Crash Tested (With Video!): Forcite MK1 Smart Helmet Review

Yes, you read that right. I crashed a smart helmet. A Forcite MK1, to be exact. You may not have heard of Forcite helmets before unless of course you’ve seen our Mega Helmet Shootout, which briefly featured the MK1. Based in Australia, Forcite’s big selling point is its integrated camera, speakers, and microphone that pair harmoniously with the proprietary Forcite app. This allows for turn-by-turn navigation without the need for a separate communicator. The app and map are optimized for Forcite’s home country of Australia, but we’re told it still works in the US, including in my Los Angeles locale. Similar to the Waze app, not only does it audibly give turn-by-turn directions, but it also will glow thin, colored LEDs at the top rim of the chin bar to also tell you which way to turn by way of your periphery. In addition, it’ll also alert you to cops or speed cameras up ahead.

I’ve played around with so many devices to try and capture good riding videos from the rider’s POV, and while some worked better than others, the integration of the camera in the Forcite MK1 made this my go-to for onboard video. Having the ability to narrate at the same time was icing on the cake. Before I crashed it, of course. You may not have realized it, but the onboard riding footage from this Ducati Streetfighter test and my time riding the Harley-Davidson Bagger race bike were taken with the Forcite. If a pure riding video is what you want to see, then check this out.

I get it. For many of you, the terms “start-up” and “helmet company” are enough to dismiss Forcite entirely. Adding in an integrated camera, speakers, microphone, and a phone app could be considered nails on the coffin. However, the MK1 is both DOT and ECE 22.05 approved. Meaning it meets European safety standards while being innovative at the same time (and while I have my opinions, this is not the space for the SNELL vs. ECE vs. DOT debate).

Before getting to my crash and the aftermath, let’s first discuss how the MK1 is constructed. To get it out of the way right off the bat, it’s made in Vietnam. And guess what – so are many other helmets. That’s just the way the global economy works. However, final assembly, inspection, firmware flash, and QC check is done in its Alexandria, Australia facilities. Now, with that out in the air, in many ways the MK1 is just like many other helmets. The outer shell is completely carbon fiber to help keep weight down, and it comes in either a gloss finish or the matte version seen in these photos. Inside, the sweat-wicking liner features 3D-formed cheek pads and crown for a more contoured fit. The neck roll design is thick to create a firmer seal around the neck to block out the wind. In combination with the extended chin curtain, wind noise coming up and into the helmet is reduced. This is not only a benefit for those trying to hear anything coming out of the speakers, but also for those who value clearer sound when talking into the microphone (which was the case for me).

Ventilation is rather standard, with eight vents in the typical areas: two above the head, two above the visor, and four on the chinbar, including two that flank the integrated camera. In my experience, the vents are most effective if your head is already wet from sweat and/or you’re riding in cool/cold air. Airflow is decent, but it’s not going to be giving the folks at Arai (one of the best when it comes to airflow, IMO) anything to worry about.

Other standard features include the quick-release faceshield that’s also PinLock ready. Like other helmets, you can get dark shields and even iridescent shields. The twist to this equation is, at least with the MK1, taking the shield off doesn’t involve pushing buttons or releasing levers. To take off the MK1 shield, you align tabs on the visor with slots on the helmet’s sidepod before lifting it off. It’s easy enough on clear shields to see the tabs, but virtually impossible on dark or iridescent shields. You learn to figure it out by feeling and eyeballing where the tab should be. The good news is the updated MK1S has a different shield change mechanism with spring-loaded release levers, like many other helmets.

Another, more annoying, gripe goes to the internal sun shield. Operated by a sliding lever adjacent to the left face shield pod, often I couldn’t get it to work because either it or the sun visor itself would get stuck on its railing and not come down. Opening the main visor and using my ungloved hands to physically pull the sun shield down solved that problem. Then I’d have to remember not to completely retract the sun shield when I was done to have it work the next time. As you can imagine, I never remembered.

Right about now, it’s important to note that since my tumble, Forcite has released an updated version of the MK1, called the MK1S. The overall shape and construction is the same, except the interior liner is updated and nicer, the sun shield issue has been fixed (so I’m told), the shield changing mechanism is changed, and the electronics and app have been updated with new software.

The camera. It’s mounted – or rather, integrated – directly into the chin bar (play the graphic below to see an exploded view). According to the famous Hurt Report, up to 35% of initial impacts in motorcycle accidents happen right on the chin. So, it’s important not to skimp on safety here. Then again, the chin has also become a hugely popular spot to mount action cameras for onboard footage.

