XDI X1 All season Jacket Review

Our take : One of the best designed mesh jackets available in India.

Features: Well Ventilated, detachable thermal and water proof liners, metal inserts on shoulders, Removable CE certified armors.

Also see : LS2 three season

Sunday evening I am lazing around at my office along with few of my best buddies, a half finished chai and few crumbs of maska pav are left on the table. There is tremendous amount of noise and it feels no different than being inside a Virar local train. Everyone present is pouring over and giving their opinion about the newly arrived jacket.

First Impression :

The X1 made by Xtreme Dynamics Inc. (quite a mouthful eh.) dubbed as XDI is quiet a beauty. With a sleek finish and tastefully done up exteriors, the jacket oozes style. The print along the reflective panels along with the metal inserts shouts premium with all letters in capitals. 

Build quality is top notch, made from 600D cordura and high quality boomerang mesh, the jacket feels sturdy to take on the asphalt in event of a crash. Cordura being relatively more abrasion resistant as compared to polyester, cotton or nylon (as per modified wyzenbek abrasion test) is the major component used in making this jacket. Strategically placed mesh panels above the chest and sides as well as at the back promotes high air flow.

The X1 also adapts well to different riding styles thanks to the stretch panels placed at the elbow and below the shoulder blades. The panels give enough room in case you want to ride in a more upright stance like on a street/cruiser bikes  or in a more aggressive stance on a sports bike.  The Velcro based adjustable straps at the waist and cuff makes sure that the jackets fits you well. Though we would have appreciated adjustable straps at the elbow as well, we are not complaining as the jacket fits perfectly and we really do not miss the elbow straps owing to the pre-curved sleeves which wraps around your arms.

The X1 has you covered for everything that mother nature can throw at you, a thermal liner keeps you warm during those cold rides and a 100% waterproof liner AKA Hydra-seal liner as XDI calls it, keeps you dry during those heavy down pours. The icing on the cake is that both these liners are detachable and hence you can wear just the outermost mesh and cordura shell during those hot summers. Hence, this is a ideal jacket for the Indian climate.

The X1 comes with CE certified removable armours in elbow and shoulders which comprises of a custom molded external ABS shell and polyethylene foam on the inside.  

The jacket is also equipped with a removable pre-curved dual density foam armor in the back certified to EN  1621 standards. 

Obviously the top brasses at XDI were not happy with just the basic armours and hence have added re-inforced metal inserts on the shoulder area for greater protection in event of a nasty spill.

Visibility is often something that is sacrificed for looks and hence we are happy with the way the X1 has been designed with reflective prints and panels placed on the chest and back. This is a boon for people who ride during late evenings, as poor visibility often results in higher number of accidents.

The XDI X1 gets two external pockets and one internal waterproof pocket for storing things like wallets phones etc. The zippers used on the jackets are made by YKK which are renowned for their strength and durability.

The Ride :

We were lucky enough to get an Ideal climate to test the jacket as it was quite sunny in the afternoon and it started raining in the evening and became quite chilly once the rains subsided.

We rode for around 180 Kms and the ventilation works well with the cold air being sucked in from the front mesh panels and the heat getting pushed out from the rear. We halted for a quick tea around 5pm and it started pouring by the time we finished. As we had another 70 kms to go before we could reach the warm confines of our office we attached both the liners as it had become quite chilly.

The thermal and the Hydra-seal liners work as a charm, it kept us quite warm and dry except for few dribbles from the neck which managed to find its way behind the collar of the jacket. An extremely smart thinking on the part of the people who designed the hydra-seal liners is that they have given a extra flap on these liners which sits behind the main zipper of the jacket (if you align it properly) and hence even though water penetrates through the zipper the extra flap forms a barrier and keeps you dry.

The X1 is currently available in two colours i.e. stealth black and black white orange combo in sizes ranging from medium to 3XL.

Final Verdict :

The X1 is a well designed and well thought out product. We believe when it comes to quality style and affordability none of the current brands come close  to the X1. The detachable liners makes it a true all season jacket. To sum it up the XDI X1 is where form meets functionality and affordability and if you are thinking of getting a motorcycle jacket the X1 definitely makes it among the list of top contenders.

