After a couple of years in a plain, dependable HJC, I fancied a change - and, yes, the bold graphics on the MT Braker SV absolutely played a part. Call me a gear tart if you like, but if you wear something every day, it may as well look good.
The Braker SV is a full-face helmet that sits firmly in the budget bracket at £119.99, yet it gives an immediate impression of decent build quality. It doesn’t have the plush, premium feel of a Shoei or Arai, but it doesn’t pretend to - and for the money, it feels more than respectable.
Fit & comfort
In my usual size large, the fit is generally good. The cheekpads are slightly snug - especially around my 'hamster pouches' - and there's no way to finetune the fit with thinner pads, but it’s not uncomfortable. As always with helmets, make sure you're happy with the fit before venturing out on the road.
The liner is fully removable and washable. When taking the skullcap out, you just need to push the front mounts in slightly to release them cleanly.
One omission is emergency cheekpad quick-release tabs. These are starting to appear on some budget lids and it would’ve been good to see them here too.
Noise & aerodynamics
One of the biggest surprises has been how quiet this helmet is. Noise perception is subjective, of course, but for me the Braker SV performs impressively well.
That’s particularly notable as the neck roll doesn’t wrap tightly around my neck and the helmet feels like it sits on rather than around my head.
Stability is also good at motorway speeds, with no obvious buffeting. The included clip-in rear spoiler may not just be for show - it certainly seems to help keep things steady.
Vision & visor system
Peripheral vision is decent, if not class-leading. The internal sun visor is operated by a slightly recessed slider on the left-hand side and provides a useful level of shade in bright conditions.
A Pinlock 70 insert isn’t included and costs an extra £34.99, which is typical in helmets of this price. Once fitted, it does exactly what I hoped, keeping the visor clear in cooler conditions.
Photography: Jose Mas
The visor mechanism itself is excellent - easy to remove and refit, and one of the better designs I’ve used. I did have an issue with one of the mounting buttons on an optional iridium visor coming loose during fitting, but once properly attached it stayed secure.
One minor gripe is the visor’s first cracked-open position. It would be nice to have a setting between barely open and the first proper notch, as that jump feels a bit too big.
Ventilation
The chin vent is reasonably effective once you’re moving, helping reduce misting on my glasses at speeds above 40mph. I spend the first minute or so of a journey riding with the visor raised to make sure my glasses are at ambient riding temperature, which helps stop the misting.
Up top, twin vents feed air through channels in the liner and out under the rear spoiler. They work, but this isn’t a helmet that delivers huge cooling airflow - more steady ventilation than full race-lid blast.
One downside is a noticeable draft from underneath. The mesh chin curtain doesn’t block much cold air, so winter riding can feel a bit chilly around the chin.
Fastening & safety
The Braker SV uses a micrometric buckle, and there's no ACU Gold sticker - though that absence is only relevant if you plan to ride on UK racetracks, in which case you'll need a helmet with that sticker on the back.
More reassuring is the helmet’s five-star SHARP rating, which is an excellent result at this price and a more conclusive test than the ACU's rating in my opinion.
Intercom compatibility
Comms aren’t a priority for me, but the helmet does include speaker recesses and a rear panel designed to work with MT’s own B01 Rider SYNC intercom system. That unit is reasonably priced, especially when bought with the helmet as it becomes VAT-exempt, though riders wanting higher-end features will want a more advanced third-party system.
Final thoughts
So far I’m extremely happy with the MT Braker SV. It’s comfortable enough for daily use, impressively quiet, stable at speed and backed up by a top-tier SHARP safety score - all for a very reasonable price.
It’s not perfect: the lack of emergency cheekpad release, a basic chin curtain and the optional extras adding to the overall cost are worth noting. But judged for what it is - a stylish, budget-friendly full-face helmet for everyday road riding - it’s a strong package.
If you want something affordable that still feels well made and performs better than the pricetag suggests, the Braker SV is well worth a look.
MT Braker SV
