The safety of two-wheeler riders on Indian roads has always been a serious and sensitive issue. Amidst the increasing road accidents in the country and the high-speed biking culture on the highways, the need for a strong, certified and international standards helmet was constantly being felt. Fulfilling this need, the country's leading helmet manufacturing company Steelbird Hi-Tech India has officially launched its much awaited and premium sports helmet Steelbird FEC-3 in the domestic market. This helmet is designed for daily commuters, weekend tourers and moto-enthusiasts who want world-class protection without burning a hole in their wallet. The company has offered it at a very aggressive starting price of Rs 4,499, making it one of the safest and value-for-money options available in this budget segment. Triple Homologation Safety: 3 international safety certifications together The biggest strength and main USP of Steelbird FEC-3 is its Triple Safety Certification (Triple Homologation). Most of the budget helmets sold in the Indian market are limited to only basic ISI standards, but the FEC-3 has successfully passed three of the most rigorous safety tests globally. This includes the Bureau of Indian Standards' BIS (IS 4151:2015), the US Department of Transportation's DOT (FMVSS No. 218), and Europe's latest and most stringent ECE 22.06 standard. Under the European ECE 22.06 standard, helmets are rigorously tested not only for direct impacts but also for rotational and angular impacts from different angles. Meeting these three international standards proves that this helmet is fully capable of minimizing the pressure on the rider's head and brain during an emergency or a serious road accident. High-Impact PC-ABS Blend Shell: Light Weight Unbreakable Strength The outer shell of any helmet is the first line of defense to absorb shock during a crash. Steelbird has used high quality polycarbonate and a special blend material of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (PC-ABS) instead of conventional plastic in the construction of the FEC-3 shell. This advanced material has exceptional ability to withstand extreme temperatures, direct impact and abrasion. The biggest feature of the PC-ABS shell is that it provides structural rigidity to the helmet without adding extra bulk, which does not cause fatigue or strain on the rider's neck and shoulders during long distance travel or daily commute. Its external aerodynamic design reduces wind drag and buffeting during high-speed riding, keeping the helmet stable on the head even at high speed. Polycarbonate Anti-Scratch Visor and Pinlock 30 Anti-Fog Protection Clear and clear vision is the primary prerequisite for safety while riding. The Steelbird FEC-3 is fitted with an optical grade polycarbonate visor, which comes with an anti-scratch coating. This coating protects the visor from pebbles, dust and scratches flying on the road. The most important thing is that the company is providing in-box Pinlock 30 anti-fog lens with this helmet. Be it the dense morning fog in the harsh winters of North India or the torrential rains of the monsoon, the steam from the breath often causes fog to accumulate inside the visor, which proves dangerous. Pinlock 30 technology completely prevents steam accumulation on the visor and provides all-weather crystal-clear visibility to the rider. Apart from this, it has been provided with quick-release visor mechanism and visor locking system, due to which the visor can be easily changed or locked without any tools if needed. Integrated Inner Sun Shield: Instant relief from changing weather and sunlight The FEC-3 has an inbuilt inner sun shield to eliminate glare while riding in bright sunlight during the day. To operate this sun shield, a very smooth and strong slider mechanism is provided on the side of the helmet. When you're out in the scorching heat, you can activate the sun shield by lowering the slider with one finger, and then quickly fold it up when it's dusk or when you enter a dark tunnel. Due to this feature, riders are freed from the hassle of wearing separate sunglasses or carrying a dark tinted visor. This inner shield blocks harmful UV rays to keep the eyes cool and provide better contrast vision. Track-Inspired Double D-Ring Fastening System and Premium Comfort Keeping riders' safety at the forefront, Steelbird has replaced the traditional quick-release plastic buckle in this helmet with a motorsports and race-track proven Double D-Ring retention system. Safety experts around the world believe that during a serious accident, the double D-ring never opens on its own, due to which the helmet does not separate from the head. Apart from this, an aerodynamic wind deflector and nose protector have also been included in the helmet. The wind deflector prevents harsh cold air and road dust from entering the helmet from below, while the nose protector prevents hot exhaled air from directly hitting the visor. The internal padding of the helmet is hypoallergenic, breathable and completely removable and washable, allowing it to be washed periodically to keep it free from odors and bacteria. Size Options, Variants and Market Competition Steelbird FEC-3 is offered in three primary size options, which include Medium (580 mm), Large (600 mm) and Extra Large i.e. XL (620 mm). This helmet will be available in various attractive graphics and sporty colorways to complement the style of college going youth to professional touring bikers. In the price bracket of Rs 4,499, it will directly compete with mid-range models from brands like Vega, Studds, SMK and MT. However, getting the combo of Pinlock 30 and double D-ring with all three certifications of ECE 22.06, DOT and ISI at a price of less than Rs 4.5 thousand is a rare offering in this segment. Its sale has started on Steelbird's official dealership network, Rider Apparel stores and the company's official e-commerce website in major cities across the country including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, Jaipur and Pune.
