Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit

Back from trip of almost 2000kms
Had the helmet on for over 15 hrs during the return trip, its light weight is really helpful, no pain or any other issues.
Its a very good touring helmet, chin curtain is really helpful when the temperature dips.
The adjustable fit due to air pump is boon.
The base padding on the helmet is reflective, this was noticed by a friend of mine who was following me during dark.
The helmet is surely more suited to upright and touring stance, I am really happy cause it goes really well with my seating position on the duke.
All I can say is you cant get a better touring helmet for this price.

Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit

Unfortunately, I've not been able to go on many rides till now since I bought the helmet. The only ride I had was to Lavasa where I crashed badly. My steed is damaged very badly. Luckily I escaped the mishap unscathed. But during the ride, I had a few chances to go to triple digits and the helmet is a bit noisy in triple digits (the noise is tolerable). So, I guess, a pair of earplugs might help with that wind noise. But overall, the helmet felt nice. Is it worth 8600/- bucks? I would say YES, it is worth the money! But this helmet is for you only if you're planning to go on long rides. If you're a guy who likes riding more on the tracks then the HJC CL-17 is the helmet for you (considering its online reviews). Other than that, the MT Track Spirit is worth the money. I'll try to update the thread with further experiences with my helmet.

Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit


Good to hear you are fine after the crash. Ride safe !

Can you explain how air pump works ?

Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit

I've tried to explain the working of the air pump in the images below. I hope that the images and the description in the images helps to understand the working of air pump

Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit

Have been using this helmet since last month. Thought of contributing something from my end to this thread. Here are my experience and observations about this helmet.


How it started:


I was using a LS2 asphalt, since 2012. Having used it extensively in the last 2 years, the straps and the liners started giving up. Have also met with accidents twice with that helmet, although not sure if it took any impact. Hence, I thought of not taking a chance and decided that it was due for a replacement and I needed an upgrade.


I shortlisted a few helmets, having my budget under 10k.


1)Airoh speed fire


2)HJC CL-17


3)MT Revenge


4)MT Matrix


5)Bell Qualifier


Buying experience:


Airoh didn't impress me with the looks and it wasn't available in Chennai to get a feel of it. Also travelling all the way to Banglore to try it didn't seem to be a sensible option to me.


HJC CL-17 was not readily available when I wanted to try it, and I was also not ready to wait for a couple of weeks to try it even though I was promised it would be in stock very soon. Tried HJC TR-1, however was not impressed with the quality and the reviews online weren't promising too.


Bell had a great reputation and lots of positive reviews online, however the helmet seemed to be found only on sbkstore.in and was also out of stock.


Another thing which made me think twice about the above said brands are unavailability of spares and the price of those spares. After doing a lot of couch-research I understood that it was not easy to source spares for these brands even though you're willing to shell out a hefty sum.


MT was selling like hot cakes and even though I wanted something which is not used by everyone, MT helmets seemed to have a good VFM and also the MT Revenge had a lot to offer like GPS, SHARP-5 rating, dual certification and aggressive styling. So Revenge it was.. until I tried the Matrix track spirit. I was so hesitant in investing almost 7.5K(chennai) for a helmet which had no reviews online(even international websites didn't have any reviews back then). Tried the helmet at moto101, chennai. The first difference I could feel was the quality of the internal padding and the snug fit. Thanks to the owner of the store, Joan, who helped me choose the correct size. Joan is a nice guy and didn't seem to be someone who would talk positive about a product just because he sells it.




Thought for a few minutes, and decided that I would buy it just because waiting to try HJC/Airoh/Bell didn't seem to be a sensible option at that time. I also purchased a new balaclava, along with it since the older one was ageing.


A pic from my recent weekend trip.


My observations:


1)In city riding, the helmet is totally quiet until you cross speeds above 90+, however once you hit the highways there's a slight hissing at speeds between 100-120 which is negligible. Once you cross 120+ the wind noise increases and can be a bit annoying and tiring if you're going to maintain that speed on a long run.


2)Opening/closing the vents doesn't help, neither in keeping your head cool, nor in controlling the wind noise.(For me atleast)


3)Use of additional chin curtain does help in reducing the wind noise upto some extent.


4)Helmet is very light and one can feel the difference in the first few kilometers after wearing it.


5)Air Pump system does help now after the padding started breaking in. However riders with chubby cheeks will find fishmouth. Hence one needs to keep his mouth closed inside the helmet to prevent accidental biting of tongue/lips.


