Suomy Spec 1 R helmet ??

[goodhawk]

any one have, compare to  ( I have an Arai Quantum, which is gettin a little old) , is it quality  - especially noisy ? - I understand the size runs a little small, that an Arai Qu. Med  =  Suomy Spec 1 large ?  ' Suomy head shape - mostly ' round oval' not the signet ' long oval' shape ??  - I got a Shark RSi helmet last year, quality , but it's the ' long oval shape, too tight on sides, makes glasses very irritating.

I found a ' classic early '90's racing stripe' design I really like. ( shocked me, I thought Suomy was heavy into mod art designs, which I totally don't like) looks like Arai has dropped the Spencer, etc designs I like.  Shoei  X 11 Lawson a little $$$.

[BHW]

I wore a Quantum f for a while...but it was too big. So I ended up trying on all kinds of helmets, and found a smoking deal on a Suomy Spec 1R. I wear an XL in most helmets, and the Suomy is one of the best fitting helmets for my head shape.....which I couldn't begin to describe. Is the Suomy louder than the Arai...a little. But the Suomy does not whistle like the Arai did....I hated that whistling noise that happened if you opened the visor, any at all at 35mph or above. Otherwise, yes, I'd venture to guess the Suomy is a little louder, but it's a LOT lighter, and the vents move air better than those on the Arai. I found the Quantum vents to be useless. The Suomy visor changes are also 5x faster than the Arai....similar design with the side pods, but other than that, the visor removal design is nothing at all alike. Suomy wins hands down for me. I'd buy an Arai RX7RR if I found a good deal, but never another Quantum....not over a Suomy.

[HexHead]

I had a Quantum II and a couple of Spec-1Rs (still have one of them.) Both the Arai and Suomy were size L, with the S* being a bit more snug, especially in the cheek pads. However, the Arai breath deflector constantly hit my nose and the chin bar was closer than the Suomy. I find the Suomy much more comfortable than any of the Arais or any other helmet I've tried other than my Nolan X1002.

Only negative about the Suomy is that you can't close the top vents which do an awesome job of venting. I can't wear the helmet in the winter becuase my head gets really cold. But nothing passes as much air on a warm day. One of my Spec-1Rs was my "rain" helmet and it was fine, water didn't seem to be a problem with those top vents.
Because it passes so much air through the helmet, it's loud. I guess those two things are inescapably linked.

[Capirex]

Just got a Spec 1R last week.  Found a good deal at http://www.helmets4motorcycle.com/  My previous helmet was an Arai Rx7 which I had been wearing for 5 years.  It was pretty worn out so putting on the Suomy was a welcome change.  I haven't really done any long rides to fully evaluate it but I will say that it is definitely louder than the Arai.  I do think it vents better though.  The fit also seems to be tighter.  I will be ordering the larger cheek pads.  So far I am satisfied.  

[nanbil]

I had a Quantum e for several and just bought a Shoei X-11.  I can't comment on the Suomy (although I’ve heard good things about them), but I can tell you that I like the X-11 much more than the Quantum—yes, my X-11 is significantly louder than my Quantum (that's why I wear earplugs), but in every other area the Shoei beats the Arai.  I personally believe that Arai helmets are over-hyped and are bettered by several helmet manufactures: Shoei, Suomy, and Shark to name a few.

[ZX10BURNER]

Arai: RX-7 Corsair Tommy Gun Replica Medium 7-7 1/8 (57-58cm)

Positive:
Finish of helmet excellent, graphics very high quality
Vents/flows air very well
Comfortable interior, good fit
Easy removal of visor
Removable liner/cheek pads custom fit possible
Light weight
Positive visor lock, once down will not fly open at any speed
Smooth visor opening/closing
All air vents can be opened/closed

Negative:
Narrow visor opening
Loud at highway speeds/ear plugs recommended
Eye vents on visor can be distracting
Price MSRP $700+ can be had on line for around $652

Comments:
When worn feels almost like a head band is around your forehead isn't uncomfortable just unusual until gotten use to


OGK: FF4 GP Red/Blue/Black Medium 7-7 1/8 (57-58cm)
Positive:
Very plush interior more so than Arai on par with Suomy & Shark
Light weight equal to if not lighter than Arai & Suomy (haven't weighed the helmets so this is just by feeling)
Quickest/easiest visor removal system push button type can be changed in 20sec or less
Large visor opening can just see the tear off posts with peripheral vision
3 pack tear offs included
Removable liner/cheek pads custom fit possible
Positive visor lock, once down will not fly open at any speed
All air vents can be opened/closed

Negative:
Finish equal to mid level KBC or HJC, several blemishes in decals/finish
Liner does not have ear pockets ears tend to fold over when putting helmet on
Limited parts/visor avaibility
Notchy visor opening/closing ratchet system
Loud at highway speeds, around 80mph produces high pitch whistle ear plugs recommended

Comments:
Disappointed with finish, expected more. After reading the tech info expected more air flow, not bad but let down a little. Can be found on line for 99 Great British Pounds or $188 USD throw in 30 GPB for s/h and you have $240 USD to the door. Wouldn't pay much more, MSRP is $400+. This is the Euro/Japanese version not the US helmet distribited by Center of Gravity. Was told by COG to go one size larger for a proper fit went with my normal size and have zero issues with fit.

Suomy: Spec 1R Pitt Replica Medium 7-7 1/8 (57-58cm)
Positive:
Finish of helmet excellent, graphics top notch won't find better
Vents/flows air very well on par with Arai
Removable liner/cheek pads custom fit possible
Light weight on par with Arai
Positive visor lock, once down will not fly open at any speed
Smooth visor opening/closing
Very plush interior, good fit
Large visor opening

Negative:
Loud at high way speed, ear plugs recommended
Only two air vents can be opened/closed other vents always open
Opening/closing air vents with gloves on can be cumbersome
Difficult/time consuming visor change until gotten use to even then can be time consuming

Comments:
Price increase for 06, MSRP for some replicas $499 others $549

Personal opinions/comments: Of the 3 helmets Suomy seems to fit best for me with OGK and Arai. If you're looking for a helmet from a performace stand point the OGK is hard to beat price vs performace. If you can find one for $250 or less it's worth the $$$, overall a sub par exterior lets down a good helmet.

My first choice is Suomy with OGK and Arai tied for 2nd. The OGK has a slightly better fit so makes up for the sub par exterior finish. If I hadn't found the OGK for the price I wouldn't have made the purchase and it wouldn't be compared to the Arai meaning paying $400 for the positives/negatives wouldn't have been worth the cost.

I ride/use all 3 helmets on a regular basis so one or another doesn't sit on a shelf for months at a time. Going with any of these helmets you won't go wrong provided you don't mind spending the $$$ for what you get. Look around you can find any these helmets for less than MSRP so decide what you can live with vs what you pay. These are my personal opinions/observations and experience with each helmet. Detailed descriptions can be found online for each helmet so those weren't included in each over view.

[goodhawk]

good reviews, thanks  ( I know about the ' webbikeworld' site, more ifo is always better, plus I don't think a 30 sec trial fit in dealer shows much.