Based mostly on a few years of driving in Schuberth helmets, I do know any new mannequin shall be a critical addition to the corporate’s spectacular lineup. I base this assertion on Schuberth’s historical past of lengthy improvement instances, restricted fashions, and incremental enhancements to its helmet whereas in manufacturing. The just-released Schuberth Efficiency C5 Carbon is outdated and new—outdated within the sense that it’s an improve to the modular C5, and new in that it’s a helmet with a carbon fiber outer shell and a Kevlar internal shell.
The Schuberth Efficiency C5 Carbon is constructed by the identical arms in Schuberth’s Italian manufacturing unit that create the F1 helmets worn by Max Verstappen, Sergio Pérez, Daniel Ricciardo, Mick Schumacher, and Nico Hülkenberg. Schuberth Efficiency is a division of Schuberth GmbH of Magdeburg, Germany, and may be likened to Mercedes’ AMG division, from which its pinnacle merchandise for motorsports are produced. The C5 Carbon is the primary motorbike helmet from Schuberth Efficiency.
I reviewed the C5 in Might 2022, and, aside from the supplies used to construct the helmet shell, the practical particulars described in that evaluation stay fixed. Carbon fiber supplants the fiberglass shell, and Kevlar replaces basalt within the internal lining, so the C5 Carbon is loads lighter than the usual C5. 6.7 ounces lighter!
The C5 Carbon permits the interchangeability of some elements with different Schuberth helmets. The C5 Carbon makes use of the identical face protect, solar protect, SC2 communication system (prewired audio system, antennas), and Particular person Idea fitment kits as the usual C5. The options and features stay the identical, because the helmet now has a brand new shell and lining, but it follows the identical lamination course of utilized in Schuberth’s Method 1 helmets.
Prior to now, Schuberth supplied the C4 Professional in carbon fiber. Nonetheless, that was constructed within the method that different producers of carbon helmets use to at the present time. Different carbon helmets in the marketplace use a moist layup or balloon methodology to create their shells. The sort of development permits imperfect and undesirable ratios of resin to supplies and sometimes reveals many defects within the look of the carbon weave within the completed product. That is one purpose many carbon helmets have painted areas to cowl imperfections.
Schuberth put three years of improvement into the C5 Carbon, which, as talked about, is constructed by the corporate’s F1 technicians. It takes about 5 hours to make a shell, and every shell is created by the identical particular person technician from begin to end—one particular person per shell.
To fulfill exacting resin-to-material ratio requirements, Schuberth makes use of pre-impregnated carbon fiber that should be saved underneath refrigeration at 0 levels Fahrenheit till it’s CNC-cut into exact shapes and weave patterns, after which hand-laminated into the carbon fiber mildew. This should be carried out quickly, because the resin deteriorates rapidly at room temperature. As soon as the shell is laid up, it’s vacuum-wrapped and put into an autoclave at a set temperature and stress for the curing cycle. The chinbar is constructed from fiberglass as it isn’t attainable to fabricate a carbon fiber chinbar utilizing the Schuberth Efficiency course of
As soon as cured, the Schuberth Efficiency C5 Carbon undergoes a rigorous high quality verify course of. It’s trimmed by a waterjet, painted clear gloss, and polished. After this course of, the helmet is assembled in its accomplished type, will get a remaining inspection, and is slipped right into a premium padded Schuberth Efficiency helmet bag.
Another particulars embody the identical small lever that can lock the chinbar within the up place to permit protected driving on this place, as with the C5. This helmet is DOT FMVSS No. 218 authorized for the US market. In Europe, the Schuberth C5 Carbon meets the ECE-R 22.06 commonplace and has Homologation P/J (Protecting/Jet), which implies the helmet is authorized to be used with the chin bar in both the open or closed place.
The Schuberth C5 Carbon suits me completely. The place the liner touches my head is agency, reminding me that will probably be much more comfy after a number of extra break-in miles because the helmet conforms to my delicate head contours. I’ve at all times been a dimension massive in Schuberth, and the Carbon C5 match is precisely the identical as that of the C5 and S3.
It’s no shock the C5 Carbon appears like my C5 whereas driving—it’s neither quieter nor noisier. Even with the brand new shell and lining, the noise ranking stays the identical as the unique C5—85 db at 62 miles per hour, per Schuberth’s specs. In real-world testing, the C5 Carbon is without doubt one of the quietest helmets I’ve examined, if not the quietest. Moreover, the C5 Carbon has the identical steady feeling because the C5, with no elevate, whistling, or oscillation.
My dimension massive C5 with the SC2 communications bundle put in weighs simply lower than 4.08 kilos. The dimensions massive C5 Carbon with the SC2 put in weighs 3.66 kilos, a 6.7-ounce weight financial savings. Weights have been measured on our official ultra-precise Final Motorcycling postage scale. This important weight discount is instantly noticeable when dealing with and donning the helmet, and when driving.
The 6.7-ounce weight discount, C5 options, and the feel and appear of the finely hand-laid carbon weave have immediately elevated the Schuberth C5 Carbon helmet to the highest spot on my huge helmet shelf. With an MSRP of $1499, this helmet won’t enchantment to the budget-minded. We are going to see them adorning the heads of those that will need to have the best modular motorbike helmet obtainable and respect the F1 expertise infusion. Spending $1499 on a modular helmet when many touring bikes are promoting for north of $25,000 shouldn’t be a stretch and in case you are a long-distance rider or have neck or again points, the burden discount could also be a fatigue-reducing vary extender. The Schuberth C5 Carbon modular motorbike helmet is the embodiment of good type assembly demanding perform.
Schuberth C5 Carbon Specs
- Sizes: XS – XXXL; 53 – 65
- Shell: Carbon fiber
- Chin bar: Fiberglass
- Certifications: ECE-R 22.06; Homologation P/J
Schuberth C5 Carbon Worth: $1499 MSRP
Schuberth C5 Carbon Evaluate Photograph Gallery
