As a motorcycle enthusiast, I’ve had the opportunity to test many helmets over the years, but the Forcite MK1S smart helmet stands out. After using it for a month, I’m thrilled to share my review.  

Forcite Helmet Systems, founded by Alfred Boyadgis, is an Australia-based technology company that has developed the world’s first certified smart motorcycle helmet. The company’s flagship product – the Forcite MK1S smart helmet – enhances the riding experience by integrating sensor technology and Forcite Command software. The helmet features a 4K camera, AI-powered voice control, augmented-reality navigation, and high-quality audio capabilities. 

Comfort and Design | Forcite MK1S Smart Helmet 

I found the Forcite MK1S offers a good level of comfort, thanks to its very light design (3.3-3.7 lb, depending on size), well-padded 3D-foam interior, and six vents for managing airflow. The helmet fits snugly without feeling too tight or restrictive, which is crucial for long rides. There are some positioning issues with the cheek pads that could be more refined in their shape and support while riding. The MK1S runs slightly small, so you might want to consider going up a size when purchasing.  

The helmet exhibits good craftsmanship. The shell is made of T-400 carbon fiber that balances durability and weight, and its aerodynamic shape also reduces wind resistance. However, interior noise is louder than what one would expect from a premium helmet. The MK1S is available in glossy or matte scratch-resistant finishes, which helps it maintain its aesthetic appeal even after extensive use. 

The faceshield has a quick-release design, locks closed for high-speed use, and is prepared for the Pinlock MaxVision 120 anti-fog insert. 

Features and Control Systems | Forcite MK1S Smart Helmet 

This helmet is packed with features, and the controls are intuitive and accessible, even with gloves on. However, the AI-powered voice command feature could use some improvement as I occasionally struggled to understand commands in noisy environments. Understand that for this feature to work, the Forcite smartphone app and Bluetooth controller pod (included with a mounting kit) must be used. The app is easy to load up and navigate, but it is not as sophisticated as some other navigation systems.    

Using the Bluetooth controller has been an interesting experience. It’s easy to use even with gloves on, but I don’t like having to look down at the pod to change volume, advance a song, or accept an incoming call.  

Battery Life and Charging | Forcite MK1S Smart Helmet 

The helmet’s battery life is decent, lasting around 4-5 hours on a single charge with moderate use. Charging is via a USB-C port, and it takes around 3-4 hours for a full charge. One thing I noticed is that the charging cord for the helmet is the only one that works properly. I tried a few other cords I had laying around, and they were inconsistent with charging time, if they worked at all.  

Video Quality | Forcite MK1S Smart Helmet 

As far as the 4K video camera goes, I wouldn’t rely on it to be a YouTube Vlogger. The camera is good, but my GoPro and Insta360 are much better. Image stabilization is a little shaky, but it does a good job of providing an account of your riding and the surrounding area, so in the sense of having a safety device along with you for your ride, it’s a good solution, since all the equipment you need is build right into the helmet.   

Audio Quality | Forcite MK1S Smart Helmet 

The built-in speakers offer excellent audio quality, whether for calls, music, or GPS directions. Even at high speeds, the sound remains clear and distortion-free. I installed Forcite’s speaker relocation kit to the helmet, which made a big difference.  

Navigation Consistency and Alerts | Forcite MK1S Smart Helmet 

The augmented-reality navigation is one of the helmet’s standout features, projecting directional cues just below the visor’s bottom edge for turning, which is a game-changer for route planning, traffic disruptions like construction, and even police presence. The system provided accurate directions, but in some of the areas I rode in, it will announce “rerouting” an annoying number of times. Additionally, the alerts for hazard warnings were sometimes delayed, which can be a potential safety concern.   

Final Impression | Forcite MK1S Smart Helmet 

For the most part, the Forcite MK1S is a great looking, lightweight helmet with built-in audio and visual capabilities. Yet it still feels like a working prototype – successful yet still in need of refinement to meet expectations for a premium helmet.   

If I could do it over again, would I still buy this helmet or wait for the next generation? That’s easy: Yes! I’m a tech fan and an early adopter. For the very same reason I still have an old Skully helmet in my garage, I would buy upgrades and new models of Forcite helmets. For now, I’ll enjoy using it and joining discussion on their website and social media pages, trying to help bring this helmet to the point of realizing the brand’s goal of reshaping the future of motorcycling. Isn’t that what our community is about anyway? 

