Suitable helmet for Ride

1. Shark
has earned a decent reputation as a top-notch helmet firm, and this RSF3 is a good example of its work.

The shell uses the firm's light-yet-tough composite fibre construction, the inner liner has multi-density shock absorbing elements, and the visor is an extra-tough 2.2mm item, secured by a super-easy pushbutton change system.

There's ample venting to prevent misting and overheating while a washable liner and quick-release strap fastening make life easier. Plus, we just love the cool, Paul Smith-esque paint job on this Colors design.


2. KBC helmet
It may not be the best-known brand in the UK, but KBC has been making inroads here and its popularity around the world, especially in the US, is not in doubt. And, to emphasise its confidence in its designs and South Korean manufacturing quality control, KBC has introduced a a new five-year warranty on all its helmets. Here's the (edited) press release....

KBC Helmets, one of the fastest growing helmet manufacturers in the world and a world leader in the private label (OEM) business, has now introduced a five-year warranty on all of its helmets.

Priding itself on its research and development programme, Californian-based KBC now joins a very select few of other top helmet manufacturers offering such a stunning warranty.

The five-year warranty runs from date of purchase (or six years from date of manufacture) and covers defects in materials or workmanship. If a claim is made, KBC will, at its option, replace or repair the product with the same or similar helmet.

Loz Broers, Product and Brand Manager for KBC Europe said: “We go to extreme lengths and through rigorous quality controls and safety checks to ensure a high quality product, so offering a five-year warranty just goes to prove the understandable confidence we have in KBC helmets.”

You may also be interested to learn that KBC Helmets is not only one of the fastest growing helmet manufacturers in the world and a world leader in the private label (OEM) business, KBC also manufactures 75% of the world's leading motocross name brands.

The pic is of the ACU gold-badge approved KBC VR 2R Spark full-face helmet which retails for £199.99.



3.Shoei
Top Japanese helmet brand Shoei has unveiled an updated top of the range X Spirit lid for 2010. The X-Spirit, first introduced back in 2004, has proved popular for fans of lightweight, sporty lids. Shoei's phenomenally popular XR-1000 (also just updated) mimicked the same sleek shell shape as the X Spirit, albeit with a rear spoiler attached rather than integrated into the shell. Anyway, say hello to the X-Spirit 2.

In any case, there was nothing wrong with the X Spirit, a helmet I've been wearing for years without complaint or cause for concern over the build quality. My blue Noricke Abe and red Ryuichi Kiyonari rep paint schemes remained unchipped, the cheek and forehead padding is still pretty firm and the straps are unfrayed, while the visor mechanisms in both are still snug. The race-recommended breath guard worked faultlessly in racing in the rain and obviously on the road too. So I have no complaints.

We only have one pic, but we reckon that there's a new shell shape, the same lightweight AIM shell material, a sleeker, more aerodynamic rear and...that's all the info we've got from our source. Any more info and we'll update the story. Keep 'em peeled.