How to choose a helmet intercomDRAFT

An intercom lets riders talk to each other, hear voice navigation and play audio from a phone without taking a hand off the bars. Three questions come first.

• Who are you talking to? A rider and passenger on one bike need short range. A group needs long range and support for several users.
• How does it mount? Check that it fits your helmet type and that the speakers do not press on your ears.
• How long do you ride at a stretch? Check battery life while talking and on standby, and the charging type.

Range and battery figures from the maker are lab numbers. Buildings, tunnels and wind shorten them on the road.

Heated jacket: what to check before you buyDRAFT

A heated jacket runs on a battery and warms zones of the body. It adds warmth but does not replace a protective layer.

• Crash protection: A heated jacket is not necessarily a protective riding jacket. Check for armour and a standard rather than assuming.
• Battery: Capacity, heat time at each level, and whether the battery is included.
• Electrical safety: Look for certification of the battery and charger, not just marketing text.
• Fit: Heating needs contact with the body, so a loose size weakens the effect.

Helmets: what the standard saysDRAFT

A helmet is the most important piece of safety gear, so every helmet on this site carries a warning label until its certification has been verified.

• The current European helmet standard is ECE 22.06, which replaced ECE 22.05. Look for the certification label on the helmet itself, not only in the product description.
• The letters DOT in a product title are not proof of certification.
• A very low price for an “approved” helmet is a warning sign.