The Forcite M1KS retails for $1,099, and it is available on the Forcite website. 

See all of Rider‘s helmet reviews here.

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When I slide on a full-face helmet, there’s a kind of click. My focus instantly sharpens, and my shoulders relax. The lighter and more comfortable the helmet, the deeper the effect. Add in modular helmet action so I can chat, hydrate, and snack on the fly, and I can stay in the zone all day.

That’s why I was so excited to try AGV’s new Tourmodular on a recent midsummer multistate tour through the Northeast.

It’s a handsome lid, but what’s more important to me is performance, beginning with safety. AGV claims this modular helmet is just as safe as a full-face helmet, and testing backs up this claim. It surpassed the latest market-driving ECE 22.06 safety standard. Since it’s a modular, it had to undergo additional impact and torsion testing both in its open and closed positions, and the Tourmodular passed these as well.

Comfort is my next priority. This wind-tunnel-engineered helmet is compact and lightweight thanks to a shell comprising carbon, aramid fiber, and fiberglass. My Medium weighs 3.7 lb and fit true-to-size out of the box.

The removable/washable interior is super comfy, with Ritmo, a cooling, breathable material, covering the cheek pads and soft Shalimar lining the interior. As a full-time prescription glasses wearer, I also appreciate the Tourmodular’s recessed channels that accommodate eyewear. A lined chin strap closes via a micro ratchet, and an integrated sunshield is deployed via a convenient toggle.

See all of Rider‘s helmet reviews here.

All the mechanical functions are robust, starting with crisp, five-stop faceshield action. At 4mm, the faceshield is twice as thick as most lenses and considered part of the shell’s architecture. The optically correct faceshield provides a massive 190×85-degree field of vision, and its compact latches are such a cinch to operate that you’ll be popping the faceshield on and off just for cleaning.

The modular feature is actuated via an easy-to-operate latch under the chin: Just pull and flip. It’s perfect for me since I prefer to keep my helmet on during short stops.

Underway, the helmet was quiet whether I was riding a touring rig or a naked bike. Its light weight kept me from feeling fatigued on long riding days. During severe extended downpours, zero water leaked inside even with the faceshield in the locked “micro-opening” position. An included Max Pinlock 120 insert kept fogging at bay.

My first two weeks in the helmet were spent riding behind a touring windshield in high humidity, so all avenues of ventilation were investigated. There are two vents on the chin bar, but the real ticket was the large wraparound vent on top that ushered in plenty of cooling air. 

In 30-plus years of testing motorcycle gear, I haven’t enjoyed a helmet more than this one. The Tourmodular modular helmet is positioned as a more economic version of AGV’s all-carbon Sportmodular. There are nine colorways and 30 fit combos between three shell sizes, six interior sizes, and five thicknesses of interchangeable cheek pads. Pricing starts at $659.95.

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Knowing I’d be riding more than 1,000 miles during the dog days of summer – when Sirius, the “Dog Star,” rises with the sun, which ancient Greeks believed brought heat, drought, bad storms, bad luck, and mad dogs – I opted to wear my Schuberth E2 modular helmet for the Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ press launch in Idaho and my two-day ride home to California. I wanted comfort, ventilation, minimal wind noise, and the convenience of a flip-up chinbar. The E2 delivered.

Related: 2024 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+ Review | Road Test

We wrote a Schuberth C5 modular helmet and SC2 Communicator review for our September 2022 issue, and the E2 is largely the same helmet but with more ventilation and an ADV-style peak visor. The C5/E2 have an intermediate-oval head shape with more interior space than their C4/E1 predecessors. To improve comfort, the chinstrap, which fastens with a quick-release micro-lock ratcheting mechanism, was moved forward, and the chinbar’s new pinless locking mechanism prevents the helmet from becoming tighter when the chinbar is closed.

The E2’s shell is made using Schuberth’s Direct Fiber Processing method, where glass fiber is combined with a special resin and compressed in a vacuum at high pressure, and the shell is reinforced with a basalt layer for added strength. The size medium tested here weighs 4 lb, 6 oz.

Inside the E2 is a dual-density EPS liner, a drop-down sunshield, and a removable/washable Comfort Fit interior with CoolMax antibacterial fabric and customizable pads. The helmet is prewired for the SC2 communication system ($349, sold separately), with HD speakers and antennas for FM, Bluetooth, and Mesh already installed.

