The Schuberth C3 try out

Schuberth C3

I have always been a believer in trying to test the items I sell and as helmets are a big passion of mine I decided that I would try out the Schuberth on my latest club run to North Wales.

I would be covering around 300 miles over the weekend on my GS and decided the C3 would be the helmet of choice. Unfortunately the new Schuberth C3 Pro did not fit me due to the slimmer shape so I opted for the C3 and fitted the Schuberth SRC neck roll.

The first thing to say at this point is how easy the SRC was to fit and set up. I’ve always hated the communication systems that bolt onto the side of the helmet when it should be so easy for a manufacturer to work together with a comms company to produce a system that works with the helmet. Schuberth and Scala have just done that.

Within 15 minutes I had removed the C3′s neck roll and replaced it with the new roll and set up my Garmen Zumo. My iPhone was already paired with the Zumo so I was ready to go.

Had to make one small adjustment to the left hand speaker but with the velcro pads fitted this was easy. Little pain was where you put the charging cable but eventually I found you could thread it back into the neck roll out of the way.

Did have a go at setting up the RDS radio and whilst Radio one was difficult the local radio station was amazing.

“maybe Arai could learn a thing or two here!”

Anyway, back to the helmet. Fitted the Pinlock anti-fog insert that comes in the box and you notice straight away how easy it is to remove the visor. Being an “Arai expert” for many years the Schuberth was a doddle…….maybe Arai could learn a thing or two here!

Helmet was now all ready for the weekend ahead and the weather forecast looked fantastic.

I set off Friday afternoon to head towards Betws-y-Coed in North Wales to meet up with the rest of the club and the journey was fantastic as I decided to keep off the main roads and the 70 miles took just over two hours.

The helmet performed very well and was amazingly quiet with the vents closed and the visor clicked shut. The sun was very bright and the drop down sun visor was perfect and did not interfere with my glasses when down which was a big problem with my X-Lite.

The chin bar was close to my chin which did cause an issue with the microphone as it touched my lips but the biggest pain was the chin strap.

“making the velcro rub against my skin which was very annoying”

The helmet has a cover to the strap that can be velcro’d closed to keep the micro lock buckle away from your skin but as I have a large neck the strap did not meet so during the journey the material turned making the velcro rub against my skin which was very annoying. These need to be made longer for the large helmets. It is a bit like the chin straps on the large Arai helmets as they too are also too short.

Got to the hotel, beers and evening meal with the guys before the club run on the Saturday.

After breakfast we all set off on our trip in glorious sunshine and on some amazing roads. This was the time to try out the vents and they worked a treat slightly increasing the noise level but bringing cool air to my head. We stopped a few times and it was great to be able to lift up the chin bar without having to take off the helmet. I did notice it was not easy to click the front back down again a problem because of my wide cheeks as I could not click it down without using two hands, one on the back of the helmet whilst the other pushed the chin bar into place. This maybe is a good thing as it would stop you driving whilst the chin bar is up, something it does warn you not to do in the hand book!

The day was amazing with some fantastic biking roads thanks to the well organised run set out by the old Honda boss no less!

After getting back and a few more beers and yet another great meal I went to bed. Breakfast in the morning and then the journey home.

“something I would have bought myself”

Sunday was not a nice day, much colder and some rain. I decided to reflect on the C3 on the way home and decide if it was something I would have bought myself. I concluded I would but would have to make a few adjustments. The chin strap would need to be made longer or the velcro removed. I would have to get into the habit and make sure the chin bar was correctly shut before setting off and finally see if it was possible to put thinner cheek pads in, something I did with my Arai Tour Cross to give a better fit.

The positives far outweighed any negatives, the quietness, venting, vision and the addition of the SRC made the Schuberth C3 a helmet I would have to wear again.

Ride Safe

Choosing the right motorcycle helmet

As business owners we want to make sure you’re happy with your purchases from us, and as motorcyclists we want to ensure you’re comfortable and safe when you’re riding. So we wanted to share some advice and top tips on choosing the right motorcycle helmet, to make sure you get a great fit, improve your safety, and get good value for money.

