Enter the Bionic | xBhp’s 4th with Axor

November 27th, 2025 xBhp Features comments

Design has always been an integral part of my life. Before I started xBhp, I worked as a designer. Even after xBhp, I continued to do so. Even after I got busy with all the other things that entailed running xBhp, the desire to design remained. Over the years, I have designed covers for the xBhp Magazine, liveries for machines in the xBhp Garage, and various other graphics. So I have always kept that particular itch scratched.

If I really think about it, though, the most important thing that I have designed is a helmet. To a biker, a helmet is the most important thing. It is obviously about protection, yes, but a helmet is also a statement, an outward manifestation of their persona. So, a helmet that would not only protect the rider but tell a story as well… I don’t think there’s anything better than that.

This piece is about one such story. It is about another collaboration between xBhp and Axor Helmets. This fourth helmet is a very special one to me and a joyous occasion. And I like to share my joy with my fellow bikers. So we invited a handful of riders to the MotoVilla for the unveiling of another result of a rather successful partnership between xBhp and Axor- the Bionic helmet.

Before I talk about the Bionic, though, a little backstory is due when the occasion is a special one. So my journey designing helmets began around 2018-2019. Axor, the premium arm of Vega, took the market by storm with its stellar helmets that sported awesome designs. We were also using Axor helmets regularly. That is when the gears in my mind started to turn. Why not make a statement for xBhp with a helmet?

The occasion was the 17th anniversary of xBhp, and a little before that, I got in touch with Axor with this idea. They were more than happy to collaborate with us, and then, I got to work religiously on the design. After a fair bit of time spent finalising the elements, the first xBhp-Axor helmet design began to take shape.

At xBhp’s 17th anniversary, we unveiled the helmet, and the response was heartening. The helmet featured a mountain, a beach, and even a desert. It signified a motorcyclist’s quest to cover all the terrains that they can in their lifetime. It also had a mention of xBhp’s 16th anniversary. Despite being at it for years, I was still a little wary whether the design would appeal to riders or not… thankfully, it did, and that gave me the confidence to push further.

Then came the second design- the 299. It was bolder in terms of colours with a rich palette and a lot of brightness and fluorescence, if you know what I mean. Additionally, the graphics and the name allude to 299, the speed limit of motorcycles based on the Gentlemen’s Agreement. It does ask you to chase that speed, but instead, to temper your adrenaline. It is about speed, but more than that, it is also about restraint. Another name for this helmet was Speed of Thought, which pertains to our thoughts being the fastest aspect of us… just like 299 km/h!

The third helmet was the iNineteen, a celebration of 19 Years of xBhp. It was also an ode to a farewell to one’s teenage years and the entry into adulthood. This can be a troublesome time for any individual, and a lot of traps out there in the real world. So some promises must be made to oneself, and that is what the messages on the helmet are about- a big no to drugs and a message against drunk riding/driving. This was also our first helmet that had two variants in terms of colour options: Pink-White & Red-Blue.

Each of these designs carried a story, and I felt like it resonated with people. Why? Because I see tons of them on the road. It is a matter of great pride for me to see the response to these helmets because, more than the fact that my designs are appreciated, it is about the fact that the messages that I have been trying to convey for years are getting through to the people. There is no bigger satisfaction than that.

Now, about what you have been waiting for. After iNineteen, I was not sure if I should do another helmet. Design, more specifically uniqueness, is a fickle mistress. If you think hard enough, every piece of art has been inspired by something, and someone might stumble upon yours and quash your idea of originality. So with the fourth helmet, I wanted to do something truly unique. That is why the gap between the third and fourth helmets was so much bigger than the one between the previous ones.

Unrivalled looks, unmatched performance, and pure, unadulterated fun- the Aprilia RS 457 is one of the best things to happen to the Indian performance motorcycling market in recent years. And here, it also just happens to go really well with our xBhp-Axor Bionic helmet!

After countless sketches, iterations, and discussions, the idea for the Bionic was born… and duly finalised. Again, if you cast a net wide enough, one might still say that this helmet has been inspired by something done before, and they will go to great lengths to prove that even if the said inspiration does not exist in the same realm. Regardless, I am not even going to argue about its uniqueness. I will go ahead and tell you what I had in mind myself and spare you the digging.

With the Bionic, I wanted to represent the bond between the Man and the Machine. As motorcyclists, we tend to think of our motorcycles as not mere machines but an extension of ourselves. Conveniently, science and pop culture are littered with such ideas. So, I simply brought it to a helmet with a bit of my own signature.

The first bit of uniqueness is that this is the first time that we are using a white base. On the crown of the helmet, you will find a brain, one of our most important organs (and the one that enabled me to do this). The fact that a helmet protects is only fitting. There’s also an inscription of xBhp up there. From the brain, you will see extended veins and arteries, both blue and red. Red depicting blood and blue, well, take it as fuel for any android sort of being.

On both sides and towards the rear, there are hearts intertwined with an engine symbolising the synergy between man and machine. On the sides and towards the front, there are suspension springs intertwined with tendons of sorts, again, hinting at a combination of biological and mechanical.

Perhaps the most striking aspect, to me personally, is the rear of this helmet. Skulls have been associated with motorcycling for a long time. The reason may be coolness or danger, or something else. I did not pay much heed to that, as mostly, it points to a negative connotation. So, I designed the skull in a manner that it looks like the Grip Reaper. How is that positive, you ask? Because the reaper is looking away from you, almost looking out for you. Just like the helmet. That symbolism is also deeply personal: when death itself is on your side, you ride with confidence, but also with a healthy respect for the risks of the road.

To me, this is one of the most unique helmets I have ever designed, and the fact that there is nothing like it out there is satisfactory enough for me, regardless of whether someone considers it unique or inspired. Maybe it could be uniquely inspired… Other than the design, the Bionic comes with the usual Axor goodness. Tons of comfort, reliable safety, and with this design, a lot of thoughtful and tasteful style! And most importantly, it is still rather pocket-friendly considering style and safety come at a steep price nowadays.

As for what comes next, I have got my hands on a rather unorthodox helmet from Axor. It has a dual spoiler. Why? Do not worry about it. Some things, when they exist just for form, are still okay. Let us see how this one goes.

At any rate, the reaction from our guests at MotoVilla was very encouraging. So if you want in on the story of Bionic, you can get yourself one at many offline stores or from Axor’s website… or our own… xBhp.com. Give it a shot and do not forget to send me your pictures via DMs or tagging on Instagram @xbhp or @themotographer…