Helmets are a basic motorbike safety equipment that protects the most vulnerable & crucial part of our body, which is why every rider tries his best to get his hands on the best helmet available in the market. However, the best helmets are accompanied by a high price tag that contributes to the fact that they are sometimes out of reach for some who reach out to cheaper helmets which can turn out to be knock-offs and just don’t have what it takes to protect in case of an accident. But there do exist some exceptions, which is evident from Nitro’s entire lineup of helmets that are not only aesthetically pleasing but are also made to provide adequate protection in case of an impact. This review entails my experience with Nitro’s N302 entry-level helmet that in all truthfulness has changed my views about entry-level/affordable motorbike gear.
The Nitro N302 on the outside seems just like any other budget helmet on the market, but what makes it somewhat different from others is its build quality which just seems a level above its class. Moreover, the N302 lineup is available in a multitude of variations, whether it be the size or the colors, which provides a good option to every class of rider. The helmet I bought seemed a bit tight for my head from the outside, but thankfully, there was enough room for my head to fit in, therefore, it will be a good idea to place an order only after confirming your head’s circumference.
The Nitro full-face helmet not only performs well on the aesthetics, but it also does well when it comes to safety and other features. The polycarbonate shell gives the helmet the desired robustness and at the same time keeps its weight light enough, which is why I didn’t experience any neck pain after an hour-long ride. The washable padding is also quite welcoming and is attached tight enough to the core to keep the wind whistle away from the rider’s ears. The scratch-resistant visor also does its part in providing a quiet ambiance all the while providing an almost 180° line of sight.
The recent hot spell has made us all realize the importance of a proper ventilation system, luckily the Nitro N302 comes with ample ventilation slots on the front and the rear that does their job very efficiently. Lastly, the most important question a lot of you would be asking would be the safety certification which I was also looking for when placing an order for this helmet. The 2021 model of the N302 comes certified with the ECE 22.05 safety rating that, in the end, finalized my order for Nitro’s full-face helmet.
Nitro N302 has proven to be a great affordable helmet for me, that in addition to being ECE-certified, has some additional extras to offer that are relatively unheard of for a helmet of this class & price. If you are hunting for an affordable motorbike helmet that promises optimum safety then look no further, Nitro N302 has got you covered.
How good is a budget helmet? I sometimes wonder what is it that we pay for when buying an item. Is it the brand, the quality, the materials, or the service? I find this even more important when it comes to safety, especially something like a motorcycle helmet. I must admit, I did have some doubts. (checkout Maja’s review of motorcycle helmet inspection service)
I decided to try the Nitro Helmet on a short ride to start with. It’s what I normally do with any new helmet to get used to it. The first impressions were really good. The helmet looks and feels well finished. I especially love the matt paint finish. There are vents on the chin and at the top of the helmet that you can control with the sliding mechanism.
I especially like the internal tinted visor and the fact that they have moulded the helmet to allow for the specs wearers to use their glasses inside the helmet. The internal visor is operated by the sliding mechanism on the left hand side of the helmet.
The external visor system feels very sturdy and easy to change the position of the visor from closed to open. It is also easy to remove and put back and it comes pinlock ready although no pinlock included, and to be fair, I didn’t expect it at this price.
The helmet is, of course, ACU approved and carries the gold sticker on the back.
Once the helmet was on I did feel the padding wasn’t quite enough. My cheeks are normally pressed against the internal padding but on this one, I still have plenty of room. Whilst the crown of the head is firmly held by the liner and doesn’t move when I hold the helmet still and move my head left to right, it is not the same for my face. The plus side of this is that my ears are not constricted in any way and wearing my moulded earplugs meant I had no pressure on my ears like in some helmets.
It didn’t seem particularly noisy when out riding but it is noisier than my other helmets, not by much, just enough to notice.
Whilst testing the helmet I had the opportunity to send it off for a non-destructive inspection to find out if a £90 is safe to use. It came back with a big tick of approval. Yes, it passed the inspection and I was really pleased to see that we have a solid British helmet manufacturer that caters to entry-level helmets that not only look good but are safe, too.
Helmets are a prerequisite for any rider and their importance cannot be neglected under any circumstances. Most bikers head to the mainstream helmet brands, but there are some reasonably priced & well-built helmets available in the market. Nitro’s F440 series surely is a part of such helmets. We try out the Nitro F440 Modular Helmet whilst out and about on a test ride
The F440 is a flip-up helmet, on of the main concern of anyone including me, when buying or considering a flip-front/modular helmet is its structural integrity or the safety it provides since its chin guard is retractable. However, these concerns quickly vanished in the air in the case of Nitro’s F440 as it is ECE 22.05 certified which provided me with peace of mind that the flip-front mechanism or even the helmet itself won’t crumble in case of a crash. Speaking of the flip-front mechanism, the flipping mechanism is quite smooth and easy to locate when riding a motorbike and the field of view significantly improves upon raising the chin guard which obviously is the main selling point of any flip-front/modular helmet in the first place.