If you’re not sure whether your old helmet is still OK to use, the lifespan of a lid begins from the time it’s first taken out of the box, and it should last around 5 years based on ‘average’ daily use. Obviously if it’s been dropped, or been in a crash, then it needs inspecting or replacing.

Motorcycle helmet safety standards:

New motorcycle helmets produced for the European market, including the UK, have to meet or exceed the ECE 22.05 safety standard. This requires a helmet to survive one single impact on five specific points at a speed of 7.5 metres per second, equal to 16.77mph. Most helmet manufacturers go beyond this with additional impacts and penetration tests to ensure they’re setting a good standard.

If you’re planning to race or go on track, then you’ll also need your helmet to meet the ACU Gold standard, which will also be displayed on your lid for scrutineers etc to easily check.

Get a helmet that fits properly:

Choosing the right motorcycle helmet size is probably the biggest single thing you can do to increase your safety on a motorcycle. Far too many people are using badly-fitting helmets when there are quick and easy ways to solve the issue.

• Try helmets on, ideally with a trained salesperson: You can come and visit our showroom in Newcastle under Lyme to try on and buy any of our range of motorcycle helmets, and get advice on the right fit in-person from a team with decades of experience in supplying helmets to everyday road riders, and top racers.
  A helmet should feel snug and comfortably tight on your head, and when the chin strap is fastened, it shouldn’t be able to slide or roll around on your head.
• Measure your head: To find out your actual head size, measure at the widest point, which is just over your eyebrows, and over your ears. Measure it a few times and take the average to account for errors, and then use it as a reference to choose the right size. Different helmet brands can have slightly different shapes, so size alone isn’t a complete guarantee, but will help you find the right starting point.
• If it’s not right, send it back to us: If you order a lid from us and find out it doesn’t fit properly when it arrives, then you can send it back to us. We will always try to help customers with advice, along with a refund or exchange. It’ll only cost you the postal charge to send the helmet back.

Save cash on your next motorcycle helmet:

The priority when you’re buying a helmet is to get the best, and safest, lid for your budget. If money is a bit tight and you don’t want to splash out on the very latest race replica, then we’ll help you find the best helmet for your money. Some tips to help are:

• Plain Colours: Race replica helmets command a premium as they require manufacturers to license the work of the designer. You can often save a fair bit of money by choosing the same helmet with a plain colour, such as Black or White.
• The best of last year: The lifespan of a helmet only begins when it comes out of the box. So when we run special offers on designs from last year, you can save a massive amount, and you’ll still get the quality and usage as you would from any new helmet.
• Spare or ‘haircut’ helmet: Even if you’ve got a top-spec helmet with a great design, it can be worth investing in quality second helmet. Perhaps you want to encourage your significant other into riding pillion, in which case a badly-fitting helmet can sometimes put them off for life as it rotates around like something from The Exorcist. And we’ve learned from experience that having a second lid to wear after haircuts means you don’t end up itching for the next few days.
  A second lid also means that if you’re serious about helmet maintenance, you don’t have to stay off the road while you’re waiting for your lining and cheekpads etc to dry.
• Keep checking BargainBikerBrands: We’re constantly adding to our range at the moment. That means we’re also cutting prices all the time to clear space, so if you need a lid now or in the future, it’s worth either checking the site regularly, following us on Facebook, Google+ or Twitter, or signing up for our emails.

Look after your new helmet:

When you’ve got your great new helmet and feel like a MotoGP champion, you want that to last. So pay attention to manufacturer advice and use either warm water, or a dedicated motorcycle helmet product to clean with, such as the Shift-It range used by professional technicians when cleaning the lids of British Superbike stars.

Carrying your lid around by the fastening strap is also easily avoidable by investing under £10 in a helmet bag. That has the added advantage of protecting your crash helmet from dirt and spillages, especially if it inevitably rolls down a bank at a UK racetrack at some point this summer. It also gives you somewhere to keep tear-offs, spare visors and a spare pair of earplugs.

Finally, don’t forget accidents can happen in the home, especially if you have young motorcycle fans in the house. Ideally, you want to store your lid somewhere cool and dark with a stable temperature when not in use. Before you put it away, give it a clean and check for wear, as parts can be replaced before your next ride-out. That way your lid will keep you safe longer.

