The Helmet Harbor, LLC 2009 Product Awards
While, I'm the last guy to watch the award shows on TV. I will glance through a motorcycle magazine when the editors toss out a "Top Product" review. Honestly, I disagree 90% of the time with what they have to say, but there's still the entertainment aspect.
TOP FULL-FACE HELMET 2009
Shoei X-11 - While no longer around for 2010, the X-11 stood at the top of the high-end helmet market for 6 years. No other company (to include Shoei with the new X-12) could match this helmets venting, universal fit, weight and easy of use. Simply, it excelled at everything, and had very little downside. The Bell Star is going to be the helmet to beat in 2010, and came in a close second in 2009. No more X-11, hello Bell Star...
Honorable Mention - AGV GP-TECH - Super light, great venting. A slightly difficult visor system, and lack of color options are this only hits against this helmet.
TOP OPEN-FACE HELMET 2009
Nolan was smart, and came out with the new N-43 Trilogy just before years end. No other helmet on the market has the venting, removable chin bar and inner visor system offered with the N-43 Trilogy. This is a model other companies with copy if they're smart.
TOP FLIP-UP (MODULAR) HELMET 2009
Several helmets battled over this award (Shoei Multitech, Nolan N103, Shark Evoline). but I've chosen the HJC IS-MAX. The inner visor system is easy to use (even thou it could be darker), it's well made and comes in at under $200. It's packed with useful features, and just simply works.
MOST INNOVATIVE HELMET 2009
Easy, the Shark Evoline. While it didn't make my top pick for flip-up helmets, no one can argue that this helmet lacks innovation. The chin bar flips up and over the helmet to the rear, while everyone else places it on top (or is removable). Smart and extremely useful if you're looking for both an open-face and a flip-up helmet.
TOP JACKET 2009
The Tourmaster Intake-2 jacket combines a dual liner system with a mesh jacket making this jacket a true 3.5 season jacket. One jacket, year round. While it might not take a rider down to sub-zero temp's, it will handle above freezing temp's just fine. In the Summer, nothing beats a mesh jacket. Tourmaster makes solid products, and the Intake-2 is a perfect example. The seams are well stitched, the armor is high end, and even taller riders don't have issues with jacket length.
TOP MANUFACTURER OF 2009
I have to give this to Bell Helmets. For them to come out with a new helmet (Bell Star) and regain their lost status wasn't easy. They made it happen against all odds.
Honorable Mention - HJC Helmets - 2009 saw the open face IS-33, IS-MAX and the FS-15. All outstanding helmets that work well, but yet won't slaughter your bank account. For a company I call "The King of Average", they stepped it up.
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