Russel J
Prostreet Motorcycle Gear
www.prostreetstore.com

LS2 FF350 / FF351 Review

Our take : Good quality mid-range helmet for the brand conscious.

Features: Optimum ventilation, Quick release visor, Detachable Washable liners, EPS Padding.

Also See: THH TS41, AXR 806

It's a beautiful Friday morning and I can smell the freshly brewed coffee. The clock on the wall reminds me its 9 am.

The weather is pleasant and I am sitting at the terrace garden of my brothers place in cochin (Kerala). The view from the garden reminds me why Kerala is called 'Gods own country'. Back in Mumbai you can't afford to get a terrace garden unless you are born with a silver spoon....oops gold...no...platinum...nah .... diamond spoon in your mouth. However, all the riches in the world can't get you this view in Mumbai . 

My thought process was broken by a sudden tap on my shoulder, I turned around and saw my brother standing with a swanky new helmet in his hand.

"New lid bro" I exclaimed, "yeah, LS2 Rookie One" came the reply. 

I scooped the lid from his hand to check out the graphics and any new features LS2 might have added.

First impression:

The lid is the same as the earlier LS2 FF350/FF351 models .Made with High impact thermo plastic as LS2 calls it, the helmet shell seems solid . The FF350/FF351 is certified to ECE standards. It has a more rounded shape so people with slimmer head size might find the helmet a bit loose. Currently the model is available only in L size in India and people who find another size may need to verify its authenticity with the company.

Ventilation seems to be adequate with a large adjustable intake port on the forehead and another one near the riders mouth. 

Two exhaust vents are located on the back of the riders head. The adjustable vents are easy to manage with the gloves on so no complaints there.

The mesh covering the rear vents came loose on three helmets when we received our latest consignment of LS2 FF351 and hence this might be a problem which one might face after buying the helmet.

Talking about the interiors of the helmet the EPS liners are basic , nothing unique to point out but I do admire the perfection and the fit thanks to the laser cut padding's. The liners are removable and washable, but as I advise majority of the buyers out there, if you use your helmet regularly it makes sense to invest in a balaclava and wash the helmet liners only once in a while as constant washing causes the foam to deteriorate over time.

Visor on the LS2 is a five stage adjustable the clicks are not so sturdy like seen on some of the other brands in the market nevertheless it should work just fine. 

The visor mechanism is a quick release system, however as there are no buttons it is a trouble to remove and put it back together unless you are used to it. It is more of a problem as the helmet comes fitted with a mercury visor as standard and you are unable to find the slots for fitting the visor as you cannot see through the mercury coating.

A breath guard has been provided in order to reduce visor fogging during long rides.

The chinstrap lock is a micro metric type so it is easier to operate than the double d ring types.  A major flaw pointed out by one of my friends on this helmet is the length of the chin strap. We had not observed this on earlier FF350 models so we are not sure if the length has been shortened on the new models however people with a long facial structure might find the length of the chinstrap to be inadequate even when it's at the maximum.

The beading on the bottom fits perfectly however, we are still skeptical about it  as we have encountered quite a few instances on the earlier FF350/FF351 models of the beading coming off within 4-8 months depending on the usage. On the contrary we have also come across lot of customers who have used the lid without facing this problem for more than two years. So it is not definite that you will encounter this issue but there is a rather high possibility.

The Ride :

I took the helmet for a spin and that's where the LS2 scores quite well. Wind noise levels inside the helmet are bare minimum till 95 kmph. Post 125 kmph it becomes loud. The visor seal is really good and no whistling noise is audible. Ventilation works well when in motion, as it was quite warm the visor started to fog up a bit when I stopped at the red signal, however as soon as I gunned the machine at the green light the visor cleared up almost instantly.

The only thing which is missing on the FF350 is a chin curtain which would have reduced the wind noise levels further and at the current price range the omission of the chin curtain is quite disappointing especially when majority of the competitors offer the same on less costing models.

The LS2 FF350/351 is available in both solid colours and graphics.

Affordability: The helmet currently commands an MRP of Rs.4400 in India.

Final Verdict: The LS2 FF350/351 is a good helmet with very few flaws, a year ago this would have been the best helmet available at this price range, however at the current MRP it is not the most value for money product as there are other helmets now available in India with more features at a lesser cost.

