The Shark S900 series of helmets come in several sub-models with the cheapest being a semi gloss textured black model called the "Dual" (no idea) going up through the "Fost Lumi" model which features "glow-in-the-dark" graphics features. The sub-model I bought was the S900 White/Black/White "Glow" model. I had already decided on the S900 series due to it's testing, features, and price point, but hesitated for about a week while I decided if having a glow-in-the-dark helmet would be a good thing or a bad thing. Although I finally decided that IMO glow-in-the-dark would be mildly negative in terms of safety, I went with the White/Black Glow model anyway because I wanted to try my first light colored helmet hoping it would be cooler in direct sun, and I liked the graphics on that primarily white model. I assumed that the "Glow" designation on it meant it would glow in the dark like the S900 Fost Lumi (why would they call it "glow" if it didn't?), but I intended to put up with the glowy feature because I liked that model best otherwise.
NOTICE: THE 3 S900 "GLOW" SUB-MODELS DO NOT GLOW IN THE DARK AND ARE NOT REFLECTIVE EITHER. I don't know what Shark was thinking when they added the "glow" designation to the model (especially since there is one S900 model that does glow), but don't worry, the Glows...don't.
On to the actual review: I really like this helmet. The feature I like best is the flip down internal sun visor. It works well and is actuated by a lever just behind the face shield release on your left side. The sun shield does not interfere with my glasses and seems very good optically. Although I have not ridden in cold weather yet, I noticed that I can fog the sun visor, whereas nothing I can do to the interior of the main visor will make it fog, at least in this warm weather. The main face shield is also optically very good although I wish it had a little narrower first detent from closed...the narrowest opening you can achieve seems like almost an inch, and I would prefer about 1/4 of that.
This is not the quietest helmet I have owned, but it's not bad. Most noise on mine seems to come from the visor edges, and completely closing it does not eliminate the noise, but it doesn't leak in the rain, so no big deal. I read that others wear ear-plugs while riding and I never understood why before. Maybe I will start on long trips now.
The coldest weather I have ridden in so far is about 65Deg F. Opening the bottom vent and the top vents made no discernible difference in airflow through the helmet even when I sat up well above the ST's windscreen (I did this for the noise tests too), so my conclusion so far is that the vents kinda suck in warm weather, just like every other helmet I've owned.
I think the helmet is very good aerodynamically. I felt no lift, dive, or drag while going straight, and turning my head for a look over my shoulder held no surprises.
I expect breath isolation to be good, although I haven't been able to give it a good test yet. The helmet has a nose shield and a ventilated chin shield, both of which press fit into channels. The nose shield comes out a little too easy IMO and I find myself having to press one side or the other back in occasionally. I have been riding with the chin shield removed in this warm weather, so I don't know how well it will stay secured...looks like it will be good though.
This XL helmet fits my particular (or is that peculiar) head like a glove. It's about the hardest helmet I've had to get on and off, ears always at risk of being left behind. Once on though it's perfect with no slop anywhere and no pressure points either. Sometimes I have to reach up and adjust an ear after I put it on, but once done, it's comfortable. The liner is comfortable although I suspect if I don't shave for a few days the cheek padding may encourage me to do so
. (I can hear the drill instructor screaming now, "Shave every morning so if you get a face wound it will be easier to clean!"..bah.)
First thing I did was transfer my Midland BT-2 bluetooth headset from my old HJC LT-2 helmet to this one. Without using the pouches that came with the BT-2 speakers, they slipped right into the pockets on the S900 without fanfare, and they line up with my ears perfectly. This helmet has much more room for the microphone than the HJC did, so I could just stick it in front of my mouth without any helmet surgery (always a good thing on an hour old helmet). Disassembly of the internal helmet structure for installation of the headset was a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, but not bad either. Everything fell back into place without too much reverse engineering on my part. I had to use the clamp mount for the BT-2 rather than the stickum mount because this helmet has a lot of ridges, but it worked out well by clamping it in a position about 1/2 inch lower than fully engaged. The transceiver hangs a little lower than flush, but it's not so low that it interferes with a head turn with my jacket (Firstgear Teton).
Chinstrap is the typical double D-ring setup. Shark has an end keeper system installed which I'm sure works brilliantly, but I don't/can't use it owing to the fact that I'm a fathead.
