Motorcycle helmets offer great protection in the event of a accident but they are becoming an integral part of the riding experience. The SportVue heads up display we previously mentioned is one item allowing a rider to view speed and engine rpm without taking his eyes off the road and now here is the Reevu motorcycle helmet, a helmet with an integrated rear view mirror system that displays the road behind a motorcycle so the rider has even more information about the surrounding environment without having to take his eyes from the road ahead.
The Reevu has no electronics or power involved, it is purely designed with a reflective mirror system contained within the helmet. The rear view, from the sample photos looks extremely good and could be a lifesaver in high traffic conditions where you have to be on your highest alert.
The patented multiple mirror system that is fitted within every Reevu helmet is a unique achievement of creative thinking and technical excellence. The mirror system is manufactured from a reflective polycarbonate material rather than glass. Unlike glass, this material is almost impossible to break and is lighter, providing additional safety and comfort to the wearer.
Put simply, this system effectively ‘bends’ the light around the shape of the head – all within the moulding of the helmet – to provide a clear view of the road behind.
This is an excellent idea and if it works as well as the site suggests I would be surprised if this helmet isn’t a great success. Combining the Reevu helmet with a SportVue heads up display and the TomTom Rider GPS unit communicating through the Scala Rider Bluetooth helmet headset gives you the kind of information within your helmet previously reserved for fighter pilots. I previously had some reservations about the Scala Rider if used as a cellphone accessory but it can also be used to communicate with a GPS unit and in that capacity, it could be very beneficial.
Overall, the Reevu is a great technical development and shows that on motorcycles, the helmet will be the site of information convergence, much like the cellphone has become so for everyone else. I like it.
Update: We contacted Reevu about both issues mentioned below, night riding and whether the view would be adjustable to account for head position.
According to Reevu, the multiple reflections transporting the image to the front diffuses the light which I would assume means it reduces the potential brightness and glare of headlights behind the rider.
As far as what you see, they say the view is parallel to the view in the front looking straight ahead so if you are crouched over the tank and your eyes are looking upward, the rear view would show sky and if you are more upright and looking straight ahead with your head and helmet level, the view would show the road behind you. This makes complete sense because even with a rearview mirror, you still have to have your head in a particular spot to see behind you, with the Reevu helmet you must at least have your head level. In fact, this might give you a slight advantage with the helmet system since turning your head slightly one way or another gives you a wider view than with a fixed mirror. I will be on the lookout for one of these helmets here in the U.S. to see how it works.
Reevu
SportVue
Scala Rider
TomTom Rider
Reevu via Gizmag
Matt says
That’s sweet! I just hope it’s got a “night” setting to keep the wearer from being blinded by a jerk cager with the highbeams on in the rear view!
kneeslider says
That was something that occured to me, too. I didn’t see anything about it on the site though one of their rearview images seems to be at dusk with headlights behind and they look fine. I may be making an assumption here but I bet they thought of that because the helmet seems to be pretty well thought out overall.
Johnny Huh? says
What a great idea, I love inventive solutions like this. I hope they’ve figured out a solution to the night light issues but what an excellent way to solve this issue.
hoyt says
not allowed in the American football leagues… “…cuts left, cuts right…Touchdown Steelers!”
Jesper says
I tried one, and they are not that good if you ride a sports bike. All you can see is the sky. But I guess it will work on a smooth touring bike, non shaking and with an upright riding position. Except of course if you ride with a passenger. But you could just have the passenger wear one, and then ask him/her over the intercom about the situation behind.
I’m not too exited about this building stuff into your helmet craze, of course anything that improves safety is good, although I’m not convinced this is the case here. Sorry to plug my self, but I made a post on this subject back in february if anyone should care to read it. http://helmethair.gluestain.com/2005/02/gizmo-lids-are-latest-big-thing.html
JCWINS says
Any idea where this products is availble in the USA? I’ve looked everywhere and I didn’t find it anywhere to buy it.
Ian says
It’s a bunch of BS… this helmet has been advertized since 2002 and in 4 years they are still in the development stages. I don’t know what’s going on but obviously it won’t be available this year or the next.
Regulatory crap? Lobbies wanting to keep bikes complex and less useful?
fiddes99 says
The rear view helmet by Reevu is avaliable in the UK. Try Ebay
Shawn Daniels says
I have had mine since May of 06, absolutely love it. I have a ZRX but with clipons instead of the standard handlebar it sits like a sport bike and I don’t have any trouble with ‘seeing sky’. I also don’t have problem with headlights at night or sunsets. Light diminishes as it passes from one reflective surface to another. I’ve looked directly into that winter time, 6:00 piercing sunset and it’s not a problem and I have seriously hypersensitive eyes. I ordered mine through a site in Singapore but they are no longer in operation. Wish they would get a US distributor.
todd says
If you’re wearing the helmet properly and not looking at your gauges then you won’t be getting an image of the sky regardless of how low your handlebars are. Basically, if you’re looking straight forward, the rear view mirror is looking straight rearward.
-todd
Kent says
I’ve got a 1 liter sportbike and won’t ride that bike without my Reevu. The mirrors on most sport bikes are very limited. This helmet fills those voids. It’s true in an aggressive riding position, the angle nullifies the mirror. But for general street riding it’s outstanding. There are some caveats; The helmet must fix snugly to align the mirror properly and the helmet from moving around. At night rear headlight glare can be an issue. Simply shifting the helmet slightly resolves this. Also in cold conditions (under 40 degree) the mirror can fog up. Still for most general riding I give this helmet 5 stars!
I should also mention that on most of the uprights I’ve ridden, this helmet really isn’t needed, as the mirrors generally provide full coverage to begin with.
It carries the European ECE-ONU 22-05 certification, which many believe exceed U.S. DOT or Snell certifications. However, Reevu really needs to get U.S. certifications.
Steven Lidster says
Search for UK helmet shops on the internet.
Warning, best price I’ve found so far is $612.00 (but at least that includes shipping charges.)
André says
I have been using this helmet since spring of 2006. Absolutely dependent on it now.
In that time i only have discovered blurring of the rear view image when in high speed.
I am taking about 200 km/h. On the german autobahn of course. That is because there is a overall vibration/ air pressure problem in high speeds.
Together with the zumo 550 GPS, Scala headset and iphone, i have found that it is an exellent combination on those long drives.
I am ordering my new reevu, because i like the matt black, and want one of them as well 🙂
Reevu is also exellent regarding to sound etc.. all parts are on the inside of the visir, and i dont need earplugs in the reevu, another good argumet 🙂