Part of the reason behind the structural integrity of the helmet is the use of polycarbonate in its shell that makes it rigid enough to withstand harsh impacts. Moreover, there are ample air vents available to keep the rider’s head cool, but the flip-front mechanism proved to be a blessing in disguise for me in the recent scorching heatwave. The plush liner not only is quite welcoming but at the same time can be removed in a minute or so if you want to give it a good wash.
The pin-lock prepared visor and the micrometric chin strap provided played an important part in making this helmet ECE 22.05 certified. Overall, the helmet might seem a bit regular to you, but the features and the ECE certification combined with a highly attractive price tag make for a great flip-front helmet that truly deserves attention from anyone looking to buy a good yet affordable helmet.
Nitro, a growing brand based on the principle of good-looking, super-safe helmets at wallet-friendly prices, is bringing a series of their latest models to the UK.
With prices ranging from as little as £49.99 to £129.99 and all models meeting or exceeding the latest European safety regulations, the Nitro helmet range is something to consider for kids and adults alike.
The brand-new range of Nitro motorcycle helmets spans the full-face road motorcycle helmets, the N302 Uno; the N540 DVS; and the F440 Flip Front DVS. This new range accompanies the recent launch of the latest Nitro motocross and enduro helmet, the MX700.
Road Helmets
The Nitro N302 is an entry-level road helmet featuring a sleek and stylish design with, of course, the latest ECE 22.05 standards met. Available in black or white, in sizes ranging from XS to XXL, this helmet features chin bar ventilation, a fully adjustable visor, quad rear exhaust vents and a removable and washable liner system to help riders stay fresh and well-ventilated all day long, even on the hottest days… Whenever the sun feels like coming out, anyway.
Meanwhile, the Nitro N540 is a level-up, featuring a dual visor system (flip-down shades) for safety when riding in summer months, as well as even more adjustable ventilation points across the whole helmet, including a mono rear exhaust vent which can be open or closed. The lining and cheek pads are designed for a luxury fit and remain fully removable for cleaning.
For riders who prefer the convenience of a flip-front motorcycle helmet, the Nitro F440 Flip Front DVS is the perfect solution. Available in a range of striking colours from Satin Black and Gunmetal to the loud Gloss Safety Yellow, the latest flip-front helmet from Nitro features plenty of ventilation, a dual visor system, removable liners and an extra-wide 3D injected visor to enable riders to enjoy the view when riding, and of course, to be more aware of their surroundings.
Off-Road Helmets
Further to its launch just before Christmas in 2020, the Nitro MX700 Uno and Holeshot remains a highly popular off-road helmet, available in impactful orange, red, blue or black designs for incorporation into any racewear, and offering plenty of ventilation, removable and washable liners and cheek pads, an integrated mouth guard/dust filter with side air intakes for optimal breathability, and an extra-wide eye port to enable riders to stay ahead of their competition on the motocross track or enduro trail.
Every Nitro helmet with a visor is Pinlock-prepared for customisability.
To order your new motorcycle helmet, head into your local bike shop and ask for Nitro helmets.
Bickers have announced the arrival of the new Nitro MX700 Motocross full face helmet.
The new and improved design of the Nitro MX700 helmet, replaces the iconic MX620 design. The new helmet consists of all new natural race-inspired graphics and it is now easier than ever to find a Nitro MX700 helmet that will complement your bike and riding gear.
The all new Nitro MX700 Helmet includes a variety of high-end features. The helmet features a wide eye port ensuring peripheral vision is paramount. The helmet will ensure your head stays cool, even in the warmest of riding conditions, due to an 100% increase in rear exhaust ventilation and the new MX700 is equipped with a fully removable and machine washable liner and cheek pad system, allowing the helmet to stay fresher for longer. Nitro’s all new MX700 helmet is also ACU gold approved and is fitted with the Latest ECE22.05 standard compliant MPT (Multi Poly Tech) constructed MX shell.
Nitro is one of the leading brands in the motorcycle industry, bringing high-end specifications and designs at affordable prices. The new MX700 Helmets are available in a range of sizes, with the new MX700 Holeshot helmet available in a range colour ways and both adult and junior sizes.
Nitro has announced the launch of an all-new off-road helmet, with the introduction of the MX620 collection that caters for both adult and junior riders.
Featuring a wide and deeper aperture, the MX620 benefits from a reinforced chinbar with an integrated dust filter minimising ingress during race conditions, while the fully adjustable peak with aluminium mounts helps with vision in direct sunlight.
