Schuberth S3 Helmet Evaluation [Full-Face Protection from Germany]

The brand new and refined Schuberth S3 helmet has arrived within the US, providing rather more than its predecessors—the S2 Sport mannequin from 2017 and the S2 over a decade in the past. Schuberth is finest recognized for modular-style helmets, and the S mannequin vary, now simply the S3, is Schuberth’s solely full-face helmet, a direct descendent from a line that dates again to 1976.

I can solely theorize that the lengthy hole may have been brought on by some firm possession adjustments through the years and extra deal with its in style modular helmets. The Magdeburg, Germany-based model manufactures helmets for a lot of industries and functions, together with motorcycling and F1. It has been on a roll, relative to their historic timelines, for the final 16 months. In Might final 12 months, the brand new flagship C5 rolled out, adopted by the March debut of the E2, an ADV-style model of the C5. Enter the S3 this month.

In comparison with different main helmet producers, Schuberth is comparatively small. The corporate doesn’t change fashions typically; it’s recognized for incremental adjustments that go towards perfecting the roster. It’s a motive I discover Schuberth’s merchandise so properly performed and aesthetically interesting. There may be however one meeting line, so the brand new fashions are first produced with ECE certification for the EU. Then, when the wants of European patrons are met, Schuberth makes a number of adjustments to the meeting line and builds the DOT-approved fashions bought within the US.

Schuberth doesn’t create a dual-standard (ECE, DOT) helmet. As an alternative, the corporate focuses on the variations between ECE and DOT necessities and weight. In that point hole, Schuberth’s EU helmets are generally imported privately into the US. Nevertheless, these helmets shall be refused service, if ever wanted, at Schuberth’s California service middle. Anecdotally, the S3 is my 14th Schuberth helmet in 15 years—sure, Final Motorcycling retains my head busy—and none have ever required service. I’ve changed a number of face shields, however that’s all.

Talking of face shields, substitute on the S3, in addition to all the most recent Schuberth helmets, requires no instruments. Depress two small plastic levers within the hinge space and the face defend rotates up and out. Placing it again in merely requires aligning the brand new defend and rotating it down and on. They’re simply in regards to the best to swap of any helmet I’ve sampled.

The brand new Schuberth S3 I’m testing arrived in a candy Storm Silver colorway in my standard dimension—Giant.

After I first started the donning course of, I used to be satisfied the helmet was a lot too small. I pulled the straps as extensive as they might go and took a leap of religion that the fireplace division wouldn’t have to be referred to as to pry this helmet off my nostril. I’m exaggerating—a bit. Nevertheless, as soon as the S3 was totally on, I spotted it match completely—as my head does in all Schuberth dimension Giant merchandise. My outdated Schuberth SR1 racing helmet match equally. The helmet is hard to get on, and that’s a very good factor. Hold that in thoughts when making an attempt it on at a store with the assistance of a educated salesperson, which we suggest you all the time do.

With the Schuberth S3 on my head, I instantly observed the race-helmet match of the newly designed neck rolls. They’re fantastically molded to curve alongside the underside of the wearer’s jaw, lined with gentle polyester materials, and blended heavier-duty materials on the exterior sides.

The explanation for the tight neck rolls is wind and loud exhaust noise abatement. Modular helmets usually encompass the neck higher than full-face helmets as a result of one can open the entrance to enter after which shut the chin bar, so the seal might be constructed tighter. Full-face helmets are designed to be as tight across the jaw and neck as potential but nonetheless enable riders to get them on and off. No full-face helmet, of the numerous I’ve worn since ceaselessly, seals as properly across the backside or is as cussed to enter because the S3, and I like that quite a bit.

Schuberth claims the noise stage is 85 dB(A) at 100 km/h (62 mph). We take noise stage assertions with a grain of salt, as each head is totally different, and we can’t measure the sound stage reliably. Nevertheless, anecdotally, on my head, the S3 appears quieter than all of the others on my extensive shelf, and I credit score the neck roll design. Different components unquestionably come into play, together with the immediately processed glass fiber (Schuberth Direct Fiber Processing) shell strengthened with a basalt layer; it additionally improves shock absorption and weighs much less, in keeping with the producer. The contemporary interior shell sports activities a brand new dual-density EPS layer to additional shield your mind.

