Image: Supplied.

Alpinestars Australia has landed the 2019 Alpinestars S-M10 helmet, now available in dealerships throughout the country. Boasting over five years of intensive study, development and testing, Alpinestars has officially entered the helmet market.

Based upon Alpinestars’ five decades of protection development, the design team has scrutinised every possible aspect to engineer a helmet that is safer and more thoughtfully designed than anything else, according to the premium Italian-based brand.

Image: Supplied.

The Carbon Shell Construction features a 3K, high density carbon outer layer that improves strength and efficiency of energy disserpation over the shell, a UD carbon composite layer that gives significantly greater radial strength around the shell, preventing compression but allowing controlled deflection for reducing transmitted impact energy. Plus, an aramid fibre layer which provides critical penetration protection.

This three layer composite combination is given even greater performance with an epoxy resin bonding that offers the best possible strength and energy management. The combination of material layers gives improved energy management – limited outer shell deflection making the energy spread wider and better absorbed by the EPS liner.

The result of the unique shell lay-up process employed in the M10 construction results in extremely effective impact protection. With a fully-equipped helmet testing facility within Alpinestars Racing Development Center, an exhaustive impact research program has resulted in the Supertech returning linear and oblique impact performance which far improves upon current helmet regulation standard limits. For direct, linear, impact by an average magnitude of 41 percent and for rotational acceleration, oblique, impact performance by an average of 48 percent.

Image: Supplied.

A four density EPS liner is utilised. 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 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.

Image: Supplied.

Each head size has a dedicated shell and EPS dimension, meaning the Supertech shell construction is optimised to offer best fit across the range of four size options. Shell sizes are manufactured in Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large to ensure that riders have the correct fit which not only improves comfort but, most importantly, the effectiveness of the helmet in an impact. Its liner construction combines with the shell to offer highly efficient impact energy management.

Weight is both a factor in riding performance and safety in a helmet and to ensure the M-10 offers the ultimate in weight-saving performance enhancement, preparation and construction of the helmet has been rigorously analysed for weight to strength and energy absorbtion properties and a strict analysis of all the components used in the Supertech finishing.

Image: Supplied.

There is an A-Head Fitment System, patented to provide ultimate adjustability. It is to allow the helmet to be tuned exactly to the riders 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 inner-shell, it is possible to raise or lower the helmet fit and also, to tilt the helmet forward, or backwards.

Image: Supplied.

Alpinestars has developed a unique patented 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 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.

Image: Supplied.

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

Image: Supplied.

Incorporating an ultra-ventilated design, heat mapping tests have resulted in specifically designed ducting which produces a positive flow into the helmet over and around the rider’s head, improving comfort while riding and reducing the on-set of heat stress in extreme conditions.

The visor design of the M10 is also an integral part of the ventilation system as it is profiled to direct air-flow, acting as a channel to concentrate and smooth the flow into the shell. The liner design is formed to optimise air-flow channeling around the rider’s head, before being extracted through rear exhaust vents to ensure positive pressure is maintained with constant airflow while riding.

Image: Supplied.

Alpinestars has implemented an exclusive multi-piece Multi-Direction Impact Protection System (MIPS) that reduced rotational impact forces. A low friction slip layer is incorporated into the Supertech 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 absorbtion layer to damp and re-direct the energy before causing significant acceleration stress to the brain.

There’s an Emergency Release System (ERS), enabling safe and easy removal of cheek pads while the helmet is still on. 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. It’s also designed to allow a helmet Eject inflation system to be fitted into the inside crown of the shell and the lining design includes canals which allow a tube to be incorporated on either side of the shell.

Image: Supplied.

Additional features include the use of a Cool-Max Comfort Liner, which is a removable liner cover that is washable and features a cool-max fabric interior and anti-bacterial talent yarn for long-lasting freshness and quick-dry performance between riding sessions. Helmet features TPE coating washable surfaces to improve maintenance and increase durability. The chin strap is wider than certification requirement at 26mm for comfort and produced with a woven poly yarn to give a soft hand feel that connects securely with a double D-ring.

You’ll be stoked on the accessories included, being a spare visor and helmet bag in line with the quality Supertech M10 helmet itself. Conforming to both DOT certification and ECE homologation, the M10 is certified for use worldwide.

Image: Supplied.

Available now at $849.95 in four colourways (Black Gray Yellow Fluo, Black Aqua Orange Fluo, Anthracite Gray Orange Fluo and Black Matte Carbon) and sizes (S-XL), visit www.alpinestarsmx.com.au for complete information. In addition, enter via this link for your chance to win your very own 2019 Alpinestars Supertech M10 helmet to help Alpinestars Australia celebrate its arrival!

Image: Supplied.