Up to 75% off Nolan, X-Lite and Grex motorcycle helmets

Hopefully you’ve already seen the massive amounts of new products we’ve been adding to the site. You can now buy Schuberth, Scorpion EXO, Kappa, Viper, VCAN and much more.

Luckily we’ve already cleared most of our existing stock of Nolan, X-Lite and Grex helmets, but we want to get them moving even more quickly. So in a moment of motorcycling madness, we’ve now cut prices by up to a whopping 75%!

That’s a huge saving, and it’s only available to prevent us being buried under a pile of helmet boxes. So if you’re looking for a new lid for this year, one for your significant other for occasional pillion rides, or fancy a spare for track days or emergencies, you should take advantage of us while you can!

After all, how often can you buy helmets usually costing around £300 for less than £100? And our selection including full-face, flip-front, and open face motorcycle helmets. Here’s some of the examples and savings you can make.

Nolan N103 Motorrad N-Com Cayman Blue: £84.99 from £279.99!

The Nolan N103 N-Com range all retail for just under £300. But you can pay between £74.99 and £94.99 for our remaining stocks while we have some left. That includes Flat Black, Glossy White, Flat Moka, Platinum Silver and Flouro Yellow colours, along with this stylish Cayman Blue design.

For that price you get a great specification full-face helmet with a flip-front. It includes a dual action opening system which can be operated with just one hand, the Nolan For Resistant visor protection system, removable cheek pads and plenty of ventilation. Perfect for commuting, touring, or ride-outs. And you save almost £200!

X-Lite X-602 Nation N-Com: £119.99 from £299.99

If you’re looking for a full-face motorcycle helmet, then you can save £180 on this X-Lite X-602 with a modern design, a composite fibre shell, and removable interior with cheek pads.

It features a quick release visor mechanism, with a double action visor/de-mist lock which is extremely useful when riding at low speeds through towns, or on warm-up laps. The head, chin and rear exhaust ventilation will keep you cool, while the composite fibre shell in three sizes will keep you safe. And at just £119.99, it’s a real bargain, along with a wide range of designs with similar savings. That includes the Lorenzo, Stoner and Badovini replicas, which are all down to £159.99 or £139.99 from the original £419.99 price.

Nolan N52 Aladdin Off-Road Helmet: £64.99 from £149.99

Off-road riding is a lot of fun, whether you’re enjoying some relaxed green-laning, or tried your hand at MX and Enduro. It’s also generally tougher on helmets in general use, so being able to grab something as cool as this Nolan for £64.99 means you won’t be too upset when it’s covered in mud or scratched by stones and bushes!

In fact, you might be quite smug knowing that you saved £80 when you bought it. In addition to the front air intakes with a funky metal finish, and the removable peak, you also get removable Clima Comfort padding. And the design will help you stand out even when you’re up to your goggles in mud or dust!

Nolan N20 Traffic Caribe Plus: £49.99 from £129.99

You might not be in the market for a retro-styled open scooter helmet. But there’s probably one or more people in your family and friends who could benefit from a top quality scooter lid for under £50.

The goggle-shaped visor looks cool, and is also scratch resistant with UV 400 protection. The Clima Comfort top is removable, and there’s a protective hard coating over the base colour to minimise teenage and new rider abuse. And by saving £80 it’s affordable as a present to encourage a scooter rider to stay on two wheels, and stylish enough to impress. Female riders might prefer Pearl Pink, or there are the more modern looking Nolan N33 and Nolan N41 also available.

With very limited supplies of colours and sizes of the remaining Nolan, X-Lite and Grex bargains, we’d recommend you don’t hesitate and risk disappointment. We can’t guarantee the stocks left on the site will last much longer!

Schuberth and Scorpion EXO Helmets now available

Schuberth and Scorpion EXO motorcycle helmets are now in stock as part of our expanding range of kit and clothing. As official dealers for UK distributors Tran Am, we’ve got a good selection already available to purchase, so we’ve picked out a few of our favourites.

The first motorcycle helmet produced by Schuberth was the Aero 1, back in 1954. In 1976 they released their first composite motorcycle helmet, and more than 20 years ago they introduced the Sun Race, which was the first lid with an integrated sun visor. The German firm also introduced the first flip-front motorcycle helmet in 1999, and they continue to aim maximum safety and comfort with their products. Interestingly, they’re also the only helmet manufacturer who own their own wind and acoustic tunnels for testing.