6)D-ring with magnetic clasp is cumbersome to use with gloves.


7)Visor stays open even at speeds above 110+ and doesn't shuts even on a 4-lane highway with heavy cross/opposing wind.


8)Didn't find the visor lock to be useful until now, might be useful for some trackdays. Don't know.


9)Like most of the fellow riders have complained, there's a mild discomfort in my right ear, which seems to creep in after 9+ hours of riding at a stretch on the highway. However there's absolutely no discomfort or whatsoever inside the city/highway when used for short/medium sprints.


P.S: I don't use earphones/earplugs/spectacles inside my helmet. I just wear my balaclava over my head.


10)The helmet comes with clear visor and really aids the night visiblity. Yet to get the iridium visors which are not available in the stores at the moment.


11)The helmet bag is absolutely useless. I still prefer to use my LS2 Helmet bag.


12)The visor opens up quite wider than my previous LS2, which is something I like.




Bottomline:

A good upgrade for someone within a budget of 10K. I'd recommend it for a rider who rides a sub 600cc machine with occasional track days and extensive touring and is using a LS2/SOL or any other heavy/noisy thermoplastic helmet. It's worth the money spent. Infact yet another VFM from MT helmets. Cheers!

Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit

You surely did cover many points that I missed in my review! Thanks for that! Although there was slight difference in the wind noise experiences (it might be because I don't use a balaclava currently or it might be because of the difference between riding position of our motorcycles). And now that you've mentioned it, even I remember that I felt similar discomfort in my right ear but I thought it must be because I use earphones while riding so that I know when my phone rings. Surely the discomfort wasn't even a bit painful over short rides and I hope for the same over long rides.

Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit

I also bought the MT Track Spirit recently but haven't had a chance to use it yet. Still awaiting the delivery of my Duke 200. Reading this thread was very in formative. I tried out the helmet at the store and felt good about the the weight and the fit of the helmet. Though I fee that I will have breathing issues when I start using the helmet. Let's see.

Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit

Congratulations on the new motorcycle and the new helmet. Also, for the breathing issue, read my Update 1 on page 2 of this thread.

Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit

thanks for the insightful review! a quick question tough, dose it 've a retractable sun visor and also could you post a pic of chin curtain?

p.s.- about that visor fogging up issue, you could use an anti fog spray on the inside surface of it. it works like wonder and is available cheaply online.

Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit

Thanks! The helmet doesn't have a retractable sun visor. And thanks for the advice! I'll order one online right away! Is there any particular brand that I should look for?

Here are the pics which you requested:

Helmet without removable chin curtain:




This is the removable chin curtain:




Helmet with removable chin curtain:





Hope thats helps!

Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit

i've use this and its excellent. a word of caution tough, it tend to 've a reverse effect when used in excess. just spray adequate amount and wipe after few seconds. it'll last around a week, repeat if required.
Proklear

that chin curtain must feel heavenly in winters, my daijya always leave me with a runny nose at end of the journey! lol
dose all MT 've chin curtain as standard feature? im looking for one with both that and a sun visor.
as you said there aren't enough reviews/info about MT's out there

Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit

Nice review. Much helpful...

Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit

Thanks! I'll order the anti fog spray ASAP! And the helmet that you're looking for is the MT Blade/Isle of Man. It does have an internal sun visor and even has a single chin curtain. But it weighs in a lil bit more at 1500 gms and it also feels a bit heavy. But its bang for the buck! I've heard about some wind noise issue with that helmet. Overall its a great buy that you probably won't regret! (Ear Plugs will mostly help with the wind noise issue!)

Thanks! Nice to know that it was helpful!

Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit

Update
When buying this helmet I had bought it for weekend rides and tours only, was going to use LS2 for city rides.
The LS2 went in for a wash and matrix was in for city use, Just 3 days of use and now I am hating the LS2.
Except for wind noise and visor closing no issues with this helmet, both of them have a work around.
Chin curtain reduces the wind noise and shutting the visor from top centre solves the locking issue.
Anyone with a budget of around 10k should consider this at the top of their list.

Re: MT Matrix Track Spirit

Hi guys.
Thank you for an informative review and inputs from all the users. I am planning to buy this if it is in stock. Can you give an update as to how it is faring in the longer term? How is the build quality and how are the wind noise levels?
Thank you.