Shoei is the first major motorcycle helmet manufacturer to join the growing smart helmet revolution with the announcement of their IT-HT helmet.
The IT-HT helmet will include Bluetooth intercom and head-up display which includes a translucent screen that shows vital information to the rider without them having to take their eyes off the road.
Shoei IT-HT screen
Information can be customised by the rider to include bike data such as speed and revs, but also navigation, incoming phone calls, etc.
Revolution
The revolution is yet to get off the ground.
While there are many start-ups with smart helmets and aftermarket add-on devices such as Hudway, Nuviz and Seemore, few have made it to the market or proved their reliability.
HUdway
Nuviz-770
Seemore
Shoei has a long history of making safe and quality helmets, so their addition to the smart helmet revolution is welcome.
Shoei has updated its GT-Air touring helmet with a longer internal sun visor, better venting and more aerodynamics to make it quieter.
The GT-Air II will be available in April. Australian pricing is not yet available, but in the USA it will cost $US599 (about $A840) for single colours and $US699 (about $A980) for graphics.
The GT-Air II model should improve on that status.
Aussie riders will appreciate that the internal sun visor is now 5mm longer for improved glare protection.
Shoei has also redesigned the main visor so it has a “first position” opening for better venting and to prevent fogging. However, it also comes with a Pinlock EVO anti-fog insert.
Tourers often fit bluetooth intercom units to their helmet and the GT-Air II now has a special recess on the base to fit the new Sena SRL2 unit.
Another new addition is a micro-ratcheting buckle instead of the conventional double-D ring.
While racers use double D for security, the quick-release buckle is more convenient for tourers who often stop for fuel, coffee or a toilet break. It makes it easier to fasten, remove and adjust.
Streamlining
Shoei has streamlined the new shell in a wind tunnel so it is more compact and more aerodynamic which reduce the amount of fatiguing wind noise inside.
While most helmets have a couple of intake vents and one exhaust vent, the GT-Air II has three intakes and five exhausts, so it should be a lot cooler in the summer.
It comes with the 3-D Max Dry System that is removable, washable, replaceable and adjustable.
They claim it absorbs sweat twice as fast as nylon and is shaped to match a rider’s head. But if you’ve got a weird head shape, you can buy thicker and thinner pieces to ensure an optimum fit.
Like the GT-Air, the new model has the Emergency Quick Release System (EQRS) that allows first responders to remove the helmet from an injured rider’s head without further injuring their neck.
It will come in a range of sizes from XS to XXL and colours.
The three most popular articles this year have been about riders successfully obtaining justice either in beating incorrect fines or, in once case, getting a driver fined for road rage. In all cases we are happy to say that Motorbike Writer has played a role.
We published the original article in November 2017 with this video, but police weren’t interested.
But with pressure from the rider and MBW, police eventually fined the driver in January 2018 under Rule 268 (3): Part of body outside vehicle window/door – $325 fine, 3 demerits.
Without the rider’s helmet camera video, the rider might never have won justice.
It is an important example why some state governments should amend laws to allow cameras on helmets.
Adelaide rider Tim Byrne says he was fined for standing up while riding through some roadworks in January 2018 despite the practice being legalised in South Australia in 2016 and added to the Australian Road Rules this year.
So we suggested rider Alasdair “Ted” Cameron challenge the $371 fine through Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.
Senior associate Katie Minogue said she was confident her client had a “strong enough case” and was looking forward to their day in court.
However, at the last minute, VicPol have withdrawn the fine.
Once again, this means the issue has not been dealt with in court so no legal precedent has been set.
Motorbike Writer is happy to help you seek justice by promoting your cause. Click here to send us details of your incident.
Most popular
While these were the most popular new articles in 2018, our most popular reads for the year were older advice articles.
Our perennial top read seems to be our tips on washing your motorbike.
Second is an article about the correct tyre pressures for your bike, followed by what are the lowest seat heights with a comprehensive list of all motorcycle seat heights.
They are followed by advice on how to avoid a tank slapper, when to replace your helmet and even how and when to do the motorcycle wave!
Motorcycle helmets are getting smarter all the time with head-up display, crash alerts, air-conditioning and active noice-cancelling, while some riders (or pillions) are not so smart (watch this video!)
It’s not yet certified for Australia and may have some difficulty getting Euro approval as some European countries ban Bluetooth and/or earphones in helmets.
Helmet AC
If you believe in global warming, then airconditioning for helmets will be vital for the survival of motorcycles.
There have been all sorts of strange contraptions to add to helmets.
The biggest problem with all this smart motorcycle helmet technology is that it will make helmets more expensive, so you will not only need to lock your bike from thieves, but also your helmet.
So here comes the Kobe Smart Helmet Case which electronically secures your helmet to your bike when parked and neatly folds away when not in use to be visually discrete and aerodynamic while riding.
Sounds like a good idea, but it will cost you €199 (about $A310, $US225).
Kobe Smart Case
While tech tries to make our heads smarter and safer, some people would prefer no helmet or even a turban!
It’s a handsome helmet with high-quality gloss finish and luxuriously plush leather and fabric interior. The lining is breathable, replaceable and washable.
