Motorcycle taxis in the Philippines have been given the go-signal to operate again. However, passengers now need to bring their own helmets. In the past motorcycle taxis would provide helmets for passengers. But with the ongoing threat of COVID, passengers who want to back ride need to provide their own helmets for health reasons.
New Normal Helmet Guidelines for Motorcycle Taxi Passengers
According to the latest IATF guidelines as of October 2020, passengers are now advised to bring their own helmets if they want to avail themselves of motorcycle taxi services like Angkas, Grab and Joyride. As per new guidelines, open face helmets with no visors and half face helmets are no longer allowed for passengers.
READ MORE: Gear Guide: Choosing a motorcycle helmet
SMK Helmets
For those looking for budget-friendly and unique motorcycle helmets, you might want to consider those from SMK Helmets. This European-designed brand that manufactures its products in India are now available in the Philippine market through Motoworld, the premier destination for high-quality motorcycle accessories, riding gear, and apparel at affordable prices.
Their line of helmets ranges from Full Face (Titan, Force, Stellar, Twister, Eldorado), Open Face (Eldorado Jet, Streem, Cooper), Flip-up (Glide), and Flip Off (Hybrid Evo).
I’ve been using the retro-inspired Eldorado Jet for a month now but Motoworld sent over an extra Streem Heroic helmet for this product feature. I haven’t personally used it myself, but I’m just sharing the basic designs and specifications for those who are looking for a new budget-friendly lid.
Design
The Streem is an Open Face Helmet that makes use of the latest generation materials for maximum safety and style. It’s characterized by bold contours and a strong, aggressive design. Light weight and superior fit gives riders comfort during extended duration of use.
It comes with the added feature of removable cheek pads, for added flexibility and comfort. The extra wide, one touch replaceable visor, gives the rider an excellent view of the road. An efficient ventilation system, with advanced channeled air intakes, on helmet top provides maximum comfort to the rider, even on long journeys and extreme weather conditions.
The Streem line comes in edgy graphic designs that will appeal to both male and female riders and passengers. The “Heroic” design reminds me of old-school Japanese cartoons like Voltes V & Voltron. Other youthful designs under the Streem line include: Spectre, Black, White, Sonic, Fantasy and Matt Black. The model also comes in solid colors for those who just want a basic lid.
Specifications
Here are the specifications for the Streem Helmet as provided by SMK.
Price
The SMK Streem Heroic model has an SRP of P2,500, while the solid colored ones (Matt Black, White, Pink) cost just P2,200.
Where to buy SMK Helmets
SMK Helmets is officially distributed by MotoMio Co., Ltd. and is available in Motoworld, MotoMarket, MotoStyle, and authorized dealers nationwide. Check out their list of stores or easily shop online from Motorworld here.