You may have seen my Klim Krios Karbon in episodes such as Moab, Sturgis and The Grand Bella Ball. This has been my main helmet since the beginning of 2021 and after 20 months, 38,000kms I’m happy to be rid of it and never cinch it’s strap again. Here is my Klim Krios Review

It all began with hype.

This helmet truly draws you in with aggressive lines, tasteful graphics, the lightest shell on the market and perceived Klim quality. You try it on, the smooth padding glides down your cheeks and an included dark smoke shield hides your eyes from the public. You feel cool, you look cool and maybe for a month or two you even are. To become acquainted please, have a quick visit.

https://www.klim.com/Krios-Karbon-Adventure-Helmet-ECE-DOT-3510-000?quantity=1&color=1065

Naturally progressing

Riding a motorcycle is fluid and constantly changing. Your riding style will grow as does your wallet, seeking high-end high-performing equipment. You’re drawn to the best and the Krios promises it all. I “graduated” out of my Hi-viz Yellow Bell MX-9 Adv (With mips!) and into the Klim. I purchased the Tenere 700 8 months prior and the deafening wind noise on the highway pushed me to seek more comfort and higher quality gear. After some online shopping I secured my new lid at our local dealer and went off smitten. It was March in Calgary so riding was at a minimum though I managed a few rides around town thanks to a lovely chinook. Initial impressions were excellent, it fit well, the peak didn’t grab the wind like the Bell, I was warm, comfortable and most importantly cool. I thought I had it all.

Grandeur Veils begin to fray.

Two weeks into ownership the snap for securing the excess chin strap separated and was gone. No big deal, I’ll just tuck it. It’s my only helmet now and I ride 12 Months a year. I can’t send it off for warranty nor afford another lid to bridge the gap. I’ll manage. After days, weeks and 20 months of ownership you’re going to learn you want the snap. That insignificant little invention will singlehandedly save you so much distraction, frustration and sanity as your rides drag on. It’s such a small piece of the puzzle yet so necessary. If this was all I could fault it would slide!

A quick history.

Klim acquired the Uvex Carbon Enduro helmet shell a number of years ago. In 2011 this was reviewed as a $300 Cad enduro helmet (I ensured to factor at-the-time exchange rates, adjusted for inflation this is $381.95Cad) the Krios Karbon is currently selling for $699 Cad with a clear shield, dark shield and pinlock. The only changes the end user will “Benefit” from are updated padding and graphics. Is that worth your spare $320? A Photochromatic lens is available for near $200 Cad. There are no additional safety features, no re-engineered components of extra value. It seems they have lost Uvex’s highly acclaimed mist-free lens as well. If you breathe at any time below 12 degrees Celsius with the shield closed you’re bound to fog. You know, this is a great time to simply list the number of failed, worn out or completely inoperable and sub-par features Klim adorns you with. Had I mentioned scathing?

Point form failures and flaws.

Within 1 month (Cold weather)

-Chin strap snap fell off in two weeks.

-Shield does not lock closed.

-Shield fogs immediately under 12 degrees Celcius (pinlock mentions below)

-Shield does not seal against gasket

-Requires ear plugs over 80Km/h

6 Months (Summer, fall weather)

-Shield adjustment detents worn out, no longer stays open at any speed over 50Km/h or bumps.

-Poor ventilation in summer conditions. Forehead vent seemingly has no effect or airflow, incredibly warm with no relief above 25 degrees Celcius no matter the speed. Inadequate chin ventilation at low speeds. Side vents are a simple hole through shell, no actual flow. Cheek vents are inoperative by design.

-Nose ventilation unable to be closed. Causes dust to obscure vision on the interior of shield and glasses alongside sandblasting your face with dirt and water. This of course freezes your eyes at sub-freezing and low temperatures as well.

12-20 Months (Winter, spring, summer)

-Shield now chatters over bumps offroad and on while closed, shield continually falls obscuring vision in low-light. Chatter is prominent and distracting enough to be mentioned by others through intercom. Attempted to adjust hinges with no change after multiple attempts. Shimming of pivots made short-lasting change.

