Speed and Strength, like Caberg, are improving their helmets and adding features as well as redesigning the shape of the shell in successive iterations. The SS 1300 is the latest model in the SS 1000 series and the changes are quite visible, so to say.
The SS has gotten the 1300 DOT and ECE 22.05 rated, staying away from the SNELL rating which needs more specific materials in the shell composite alloy increasing the overall weight.
It is certified and legal to be worn in the EU, US, and Canada where these ratings matter the most.
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.
What Would You Love?
Aggressive looks – The chin vent system has that sinister smiling skull look, like an innocent-looking, but malicious mummy risen from an Egyptian tomb. This is an instant looker. The matte black color gives it a very serene personality and adds to the attitude.
A removable chin curtain is also provided which can be taken on or off depending on the weather conditions and your preference of chilly air coming from underneath.
One handed operation chin strap with buckles made out of Aluminium, fondly referred to as the Speed Strap quick release system by SS, makes things very convenient over the older Double D rings.
A breath deflector makes sure that you don’t moist the face shield screen from behind by deflecting the air downwards.
The Top Features to Look Out For
An upgrade always sounds good. But is it a real upgrade or a marketing gimmick? Let’s have a look.
Shell
The shell is made from polycarbonate instead of tri composite. But it still provides decent amount of protection for a lower price than what would have been with the latter. SS calls it A.T.P.A, which stands for Advanced Thermo-Poly Alloy Shell, and it has actually been trademarked, along with some other acronyms related to their helmet series.
The helmet weighs about 3.5 pounds (3.67 pounds to be exact) for a large size helmet, which is definitely on the impressive side of things.
The fit of the SS 1300 is an intermediate to neutral one with a more rounded shape. People with slightly oval or wider heads might have some trouble with it and it has the possibility to create pressure points at the forehead and slightly above and behind the temples.
Visors
The face shield now has a spring loaded mechanism and is a better fit around the front gasket. It is an optically correct shield which eliminates any kind of distortion in your peripheral vision and allows you to hone in your reflexes for split second decisions. This is imperative if you are going to rev that SBK on a track.
The standard box comes with the clear visor, but you can order a replacement for the smoke shield visor from their own website or any other online website that you decided to order this helmet from.
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.
Ventilation
The SS 1300 features extra vents over the 1100. Two chimney vents at the top, can be easily adjusted with a slider even while wearing gloves. These connect with the air channels in the EPS liners which connect to the dual, passive rear exhaust vents, strategically placed at the center, below the aerodynamic spoiler ridge line.
But that’s not it. Additional winglet exhausts on both sides also help in extracting that air out. It does feel like the airflow is a bit unorthodox – in a way that more air is being exhausted than being let in. The air channels in the EPS are sufficiently large and look like an actual dual exhaust system of an automobile when looked at from the underside.
The chin vents have two positions and can be changed very easily with a slider.
And this whole system is called the Air Strike Direct Course Ventilation System, trademarked by SS.
Padding and Lining
Cool-core breathable material, sweat wicking material on cheek pads, comfort liner and even the chin strap and removable chin curtain keep you comfortable at all times.
The cheek pads are nicely contoured and also feature a cut out for an after-market Bluetooth communication unit. This makes up for the absence of a recess in the EPS for that very purpose.
The comfort liner is fully 3D and is attached with a Velcro at the front and snap-ins at the back. Seems like a tradition for the SS helmets. Anyway, the comfort liner is stuffed with comfort pads which will act like cushions to wick away that sweat in your hair and forehead.
Customer Reviews
Most users have accepted this helmet for what it is – a decent sports helmet. There are some complaints about the noise and the doubtful anti fogging feature of this helmet. The noise is tolerable for most, but the anti fogging feature is not something that can be compared with PinLock. And most racers wear ear plugs anyway so the wind noise is not something you should be worried about.
Some also complained about the visor being locked in 3 positions, but that was only an annoyance.
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
This is a quality helmet at an affordable price. It has some nice features which will get you by if you are new to the world of sports helmets. It will let you get a feel of things to come before you hit the tracks with a premium lid.
Go get.