The KYT NZ-Race is currently the popular choice of helmet among motorcycle racers in India.
Anish Shetty is one of the best riders of his time, so when he recommended it, we also got one for ourselves and put it through a few months of use; both on the racetrack and on the road.
For those who are not familiar with the brand, KYT are a reputed manufacturer with a global presence. Their helmets are used by MotoGP racers including Enea Bastianini and Augusto Fernandez. Until recently, it was also part of Aleix Espargaro’s kit. In India, KYT have a special significance. Since the ban on non-ISI-certified helmets, it has been difficult to source world-class units in the country. KYT are among the few manufacturers who are selling their products in India because they have ISI certification. The NZ-Race, for example, is certified for both ECE 22.06 and ISI standards.
In this plain white colour, the shape of the helmet can be appreciated easily. It has a clean, clutter-free design where the commitment to aerodynamics is evident. We particularly like how nicely the spoiler has been integrated into the shape. Even at high speeds, it is stable and does not cause any undue drag. If I am nitpicking, I would say the vents on top of the shell could have could have had better levels of fit-and-finish. ‘Tri-Fiber composite’, a material which includes kevlar, carbon and fibre-glass has been used for the construction of the shell and KYT claim that it has better impact resistance and helps keep the weight low.
At approximately 1.4 kg, it is the lightest racing helmet I have used below Rs 50,000. Once worn, it somehow feels lighter than the claimed figure and is supremely comfortable to wear all day. The pads feel good against the skin, they are reasonably absorbent and there are grooves for spectacles and Bluetooth systems too. It is also worth noting that the helmet is available in five sizes: XS, S, M, L and XL. We have a size M and the fit is snug. If they had offered a magnetic button for the double-d ring, it would have been an additional point in favour of convenience.
We feel vision is the NZ-Race’s best attribute. Its field of view is so wide that it is easy to forget one is wearing a helmet. Its racing development also ensures that the line of sight is good even when tucked away behind the fairing of a supersport. Dark visors are not included and have to be bought separately. I would recommend ordering one along with the helmet because they are in high demand and usually out of stock. The visor itself has excellent optical clarity and has remained immune to scratches thus far. It is also ready to be equipped with Antifog Pinlock Max Vision 70.
We appreciate how KYT are offering race replicas for the NZ-Race at no extra cost. All the colours on offer are priced at Rs 35,000. To save some more money, one could go for the plain white colour which costs Rs 1,000 less. We would whole-heartedly recommend this helmet to anyone who has a budget of up to Rs 50,000 because it does so many things so well. In fact, it comes very close to earning a full five-star rating. The only point holding us back is the wind noise. For all its virtues, the NZ-Race is noisy at speed which is not uncommon for a race helmet. A pair of earplugs solves that issue very easily. However, those who ride predominantly on the road may be seek more refinement on that front. Other than that singular minor inconvenience, this is an excellent product.
Rating: 4.5/5
Also Read: Tiivra Alterego 2.0 Demon Helmet Review
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