Caberg continues its modern, modular interface tradition (a recent one) with the Caberg Duke flip up helmet. At first look, the Duke feels just like any other flip face helmet with the visor, chin guard, angular fit and additional features. And then you start looking at the design cues and realize that this is not one of your standard helmets.
It’s a Caberg.
There is a newer design of the chin guard, and the ridge lines of the helmet sport an aerodynamic design. The placement of the venting scheme and the levers give out a very Alfa Romeo feel at the top.
This is great news as Caberg keeps pumping out excellent quality helmets featuring innovation, improving design and added functionality at a constant pace.
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What Would You Love
The roof scoop and chin vent have unique shapes that keep reminding us of the Lamborghinis and Alfa Spiders. Design exemplified? You be the judge.
Pioneers of the flip up helmets in Italy, Caberg has had dual homologation integrated in this helmet as well. So you can ride with your chin guard up or down and it will still be legal and safe according to the ECE 22.05 standard.
It is this level of improvement that is keeping Caberg ahead of other Italian manufacturers. Godspeed, Caberg.
Top Features To Look Out For
So what is special about the Duke, which is actually an iteration of Konda (which is actually an iteration of Trip)? Check it out.
Shell
At 1550 +/- 5 gm. or 3.41 pounds, it is not exactly heavy, but it is not light either. The shape is an intermediate oval which caters to most of the masses in the rider community. Caberg has taken some things into account when working on the fit for people with wider foreheads and molded the brow region accordingly.
A few helmets have the fish lip syndrome when you pulled down the chin guard, but it seems that Caberg has addressed the issue in the Duke.
The construction of the shell is from Polycarbonate. It may not be the epitome of strength, but is strong enough to pass SHARP crash tests and bag the ECE 22.05 ratings.
The overall profile of this helmet is nicely emphasized by tactfully embedded ridges that promote an aerodynamic purpose at a ¾ sitting position. Things might feel a bit different if you try to use it for a chin-on-tank test.
We have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.
Visors
Caberg has equipped the Duke with their exclusive Double Visor Tech system. The face shield is a double lens PinLock anti-scratch, anti-fog stock, as seems to be the norm these days. The face shield is really large, covering the eye port and going beyond the eye port gasket over the shell at the top. This is in keeping with providing a wide angled view to you for one of your tours.
The drop down sun visor is also an anti-scratch one and can be operated by the flick of your thumb. The friction system ensures that you can have intermediate positions as well.
The retention system for the chin guard – visor assembly is quite simple and has a satisfying ‘snap’ feel to it when you close it up and seal yourself in or open it up until it reaches the absolute top.
Ventilation
Ventilation is via a trifurcated chin vent system, supported by dual jaw-line vents on either side. To make things easier in colder weather, a chin curtain prevents cold air from coming up from underneath.
A large top vent shaped like the front of a particular Lambo vents in air in the EPS channels. Normally this would have worked fine, but the comfort liner blocks some of this air which is supposed to be directed at your scalp. Some improvement in this aspect should be on the cards when Caberg gets out their next Duke.
Sadly, there are no Venturi exhausts, or any exhausts for that matter, which can get this air out.
Padding and Lining
The cheek pads and inner liner have been housed in with sections of faux leather on the neck roll. The fabric feels soft on the pads, but not so much on the comfort liner; perhaps due to the reduced foam thickness.
The liner can be removed and hand-washed with cold water. Anti bacterial treatment has been provided to make sure that the sweat wicked up by the liner do not promote procreation of the microbes.
Customer Reviews
Average is the word you are looking at. But with Caberg rapidly iterating different line ups, you can be sure that one of the Duke’s successors will be there at the top real soon. The complaints were mainly in the form of improper ventilation and increased noise levels; but these should be expected when you are in for a flip face helmet.
We have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.
Bottom Line
There is a lot going on in the Duke, but not enough to put it ahead of the competition. It does have added accessories, but so do the flip up helmets from other brands. The addition of double anti-turbulence neck roll and removable wind-stop do seem nice. But the absence of a DOT rating is a major bummer for the US audience.
As far as Caberg helmets go, you can get the Duke for one of your less than serious rides and be happy with what you have.