Scorpion EXO helmets are just as interesting, with an 86,000 square metre factory containing 600 staff, and aiming to control every single operation in-house to ensure quality. It’s already become one of the top 5 leading brands for American motorcyclists, and now has a European headquarters to spread the word over here.

The Scorpion EXO-1000 Air helmet:

The Black/White Scorpion EXO 1000 Roundup is pretty stylish

The EXO-1000 is a top-of-the-range helmet that is still affordable. One advantage is the Airfit technology to let you inflate the cheek pads foe the best fit, along with a Tri-Composite shell, a supersoft fabric liner, and a Pinlock MaxVision visor with a 3-position lock. It’s ACU Gold rates for track use, comes with a 3 year warranty, and you can choose from 2 shell sizes to make sure it fits your head properly.

We’ve got a range of different designs, with the classic Black/White Roundup and the patriotic Dograge both looking particularly nice.

Get patriotic with the Dograge design

The Scorpion EXO-500 Air Helmet:

The ACU Gold-approved Scorpion Air comes with a 3 year warranty, a polycarbonate shell, and the Airfit system to let you pump up your cheek pads to get a great fit. It also has a Pinlock MaxVision visor with an anti-fog insert fitted, and you’ll get a free Shift helmet care kit if you buy from us! There’s something quite cool about the Robotic design for the EXO-500 Air in particular. Perfect for technology fans.

The Robotic design on the Scorpion EXO 500 Air

The Schuberth C3 Pro:

This is a seriously impressive motorcycle helmet. Not only is it a flip-front touring lid which has enough style to suit a sports bike, but it’s also the quietest flip-up helmet in Schuberth’s long history. That is a huge advantage when you’re doing long distances, especially when you realise you’ve left your earplugs behind.

It comes with two built-in antennas for communication, and is ready for Schuberth’s optional S.R.C.S system. At the same time it’s also comfortable with a CoolMax removable and washable lining, and a tinted flip-down sun visor if you’re traveling somewhere sunny. The outer shell is a glass fibre reinforced composite shell which is fitted with a specially-developed Anti-Roll-Off System. On top of all of that, you’ll also get 4 extra Pinlock inserts worth up to £120 with your order.

The Schuberth C3 Pro doesn’t look like a flip-front helmet

The Schuberth S2 Full-Face Helmet:

If you definitely want a full-face lid, then the Schuberth S2 is definitely worth checking out. The composite fibre shell comes in two sizes for the best fit with the least weight. The rear and neck spoilers will help airflow and stability, without you looking like an F1 car, and the rear spoiler features outlet air vents to help keep you cool.

It’s also got a fully removable and washable interior, integral sun visor, the double integrated antenna for Schuberth’s optional communication system, and the German firm’s Anti-Roll-Off system. High quality helmets, a futuristic design, and available in Fluo Yellow to make it even harder for someone to claim they didn’t see you. And we’ll include 4 extra Pinlock inserts worth up to £120.

Stand out with the Schuberth S2 helmet

Check out the full Schuberth and Scorpion EXO ranges, and we also have the Schuberth communication systems in stock.

Grab a bargain on race replica helmets

The motorcycle racing season has already started with the first round of the World Superbike championship taking place in Phillip Island. It’s just one month until the first race on the MotoGP calendar in Qatar, and the same weekend sees the British Superbike season begin on the Brands Hatch Indy circuit. So it’s not surprising we’re all starting to get excited about another great year of two-wheeled racing.

Race replica motorcycle helmets usually come with a premium cost, but you can still find the highest quality lids at amazing prices. We’ve still got limited supplies of the best helmets from last season, with savings of up to 50%! That means you can look like a MotoGP star for a lot less. Even most fans won’t necessarily spot that it’s not a 2013 design, and those that do will simply assume you’re a longtime fan. At the same time, you’ll have the great knowledge you may have saved up to £350 by going for a classic design.

Stocks are limited in some designs, so if you see something you like, we’d recommend you don’t hang around!

