Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/634995
P96 CN III PRODUCT REVIEW LEATT GPX 5.5 AND 6.5 HELMET LIST PRICE: GPX 5.5 $399-$499 - GPX 6.5 $599 www.leatt.com Standout Feature 360° Turbine Technology, ultra light weight and outstanding ventilation. Rider Analysis A couple of things stand out right away with the Leatt GPX helmets—they're extremely light and have notice- ably smaller-than-usual outer shells, which Leatt claims are designed that way to help reduce rotational force to the rider's head on impact. But what really makes the GPX helmet different from the rest are its 11 360° Turbines strategically placed onto the 3D in-molded V-Foam inside the helmet. These little blue-colored rubber-like circular devices—most of which are actually in contact with the rider's head—de- form to absorb straight impacts while, at the same time, allowing the helmet to give slightly from side to side, or rotationally, for the worst kind of hits—angled impacts. This is the most important part of helping to prevent concussions, says Leatt. Another cool feature of this helmet, though not surprising at all, is that it is specially designed to take full advantage of Leatt's own neck brace by the way the back of the helmet is shaped. I recently spent two full days wearing the Leatt GPX 6.5 helmet and was overall quite impressed. It's amaz- ingly light, the lightest-feeling off-road helmet I've ever worn. It's so light, in fact, that you can't help but ques- tion its ability to protect your head in a big crash, but if there's a company out there that I truly trust when it comes to getting body-slammed to the ground it's Leatt. The GPX reminds me of a bicycle helmet when it comes to fit and ventilation. It has massive vents with grills strong enough to pass DOT's drop spike test (and that's a major accomplishment). You can look through the vents and see daylight on the other side of the hel- met; Leatt's venting system is designed to suck warm air and moisture out of the helmet more so than bring- ing new air in. Either way, your head stays cool and dry, I can vouch for that. My only issue with the helmet is comfort. One of those turbines is located right at front of your forehead, which, for me at least, created a nasty hotspot, not to mention a noticeable red mark. Otherwise, the helmet fit me just fine. Overall, I'm impressed with the GPX 6.5 helmet—it's light, well ventilated, looks stylish and, above all else, made me feel very safe while wearing it. Kit Palmer The Leatt GPX Helmet is the first helmet from Leatt, the company perhaps best known for its neck braces. The Leatt helmet comes in two versions—GPX 5.5 (composite) and GPX 6.5 (carbon fiber). The GPX's claim to fame is its patented 360° Turbine Technology that Leatt claims significantly reduces rotation acceleration to the head and brain, decreases head impact at concussion level, and improves multi-impact protection. The helmet also features 3D in-molded (like a bicycle helmet) multi density V-Foam, lightweight construction, reduced outer shell volume, 11 large vent ports, low-friction cheek pads for emergency removal, break away visor, built-in hydration holder, and a moisture- wicking, breathable and anti-microbial snap-out liner.