There’s a lot modified and much to speak about what Schuberth has developed for the reason that S2 of 2017. Schuberth’s wind tunnel helped them redesign the form to attenuate wind noise and enhance aerodynamics. Throughout days of using of each kind—city to freeway to canyons—I felt little drag, no oscillation or whistling, and 0 lift-tendency whereas carrying the Schuberth on each bare and faired bikes in any respect speeds.

Schuberth now presents various-sized head and cheek pads to permit a bespoke match. Known as the Particular person Program, it started with the C5. Whereas I’ve not tried it as a result of I’m a very good match proper out of the field, this feature could assist some riders who’ve said through the years that Schuberth was not a very good head form for them.

The Particular person Program caters to 5 totally different head shapes, various from spherical to excessive oval, with two kinds of cheek pads—Sport “for a extra aggressive and secure match” and Consolation “for a softer and looser match.” Particular person Program is on the market for M, L, and XL Schuberth helmets solely, and the corporate’s web site properly describes the measurements of every set to help in fitment. A pair of cheek pads runs $59, and the top pads are $35.

Additionally new is the Schuberth Rescue System—quick-release straps on the backside of every cheek pad. This allows rescue employees to take away the cheek pads and facilitate protected helmet elimination in emergencies. Schuberth joins different producers who’ve this essential function.

The chinstrap has been angled ahead barely for consolation, as with the C5 and E2, and Schuberth continues to make the most of the Anti-Roll-Off-System, because it has in all moto helmets for years. A pair of straps cleverly integrates with the chinstrap, tightening upon affect to forestall the helmet from rolling ahead off the rider’s head.

Naturally, the S3 retains Schuberth’s signature flip-down sunshield that, at one time, was distinctive to the model and attracted my first buy. There’s a pre-installed Pinlock anti-fog lens, as properly.

The chinstrap is a ratchet quite than a double-D-ring. It has felt-like backing tabs underneath the chinstrap hook-and-loop materials to safe and align the tabs earlier than affixing the ratchet strap. I’ve not seen this anyplace earlier than.

The S3 has double chin air intakes, like Schuberth’s C5 and E2. The higher is a tilt-forward kind. The decrease slides right down to open and are backed by a replaceable foam filter. They’re simple to seek out and function with gloved palms. I discovered that venting from the brand new double entrance chin air intakes elevated air quantity remarkably properly. The intakes on prime of the helmet appear to circulate nearly the identical quantity of air as did earlier fashions and is about common in comparison with business norms.

Homeowners of each the S3 and C5 helmets could like that the face shields are interchangeable. The face defend has been improved with a stiffer “metropolis” place detent, permitting higher-speed using with the defend within the smallest open place earlier than it slams shut. This new defend is on the market to retrofit early C5 helmets.

The S3, just like the C5 and E2, makes use of the Sena-sourced SC2 ($349) Bluetooth and mesh radio comm system that snaps into two locations on the helmet in about 5 minutes. The helmet is pre-wired with audio system (about 40mm by my ruler), a microphone, and three antennas (Bluetooth intercom, mesh intercom, and FM radio). Additionally it is prepared for Bluetooth and mesh intercoms, FM radio, phone integration, and music. I like that this unit will interface with most moto leisure methods, and BMW’s multi-controller operates the amount on most late fashions, which it has not performed with older and different model comm items.

My using kinds embrace sport, sport-touring, and cruising. I’ve many helmets from most main manufacturers, but I discover myself reaching for my Schuberth helmets greater than any others. The explanations are the match on my head, utility, high quality, and perceived security. I can’t ask for extra in a helmet, and the Schuberth S3 is the brand new king of my helmet shelf.

Schuberth S3 Quick Info

• Sizes: XS – XXXL (53 to 65)
• Certifications: DOT FMVSS No. 218
• Strong colours: Gloss White; Matte Black; Concrete Gray
• Graphics: Storm Blue; Storm Orange; Storm Silver

Schuberth S3 Costs: $499 (solids) and $599 (graphics)

Schuberth S3 Helmet Evaluation Picture Gallery