[New Products]

Product: Alpinestars S-M10 Helmet

6 years ago

Renowned as an industry-leading boot manufacturer, Alpinestars has officially entered the helmet market with the release of its all-new Supertech M10 (S-M10) helmet, following five years of intensive study, development and testing. Based on Alpinestars’ five decades of protection development, the brand set out to develop a safer and more thoughtfully designed helmet than any other offering on the market.

The Supertech M10 features a three-layer composite shell, consisting of a 3K high-density carbon outer layer (for strength and efficiency of energy dispersion over the shell), a UD carbon composite layer (for radial strength around the shell that prevents compression, but allows controlled deflection for reduced transmitted impact energy) and finally, an aramid fibre layer (for critical penetration protection). The combination of material layers is bonded by an epoxy resin that offers the best possible strength and energy management to the design. The unique shell lay-up process employed in the S-M10 construction is aimed to result in extremely effective impact protection.

With a fully equipped helmet testing facility within the Alpinestars Racing Development Center, an exhaustive impact research program has resulted in the S-M10 returning linear and oblique impact performance which far improves upon current helmet regulation standard limits – for direct and linear impact by an average magnitude of 41%, and for rotational, acceleration and oblique impact performance by an average of 48%.

Formed with a multi-density EPS polymer, the energy absorbing layer gives an inner helmet profile which soaks up impact forces dissipated over the outer shell at the point of an impact and provides a shape offering a close and comfortable fit. The energy absorption performance of the S-M10 is substantially improved by a four-section construction that allows for specific densities of polymer to be prepared for different zones around the helmet lining. Not only is energy performance improved, but also fit and comfort.

A low-friction ‘slip’ layer is incorporated into the S-M10 helmet, between the comfort padding layer and the multi-density polymer energy absorption shell. When energy is impacted upon the helmet, causing a rotation force, the MIPS layer allows for movement of the inner absorption layer to damp and re-direct the energy before causing significant acceleration stress to the brain. This mitigates the causes of brain injuries, such as concussion.

The Supertech shell has been constructed to optimise the best fit across the range of four size options. Shell sizes are manufactured in Small, Medium, Large and XLarge to ensure that riders have the correct fit. This not only improves comfort but, most importantly, the effectiveness of the helmet in an impact.

Weight is a factor in both riding performance and safety in a helmet, and to ensure the S-M10 offers the ultimate in weight saving performance enhancement, preparation and construction of the helmet have been rigorously analysed for weight-to-strength and energy absorption properties and a strict analysis of all the components used in the Supertech finishing. The result is a helmet that comes in at just 1260 grams (for a size Medium).

The S-M10 incorporates a patented A-Head fitting system to allow the helmet to be tuned exactly to the rider’s preference for the height and angle at which the helmet sits on the head. This unique technology allows for an ultra-specific set-up that can be adapted for the type of riding and the rider’s preference. With a micro-adjustable pad that is connected to the helmet’s inner shell, it is possible to raise or lower the helmet fit and also, to tilt the helmet forward or backward.

Alpinestars has developed a unique visor release system which, while ensuring the mounting is held securely in place for riding over the most extreme terrain and any track conditions, provides exactly the right level of resistance to ensure the visor detatches from the helmet shell if it is subjected to a significant impact – no matter what the angle.

The S-M10 visor release mechanism is conceived to avoid the inherent weaknesses in other types of anchoring systems. Maintaining shell integrity is vital for safety and with the possibility of multi-directional forces impacting on the visor, separation at the critical point of loading reduces potentially damaging leverage and rotational accelerations that refer injury to the rider’s neck and spine.

The base of the M-10 has been sculpted to give a relief section, where the bottom profile is raised to clear the collarbone (clavicle). Also, incorporated into the area of the base pad, where it sits over the rider’s collarbone, is an energy absorbtion pad; a more flexible compound rubber section which allows deflection when it contacts the clavicle. The Supertech M10 chin-bar is formed with polypropylene which, by allowing for a degree of lateral deflection, further improves impact protection for the collarbones.

Ventilation in the helmet is also top notch with numerous inlet and outlet ports connected with a series of airways that snake through the interior.

The S-M10 helmet lining design includes canals which allow a tube to be incorporated on either side of the shell. This is a feature extensively tested by Alpinestars rally raid and enduro riders, enabling convenient fitting and connection to a hydration system.

The removable liner cover is washable and features a Coolmax fabric interior and anti-bacterial talent yarn for long-lasting freshness and quick-dry performance between riding sessions. The helmet features TPE coating washable surfaces to improve maintenance and increase durability. The side cheek padding of the Supertech can be extracted efficiently and safely, while the helmet is still on the rider’s head, to allow ease of removal by trackside support and medical staff. The Supertech is also designed to allow a helmet ‘Eject’ inflation system to be fitted into the inside crown of the shell.

The helmet’s strap is wider than the certification requirement, coming in at 26mm, and has been produced with a woven poly yarn to give a soft ‘hand’ feel and connects securely with a double D-ring. Conforming to both DOT certification and ECE homologation, the S-M10 is certified for use worldwide.

The Alpinestars Supertech M10 helmet is available at an RRP of $849.95 AUD in five colourways (Black/Gray/Yellow Fluro, Black/Aqua/Orange Fluro, Anthracite/Gray/Orange Fluro, Black Matte Carbon and Glossy White), and comes with a spare visor and high-quality helmet bag at no additional cost.

To celebrate the release of the product, Transmoto has teamed up with Alpinestars to give one lucky Australian a brand new Supertech M10 helmet. To go in the running, simply click on this link and follow the prompts, and be sure to refer the link to your friends via Facebook to receive more competition entries.

For more information, visit Alpinestars’ website.

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