X-lite® X-802 Lorenzo Moon Helmet Review |
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 X-lite® has been producing helmets since 1998 as part of the long established Nolan Group®. The X-Lite® X802 racing helmet sits at the top of the X-lite® product range. Its development is based on the Nolan Group’s extensive involvement with top level motorcycle racing.  This helmet of course is Jorge Lorenzo’s moon helmet which is a near replica (it does not feature all team sponsors) of the helmet he wore in the 2009 Portuguese Moto GP at Estoril where with astronaut styled white leathers he rode in the guise of a NASA astronaut. This was done to mark the 40th anniversary of the moon landing. From a technology viewpoint the helmet lives up to its astronaut helmet pretensions. The helmet has a composite fibre triple shell construction using Carbon, Kevlar and glass composite. The helmet has variable air vents on the chin and crown but most strikingly it has an adjustable stability device (ASD) integrated into the rear of the shell. This is an aerodynamic adjustable rear spoiler which is designed to optimise the helmet’s aerodynamics improving high speed stability and assisting hot air extraction from inside the helmet through vents in the spoiler. The spoiler has two available positions. Hot air extraction, defogging and ventilation has further been added to by variable air vents on the chin and crown of the helmet. The helmet is further equipped with a quick tool free release visor which features the pin-lock system to which is fitted an anti-fog silicone sealed inner visor. The visor also has a unique double locking system. The visor can be locked shut to prevent the visor accidental coming open at high speeds also the visor can be locked at a minimum visor opening position to further aid ventilation. The helmet is further supplied with a street legal tinted visor and tinted anti-fog visor insert.  Inner comfort is afforded by removable Unitherm comfort padding lining. Unitherm is an elasticated micro-fibre that is designed to regulate breathability and quickly disperse perspiration. Comfort is further aided by removable cheek pads. The helmet has ACU Gold and CE approval, double D-ring chin strap and is supplied in sizes XS to XXL. So given that this helmet has been designed based on a MotoGP test programme and it’s good enough for Jorge Lorenzo, it should more than suitable for the most serious and demanding riders. Here at www.inter-bike.co.uk, quite naturally we do a lot of riding and for the past couple of months have been putting the helmet through its paces in a variety of weather conditions and on different style bikes. The first thing to comment on is the striking graphics, where ever we have taken the helmet it has been met with much interest, admiration and comment. This helmet is not for the shy rider, its astronaut helmet looks get you noticed.  The quality of the helmet graphics are simply stunning, the photo of Neil Armstrong’s foot print on the moon surface, ringed with the famous phrase “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind” is particularly impressive.  The helmet lining is also very striking with cool blue and black fabric with X-Lite® and X-802 embossed in silver on the lining. Comfort when wearing a helmet is paramount and the Unitherm Comfort Padding lives up to its description, this helmet is very comfortable indeed and the helmet slips on and off your head easily with the smooth fabric surface of the Unitherm material. The Unitherm material most definitely helps remove perspiration at no time even in hot weather did we fell “sweaty” inside the helmet. This is obviously helped by the extremely effective ventilation, in-fact in cold weather so effective is the ventilation that you need to close of some of the vents, to avoid a cold head! Comfort is further aided by the helmet being very light, approximately 1320 grams only, meaning you can wear the helmet for extended periods without suffering the strain on your neck muscles that heavier helmets can induce. Wind noise when riding can be a real issue and whilst one should always wear ear plugs, we can say this helmet is relatively quiet, no doubt helped by its aerodynamic shape, spoiler and under chin wind protector and the spoiler seems to considerably reduce wind buffeting when riding at higher speeds. In winter fogging up of the inner visor surface is a real issue. The Nolan Top Fog Resistant system really works aided by the excellent ventilation and the breath deflector. We’ve used the helmet in near freezing conditions and in a heavy rainstorm at no time was fogging an issue. We also particularly liked the ability to lock the visor fractionally open.  In fact with a helmet of this quality with this development pedigree it’s hard to find anything to dislike. However quality does cost with the helmet being retailed at £449.99, but for this money you do get an extremely striking helmet constructed from top quality materials that’s good enough for MotoGP stars! You can find details of your nearest X-lite® helmet stockist by visiting http://www.x-lite.it Review by Jon Booth - www.inter-bike.co.uk
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