Aiding rider comfort further, the MX620 collection features Nitro’s extensive ventilation technology, combining the twin brow air intakes with a dual 3-piece construction rear exhaust and central top exhaust ventilation outlet too.
On top of the efficient ventilation system, the MX620 features the brand’s Anatomic luxury cheek pads, while benefitting from the easy-to-use DD ring strap and buckle system.
Upon announcing the MX620, Nitro distributor and Bickers managing director, Derek McMartin, commented, “We are extremely pleased to be able to launch this new collection from Nitro. The MX620 is a great showcase for the R&D that goes into all Nitro products, while continuing to bring exceptional value to the market at the same time. We’re confident that the MX620 will prove to be extremely popular with off-road riders.”
The MX620 collection is available in a choice of seven designs, with recommended retail prices starting at £59.99 for the junior range, with the adult solid colour and graphic versions at £69.99 and £79.99 respectively – all versions are available via the Bickers and Nitro authorised dealer network. To find your nearest Nitro stockist, please visit www.bickersplc.com/find-a-dealer
For more information on the Nitro range, please visit www.nitrorider.co.uk
Bickers has announced it has been chosen as the exclusive supplier of Nitro motorcycle helmets in the UK. The good, better and best motorcycle parts and accessories distributor will stock a full range of head protection, including new MX adult and junior helmets, which will be available to dealers just ahead of the Christmas rush.
The appointment of Bickers forms part of the global distribution strategy from Nitro’s owners, Group Lloyd, to help expand the business beyond the 60 countries it currently sells into and ensure every market is serviced by a specialised national distributor. The move sees Bickers re-enter the helmet market, the first since moving its business to its current 4.5-acre site in 2006, with Nitro’s products joining a range of esteemed firms, including Motorex oils, RK Chains and Ferodo brake pads and discs.
Bickers will continue Nitro’s rich history of designing exceptionally well specified helmets, which represent outstanding value for money, whilst also working closely with the Nitro product team to ensure that new models are designed specifically for the UK market using dealers’ feedback. The first models to arrive will be the all new MX 620 helmets for both adults and juniors. The ideal Christmas present for any motorcycling fan, the firm will also stock a full range of full/open/flip-up and adventure helmets, as well as specialist head protection with integral drop-down visors.
The Group Lloyd team in the UK, Darren Snow and David Brown, who between them have 23 years’ experience selling Nitro helmets to UK dealers, will be working with the Bickers sales team to ensure a smooth transition for all Nitro’s current dealers.
Speaking about the addition of Nitro products to its range, Derek McMartin, Bickers managing director, commented: “Having the Nitro brand join the Bickers family is special for us in more ways than one. Not only are we adding yet another industry leading brand to our world-class offering, but we are also continuing a tradition of working closely with Group Lloyd. The founder of the company, George Lloyd, worked closely with my father for 40 years, and I am proud to be continuing that by working with his daughter, Vicky Lloyd, and the whole Group Lloyd Team. I am positive that adding Nitro helmets to the Bickers range will prove to be an extremely fruitful relationship for everyone involved, and we can’t wait for customers to get their hands on these top quality products.”
Vicky Lloyd confirmed, “We are pleased to announce that Bickers will be the exclusive distributor of Nitro Helmets in the UK and Ireland. Appointing Bickers was an easy choice and having worked with them over the last months I can confirm that their reputation truly does precede them. The entire team is both knowledgeable and enthusiastic which we are sure will translate to an exceptional service for the UK Nitro dealer network.”
As a result of Bickers adding Nitro helmets to its extensive portfolio of products, the firm has appointed Mark Taylor as helmet, clothing and accessories brand manager. Mark will oversee Nitro and many other brands in the sector as Bickers look to expand its offering in the near future.
Bickers was established 40 years’ ago and has unrivalled understanding of the motorcycle parts and accessories market in the UK. It works in partnership with its dealers to facilitate strong profit margins and continued consumer loyalty.
Nitro helmets
Nitro® exploded out of the beautiful English Lake District and onto the international motorcycle scene at the start of the Millennium and changed the helmet market forever. Company founder George Lloyd, already a successful name within the motor industry for over 50 years, saw the opportunity in a market dominated by expensive brand names. Within years of inception Nitro® had sold over 5 million helmets into 60 countries worldwide based on this value philosophy – high end specifications and features of the market leaders but at affordable prices everyday bikers and enthusiasts wanted.
Today the brand continues this trajectory offering a wide collection of products based on this founding principle. Nitro® – a name you can have confidence in whatever you ride, wherever you ride it.
Motorcycle Industry News and Images mainly from UK
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