LISTEN. THE QUIETEST ALL-IN-ONE HELMET…?
09 March 2005 - BMW Motorrad GB

Buying an expensive safety helmet wasn’t always a guarantee that the rider had obtained the safest possible product. After all, every helmet has to pass the same safety tests prior to being marketed – irrespective of price.

But now, it is reassuring to know that the new BMW System 5 retractable helmet is one of the safest (and quietest) available, and easily outperforms many helmets that are twice its price. This has been achieved by, once again, employing the results of extensive research into every area of helmet design, construction, and manufacture. The new product improves on safety, comfort, aerodynamics and acoustics.

Now in its fifth generation, this unique helmet is better than ever. It is a multifunctional design that can be easily converted from a full-face helmet into an off-road or open-face variation, without the use of special tools. The front opening facility has made it a firm favourite with riders, as there is no need to unclip and remove the helmet while talking, having a drink at the roadside, or paying for fuel. Raising the front of the helmet is simple, with BMW’s patented one-hand system – just pull the lever and push up the front.

Safety
The new System 5 helmet by BMW Motorrad conforms and, in many aspects, exceeds ECE Norm 20-05. The outer shell of the helmet is constructed from a glass-fibre, carbon and Kevlar® laminate and is produced in a hot-press process to guarantee high tolerance levels. The EPS (foam polystyrene) inner shell consists of eight segments to make sure that its damping elements are of an ideal density in all-important areas, i.e. the crown and back of the head, chin, forehead, and cheeks. Chin and neck pads are available in a variety of sizes to tailor the ‘perfect’ fit. To provide even greater safety in crash situations, all BMW helmets incorporate a neck strap as a secondary fastener. This keeps the helmet securely in place if the wearer is involved in an accident.

The System 5 features BMW’s Airflow ventilation system, which works by allowing the airflow to pass through a special mesh grid to create a pleasant cooling effect. The helmet has also been designed to allow easy conversion to a jet or open-face helmet by incorporating a central release system. The DuPont Coolmax® interior padding, which has anti-bacterial and active breathing properties, is removable and washable.

Perhaps the most innovative and highly developed features of the new System 5 are its aerodynamic and acoustic properties. Using (arguably) the most advanced wind tunnel in the automotive industry, BMW has been able to simulate all aerodynamic configurations and acoustic levels for every practical and/or climatic riding situation. The results can be seen in the design of the System 5. For example, the helmet’s interior noise level (at 100 km/h) has been reduced to 86db(A), which is 8-10db(A) less than popular helmets produced by other manufacturers. This is a truly commendable statistic when it is remembered that decibel noise levels decrease logarithmically – for every 3db reduction, the decrease in rider-perceived noise is halved.

The aerodynamic construction of the helmet is also particularly advanced. The findings of the wind tunnel research and testing team has enabled a helmet to be designed that is stable in all wind conditions. Any head movement by the rider will result in only minimal forces being developed. The neck muscles therefore receive less pressure from the airflow and remain more relaxed during long distance rides.

The visor and ventilation system
Made by injection moulding, the three-dimensional curved visor features anti-scratch and anti-mist coatings. It meets optical quality class 1 standards in accordance with DIN EN 166 norm. Visor ventilation can be adjusted – opened or closed – by a two-level forehead and head ventilation slider and the helmet air stream can be steplessly regulated with a slider at the rear of the helmet.

General
Weighing only 1,690g, the BMW Motorrad System 5 helmet is available in five colours – midnight black, titanium silver metallic, magnesium matte metallic, manganese blue metallic and rock red metallicised – and in all sizes. The System 5 helmet is available through all BMW Motorrad dealerships nationwide for the recommended retail price of £280.

Available soon – Bluetooth communication
The complete BMW Motorrad Wireless Communication System (WCS-1) is installed in the System 5 helmet and weights only 120g. Even at high speeds, the rider and passenger can talk effortlessly to each other via an invisible (from the exterior) array microphone and integral earpieces. There is also a provision for connecting other Bluetooth-enabled equipment, such as a mobile phone. Powered by rechargeable batteries, the BMW Motorrad WCS-1 is completely wire-less and has a range of up to 10 metres.

www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk

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