Motorcycle half helmets are on trending for decades because of the freedom they provide to riders. The fact that they’re lighter and less bulky than full-face motorcycle helmets makes them an excellent choice for riders seeking a more comfortable form of protection.
Motorcyclists love these helmets because they allow them to hear the world around them. But this freedom comes with the price of getting a loud bike or wind noise in your ear and not being able to listen to music clearly or make a call with your buddy.
This happens because the low-profile design of a half helmet makes it difficult to install a communicator. Riders always struggle to find a convenient location to mount the speaker and microphone unit within a half lid.
Sena, known for their industry-leading helmets, recognized this struggle and stood up to solve it with their new Cavalry helmet. Unlike many other half helmets on the market, the Sena Cavalry includes a surprising feature that sets it apart from its competitors. It has an integrated Bluetooth-connected speaker and microphone system that provides the rider with multiple options for both entertainment and communication.
That means you won’t have to deal with the hassle of trying to mount wires, speakers, and a microphone to your helmet. These all are already integrated into the helmet to make communication easier than ever.
Coming with Bluetooth 4.1 capabilities, advanced audio distribution, noise control, and wind-noise reduction, Sena pre-wired half-helmet offers a fully integrated communication system along with long-lasting comfort right out of the box.
Sena Cavalry Helmet Features Review
Without any further ado, let’s explore all the amazing features this half lid of Sena has to offer.
Shell Material and Safety
Sena Cavalry helmet’s half-shell is made from a strong and durable fiberglass composite material that can undoubtedly withstand high impact pressure.
A padded interior liner is sitting beneath the low-profile shell of Sena.
Its aerodynamic design and sturdy shell give ample protection without creating any wind drag, so you can fly through the wind at any speed.
The nylon D-ring retention strap secures the helmet in place, preventing it from moving or wobbling even at high speeds.
In addition, Sena’s Bluetooth controls and speakers don’t interfere with the helmet’s primary function – which is to protect your head.
The helmet is also approved by the Department of Transportation (DOT) so you can ride stress-free while wearing this helmet.
Size and Fit
Sena Cavalry is an intermediate oval-shaped helmet that provides a good fit for most people, but if you have a more rounded skull, you have to be careful with sizing.
The Cavalry is available in a variety of shell sizes ranging from XS up to 2XL.
Measure your head and use the sizing chart to determine your right head size before purchase. If your head measurement falls between two helmet sizes, Sena recommends going with the smaller size helmet.
Visor
Despite being an open-face helmet, the Sena Cavalry do not come with a visor, which is a real pity.
You can use any of your favorite goggles with this helmet to keep the sun, dust, and other elements out of your eyes, especially at high speed.
Ventilation
Sena Cavalry is a half helmet, so it only covers the top half of your head. Since your face is constantly exposed to the wind, you won’t feel like you’re sweating much.
Other than the basic half helmet design, the Sena Cavalry has no vents. The open-face receives plenty of air, but the interior of the helmet receives none. So, on longer rides, you may feel some heat and sweat in your head region, but other than that ventilation is not an issue with this half lid.
Communication System
The key feature of the Sena Cavalry half helmet, which places it a step ahead from other helmets, is its Bluetooth 4.1 headset that’s integrated into the side of the lid.
The speakers and microphone are also built directly into the helmet, so there’s no need to fuss with cables or earpieces to use the system.
This pre-wired and ready-to-use helmet allows riders to enjoy all of the features of Sena’s communication devices without having to install any additional headset or cables.
There’s a four-way intercom system built-in, and the communicator is strong enough to work at a distance of half a mile. Sena’s global intercom technology allows you to communicate with up to four friends within a distance of 900 meters, even if they are using different Bluetooth devices.
Thanks to its 10 hours of talk time, you can listen to your favorite music or make phone calls without having to worry about running out of battery.
You can listen to FM radio, install firmware updates, share music with another rider, answer calls from your smartphone and control the system via voice prompts too.
Sound Quality
Sena Cavalry half helmet features high-quality Sena 20S HD speakers that deliver crystal-clear audio in a seamless design built directly into the helmet.
Sena’s speakers do not cover the ears. There are ear plates and ear pads included instead, which bounces the sound from these 20S speakers down into your ear. These pieces work great to give you the greatest sound clarity, as well as the best sound amplification, all while filtering out the external wind noise and sounds of your bike.
Noise Control
Sena Cavalry helmet is designed with advanced noise control technology to allow hands-free, noiseless communication. This intelligent Noise Control System can identify any unwanted sound that may interfere with the audio and cancel it out, allowing the audio to be heard clearly.
Sena has done an excellent job of designing this extremely aerodynamic helmet that keeps wind noise to a minimum. Its noise-canceling microphone is built into the upper front part of the helmet that works great to provide clear audio with little wind noise.
Furthermore, a built-in SBC Codec and volume control contribute to the audio quality and maximize the functionality of this Bluetooth half helmet even at high speeds.
Weight
Since Sena Cavalry is a half-shell helmet, it is extremely lightweight and its ultra-slim profile is great for motorcycle riders.
The 2.2 pounds weight of this helmet also prevents neck fatigue so you can comfortably wear this helmet for longer rides.
Comfort Level
Being a half-shell helmet with an extremely lightweight and low-profile design, the Sena Cavalry helmet provides next-level comfort to the rider. The helmet is lined with a removable and washable headliner that gives a soft feel and makes it easy to wear.
With Sena RideConnected App, operating your helmet is as easy as playing your favorite music. The App is available for both iPhone and Android smartphones. You can easily connect your Cavalry helmet straight to this Sena Utility App. As long as you are connected to a mobile network, you’ll be able to configure device settings, listen to FM radio, create private groups, invite your friends and chat with them while using your Sena headset.
The Bluetooth controls are elevated so that you can feel and operate them even when wearing gloves and with its long-lasting battery, you can go for long journeys without worrying about charging the helmet.
The Cavalry also includes optional ear pads that provide some insulation from the outside noises, and its audio boost speakers automatically increase volume in noisy environments.
Moreover, the helmet is water-resistant so you can wear your Cavalry helmet even in inclement weather without worrying about it being damaged.
Price
With its $170 plus price tag, Sena Cavalry is not the cheapest half helmet but it does offer comfort and value at an extreme level.
There’s a 2-year warranty on this high-quality helmet, which is worth highlighting.
And you’ll surely receive your money in style points with its remarkable low-profile shell design and outstanding communication system.
Specifications at a Glance
|
|
What do we like most?
- Lightweight Fiberglass Shell
- Bluetooth 4.1 Version
- Exceptional Audio Quality
- Excellent battery with 10 hours of talk time
- Secure and Comfortable Fit
What we don’t?
- No vents
- A bit pricey
Final Thoughts
Sena Cavalry helmet has offered everything a motorcycle rider might need when riding. The helmet’s durability and safety features provide the wearer peace of mind on the road while its integrated Bluetooth technology gives an exceptional communication experience.
There’s no reason why you shouldn’t have the Sena Cavalry helmet placed on your head. If you’re a fan of hands-free functionality, you will certainly adore your riding experience with Sena Cavalry Helmet.
