#mylid WorldSBK Champion Jonathan Rea explains helmet design

“Since I could design my own helmet I’ve always liked to have some red influence,” the Kawasaki Racing Team rider says. “My Dad used a lot of red and white on his helmets. I started to work with designer Aldo Drudi to come up with some concepts and it wasn’t easy because I wasn't too precise with what I wanted…but I also knew what I wanted it to look like!”

“After about three-four concepts we started to modify one of those and it involved those ‘speed lines’,” he continues. “It seems that everybody is using that idea now. After five-six years we decided to alter it a bit more and I’m really happy with the outcome; it is more aggressive and fresh. The red, white and black were my Dad’s colours back in the day.”

Anybody following Rea’s active social media channels – and those of wife Tatia – will note that the racer has some creative competition for future helmet schemes in the form of four year old son Jake, who regularly busts out the colouring pencils.

“All Jake talks about is helmets and I think it’s Arai’s fault because they gave him a motocross lid when he was younger,” Rea smiles. “I started complaining because I only have three helmets in the house – all from my title winning seasons – and I’ve had a few ‘moments’ when one has been dropped on the floor and chipped because Jake’s is obsessed with them. So Arai came up with a good idea of giving him a limited edition copy, now he has his own one, which he can damage and mine can stay on the shelf! Arai are best known for their safety so it is cool to know that when my kids start riding then they’ll have the best equipment. Like Alpinestars they don't compromise and I’m lucky to be involved with market leaders in that respect.”