Shark Helmets

[crazybigal]

Hi.

New to this forum.

Need to buy a new helmet.

Would appreciate your input on helemts, especially Shark. I have read the thread on the Shoei helmets and I am wondering how the Shark measures up against them.

Cheers.

why do people buy helmets based on what others say and brand name?
buy somthing that fits your head and has what you want : ie anti fog nose bit and good vents, that sort of stuff.
dont fall for the 'this helmet is $800 bucks so it must be better sales pitch"
remember race helmets are noisy!
glass v plastic? both are good in a crash dont let anyone tell you plastic helmets are crap, look at the test results of impact testing you will be suprised.
If you fit a Shark you will prob fit a HJC, you wont fit a shoei, thats what i found when i was shopping for one.
ended up getting a shark RSF.

[The Big J]

I like Shark
Had S500 until a week ago, noticed that wind would come in under the chin.

Now have S800 which has a chin cover thing which makes it much quieter/less windy but increases tendency to fog visor - but I need to put on some cat crap stuff or antifog stuff as I think my visor's dirty.

[McJim]

I just read my original post and it's a little vague unless you know what I mean already.

Each Manufacturer makes helmets that suit a slightly different shape of head.

Shoe, Arai, Bell, Nitro, HJC, FFM, Shark etc. so lets say you buy an Arai which is the right size but the internal padding doesnt snugly touch your cranium with even pressure then you've wasted your money because in a crash that part of the helmet with the space to accelerate towards your skull will accelerate under impact and therfore crack your head like an eggshell...

So if Shark helmets fit snugly and evenly then by all means buy one..if there are pressure spots or cavaties between your skull and the inner lining then best try another manufacturer's offering.

All helmets sold in NZ must conform to Australian standards - which are quite high. Where your money goes in the big $$ helmets is weight reduction and sound reduction, not always better protection.

Shark seems good value though.

[bell]

My wife is about to buy an S500 Air. $269 seems cheap for the overall finish quality of this lid or so I thought when I looked at it in the shop. Unsure how noisy it will be compared to other helmets in this price range. Of course, you could find an $800 helmet that might be just as noisy...

Check this link out if you want to get into the gory details of standards testing and certification.
http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/ge...iew/index.html

[Darkman]

I have both the top Shoei and Shark helmets. In my opinion I recon the shoei is way better quality than the shark. The shoei is lighter and visor is easier to use. More visibility with the Shoei. Shark on the other hand is cheaper and not as noisy.

[wilber]

I'm looking at upgrading helmet myself and after checking out shops it comes down to 2 ,shark s800 or kbc vr2 both have flap under chin should cut out lot of noise either wind and bike ,they are the best i've found to fit my head around mid range price wise .

[Naki]

Thanks for the feed back guys.

Dazza:
Yes it is Mach1 in NP.

After trying on many helmets some just don't feel right at all.

Have been using a friends THH for a few days. It seems ok, but a little loose for me. Don't really know if it is noisey or not, as I don't have any experience with other helmets.

Cheers.

[Trudes]

Don't forget the earplugs!
I've tried on heaps of helmets in the shops and would love to be able to test ride a couple, just to see how they feel at speed. ATM I have a small childs size HJC, and it's a perfect fit until I get up to about 90ks at which point it pushes into my face and starts to squish my nose.
I like the fit of the Arai helmets and love the way there is a bit of space around the ears (must have small head and big ears?) room enough for my earplugs not to get pushed about in my ears.
I wonder if a shop would let you take each helmet for a test ride? Might be worth asking to make up your mind.

[McJim]

Don't forget the earplugs! .

I don't have earplugs coz I've never felt the need. I've never had the guts to ask this question until now though:

Are the earplugs to stop the wind noise or to stop the engine noise from damaging your eardrums?

Once I get to about 70kph I can't hear my engine over the sound of the wind any more...and the wind sound doesn't bother me too much.

[Trudes]

It's to stop the wind noise, and then you can quite often hear your engine because the wind noise is not drowning it out. Should try a pair one day, really good for long rides to cut down on the fatigue factor and will save your hearing.

[Lissa]

My helmet is extremely noisy... going 70 and I can hear the wind whistling in my ears... might look at earplugs. But my helmet is also very cold, wind comes up the front, feel like my lips are turning blue.. I think I might have to look at some other helmet. Whats a good bike shop in the hutt that I can go visit? Might have a look at the shark and shoei brands.

[Trudes]

The guys at TSS will put you right, otherwise there's Motomart to have a gander at too.

[The Big J]

TSS is good service in Lower Hutt. They don't have Shark

Motomart is just around the corner and do have Shark.

Located just over the Ewan bridge

Edit - TSS DIDN'T have Shark the month ago that I was looking.
oh and jinx

[Lissa]

Oh cool.. thanks guys, will pop over soon and have a look.

[crazybigal]

TSS is good service in Lower Hutt. They don't have Shark

Motomart is just around the corner and do have Shark.

Located just over the Ewan bridge

Edit - TSS DIDN'T have Shark the month ago that I was looking.
oh and jinx

well isnt kerry from sawyers ment to be working at TSS now?
i got my shark from him, but at the time i went into TSS and the dude said and i quote "we dont sell shark and never will they are crap" hmmm we will see!