secondgen7
04-12-2011, 04:58 AM
http://images.motorcycle-superstore.com/ProductImages/OG/2008_SparX_S-07_Skulls_Helmet_Skulls.jpg
So I recently found the SparX S07 "Skullz" helmet on closeout for $50 (http://shop.ebay.com/moonmotorsports1/m.html?_nkw=sparx&_sacat=0&_odkw=&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3911.c0.m270.l1313) and figured, given the positive reviews I found, why not. My other helmet is a Shark RSX, which I love but has since been discontinued. Anyway, since I haven't seen any reviews of these helmets on the (current) site, I figured I'd share. Here are some observations:
- it's hands-down the quietest, lightest helmet I've ever worn ... basically 'disappears' when it's on
- it vents incredibly well (more on this in a minute) (1)
- visibility is mostly excellent (more on this in a minute, as well) (2)
- I love the matte finish (a helmet-neutral, personal opinion :D)
- The skulls are kind of understated; if flames & skulls can actually be understated
- The liner is nicer than I expected of a $50 (or $150) helmet
- The shield is one of the best 'standard' styles I've seen/used (more on this in a minute) (3)
- It fogs very easily (60s this am and I was able to cloud the visor, if only briefly, with heavy breathing)
All in all, it's a great value at the normal retail price, and a stupendous one at my price point (especially considering it comes w/a second, dark-tint visor in the box!). It will very likely become my everyday helmet for the summer/warm months; for two reasons: how well it vents, and to limit wear/tear on my Shark. To expound on some of the points above:
1) I LOVE the 'eyebrow' vents in the face shield, it's a brilliant idea (and I know Arai did it first, kudos). Not only does it help vent while at speed but also when sitting, if there's any kind of wind/airflow. I couldn't really tell a difference between having the chin vent open and closed but the top vents are permanently open and it definitely flows more (cooler) air than the Shark does; all while being quieter & lighter. However, I don't think it would work well in cooler/cold weather for the same reasons.
2) It may be a byproduct of being brand new, but the optical clarity of the faceshield is exemplary. The viewport is very large (especially horizontally) and helps with the sense of the helmet disappearing. The only quibble I have is w/the bottom portion of the shield: it's slightly bent (likely to assist w/sealing against the helmet, which it does very well) and so looking through the bottom 1/4" or so (i.e. when the visor is raised) is skewed. However, I adapted pretty quickly and don't really notice any more.
3) I still prefer the Shark's visor to anything I've ever seen ... it's 3mm thick (vs the standard 2mm) and uses a friction-based system to make it infinitely adjustable, in terms of opening position(s). However, for a normal, 2mm, 'detent-based' system, the SparX's is pretty solid. Movement is smooth, it seals extremely well, and there isn't a lot of flex when opening w/the 1 tab.
So overall, I count 3 advantages over the Shark (weight, sound, warm-weather venting), with 3.5 disadvantages (cool-weather venting, shield, liner -- the half is for style ... I like the SparX's overall shape/design but the Shark has a slightly higher quality finish). Not too bad for a ~140 helmet vs a ~400 one (retail prices when new)! In the grand spectrum of all the helmets I've owned, this is a solid 2nd place: HJC, AGV, KBC, SparX, Shark.
So I recently found the SparX S07 "Skullz" helmet on closeout for $50 (http://shop.ebay.com/moonmotorsports1/m.html?_nkw=sparx&_sacat=0&_odkw=&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3911.c0.m270.l1313) and figured, given the positive reviews I found, why not. My other helmet is a Shark RSX, which I love but has since been discontinued. Anyway, since I haven't seen any reviews of these helmets on the (current) site, I figured I'd share. Here are some observations:
- it's hands-down the quietest, lightest helmet I've ever worn ... basically 'disappears' when it's on
- it vents incredibly well (more on this in a minute) (1)
- visibility is mostly excellent (more on this in a minute, as well) (2)
- I love the matte finish (a helmet-neutral, personal opinion :D)
- The skulls are kind of understated; if flames & skulls can actually be understated
- The liner is nicer than I expected of a $50 (or $150) helmet
- The shield is one of the best 'standard' styles I've seen/used (more on this in a minute) (3)
- It fogs very easily (60s this am and I was able to cloud the visor, if only briefly, with heavy breathing)
All in all, it's a great value at the normal retail price, and a stupendous one at my price point (especially considering it comes w/a second, dark-tint visor in the box!). It will very likely become my everyday helmet for the summer/warm months; for two reasons: how well it vents, and to limit wear/tear on my Shark. To expound on some of the points above:
1) I LOVE the 'eyebrow' vents in the face shield, it's a brilliant idea (and I know Arai did it first, kudos). Not only does it help vent while at speed but also when sitting, if there's any kind of wind/airflow. I couldn't really tell a difference between having the chin vent open and closed but the top vents are permanently open and it definitely flows more (cooler) air than the Shark does; all while being quieter & lighter. However, I don't think it would work well in cooler/cold weather for the same reasons.
2) It may be a byproduct of being brand new, but the optical clarity of the faceshield is exemplary. The viewport is very large (especially horizontally) and helps with the sense of the helmet disappearing. The only quibble I have is w/the bottom portion of the shield: it's slightly bent (likely to assist w/sealing against the helmet, which it does very well) and so looking through the bottom 1/4" or so (i.e. when the visor is raised) is skewed. However, I adapted pretty quickly and don't really notice any more.
3) I still prefer the Shark's visor to anything I've ever seen ... it's 3mm thick (vs the standard 2mm) and uses a friction-based system to make it infinitely adjustable, in terms of opening position(s). However, for a normal, 2mm, 'detent-based' system, the SparX's is pretty solid. Movement is smooth, it seals extremely well, and there isn't a lot of flex when opening w/the 1 tab.
So overall, I count 3 advantages over the Shark (weight, sound, warm-weather venting), with 3.5 disadvantages (cool-weather venting, shield, liner -- the half is for style ... I like the SparX's overall shape/design but the Shark has a slightly higher quality finish). Not too bad for a ~140 helmet vs a ~400 one (retail prices when new)! In the grand spectrum of all the helmets I've owned, this is a solid 2nd place: HJC, AGV, KBC, SparX, Shark.