Studds Accessories Limited, based in Faridabad, India, 25 miles south of New Delhi, has been making helmets for 50 years, and ships 9 million helmets to more than 70 countries annually. That is a lot of helmets, and a whole lot of years in business. SMK is Studds’ export line of helmets, and they are imported into the United States by SMK Helmets US. SMK helmets are available in most states, including four of the five states with the most motorcycles—California, Florida, Ohio, and Texas.
I am a modular guy, so I gravitated to the SMK Gullwing. SMK’s dual-certified—DOT and ECE R22.06—modular helmet includes a Pinlock 70 antifog faceshield inlay for $166 in solid colors, with graphics adding $10 to the price. SMK helmets come with a one-year warranty; registering the helmet doubles that.
Don’t let the price scare you away; this is a quality and comfortable helmet that meets Europe’s more demanding certification standards. To keep costs down, Studds is a vertically integrated manufacturer that brings the raw materials into its factory and creates the finished products itself.
As I lifted the SMK Gullwing helmet with the Supertour graphics design from its box, the thickness and density of the protective fabric helmet bag were immediately evident. Emerging from the bag was a good-looking combination of graphics, colors, and accents on a lightweight helmet. I released the ratchet chin strap and put it on.
I am an intermediate oval Medium (57/58cm), and it is a comfortable and secure fit. I gave the outer shell a knuckle knock; I just always do that—not sure why. The shell of the SMK Gullwing is made from a thermoplastic that Studds claims has enhanced energy absorption compared to standard polycarbonates. That energy absorption translates to less energy transferring to the inner EPS liner, which translates to less crash energy transferred to your head and brain, according to Studds.
I normally wear earplugs with modular helmets, as they are notoriously loud. My first ride was just going to be a short one, so I didn’t put them in. To my surprise, the SMK Gullwing helmet was the quietest helmet of any time I have ever worn.
I was on my Yamaha Venture touring bike, which has pretty good wind protection, so I thought that was why it was so quiet. However, my next ride was on the Ultimate Motorcycling Yamaha Ténéré 700 Project Bike. With me standing at 70 mph, all I heard was my tires on the road. There was zero helmet-generated wind noise. Of course, everyone’s head fits a helmet differently. In my case, the SMK Gullwing is a perfect fit for a quiet ride.
The toolless, replaceable faceshield has five positions—locked, cracked, and three more to securely full open. The chin bar has a smooth action and metal-to-metal latching.
There are two inflow vents—chin and forehead top center. Both are easy to operate with winter gloves, as is the chin bar. I can feel when the vents are open and when they are closed. The rear of the helmet has the always-open exhaust vents. The hottest temperature I rode in was about 95 degrees on the freeway with the shield closed, and it had adequate airflow that I could feel.
The internal, retractable sunshield is operated from the left lower side. It works smoothly and is infinitely adjustable. The sunshield’s extra-wide nose cutout is distracting, as there was a lot of daylight in my lower field of view around my schnoz.
SMK sent me a replacement sunshield that comes down lower and is a closer cut to my sniffer. Unfortunately, in its lowest position, it touches the tip of my nose. I simply give it an upward touch, and it stays in position just above it.
I have been riding with the Gullwing for 18 months, and in addition to my weekend 6-10 hour day rides, I have been in it for over 14 hours several times, as well as two 17-hour ride days. The SMK Gullwing has always been comfortable and quiet.
The SMK Gullwing weighs 3 pounds 13.7 ounces in Medium, and I never notice the weight. I have never felt it buffet, and it does not leak in a rainstorm. The included Pinlock works as Pinlocks do. Any morning below about 52 degrees would be a fog-up nightmare at a stoplight if not for the Pinlock.
The SMK Gullwing comes in sizes from XS to 4XL and is evidently one of SMK’s best-selling helmets. It has proven to me to be a reliable, comfortable, and surprisingly quiet modular helmet that delivers far more than its price suggests. With DOT and ECE 22.06 standing, practical features, and long-day comfort, it holds its own against much more expensive options. After a year and a half of riding in all conditions, it has earned my confidence as a helmet I can count on.
SMK Gullwing Helmet Fast Facts
- Sizes: XS – 4XL
- Weight: 3 pounds 13.7 ounces (Medium weighed)
- Certifications: DOT; ECE 22.06
- Colors: 8 solids; 7 graphics
SMK Gullwing Helmet Price: $166, solids; $176, graphics
SMK Gullwing Helmet Review Photo Gallery
