MXA PRODUCT TEST: THOR FORCE CARBON HELMET

WHAT IS IT? A carbon fiber version of the popular Thor Force helmet.

WHAT’S IT COST? $399.95. (Black/Red and Black/Silver)(619) 448-8467. www.thormx.com

WHAT’S IT DO? The MXA wrecking crew has fond memories of AXO’s original helmet from back in the day. It wasn’t the shape of the helmet, the nosepiece or the visor that made it stand out. It was the lack of paint. It’s hard to
imagine how a plain-looking helmet could set our hearts a-fluttering, until you realize that carbon fiber looks its best without paint. The sparkle of the weave is enticing to look at. The release of the AXO carbon fiber helmet was a long time ago, and since then bare carbon fiber helmets have virtually disappeared from the scene. Until now! Both HJC and Thor (which is made by HJC) have released carbon fiber helmets where the intricate interlacing of the weave takes center stage.

WHAT STANDS OUT? Here’s a list of things that stand out with the Thor Force Carbon Fiber.
(1) Look. As an overall design, we like the styling of the Thor Force helmet. The shell is a little bulbous for our tastes, but the lines, angles and nosepiece pull it all together. Graphics on helmets can be a little over the top, but on the carbon fiber Force this isn’t a problem. The bare fibers are the calling card.
(2) Fit. The Force helmet is comfy and offers tons of padding. Thanks to all that padding, the Thor Force can actually bridge some size gaps. Our large Force not only fit large heads, but worked well for riders on the cusp between medium and large.
(3) Liner. The Thor Force Carbon Fiber uses a three-piece, dual-density, styrene and aqua-trans liner. That’s a lot of mumbo jumbo, but it translates into a liner that does a great job of absorbing sweat, and cheek pads that won’t give you fish lips.
(4) Visor. In a world full of visors that are nonfunctional, the Thor Force visor is nice and long. Even better, they include a spare visor just in case you break the first one.
(5) Weight. Right on the box there is a sticker that proudly proclaims the Force Carbon Fiber helmet weighs under three pounds, so we were a little shocked when on our scale it weighed 3 pounds 2.6 ounces. False advertising, you say? Misleading? Maybe. It turns out the medium Force Carbon helmet does weigh under three pounds thanks to a smaller shell. Helmet sizes XS to medium use one shell and large to XXL use another.
(6) Place of Manufacture. The Thor Force Carbon Fiber helmet is made in Korea.

WHAT’S THE SQUAWK? Every test rider felt a little claustrophobic in the helmet, even though the eyeport is huge. Our solution? We removed the rubber nose extension. It eliminated the problem, but we had to cut it off, and losing it hurt the overall look of the helmet.

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