I just got this helmet and it is WAY quieter than the AGV K3 I've been using. I ride a Tuono and I found myself having to strain to hear the bike!! I also find the fit really nice for my long oval head shape. I'll check the airflow over time, as it's scorching hot right now and it makes no difference. Love the look, and the weight is very good.
My personal experience differs from the review a bit: -I think this is a touring/sports touring helmet. Therefore it should not be compared to the Shoei RF-1400 or AGV K6 as those are sports helmets and they are aimed to have better airflow, less weight, better aero and are cheaper because they don't have a sun visor mechanism. -This can be compared to the Shoei GT-Air 2 which is a 600$ helmet in the same category. The Spartan is the cheaper of the two. -I've ridden the Shark Spartan for 2 years on a CB750 and two Street Triples. -I agree with the reviewer on the airflow topic. Not very good. One time I was riding a friend's GSXR750 and magically airflow started to work wonderfully in that aggressive position. Too bad as a touring helmet it should have been designed for a more upright riding position. -Personally I never had a problem with visibility on any of the bikes I have been riding. -I think the sun visor is one of the best on the market. Love to open the visor and put the sun visor down on a summer day and let all that air in while still protecting my eyes. Mechanism is easy to use, works perfectly. I also prefer this to the side operated versions. Coverage is perfect. -I find it to be a quiet helmet but I also expect this at this price point for a touring helmet. -I found the padding to be a touch more comfortable than the Shoei GT-Air. This might be just personal. -No issue putting my comm system in, helmet is prepared for this. Again to be expected at this price. -I did read a lot of users reporting issues with the visor/visor mechanism being a weak point. I can say the adjusting screws are made of cheese. I never had the visor break. -In my country the price difference was 100$ compared to the Shoei GT-Air, and I went with the Spartan in the end after trying on many helmets. -Fit is very personal therefore every helmet should be tried on before purchase.
Would like to echo the points raised by Adrian. I have been running the Spartan (non-carbon) for three years on a maxi-scooter and I love it. Comparing this to two previous AGV K5 helmets. Much prefer the Shark. Good quality helmet. Although not running the exact same helmet that was reviewed and the chin intakes are different, I found the air-flow in my Spartan to be great. The top vent really seems to circulate air through to the rear quite well. Ride in Australia and it gets hot - up to 45C. Still tolerable.
Did you ride in Shoei GT-Air? This Shark is horrible noisy. HJC RPHA 70 or Shoei are 50% more quiet in my opinion. Shark hurt my ears. I will buy HJC probably. In this moment I can tell that KBC VR-1x is more quiet helmet but it was very cheap. I am very suprised.
@@piotr.ber94 It’s either a poorly set up visor or a very special turbulance problem. I think this helmet is quiet compared to many others, although I haven’t ridden the GT-air.
@@toronte I bought KBC VR-1x in 2012 year. This was my third helmet in life. I was suprised how good is fit. It is race snug, like custom fit and comfortable. I thinked that this is loud because it is from low prince range helmet so I bought Shark Speed-R in 2017 year and I was very dissapointed because it was incredible loud. It was also snug but cheekpads was not comfortable, too tight, crown pad was excellent. I musted use earplug even when I ride only on the city with 30 mph speed limit. On my KBC VR-1x I don't must use earplugs. When I use earplugs in my KBC is quiet like in the car to 60 mph so this is possible ;) HJC RPHA 70 is little more noisy but more more quiet than Shark.
I just got this helmet and I really like it. The best way for air flow is to release the visor lock, bring it as far down as possible without clicking it. (Something of this sort is mentioned in the user guide.) There are like 10 or 12 click positions for the visor; its very adjustable, and there is an Allen key adjustment point as well. I rode with this in heavy rain with all of the ports open, and the visor in the "just not quite closed" position and didn't catch any water. The helmet is practically silent, and is great!!
The shape is universal imho since this seems to fit my odd shaped head perfectly. I’ve had issues with arias and shoei’s being to narrow up the top sides and the back top rear
I have a Shark Spartan & my 2 biggest gripes are : 1. Visor attachment system is terrible & it's so easy to break the visor when removing it or re-attaching it. 2. The combo of teh breath guard, internal sun-visor & visor with pinlock, when all deployed at the same time it really limits the useful visible area.
Just open the vizor a tiny bit and you have your airflow. Nitpicking all around actually... Also, the other helmets you mention don't share the same features.
Helmet looks good .. shield awesome against scratches .. no issues with visor … feels great … BUT MAN THE DAMN THING IS LOUDER THAN A B52 dropping bombs from the clouds!!!!
I have considered this helmet as I have the Spartan 1.2 currently. I love the look and feeling of the Spartan but it is a very noisy helmet. Wind noise is bad and it creaks, which may be due to the carbon. Also, that jacket looks sick brotha
Brandon, Im curious, you stated the visors fog up easily.....I was wondering if one could ride without the neck roll? Wouldn't that create more draft for air to vent?
Just open the visor to where it doesn't click shut. There's like 10 or 12 click positions for the visor. I just rode (at low speeds) in horrible fog and rain, and barely had to click the visor up more than a notch or two.
