Sena Outrush R – There’s a Better Modular Bluetooth Helmet

In this Sena Outrush R review, I’ll let you know what my friends and I think of this popular lid; the follow up to the original Sena Outrush.

And our recommendation? Don’t buy it – there’s a better option from Sena than this.

The Sena Outrush R stands out for it’s modular chinbar and integrated Bluetooth unit all packaged up for an affordable price. But where the Outrush R falls short is its limited Bluetooth system.

Pros:

• Modular chinbar
• Big visor that stops glare
• Connects to phone for music and nav
• Intercom for up to 4 riders over Bluetooth
• Integrated Bluetooth system makes for slim profile
• Affordable price

Cons:

• Dated Bluetooth system without Mesh connectivity (15+ riders)
• Basic construction with only polycarbonate shell
• Only 2 colors: white and black

Let’s get in to this review.

What’s the Sena Outrush R Anyway?

Sena likely needs no introduction for you. They make great intercom gear for motorcyclists, recently integrating Harman Kardon audio in to their sets as well.

In 2020, Sena launched its first-ever modular smart helmet—the Outrush (4). Then they built on that design by releasing the Outrush R modular in May 2021. Sena has since discontinued the original Outrush, so we’ll focus on the Outrush R helmet in this review.

Let’s start with the technology in it.

The Tech

The Sena Outrush doesn’t pack the latest Harman Kardon speakers and Mesh communication (you’ll need our recommendation below for that). But it does pack 4-way Bluetooth intercom and solid speakers.

That’s enough for you and your buddies to chat and listen to music on a ride. You’re not going to be in a concert hall with your George Strait, but you won’t get tinny screeching either.

You get 12 hours of charge, which my friend who owns this lid says is actually as advertised. This will last for a few days of light riding without needing charge. The intercom range is around half a mile over open terrain, which is plenty for most rides.

Here’s a rundown on the specs in an easy table.

Clear Communication

Ease of communication is what Sena is known for. The Outrush integrated helmet is no exception.

In fact, it improves on most add-on kits because Sena integrates the speakers and mic in the factory, ensuring good placement. This lid also comes with a Digital Noise Reduction System for clearer sound. That filters out background noise so you can communicate.  

Boom mic is used in this lid so you can communicate clearly whether the chin bar is up or down.

Good Intercom, but Dated

One common hangup with Bluetooth units is connecting them to others for intercom. Trust me, been there and wasted a lot of hours on the side of the road banging on these little devices.

The Outrush R, since it uses Bluetooth and not Mesh, will connect to other Bluetooth units from any brand. The Sena Utility App even gives you Smart Intercom Pairing: scan a QR code on another rider’s phone and you’re good to go.

However, and this is where the Outrush R starts to fall short: The included Bluetooth unit doesn’t work with the latest Mesh protocols (either Sena or Cardo) so you’re out of luck if you want to join a larger group Mesh intercom group – even if everyone is using Sena devices.

Bluetooth is way behind Mesh, so this is a significant drawback. Bluetooth can only handle 4-way intercom groups, and over short distances (half a mile of flat, clear ground between riders). If riders get separated, the connection drops until you stop and manually reconnect it. Riders must also stay in a specific line together since the units are chained together. 1 connects to 2, 2 connects to 3, 3 connects to 4.

Mesh, however, can handle 15+ person intercom groups with over a mile between riders, and the intercom will automatically snap back if riders get out of range and then come back. Riders can also move around within the group without affecting the call at all. The lead can wait at a corner and become the sweep, and the call group remains unaffected.

The Sena Outrush R is stuck in the Bluetooth era. Down below I recommend another new lid from Sena that will bring you in to the amazing world of Mesh.

Simple Bluetooth Controls

In the original Outrush, controls were on the left side with a multifunctional jog dial (6). The jog dial allowed you to change the FM station, adjust the volume, and control the intercom.

But that was a little hard to do with a gloved hand, and easy to accidentally trip.

So the Outrush R bluetooth system opted for three buttons, and voice commands. You can access Siri or Hey Google from inside this lid. The combined power data cable port is USB Type-C, a common standard these days. 

And It’s Comfortable

The Outrush R isn’t just a fancy piece of tech stuffed in a plastic box.

Well, technically the shell is ABS plastic, but that’s just what you get at this affordable of a price point.

The weight is pretty low for a modular, and you get an integrated sun visor. Nice for sunny days.

Speaking of visibility, the eye port is sizable at around 8.38 inches wide and 4.05 inches deep (8). The intermediate oval shape fits most Western heads super well.

What about build quality?

Whether you choose the black or glossy white colorway, both have a smooth and sleek finish. That friend of mine I mentioned earlier has banged this helmet around quite a bit. He’s found it to be well fitted, with the intake and exhaust vents made of strong plastic and the chin vents sizable.

This is not a flimsy or unfinished helmet – it’s polished and worthy of the Sena brand. However, how about shell sizes for a perfect fit? Only a single shell polycarbonate ABS option. So all the fit comes from the amount of padding. Smalls might give a bobblehead look, while XXLs have thinner padding.

Here are some comfort and build specs:

Plenty of Airflow

For a helmet packed with features, the Outrush R is not suffocating or stuffy. This is mainly due to the three vents on each unit: the rear ventilation port, the top vent, and the one in the chin area. 

Sena helmets also have a special mesh that gives ample airflow within the unit. The combination of all these details makes them well-ventilated for all-day wear.

Here’s a breakdown of the ventilation intakes:

What about noise? At a highway speeds, wind noise isn’t louder than other comparable modulars. Head buffeting isn’t an issue either, even if you have a shorter windshield on your motorcycle.

