X-Lite X-1005 U.C. 50 AnniveRSary 031

X-Lite X-1005 Ultra Carbon Product Description

The X-Lite X-1005 Ultra Carbon is the next top-level modular helmet from X-Lite. The new motorcycle helmet comes featuring a substantial redesign in its interior, ventilation, visor mechanism, and design for a sleeker look and improved aerodynamics. With this all new range of technical features should offer a more comfortable touring experience while still bringing you that X-Lite quality.

The helmet will be competing with the Shoei Neotec 2, AGV Sportmodular, Shark EVO GT, Roof BoXXer Carbon, Schuberth C5, AGV Tourmodular, Scorpion EXO-TECH EVO Carbon and the HJC RPHA 91.

Material

The X-Lite X-1005 Ultra Carbon’s outer shell is made of an exclusive high carbon content version and a standard composite fiber, and it is coming in 3 outer shell sizes. This is already a good sign as to the helmet’s quality, since the more shell sizes you get, the better fit, comfort, and safety you get. These shell sizes will be running with the first covering XXS – M, the next for L alone, and the last for XL – XXXL.

The X-1005 is also offered in a standard composite fiber version that means it will be slightly heavier. As usual for X-Lite, the helmet will be coming with an intermediate oval head fit and it is ECE 22.05 P/J certified.

This means that the helmet can be used on the road with the chin bar up or down, though down is always recommended for proper safety. The helmet’s predecessor also earned 4/5 stars from SHARP and stayed shut in 100% of tests, which we would expect to carry over to the X1005.

For weight, the helmet is coming in at a competitive weight of about 1710 grams, or 3lbs and 12 oz, which is about 20 more the Shoei Neotec 2 and Schuberth C4 Pro and almost 100 more than its predecessor.

Ventilation

The ventilation of the X-Lite X1005 UltraCarbon has seen substantial changes through overall simplification and slimming down. In the chin, you’re no longer getting a switch for two inlets on either side, but a single slider that opens a large scoop to flow air into the helmet. In the brow, you’re also getting a much more streamlined vent operated by a single slider on top. Lastly, this hot air will escape out the large exhaust in the rear.

Though if things do get too hot, the J homologation will let you lift that chin bar up. To do that, you have a dual action system which will enhance the helmet’s safety and prevent unwanted openings. So, you open the chin bar by first pushing the bottom button out and pulling down on the secondary lock, which prevents accidental opening.

The X1005 also uses an elliptical opening system for a more aerodynamic profile while the chin bar is up. Another great safety feature is that once open, you also get another position lock on the side that will keep the chin bar up to make sure it does not drop down by accident.

Visor

The visor of the XLite X1005 Ultra Carbon Modular Helmet has been designed for touring with its ultra wide field of view and upright positioning. The visor is coming anti-scratch treated as well as Pinlock prepared with the anti-fog insert lens in the box.

You do get a 5 detentes to allow you to comfortably adjust your visor and there is also a cracked city position by just lifting the central visor knob.

You are also getting a scratch and fog resistant internal sun visor for when you are riding on those sunny days, and it uses a very clever retraction system. First off, you get a set number of positions that allows you to get the right height with the slider on the bottom of the helmet, then once you want to move the visor back up again, you have an automatic retraction button on the lip. The visor also drops down low to help cut down on glare.

To remove the visor, X-Lite have also done an excellent job in keeping things simple with a quick-change mechanism. All you do is open the visor to the fully open position and pull down on the lever on the side of the mechanism. Then, you can remove the visor. To put it back in again, all you need to do is line it up once more and snap it back into the tracks.

Liner

Like the ventilation, the interior of the X-Lite X1005 Ultra Carbon Helmet has received a substantial update to its predecessor with a new liner positioning control system, but it still going to be under the carbon fitting racing experience category. So, you are still getting those active carbon filaments that will help with temperature control, preventing static, and moisture wicking. Both the cheek pads and crown are removable, anti-bacterial, and washable and the helmet is designed with glasses cutouts.

To take out the interior, you first need to start with the cheek pads, which are held in with 3 snaps and an insert in the back. Overall, it is well padded and comes at a decent comfort level. The helmet does also come with a pad over the speaker pockets for a communication system with an additional piece of foam for noise isolation.

To ensure the helmet stays closed, it includes a retention system with micrometric adjustment, which also makes it easy to open and close.

To remove the comfort liner, you first need to remove it from the 3 inserts holding it in the forehead. Then, there are two buttons in the back, and two snaps on either side of the liner positioning control. The crown is lined with an innovative net construction and exclusive liner positioning control LPC system. This allows you adjust the fit of the liner for the perfect level of comfort.

Lastly, the helmet’s substantial EPS grooves will allow air to flow through and out the helmet and there are also speaker pockets on either side, since the helmet is prepared for the N-Com B601X and the all new N-Com B902-X.

Summary

Overall, the X-Lite X1005 Ultra Carbon has shown a lot of promise and changes for the better. The ventilation, design, and liner of the helmet have been improved all while reducing the helmet’s overall price. Though the weight and bulkiness were some small let downs, the overall performance do keep the helmet in the upper-mid to premium market segment making it a great helmet for the most demanding motorbike tourists.

If you’d like to learn more about the X-Lite X-1005 Ultra Carbon, then make sure to check out and subscribe to our YouTube channel where we have our X-Lite X-1005 Ultra Carbon Review and Road Test Video alongside our latest data driven helmet road tests.