Known primarily for their quality luggage options, GIVI has been selling a full line of helmets in Europe for years. GIVI is no newcomer to making helmets and it shows in their new HPS X.01 Tourer, the companies first commitment to selling helmets here in North America.

Constructed with a polycarbonate shell and weighing three pounds, the Tourer is no featherweight, yet never felt heavy during any of the 2,500 miles logged in it so far. The removable visor has a moderately aggressive design that compliments the round shape of the helmet shell nicely.

I found the visor to be well placed for blocking direct sun and didn’t produce much helmet lift except on the highway. It will pull you around if you turn your head up and catch the wind but even then it is not uncomfortable or unmanageable.

When the sun gets below the brim the Tourer also has a built in sun visor. It significantly cuts down the glare, and I even found myself using it with the front shield flipped up to get some wind on my face.

I was surprised to find that even with both the sun visor and face shield down there is very little lens distortion, concentrated in the complex curves near the edges. GIVI has also done an excellent job on the face shield coating because the only time it fogged was on a brisk 30 degree morning ride.

Being able to easily convert from a full face to ¾ is absolutely the most unique feature of the Tourer. I have only taken advantage of it a hand full of times as I am not particularly fond of the bug in teeth persuasion. But, on short rides at low speeds it was definitely fun, and this design indeed has its merits when the need to easily communicate to other riders or pedestrians is necessary. This ¾ design is much cooler and works best behind a large windscreen.

I have yet to remove the hypoallergenic cheek pads or liner for a washing as the venting on this helmet is good enough to keep me from sweating even on hot days. When the need arises however, everything is easily removable and snaps back into place just as readily.

The GIVI Tourer is a feature packed helmet. It’s a natural choice for adventure touring riders and the convertible design is a unique feature some riders will really appreciate. MSRP: $249.00 giviusa.com

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