Akuma Stealth Helmet | Long-Term Review

Akuma Stealth Motorcycle Helmet

Akuma Stealth Helmet with Built-in LED Taillights and Map Light Test

Long-term tests of motorcycles aren’t that uncommon, but long-term use reviews of gear like helmets are.  We thought it might be particularly good to take a long-term look at a helmet with features that could potentially be less durable than the helmet itself.

The Akuma Stealth helmet comes with built-in LED taillights and map light. The red charger connection jack for the LED power source is at the bottom left edge of the chin bar. We wondered if all that electrical gear would last.

In the case of the Akuma Stealth model that I’ve used regularly for almost three years, the answer is “yes.”

The Integrated Power System or IPS is rechargeable and appears to add only minimal weight to the fiberglass/Kevlar composite helmet, as the total weight is only 1350 g (±50g). The charger is for wall-outlet use and is included in the purchase price of the helmet.

It connects to the helmet via a tiny red two-prong female jack that emerges from the left bottom edge of the chin bar.  At first this seems a location that could expose the jack to damage, but tucking it into the comfort liner after re-charging has prevented any problems.

The LED lights have continued to function normally over the years and when the rear-facing LEDs were left on for over 13 hours non-stop, the batteries didn’t quit. Separate toggle switches in the chin bar operate the front and rear lights and they continue to function well.

The most noticeable feature of the helmet apart from the LED lights is the striking Air Force themed graphic treatment.

Featuring the winged star “air and space power” emblem of the United States Air Force and other graphic elements from the B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber and F-117 Stealth Fighter, the Stealth helmet is finished to a high gloss with matte finish also available.

The ultraviolet resistant clear coat exterior finish, interior lining, chin curtain and retention straps of the Stealth have held up superbly despite a lot of use.  After being put on and taken off literally hundreds of times, the only part of the comfort liner that shows any wear is the coated fabric at the bottom of the cheek pads, where some areas of the coating have worn away.  Even that is not much of a problem , since the hypoallergenic interior and cheek pads are removable for washing or replacement.

The Stealth has fairly good ventilation with closable chin bar and crown vents and the vent controls stayed intact over the years as well.  The one area that has a little maintenance challenge is the titanium metal mesh over the chin bar vents, which can require use of a toothbrush to clean bug carcasses out.

The clear standard face shield has only minimal scratch damage after being the only shield used throughout and many episodes of having bugs and other road debris cleaned off.  Shield options include Iridium, smoke and tint-on-demand.

The Stealth model in this piece is DOT (FMVSS 218) and ECE 22.05 approved, though the current version of the Stealth (MSRP $249) carries only DOT approval according to the Akuma website.

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