Product review: Airoh Aviator 2.2 Cairoli Ottobiano

When Airoh was officially launched in Australia less than two years ago, there was a huge buzz surrounding its flagship off-road helmet, the Aviator 2.2.

To be honest I couldn’t work out what all the fuss was about. The helmets had a very European look to them and at a price range of $700-$950, I didn’t expect them to be a big hit in Australia.

It turns out I was wrong. The Aviator 2.2 is one of Moto National’s top selling Airoh helmets, outselling many of the brand’s entry-level off-road helmets and winning popularity over many of the road variants.

With such an overwhelming response to the top-of-the-line Airoh, I figured it was time I stuck my head in one to see if the hype was justified. After a quick look on Moto National’s website and with some fashion tips from my six-year-old daughter, Nala, I decided on the gloss blue Cairoloi Ottobiano.

Ottobiano is a town in Italy that hosts a round of the MXGP. It looked good online, but I was amazed at how much better it looks in the flesh! I’ve had numerous people comment on how much it looks like a custom graphic and how the shade of blue reminds them of a factory Red Bull helmet.

I’ve tried on the Airoh Aviator 2.2 before and, while the lack of weight was impressive, I wasn’t blown away by the interior. Well, I’m happy to say the upgraded version has an ultra-plush interior that makes this helmet the most luxurious I’ve worn, including any road helmet. It feels so good I slipped my blue bowl of bliss on to sit down and write these words!

Other upgrades include a zip-up carry bag, something I felt was sorely missing for a high-end helmet. The original batch of 2.2 helmets came with a draw string bag, but for $700 or more I expected a better bag and a better way of protecting the helmet in transit.

Fortunately, Airoh went the whole hog with the bag, making it big enough to carry more than just the helmet, lining it so the helmet doesn’t get scratched and adding a mesh pocket for gloves and goggles. It also has a sturdy, padded top handle so it’s great for carting through airports.

The final upgrade for the latest 2.2 is to the accessories kit that now comes with three black rubber plugs for closing off the front, upper intake vents. Feedback from Europe was the helmet is so well vented that riders have complained of getting too much air into the helmet in cold conditions. Pfft, I thought motocrossers were tough!

In the name of comprehensive testing I admit to plugging the holes for the recent 2019 KX450 launch where it was both wet and cold and while the rest of me was freezing, my bald head didn’t suffer at all.

While I haven’t owned the Aviator long enough to test its durability, I have a good friend, Alan, who has and, apart from scratches, he says his Airoh is still in great condition.

He rides hard and rides often, so he regularly washes the liner and even that hasn’t caused any deterioration. He machine-washes the liner with the rest of his riding gear, but he advised me to be gentle when installing the top of the crown liner to avoid putting any stress on the stitching that attaches the liner to the plastic trim.

The look and feel of the Aviator 2.2 is fantastic, but it’s the weight, or lack thereof, that gets people talking. Hand this helmet to anyone and I guarantee they’ll be amazed by how light it is.

The Carbon-Kevlar shell has the Aviator weighing in at just under a kilo and is one of the lightest off-road helmets on the market.

Airoh isn’t using MIPS, Flex, in-helmet suspension or any other gizmos we know of and perhaps that’s how the brand has been able to keep the weight so low. You’ll impress your mates by handing it to them to hold, but it’s what you don’t notice that’s more important.

The Airoh is so light you barely know it’s there. That has to help in reducing fatigue and be a bonus for riders who’ve suffered neck injuries. On the safety front, the Airoh has quick-release cheek pads to help get the helmet off safely in an emergency.

The Aviator 2.2 comes in two different shell sizes so if you’re a pinhead like me you’ll benefit from a smaller overall helmet. Extra small, small and medium helmets run a smaller shell size than large and extra large. Interestingly, Airoh doesn’t offer a 2X-large helmet in the Aviator 2.2.

The eyeport is huge so there’s no hassles getting your goggles to fit snuggly onto your face even if you’re wearing some of the latest goggles from Scott or Oakley that have particularly wide frames.

Other features of note include the fact this helmet is made entirely in Italy. Some of Airoh’s entry-level model helmets are manufactured elsewhere to keep prices so competitive. I also like the fact you can save $250 just by opting out of a fancy paint job. The two solid-colour Aviator 2.2 helmets – matt black and gloss white – retail in Australia for $699.95 while the Tony Cairoli replicas retail for $949.95. The non-Cairoli graphics are $50 cheaper at $899.95.

There’s also a great range of entry level and mid-range MX Airoh helmets to choose from if your budget can’t be stretched to the higher end.

Upgrades aside, I now understand why so many people rate this helmet. Often, a helmet is just a helmet, but the Aviator 2.2 is a helmet you can love. I certainly love mine. There’s no doubt Airoh is a dominant force in the off-road helmet market and its list of top-shelf riders is huge: Tony Cairoli, Jeffrey Herlings, Marvin Musquin, Jason Anderson, Zach Osborne, Matt Phillips, Graham Jarvis and the list goes on.

Airoh also has a firm focus on the road helmet market with a huge range already selling well in Australia. If you’re in the market for a new lid – on-road or off – it’s definitely worth checking out the Airoh range.

Airoh Aviator 2.2 pricing:
• Matt Black and Solid Gloss White: $699.95
• Non-Cairoli Graphics: $899.95
• Cairoli Graphics: $949.95

Latest Airoh Aviator 2.2 model inclusions:
• Zip-up, lined helmet bag
• Front vent plugs
• Top vent covers
• Peak extension
• Tool for fitting vent covers and peak extension
• Airoh lanyard
• Go Pro curved adhesive helmet mount
• Spare peak screws

For more information and to find your closest stockist visit www.motonational.com.au.