The helmet could easily go on the mantlepiece for all to admire.
However, this is for test, so I’ve taken it on several rides to test comfort and practicality.
Fit is different for every head. AGV helmets fit my particular head shape well with no pressure points on my head.
However, I seem to take one size larger than with other helmets, so it’s important to try it on in a store, rather than (or before) ordering online.
Pulling the helmet on it feels very comfortable. There is an ear recess where you can fit your Bluetooth intercom speakers without hurting your ears. It’s a snug fit, but I found I can still wear earphones without pulling them out as I pull on the helmet.
Speaking of Bluetooth, there is no way to use the clamp attachment as there is no gap between the lining and shell. Instead, you will need to use a sticker mount.
Visor closure
There are two traditional magnetic snap-latches on either side of the visor. You can open the visor with just your left hand, leaving your right hand free to stay on the throttle.
Closing the visor requires a firm push on both sides and the middle to fit the seal around the wide face aperture.
Most retro helmets have large gaps around the visor. It may be traditional, but it makes them noisy and tiring on a long trip.
This has a rubber ring around the aperture for a firm fit. It is easily the quietest retro helmet I have tested with the visor closed.
However, there are a lot of different whistling sounds when the visor is open.
Like many retro helmets there is no chin spoiler to deflect wind and noise.
Surprisingly, not a lot of wind noise comes up through the chin gap. Yet you do get a lot of cool ventilation for your face.
There is only one long and narrow vent at the front of the visor. It is blocked by a removable black rubber gasket.
Single vent
Pull it out and it feeds cooling air straight into vents at the top of the aperture that channels into the shell.
Together with the facial air flow, it’s surprisingly cool on a hot day.
But with no chin spoiler it might be a bit breezy in winter.
Visor change
Rubber stop
Stopper removed
Changing the visor from clear to tinted or vice versa is not as easy as many modern helmets that simply pop into place.
This one is held by a screwed-in plate and a circlip on each side.
To undo, pull off the small black plastic cap and unscrew the round metal plate with an allen key (not provided).
Pull out the circlip, careful not to drop the two plastic gaskets that locate the visor.
That’s five pieces to remove.
It’s needlessly fiddly, time-consuming and will fill up your swear jar.
Conclusion
If style and safety is your thing, try the X3000 which is the most practical of the retro helmets I’ve tested.
Several days after saying novelty helmet covers were legal, VicPol has thrown doubt on the issue saying it had to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
At first they simply replied: “It is not illegal to put a hat over the helmet”.
Five days later VicPol updated their comment saying it is “not possible to provide a blanket yes or no answer to your query, as it must be assessed on an individual basis”.
They suggest the following points could impact on the compliance:
The correct fitment is highly unlikely as the covers are “one size fits all’ and not manufactured for specific brand / model helmets.
The cover has the potential to impede vision through the visor when fitted or whilst travelling.
The cover may prevent the rider from securing the helmet correctly through the helmet buckle.
The cover has the potential to move / fall off at speed.
Queensland and South Australia police say novelty helmet covers are legal:
Novelty helmet covers are not illegal, as long as the rider is wearing a motorcycle helmet that complies with Australian standards and is securely fastened. Riders will need to ensure that the novelty cover does not obscure their vision.
More doubt
However, there could be more doubt over their legality if you are involved in a crash while wearing one.
ACT Police say they would “take action against the user of the helmet cover if it contributed to an incident or collision (for example, if the cover impeded the vision of a rider)”.
“It is concerning to police that the manufacturers openly identify significant risks to the user of the product on their website,” they say.
Most riders wear novelty helmets as part of a fund-raising or at least fun-raising ride.
It would be a very belligerent copper who fined a rider over a helmet cover!
Helmet cover pros and cons
Apart from being fun on many occasions, not just Christmas, novelty helmet covers have some practical advantages.
They protect your helmet from dust, scratches and chips, as well as reducing wind noise.
However, riders should also be aware that there are some disadvantages.
They can also suppress important surrounding noises such as emergency sirens or the sound of screeching tyres.
They also reduce ventilation which would make them stiflingly hot on a summer’s day, especially if being worn in a slow-moving toy run procession.
Since they are not securely fastened to the helmet, they can also flap around and shift at high speeds, potentially blocking your vision.
Most suppliers recommend they not be worn on the highway, but only at city speeds.
Since most are only worn in charity parades, speed should not be an issue.
If you want to get into the Christmas spirit with a novelty Santa helmet cover, you can be assured the police will not play Scrooge and fine you for a non-compliant helmet.
Motorbike Writer subscriber Travis Yap of Victoria asked us whether a novelty helmet cover would be illegal.
Travis bought a Santa Claus cover that simply slips over the helmet and has elastic on the bottom to hold it in place. There are no screws, velcro, glues or other attachments.
We asked the various state police services for their opinion.
Novelty helmet cover not illegal
VicPol simply replied: “It is not illegal to put a hat over the helmet”.