-Shield not sealing now causes all rain to be inside your helmet. Extreme danger from further obscured vision and water in your eyes. Road salt is actually normal salt, but for the road and your eyes!

-Shield now opens, chatters and snaps during shoulder checks on highway.

-Shield now excessively scratched with no dealer stock on replacement (Entire helmet and shield was Ceramic coated when purchased providing extra protection) Could have probably ordered online if I was not deeming this a total-loss.

-Pinlock insert completely deteriorated within 2 months of scattered usage. No-longer seals against shield. All layers became saturated with dust completely obscuring vision on a week long trip in remote areas of Vancouver island, see nose vent notes, see shield falling, sealing notes. Caused multiple stops, frustrations and gear adjustments. Pinlock pins non-adjustable

-Dark shield cracked at Pinlock inserts (I had only used the clear shield a handful of times on night rides when I deemed bringing it necessity, otherwise I would constantly open the dark shield repeatedly and suffer)

-Shield retaining fasteners no-longer lock and spin when visor opened and closed. Haven’t fallen out yet!

-Helmet padding has deteriorated and now fits loose and unsafely. Vision is now affected by helmet shifting, another distraction requiring manual adjustment.

-Crown padding deteriorated severe enough to create pressure point above forehead (Try that on a 2.5 week 10,000km road trip!) Upon further inspection find foam strips adhered to EPS liner and the fabric liner peeling off of shell beneath crown padding.

That’s it!

That’s all. It’s Fudged. I was taken by false claims on Klim’s website. Multiple reviews from multiple platforms all seemingly short term or perhaps so clouded by the hype, name, clout, image and reputation of a product so promised to be the best.

“Benchmark for adventure motorcycle helmets, setting standards in strength, performance and functionality while leaving traditional compromises behind.” Klim Krios Karbon description from their site.

It sure did leave traditional compromises behind. You shouldn’t have to compromise a dang thing on a helmet like this. This flag ship helmet is everything but. It’s the Ruroc of Klim. A failure of design, a loss to late stage capitalism and a disappointment to someone who thought buying the best adventure motorcycling gear on the market would give me the best experience it could. Traditionally, you would compromise a little styling, venting options or perhaps they don’t have your favorite colour.

If you’re compromising the very basics of what makes a motorcycle helmet safe, comfortable, functional and long lasting you need to shelf your product. Have a meeting and lay it out to the team that the premise of this shell was great and it looks cool! It’s comfortable, (for a time) light…but its awful. It’s a bare bones entry level helmet that’s outperformed by the MX-9 Adventure in every way. The Bell doesn’t even have a locking visor and it suffers from nothing the Klim leaves you screaming to get away from.

To close this out…

I can’t give a single meaningful thing this helmet can redeem itself on. Sure, it looks cool and is light. That doesn’t matter when it’s a non-functioning failure in every other way.

I made sure to turn my cardo off more than once to scream my frustrations at the Krios these past 20 months and a few times I couldn’t bother as I was too preoccupied attempting to hold my line as my concentration was broken time and time again. Unacceptable.

I just bought an Arai XD-4 and ordered a dark smoke shield. I have under 100Km’s on that helmet and I’m never going back. It’s superior in every way at a somewhat comparable price point. ($869.99 Cad) That’s a story for 38,000Kms from now. You can’t say I didn’t give the Krios a chance…

Redemption?

Since this helmet carries a 5 year warranty I’ll be opening a claim with Klim since I’m finally able to afford the opportunity to send it away. I’ve heard good things but we will just have to see. I will update this with a final addition upon the decision of the warranty claim. It’s my promise to you as a reader to give un-biased, honest and reasonable reviews based on accurate expectations. I bought a premium ADV helmet for premium ADV usage and was given such poor results. This was subjected to exactly what it was designed for and failed in every way.

Thanks for reading. I’d probably avoid this one.