Overall, the Outrush helmet with built in Bluetooth has great airflow and noise management. Its shape and contouring do a good job minimizing buffeting and reducing noise levels. Suitable for even a naked bike.

Modular and Proud

Modulars plagued by chin bar problems deserve to go in the trash. And I’ve worn far too many of them.

The Outrush R chin bar is not one of these. The heavy-duty cushioning and seal linings close up tight, making this modular feel like a full face when the chin bar is down.

The chin bar opens with a glove-friendly thumb switch. The chin curtain glides right over your face as you pull it up, and tucks under your chin when down to keep out wind.

The chin guard can also be locked in its fully-raised, open position with a simple push of the small slider on the right. This unique feature is useful when the unit is dismounted or when you want to ride at very slow speeds without worrying that the chin guard will drop unexpectedly.

Face Shield

Whichever season you want to ride in, the shield is conveniently fog-free and UV-resistant. You can drop down the integrated sunshield as well for some shade or just to keep the wind out of your eyes with the visor open. That visor clicks when it’s up or down, using a slider on the left side. Removing it to clean is easy – simply lower it and pull to one side to release. Do the same on the other side and its free.

The face shield is well-built, with four robust position detents that can withstand strong crosswinds. Even with swirls from a tractor-trailer when changing lanes, the shield remains firmly in the position you’ve set.

These are the five settings on the face shield:

• P1: Fully closed and secured in place
• P2: Unlocked, with a 2-3mm opening (great for defogging)
• P3: 30% open
• P4: 70% open
• P5: Fully open

Outrush R Real Review

Buy with Confidence: 5 Year Warranty

Sena makes quality products.

How do I know? Because they wouldn’t offer a 5 year warranty if they built a piece of junk.

Warranty service from Sena is only available via the sales channels where you purchased the helmet, except if you’re in the United States (14). Here are the Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) procedures, depending on where you live:

United States

• Contact the place you purchased from to get Return Merchandise Authorization from the store.
• Contact the company directly through its Contact Support for Return Merchandise Authorization straight from the manufacturer.

Other Regions

• Contact the place you purchased from to get Return Merchandise Authorization from the store.
• If you experience any difficulty in contacting the store, visit Sena’s Contact Support page.

Sena Outrush R – Recommendation

The Sena Outrush R is a brilliant entry-level helmet suitable for most riders under most conditions.

However, the lack of Mesh connectivity means you’ll be left in the stone age if you want to ride in a pack.

Thankfully, Sena has a solution for you: the Sena Impulse. It’s also a modular from Sena, but with Harman Kardon speakers, Mesh intercom supporting 15+ riders, and a tail light!

If you want an affordable lid with decent sound system and capable intercom, you cannot go wrong with the Outrush R. And you can pick it up at the best price below…

BUT, if you want the best Bluetooth modular helmet that you’ll still be rocking 2, 3, 5 years down the road? With it’s top notch sound system, top of the line Mesh intercom, and tail light keeping you visible at all hours, the Sena Impulse is a no-brainer.

Sena Outrush VS Sena Outrush R

So what exactly did Sena do to upgrade the original Outrush, launched in 2020, to create the Outrush R?

The key changes are a better Bluetooth system supporting 4 riders (vs 2) and using Bluetooth 5.0 (launches faster plus a bit more range). We also saw the addition of XXL size and a change from a jog dial to easier button controls.

Full comparison below.

Sena Outrush R VS BILT Techno 3.0 

The BILT Techno 3.0 is another integrated smart modular helmet we’ve reviewed before – how does it stack up against the Outrush R?

If Pinlock visors or a D-ring strap are important for you, pick up the BILT Techno 3.0. But really, it’s hard to go wrong between the BILT Techno and Outrush R modular. They’re both strong contenders and ideal choices for smart helmets, regardless of your riding style.

FAQs

What is the best modular helmet? 

In our opinion (as with other online reviews we’ve found as well), Sena Outrush helmets are one of the best and most reasonably-priced smart options on the market. Alternatively, the BILT Techno 3.0 makes a great choice as well. Both give you reliable, basic intercom and entertainment systems at affordable prices.

Should I buy a modular helmet? Is it better than a full-face helmet?

The decision ultimately comes down to your priorities as a motorcycle rider. 

In a nutshell, modular ones, like Sena modular Bluetooth helmets, are ideal for those who want the convenience of pulling up the chin bar for airflow increase. Full-face helmets, on the other hand, give optimum protection in high-speed rides and tend to be lighter and quieter than their modular counterparts (15).

What is the best Bluetooth motorcycle helmet? 

Given that Sena is the global leader in Bluetooth communication solutions for motorcycle and outdoor sports, any helmets equipped with its technologies are great choices. Any of the Outrush helmets and even the BILT Techno 3.0 come with Sena’s great features.

If you want to know more about Bluetooth  motorcycle helmets, see here.

Are full-face helmets quieter than modular ones?

Generally, yes, full-face units tend to be quieter than modular ones. However, wind noise levels are highly and inevitably subjective from one rider to another. Moreover, other factors such as loose fits, windscreen size, and fairing in relation to your height can all affect the noise level more than the difference between full-face and modular.

Are modular helmets safe in a crash?

The UK SHARP helmet safety ratings system says that modular helmets offer similar protection as full-faced ones. However, their system uses a one-hit crash testing procedure, despite the reality that motorcycle accidents can often involve multiple hits to the ground at different angles. Even models that rate high in the SHARP system may still be prone to failing a lock retention test (17).

Compared to full-face, modular helmets do provide less protection during a crash considering they are less rigid. This is also why they are not allowed in professional motorcycle racing, and are better suited for casual rides. They can protect you from serious injury during a crash, although they don’t provide as much protection as full-shell defense does.