[bobs-garage]

Like many of the European accessory manufacturers, Suomy makes a great helmet. It's of equal (or better) quality to the top-of-the line Shoei or Arai lids, but at much less cost.

Bob's Garage

http://www.riderhaus.com

 

[spindizzy]

Good article but you might want to change the line about aboriginal art to Maorii art. They're a large and easily angered culture

 

[RRocket]

If you shop around, the Arai Quantum S series in replica colours can be had for under $400.....my Harada replica cost $325....

 

[056]

Suomy

That was a little short on info, don't you think? How was it at speed? Did it lift much above 130? How did it fit after a month?

 

[drspeedmore]

Just wondering if these soumy helmets are the same quality if bought from the netherlands? as far as snell ratings are concerned. They can be purchased for $299.00 us dollars plus $25.00 for shipping charge from hzmotors.com.

 

[130]

Re: Suomy

The article was timely for me since I may be supplementing my Arai Quantum but I had the same questions. Plus what are additional visor costs/availability & can they be replaced with the helmet on? Doesn't seem so but a sentence describing the method would help.

 

[cheetah]

I own two Suomy helmets and my only complaint is changing the shield. It is held in place by two plastic rings and they have broken on both my helmets. I glued them back together, but now I'm afraid to take the shields off. Also, when you buy a new shield, you do not get new rings.

 

[elitegroup]

I have had the Bostrom replica for about 6 months and so far it seems comparable. The previous post has me concerned about the shield change though. I was thinking of changing my clear shield to a blue tinted one, but if the rings break that easy??? The helmet is comfortable and it seems to fit my "fat 7 1/4" head well. The bottom liner flap that hugs the neck is a feature I like on this helmet. I don't think it's any more quiet than my RF-800, but it will suffice. The shield mechanism covers on each side I find very cheesy. They are Stickered as apposed to being painted and the stickers are very brittle. I have not taken this helmet to speed yet as I have had a few speeding tickets and don't feel like dancing under the gavel again soon. I have however riden this helmet near 100mph and I would trust it to the limiter. Bottom line I think other helmet brands have the shield covers; changing mechanism and removable liners advantage. The only advantage I feel Suomy has is the price and we all know you get what you pay for.......



On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the best. I would give this helmet a 7 and my RF-800 an 8.



The reason I'm using my RF-800 in comparison is it's the only other helmet I currently own. Although the RF-800 cost less than the Suomy it's not any less worthy. Now as far as price range; Yes" the RF-800 was cheaper because I bought it in gloss white then had it custom painted ($350.00). So in the end the RF-800 cost me more than the Suomy, but it looks so much better and has a few features I prefer over the Suomy.

 

[BBD_Racing]

Gabe is right, more info please. Comments about lift at speed would be nice and wouldn't cost anything.



A story idea: take a few of the new helmets and rig them with temperature gauges and sound meters and go riding. It would be nice to see how much noise they let through and how cool they keep the top of one's head. Shoudln't be too expensive of a test.

 

[Rhyno]

Re: Suomy

Take the link to Gearbox International and then check out their FAQ's. They have information concerning the purchasing of additional visors and on the removal/replacement of them from the helmet. They also have some excellent photos of the various designs!!

 

[CBR1000F]

I have to agree with you about the HJC helmets. I have an HJC CL-12, plain black (I like plain helmets) and it's by far the most comfortable, quietest and best vented helmet I've ever owned. I've never owned one of those ultra-expensive helmets (well, ok, I had a Shoei in the late 70's and early 80's, buit it was a kids helmet) but I believe that a better helmet can't be found for the money.

 

[stevegrab]

Some good information is really missing here. You talk about $600 helmets, and how this Suomy is cheaper, but you don't really say what Shoei, Arai helmets you are comparing this to for "top of the line features".



I have a Shoei RF-800 and it is very good, better shield replacement, and only cost about $250 (good mail order price, not $300+ retail price).



Somebody said when you buy a Shoei or Arai you're paying for the name. But I would suspect both make varying models, entry level, midrange, etc. with different prices and features.



You say this is a $400 helmet, I bet I could get a good comparable Shoei or Arai helmet for the same money.



Your own review of the RF-800 indicates its pricing and value ("Not only is the RF-800, at an affordable $268.00 MSRP for solid colors and ranging from $345.00 to $387.00 MSRP for advanced color schemes and race reps, a "best buy", it may be the best buy of any street motorcycle helmet. ") I consider it a midrange helmet. Of course its been replaced by a new RF-900, and they also have other new models.

