In the US that equivalent is the ANSI Z80.3-2010 standard which means it should give about as much protection as a pair of shades – and includes a test to ensure it won’t burst into flames. Which is always good to know! Sena have pretty well got the looks right in terms of making it your traditional classic-styled open face helmet because that’s what most folks will be looking for, just with that added bluetooth headset. Arai RX-7 Evo | Considered by many to be the pinnacle of full-face sports helmets, the RX-7 offers excellent venting, though it does come at a premium price.

As the average head shape varies around the world, some manufacturers make different shaped lids for different regions; besides the fact you won’t have a useful warranty, it’s not recommended to buy a helmet from overseas. Shoei ex-zero | This visor-less retro-styled full-face lid is dearer than the AGV, but it does include a drop-down sun-shield. It’s a close-call between this and the AGV X101 for styling, but judge it on fit and whether you want a sun-shield. I loved wearing this on the Ducati Diavel launch. Shoei have made the sun visor a bit longer than the old J-Cruise too. That’s often welcome as there’s always a few folks saying their sun visor doesn’t drop down low enough (just like we found with the J-Cruise I).

Beyond Bluetooth

OK, the bluetooth headset integration is why you’re going to buy a Sena Savage, so here’s the score. Until relatively recently, eight was about the largest group that could be included via intercom at the same time. Now we have Bluetooth Mesh, which theoretically can allow as many people into a group as you want: the maximum we’ve seen so far is 24, which is pretty impressive. The only problem is that Bluetooth Mesh doesn’t play well with other devices, which means you lose GPS and FM radio. That isn’t really acceptable to most, so manufacturers have added a second Bluetooth processor to restore full functionality. The downside is cost. At the moment, Bluetooth Mesh-enabled helmets are among the most expensive. Added functionality Running along one of the straps is the microUSB charging port, making it easy to get to. It’s not got any weather protection, so while I haven’t had any problems –and open face helmets aren’t the usual choice of all-weather commuters – it’s just worth being aware of, if only to make sure it’s dry before plugging the charger in. If neither of those peaks suit, then because it’s a universal fit 3 stud fitment, you should be able to push on more or less any other 3 stud peak (most are adjustable so they fit) and there’s a range of modern and retro visors out there that should fit too.

If that sounds good to you and you’re in the market for a no nonsense, classic open face helmet, then you should probably read on to find out more about the Sena Savage bluetooth open face helmet.AGV X101 | The AGV has a chin section that makes it more of a visor-less full-face… there’s no drop-down sun-shield fitted, but retro styling and higher levels of safety than an open-face make this one of our favourite lids for hot weather and looking cool. More expensive helmets will often have more expensive materials in their construction. The cheapest have a polycarbonate outer shell, which is fine but it’s potentially more vulnerable to degradation (especially from petrol), and can’t be painted.

So, Shoei’s taken that first helmet and tried to make the J-Cruise II that bit better in what seems to be more or less every area. They say it’s slightly lighter, better venting, has improved aero, a better sealing main visor and a slightly deeper sun visor. The Sena Savage on review here is an open-face helmet with a built-in Bluetooth intercom. I’ve been wearing it while riding several bikes, including the Kawasaki Vesys 1000 and Honda MSX125, but it’s best suited to custom, cruiser and street machines… Bluetooth motorcycle helmets rely on rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Depending on the model, you’ll generally get between 5 and 8 hours of continuous talk time — so you can use it pretty much all day — and a week or more on standby. You can’t damage the battery by recharging it, however frequently you do it, so it’s not a bad idea to get into the habit of topping it up overnight. Sound quality In terms of safety then, it’s a classic styled open face helmet and should at least achieve the protection levels of the helmet standard you’re buying. ECE – for sure (they’re tested before hitting the market) DOT– hopefully (they’re designed to surpass the standard then some are batch tested after they hit the shelves). Helmet Noise (more about helmet noise) LS2 Bob | With a drop-down sunshield and a removable peak, the retail price is good, our only small criticism being of the sunshield.It’s fair to say that Shoei has made quite a bit of effort with the aero of the J-Cruise II, wind tunnel sculpting it to reduce drag and hence noise. They’ve also pushed some ear pads inside and made the visor fit tighter, slightly re-shaping it to divert the air. All of which should reduce noise when you’re riding. If you’re looking to fit a bluetooth headset to your J-Cruise II, it’s designed to work with the SCL 1 or 2 set that’s been developed by Sena and Shoei to integrate with their helmets. You can see what they thought were the best helmets in our video below, but here are the headline awards: Sena Savage | The Savage seems to have been discontinued, and we’re struggling to find any for sale. Which is a shame, as it’s a really great – if plain – open-face helmet with good quality Bluetooth comms built in. Unfortunately, this helmet is noisy, and it's annoying. You don't even have to be going very fast, and you'll start to hear that annoying wind whooshing sound. It also doesn't use the best materials for the shell and liner construction. They effectively protect you but won't be the most comfortable either. Specs

Double-D is the choice of racers and gives a very secure fit every time you put the lid on, with a really simple mechanism, but it’s hard to use if you have your gloves on. An open-face, or ‘jet’ helmet is great in the summer, and the favourite of many custom, cruiser and even trail-bike riders, but it has no protection on the front so your face is vulnerable to stones and bugs (you’d be surprised how much a bee can hurt at 70mph). You do also need to be aware that in a crash, an open-face lid is far less protective than the other options. All in all then, the J-Cruise II does a good job of making a protective helmet; just not anywhere near as protective as a full face or the safest modulars. Helmet Noise (more about helmet noise) Using my usual test of streaming music at full volume, the Savage ran for a very impressive 11 hours 45 minutes, and charging is easy with the microUSB cable; it takes about three hours from flat. Thermo-Resin Thermo-Resin These shells are constructed from plastic using an injection moulding process.Depending on how proficient you are with stuff like that, that’ll be either a walk in the park or – as a couple of owners found – a real pain in the arse. Interior liner —All the helmets featured here offer removable liners that are anti-moisture and anti-bacterial. Avoid non-removable liners (found in cheap helmets)—it’ll be a stink factory before you know it. Your main considerations when buying a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet are ease of use, range, talk time, and sound quality. Ease of use So the Savage’s is basic, but that’s probably fine for many riders. And of course, it keeps the cost down.