Hi People I'm in the market for a new helmet. My current Arai Viper GT is 5 years old, well used and very smelly. Now I've always been an Arai man, love the style, shape, and most importantly the fit has always been bang on. But I'm thinking of trying something different (I'm a wild one I know!), and would really like something thats very quiet, well built (like the Arai), etc etc. My search has discovered a surprise lead contender, the Schuberth SR1. Now I haven't tried one on yet which will obviously be the go/no go for any helmet, but was hoping some of you guys may already own one and be able to give me your thoughts on this helmet??? Many thanks in advance! Mike
Hello Mike. I've also got an Arai Viper GT due to my long narrow head and struggle to find alternatives. I recently bought a new helmet. I tried loads on and ended up with an HJC R-Pha which isn't bad but still has too much room on either side of my head and doesn't feel like it's capturing it properly. I'm going to have to get rid of it. I didn't try an SR1 but I did try on an S2 as I know that Schuberths tend to run narrow. It was a pretty big struggle I have to say. I've got satellite dish ears and the helmet opening is absolutely tiny
Incidentally if your Viper's smelly I presumed that you've removed the liner and washed it? I do mine fairly regularly and it's as fresh as a daisy in there. I just pull out the top pad and the covers off the cheekpads, throw the lot into a pillow case and run it through the washer on a cool wash. Hang them up in the airing cupboard when they're done and whack them back in when they're dry. Obviously you can also take the vents off to get in there and give them a damned good clean, replace the vents if you like, buy a new visor and adjust the base plates for a perfect seal, give the outside a thorough clean and give it a going over with some helmet polish et wallah! It's pretty much like having a new lid.
Mike - I have a S1Pro and I also have a Viper GT. Since I've had the Schuberth I've never wanted to wear my Arai again. Once you have experienced the quiet you cannot go back. I have a narrow head and yes the Schuberth is a struggle to pull over your head but once it's on it's fine. I tried an SR1 at the NEC show - it fitted fine and was very light and I believe the ventilation is much better than on mine. This might be important given your Spanish location. One other thing to mention - the eye port on my S1Pro is set much better for a sports bike riding position - much better than the Arai. I think the S2 is more suited for an upright riding position as it's supposed to be a touring helmet. Good luck Steve.
They don't get such a good rating on sharp: SHARP Helmets Not sure if that sort of thing matters to you but I feel if your going to spend loads on a lid might as well get one that has the full 5 stars
I'm pretty sure the Sharp Rating is not all that it's hyped up to be. Quite a few of the major companies do a lot more testing and yet the 'Sharp Test' scores them low.
If you go to the sharp site then Testing/Animation its quiet interesting how they do the tests, mounting a sensor in the helmet and measuring how the impact affects your brain seems pretty good to me. If the Sharp testing is truly independent that may explain why some of the 'premium' lids don't get such a good rating, all the manufacturers are going to say their lid is the best as they want to charge £££££ for it, they won't say £600 for this lid but hey don't worry that the side impact is a bit iffy. Personal choice but as I said for me if I am spending £300+ on a lid why not get one that has 5 stars, I find it amazing that some of the top lids have 2 stars, most seem to be let down by the side impact. I have a Shoei XR1100 and prior to that a Shark RSR2 carbon which are both 5 star, I just tried on loads of lids in helmet city and then checked the most comfy ones to see which had 5 stars.
Also have a Shoe XR1100 mate. Just saying what I've read in magazines and what not that a lot of specialist don't really rate it. Don't get me wrong any kind of testing to improve things when it comes to safety is always a bonus.