See all of Rider‘s helmet reviews here.

Comfort for the E2 was good right out of the box, and it improved as the helmet molded to my noggin. Ventilation is excellent, with two intake vents on the chinbar, a large central intake on the crown, exhaust vents on the rear spoiler, and air-flow channels built into the EPS liner. One gripe is that the chinbar intake vent just below the faceshield pushes open and closed, and I often bumped it closed accidentally when opening the faceshield.

As the faceshield snaps shut, two small tabs near the shield’s base plate lock it closed. When closing the shield from one side or the other, occasionally one or both tabs would not engage to fully close the faceshield. However, it locks closed easily if I spread my hand apart and push the shield closed from both sides with my thumb and forefinger. Schuberth’s patented memory function keeps the faceshield open at a desired level after opening and closing the chinbar, and a Pinlock anti-fog insert is included.  Motorcycle windscreens can introduce turbulence, but the E2 slices through the air cleanly, and the adjustable peak visor provides shade without getting caught in the wind. When I stood up on the Tracer’s pegs to stretch my legs, I was enveloped in smooth, quiet air, allowing me to simply enjoy the thrum of the engine.

The Schuberth E2 sells for $799 in one of three solid colors and $899 for the E2 Defender graphic or one of four Explorer graphics.

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Established in 2007, Spanish manufacturer LS2 produces a full line of motorcycle helmets, including full-face, modular, open-face, off-road, and youth. The LS2 Thunder Carbon is the brand’s top-of-the-line motorcycle racing helmet, designed with input from professional riders in World Superbike, Moto 2, Moto 3, and other series and certified by DOT, ECE, and FIM.  

The LS2 Thunder Carbon helmet features a Kevlar-reinforced carbon fiber shell, a multidensity EPS liner, emergency-release cheek pads, and a double D-ring chin strap. The interior has an intermediate-oval shape with a snug and comfortable fit, making it ideal for full days on the track, on the highway, or in the canyons. Its aerodynamic shape slices through the wind, its rear spoiler enhances stability, and its light weight (3.25 lb for a Medium) reduces fatigue. 

The Thunder Carbon motorcycle racing helmet comes with both clear and dark smoke faceshields, as well as an extra set of black visor fasteners to match the dark smoke visor. Slick and thoughtful! The eyeport is above the normal line of sight, which improves visibility when tucked in. A Pinlock anti-fog insert and a breath guard are also included. 

Six intake vents, three exhaust vents, and channels in the EPS lining provide ventilation. The intake vents have harmonizers to streamline the airflow through the helmet for maximum cooling, and the faceshield has an air crack position to allow in additional air. Testing this helmet on hot days in Texas was a pleasant experience, and I remained cool even at stop lights and in traffic. 

The Thunder Carbon has no cutouts for Bluetooth speakers inside the liner, which is understandable for an aggressive-style helmet like this one. However, I was able to install a Sena 50 Series Mesh system easily. 

Overall, the LS2 Thunder Carbon is an attractive, comfortable, high-quality helmet with excellent safety features. It also comes with a hydration tube, a helmet sleeve, a protective bag, and an inflatable resting pillow for off-bike storage. 

See all of Rider‘s helmet reviews here.

Whether you’re a professional motorcycle racer or an everyday road warrior, the LS2 Thunder Carbon helmet offers a perfect blend of style, performance, and protection. It’s available in sizes XS-2XL in solid and graphics starting at $699.98. 

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The ScorpionEXO XT9000 is the company’s newest entry into the midline adventure motorcycle helmet class, boasting a 3K carbon fiber shell and inflatable cheek pads, among other notable features. 

The helmet’s interior feels simultaneously rugged and breathable, with a soft KwickWick III moisture-wicking liner and removable crown, cheek pads, and neck roll, all of which are washable. Its novel “Airfit” cheek pads can be inflated via a large red air pump button and deflated via a release valve, all located on the interior of the chinbar. The result is a truly individual fit that is quick and easy to adjust, even with gloves on. A removable neoprene skirt is also included to effectively block wind from blowing up into the chin area for more comfortable cold weather riding and reduced wind noise.  

See all of Rider‘s helmet reviews here. 

Built into the shell are 50mm speaker pockets if you want to install a Bluetooth comm system. Two thin bright red “emergency” straps on the underside of the neck roll release the cheek pads when pulled, reducing neck strain during helmet removal in the event of a crash. 