Save up to 50% on Arai race replica helmets:

We’ve got a small number of Arai RX7-GP race replica helmets still available, including the former MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden’s Nicky 2 replica, and former MotoGP, WSB and BSB star John Hopkins lid, with Monster sponsorship. Both are available only in XS size, with savings of £250 from the recommended retail price.

Save 50% on the Nicky Hayden replica

For those with a slightly larger head, there is the Arai RX7-GP Edwards Replica, with a timeless design to match former WSB champion and veteran MotoGP racer Colin Edwards, which is available in XS and S sizes. Equally timeless is the subtle black design of the Arai Chaser Haga replica, in XS and also XL sizes. And if you want to emulate Japanese racer Yuki Takahashi, you can choose from the RX7-GP in XS and S, or the Arai Viper GT in S.

Save 36% on the Arai Edwards replica

Finally, there’s 49% off the the price of BSB and TT star Steve Plater’s Arai Chaser V replica. Or you can pick the timeless and classic Arai Quantum Doohan replica, available in XS,S and XXL.

The Doohan paintscheme remains popular 15 years after the Australian retired from GP racing

X-LITE Race Replicas

We’ve also got a small selection of X-LITE race replicas with massive savings as part of our X-LITE blowout to sell our remaining stock. The X-LITE X-802 Stoner Philip Island Replica is likely to be a bit of a collector’s item now that the two-time MotoGP world champion with Ducati and Honda has switched to racing on four wheels in his native Australia. It’s available in XS for just £209.99.

Casey Stoner’s switch to cars may make this a collectors item!

If you’d prefer an alternative world champion, the X-LITE X-802 Lorenzo Replica is available in XS,S and L for just £219.99 to give you the look of a Spanish world champion. And there’s also the rather classic and retro paintscheme of the X-LITE X-802 Badovini replica in XS, S and L.

Kappa Motorcycle Luggage and Helmets Now Added

Kappa has been producing motorcycle luggage and accessories for more than 20 years, and we’ve been dealing with them in various roles for that time. We’ve seen them grow from a small range of hard cases to compliment their sister company Givi, to a huge list of hard and soft motorcycle luggage, helmets, clothing and other accessories.

We’ve already added a number of the leading Kappa motorcycle luggage and helmets to the store, and more will be added very shortly - if you don’t see what you’re after, then give us a call as most items can be supplied within 2 working days.

Here are some of the highlights already available for you to take a look at:

Kappa K47 ‘Manta’ Monolock Top Case

The Manta is a new Kappa motorcycle luggage solution which is particularly well suited for commuter bikes and large scooters, with 47 litres of capacity. That means you can carry two helmets, saving you from having to bring your lid into the office, and also meaning you could keep a spare with your bike in case you need to give someone a lift.

The Kappa K47 Manta Monolock Top Case

It comes complete with a fixing plate and universal fixing kit, so you’re able to securely attach it to your bike, and the red reflectors will help you be seen by other road users. You can also choose from a range of handy extras, including a remote control for opening it, which means you don’t end up fumbling with your ignition key. For added comfort, a backrest is available, which your pillions will appreciate it, and for an extra warning for car users, there’s a specific LED stop light.

Kappa KV1 Flip Front Motorcycle Helmet:

You might not associate the name Kappa with motorcycle lids, but it’s time to change that. The KV1 is a modular flip front helmet which has been passed for both open and full-face safety standards. Plus it does away with the time-consuming fumbling when you’re at a petrol station or nipping into the bank with a full-face helmet.

The Kappa KV1 Flip-Front Motorcycle Helmet

It features an anti-scratch visor, and a removable breath guard to help stop your vision getting steamed up. The anallergic fabric means it’s comfortable even in the hottest weather, and the inner lining and cheekpads are removable when you get around to cleaning it. The double visor saves you even more hassle when the sun gets in your eyes, as you don’t need to pull over to switch to a dark visor or put sunglasses on.

As a bonus, we’re currently supplying a free universal Fine Vision Anti Fog Insert with every helmet.

Kappa TKW746SM Motorcycle Tank Bag:

Kappa know their luggage, and the TKW746SM tank bag is no exception. As you can see, it’s been designed to look cool, as well as keeping your contents safe and dry. And it’s not just a tank bag - it’s also a rucksack when the detachable base is removed, making it easy to transport whatever you’re carrying with the 20 litre capacity.

