PRODUCT REVIEW
XLITE X-803 SBK
Words & Photos : Ben Wilkins
I f you don ’ t know the name , X-Lite is the top-shelf arm of Nolan Helmets . X-Lite helmets are the officials helmet of both MotoGP and SBK , the latter of which is what you ’ re looking at here . This is the X-803 SBK Ultra Carbon , the World Superbike graphic version .
QUALITY True to the top-shelf stuff I ’ ve come to expect from X-Lite , the X-803 SBK Ultra Carbon is packed full of classy detail and features . Built in Italy , the shell construction is from a hand-laid weave of carbon fibre , Kevlar and fibreglass . Thanks to this space-age construction , the helmet comes in at just 1180g – and it feels light from the moment you pick it up . This is one seriously light bit of kit , easily the lightest of any helmet in my motorcycling dress-up box . The carbon weave is visible underneath the graphics and clear coat , and it ’ s gorgeous , seriously stunning . Nice graphic touches are the contrasted stitching on the neck / jaw padding and the X-Lite logos on the padding on either side of the temples .
RACING INTENTIONS With ‘ SBK OFFICIAL HELMET ’ on the side you ’ d be right in thinking the X-803 SBK is a helmet geared towards going fast on the track . On hot summer days the vents work very well , with cold air going in through a double vent on the forehead , one inlet on either side of the crown of your head , and a double cent on the chinbar . At the back there ’ s an exhaust vent built into the rear spoiler . With all of these vents open there ’ s a very noticeable difference in cooling – this is one of the main differences with cheap
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