The XT9000’s exterior is handsomely styled in the ADV tradition, with a TCT-Ultra 3K carbon fiber shell wrapped around a multilayered, multidensity EPS liner. The clearcoat-over-carbon finish on our test model was glossy and smooth, complementing the excellent overall fit and finish. Two Maxvision faceshields are included (clear and dark tint), both of which are shatter-resistant, anti-fog and anti-scratch coated, and 95% UVA+B blocking. For off-road riding, the shield is designed to accommodate most goggles while in the “up” position, negating the need to remove the shield entirely. Pinlock anti-fog film is included also. The shield sealed well when closed, with no air or water leakage detected. The helmet’s peak is easily removable via three thumbscrews for a street-style look. 

Out on the road, the XT9000 was delightfully functional, starting with its superb ventilation. Up front, the peak directs air into two intake vents on the top of the helmet, each of which has a beefy closed/open switch which is easily actuated with gloved hands. The chinbar has four small open ports and one larger central main port which can be opened or closed as required. On the inside of the chinbar, there is another switch to open or close the chin vents, which aim toward the inside of the face shield to combat fogging. Internal air is dispelled through two wide spoilers on the rear of the helmet.  

Another useful feature of this helmet is its wide, airy field of vision (Scorpion claims a 190-degree horizontal and 100-degree vertical field of vision). Finally, its light weight (only 3.1 lb for our size Large test model) is less tiring on long rides than heavier comparable lids.  

The ScorpionEXO XT9000 adventure motorcycle helmet meets both DOT FMVSS 218 and ECE 22.06 certifications. Sizes are available from XS to 3XL, and MSRP starts at $499.95.  

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Founded in 1972 by brothers in a small garage in India, SMK Helmets has grown over the past 51 years to become one of the world’s largest motorcycle helmet manufacturers. The brand is relatively new to the U.S. market, but it offers a full line of helmets, including full-face, modular, open-face, and off-road models.

See all of Rider‘s helmet reviews here.

In the full-face segment, SMK’s top-of-the-line model is the Titan Carbon. (A non-carbon version of the Titan is also available.) For weight reduction and impact resistance, the Titan Carbon outer shell material comprises carbon fiber composite and energy impact resistance thermoplastic (EIRT). An inner liner consisting of multiple densities of expanded polystyrene provides additional impact absorption, and the helmet is both ECE and DOT certified.

SMK says its helmets are designed and wind-tunnel tested to minimize drag, lift, and wind noise. The Titan Carbon holds up in the first two areas better than the last. On a Yamaha MT-09 SP naked bike on the interstate at 80-plus mph, I didn’t feel much buffeting with the 3.7-lb size XL I tested, but there was noticeable wind noise, which increased slightly with the top vent open, but earplugs mitigate that.

In terms of ventilation, the Titan Carbon has a chin vent, a top vent, and four exhausts. Both vents are easy to open and close, but a middling amount of air flows through the helmet with them both open. The interior is more comfortable on a warm day after removing the chin curtain and breath deflector.

The drop-down sunshield comes down far enough for good visibility while allowing a small gap to make it easy to read instruments on the dash, but the tinting is too light to reduce sun glare much. The faceshield locks and unlocks easily with a pushbutton above the chin vent, and the shield can be removed with a pair of quick-release levers that are simple to operate. A Pinlock anti-fog insert is included.

The Titan Carbon has a hypoallergenic liner with moisture-controlled fabric that keeps my head relatively cool and dry, even in the low 90s. The liner is removable and washable, and overall, the helmet fits quite comfortably, with no pressure spots on my intermediate-oval head. The helmet is secured with an adjustable quick-release ratcheting chinstrap.

Overall, despite wanting more ventilation and a darker sunshield, the SMK Titan Carbon is a well-made, feature-rich motorcycle helmet at an affordable price. It comes in solid (no color) for $279.99 and the Nero graphic in red or blue for $289.99. Available sizes are XS-2XL.

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RPHA stands for Revolutionary Performance Helmet Advanced, and the RPHA series is HJC’s top-shelf models. The most recent addition to the line is the RPHA 91 modular motorcycle helmet with a Premium Integrated Matrix EVO shell made from a blend of materials that includes carbon-aramid, carbon fiber, glass fiber, organic nonwoven fabric, and linen fiber, all of which contribute to enhanced shock resistance and light weight. A size Medium weighs 3.8 lb.

