When you are going for a Schuberth, you expect the finest. And the M1 Nova is no exception. Who else uses an in-house wind tunnel refinement for designing the shape and aesthetics? A 3/4th, open-face helmet at heart, with a drop-down, stylish sun-visor and a humongous shield, as well as a host of other features, this helmet is all you need when you bob around on that trusted Harley of yours.
The overall feel of this helmet is very stylish. It has a central vent at the top which looks very much like a louvre on a modded hood of your favorite muscle car. At the rear, a ‘Schuberth-log’ shaped exhaust vent gives a unique shape to the shell. These two visual cues place this helmet apart from others in the open-face category. Check price here.
And all those aesthetic pieces are easily removable for a host of customization options.
We have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.
What Would You Love?
The built-in microphone and speaker which is not even visible! There is also an optional SRC-System™ which works in tandem with the already existing mic-speaker combo. This system can be plugged in very easily because the helmet already has a recess on the inner side where this SRC-System™ fits perfectly at the back of the helmet.
The unique thing about this arrangement is that it knows when other SRC-System™ users are nearby (within a range of 500 meters). It also features voice recognition for a truly ‘look-ma-no-hands’ operation. The VOX or the ‘Voice Control’ enables you to use not one, but two mobile phones simultaneously and accept or reject calls using just voice commands. This is just the tip of the iceberg. You can use GPS (navigation, listen to your favorite music from your Android smartphone or iPhone or even an mp3 player).
Most importantly, everything is wireless.
The Top Features to Look Out For
Shell
A rounded and intermediate oval shape of the shell is sure to fit onto any head size, but Schuberth has taken extra care to make the helmet available in sizes ranging from XS to XXL. This might seem unusual, but it is designed with the tourers and commuters in mind. With ECE R 22.05 and DOT ratings, which are one of the highest rating standards you can rely on this helmet.
The construction is from a sturdy fiberglass which is able to resist high temperatures as well as pressure. The inner shell is a standard EPS foam. However, there are airflow channels to assist in the aeration. All that strength weighs 3.31 pounds, which is lighter than some of the open face or dual sport helmets. But it’s light, which is comfortable.
A semi-glossy finish adds panache to the already attractive shape, and the diagonal, flaky graphic with the perpendicular M1 logo giving it a wonderfully retro appearance.
The word you are looking for is city-café.
Visors
The immediate thing you’ll notice on this helmet is the large face shield. It is big enough to cover up your face and go over your chin. This is very useful for stopping your face from getting bombarded and stung by rain or hail. Coming in with 5 tints, your normal options are dark smoke and clear. But if you want that Stallone sunglasses look, you’ve got a blue mirrored, silver mirrored option. Well, there is a HD yellow one too.
And they’ve added scratch proof and UV radiation resistance as additional features on the sun-visor, but that’s pretty much standard.
Chances are, the drop-down sun visors are definitely going to give you a robo-cop feel. The moment you drop that gorgeous looking thing down, you will become an instant head-turner. Just sayin’.
We have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.
Ventilation
The louvres on the top covering the vent are directly connected to the air channels in upper lining of the shell, allowing a generous flow of air. The exhaust is hidden under the ‘S’ logo. This entire system creates a nice stream of air to keep your top as cool as possible.
The face shield can be adjusted in various positions to adjust the air flow on your face.
Padding and Lining
The M1 has a seamless lining. All the five cushions have been arranged for optimal comfort and you will notice this as soon as you put on the helmet. The liner is termed ‘breathable’ which is usually true of a mesh based liner cover, but it does not compare with velvet based fabric. Still, the entire thing is certified by Okotex for its removable, washable and antibacterial qualities. But you need to check the product class and gauge for yourself if the fabric is suitable for your skin class.
Customer Reviews
For a fantastic helmet like this, there have been some nit-picks about the noise, but the helmet is basically open face with a shield. So there will be wind noise and engine noise.
There was a complaint about the forehead fit too, but a larger size was needed. But otherwise, the customers were ecstatic about their purchases.
We have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.
Bottom Line
Great retro-shape, a huge visor, rock solid protection, built-in speakers and mic along with the SRC system makes this a huge catch and an absolute must buy. Even if you have other helmets. Go for it!