I’m a fan of Airoh helmets, having spent some quality time with an off-road model in recent months. But they were once considered unobtanium in the US, only to be seen on the heads of Hard Enduro riders competing at Erzberg. Now, though, the Italian helmet manufacturer is offering its lids to riders in North America and recently expanded its lineup with the introduction of two new Adventure models, the Commander 2 and the all-new Bandit.
Airoh says the “Commander 2 and Bandit embody two complementary aspects of two-wheel travel, delivering configurable solutions and high-level performance to tackle any route - from asphalt to off-road - without compromise, especially when it comes to safety.”
In short, the Italian brand now has two different ADV helmets available, one being an update to the Commander they introduced last year, and the other an all-new lid, the Bandit.
The Commander 2 is an evolution of the original Commander, and offers riders three configurations – on road, off-road and adventure. You can remove the peak to have a more streamlined shell for road riding, leave it on for longer mixed terrain adventure rides, or remove the visor to allow for goggles when riding off-road. The shell of the Commander 2 is made from HPC Carbon or Full Carbon 6K and available in three sizes, and is equipped with AIROH Sliding Net (ASN) and AIROH Emergency Fast Release (AEFR) systems which improve both comfort and safety. The “Extra Wide” visor, along with an integrated, drop-down sun visor provides optimal visibility in all conditions, according to Airoh.
The Commander 2 carries an MSRP of €439.99 ($520) and is available in four colorways.
New to the Airoh team is the Bandit, a helmet the Italian brand says is made for riders “looking for a helmet that can quickly adapt to different needs,” thanks to its “2-in-1” configuration that allows riders to switch between the peak-equipped version and a naked setup quickly.
The Bandit shell is made from High Resistance Thermoplastic and is available in two different shell sizes. The new lid offers a wide field of view and thanks to the Pinlock 70 MAX VISION lens and an anti-fog position that keeps things clear even when you’re busy mouth-breathing.
The ventilation system, along with a breathable, removable, and washable inner lining mean you’ll not only be comfortable on long, sweaty adventures, but you can keep the inners of the Bandit clean between rides. The helmet also comes outfitted with the AIROH Sliding Net and AIROH Emergency Fast Release systems.
The Bandit carries an MSRP of €249.99 ($295) and is also available in four colorways.