Finally, this helmet looks cool and derived unsolicited "nice helmet" comments at work from vehicle engineer/motorsport types. I try not to fixate on admiring it when reflected back at me from minivan rear windows though.
I know I pointed out some negatives above, but I had to search hard for them. IMO this is a very nice helmet and an excellent value. I could not afford to spend a half yard on a lid, but feel I am getting that much value from this one. Two thumbs up!
A few cell phone pics shortly before another rain test:
NOTICE: THE 3 S900 "GLOW" SUB-MODELS DO NOT GLOW IN THE DARK AND ARE NOT REFLECTIVE EITHER. I don't know what Shark was thinking when they added the "glow" designation to the model (especially since there is one S900 model that does glow), but don't worry, the Glows...don't.
On to the actual review: I really like this helmet. The feature I like best is the flip down internal sun visor. It works well and is actuated by a lever just behind the face shield release on your left side. The sun shield does not interfere with my glasses and seems very good optically. Although I have not ridden in cold weather yet, I noticed that I can fog the sun visor, whereas nothing I can do to the interior of the main visor will make it fog, at least in this warm weather. The main face shield is also optically very good although I wish it had a little narrower first detent from closed...the narrowest opening you can achieve seems like almost an inch, and I would prefer about 1/4 of that.
This is not the quietest helmet I have owned, but it's not bad. Most noise on mine seems to come from the visor edges, and completely closing it does not eliminate the noise, but it doesn't leak in the rain, so no big deal. I read that others wear ear-plugs while riding and I never understood why before. Maybe I will start on long trips now.
The coldest weather I have ridden in so far is about 65Deg F. Opening the bottom vent and the top vents made no discernible difference in airflow through the helmet even when I sat up well above the ST's windscreen (I did this for the noise tests too), so my conclusion so far is that the vents kinda suck in warm weather, just like every other helmet I've owned.
I think the helmet is very good aerodynamically. I felt no lift, dive, or drag while going straight, and turning my head for a look over my shoulder held no surprises.
I expect breath isolation to be good, although I haven't been able to give it a good test yet. The helmet has a nose shield and a ventilated chin shield, both of which press fit into channels. The nose shield comes out a little too easy IMO and I find myself having to press one side or the other back in occasionally. I have been riding with the chin shield removed in this warm weather, so I don't know how well it will stay secured...looks like it will be good though.
This XL helmet fits my particular (or is that peculiar) head like a glove. It's about the hardest helmet I've had to get on and off, ears always at risk of being left behind. Once on though it's perfect with no slop anywhere and no pressure points either. Sometimes I have to reach up and adjust an ear after I put it on, but once done, it's comfortable. The liner is comfortable although I suspect if I don't shave for a few days the cheek padding may encourage me to do so
. (I can hear the drill instructor screaming now, "Shave every morning so if you get a face wound it will be easier to clean!"..bah.)First thing I did was transfer my Midland BT-2 bluetooth headset from my old HJC LT-2 helmet to this one. Without using the pouches that came with the BT-2 speakers, they slipped right into the pockets on the S900 without fanfare, and they line up with my ears perfectly. This helmet has much more room for the microphone than the HJC did, so I could just stick it in front of my mouth without any helmet surgery (always a good thing on an hour old helmet). Disassembly of the internal helmet structure for installation of the headset was a bit of a jigsaw puzzle, but not bad either. Everything fell back into place without too much reverse engineering on my part. I had to use the clamp mount for the BT-2 rather than the stickum mount because this helmet has a lot of ridges, but it worked out well by clamping it in a position about 1/2 inch lower than fully engaged. The transceiver hangs a little lower than flush, but it's not so low that it interferes with a head turn with my jacket (Firstgear Teton).
Chinstrap is the typical double D-ring setup. Shark has an end keeper system installed which I'm sure works brilliantly, but I don't/can't use it owing to the fact that I'm a fathead.
Finally, this helmet looks cool and derived unsolicited "nice helmet" comments at work from vehicle engineer/motorsport types. I try not to fixate on admiring it when reflected back at me from minivan rear windows though.
I know I pointed out some negatives above, but I had to search hard for them. IMO this is a very nice helmet and an excellent value. I could not afford to spend a half yard on a lid, but feel I am getting that much value from this one. Two thumbs up!
A few cell phone pics shortly before another rain test:
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