So if you are looking for a good helmet and are the brand conscious types the LS2 FF350/351 will serve you well.  


Russel J
Prostreet Motorcycle Gear
www.prostreetstore.com

AXR 806 Review

Our take : High quality lid with excellent design and pricing.

Features: Well Ventilated, Quick release visor, Detachable Washable liners, EPS Padding.

Also See: Vega Axor, LS2 FF351/350, THH TS41, SOL SL-68S/68S II

 Available in India through Ryder Helmets the AXR series is all set to take on the middle weight champions dominating the Indian helmet industry.

I was spending my day as usual at my store pushing papers around. My phone rang and the voice on the other end said "your parcel has arrived". I was anxiously looking forward to a new lid sent by Ryder Helmets. Just the other day I had received a call from them informing me of the launch of a new range of helmets called AXR. When I heard that the helmet will be better than the mid range brands available in the market I was a bit doubtful, nevertheless I called for a demo piece and after 5 days of wait the helmet had finally arrived.

I rushed out to collect the parcel and few minutes later I was sitting with the lid in my hands.

First Impression:

The model we received called AXR 806 looks and feels solid. Made from High Impact ABS the quality of the shell looks top notch. The swept back design reminds you of MT and Shiro range of helmets. The sharp lines running from the jaw to the back of the helmet and the swept back  portion on the rear encasing the vents gives the helmet a sporty look and puts it among the other imported brands available in the market.

The company has also worked well on ventilation  by placing an adjustable vent near the riders mouth , another adjustable inlet near the forehead  and four fixed exhaust vents at the rear to push out the heat.

The poly carbonate vents and sliders to close them feel sturdy. As the new generation of riders believe in using all the possible protective gears while riding the sliders of the vents are large enough to be easily operated with the gloves on. 

A reflector is also incorporated between the rear exhaust vents which will provide added visibility in poorly lit areas.

The next on the list was the visor. You pull up the visor and the clicks you hear pushing the visor into the slot gives you the feeling that the product is premium. Though we would have liked a few more slots the two stage adjustable visor doesn't disappoint at all.  

We also liked the quick swap mechanism which involves just a press and twist and the visor comes off, it is much easier to use than the ones found on brands like LS2,SOL etc.

A peek on the inside of the helmet and you will realise what premium grade material is all about. Right from the perfectly fitted beading at the bottom and the stylish EPS interiors everything oozes quality. 

AXR 806 comes with a fully removable and washable liners in order to keep your helmet fresh post hitting the dirt. One of the things we normally do is to pull of the removable cheek pads to see how the company has worked on the product in areas that do not meet the eye (it speaks volumes of quality) like the area behind the removable cheek pads.Fortunately the manufacturers have managed to keep up the promise and it puts some of the much expensive brands like SOL to shame.

The lid comes with a breath guard, chin curtain and a micro-metric quick release chinstrap.

We were happy to see that the helmet carries a dual certification (ECE and DOT) and hence we are confident that it will be able to handle the worst possible situation. We took the Lid out for a spin to test the stability and noise levels. The fit is really good (but then again it varies from person to person) and high speed stability is top notch. We rode for a good 80kms and the vents do their job to keep you cool. Noise level (turbulence)  kicks in around the 100 kmph range (please note we are not using balaclavas while testing) and shoots up once you cross the 135 kmph mark which is common in the mid-range helmets and a notch better (thanks to the chin curtain) than some other lids in similar or more expensive bracket. A special mention that the visor stays put even when open halfway unlike the few other expensive models we have seen.

The AXR 806 is available in both Solid colours and graphics.The manufacturers have promised a lot of new graphics and models to hit the market soon.

Affordability: The helmet retails for MRP Rs.3980 inclusive of taxes.

Final Verdict: The AXR 806 is an excellent display of High quality and precision engineering. The product is definitely well designed and the quality does exceed few of the other much expensive lids. Though the helmet might not be in the affordable range, with the increase of disposable income in India this will be a smart investment. So if you have the budget and are looking out for something different the AXR 806 is one hell of a lid to go in for.

Russel J
Prostreet Motorcycle Gear

www.prostreetstore.com