Queensland and South Australia police agreed that novelty helmet covers are legal but supplied a little more detail:
“Novelty helmet covers are not illegal, as long as the rider is wearing a motorcycle helmet that complies with Australian standards and is securely fastened. Riders will need to ensure that the novelty cover does not obscure their vision.”
We are still awaiting replies from other police services, but don’t expect they will vary from the same theme.
Helmet cover pros and cons
Apart from being fun on many occasions, not just Christmas, novelty helmet covers have some practical advantages.
They protect your helmet from dust, scratches and chips, as well as reducing wind noise.
However, riders should also be aware that there are some disadvantages.
They can also suppress important surrounding noises such as emergency sirens or the sound of screeching tyres.
They also reduce ventilation which would make them stiflingly hot on a summer’s day, especially if being worn in a slow-moving toy run procession.
Since they are not securely fastened to the helmet, they can also flap around and shift at high speeds, potentially blocking your vision.
Most suppliers recommend they not be worn on the highway, but only at city speeds.
“I purchased it just for the silly season because it is a bit of fun,” Travis says.
“I expect it will get rather hot under there. I usually just commute to work so maybe I can put up with it for 20 minutes.”
Retro-designed AGV X3000 full-face and X70 open-face helmets are now available in Australia with two race legend tribute helmets.
The X3000 range is led by a $999 limited-edition tribute to the legendary 15-time world motorcycle champion, Giacomo Agostini (pictured above).
Top of the open-face X70 range is the $499 Pasolini which is a tribute to GP legend Renzo Pasolini who died in the Monza GP in 1973.
AGV X70
The X70 range has six colours ranging from plain black or white at $299, to silver and matte black at $329, a three-shade maroon at $399 and the Pasolini.
The profile of the X70 jet helmet is compact, owing to the three fibreglass shell sizes.
It is also light, has a fully removable and washable interior, double shell fastening and a double D-Ring retention system.
There is a range of peaks and visors available, that attach via the three classic press studs.
AGV X3000
There are 10 colour choices in the X3000 range ranging in price from $599 in solid colours to $699 for multi-colours and $799 for the Gloria.
AGV X3000 Gloria
AGV founder Gino Amisano worked closely with Ago to develop the full-face helmet for racing.
The X3000 series replicates the profile of the original helmet with a low chin guard and tapered bottom.
It also includes the contoured chin piece that Ago requested so he could lean his head on against the tank.
In true classic design, the visor mechanism has a dual-button snap shut that can be opened with the left hand alone.
But unlike some of the other retro helmets around, it appears to have a better wind seal for lower noise.
The interior features leather and fabric with breathable, replaceable and washable padding.
There are only 3000 of the ASGO tribute helmets available worldwide. It comes in a luxury leather bag in sizes 56-59.
The Ago is made of carbon fibre and weighs just 1290 grams in the smallest size.
The rest of the X3000 range is made of fibreglass.
Australian motorcycle helmet startup Forcite is looking for riders to act as test pilots for their ultralight but ultra-hi-tech smart helmet.
The smart helmet revolution is coming with several hi-tech helmets or add-on units hitting the market in the next few years, changing riding forever.
Not to be outdone by Silicon Valley and Asian tech wizards Michael Drysdale of Forcite Helmets in Sydney is working on a helmet that will include a lot of technology.
If you would like to be a test pilot, simply click here and request to join up.
Forcite helmet
The carbon helmet will have an integrated camera system, navigation, intercom and active noise-cancelling.
Their custom camera system is based on body-worn video used by the defence force.
They also claim Forcite has developed “a totally new way to navigate, get alerts and locate Police and speed camera’s through a combination of software and hardware technology”.
Forcite helmets will include an electronically tinted visor that changes tint within a few milliseconds.
It sounds similar to the AGVisor system that changes tint in less than a second at the touch of a button.
Valentino Rossi with his special Pista GP helmet with AGVisor
The helmet is made of ultralightweight carbon fibre composite “unique to the Forcite range”.
They claim it will be lighter than most standard helmets even though it is equipped with a huge amount of technology.
“It has taken us three years of work to learn how to make this possible with the entire electronics package less than the size of a credit card,” he says.
Sikhs in Ontario are now allowed to ride in a turban instead of a helmet, joining riders in three other Canadian provinces as Australian Sikhs seek the same exemptions.
The Ontario government has granted the rule waivers to Sikhs in recognition of their civil rights and religious expression after a bill presented by parliamentarian and Sikh Prabmeet Sarkaria.
“The wearing of the turban is an essential part of the Sikh faith and identity, and exemptions for Sikhs have been successfully implemented in other provinces in Canada and across the world,” he said.
Sikhs are also exempt from wearing motorcycle helmets in Indian, the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba and British Columbia, and the UK introduced the exemption in 1976.
However, Denmark is following France by cracking down on helmet exemptions that allow riders to go without a helmet if they obtain a doctor’s note or have a legitimate non-medical reason such as wearing a turban.
Aussie Sikhs
Aussie Sikhs
The Sikh Motorcycle Club of Australia told us last year that motorcycle and bicycle helmet rules are discriminatory.
They are 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.
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.
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