Motocross is a dangerous sport and top riders will often choose vital items of safety equipment, such as headgear, on the basis of quality and not simply because of any sponsorship package. That fact is exemplified by Dennis Ullrich, who has taken five ADAC MX Masters titles without changing one thing in particular - he won them all, wearing helmets made by LS2. Max Nagl is another MX star, who has used LS2 helmets to protect his head for some time now - you can even buy copies of his designs.
Know-how and competence
Rainer Hullmann, LS2 Helmets Head of Sales/Germany, told us exactly who and what is behind the brand based in Barcelona with roots in China. LS2's parent company, MHR, was founded 30 years ago in China. Having its own production facility and testing/development department, it quickly became established primarily as a manufacturer for other brands, including what is now known as Harley Davidson Helmets, and for other more established helmet brands. With a total production capacity of two million helmets per year, LS2 can produce the same number of units in one month as other helmet manufacturers in one year.
MHR took the decision to launch LS2 Helmets in 2007 and exhibited at the Eicma and Intermot motorcycle trade fairs in 2008. The brand has grown steadily ever since. Apart from making all the usual types of helmets from road to off-road, LS2 also manufacture motorcycle clothing and gloves, and the same principle applies here. All our products are made in-house, and as with helmets, we also produce for other well known brands. With both helmets and clothing, we can draw on the know-how and competence gained from over 30 years of production, which is something not many manufacturers can say about themselves.
By the way, the name LS2 is an acronym for 'Liaos System 2' and refers to the second good idea of the company's owners, the three Liao brothers. Their first brainwave was to set up the helmet factory, the second was to launch their own brand, LS2.
Professional image at ADAC MX Masters
"Ever since first watching motocross over 40 years ago, I've been bitten by the bug," said Rainer Hullmann with a beaming smile. "For me, motocross is a racing discipline chockfull of emotion, and we can raise the profile of the LS2 brand in a professional environment through our presence at the ADAC MX Masters." LS2 Helmets intends to do more than just fly the flag and will bring its own service truck to all races. Sample helmets will also be on display at the ADAC MX Masters Truck. Hullmann added: "The ADAC MX Masters is held in high regard both in Germany and internationally. Fans all over Europe follow the races."
Helmets with a unique design philosophy
LS2 Helmets has two motocross/enduro helmets and a child's MX helmet in its range. The 'Fast Evo' and 'Fast Mini Evo' have been considerably updated with a new shell shape. A lot of work has also gone into overall helmet design.
LS2 call the 'Subverter' the 'nomen omen' - it's their top model with impressive features such as outstanding ventilation and a unique design philosophy. Unlike many other manufacturers who use composites such as fibreglass or carbon-fibre, the Subverter shell is made of kevlar-reinforced polycarbonate which is lighter but will still absorb energy in the event of a fall. Most other helmet shells are very firm and nowhere near as flexible. And LS2 can make the Subverter's shell less cumbersome thanks to the properties of this material which also enables the mass production of a helmet with twelve large ventilation slots - something that is practically impossible with other composites.
"We also intend in future to produce helmets made of carbon and fibreglass that are very light, weighing a mere kilogram or so, and also have plenty of ventilation, which has now become very much our trademark," said Rainer Hullmann.
Use the links to find out more about LS2 Helmets and dealer locations:
Web: https://ls2helmets.com/.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ls2HelmetsDeutschland
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ls2helmetsgermany/