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MOMO Helmet
MOMO "Komposit" Carbon Fiber Motorcycle Helmet
by Rick K. for webBikeWorld.com
More: wBW
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| Owner Comments (Below)
There was a time not too long ago when the terms "industrial
design" and "consumer products" weren't used in the same sentence.
Functionality was the watchword, and no one thought much about how style.
There wasn't a deliberate movement against industrial design - it just
wasn't really considered as anything that should consume much time or
effort, especially for low-end consumer goods.
It has only been within
the last couple of decades where design is an integral and even a primary
goal of any and all consumer goods. Cameras, watches, portable audio
devices and more are sometimes purchased as accessories rather than as
tools.
There's an interesting article in the December 2004 Cycle World magazine
that illustrates this point. Apparently, Harley Davidson motorcycles
weren't "designed" until
Brooks
Stevens, a famous industrial designer from the '40's, was hired after
World War II to add some spice to the front end of the new models.
Prior to that, Harley engineers were primarily responsible for design, which
had been stagnant at Harley for many years.
Stevens and other
designers in the '40's and '50's started the consumer products industrial
design movement, which now plays such an important role in everything we
buy, right down to the way the buttons look and feel on the most basic
electronic devices.
MOMO evolved from this movement, and went on to become one of the
best-known industrial design firms in the world. Their radical and
unique designs have made them a leader in the movement for many years.
Their first product was the MOMO steering wheel used by the 1964 Formula
1 Championship winning Ferrari team in the mid-'60's. MOMO steering
wheels then became the object of desire for any sports car fanatic of that
era.
Their success with that single product was huge, and made the MOMO name known throughout the world. They have since expanded into
every segment of industrial design, and the MOMO "look" (and logo) is almost
instantly recognizable, in everything from watches to eyeglasses
to...motorcycle helmets.
But is modern industrial design compatible with something as functional
as a motorcycle helmet? That's what we wanted to know.
MOMO has a small line of helmets, including the full-face "Devil", the
Komposit carbon-fiber model shown here, and the "Fighter". The MOMO
Fighter helmet has recently been in the news as the first helmet to have an
optional Bluetooth communication capability, jointly developed with
Motorola.
This is an interesting concept, because the Bluetooth
wireless capability could mean things like hiding a radio, voice
communications and safety information somewhere on the motorcycle while
providing wireless communication to the rider.
We chose the Komposit for this review simply because it looked cool and
it embodies some of the classic MOMO design elements. The first thing
that is noticeable about the Komposit is its weight, or lack thereof.
At 949 grams (2 lbs., 1-1/2 oz.), this has to be one of the lightest
motorcycle helmets available.
It's lighter even than the Vega XTS
half-helmet (see the wBW review), which weighs in at 974 grams, yet the Komposit is still ECE 22.05 approved.
The panels of carbon fiber on either side of the helmet appear to be of
good quality, and they provide the helmet with it's unique look. The
shape of the Komposit is sort of a take on the typical half-helmet, but it's
not quite as large as an open-face helmet. It's two ear coverings are
reminiscent of a 1940's leather fighter pilot helmet with its ear flaps,
complete with a nylon webbed chin strap.
Unfortunately, the chin strap uses a quick release, and doesn't have a
loop or device to secure the loose end, which is a puzzling design
oversight. Although the loose strap end hanging down does give the
wearer that wind-in-the-face look of a '40's era barnstormer.
There was a short strip of padding that came in the box that can be
wrapped around the strap to provide minimal padding under the chin. It
folds over the strap and closes with a section of "hook and loop" fastener.
Since the strap cuts right under the Adam's Apple (thyroid cartilage), any
padding in this area is helpful.
The Komposit's liner is comfortable enough, and we found that the padding
works for riders with or without eyeglasses.
There are no cutouts for
the ears; just a solid section of padding on either side. The sizing
seems just about perfect; a size large fit exactly as expected.
The
visor is also a distinctive design element on the Komposit. It's not
your typical motorcycle helmet visor; this one is relatively flimsy,
although it does the job.
But this is where the style of the helmet
seems to take precedent over functionality. The visor's edge trim a
sort of cheap-looking vinyl that's sewn on.
The visor is attached to
either side of the helmet with a faux carbon-fiber connector section that
has small rivets added in a rather untidy fashion.
And the circular
spacers that allow the visor to rotate up and down have a very thin matte
metal plating that is already flaking off on our brand new specimen (blue
arrow, photo left).
The helmet shell has a vinyl stitched edging around the entire
circumference. Depending upon your taste, it either adds to the retro
look or it gives it the style of a circa 1950's football helmet.
It's always surprising when an open-face helmet is quieter than a
full-face, but the Komposit seems to have less noise than might be expected.
The visor does flex a little at speed, which is especially noticeable on an
unfaired bike. But it's very comfortable and so light weight that it
feels just like wearing no helmet at all.
We have mixed feelings on the "MOMO DESIGN" script across the back of the
helmet. A simple "MOMO" would probably suffice. But it probably
wouldn't be too hard to cover this area up with reflective stickers or paint
if you don't care for the large text.
One thing's for certain: you won't see yourself coming and going when
you're wearing the Komposit. I rode a friend's cruiser down to the
local hangout, and the crowd absolutely loved it. Everyone wanted to
know where they could get one. So maybe MOMO will start a new trend -
helmet-wearing cruiser riders!
|
Product Review: Momo
Komposit Carbon Fiber Helmet |
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MOMO and Davida Helmets using
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| Available From: Designer
Helmets (UK) |
Suggested Retail
Price: £175.00 |
| Colors: Silver,
Matte Black, Red, Yellow |
Made in: Italy |
| Product
Comments: Light weight at 949 grams (2 lb., 1-1/2
oz.), unique design, some quality problems. |
| More:
wBW
Motorcycle Helmet Page Note: As of
April 2007, DOT approved MOMO helmets are distributed in
the U.S.A. through
Benchmark Helmets |
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