Pull the Davida SPEEDSTER V4 over your head, fire up a modern classic and within the first few miles you understand exactly what this helmet is about.
Your peripheral vision opens up, the engine feels closer and suddenly you’re experiencing rather than simply observing the road ahead.
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There is wind on your face, the soundtrack is more immediate and the whole ride feels that little bit more mechanical. On a Bonneville, Interceptor, Gold Star or café racer, it just feels right.
That’s the attraction of the SPEEDSTER V4. Davida hasn’t tried to disguise an open-face helmet as something futuristic. Instead, it has concentrated on preserving the wonderfully simple character that makes this style of helmet so appealing while producing something suitable for today’s modern-classic rider.
ON THE ROAD
Around town and along a favourite stretch of country road is where the SPEEDSTER V4 really comes alive.
The unrestricted field of vision is excellent and there’s an immediacy to the riding experience that even the best full-face helmets inevitably dilute. Look through a corner and there’s virtually nothing interrupting your view.
At higher speeds, however, reality intervenes. Wind noise increases and there’s obviously considerably less protection from rain, cold air and flying debris than you’ll find with a full-face helmet.
That’s not so much a criticism of the Davida as the fundamental compromise of choosing an open-face design.
COMFORT & FIT
A retro helmet needs to look compact on your head, and this is one area where the SPEEDSTER V4 scores highly.
Its low-profile appearance avoids the oversized look that can spoil otherwise convincing vintage styling, while the interior has the quality expected from a premium helmet.
The fit feels reassuringly secure rather than loose, and once properly settled onto your head it becomes an easy helmet to wear on the shorter, more relaxed rides for which it feels ideally suited.
BUILD QUALITY & STYLE
This is arguably where Davida earns its reputation.
The SPEEDSTER V4 doesn’t feel like a fashion accessory designed to capitalise on the modern-classic boom. There’s a sense of craftsmanship to its construction, with careful attention paid to the shell, lining, trim and smaller finishing details.
And visually, less really is more.
No spoilers. No unnecessary vents dominating the shell. No aggressive aerodynamic appendages. Just a beautifully clean open-face profile with the sort of proportions that work exceptionally well alongside a traditional motorcycle.
❤️ OUR FAVOURITE FEATURE
That Unfiltered Riding Experience
It’s the reason you’d buy the SPEEDSTER V4 in the first place.
Few helmets make you feel quite as connected to the motorcycle and your surroundings. The sound of the engine, the air and that panoramic view combine to turn even an ordinary Sunday ride into something more involving.
It’s motorcycling stripped back to the essentials.
👍 PROS
✓ Beautiful classic styling
✓ Premium feel and finish
✓ Excellent field of vision
✓ Low-profile appearance
✓ Wonderfully involving riding experience
👎 CONS
✗ Less protection than a full-face helmet
✗ Wind noise becomes noticeable at speed
✗ Limited protection from poor weather
WHO ELSE WANTS YOUR MONEY?
The premium retro open-face market isn’t short of alternatives. Riders considering the SPEEDSTER V4 may also have helmets from Bell, Hedon, Shoei and HJC on their shortlist.
Some rivals offer different approaches to ventilation, comfort or styling, but Davida’s attraction lies in its combination of British heritage, minimalist design and unmistakably traditional character.
🏁 M.C.M. NEWS VERDICT
★★★★★★★★★☆ (9/10)
Style & Design | ★★★★★★★★★☆ (9.0/10)
Build Quality | ★★★★★★★★★☆ (9.0/10)
Comfort & Fit | ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8.0/10)
Protection and Safety | ★★★★★★★★☆☆ (8.0/10)
On the Road | ★★★★★★★★★☆ (9.0/10)
Value for money| ★★★★★★★★★☆ (8.0/10)
🏁 M.C.M. NEWS VERDICT 9/10
The Davida SPEEDSTER V4 understands its
audience perfectly.
It isn’t trying to replace a full-face touring helmet, nor should it. Instead, it’s aimed squarely at riders who want their helmet to complement both their
motorcycle and the way they choose to ride it.
Stylish, beautifully finished and wonderfully involving on the road, the SPEEDSTER V4 captures much of what attracts us to modern-classic motorcycling in the first place: simplicity, character and the
enjoyment of the ride itself.
For a sunny Sunday morning, a favourite B-road and a modern classic waiting in the garage, we’d struggle to think of many helmets we’d rather reach for.
(original post on modernclassicbikes.co.uk)
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Original post on modernclassicbikes.co.uk and published by Frank Duggan. Frank is the Founder and Editor of Modern Classic Motorcycle News, an independent motorcycle publication covering modern classic motorcycles, roadsters, scramblers, cruisers, electric motorcycles and the wider motorcycle industry.
