Schuberth S1 Helmet
Schuberth S1 Helmet
CW EVALUATION
A full-face from the flip-up folks
SCHUBERTH IS BEST KNOWN AS a manufacturer of flip-up helmets for BMW riders, but that's not all the German company makes. Witness the new S1, which offers most of the features of the flip-up Concept helmet in a full-face design.
While the two share a family resemblance, the S1 is clearly evolutionary. One of the designers' goals was to make the helmet as quiet as possible, thus it features a large, flush-mounted faceshield that cleverly seals around the expansive eye port and again farther up the forehead. A neck roll and chin flap seal the opening at the base. Pockets around the ears are shaped to emulate a set of sound-reducing earmuffs, further shielding the listener from wind noise.
To hear the U.S. importer tell it, the Si seals so well that early testers com plained of lightheadedness before the ventilation system was upgraded. Thus the chin vent measures nearly 4 inches across and directs air onto the faceshield's inner surface, which helps pre vent fogging and eye irritation. It's opened via a flexible, serrated plastic edge that gives good purchase even while wearing thick winter gloves. A top-mounted yen turi system routes air through a close able single intake duct and along the inner edge of the EPS liner, where it cools the rider's head before exiting via a pair of rear-facing exhaust vents.
The carbon-fiber/aramid shell was de veloped in a wind tunnel, and is some what flat in back to prevent it from being buffeted by turbulence. An internal fitting system utilizes adjustable crown pads and sweat bands that are removable for washing.
Other novel features include a seatbelt style buckle in lieu of D-rings; a fourpoint fastening system wherein a second set of chinstraps are riveted to the rear of the helmet to minimize the odds of it rolling off your head during impact; and an integral retractable sun visor, which pops into or out of place via a large lever to the left of the eye port.
Which brings us to our only com plaints. First, while we appreciate that the sun visor is available in two tints, the faceshield only comes in clear. We'd like the option of running a tinted shield on those days we know we won't be out after dark. And second, the addition of the sun visor makes the helmet thicker than normal above the eyeport, thus it's more difficult to see where you're going in a racing tuck-some thing to consider if you take part in track days.
Otherwise, the Si (available in sizes S-XXL) is a superb helmet, stable at speed, as comfortable as any we've worn and quite likely the quietest. We're strong advocates of earplugs, yet the Si renders them largely unnecessary at legal speeds. The Si may not flip up, but it might make you flip out.
Fairchild Sports 15602 Mosher Ave. Tustin, CA 92780 800/416-8255 www.fairchildsports.com Price...$700
Quiet Flip-up sun visor great for tunnels Approved for professional competition
r Tn-color graphics $40 more r Already pricey at 7 bills r Not compatible with helmet locks
