Crosshelmet
Helmets are essential accessories for motorcycle riders. They keep your head protected, and the recent boom in smart motorcycle helmets has also turned them into excellent communication and entertainment tools.
The smart motorcycle helmet market is plagued with unsuccessful attempts. Companies like Skully have failed their Indiegogo backers. To make matters worse, Skully’s site is no longer accessible. Nuviz had a great product too, but the company closed down, and now customers are left with no support. You would be right to be wary of purchasing a smart helmet, as they also tend to be more expensive than traditional buckets.
Smart motorcycle helmets are relatively new to the market, so they haven’t exactly been classified or properly categorized yet. Generally speaking, a smart motorcycle helmet will do more than protect your head. It usually has added features, such as integrated speakers/headphones, a microphone, and a communication system. These will usually connect to smartphones, and sometimes other riders with compatible helmets or communicators.
Some of these devices take their smarts a step further, though. We’ve seen manufacturers put rearview systems into helmets, for example. Some even had heads-up displays integrated (though these are becoming rare). Other cool features might include integrated cameras, voice controls, navigation, and even emergency features. What an intelligent motorcycle helmet features depends on its niche market and what the manufacturer deems essential (and profitable).
There are multiple reasons you might want to have a smart motorcycle helmet. For starters, having some tunes playing sets the tone for an enjoyable ride! Communicating with other riders or making calls is also convenient, especially when riding in a group. Staying in touch and making decisions while riding is always suitable, not to mention entertaining.
Riding a motorcycle is a full-body experience. Doing anything other than riding requires literally pulling over and stopping completely. Communicating and staying entertained is nice, but that isn’t the real reason to get a smart motorcycle helmet. The truth is these are much safer. Features like voice commands keep your eyes on the road while also getting directions, changing a song, or making a call. It also means you don’t have to stop every time you do these things. Some models have cameras, and can provide footage in case of an accident (not to mention the ability to record your sick curves!). Additionally, some helmets offer SOS features, lights for better visibility, and even rearview cameras. A smart motorcycle helmet could very well save your life.
A smart motorcycle helmet could very well save your life.Edgar Cervantes
The best smart motorcycle helmets
Editor’s note: We’ll be updating this list of the best smart motorcycle helmets regularly.
Harley Davidson Boom! Audio N02
This is one of Harley Davidson’s best-selling helmets, and for good reason. It features the simplicity and protection of a full-face helmet with all the communication technology you could need. This helmet has two modules integrated: Bluetooth and mesh. This ensures you can hold a connection with your smartphone/music, as well as your riding peers.
Buttons are located towards the back, out of the way, and keep aerodynamics flowing. Chin and forehead vents keep the fog away, and the fiberglass composite shell will ensure the helmet doesn’t get too heavy.
Sena Momentum Inc Pro
Known for their Bluetooth communication devices, Sena has entered the intelligent helmet game full throttle. Their higher-end model is the Sena Momentum Inc Pro, and it comes jam-packed with fancy features.
The Momentum Inc Pro is equipped with a QHD camera. You could add a camera to any helmet, but that affects aerodynamics and convenience. This one is built-in and ready to go. Other features include intelligent noise control, Bluetooth audio, group intercom, voice commands, and even music sharing. Of course, DOT certification also makes sure you are safe in the case of an accident.
Sena Impulse
If you want a high-quality smart helmet but don’t need a camera, the Sena Impulse is one of the company’s latest offerings, and it’s an amazing modular helmet. It’s not cheap, but you get plenty of great features.
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For starters, it has premium sound by Harman Kardon. You can connect with four other users via Bluetooth, or Sena’s Group Mesh Intercom, which supports up to 24 riders. It’s even possible to use voice commands with Siri or Google Assistant. The most remarkable feature in the Sena Impulse is the LED taillights in the back of the helmet.
Sena Outrush
If you want a smart Sena experience without all that bank breaking, the Sena Outrush is an excellent option. It doesn’t skimp on features either. The modular design makes it very comfortable to use when jumping off the bike. Of course, you get plenty of features with Sena’s integrated Bluetooth communications and 2-way intercom. Like the newer helmets, it can also be controlled with voice commands.
Quin Design Spitfire Rosso
Quin Designs focuses on a simple experience, offering the basics you need to stay connected without getting distracted. In fact, its most notable feature is that it offers Bluetooth audio. The system is invisibly integrated so that nothing affects its aerodynamics.
What separates the Spitfire from simple Bluetooth headsets is crash detection and SOS Beacon (live tracking). These will keep the rider secure and aided when most needed. As for the build, the helmet is both DOT and ECE certified.
Quin Design Ghost Umbra Carbon Edition
Do you like what Quin Designs does? If you have the money to spare and want a high-quality helmet from Quin Designs, look no further than the Ghost Umbra Carbon Edition. It weighs only 2.88lbs, thanks to its carbon fiber design.
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Even the lighter body doesn’t stop the helmet from sporting all the intelligent features the company is known for. It also keeps the rider secure. The helmet meets ECE and DOT certifications. It also meets or exceeds the FIM, AMA, CRMC, and RACE racing standards.
Crosshelmet X1
With Skully gone, the smart helmet market is looking at Crosshelmet. This product comes with a heads-up display and a rearview camera. It also features a safety light, voice controls, and a design that looks like it comes from a sci-fi movie. It’s not cheap at $1,799, but it is one of the best smart motorcycle helmets you can find. And its design will definitely turn some heads.
Sedici Sistema II Parlare
The Sedici Sistema II Parlare may look like a simple modular helmet, but it comes with a fully integrated Sena DWO-6 Bluetooth v4.1 system. This allows for four-way intercom, a 1,000m range, radio, music sharing, audio multi-tasking, and more.
It’s also great as a helmet. The unit is built with fiberglass and kevlar. This helmet meets both DOT and ECE-22.05 standards, so it’s very safe. The name makes it seem fancy, too!
Torc T28B helmet
Torc offers another great Bluetooth-only product for those looking for simplicity in the best smart motorcycle helmets. It comes with an integrated sound system, mic, and side buttons for controlling your smartphone wirelessly. It also comes in various cool designs and offers ECE/DOT/CCC certification.
It’s only slightly more expensive than the T15B. And while the spec sheet looks very similar, there are some design improvements you can’t ignore. The main one is that this helmet is modular, meaning the front part can be pushed up to uncover your face. This is great for times when you pull over to get gas, or when you want to get off the bike and enjoy a view without taking your helmet entirely off.
Bilt Techno 3.0
Bilt is known for offering value, and while this helmet isn’t exactly cheap, it offers a lot for its price. For starters, it provides a modular construction that can leave your face uncovered in a second. This offers versatility and freedom while also keeping you protected during long rides.
What makes it smart? It has an integrated Sena DWO-6 Bluetooth system featuring a 4-way intercom, smartphone app support, call conferencing, music sharing, speed dial, and more cool features. It can also keep intercom communications as far as a kilometer, and battery life should last 8 hours on a single charge.
Are you also looking to modernize other aspects of your riding experience? We have some good recommendations for you. Check out the links below.
