miSTa
2nd March 2006, 12:34
After finally getting the ok from the boss to replace my tired old HJC CL12, I went French and bought myself a Shark. A Shark RSF2 Race to be precise with Laconi graphics (not my first choice but its growing on me), and at a good price ($399 down from $599, hence the reason for the Laconi graphics) from Cycletreads (yet again I get great a deal and service from them).
Weight, compared to the HJC this helmet is as light as a feather; apparently the RSF2 weighs in at 1290g +- 50g according to the link below. Haven’t weighed it myself so I cannot confirm and probably won’t either.
Fit, my head shape is not really a HJC, Shoei or a Suomy, but the RSF2 fits perfectly. I’ve found a brand that fits me. It should be noted that no other brands were tried (more on that later). Very, very comfortable, I can and I will quite happily wear this helmet all day.
The chin guard area is quite wide, probably half as wide again as the HJC. This means the bottom of the helmet comes a down a fair bit below the chin and blocks a lot of wind, which has the effect of making the helmet very quiet. As I’ve found it very quiet around town, no wind noise at 50km, very little at 60, and at a 100 quite bearable. At speeds slightly more than 100 there’s a slight whistling noise, regardless I will still continue to wear earplugs. The CL12 was just a noisy sucker at all speeds.
The ventilation is good, no more fogging up and having to ride around town with the visor slightly ajar. Brilliant. Speaking of the visor, it’s thick; some 2.2mm if I remember the specifications correctly and there’s no distortion (as you would expect).
The lining and check pads are supposed to be removable, though I haven’t tried to remove as yet so cannot offer an opinion on how easy it is to do. It’s going to be good to be able to freshen up the
Removing the visor is dead easy – a push of a button, simple stuff
The finish is good, way better than the CL12. It’s a nice looking helmet.
Double D fasteners are used (which I happen to prefer).
Image: http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Shark_RSR2_Laconi_LAC_Helmet--32-SHARK-5.html
All in all this is the best helmet I’ve owned and I would have no hesitation in recommending the RSF2 but as always YMMV.
Weight, compared to the HJC this helmet is as light as a feather; apparently the RSF2 weighs in at 1290g +- 50g according to the link below. Haven’t weighed it myself so I cannot confirm and probably won’t either.
Fit, my head shape is not really a HJC, Shoei or a Suomy, but the RSF2 fits perfectly. I’ve found a brand that fits me. It should be noted that no other brands were tried (more on that later). Very, very comfortable, I can and I will quite happily wear this helmet all day.
The chin guard area is quite wide, probably half as wide again as the HJC. This means the bottom of the helmet comes a down a fair bit below the chin and blocks a lot of wind, which has the effect of making the helmet very quiet. As I’ve found it very quiet around town, no wind noise at 50km, very little at 60, and at a 100 quite bearable. At speeds slightly more than 100 there’s a slight whistling noise, regardless I will still continue to wear earplugs. The CL12 was just a noisy sucker at all speeds.
The ventilation is good, no more fogging up and having to ride around town with the visor slightly ajar. Brilliant. Speaking of the visor, it’s thick; some 2.2mm if I remember the specifications correctly and there’s no distortion (as you would expect).
The lining and check pads are supposed to be removable, though I haven’t tried to remove as yet so cannot offer an opinion on how easy it is to do. It’s going to be good to be able to freshen up the
Removing the visor is dead easy – a push of a button, simple stuff
The finish is good, way better than the CL12. It’s a nice looking helmet.
Double D fasteners are used (which I happen to prefer).
Image: http://www.kneedraggers.com/details/Shark_RSR2_Laconi_LAC_Helmet--32-SHARK-5.html
All in all this is the best helmet I’ve owned and I would have no hesitation in recommending the RSF2 but as always YMMV.