Summer's here and it's time to dust off the duds and suit up for some serious riding. You may find it's also time to make some upgrades to your tired old kit.
With that in mind, we sorted a bevy of new products over the past few months (because we can ride in California no matter what month it is) and flogged them hard so that you, the reader, have some ammo when it comes time to make that crucial purchase. Read on, spend wisely and ride safe.
For the first time in years, there will be no Signet model in the Arai helmet lineup. Instead, Arai has rolled out the Profile, a helmet with a slew of fresh features. The Profile does, however, retain the Signet's basic head shape-a long oval interior, for heads longer front to back and more narrow side to side. While I'm more of a round oval, the Profile's plush interior comfort liner fit me beautifully, without gaps or hot spots. What's more, it's removable and washable. And the Profile felt lighter than my previous Arai, probably due to a new shell design utilizing the latest fiberglass technology. Arai says the shell's exceptional energy absorption allows the company to make its EPS liners the softest of any Snell-certified helmet. The liner itself is EPS foam that combines different densities into a single unit rather than multiple pieces. While I found the intake ventilation on the Profile only adequate, I did feel the helmet transferred air more efficiently, probably due to larger side and rear exhaust ducts. Shield removal was a snap with Arai's latest-generation tool-less shield removal system, too. What I got more ga-ga over, however, was the dual-position chin vent, which featured an integrated, activated-carbon-coated filter. I was glad to see a helmet manufacturer acknowledging that riders need protection from airborne pollutants.
What we dug: smart design with real-world features.
What we didn't: still pricey after all these years.- Andrew Cherney
To be frank, I always thought of Vega helmets as a low-price option to higher-end brands. So I was surprised when the Summit XPV exceeded expectations during a weeklong tour overseas. Yes, it's heavy, but at 3 lbs. 14 oz. it's in line with other competitors in the class, and while many flip-ups seem to run short in their internal dimensions, the Summit has as much chin room inside as a full-face.
The XPV's chin bar also boasts decent airflow-I could feel the air passing directly onto my face. The rear vents can't be closed, but I didn't find this to seriously compromise comfort. The front vent is in the shape of a stylized "V," and is large enough to activate with the push of a hand.
Unfortunately, the flip-up portion uses plastic latches rather than metal ones. The latches seemed to stick, and the central release button under the chin bar had to be handled roughly to engage it.
Still, the visor has a quick-change mechanism, and the liner is fairly plush for a helmet of this price point. I was impressed with the XPV enough to consider it a generally well-made helmet, regardless of price. One caveat, however-a reader e-mailed to tell us that his D-ring chin strap separated from the helmet, and when he called the company, they merely told him where to get a replacement rather than sending one.
What we dug: good comfort, good value.What we didn't: plastic latches.
I call this the open-face helmet for people who don't want to feel like they're wearing a helmet at all-only because the shield offers such a wide view. I was pretty swayed by the Shoei J-Wing's lightweight shell when I picked the helmet up, and doubly so upon slipping it over my size-medium melon, thanks to a soft yet snug removable liner with a five-layer cheek-pad construction. The adjustable top and rear exhaust vents were easily manipulated with gloved fingers and did manage to filter some breezes my way.
The long coverage (nearly past my chin) and easily removable wide, curved shield, offered so much peripheral vision and excellent optical clarity that I often forgot I had it down. That injection-molded shield also sports a scratch-resistant coating and screens out harmful UVA and UVB rays, and a built-in preset lever prevents unexpected opening.
This Shoei helmet utilizes the CJ-1 Face Shield System, which has a quick-release base plate for speedy, tool-less shield removal, and does away with noisy side covers. I was really surprised at how quiet my rides were, even though this is an open-face helmet. A padded D-ring chin strap secured the J-Wing to my chin, though at times my chin felt almost too exposed, and certainly more vulnerable than with a full-face unit. Still, after I grew a goatee for the occasion, I had no problems with windchill on the chin.
What we dug: super-cush fit, excellent optics.What we didn't: not much.
It's difficult to find a good leather jacket that transcends style and works well for a number of different applications. But as sporty as Spidi's Seven jacket is, it's managed to be functionally (and stylistically) appropriate many times over the last six months I've worn it. I've used it on a cruiser, where its loose American cut and cool graphics made me stand out from the crowd; on a sportbike, where the race-inspired design (and CE-certified Biomechanic shoulder and elbow guards) made me feel fully protected; and on an adventure-touring bike, where all that 1.2mm leather and a removable pleated liner helped take me through a 40-degree ride with just a T-shirt on under the jacket. Retro-reflective inserts increased my nighttime conspicuity, and the jacket can accommodate a CE-certified back protector. The Seven also features a "clip stop," which attached the jacket to the back of my jeans to prevent billowing at high speeds, and a fully adjustable waist system that tailored the fit nicely. The mandarin collar featured a double snap system for comfort and security. The jacket can be zipped onto the Spidi Unit pant to make a two-piece suit, and three inner pouch and three outer zip pockets gave me more than ample room to stash my stuff. Beefs? I'm bummed I probably won't be able to wear this puppy in hot summer temperatures.
What we dug: stout, well-integrated armor; great graphics; superior leather.What we didn't: bulky cuff snaps.