 

[streetlegal]

Another piece of helmet with a fancy paint job. This helmet does nothing new or particularly well compared to others. Plain color top of the line helmets like the Arai RX7RR4 are $300 online. Anything you pay at your store over that is for the paintjob or to line the distributor's pockets.



I am willing to pay at least $1000 for a better helmet. Nobody makes one.



Why don't helmets feature polycarbonate lenses that are polarized? Why don't they have anti-reflective coatings on the inside? Those ugly looking Iridium coatings are just for fashion.



Why don't helmets feature acoustic chambers for hearing protection? Why don't they come ready to accept speakers and mic's for active noise reduction and communications?



Technologies that improve the primary function of the helmet (head protection) are the most important, but those seem to have stagnated over the past decade as well. Most of the improvements have been in vent design, which are mostly gimmicks.



I want a lot more from a helmet.

 

[streetlegal]

Too much noise because none of them are designed with simple headset type ear cups. With earcups, the noise reduction would be much better. You would still need to wear earplugs for every ride. Putting ANR in the ear cups could preclude the need for earplugs.



Most helmets have similar coefficients of drag. Most devices that would significantly reduce drag impede the movement of the head too much.



Certainly, you can smooth over some edges and gaps, but most of the drag is a result of the helmet's overall shape. Besides this, drag is really a problem of the bike and rider combination. It cannot be evaluated independently with much sucess.

 

[streetlegal]

Erratum: best price for RX7RR4 is $400. RX7RR3 is $300

 

[SeanAlexander]

This is more of a helmet ad than a helmet test. You mention safety ratings which don't include SNELL, but fail to mention WHY the helmet is not SNELL rated. Nor do you give any idea of whether or not you feel that the helmet could/should pass the SNELL certification tests. You mention that most people have an Arai Signet head, but don't bother to mention that the Suomys DON'T fit like a Signet. Arais are oval shaped at the crown (especially Signets) so are Shoeis to a lesser extent. Suomys are round shaped at the crown like most other (cheaper?) helmets. I tried on several Gunwinds both XL and XXL and though I love the light weight and graphics, the fit was quite uncomfortable due to the round shape of the crown. If you are an egg headed geek, like myself, it squeezes/pinches your forehead and is loose at the sides of your head. For those of us with heads that are more oval/egg shaped at the crown (most of the population) I highly recomend the Arai Signet series, or the Shoei RF-800 / RF-900s. If Suomy works on thier internal fitment and obtains SNELL certification, I would seriously consider buying one.

 

[stevegrab]

Some good points streetlegal. You're right about people paying $500-600 for lots of these helmets. If they're not the top of the line they're being ripped off by their local dealer (why I don't buy much from them), or they're paying for the fancy graphics.

 

[9878]

Motorcyclist - The Real World?

I've always had a Shoei (block) head, but this month's interview with a Shoei rep reads more like a two page advertisement than a useful report on helmet choice. It seems as if this section, created as a response to sites like this and magazines like Motorcycle Consumer News, is becoming a defacto "special" advertisement section.

Keep up the good work here!!

P.S. - The GunWind, AGV's Xvent, HJC high end helmets - all fabulous new entries: Competition Rocks!

 

[Poser]

Re: Exotic Helmets

I have an FM helmet which fits more or less like an Arai Quantum. I bought it because it fit as well and was cheaper than the Arai. Problem is that it is only imported into the US by one shop- not the one that I bought mine from- and shields are nearly impossible to get. It turned out to be loud and not that well ventilated. The white paint yellowed over the course of a couple of years.

The point? A Suomy helmet may appear to be "as good as an Arai" for a better price, but appearances can be deceiving. Unless face shields are readily available, you better not take a random rock hit unless you have planned ahead and keep a stock of spare shields. The Arai is warranted for five years and is SNELL approved.

I bought an Arai Quantum about a year and 12k miles ago. Aside from the usual road dings, it still looks and fits like new. It is comfortable and quieter than the FM. Even the original face shield is holding up better. The ventilation works well in both warm and cold weather. If you like the graphics, that is fine, but I wear plain white helmets, so it is not an issue for me. To top it all, I got the Arai online for less than the price I paid for the FM.

 

[056]

I'm sure they're just as protective as the DOT/Snell certified helmets. However, you may be cited by your local authorities, as all states with helmet laws require at least DOT certified helmets. However, if the Harley nit-wits with their plastic yarmulkes can get away with it, it would be one mean cop who cited you for wearing a CE-certified helmet.