AIROH TR1 HELMET

March 2009

DESCRIPTION
Light, vented helmet with integrated sun visor. Converts to open face by removing the chin bar.

WHERE TESTED
Off-road riding in Algeria and a UK to Morocco trip in 2008.

PRO
Looks cool; no naff graphics
Light
Removable chin guard: versatile
Integrated sun visor
Ratchet chin strap
Inexpensive

CON
A bit plasticy and flimsy, especially the chin bar fitting. Not exactly a velvety interior. The thin foam seal on the top of the chin bar sealing the visor soon came unstuck.

COST
Something like £100 on ebay - ordered from Germany. A replacement visor is £20.

REVIEW
I liked the TR1 and it's clever features as soon as I saw it. It reminded me of an old RN helicopter pilot's helmet I used to wear in the early 1980s while despatching in London, and also the Yamaha TR1 V-twin - always liked the idea of them. I especially like the Airoh's good visibility even with the chin on, and the removable chin bar idea which I don't think anyone else does. I don't really go for the flip-up lids which look as elegant as a ferry bow door, heavy and I'm sure can't be sustained flipped up while riding due to wind drag (though an AGV Longway flip-up may be worth a look). On a long, cold, wet run you want the face protection, but bumbling around off road in Morocco it was nice not to have the thing in your face or hanging over your eyebrows. Handily, the bar comes off in a few seconds and is a more or less a right angle shape so tucks out of the way in the corner of a pannier. The sun visor is not bad at all, and saves you having to fiddle with shades as the sun sets - or wearing shades at all. I like the muted design too.
The vents, I never can tell if they're working or just adding noise. I generally ride at 60mph with a tall screen which actually made wind noise worse until I fitted an extension. I don't wear ear plugs so at higher speeds it may be too noisy. The chin bar sits pretty close to the mouth and feels like it wouldn't give much protection in an impact. And if you grab the chin bar to remove the lid it creaks and may even come off.
There are lots of innovative ideas on the TR1. What would be nice is to see a quality helmet manufacturer like Arai or Shoei copy and improve on it and adding a bit more plush padding. A solid chin bar mounting would be worth a little extra weight. For the moment though, I can't see anything like it and so look forward to wearing the TR1 on my next long trip

IMAGES
Click to enlarge

	Great visibility - the less I feel like I am wearing a helmet the better.
	Chin bar a bit close to the mouth and a bit flimsy.
	Chin off and it's a nifty open face with a drop down visor.
	Deploy all visors! I generally don't like sunglass/shades, but the sun visor has it's uses.
	On the road with the sun visor down.
	Side view. It's only a crash helmet.
	That's the Oued Ziz running past Erg Chebbi. You don't see that every day. Oh, and a TR1.
	The chin bar packs away quite neatly.

© Chris Scott, 1998-2009. My other website is Morocco Overland
Important Notice: These websites operate on Fijian Standard Time (FST)