Helmet Hunter

Suomy Spec 1R Extreme

The 2010 Max Biaggi replica Suomy helmet is out. This time its a Suomy Spec 1R Extreme sporting Max’s signature red, white and yellow stars color theme. The replica does not come cheap at $719.95 retail, but you can expect Suomy’s finest race technology with the Spec 1R. The helmet is available in seven sizes—X-Small to 3X-Large, and comes with a 5-year warranty.

The Spec 1R comes with a default ultra tech clear iridium visor, and is rated ultra-light weight at only 1,250 grams. It features structurally enhanced composite fiber weave which is also good at absorbing sound. Finally, the advanced channeled EPS provides optimum venting while still retaining Suomy’s dynamically variable resistance crush zone.

The Spec 1R Max Biaggi adheres to DOT and BSI/ECE 22.05 standars, and is approved for racing by every major motorcycle research organization in the United States.

Images

If you’re looking for a replacement or a spare shield/visor for your Suomy Gunwind, look no further. Visors for the Gunwind and the Ventura are basically the same, and, if you want one iridium-shaded, we’ve got it for you. Original Suomy visors are retail priced at $62.95. Check below for the low deal that we’ve hunted.

The visor weighs only 8 ounces and is considered “free shipping” on most states. Click here to check out your shipping rates. These are original replacements. Item #31370.

Note

Tinted Shields are not designed for night time use.

Image (reference only)

People have been asking for a review of the Suomy Ventura—a mid-end simple-looking closed helmet that was sold originally for $224.95. Tips say that currently this helmet can be had for sub $110, which makes it a popular option to consider for those looking for a backup helmet or a daily.

The Ventura uses ultra-light weight structurally enhanced composite weave fibers, anti-scratch and anti-fog optics and sound absorbing polymers. It has removable breath deflectors, sponge cervical neck roll, close able delta top diffusers. For safety, the Ventura is DOT and BSI 6658 Type A approved.

We’ve scoured the internet for first-hand user experiences with the Ventura and finally we’ve found one. Yes, just one, from a Suzuki SV650 forum. Details of the review below.

“This was easily the best $145 I’ve spent on a motorcycle product. I was using a 5 year old Bell that was alright but I wanted something newer and hopefully quieter. This Suomy Ventura is about as quiet as I could stand. I think the main difference is the bigger neck roll which blocks a lot of wind. Possibly having the shield mechanism covered up helps, too. The model is not mentioned on the Suomy web site so I’m guessing it’s been discontinued. Plenty of web retailers have them for around $150. I got mine at Dennis Kirk. I’ve read the Suomys aren’t a great fit for everybody so it might be good to try one at a shop if you can but I guess that’s true with any helmet. Good luck!”

The Phil Reed replica model from Arai is basically an Arai Vector with a black and white racing theme and a Union Jack on the temple. It is a simple but elegant design, which can match bike and jacket colors blue, red, black and white. It is available in four sizes: small, medium, large, and extra large. It sells at a retail price of $561.99, which is quite a steal considering the Vector is a feature-packed high-end helmet model from Arai.

About Phil Reed

For those of you who don’t know, Phil Reed was an English MotoGP rider active between 1961 to 1976. He had stints with Yamaha and MV Agusta. He was dubbed “The Prince of Speed” and was the first rider to win championships in the three classes—125cc, 250cc and 500cc.

Phil Reed replica photos

For those looking for replacement cheek pads for their Arai Astral, here are some information you might need.

Arai offers original cheek pads for the Astral; it sells for $40.95 retail and is available as a set in four sizes—15mm, 20mm, 25mm, 30mm and 35mm. These cheek pads also fit the following helmets: Astral-X, Profile, Quantum, Quantum-2 and the RX7.

Part numbers for the sizes as follows:

• 15 mm:#81-0182
• 20 mm:#81-0183
• 25 mm:#81-0184
• 30 mm:#81-0185
• 35 mm:#81-0186

Sample photo

So, which Nolan helmet does Casey Stoner use?

The obvious answer would be, the absolute top of the line. But wait, did you know that Nolan and X-Lite are basically the same? They are made by the same company, Nolangroup, or Nolan of Italy. Which means, Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo basically wear the same helmet every race. To date, Nolan’s top racing helmet is the X-802. You can see the X-802 from both Nolan’s official site and X-Lite’s official site, and they both offer Stoner replica models.

