We know Paul well. He is a paid consultant to us too. He would, I know, acknowledge the same issues with EN17092, in that it’s a glorified abrasion test, and not a safety standard. ( He wouldn’t use those same words, though). He would also, I am sure, acknowledge that a Rukka A-rated suit would actually be more protective than many AA-rated suits out there that might come with smaller armour. And, of course, that’s just about all of them. None of this is particularly contentious, in my view. In fact, I wrote a paper on the subject last year that was distributed amongst all the members of the Working Group. But actually the crucial point here is that Paul has no say whatsoever on budgets. And so if the Police cannot afford to buy the appropriate gear, that’s not down to Paul. What is equally clear is that Paul would never have recommended the Kalix 2; a suit that was never even tested under EN17092. As everybody living in the real world knows, decisions on the gear that the Police will ride in will often be taken by those those who are managing the budgets. When that happens, we end up in a position where Police riders in the Met. end up wearing the Kalix 2 instead of the Kingsley. CP.

@@Motolegends what is your source for suggesting that the police can't afford the Rukka clothing? Do they come to you as a supplier or would they deal direct with Tran Am as the importer?

@ We work closely with TranAm and indeed all the distributors. We also work very closely with Rukka. We sell Rukka to some forces. We do some of the undercover guys, some NCA riders, and some elite military units. Don’t really understand your angle here, but suffice it to say that we know how the Met. ended up with the Rukka Kalix 2, and why. Don’t think it’s a big secret. Do you have a different version of events? Maybe you think the Met. went for the Kalix because it was the best tool for the job? CP

Yes I forgot to mention that the pants have the AirCushion and Antiglide systems in the seat. Yes they will take b races, which I did mention. But no, the armour is not adjustable. Then again, it isn’t in any modern Rukka pant. CP.

It’s only a Saturday job. He’s free to do what he wants during the week.

The point is as a pro rider they need the best kit at the best price, they ride huge miles in all weathers…and police budgets are tight.

@@IanTedcops don’t ride much in rain if they can help it.

Buy Halvarsson.

Overpriced. Buy Halvarsson

I bought kaxlix 2 on eBay cheap thankfully. Not comfortable but waterproof unlike the Halvarsson Sunne

Far from being an important issue, I have always been bemused as to why people ask such a question, as it’s totally irrelevant. And that’s because nobody gets to choose the shell size of their helmet. You simply buy the helmet that fits your head best. There won’t be a choice. You might be a medium, a large or an extra large. The shell size is not a consideration; only the fit. Furthermore the weight difference between shell sizes is rarely significant. For example, on the OXO the size break comes between a medium and a large. On our scales a medium is 1.65 kg., a large is 1.75 kg.. Frankly Valentino Rossi would find it difficult to discern the difference. The difference between the helmets is 100 g, or 6%; equivalent to a couple of medium sized eggs. Psychologists will tell you that it takes a margin of 15% between two stimuli for people to feel a difference. So is it an important detail? We don’t think so, so don’t agree with the assertion that these facts constitute two of the most fundamental points when it comes to choosing a helmet. CP

@Motolegends Nobody get to choose the shell size of their helmet?? EVERYBODY choses the shellsize of their helmet. Only drafties in the army get forced to wear one they don't choose. I choose helmets without useless bulk and so do most other riders. Well, I guess you should know :D And for the weight: There are manufacturers going a long, long way to save often much less than 100 gramms. Like mildly lighter arbonfiber versions (for savety also of cause) or doing double d rings in titanium (see AGV). Why would they do that if weight does not count? By the way useless bulk adds not only weight but usually also drag of cause. Actually most people are far less fit than sporty racing pilots and more and more of our aging customers get neck pain when wearing a heavy helmet. And finally usually a lighter helmet make people feel more free wich is not exactly the antitheses of the main motive of motorcyling.

Yes, we have offered some less expensive helmets recently, but the Shark does come with five cheekpad options in every size, and for us that qualifies as a helmet that can be custom fitted. CP

Nolan and Shark are owned by the same group, so the two helmets are very similar. They were, apparently, designed as part of a joint initiative. This is what we have been told. Whether it is true or not, I do not know. I am sure the two helmets have many parts in common, although they are made in different factories; one in Portugal; one in Italy. But anyway, well spotted. I admit that I was not initially aware of this, but we’re taking on Nolan soon, so we’ll spot these things sooner in future, I hope! CP

Looks as though shark have very good helmet on their hands

The reason the manufacturers have gone down this route is because of the safety implications. The new 22-06 regulations will only homologate a helmet with a comms. system if it is integrated. And that’s because if you stick a big box on the side, a helmet cannot be relied up to do its job in terms of absorbing the energy of an impact. So if protection is important, go integrated. And that’s before one talks about noise. A box on the side will always disrupt the airflow, and will add wind noise. I also don’t see why this would put you off a helmet, because you can still put your own comms. on any helmet. It seems a shame to potentially ignore what might be the best helmet for you, just because you don’t like the principle of integrated comms. And be under no illusion, because of the new regs., integrated comms. are the direction of travel. Increasingly, new helmets will arrive thus equipped. It’s not a problem with Arai, of course, as they don’t believe in comms. at all! CP

@@Motolegends Oh I get that but the integrated comms setup I have found always make it tricky to fit a stand alone option of my choice. But for me it all fall down when you own a number of helmets from different brands.