Charlie Oakman’s been wearing it…
Schuberth announced the ‘all-new E2 Flip-Front Adventure Helmet’ at the end of last year, which coincided with my discipline change from a regular sport to adventure ride, and having worn the excellent Schuberth C3, C4 and C5, I was keen to get my hands on it.
Unsurprisingly, the E2 replaces the E1, a helmet that I understand had been welcomed and much celebrated by the adventure market, and although not qualified to give a back-to-back review on these upgrades having never worn the E1, I know the Schuberth quality that reversed my thinking, having been a flip-front, drop-down visor and internal comms sceptic in the past.
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Having had such a success with the E1 when it launched in 2018, it was time to see something new from Schuberth and what it has delivered is a dual homologated flip-front helmet that complies to the very latest 22.06 safety standard whether open or closed. The shell is constructed via glass fibre using an exclusive-to-Schuberth patented technique developed in its own R&D department in Germany called DFP (Direct Fibre Processing), and rigorously tested in its own wind tunnel.
Your first look at the E2 is testament to this development with very clear aerodynamics throughout the build of the helmet with two large vents in the chin bar, a large air scoop above the visor and twin vents at the rear.
The peak has had some significant work, with twin scoops on the front and side which direct the air either towards the vent or down the side of the helmet aiding stability in any of the three clicked positions that the peak can be set to easily while on the move.
The flip mechanism, like that of the C-range I am more familiar with, is operated with one hand that clicks an ample button at the bottom of the chin bar that can only be seen if you look for it. The majority of the designs available, which unapologetically carry the colourways of the most popular adventure bikes (the E2 Defender is very BMW), hide the fact that this is a flip-front helmet as the mechanism and opening are hidden as part of the design.
Open the lid, and the peak and visor move with it, stopping at the right point to allow it to lock in the open position. Bringing it down again, you hear a pronounced and reassuring ‘click’ and smartly the visor and peak return to their original position.
The clear visor boasts class one optics delivering an exceptional field of view, and comes complete with a pre-installed Pinlock 120 anti-fog lens. The drop-down visor is extremely effective and easy to operate via a sliding mechanism on the left-hand side (as you ride). There is a very real pleasure to find riding with the front up, visor down, as long as you don’t mind your look – even Schuberth can’t improve that! The internals of the helmet are extremely luxurious (Oeko-Tex 100 Certified apparently), removable, washable and, for me, extremely comfortable from the off.
A custom fit is available with the additional option of modifying the head pad for summer/winter riding via a tab that closes off the vent. The pads are designed to allow for those who wear glasses while riding.
The E2 fits well and is held in place with a quick-release helmet strap which is part of the ‘Anti-Roll-Off-System’ ensuring the helmet does not come off in the event of an accident. It’s also very quiet, which is handy if you are looking to utilise the pre-installed HD speakers and antenna of the latest Sena 50s software, additional functionality that adds to the 1695g weight of my M/57 lid.
The Sena comms system includes Mesh intercom; bluetooth 5.0 with dual antennas; multi-way intercom; multi-language voice command; and digital assist via Siri or Google assistant. Though not a system I have used a great deal, it was excellent when I have, and is a very useful addition at £291 if purchased with the lid (saving £69). What I particularly like is the fact that the microphone plugs in, thus does not need to be in place all of the time… I am always tempted to start chewing it.
Another cracking feature of the E2 is how it works alongside other helmets in the stable. As stated, I ride in the C5 and the comms system from that helmet is compatible with the E2, as are the visors, though you need to remove the peak to use it. Doing so turns the adventure helmet into a sleek sports tourer, which may well make my C5 a touch redundant. Tinted visors are also available for the E2!
Prices on the E2 start at £569.99 as in my helmet shown which is the Gloss White. With different colourways and graphics the price creeps up a bit,maxing out at £649.99 (without comms). The entire set up is an investment but works seamlessly, and Schuberth does deliver the quality that you are paying for and there are certainly some deals around!
From £569.99 / www.bikerheadz.co.uk / Charlie Oakman
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