Below are photos of Casey’s standard race helmet

Photos of Casey Stoner’s (sick) Phillip Island helmet

So, where can I get me one of these?

I will update this post once I see an online retailer carrying the X-802 replicas, but for now, maybe you can make do with the older X-602 Casey Stoner selling for $460.83, or the N64, if you can find one.

The Nolan N100 “classic,” now replaced by the N100E, is an injection molded Lexan-shelled helmet with an outer clear coat. This means two things—toughness and lightness. It is a modular (flip-up style) helmet, which makes it perfect for long rides with frequent stops, as a hard a task (with a helmet) such as drinking is made easy simply by lifting the front part of the unit.

N100s come with scratch resistant visors, again made out of General Electric’s wonder material—Lexan. The opening of the chin guard on an N100 is made easy by Nolan’s Smart Lift system, where one needs to press a single lever on the left side. The pads are washable and removable, made of sanitized hypoallergenic material. It is also standard with Nolan’s anti-fog technology.

A closer look

The N100 is avaible on a wide variety of sizes ranging from XS up to XXXL. The catch mechanism is two sided, but closes and releases very easily. The chin vents can easily be operated with gloves on; it has this sort of scoop system with very big internal vents. Ventilation was, dare I say it, a breeze.

The face shield is removable without any tools; it has very good visibility and clearness. The chin bar pivots are neatly done and tucked, and moved around a sort of elliptical pivot which automatically closes the shield when the opened.

Inside, only the cheek pads are removable for cleaning. It does not leak in mild to heavy rain but the liners can still get dingy after a while.

The only problem with Lexan-based shields is if you’re wearing sunglasses underneath, you get a sort of rainbow effect on the colors of your natural view. Other than that, at around $120-$180 nowadays, the N100 is still of excellent value.

The AGV A5047 is a full face modular helmet that was sold in late 2006. Its retail price was at $130; DOT and SNELL approved and came in matte black, black with stripes and silver with blue graphics among others. It is said that the ventilation on this model was quite adequate.

Note

We are still on the lookout for more information and/or pictures of this helmet. If you know of any (links, information, etc.), please hit the comments below. Thank you.

Helmet Hunter

The Nolan N42 is what others consider a 3/4 helmet. It’s an open-face that has a full-face visor. Such helmets are often used for touring and/or on big scooters. Primarily, Nolan designed this series for use with its N-Com communication system. It is made out of polycarbonate and has a small spoiler at the back for improved stability.

The Vision Protection System has a small tinted shell on top of the main visor, which you can retract depending on your shade preference. Interior pads are fully removable and washable (shall we expect anything less?), and comes with an extra neck roll for noise reduction.

So, how’s it?

The N42 has one vent on top—not that ventilation is as important on a 3/4, but we found the vent easily accessible (open/close) even with gloves. One more thing you’d notice different from a full-face is how much wider your peripheral vision becomes—quite important for longer trips and/or older riders.

At speed, the N42 seems very stable even if plenty of air came under the face shield. The visor is really clear, and can open up to full, just make sure you have some form of eye protection like sunglasses when you do this. The smaller sunshield can only be lowered if the main visor is closed all the way.

The clasp is not the standard latch we see on helmets, it is this sort of grooved tongue that slides and clicks as you tighten it—quite innovative and easy to use we should add.

We recommend you use this helmet only if the weather is too hot for a full-face to bear, other than that a full-face should be the only way to go. By the way, we haven’t tested the communication system on it, we know, bummer, but we haven’t gotten our hands on the additional N-Com system.

Review in a nutshell

The Schuberth S1 is far from being the “ultimate helmet.” Don’t get us wrong, it is very well-made, technologically advanced and all, but not all the features make sense. For starters, the S1 is quite bulky and heavy. Also, the noise levels are quite high for a helmet of this caliber. For a helmet priced as such, we did not expect to run into problems as basic as we did. Some helmets, well, let’s just say we’ve had the same qualms, but they’re priced hundreds less. It is a very gorgeous and sleek looking helmet though.

Available solid colors

• Silver
• Black
• Metallic
• Red

Click here to find deals on the Schuberth S1.