The Kappa TKW746 Motorcycle Tank Bag

The bag itself features a seamless technology to avoid water leaking in, and comes with 4 fastening belts. It’s 42cm long, 29cm wide and 20cm deep, and comes with a removable map holder to keep you on course.

The TKW746SM is not fitted with magnets, so you’ll need to use the supplied straps, or the compatible Kappa Tanky case, the TKB00 to fit it to your bike, but it does mean you won’t end up stuck to any metallic objects you stand next to when you’re using it as a rucksack!

More Kappa bike kit being added every week:

Keep checking back to the site to see the latest Kappa bike products being added, or make sure you sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of this page for the latest items, bargains and sales.

X-Lite, Nolan & Grex blow out sale - up to 70% off

It has been decided that we will no longer be going forward with the X-Lite, Nolan & Grex range of helmets so we will be clearing out all our stock at crazy prices. We will be the cheapest in the UK in order that we can clear these helmets as quickly as possible. The price reductions will start on Friday 16th November 2012 both on our web site and in our eBay store.

Check out all the listings as you could save up to 70%!

Don’t miss out as once these have gone they will not be coming back as we need to make space for our new ranges.

We will also be clearing out all our X-Lite, Nolan and Grex spare parts also at crazy prices so if you looking for a spare part give us a call as it will take us ages to list all we have.

We have over 1,000 helmets in stock which we were hoping to continue with but due to the fact we will no longer be able to purchase replacement stock we have decided to clear all our inventory in order we can make way for another range of helmets we can focus on.

Over the next few days we will be listing all our spares as well so even if you are not ready to buy a new helmets it could be possible to refresh your existing X-lite, Nolan or Grex with some spare parts including inners, trims and mechanisms at crazy, knock down prices.

If there is something specific you are looking for why not drop us a line and we can check our stock but remember we will only have items for helmets up to the end of 2011.

Not to forget N-Com. we have a load of wires and widgets so all you have to do is ask.

Time to grab a real bargain at Bargainbikerbrands

Arai Tour X 3′s are now only £225

We have had a look at our stock and because we are committed to offer you the best prices we can we have reduced all our stocks of Arai Tour X 3′s to £225 and on top of that we will still deliver to any UK mainland address by Fed Ex free of charge.

At these prices and the fact that it is while stocks last you will need to be quick

X-Lite X551 report

Went away with the motorcycle club I belong to Malvern which would be a 500 mile trip from my house and back again. Decided to use the X-Lite X551 instead of my Arai Tour Cross so I could get to see what it was really like.

The first thing you need to remember is that I wear a medium Arai with the large size cheek pads but I had to go to a large size in the X-Lite which gave me the same fit which is very important to me.

Straight away I felt that the X-Lite was very comfy around my ears and felt slightly lighter on my head.

The helmet was fitted with the N-Com bluetooth kit which fits very neatly in the helmet without the need for unsightly units stuck to the side. It connected quickly to my Zumo 660 which is also connected to my iPhone.

Set off on the Friday night so fitted the clear visor which I had also fitted it with a Fog City Hyper-optic Anti Fog insert just in-case i did get a bit of sun on the way down. The helmet is fitted with a drop down sun shield but I must say I am not a fan of these and they also connect with my glasses when used.

The journey was about 100 miles as I kept off the motorways. The helmet performed very well. It was extremely comfy, very stable and the N-Com worked a dream making all the Sat Nav instruction very clear when they came over the music I was playing.

On the Saturday we had a great run as the roads were dry and the sun was out. swapped the visor to the X-Lite dark Green which was fitted with the pinlock insert that comes free with the helmet. All the vents worked a dream and with some good, fast country roads the helmet gave me the confidence you needed.

Sunday was time to head off home so again with a quick and easy change back to the clear visor I set off very happy I had decided to give this helmet a try which has made me decide to make this helmet my first choice on future ride outs with the Arai now being put away in its box.

Arai Kit Bags

These Arai Helmet kit bags, made under licence by Phoenix distribution, have now been reduced to £34.99 delivered!!

LESS THAN HALF PRICE

Its time to grab an even bigger bargain