I've always known Simpson Helmets for the brand's drag racing lids, as well as being the helmet of choice by none other than Top Gear's Stig. It is, at this point, an iconic brand for that alone. But the company has built helmets for decades and does so with true purpose.
So when I heard that Simpson was bringing out two adventure motorcycle helmets, color me beyond stoked, as something that carries the badge, as well as the heritage and engineering of the brand's other lids, well that's just plain awesome. And then I saw the two helmets in question, the Journey Bandit and Excursion and well, please someone hold my wallet, I can't be trusted.
So what's up with these helmets and should you be having your loved ones also keep your money safe and hidden, too? Let's talk about it.
According to the brand, the two new helmets are designed to supply the "growing adventure rider market" and are made to "deliver unmatched protection and performance on and off-road." How the company aims to do that is through carbon fiber and tri-composite shells, adjustable venting for superior cooling, the brand's Comfort MAX fabric wrapping "plush" foam inserts, ultra-wide shields for better visability, as well as Pinlock tech, and three different shell sizes for that tailored fit.
As for what distinguishes the two helmets, that's pretty simple. The Xcursion is a static, traditional adventure helmet with a top-mounted visor and Simpson's distinct styling. As for the Journey Bandit, well, that's a modular helmet that's been designed for "open highways and rugged off-road trails." Each, however, comes in Black, Grey, White, and clear Carbon colorways, as is traditional for the brand. There's also Blue, Orange, and Neon Yellow.
As for price, Simpson is on the right track. For the Xcursion, you're looking between $499.95 and $724.95 depending on whether you get the exposed carbon shell. The modular Journey Bandit, however, is a little bit pricier, coming in with a starting price of $574.95 for the regular colors, and $774.95 for the exposed carbon shell.
"Adventure riders demand gear that matches their style and drive to push boundaries – without compromise," says Matthew Stevenson, President and CEO, Holley Performance Brands, adding, "The new Journey Bandit and Xcursion Bandit adventure motorcycle helmets deliver on that demand and demonstrate how Holley Performance Brands continues to evolve its safety product portfolio to take the lead in new markets and appeal to a wide variety of enthusiasts."
But what do you all think of the helmets? Are you ready to trade in your mantle for something new? Are you ready to try Simpson's first foray into the space? Let us know in the comments below.