See all of Rider‘s helmet reviews here.

The RPHA 91 includes several thoughtful features, such as large, paddle-like air vents. They aren’t as hidden as the vents on other helmets; however, since operating the vents requires simply sliding or rocking a large paddle, they’re much easier to use than the smaller mechanisms found on many helmets.

Reaching up and sliding the vent on the top of the head or rocking the chin intake is effortless even with gloved hands, and there’s no searching and feeling to find them. The temple vents are operated with a slide and are much smaller, but I almost always leave them open.

Another nice feature on the RPHA 91 is the drop-down sunshield. Plenty of modular helmets have sunshields, but some of them don’t come down far enough. The RPHA 91 solves that problem with an adjustable sunshield. Removing the plate on the left side of the helmet reveals a three-setting switch. The switch allows you to set how far down the sunshield drops, and if it’s set to the lowest level, the sunshield also slides away from the face so you don’t have to worry about it bonking your nose on the way down. Dropping the sunshield to the middle position suited me the best.

HJC also made the flip-up chinbar more convenient on the RPHA 91. Although the chinbar doesn’t flip completely around to the back of the helmet like on the HJC i100 (see the HJC i100 review here), it can still be worn in the flipped-up position while riding, although doing so inevitably sacrifices some safety as it leaves your face vulnerable. HJC accomplished this with two design elements. The first is that, with the chinbar flipped up, there is minimal space between the chinbar and the top of the helmet, meaning wind won’t get in between and pull the helmet up. The chinbar also locks in the opened position so it won’t move or drop down during a ride. The lock mechanism is a little tricky to work with gloved hands but not impossible. I wouldn’t try to lock or unlock the chinbar while actively riding, but it’s easy enough to do if I have a few seconds at a stop light.

See all of Rider‘s HJC’s product listings or gear reviews here.

Other useful features include a neck roll that helps reduce wind noise, speaker pockets and channels to run wires for a comms system, and a Pinlock-ready faceshield (a Pinlock anti-fog insert is included). The RPHA 91 comes in XS-2XL in Black, White, Matte Black, Grey, Semi Flat Titanium, Semi Flat Anthracite, Semi Flat Metallic Blue, and three graphic colors starting at $549.99.

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The original 3-in-1 style Covert helmets from ScorpionEXO have always been crowd pleasers, offering the ability to transform from a conventional half-helmet to a three-quarter design to full-face protection via a magnetic mask. Now ScorpionEXO has developed its first full-face-only version, the Covert FX, which the company says offers “the same edgy style and function.” I can agree on its cool form, but some of its function misses the mark for me.

The Covert FX is DOT and ECE 22.06 certified and is composed of a TCT-Ultra Composite shell that weighs 3.35 lb for the Large size I tested. ScorpionEXO says the helmet’s CAD-refined aerodynamics minimize both lift and turbulence. I can attest to this, as I experienced very little buffeting wearing the Covert FX while riding a naked sportbike at speed in a 20-mph headwind.

See all of Rider‘s helmet reviews here.

On the inside, the KwikWick III comfort liner features a moisture-wicking fabric, and the liner is easily removable and washable. Thinner and thicker cheek pads are available for further customization. My helmet already fit quite comfortably…for the first 60 miles or so. But I can’t fault ScorpionEXO on this one; it’s a head-compatibility issue. The company’s head shape reference chart on its website says the Covert models are designed for round heads. I’m closer to an intermediate oval, which resulted in annoying pressure on my forehead after a while.

The Covert FX’s ventilation is where I take the most issue. There are two small vents on the top and an exhaust at the rear, but the airflow up there wasn’t very noticeable – and I’m a guy who keeps my head mostly shaved, so I notice. The temps were in the 60s while I was testing it, and the inside of the helmet would’ve gotten uncomfortably stuffy if the weather was much warmer. The dual-position mouth vent provided good airflow when it was fully open. However, the slider is located inside the chinbar, which is very close to my face, making it difficult to adjust the slider without taking the helmet off. Hiding the vent slider inside the chinbar helps maintain that “edgy style,” but an external slider would be more user-friendly.

