New Helmet - Schuberth C4

Just a blog report on my latest purchase. For sometime now I've been interested in getting another flip-front helmet as I miss the Shark Evoline I used a few years ago, but I found it way to heavy and was literally a pain in the neck after a days ride. This lead me to switch to a  much lighter full face Shoei Hornet Adventure style helmet, but with the recent visor crack and scratches I decided to have another look at what was on offer (Shoei wanted close to £100 for a new visor). Last year while in the Alps a few of the guys had the Schuberth C3 flip-front helmet and I was impressed with the lightness and build quality. I do like to pair a headset to my Garmin, Phone and iPod with occasional intercom so one option was to fit the cheap BT system I already have to the outside of a C3, but with the flip front this would push the control unit further back making it less accessible and I was concerned it would catch on my jacket collar.

Another option was the Schuberth E1 adventure style helmet, this is also a flip-front with a detachable peak - more expensive than the C3 Pro with the option of fitting the cheap BT system or purchasing the £180 Sena based 'collar' system. I like the E1 and was close to buying it, but fitting the collar system seemed a pain, as I understand they are hot to wear in the summer. My cheap BT system was now coming to the end of its life - battery life is getting shorter these days and the battery is part of the comm's system so cannot be changed. Another consideration - would there be buffeting at Motorway speeds with a peak helmet ? The Hornet was a winner at avoiding this, but the E1 was a bit of an expensive gamble that might lead to me having to change  the screen on my bike. Bit of a worse case, if the E1 had an integrated comm's system I may have taken the gamble, but it would also suffer with having an exterior mounted system pushed back like the C3 problem too.

This led me to another option ... recently Schuberth have released the C4 range to supersede the C3's going forward and it does look a bit sleeker, smarter (IMO) with Schuberth and indie reviewers claiming it has better visibility with a wider field of vision. It also has ability for you to plug in the really small form-factor integrated SC1 Intercom option developed by Sena ( probably the leader in bluetooth bike intercom systems). A separate battery and comm's unit is slotted into the rear opposing edges of the helmet. The helmet comes with integrated speaker, antenna and microphones built into it's shell. The SC1 system does have all sorts of VOX activated options too and can group pair with other SC1 systems as well as the popular Sena 10u systems. It can even pair with generic blueetooth comm's like my current cheap BT system too.

Great looking Schuberth C4 - in Pulse Silver

I have been really sold on the integrated features of the C4 for three reasons;

1. The intercom system is discrete, not a bulky separate add on to the exterior of the helmet and you don't have to pull all of the lining out to fit it either. With a none integrated set up I have found the ear phones irritate the edge of my ears after a while because they are not properly recessed.  
2. Since I rarely use the Intercom or phone feature the integrated microphone would be there if needed but not in the way all of the time like on the boom sticking out of the cheek pad. Also, in wet weather the boom mic can get wet, it's difficult to tuck out of the way. 
3. With the C4 you can purchase an additional battery and a separate charger so charge the battery independently of the helmet and comm's system e.g. leave in a hotel room on charge for the next day etc. Also when the battery loses efficiency you simply buy another one - not the whole system again.

The Schuberth C4 comes with a 5 year warranty on all parts so after getting a great deal at Moto Central an official dealer in Leicestershire, I bought one with the SC1 kit combined. 

I have been out on a few rides with the C4 with SC1 now and have to say I am really impressed. I think it looks sleeker than the C3, the sun visor is a great feature and has wide peripheral vision, very comfortable and warmer on Autumn days than the Shoei.  A very quiet helmet too, something Schuberth are renowned for and is a favourite with Police motorcyclists. I found pairing with bluetooth devices like my GPS and phone really easy. There's even a Schuberth SC1 Android and iOS app to help with configuration. I'm getting used to the two button function now - can be a bit fiddly learning the button combinations  though e.g.

Pause Music - Hold the + key for 1 second

Skip Track - Hold the + key for 3 seconds

Up Volume - Tap the + Key.

.. but after yesterdays local ride with Lindsay I was really getting used to  operating it with gloves on. Great sound quality and bass notes on audio too - even with ear plugs. Haven't tried the comm's yet apart from a quick pair with my generic bluetooth BT system at home, but so far I have to say I'm really pleased. The air flow has been improved over the C3 - not sure what the net effect is, but the 3 position settings allow varying streams of air you can really feel the effect (the Shoei was useless for this) - hopefully it will be cool in the summer now. I may consider getting a spare battery along with the charger now too, roll on next years touring - can't wait!

Autumn Ducati Sunshine

Today (Sunday), the day started off with bright sunshine, an ideal Autumn morning for a ride down to Quatt Truck Stop (local bikers cafe) to meet  up with Ron, my ex-Harley mate I hadn't seen for a while. Great to catch up, and the first time I'd seen his shiny white Ducati Multistrada 1200. It seems he and Pip were finding the Fat Boy (Harley Softail 😉) a bit uncomfortable while touring around Spain last year, and fell for the Ducati after a few test rides. Great colour and a bit different than the obvious Ducati red I think, the build quality is really quite something on the Multistrada, with plenty of suspension settings and ride modes, and fantastic looking multi function display too, I'm well impressed. 

  

It was great hearing all about his excellent trip riding the Alpenstrasse in Bavaria earlier this year too, a route I did in the opposite direction a few years ago so we were able to share our experiences, and he also got to ride the full route, though unlike me, West to East instead. I love that Alpenstrasse  and wouldn't mind going back, full of interesting Bavarian villages, lakes and forests with plenty of places to stay en-route. Ron took an interesting approach to touring, without a predefined route they (Ron and Roy) set an 'intended' end destination for the day instead, and simply made up the detail along the way, relying on their GPS's to keep them heading in a basic general direction. I like the sound of that type of freedom giving you the chance to really explore and discover without following someone's pre-defined idea of how the day should turn out.  I have done something similar myself on odd days while on my own in Austria, and while alone riding  in the U.K, but not for the entire trip away. He explained they had no definite hotels booked either, relying on a daily 5 pm hunt for accommodation wherever they were at that time. Sounds like a lot of fun, but might not suit everyone's idea of touring without the comfort of knowing where you are heading and having a hotel pre booked to aim for. I can think of one person I toured with in the past who no longer rides bikes who would have simply 'gone mad' not knowing where he may end up, but 'horses for courses' as they say. I would like to try this type of trip in the future, but I'm usually on a timescale - a holiday from work, and often have a 'sight-seeing' or 'roads I must ride' agenda in my mind before I set off. It seems Ron managed to do this by choosing the Alpenstrasse, yet satisfying the wander-lust aspect of an adventure ride too. How refreshing, I really think I might have to give it a try.

After a brew and chat we both headed off for a ride around parts of Shropshire taking a back road Ron knew down to Much Wenlock, one I hadn't ridden before. Following behind he did look comfortable on the Multistrada, it really is a nice bike. Later, we stopped off in Craven Arms, and got chatting to a couple out on their 16 plate BMW RT, having ridden it twice down to Italy and the lakes (hmm, now there's a place I must go back to, maybe I could make it up n the way?). Later, we set off on a pleasant ride towards home saying our 'byes' in Bridgnorth.

Ride outs are shorter now as Autumn sets in, with time to get back and clean bikes etc.

Cheers for the meet Ron, a good afternoon with a balmy 17 degrees sunshine too. A real bonus for October. 👍