Forcite’s solution kills two birds with one stone. The camera, and all of the electronics required to operate it, are mounted within a patented module that fits inside the chin bar without compromising the integrity of the EPS liner. The secret weapon in this module is what Forcite calls the reflex mechanism. It’s essentially a pliable plastic layer between the module (itself a robust sandwich of circuit boards) and the EPS layer that allows the module to sit independent of the shell. In fact, Forcite says, in an impact, this reflex mechanism allows the shell to flex instead of crack. It’s a major reason why the MK1, and now MK1S, is able to meet ECE 22.05 standards.

As for the camera itself, it records in 1080P with 30-60 FPS frame rate on a ¼-inch Sony IMX sensor. The wide-angle lens captures the rider’s POV except at the extremes of the periphery, and impressively, the camera can record for up to four hours before the battery runs out or the memory card fills up. It supports memory cards up to 1TB, too, so there’s plenty of space. Surprisingly, the microphone is omnidirectional but is tuned to prioritize voices and reduce wind noise. Removable speakers fit nicely within dedicated pockets, making them practically impossible to notice when you’re wearing them – another problem I’ve had with a lot of aftermarket comm systems. And of course, being a smart helmet the MK1 supports Bluetooth 5.0.

When all is said and done, I was shocked to learn the medium Forcite MK1 I’d been wearing weighed in at 3 lbs 7.6 oz (1576.2 g). That’s lighter than a few well-known helmets out there without cameras, speakers, and microphones! However, it’s worth noting that the MK1’s weight distribution is, unsurprisingly, heavily biased towards the front. Wearing it, however, you’d be hard-pressed to actually feel it. I’d started to get used to the MK1’s fit, and especially came around to it after fitting the thicker cheekpads. The hot spot on my forehead wasn’t a big deal for quick bursts on track, but my deliberate adjustments to make it tight meant it was never supposed to be my street helmet.

After telling myself to keep it cool and use the race as a practice session to get more feedback on the bike setup, all that flew out the window after slotting into second place at the start. With the leader in sight, I decided to give chase. I’ve gone through that left-hander so many times before, but this time, the massive torque available at the twist of my right hand spun the tire sideways instead of driving me forward.

As you can see, I tumbled quite a bit. The first impact the helmet took was to the back of the head before tumbling every which way. After all was said and done, my shoulders and neck were sore from tensing up, I had a nice bruise on my thigh, but other than a small headache my head was alright. I never lost consciousness, I knew exactly where I was, the day’s date, and the event I was attending (the crash truck driver asked). In fact, the camera was still recording! I know no two accidents are ever alike, but considering what happened here, and how I felt after, I’m more than pleased with the Forcite MK1.

Other than the wonky sun shield mechanism, my other main gripe with the MK1 was the inability to view, edit, or share the video files from the app. I had to remove the memory card and stick it in my computer to see the footage. However, there’s no need to gripe about that now, because part of the updated software and app functions for the MK1S includes the ability to do all of these things from the app. Forcite also has a physical data cable that connects from the USB-C port on the helmet to the port on your phone to also serve the same purpose.

As of this post, Forcite hasn’t launched yet in the US. It was supposed to, but like all things involving the supply chain lately, its production facilities have been extremely delayed. This obviously poses a problem on this side of the Pacific, but even at home Forcite has been extremely busy – the first batch of MK1S models were sold out within hours of its announcement. Currently, Forcite says it has over 1,300 existing customers, with more to come as production is able to meet demand. Pricing is hard to nail down since the helmet isn’t available here yet, but for a ballpark figure, in Australia it starts at $1,299 AUS.

The sticker shock might be a lot to swallow, but if you stop to consider what it would take to purchase a helmet, camera, and comm system separately to do all the things the MK1 (and now MK1S) can do, you’d easily blow past that amount.

Thanks for saving my dome, Forcite.

Learn more about the Forcite MK1 here

Where are Forcite helmets made?

Forcite helmets are made in Vietnam, but final assembly and quality control checks are done in Forcite’s HQ in Australia.

Where does Forcite get its funding?

To date, Forcite has raised over $10 million, from its four investors.

How does the Forcite MK1 (and now MK1S) helmet fit?

The MK1 and MK1S helmets tend to fit intermediate-oval head shapes, but in our opinion, the shell could be slightly elongated for a true intermediate-oval shape.