My favorite part of the Covert FX is the visibility. The EverClear faceshield has a fog-resistant coating, it blocks 95% of UV-A and UV-B radiation, and a good-sized tab makes it easy to open. But what I appreciate the most is that, at its tallest point, the eyeport is about 4 inches, which is anywhere from a half inch to almost an inch taller than many other helmets I’ve tried. It definitely feels more like being in the action versus being in a helmet.

The ScorpionEXO Covert FX comes with integrated speaker pockets, a solid neoprene chin curtain, and both clear and Dark Smoke faceshields. It’s priced starting at $249.95 in five different colors in sizes XS-3XL.

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With specialized motorcycles comes specialized gear, especially ADV motorcycle gear. Adventure-bike helmets blend features of full-face helmets (such as a chinbar and a faceshield) and dirtbike helmets (such as a peak visor and lots of ventilation). ADV apparel is typically made of durable textile materials and offers protection from wind, rain, cold, and hard objects.

Over the past year, I’ve tested some Sedici ADV gear: the Viaggio helmet and Garda WP jacket and pants. “Sedici” sounds Italian, and the products have Italian names (viaggio means “voyage”; Garda is the name of the largest lake in Italy), but Sedici is an in-house brand sold exclusively by Cycle Gear and RevZilla (both are owned by Comoto). The gear is designed in the U.S. and made overseas in China and Pakistan.

See Rider‘s Adventure & Dual-Sport Motorcycle reviews here

Sedici ADV Motorcycle Gear: Viaggio Helmet

The Viaggio helmet has an injection-molded ABS plastic shell, an internal EPS liner, and a removable, washable comfort liner. It has a removable peak visor as well as a drop-down sunshield. The faceshield protrudes out just above the bottom edge, providing a wide lip on both sides to easily raise the shield. The faceshield has an anti-scratch coating, but it does not lock when closed, there are no detents for partially open positions, and it does not accommodate a Pinlock anti-fog insert. For those who prefer to ride with goggles, the faceshield can be removed.

See all of Rider‘s Helmet reviews here.

The Viaggio, which meets both DOT and ECE safety standards, is a comfortable, reasonably light helmet (the size Medium tested weighs 3 lb, 10 ounces). The interior padding seals well enough around my cheeks and neck to reduce the worst of wind noise (though I usually wear earplugs), the large eyeport offers good visibility, and a tried-and-true D-ring secures the chinstrap. Thanks to the clear faceshield paired with the drop-down sunshield, I don’t have to swap out a tinted faceshield when the sun goes down.

My biggest challenge with the Viaggio is ventilation. There are only three intake vents – one in the pointy chinbar (which is backed by metal mesh) and two small ones at the top, both of which are closable – and two exhaust vents in the back. With the vents open, the helmet moves an adequate amount of air for street riding on mildly warm days, but I wanted more airflow on hot days and during the exertion of off-road riding. Riding with the faceshield up and the sunshield down or with the faceshield removed and goggles on brings in significantly more air, but neither of these tactics is advisable at highway speeds.

Despite a few shortcomings, the Viaggio is a solid adventure helmet for a reasonable price. It retails for $179.99 in the Mappa (Italian for “map”) graphic with topographical lines, which is available in sizes XS-2XL in three colorways: Grey/Black/Hi-Viz (shown), Black/Grey, and Sand/Black. It’s also available in solid colors – Matte Black, Pearl White, and Hi-Viz Yellow – in sizes XS-3XL for $149.99. The Viaggio Parlare (Italian for “speak”) comes with an integrated Sena DWO-5 Bluetooth v3.0 communication system, and it comes in Matte Black or White in sizes XS-2XL for $289.99.

Sedici ADV Motorcycle Gear: Garda WP Jacket and Pants

If you’re like me, you’ve discovered the wonders of stretch fabrics. Jeans, pants, shorts, shirts, and even jackets made from fabrics blended with elastane or other stretchy fibers are more comfortable than plain cotton or polyester and more forgiving of wide waistlines, lumpy love handles, and prominent paunches. While stretch fabrics are now common in casual clothing, you don’t see them as much in motorcycle apparel.

See all of Rider‘s Apparel reviews here.

That’s why I was happy to discover that the Sedici Garda WP Jacket and Pants are made of 600D stretch fabric that’s 92% polyester and 8% spandex (fun fact: “spandex” is an anagram for “expands”). The spandex allows the garments to move easily with the body, so there’s no binding or restricted movement. There’s a waterproof membrane laminated inside the outer layer, and the garments are lined with stretchy athletic mesh.

