I've always been an open face helmet guy but for a change I thought I'd give a full face a go. I did my research, narrowed it down to a half dozen or so helmets I thought had the right mix of features, looks and decent reviews and fit my budget of approx $800. In the end I narrowed it down to 3 choices.

Biltwell Lanesplitter
Bell RS-1
Simpson Ghost Bandit.

The Biltwell Lanesplitter is only new (actually not available to the public) and is ECE compliant, I had the opputunity to buy a pre-release helmet but the risk of not been able to try one on had me a bit worried.



The Bell RS-1 - is a full featured helmet and was a pretty penny when new but is now somewhat obsolete by the Race Star and is a few years old, these can be had for $400 in select colour ways. It's comfy and typical Bell quality however felt heavy compared to the simpson and the viewing area was smaller.



Simpson Ghost Bandit - I've pined over the Bandit for years, but was never AS1698 or ECE compliant, the new Ghost Bandit is. It cost a bomb at $799. In my opinion this is the coolest looking helmet there is.



Review

So in the end I ended up sleeping on the decision and got the ghost Bandit in gloss black after finding a local vendor for sizing. I am usually a medium and in the Simpson I'm no different, it's a snug fit but completely comfortable for my oval shaped noggin. First things I immediately noticed is how Light this lid is, it's about the same as my open face helmet, the viewing port is huge and is as wide as my peripheral vision can see, this is a huge bonus when riding in Sydney where you need to be able to see cars and trucks from near killing you.

Of the reviews I read, only complaints were it was a "noisy" helmet and fogged up easy, coming from an Open face this thing is near silent to me, can only hear a bit of whistling when you are at Jail Time sort of speeds *cough* and the visor will fog if you breath through your mouth when stationary with the visor down. I breathe through my nose so problem solved. This helmet is compatible with the pinlock system so fogging can be cured with aftermarket support.

Venting is excellent, and is probably why it is considered a noisy helmet, heaps of vents and turrets for the breeze to cool you down. I wish the gauze on the vents was black though.

The helmet has a drop down tinted visor, which looks a bit too RoboCop for me but does work well. I ended up buying an additional Iridium visor which really cuts the light down (darker than sunnies) I wear glasses, they fit behind the visor with no problem and plenty of space.

Overall, very happy with the helmet and can ride without fear of been nabbed for a "non compliant" helmet with the new rules in NSW. It's a lot of money ($799) but if it keeps my chin from ending up smeared all over the road in the event of an accident I'll pay that money any day of the week.

With the iridium visor.

Good review, thanks. I'm due to upgrade later this year too ... I will look into the Simpson. I've seen the brand around but never read a review.

Sure did mate. And the AGV equivalent. I tried them both at Mca and found the shark too squished across the temples and the AGV a bit tight in the cheeks. They are both good looking lids and get good reviews. Have a look at the Simpson in the flesh and I think you will like it. Only complaint Come to think of it is the D buckle is small and can't be done with gloves on. 

Great write up on the Simpson Ghost Bandit

If anyone is interest in these helmets or any other Simpson product let me know, I am sure I can do you a killer deal landed here in Australia

http://simpsonraceproducts.com/motorcycle-helmets/

regards

Rod

Neat looking lid brash ????

The "Darth Simpson" helmet. Bell looks better to my mind, although my mind may be full of pot holes.

Just be aware, in Victoria Tinted or Iridium Visors will make your complaint helmet non-compliant.

Glad you like it, that's all that matters.

Can ride in Vic with helmet cam and tinted visor anywhere, not interested in them

What about the Shark Vancore...

I've solved the wind noise, the top vents simply put some tape over them from inside the helmet and all the sudden it's silent as an Arai.

Very impressed with this helmet, light, huge viewing portal, unique look.

On the odd occasion it will fog when stuck at the lights, only sometimes.

Hard bit to swallow is the price but you only get one head I suppose. :)

Hi Rod. How bout a dealer in Brisbane that sells the Bandit? Wouldn't mind having a look at it... Cheers... Mat

I'll be selling my Sportster very soon and have a lot of gear including a Simpson M30 Bandit Matt Black (with clear and tinted visor and brand new liner/cheek pads) size small.

Keen on the matt black. Does the Simpson sticker come off?

Hey guys i know this is an older post but im keen on Simpson ghost bandit and wanted to know if theres a place here in Melbourne i could buy one cheers. 

I wonder how much influence  " The Stig" had on Simpsons bottom line,

if anyone is looking for one of these in a medium I would probably let go of my Matt black helmet for a good price. 

Whereabouts can you purchase this helmets in Sydney?

Simpson Race Products in Kirrawee which is next to Sutherland. It's only open by appointment so give him a ring and tell him you want to try/buy.

9545 6662

Still loving the helmet, I've tried a couple of others recently including top of the line Bell Race Star and I still think the simpson is the best combo as far as weight, vision and looks.