Schuberth had its first flip-up helmet back in 1998 and delivered a real game-changer in this segment with the famous C3 in 2008. The Schuberth C5 can therefore fall back on a rich and above all sturdy family tree and four direct ancestors.
’Falling’ is not a good word to describe a motorcycle helmet, we just realized. Even though Schuberth at one point in time had some shortcomings. This C5 should herald the return to the top for the Germans.
The C5 is a light flip-up helmet of (about) 1700 grams which combines the results of almost a quarter of a century of development and experience. That's how you can see it. In 1998 there was a first (still somewhat clumsy) flip-up motorcycle helmet. It was refined, improved, got a sun visor and the possibility to integrate intercoms. Aerodynamics, wind tunnels, new materials, safety features ... they all came along. In the end, the result - as we speak - is the C5. Schuberth - based in Magdeburg, of the unyielding spheres, along the Elbe - stands for German thoroughness and adheres to the principle of 'safety and quality first'. Light weight is the result of high-tech material choices and a finish that far exceeds the average. Endless evolution is the process of keeping the good and systematically improving the rest.
A lighter but safer end result, in a modern and slightly more aggressive motorcycle helmet, that was the intention from the start. Quieter too, to make their own intercom system stand out better. And not unimportant: user-friendly. As much as possible.
Did they succeed? Well, yes.
The C5 is one of the first CE2206 homologated helmets and can carry the P/J label of double homologation: both in the open position and fully closed, you can safely ride in all conditions with the C5. In this respect, notice the red lock on the left-hand side, just below the pivot point. It secures the C5 in the open position. Illustrative of Schuberth's attention to detail is the reflective stitching on the wind curtain chin, which becomes visible when folded up. Delightful.
Also noteworthy: the Schuberth C5 is the first flip-up helmet that returns the transparent visor to its original position after unfolding and closing the chin guard. A 'visor memory system'. German engineering, it has many variants but they are almost always fun to discover.
The outer helmet shell is made of carbon reinforced glass fiber. Two helmet shells contain all motorcycle helmet sizes. The result of the patented technology is a lighter motorcycle helmet, even better in shock absorption. Okay, 55 grams of gain doesn't seem like much but in razor-sharp motorcycle helmets every gram counts and 55 grams less than its predecessors means the difference between 'just good' and 'top performance'. If you want to go back to the top... The absorbent EPS layer has been rethought together with the interior. This involved research, in which five main forms of the human head emerged.
Schuberth's main concern was to construct a headgear for each of these head types which contained the essentials: comfort and safety. And a perfect fit, which you can actually create yourself thanks to the SCHUBERTH INDIVIDUAL CONCEPT. Just to give the essentials a leading role.
You can actually always adjust the cheek pads as you wish, for "sports" or "comfort" mode. The fact that they are antibacterial, removable and washable, just like the rest of the lining, is logical.
The ventilation contributes directly to a healthy internal environment. The top ventilation is controlled by means of a well perceptible slider. The chin ventilation is duplicated. The lower half hides a washable filter, above it the ventilation classically focuses on the visor. The riding wind in the motorcycle helmet is guided around your head under the eps layer. Follow the red mesh on the inside and you can almost see it. The outlet in the rear spoiler is a logical consequence.
Touring and adventure motorcyclists who want to communicate with each other or the outside world simply integrate Schuberth's SC2 intercom system. Schuberth has developed a new intercom system together with Sena especially for the C5 : the SC2. The components for the installation of the intercom are for a part already built into the helmet (after all, the HD speakers). Only the module and the battery need to be installed, the microphone needs to be clicked in and you're good to go. ‘Plug and play' is what it is called, and that is what it comes down to.
The silence in the C5 is deafening, we would like to write somewhere. Done. Admittedly: a day on the motorway with a flip-up helmet is still a day on the motorway. With a flip-up helmet. On the other hand, steps are taken again. With 85db (Schuberth-measurement at 100 per hour on a naked) your TV is usually louder.
The transparent visor is free from any possible distraction. This is a prerequisite for succeeding in the CE2206 certification, so there is a chance that we will again evolve towards wide, wide visors. The tinted sun visor of 180 degrees width is sufficiently long and directly operable from the left side. It needs to be said: the slider gives a solid, good impression and is sufficiently perceptible to be found quickly even with motorbike gloves.
The micrometric Microlock on the chin strap is the usual choice for this type of motorcycle helmet. Schuberth gave the chinstrap a new position, slightly forward, and that creates a little more space in front of your throat. The soft and pleasant chinstrap is equipped with the A.R.O.S. system developed by Schuberth. This Anti Roll Off System ensures that in case of impact the helmet cannot roll off the back of the head, if the chin strap is closed with the correct tension. It also minimizes the risk of contact between the chin part of the helmet and the chin and/or neck of the rider.
Can we add something to this? Yes, we can. We haven't mentioned Pinlock® yet, nor the neatly finished chin rim or the different designs. The fact that you can change the visor quickly or that there is a Bluetooth antenna in the helmet. We could go on and on about a motorcycle helmet like this, but it's much better to put it on and ride with it.
Register the purchase of your Schuberth helmet and get 5 years warranty (only valid on helmets purchased after 01/11/2015): http://www.schuberth.com/en/products/motorbikes/warranty-registration.html
Maintenance tips:
- Are you reluctant to disassemble the interior of your helmet in order to wash it? You can also clean the interior without removing it with S100 Helmet Interior Cleaner.
- The outside and the visor of your helmet are best cleaned with S100 Helmet and visor cleaner.
Especially at night, scratches cause blinding reflections of street lights and headlights of oncoming vehicles. This effect is even more pronounced in rainy weather. It is best to replace a scratched or dull visor as soon as possible. Planning a long trip? Then don't forget to take a replacement visor with you. Never ride in the dark with a tinted visor.
