MC Tested: LS2 Vector Motorcycle Helmet

Brand and price are often used as a measure of a product’s quality, especially when it comes to helmets. That being the case, I intentionally did zero research when I received this Vector helmet from LS2, a company I’m only vaguely familiar with. Instead, I just wore the lid for several months and didn’t bother to look up price or brand info until I sat down to write this review.

First the good. The Vector is quite light—I’d rank it in the 80th percentile in terms of weight—and fits great. I’m a long-oval head shape and the Vector cradles my skull nicely with a multi-piece removable liner. The Vector vents well via large ducts at the forehead and back of the shell, and there’s a two-stage chin vent that can either channel air to the visor or directly at the rider’s face. There’s also a removable chin curtain and breath guard, a flip-down sunshield, and a visor that’s ready for an anti-fog insert. The chin strap secures with a quick-release buckle. Not my favorite method, but it is convenient. According to the sticker on the back the Vector is DOT-approved and has a “tri-composite” shell, which I assume means a fiberglass blend.

So overall we have a good-fitting, functional helmet that’s light, quiet, and offers plenty of features. The only negatives I can assign to the Vector are due to the visor and flip-down shield. There’s a lip molded into the bottom of the visor that creates a band of distortion along the bottom of your field of view. The same goes for the flip-down visor (which doesn’t always flip all the way down—often I have to use my fingers to move it down the last half inch), so when both shields are down part of your lower field of view is unusable.

Based on the features and quality of the Vector I guessed it was a $300 to $350 helmet. Turns out it is $200 in solid colors and $220 with graphics, and it’s made in China in LS2’s own factory. (The shell is in fact a fiberglass composite.) Given the affordability and general quality of the Vector, I think the faceshield foibles can be forgiven, especially if you are on a budget. But if LS2 can iron out the kinks while keeping the price where it is, the Vector will be a standout product.

LS2 VECTOR HELMET
PRICE: $200-$220
CONTACT: ls2helmets.us

MC GRADE: B-
A great helmet—except for the visor issues. Fix those and the Vector is a solid A.