Switching from a half-face helmet to the Royal Enfield Lightwing modular lid was always going to be a step up, and the difference was immediately noticeable, especially in terms of weight. At approximately 1,475g, it’s significantly heavier. The first few rides made that clear, but a week into using it as my daily, the added weight faded into the background. In fact, it now feels like a fair trade-off for the added sense of security and build quality.
It also impresses with its solid construction. The shell feels sturdy, and the matte black and yellow finish has held up well despite being subjected to Mumbai’s harsh summer sun. There’s no fading or visible wear, which says a lot about its durability in real-world conditions. The inclusion of a ratchet strap instead of a double-d ring closure system might disappoint some, but it isn’t a deal-breaker in my books, although I’m primarily confined to the urban jungle.
The integrated sun visor is genuinely useful in a city like Mumbai, where the sun is relentless. And the fact that it fits neatly over my spectacles makes it even more practical. For my usage – largely city commutes on my TVS Ntorq – I’ve often ridden with the helmet in its open-face configuration to cope with the heat.
That’s because using it as a full-face helmet in peak summer hasn’t been the most comfortable experience. While it does get adjustable vents, ventilation in Mumbai traffic compared to my previous half-face helmet is much lower, though that’s not entirely unexpected.
Comfort, however, is a strong suit. The inner padding is plush and sits well, even on longer rides. It’s easy to remove and clean, a big plus given the amount of sweat and dust helmets endure in daily use. There are a couple of niggles, though. The locking mechanism can be finicky, often requiring you to hold down the unlock button while shutting it, not ideal for something you use multiple times a day. Removing the visor is also easy, but getting it to lock back into place can test your patience. Wind noise is reasonably well contained up to about 70kph, but beyond that, I haven’t tested it enough to comment confidently on highway performance.
At Rs 4,500, this helmet is good value for what it offers. As a stylish, well-built modular helmet for primarily urban use, it largely delivers on expectations, with just a few compromises.
Written by SAGAR JUNEJA
Where: store.royalenfield.com
Price: Rs 4,500