Kirsh Helmets
The CHM-1 from Schenectady, New York based Kirsh Helmets is a DOT approved polycarbonate half shell helmet with what the company describes as a “revolutionary approach to helmet safety, one that is “smaller and denser than traditional motorcycle head protection, and fundamentally different in design.”
A “Fluid Displacement Liner”, it has been designed by the company to “provide strength, durability, increased elasticity and reduced angular rotation applied to the head in the event of a crash.” It is manufactured with a non-toxic, food-grade antifreeze (propylene glycol) injected into a removable silicone lining that is said to “feature a patented technology that offers versatility at both low and high energy impacts, from any direction, at any one point in time.”
Founder and CEO Jason Kirshon describes development of the Kirsh helmet as an “extinction level event” for traditional helmets that “allows the force of impact to continue in a straight line towards the wearer’s skull” and that “relies on a thick layer of foam liner to reduce the force to a safe level before it reaches the skull.”
“The Kirsh design spreads the force of impact through a honeycomb of silicone gel lining the helmet, dissipating the impact energy so that no single point of the rider’s head receives a harmful degree of impact.
“The result is a remarkably stable half helmet that looks as good as it works.” Available in eight colors, the CHM-1 is “turning the classic half helmet market on its head,” according to Kirshon. “No longer do you have to sacrifice safety for that slick, low profile look. Compression technology (styrofoam) in helmets is now a thing of the past.”
www.kirshhelmets.com
Blud Lubricants
The new Scottsdale, AZ based motorcycle industry-specific oil brand launched three new blends at AIMExpo, all under the ‘BLUD’ brand name – ‘HAWGBlud’, a 100 percent synthetic for V-twins; ‘BIKERBlud’, an extreme duty synthetic for Japanese and European made street and sportsbikes; and ‘DIRTBlud’, a 100 percent synthetic for 4-stroke UTV/ATV engines, transmissions and wet clutches.
‘HAWGBlud’ is described as an “ultra-performance, severe duty 100 percent synthetic oil created for V-twin motorcycles that can be used in the engine, crankcase, primary chain case and transmission.” A 20W50 PAO (Poly-alpha-olefin)/Ester blend is said to be “unique in that its base stock and ‘BLUDLINE’ additive formulation creates a robust oil for the serious V-twin owner.”
By way of durability and high-performance credential, BLUD Lubricants have been chosen by the world’s fastest female motorcyclist Valerie Thompson and her Land Speed Record Chasing Team Seven as the oil of choice for their Bonneville Streamliner.
" I am excited to announce Blud Lubricants’ sponsorship of Valerie Thompson, America's Queen of Speed, as she sets out to rewrite motorsports history by breaking the motorcycle land speed world record of 376.36 mph. Valerie and Blud share the common goal of striving for maximum performance in challenging environments. Go Valerie!!! " - Jefferson Green, CEO, Blud Lubricants LLC.
Valerie was rained out at Bonneville on her most recent visit, but as Jefferson Green told AMD Magazine: “Stay tuned, we are still only at the start of this story!”
www.bludlubricants.com
BELL Powersports unveils 2018 Street Full Face Helmet Line-up
The Rosemont, Illionis based helmet brand traces its history back to 1952, when it was founded in the garage of a Southern Californian speed shop by Roy Richter. The past decade or more has seen the brand traverse difficult times, but with the acquisition last year by Utah based outdoor products specialist Vista Outdoor Inc., Bell has the backing and resources to leverage its storied past.
First integrated into Bell Powersports in 2016, MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) is now standard in the Bell Star. MIPS is a leading slip-plane technology inside the helmet, designed to reduce rotational forces that can result from certain types of impacts. The helmet itself is said to be among the most versatile premium helmets on the market and carries the same racing-inspired pedigree of the Pro Star and Race Star.
It is described as extremely quiet and lightweight “with an amazing fit and features Bell’s exclusive Panovision viewport for a greater field of view.
“It’s not every day that you can take a best-in-class, performance-driven helmet and make it even better, and we’ve managed to do just that with the addition of MIPS to the Star platform,” said Chris Sackett, Bell Helmets’ Vice President. “Similarly, the RS-1 had been arguably the highest value proposition on the market at its price point, and we’ve raised the bar for that helmet with RS-2, and done so at a price point that’s $100 lower than its predecessor.”
The fan favorite, tried and true RS-1 is back and reconfigured with the second generation premium RS-2. The updated RS-2 features a lightweight fiberglass DOT/ECE design with a super smooth direct drive internal sun shield. This helmet is quiet and comfortable, with an optimized aerodynamic design to eliminate noise from air turbulence. The helmet comes with an X-Static comfort liner, exceptional ventilation, and is also communication and eyewear compatible. The RS-2 is one of the most feature packed and affordable helmets in the Bell line-up.The 2018 street full-face category is bookended by the Pro Star Flex and entry level Qualifier. This year, the Qualifier line has expanded to include four offerings: Qualifier DLX MIPS equipped, Qualifier DLX, Qualifier DLX Blackout and Qualifier. In addition to the new helmets, the entire 2018 street full-face line will also feature new graphics and colorway options.
www.bellhelmets.com