Steelbird SA-5 Monster Helmet Review: Value Monster
The Steelbird SA-5 Monster promises to offer great features, attractive design, and safety, but is there a catch? With the craze for boldly designed lids at an all-time high, options like the SA-5 are a welcome addition.
By Karan Mathur
With the craze for boldly designed lids at an all-time high, options like the SA-5 are a welcome addition. It aims to offer everything you want without breaking the bank. However, it would be naïve to expect it to match helmets like Arai and Shoei, given its price tag of just ₹4,679; however, it does try to make an honest effort.
The outer shell of the helmet is crafted from high-impact-resistant thermoplastic, with high- and low-density EPS layers inside. It is both ISI and DOT certified, but an ECE certification would have been better, similar to its competitors, like Axor Apex and MT Hummer. However, if you're prime requirment is safety, helmets like the feauture-loaded MT Thunder 4 might be the one to go for. In terms of safety, what I like about it is the presence of a D-ring enclosure, which is actually a necessity if you wish to wear it on the track. That said, during the test, I couldn’t get the desired snug fit, despite my efforts to tighten the strap.
The Steelbird SA-5 does offer decent features, which many potential buyers may appreciate. It comes standard with a scratch-resistant clear visor, along with a pin lock visor for added convenience. The visor also features a quick-release mechanism, which is easy to use. Additionally, there are plenty of air vents, including a chin vent and multiple vents on top –Steelbird calls its Air Booster system – to keep riders happy on hot summer days. While using it, I never found the need for more vents, but I did notice a bit of wind buffeting at higher speeds around the edge of the visor. If you ride in hot areas and require ventilation, plus safety, open-face helmets like the Steelbird Blauer Pilot are also an option. Another niggle, which ties into the loose-fitting nature of the helmet, is that you feel a discernable turbulence inside the helmet once you exceed 130 – 140 km/h.
Overall, I think the new Steelbird SA-5 Monster is a good fit (pardon the pun) for those seeking a helmet with a great design, styling, and features under the ₹5,000 mark.