While I found the jacket and pants to be very comfortable both on and off the bike, the pants, which have elastic panels along the waistband, tended to slide down. They close securely at the waist with a metal clasp, a metal button, and an adjustable hook-and-loop strap, but the strap provides only a small range of adjustment. To avoid having to hitch up my pants throughout the day, I wanted to be able to tighten them more. Because I have a 34-inch waist, I ordered a size Large, which covers waist sizes 34-35 inches. I probably would have been better off with Medium pants (32-33 waist). If the pants had belt loops, I could have worn a belt, but they don’t.

The Garda jacket and pants have 1200D reinforcement areas, textured rubber panels, and CE Level 2 armor at the elbows, shoulders, and knees. The jacket has a foam back pad, which can be replaced with an optional Axial CE Level 2 back protector ($34.99), and the pants have pockets for optional Axial CE Level 2 hip armor ($19.99). The jacket also has an outer back pocket for an optional hydration bladder.

Ventilation, adjustability, and pockets abound. The jacket has six adjustable vents, and the pants have two, all of which seal with waterproof zippers. While the vents allow some cooling relief, the full-coverage waterproof membrane traps in heat. The jacket has adjustment at the collar, cuff, forearm, upper arm, hip, and waist, and the pants have adjustment at the waist and lower leg. The pant legs have zippered gussets covered by a flap secured with hook-and-loop tabs, and there’s sufficient room to zip the gussets closed over heavy ADV boots.

The jacket has a total of six pockets, including two waterproof cargo pockets in front and a large cargo pocket across the lower back. The pants have two waist pockets, which are fine for keys, earplugs, and other small items, but they force bulky items like a phone or wallet into the crease of the hips when seated. Side cargo pockets would be a welcome addition. 

Other than a few nitpicks, the Sedici Garda WP Jacket and Pants provide the comfort and versatility needed for adventure touring in cool to warm conditions. They don’t provide adequate ventilation for hot weather, and with no thermal lining, you’ll need to add your own baselayers or heated liners in cold weather. Pricing is $249.99 for the jacket and $219.99 for the pants. Both are available in sizes S-5XL in Silver/Black (shown), Sand/Black, or Black.

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Wind noise is muffled, the view is clear, my head doesn’t feel like it’s being pulled off my shoulders – even at 70 mph – and there’s a slight stirring of the scant hair left on the crown of my head. I’ve never owned a modular helmet, typically preferring the three-quarter style, but when I was looking for something safer that still allowed some of the freedoms of a three-quarter and saw the reasonably priced HJC i100, I wanted to give it a try.

See all of Rider’s helmet reviews here.

A unique feature of the i100, which has a shell made of HJC’s Advanced Polycarbonate material, is its full-rotation chinbar for both open- and full-face riding modes, and it meets ECE safety standards in both modes.

The i100 wears comfortably, if a little heavy; the size XL weighs 4.4 lb. It’s wider than many full-face helmets because of the modular hardware, which also contributes to a little more squeezing of the cheeks when the chinbar is closed. However, riding at 70 mph with my Harley’s windshield removed (something I wouldn’t normally do with my three-quarter), there wasn’t much buffeting.

I’m mildly claustrophobic (ergo, my preference for three-quarter lids), and while the i100 doesn’t have as much ventilation as some other helmets, the movement of air through the chin vent was sufficient to not feel stifling, and the vent on the crown kept my head cooler than my three-quarter.

I appreciate how the i100’s faceshield locks in the open position (as does the chinbar), but it takes either two hands or two separate movements to get it fully closed. Pulling down on just one of the tabs on the bottom of the shield leaves a little gap on the other side that has to be pushed shut – or you must use two hands to pull down both tabs at once.

The i100 has a sunshield that lowers and raises smoothly using a lever on the left side. However, on my cruiser, the lower line of the sunshield is right in the middle of my field of vision. Supposedly you can adjust the height, but when I tried, the cog just rotated without any noticeable difference. However, I was able to easily slip on a pair of sunglasses using the glasses grooves in the removable/washable comfort liner, which is made of moisture-wicking, antibacterial material.

The HJC i100, which is also set up to accept the SMART HJC Bluetooth system (sold separately), has been a good introduction to the conveniences of modular helmets. It comes in White, Black, Matte Black, Semi Flat Titanium, and Hyper Silver, and pricing ranges from $329.99-$334.99.

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