What is "KYT" anyway?
KYT, headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia, is a helmet manufacturer that currently boasts an 80% share of the Indonesian domestic market. The company has been manufacturing helmets for nearly 30 years, since 1998, and has a cooperative relationship with SUOMY of Italy, with development and design work done at its Italian base.
Incidentally, "KYT" in KYT Helmet is derived from "Kyoto (KYOTO). The name "KYT" comes from "KYOTO", which means "Kyoto" in Japanese. The name is said to respect Japan, which is home to some of the world's leading helmet manufacturers, such as Arai Helmets and Shoei.
KYT KR-1
Color: Alex Espargaro Replica Blue, Simone Corsi Replica Red, Solid White, Matte Black
Size: XS (53~54CM), S (55~56CM), M (57~58CM), L (59~60CM), XL (61~62CM)
Standard: SG/MFJ
Weight: 1455g (L size measured by our editorial department)
Price including tax: Graphic: 63,800 yen / Solid color: 58,300 yen
The company has focused on motorsports since the start of the KYT helmet project in 1998.
The company actively supports riders competing in the world's top categories such as road racing, motocross, and enduro.
The KR-1, the flagship model of KYT helmets, was developed with feedback from the MotoGP riders it supports.
While the company's touring helmet, the NF-R, has a molded ABS plastic cap, the KR-1 uses an FRP cap.
As the name implies, FRP caps are made of fiber-reinforced cloth, which is stronger and thinner, and lighter than ABS caps.
When we actually held the "KR-1," we found it to be extremely lightweight. The Touring NF-R with an inner visor weighed 1563g, but the KR-1 weighed 1455g, more than 100g lighter.
The lighter the helmet, the less burden on the neck, and you can feel the lightness of the helmet when you hold it in your hand or put it on.
The helmet has basic functions such as ventilation, but it does not have the current system equipment such as an inner visor, and it is thoroughly lightweight. The visor's hinge parts are also very small and simple.
It is simple but stoic, and you can fully enjoy the atmosphere of a racing helmet.
Incidentally, the helmet is MFJ-approved and can be used in official races in Japan.
When the interior is removed, the structure is such that all parts can be taken off, even the chin guard part. On the back side of the cap, the weave of the reinforcing fiber cloth peculiar to FRP can be seen.
The KR-1 is MFJ-approved. This is proof that it conforms to the regulations for motorcycle sports racing in Japan, which is overseen by the Japan Motorcycle Sports Association.
The shield has a very simple construction and small hinge parts. Opening and closing can be adjusted in three steps: closed, slightly open, and fully open. Noh.
All parts except for the sewn-on chinstrap cover can be removed for cleaning. The structure of the interior parts of the chin guard can be removed.
There is no speaker hole for the intercom in the liner section, but there is some room in the recess of the cheek pad.
It seems that a very small type of speaker could somehow fit. The chin strap is a secure D-ring type.
There are four ventilation intakes: chin, forehead, and temporal. The jaw and forehead intake open and close only, while the temporal intakes have a two-stage opening.
There are two ventilation outlets at the back of the head. There is no opening/closing mechanism, and they are always open.
The included helmet bag is a shoulder bag with a zipper for carrying and storing the helmet.
Summary
What stands out when actually riding with KYT's KR-1 is its lightness. Weighing 1,455g in actual measurement, it is more than 200g lighter than a typical Japanese full-face helmet with an FRP cap weighing about 1,700g.
200g is roughly equivalent to 4 eggs. That's all? You may think so, but when the centrifugal force of the bike is applied, it feels many times heavier than its actual mass. In addition, the helmet is worn at the very end of the human body, which is more susceptible to centrifugal force. Considering sport riding, the lighter the helmet is, the better the performance of the bike, and of course, the easier it is to ride.
In addition, this FRP hat body not only allows for the production of lightweight helmets but also offers a wide range of sizes due to its manufacturing process. The KR-1 is available in a wider range of sizes than the company's NF-R touring helmet, with XS (53~54CM) available in addition to S, M, L, and XL.
Riders who want a fancy foreign-made helmet but have trouble finding a size that fits their small head should give KYT's KR-1 a try.
