Wednesday 10th December 2003

Smooth Helmet

New lightweight technology keeps your cranium cool and safe

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Helmet technology is about to enter a new era. A new carbon fibre and Kevlar helmet that weighs less that a kilo could set a new trend in the world of bonce protection. It's makers also claim that it is the most aerodynamic helmet ever manufactured.

BMW's SportIntegral Carbon helmet weighs a paltry 999 grams and their wind tunnel testing using a bloke with a very strong neck enabled BMW to create a helmet with excellent aerodynamic stability and streamlining properties. The product, which will be made available "unbadged", was tested by six riders in the 2003 BoxerCup series.

The design includes an extra-high rear rim specficially for riders of sports bikes who adopt a more crouched position. Sweaty foreheads are cooled effectively thanks to negative pressure dragging air through the hat.

Despite fulfilling all racing requirements, the SportIntegral Carbon’s features also make it suitable for road and sports bike riding. For example, the interior lining is made of DuPont Coolmax – an active breathing synthetic fibre, which absorbs moisture and diverts it away from the scalp – and is extremely quiet in use. The standard visor is scratch resistant and anti-fog, and has a facility for the use of peel-off film, or tear-offs.

The SportIntegral Carbon is finished only with a layer of transparent paint so that the helmet’s distinctive carbon fibre is visible. Currently undergoing ACU testing (for racing use) the BMW SportIntegral Carbon will retail at approximately £800 and will be available in March 2004.

[gemini]

Yahoo - nice lid - who will be the first for track days?

[BarryG]

Use the force, Luke....

[Roy C]

So, they found the dead Stig's head.

[whoozit]

Mmmmm, me want. But £800??

[Don]

whoozit said:

Mmmmm, me want. But £800??

My thoughts exactly. My top of the line Schoei was under £300. OK its no match in weight and technology but it does protect the old noggin and only gets used occasionally. If I was riding a bike on a daily basis I'd be more likely to go for it I think...

[sagalout]

Invisible paint too eh....

[TonyF]

Where do you place orders for one, anyony know ?

[Podie]

"SMOOTH HELMET"

[M@H]

sagalout said:

Invisible paint too eh....

Beat that for marketing...

[Nacnud]

Not sure about it keeping your head cool. I once made a carbon skinned glider wing (two part epoxy resin vacum bagged onto a foam core). Under direct sunshine it actually got too hot to touch (much hotter than black gloss paint).

I eventually painted the wing as I was seriously worried about the heat weakening the wing.