Best motorcycle gear advancements of 2021

At RevZilla, we get our hands on the latest and greatest from all around the motosphere. Some products are duds. (One of last year’s promising advancements, BMW’s maintenance-free chain, was later mythbusted by Long Haul Paul and Ari Henning.) Others are high-profile success stories, like Alpinestars’ Tech Air airbag system. A few fly under the radar, and we’ve collected the best of the year right here.

Sena Spider communicators: Advanced mesh connection at an entry-level price

Over the last few years, Cardo made significant inroads against Sena’s dominance in the Bluetooth communicator space. Then Sena released the Spider series of communicators that brings the power of mesh connectivity to the entry-level market. This is a significant step forward in rider-to-rider communication.

This article isn’t the place to get into the technical differences between traditional Bluetooth and mesh for helmet comms, but you should know that mesh communication is the future of the industry. Mesh can join more riders over greater distances and it allows for seamless connecting and disconnecting as riders join and leave a group. In addition, Bluetooth only connects over line of sight, while mesh systems are better at connecting in places with physical obstructions, like dense woods or city streets. The RevZilla video crew relies on mesh when shooting our videos and with the Spider line, Sena brings mesh networking to the sub-$200 price point.

CE for apparel, FIM for helmets: Manufacturers adopt new rating systems

Last year, one of our top picks was the new CE rating system for apparel safety. The rating system uses C, B, A, AA, and AAA to describe protective qualities, which makes it easier for riders to choose equipment that meets their needs. We weren’t sure how adoption of the new standards would go, though.

The last year saw a massive uptick in the number of manufacturers utilizing the new CE system, and our Gear Geeks report a large volume of customers asking for it specifically. Any practical tool that makes it easier to choose protection is a win in our book.

Another new rating system, FIM helmet approval, also took off this year. Intended for race sanctioning bodies, the FIM standard is also useful for street and track-day riders. Notable examples include the LS2 Thunder Carbon and the HJC RPHA 1N. Note that a DOT approval is also needed to use these helmets on the street in the United States, and several new lids, including the previous examples, are dual-certified.

AGV Pista GP RR Futuro Forgiato helmet: Pushing the limits with forged carbon 

Forged carbon has been around for a minute, most notably in the high-performance automotive world. It’s easily identified by its random pattern of carbon “flakes” in stark contrast to the orderly appearance of carbon weave. Forged carbon offers similar structural properties to standard carbon weave with the added benefit of being easier to form into radical shapes with sharp bends. 

AGV pushed the boundaries of helmet construction this year with the Pista GP RR Futuro Forgiato helmet in (you guessed it) luxurious forged carbon. One of the most impressive features of this helmet is the forged carbon spoiler, which is plastic on the base Pista GP RR. Hopefully, this is a sign of more forged carbon in the helmet space for lighter, faster, and more protective lids. For now, it’s pure cool.

Bell Moto 10 helmet: New ideas and incredible protection in the dirt

Bell introduced the Bell Moto 10 for top-level dirt riders, and one dirt pro put it to the ultimate test shortly after launch. Take a look for yourself. (Warning: This crash is bad, but there were no injuries.)

Cameron McAdoo walked away from that crash, passed a concussion test, and rejoined the race to finish third. If that isn’t a ringing endorsement of a helmet’s protective abilities, we don’t know what is.

The Moto 10 uses a new “segmented shell” design that locks two halves together with aerospace fasteners. Once attached, they cannot be removed. This leaves the Moto 10 with a strong yet lightweight shell with massive airflow through dedicated channels in the shell. Incredibly light and fully ventilated, the Moto 10 delivers a new level of comfort and protection. It almost works too well in cooler temps. The helmet’s styling is a little unconventional, and that’s okay.

Bell takes the Moto 10 even further with Spherical MIPS technology. We’re longtime fans of the MIPS slip liner concept, and with this latest innovation, the system offers more protection against rotational impacts than ever. 

The rise of slim armor: Stealthy safety

The safest gear is the gear you actually wear, right? Bulky armor tends to deter riders from suiting up for casual riding. Even for the ATGATT crowd, who wouldn’t want flexible, comfortable armor with the same protective qualities as the chunky stuff? The last year has seen a massive increase in the number of gear manufacturers offering CE-rated slim armor, or gear that includes it. Examples include the latest SAS-TEC armor, D3O Ghost, Dainese’s ProArmor 2.0, and the proven SeeSmart options from REV’IT!. We especially like slim armor for knees and hips in riding pants. More options mean more safety, and the stuff isn’t even that expensive. Expect to spend $20 to $35 to experience the flexibility, comfort, and convenience of slim armor. This would have been space-age stuff 10 years ago. 

That concludes our roundup of the best gear advancements of 2021. There are plenty more innovations coming for 2022, some of which you’ll see on the pages of Common Tread, but for now, we can’t recommend these new pieces of kit enough.