Tested: LS2 Strobe motorcycle helmet review

Date reviewed: July 2018 | Tested by: BikeSocial Test Team | Price: From £79.99 | ls2helmets.com

With plain colours costing only £79.99, and graphics £89.99, the LS2 Strobe is a very affordable flip-front helmet. This one has been used for several months by BikeSocial Test Team member Paul Wolfe, on his Yamaha MT-09 and Suzuki GSX-R1000…

Outer shell

This version of the Strobe is the Civik, which has a deep gloss and a good overall finish; it certainly looks a lot more expensive than £80 for a flip-front.

The chin section is released with a button at the front – it took me a little while to get used to its position without knocking the chin curtain, but soon felt comfortable with it, and closing is very easy, with a reassuring click as the chin locks down.

The Strobe is only homologated as a full-face (so it’s only tested to be worn with the chin bar down when riding), but it stays up very securely even at speed.

Weight

At 1569g, this small LS2 Strobe is relatively light for a flip-front helmet – the much more expensive benchmark Shoei Neotec is 1679g, though the carbon fibre AGV Sport Modular is a mere 1295g.

Ventilation

There’s a single closeable vent on the top of the helmet, and a pair on the front. They’re easy to operate with summer or winter gloves on, though the top vent makes very little difference, even at speed. The chin vent is a bit more effective, and I tend to leave this open most of the time.

Visor

The chin vent does help reduce misting (a Pinlock anti-fog insert can be fitted, but isn’t supplied), and the visor will hold its open position at speed; it’s a four-position smooth but strong ratchet, with friction keeping the visor ‘just cracked’ open if required.

I could occasionally hear the visor whistling, but this seemed to improve with wear. In heavy rain, the visor leaks along the top edge, but the degree of water that gets in varies depending on how well you push the visor down to seat it.

The drop-down sun-shield doesn’t touch my face, and works well, while the visor has a single thumb tab on the left – I prefer one in the middle or on either side to make life a little easier when using my right hand if holding the clutch in.

Lining

The lining is fully removable, making it easier to keep clean, though it can be a little fiddly due to the small pins on the combined cheek pad and neck skirt section; like Schuberth lids, you just need to take care when removing this.

Fastening

The LS2 has a micrometric ratchet fastener, which is easy to use (even with gloves on), and once set, gives a secure fit every time.

Fit

Comfort is of course very subjective – always try any helmet on before you buy it – but I found the Strobe to be very good. With glasses on it’s an excellent fit, made even better by the fact that a flip is so easy to put on.

Noise

This is a little noisier than my Bell M6 Carbon helmet, but not to an annoying level. And like any lid, you really must wear earplugs anyway.

Conclusion

Being new to flip-front helmets, I wasn’t expecting to like this, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised. The Strobe is comfortable, well featured, and the flip-front means you don’t have to take the helmet off to talk to people, have a drink of water or even smoke. For the price, besides the water leak in heavy rain, I’d recommend it.