Tested: Fly Racing F2 Carbon Helmet 1

Fly Racing has been producing helmets for over 10 years now, and the F2 Carbon is the company’s high-end offering. I was able to try out the blue/white Trey Canard Replica version, but try as I might, my scrubs remained subpar at best.

Features:

  • SNELL M2010, DOT approved for USA – other standards include: ECE and AS (Australian).
  • Composite construction shell – outer shell is constructed of aircraft grade woven carbon fiber and Kevlar® composite materials
  • Dual density EPS liner – two layers of EPS (Expanded Polystyrene), one softer one slightly harder, combine to provide more progressive impact absorption for different levels of impact
  • Multi-port air induction cooling system – eleven (11) intake and four (4) exhaust vents
  • Tri-vent goggle anti-fog vents – three (3) air intake vents above goggle eye port
  • Flow through EPS and Comfort Liner Air System – EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) and comfort liner align to maximize airflow
  • Quick release washable comfort liner and cheek pads
  • Custom molded rubber trim with nose guard
  • Lightweight aluminum hardware
  • Optional carbon fiber intake vent wing – can be added to the helmet for increased direction of airflow on the front vents
  • MSRP: $289.95 - $299.95

Aesthetically, the F2 Carbon is a good-looking helmet with some modern lines, and a style that is reminiscent of some other brands, but at the same time, uniquely it’s own. Graphics have progressed by leaps and bounds in recent years, and the Canard Replica takes advantage of some of those improvements (multicolored mouthpiece, molded white and black rubber trim) without over doing it.

The intake ports at the top of the rubber trim to a great job of keeping your brow sweat free.

Exhaust ports at the top and bottom in the back keep air flowing.

When slipping on the F2 Carbon, the first thing I couldn’t help but notice was the thickness of the cheek pads. I typically wear a large size helmet, and while the shell and EPS foam are the right size for me, the helmet padding feels a bit excessive to me. With the helmet on, the cheek pads instantly gave me chipmunk face (not to be confused with the oh-so-popular “duck face” that seems to be taking Instagram and FB by storm). However once I was actually riding, I didn’t even notice it. I was given the option of an XL helmet, but found that I preferred the smaller shell size of the large.

Ventilation on the F2 Carbon is very good. The intake and exhaust ports are situated ideally to maximize airflow. Here in SoCal, we just had one helluva hot summer, especially in the Inland Empire where many of the local tracks are. When the temps get into the triple digits, there are only a few lids that I trust will keep my noggin cool, and the F2 Carbon is definitely one of them. I actually wore a F2 Carbon a few years ago in the brutal heat and humidity of Loretta Lynn’s, and while I mostly sucked, it was no fault of the Fly helmet which kept head from over heating during those long motos.

Safety first! Little bits like this rider info tag are a nice touch to the F2 Carbon.

Eye port ventilation is something that seems simple enough, be its actually relatively new. The vents at the top of the port, and built into the EPS foam and rubber trim, allow air to flow towards your brow to both minimize sweat and keep your goggles from fogging up.

Overall, the Fly F2 Carbon is a very solid offering at a price that won’t make your heart jump. While I would like to see the liner and cheek pad foam thickness reduced, or at least have foam liner options, the fitment was fine once out on the track.

For more information, visit www.flyracing.com.

-Bayodome

1 comments

View replies to: Tested: Fly Racing F2 Carbon Helmet

Comments

The Latest