Review: Schuberth E2 Carbon Helmet

Over the years, quite a few Schuberth helmets have made their way into my gear closet. I’ve gone through the all-rounders that are the C5 series to the S3, the sporty one, and finally to the E2, the modular dual sport lid. They all have their strengths, but I’ve reached for the E2 more often recently. Recently, I got to test the E2 Carbon.

Currently in its second generation, the E2 is an elegant dual sport helmet. Round with a peak visor that doesn’t offend, it’s easily one of the best-looking helmets on the market. I’m between sizes, which means I always go with a medium paired with 25mm thicker cheek pads. It’s a $59 accessory, but I’d never put a price on a properly fitting lid. Once I swapped them out, it was time to peel off the visor’s protective film, which is always a highlight. There’s something magical about peeling off that blue sticker.

The aforementioned peak visor is removable, which I ended up doing when riding the Ducati (see page 78) to fit the style. It’s adjustable to three positions, and when you slip the chin bar up and down, the E2 “remembers” the position with its memory function. Out of the box, the visor is in the low position, which I found too low for sporty road riding. It impaired my view looking deep into corners. That said, I would use the low position for when the sun is near the horizon. I settled on the middle position, which didn’t obstruct my vision.

Comfort is a big reason this is my favorite helmet. It’s also easily the quietest helmet I own. The aerodynamic design, sealed neck roll, and chin curtain all contribute to minimizing wind noise. It makes all the difference on long days. The E2 uses a micro-ratchet buckle as the retention system, and I appreciate the quickness and ease of use. What’s more, a soft pad lives between the buckle and my neck, getting rid of any chafing.

For communication, the SC Edge (powered by Cardo) is a $349 accessory that’s plug-and-play with the antenna, speakers, and cables already in the helmet. All you have to do is mount the remote on the side and plug in the unit on the back. The installation is a one-minute job after figuring out which way to insert the button battery into the remote. My only gripe is that the audio doesn’t come through loud enough. Interestingly, by using the Cardo app, you can turn it up louder than through the helmet buttons, but it’s still not as loud as a regular Cardo Packtalk Edge, for example.

So how much lighter than the standard E2 is the Carbon E2? It depends on the size. For M and L sizes, the difference is four grams. If you’re wearing XL or 2XL, then the Carbon weighs nine grams less. Holding both the standard and carbon versions, it’s difficult to say which weighs less. On the road, though, the Carbon just feels lighter. Keep in mind that a modular helmet carries its weight in the front, and the extra hardware adds weight the carbon shell can’t make up for.

With superior comfort, classy looks, and all the right features, the pros far outweigh the one con from the comm system. The full carbon-fiber construction, similar to what’s used in Formula 1 helmets, reduces neck fatigue and enhances long-ride comfort. The Schuberth E2 Carbon offers exceptional quietness and aerodynamic performance, making it ideal for touring and adventure motorcycling.

Schuberth E2 Carbon
$1,549 ($1,957 as tested)

Cheek Pads: $59

SC Edge comm system: $349
Sizes: XS-3XL