the link.

The unit is arriving in Australia this month at $259. So there will be no need to update your Sena headset to the latest unit to experience +Mesh tech.

Connects unlimited Sena intercomsSena +Mesh links unlimited Sena intercoms

Sena says the +Mesh wireless adapter allows “seamless communication with other Sena headsets”, rather than connecting via Bluetooth.

Range is claimed to be up to 800m line-of-sight.

You can install the device on your handlebars or any other part of the bike with unobstructed line of sight with your intercom and others.

Simply press the button to turn your headset into a more advanced and flexible Sena +Mesh headset.

“Mesh-network technology will instantly connect you to a virtually limitless amount of users and provides a more stable connection by intelligently searching for lost intercom connections and automatically reconnecting them once back within range, while the rest of the group stays together,” Sena says.

We can’t say how well it works, but Sena Australia say they will send us one to test, so stay tuned.

Sena helmets

Meanwhile, Sena’s updated Momentum Mesh helmet is coming to Australia later this year. 

Sena Momentum Lite Bluetooth helmet Sena +Mesh links unlimited Sena intercoms
Sena Momentum Lite

Australia will not get the Momentum PRO and INC and INC PRO until the second generation is released with European certification.

There is no release date for the second generation as yet.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

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Sena adds Savage open-face helmet

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Bluetooth giant Sena has moved into helmets with integrated intercom systems over the past couple of years, adding full-face helmets, a half-helmet and now the open-face Savage.

Last year I reviewed the Sena Momentum full-face helmet and I was so impressed it has now become my go-to helmet. Read my review here.

Sena Momentum Lite Bluetooth helmet hi-fi savage
Sena Momentum Lite Bluetooth helmet

But I remain a little sceptical about the quality of sound and noise-damping of the brow-mounted microphone in their Savage open-face and Calvary half-helmets.

Sena Cavalry motorcycle half helmet with bluetooth unit savage
Sena Calvary

I’m hoping to test the Savage soon.

Meanwhile, check out this promotional video which seems to indicate the sound quality defeats wind noise.

Sena Savage

The Savage is now available in Australia in matte black in medium, large and XL sizes at about $A500, depending on where you buy it.

You can also buy optional long and short peaks and we imagine the three press studs would also fit many visors suitable for other open-face helmets.

It is the first open-face helmet with Bluetooth 4.1, connecting with three other riders up to 1.6km.

Controls are simplistic, but the jog dial and single button should work as well as other Sena products we have tested.

Sena says it comes with “HD quality speakers” built into the ear cavities.

The microphone is located in the upper rim of the helmet and features their Advanced Noise Control to reduce wind noise.

Like other Sena units, it is an intercom and has integrated 10-station FM radio which can be accessed hands-free with voice controls.

Bluetooth connection to your phone also allows access to make and receive phone calls, use Siri, listen to music and hear GPS directions.

Talk time is 11 hours and the lithium polymer battery charges in three hours.

The composite fibreglass shell helmet weighs just 1100g and features removable and washable padding, with a nylon double-D-ring fastener.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle News, News

Forcite smart helmet delivered in December

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Australian motorcycle helmet startup Forcite has promised its ultralight and ultra-hi-tech smart helmet will hit the market in December.

The Forcite helmet integrates a camera system, navigation, intercom and active noise-cancelling in the shell. It also features an electronically tinted visor that changes tint within a few milliseconds.

CEO and co-founder Alfred Boyadgis says their early supporters or “test pilots” will soon be able to buy a limited-edition founder carbon composite helmet (pictured above) with gold logos for under $1000.

Forcite sales director Dylan Ross says the planned retail price for the helmet when it comes to market later this year will be $A1299.

Flaws fixed

In this video he admits that their earlier Mach 1 model had a few flaws such as the camera position on the top.

He says that the top-mounted camera worked for sports bike riders, but those sitting upright mainly videoed the sky. And if the rider raised their visor, it obscured the camera.

The 160-degree camera has now been repositioned in the chin area.

Forcite smart helmet delivered in December
Chin bar helmet

Alfred also confirms that they have not altered the physics of the helmet which still complies with European ECE22.05 standards.

He says none of the lightweight electronics (<200g) is embedded in the foam lining to ensure the integrity of the helmet’s protection.

The Forcite helmet’s electronics are powered by two ceramic batteries that are guaranteed not to rupture or ignite in a crash.

December delivery

Forcite smart helmet funding

Last year Forcite invited riders to test the helmet in Australia and the US and received more than 2000 registrations to be test pilots. 

Those test pilots will soon be able to try out the helmet on a closed track at a Sydney racetrack.

It will be followed by a “Launch Tour” with demo events in select dealerships around the country.

Dylan says they will disclose the names and locations of participating dealerships soon.

“But you can certainly announce that we’ll be travelling to Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Tasmania, Brisbane, North Queensland, Canberra and multiple locations in Sydney/Greater Sydney region,” he says.

“We’re still confirming some of the structural components of the Launch Tour, but we are going national with this and getting in front of as many riders as we can.

“This isn’t juiced-up internet hype, this is a product with real-world usability, built by riders with input from the riding community over several years.” 

The good news is that riders who attend the demo days and order the helmet will get it at a discounted price under $1000. They promise delivery in December.

Uni design project

Forcite smart helmet delivered in December
Alfred with Mach 1 and founder helmets

The Forcite helmet evolved from an undergraduate UNSW design project with co-founder Julian Chow.

It followed Alfred’s “near-death experience” when he crashed his motorcycle in an oil spill about five years.

He says he broke his knee and cracked his helmet in half. The attached action camera almost penetrated his skull.

The helmet is based on similar smart helmets Forcite has developed for other industries, and the business recently received mentoring in the UNSW 10X Accelerator. 

They say their helmet and software package give riders “greater situational awareness and allows them to overcome their lack of visibility on the road by communicating essential information about their ride in a completely safe manner”.

It can also alert riders to nearby safety hazards with audio and light signals in the chin bar.

The helmet also provides video and audio recordings of the ride and it can be controlled via a smartphone app.

Forcite smart helmet delivered in December
Mobile app monitors helmet technology

All the technology is integrated inside the helmet with no external attachments.

Alfred says helmet attachments are illegal in NSW and being investigated by standards bodies in many countries.

(Our understanding is that NSW and Victorian police still believe external fittings render a helmet illegal, but NSW have been ordered not to fine riders until the issue is officially resolved.)

He says helmet attachments add weight to a helmet and at high-speed impact, can crack helmet shells, leading to death or injury.

There is also concern that they can cause dangerous head rotation in a crash.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com