Speed and Strength Helmet ReviewAs the motorcycles offered by manufacturers become more specialized, so does the gear offered by the market place. The helmet has witnessed many iterations over recent years, and Speed and Strength offers just about all of them. The lineup starts with a grid of graphic-fancy full-face helmets to an Iron Butt competitor’s favorite, the modular helmet, to a graffiti skull cap, and everything in between.
The lineup also includes our recent test lid, an MX-styled helmet for the adventure rider, the Hell ‘N Back SS2500. On my first adventure ride aboard a 2013 Kawasaki KLR 650, I donned this helmet that transverses multiple styles; the SS2500 is a happy marriage of an MX-style helmet crossed with a full face street helmet. Goggles need not apply; the Speed and Strength SS2500 has a flip down face shield with the style and benefits of motocross helmet. A tinted shield is available for an SS2500, but due to the MX visor, the extra shield is not necessary. A big visual challenge while trail riding is bright light creating a strobe-like effect through trees. When you’re blasting through the woods on a dual sport, the last thing you want is a tinted shield masking judgment of the upcoming terrain in a heavily shaded area. Yet when you crest a hill and the sun is shooting straight down on you like an officer’s Maglight, that extended visor is your best friend. Another great aspect of the SS2500 helmet is the massive air flow channeled through the chin guard, which utilizes three vents. The ratcheting chin strap, like a reusable zip-tie, is easy to use while wearing gloves. A removable liner that’s easily cleanable is also necessary for the environment this helmet is likely to live in. S&S hit on all the design features you’ll need while keeping the MSRP in check. The price? Between $199.95 and $219.95. But with this price arrives the quality of the graphics. There graphics surrounding the silver lettering bleed threw on our matte black helmet – nothing a little mud won’t hide. Weight is also going to suffer on most helmets in this price range, but at just under 4 lbs., it’s not excessive. The budget price also fits nicely with other great bang-for-your-moto-bucks, such as the venerable Kawasaki KLR or the supermoto-savvy Suzuki DRZ-400SM. For additional information, log onto ssgear.com.Hell ‘N Back SS2500 Helmet Specs: – T.F.C. Tri-composite Fiberglass Shell – Meets or Exceeds DOT and ECE 22-05 Standards – Cool-Core Removable, Washable and Moisture Wicking Liner – Air Strike Direct Course Ventilation System – All Clear! Sight System Optically Correct, Anti-Scratch, Anti-Fog and UV Resistant Face shield – Speed Strap Quick Release Chin Strap
This Podcast is also brought to you by the new modular helmet from Schuberth, the C5. The C5 blends safety with light weight and amazing quietness. Visit Schuberth.com for more information.
This week, in the first segment Editor Don Williams talks to us about the new Kawasaki Versys 650 LT. It’s the middleweight ADV style machine that uses the same 650 parallel twin motor as the Ninja 650, so it’s an excellent performer in a user-friendly, good looking package.
In the second segment, I chat with one of my dearest industry friends—now retired Honda PR executive, Jon Seidel. Jon’s fascinating career spans some 30 years with Big Red, and gave him some great experiences with some incredible machines. I was fortunate enough to be invited on many of the press launches that he organized. His new project is documenting and saving many of the old archives from years gone by—and incidentally, if you have anything that may be of value to the project, please contact us by email at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com and we’ll pass it all on to Jon.
So on that note, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!
