Given the rise in recognition of recent basic bikes lately, it’s solely pure that motorbike gear and attire would observe swimsuit. Identical to most main OEMs have at the very least a few retro-styled bikes of their catalogs, most main gear and helmet corporations have at the very least a few retro-styled objects to match these bikes. However the Italian firm DMD does it in another way.
DMD doesn’t simply dabble in café racer gear… they stay and breathe it. Living proof: the DMD Rivale retro full-face helmet.
Based mostly in Bergamo, an impossibly picturesque metropolis in Italy’s alpine Lombardy area, DMD focuses on helmets and attire. Particularly, helmets and attire that mix fashionable supplies and manufacturing processes, with all of the model and panache of yesteryear.
This family-owned enterprise traces its roots again to 1975 California. Whereas touring to the US, the patriarch of the household, Amilcare, determined to start out a bike gear import and distribution firm.
A few years later, he and his son, Davide, discovered themselves in a warehouse stuffed with archived motorbike merchandise from the 70s—and an thought was sparked.
Amilcare and Davide reasoned that the market was ripe for a contemporary remake of one of many helmets that they’d seen there. The neo-retro and new wave customized scenes had been solely simply beginning to blossom, and the marketplace for vintage-inspired gear was largely untapped. So, in 2007, DMD was launched, named after Amilcare’s children; Davide, Michela and Danila.
Since then, the corporate has produced a slew of classic model helmets—together with each open and full face designs, with and with out visors. The graphics vary from timeless strong colours, to occasional particular editions that characteristic bespoke illustrations from collaborators. Supplementing the model’s helmets is a full attire catalog, with jackets, pants, gloves, bandanas and extra.
DMD may need been born within the 70s, however the full face Rivale borrows its design from the motorbike and auto race helmets of the 80s and early 90s. Obtainable in an assortment of strong colours and tasteful graphics, it sports activities a minimalist aesthetic that’ll look proper at dwelling on something from a basic Ducati Pantah to a contemporary Triumph Bonneville. Slap a Marlboro or Elf decal on it, and you would simply mistake it for an outdated racing helmet.
Its shell is glossy and compact, punctuated solely by a pair of slim chin vents and really discreet branding. The outer shell makes use of a fiberglass and carbon kevlar composite, with two shell sizes throughout the five-size vary [XS to XL]. Inside, you’ll discover a comfortable anti-bacterial lining, with artificial leather-based trim so as to add a contact of sophistication. The liner is detachable, washable and even replaceable, plus it’s hella comfy towards your head.
The Rivale ships with a transparent visor, however you possibly can order a smoked protect for it too. The visor retainer bolts and guides feel and look strong, requiring an Allen key to take away, whereas a easy tab on the backside left of the visor snaps it into place whereas driving. Though the visor doesn’t have any stops on the way in which up or down, it’s straightforward to snap in and misplaced with gloves on.
The Rivale additionally contains a padded chin strap with a D-ring closure, and a detachable chin curtain. And regardless of its retro enchantment, it meets with the ECE 22.05 commonplace.
When you’re contemplating getting one, it’s price noting that the Rivale has a really close-fitting chin bar, and that its air flow is restricted. However these tradeoffs are what make the Rivale look nearly as good because it does (and apart from, the chin vents are simply adequate sufficient to cease the helmet from being stuffy). And it does look good; the off-white paint job is as tasteful because it will get, and each final piece of trim is tidily completed.
It additionally runs true to measurement, and received’t tire out your neck, exhibiting a decent 1,428 grams [3.15 lbs] on our scale. Out on the street, it isn’t fairly as quiet as some high-end touring helmets, however it’s aerodynamic sufficient to adequately mitigate extreme wind noise.
DMD used the identical course of to design and develop the Rivale that they do with all of their helmets, below the steering of Davide, who acts as the corporate’s CEO and lead designer. It began out as a sketch, earlier than shifting to digital design and simulations. From there, DMD constructed a prototype and began testing it—together with placing it in a wind tunnel.
As a household enterprise, the DMD staff is extraordinarily hands-on in the case of not solely helmet design, however testing too. The siblings share a love for bikes and journey, which informs and conjures up each determination they make.
When a brand new helmet is in prototype mode, they usually airbrush or hand-paint it to determine exactly which course to go in. And in the event you’re shopping for a DMD helmet, you possibly can make sure that it’s been worn and critiqued by the palms that designed it.
Add that have up, and the Rivale hits the mark for a easy, café racer-appropriate lid. It’s out there now immediately from DMD, beginning at €469 for strong colorways.
Produced in partnership with DMD
