Buying helmets: hoping for the best while planning for the worst. I've never scimped on buying a lid. I don't go for price boosting flashy designs but I have tended to go for high end models from high end brands.

Whatever the price, I naturally hope that my lid will only ever be something of a glorified hat, and I'll never need to use it for its intended purpose!

However, recently (about two years ago) the UK governement launched the Sharp helmet safety scheme. Previously, a safety standard for a product only told you that it met a minimum standard, and nothing more. However, this new scheme gives each helmet tested a score: so now you know that not only does your lid meet a standard, you can see how well.

In this respect the Caberg Trip (aka Rhyno) is a winner. One of only two system (flip-up) helmets that score the maximum 5 stars, the Caberg is half the price of the other: a BMW helmet worth £270!

But what is it like to wear?
Comfort:
So far so good. No tight spots, but a bit loose around the ears. Not in a bad or insecure way, just the same way a MX helmet feels airy compared to a fullface. However, when the front is up, I can put the lid on without removing my glasses so that suits me!! So far I've always bought a small, but Caberg sizing makes me a medium.

Noisewise it is on a par with my old Arai: not brilliant, but not bad.

The flip up system is a bit firm and so you give your self a real neck tug trying to lift it one handed, whilst on the road. My advice is do it when you're parked up!! Bring the chin bar down again: beware! I don't have a pronounced chin. About average, but I have to pull a yawn face when I close the front to not slam myself in the chin!!

Equipment:
The chin strap is a quick release. Again, despite my average chin and jaw line, I still had to take up all the strap slack to make the lid sit firmly. The strap also seems to loosen a bit quicker and so needs to be readjusted more often than the other Q-R lids I've worn (Shoei). The main visor is clear and I have almost as good peripheral vision as my MX lid without googles which is a lot more than my old Arai... However, when raised it is still visible, in the upper part of my field of vision. No big deal, I've become used to it. The secondary sunvisor is inside the lid and slips down using a lever on the crown of the lid, without being clumsy in gloved hands. The visor is effective and can be used with glasses which is great news. Don't bring the visor down too fast though as the nose bridge will catch your nose if the whole lid is tilted to far forward: easy does it unless you want an embarrassing bruise!

Now for the bad news. It seems, like their bikes, the Italians only design with their climate in mind and the Trip has, IMO, poor ventilation to the point that in cold or wet weather it could border on dangerous: I have to try and slip a gloved finger under the visor to clear some mist. Unfortunately, neither pinlock, nor fogcity do an attachment for a visor of that curvature. Bob Heath?

All in all, with the exception of the ventilation, the lid seems well made and on the whole well thought out. But the safety score and price are the real clinchers for me.