PRODUCT REVIEW
works just like it should . If that ’ s not enough and you ’ re a super heavy breather , there ’ s a toggle on the visor mechanism to keep the visor a couple of millimetres for extra airflow . Where some visors use friction to keep the visor in place , this one is a four-position ratchet that feels pleasingly sturdy compared to most ratchet mechanisms . It ’ s like the difference between a tinny car door closing and that of a luxury car – a solid ‘ thunk ’ each time the visor is pushed through each click . X-Lite doesn ’ t do a black or dark smoke visor option , instead there ’ s a dark green visor available . I thought it was going to be a little odd having a green tinge to everything through the visor , but , to be quite honest , I really like the green visor as it ’ s very easy on the eyes . And the clarity through both the clear and dark visors is perfect , really very sharp . One negative point is that if you ’ re a glasses wearer , like I am on occasion , then you ’ re out of luck as there ’ s no channel for the glasses arms to sit in . I rarely wear glasses in a helmet , preferring to wear contact lenses when I ride .
Model : XLITE X-803 SBK Ultra Carbon Colours : Black / white / red Price : $ 799 on sale now
– normally $ 1099 More info : Click on this box Buy here : www . eurobike . co . nz
Also in the box is a breath guard to deflect your hot breath away from the visor in ultra-humid conditions .
THE LOWDOWN This is a quality bit of kit . It ’ s topdrawer in every aspect and doesn ’ t give away anything compared to the likes of Arai and Shoei , both of which I feel are very high quality and at the top of the helmet game . That carbon / Kevlar construction makes this one of the lightest helmets out there , which reduces rider fatigue . The venting works beautifully and the visors offer superb clarity . Match those things with venting that really works and the X-803 Ultra Carbon is a near perfect racing or trackbiased helmet .
68 KIWI RIDER