OT: Anybody own a Suomy helmet? (Spec 1R to be specific)

tim22 · 03-14-2009, 05:44 PM

I'm shopping for a new helmet and am interested in the Suomy Spec 1R helmet. Anybody have any experience with Suomy? I want to give my local BMW shop here in Illinois the opportunity to try to match some of the prices I've seen on line.

How is the Suomy regarding comfort, lift and sound (noise)? I know they're supposed to be light.

Any comments will be appreciated.

Thanks!

X-Triple · X-Triple's Garage

Go on Helmet Harbor. They review(Video) just about all helmets. I was looking at this model also and, I think it might be one of their favs. Although,some of them have been criticized for poor vents and noise.

Aria quantum 2 and the Shoei RF1000 work for me and my big fat round head ( no phalic jokes please).

YellowRacer · 03-14-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tim22

I'm shopping for a new helmet and am interested in the Suomy Spec 1R helmet. Anybody have any experience with Suomy? I want to give my local BMW shop here in Illinois the opportunity to try to match some of the prices I've seen on line.

How is the Suomy regarding comfort, lift and sound (noise)? I know they're supposed to be light.

Any comments will be appreciated.

Thanks!

I wear a Suomy. I love them, they form to my head very well, and are one of the most quiet helmets out their. They are a all around great helmet.

BMathison · 03-15-2009, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X-Triple

Go on Helmet Harbor. They review(Video) just about all helmets. I was looking at this model also and, I think it might be one of their favs. Although,some of them have been criticized for poor vents and noise.

Aria quantum 2 and the Shoei RF1000 work for me and my big fat round head ( no phalic jokes please).

I haven't tried a Soumy, but have heard good about their quality. You can find more video reviews at Sportbiketrackgear .com also.
I think the fit to your head can be one of the most important aspect of a helmet when trying a new brand. I have started using Shark, partly because they fit my noggin so well.
I would definitely try a Soumy on before commiting, to find out how they fit your head shape. Remember, the fit will not only affect safety, but also noise level and comfort.

scargoes · 03-16-2009, 04:13 PM

I have a bunch of helmets and the Spec 1R is my favorite for hot weather because of the excellent air flow.
Winter I wear mostly a black HJC CF helmet.
I can't speak much about the noise levels because I can't hear very well.
They are both lightweight which was a primary factor in purchasing. The HJC is an XL.
The Spec 1R is a large. I also recommend a try on before buying to see how they fit your noggin.

tim22 · 03-16-2009, 07:39 PM

I appreciate all of your input guys.

Tim

motogp · 04-21-2009, 07:01 PM

I have a Suomy and purchased it for the graphics kit on it that is second to none. As for comfort, it is every bit as good as my Arai 7RXX however the Arai seems to have superior ventilation and is quieter. The Suomy does seem to be lighter.............

tim22 · 04:24 AM

Thanks again for all the replies. I should let this thread die, but I just saw "motogp's" post, and now I can write my own post because I got a Suomy helmet. I did get the Spec 1R with Bostrom '05 graphics (reminiscent of Evel Knivel - I hope I spelled that correctly!).

As a base for comparison, I haven't yet owned an Arai, but I've owned Shoei (long ago), AGV (also long ago) and the helmet I'm replacing is my Bieffe (which, at the time of purchase was their top-of-the-line helmet) with Biaggi graphics.

The Bieffe was the lightest, but this Suomy might be lighter, or as light. Like they say, sizing for the Suomy is small, so purchase one size up--normally I wear a Medium (57-58cm), but I purchased a Large. It fits perfectly--snug for sure, but comfortable. I can't say it's quiet at normal highway speeds, but I haven't yet owned a helmet that REALLY is. Maybe Arai is quiet (?). Ventilation is okay I guess, but again, I've never owned a helmet that REALLY flows air. One thing I really love about my Bieffe is the quick-release neck strap, but this Suomy doesn't have that.

The visor on the Suomy isn't that easy to exchange--not really a hassle, but definitely not simple-easy.

When I decided to purchase the Suomy, I went to my local BMW shop first. They couldn't find the helmet in their distributor's catalog, so quoted me a price on a newer Spec 1R (that was about twice as much as the price of the one I wanted and had seen in cycle stores on e-bay). Then I went to my local Yamah/Honda/Suzuki/Kawasaki dealer. The helmet wasn't in their current catalog, but the guy dug out last year's catalog and found it there. He quoted me a competitive price (to what I'd see on line) and told me to call him during the week (this was a Saturday) to see if he could still get it. I called. They can't get it.

So I went back to e-bay where there were four or five helmet shops selling the exact helmet I wanted, so I got it from "Speed Addict" cycles in California. I emailed one of their sales staff back-and-forth several times and he was very helpful. I feel bad for not purchasing it locally and I fully understand the mail-order situation, but I tried.

So in the end I love this Suomy. It's different (not many of those on the street). Super lightweight. Super comfortable.

Well, there's my helmet and purchase experience review!

Tim

tim22 · 04-22-2009, 04:26 AM

Oh yea, so here's a pic of the helmet.

So now we can let this thread die.

Thanks!

Emmbeedee · 04-22-2009, 07:56 PM

My wife bought a Suomy with Bayliss graphics last weekend and she said it's the quietest helmet she's ever had. She mostly had Shoei before this one, but she wanted a lighter helmet and this one is definitely lighter than the Shoei she replaced.

N8Kern · 04-24-2009, 01:58 PM

Before they were even a sponsor I raced in them. Suomy's have the best peripheral vison of any race inspired helmet on the market. Just that 3 to sometime 5 mm of extra vison on each side, inthe real word of riding, could be all that it takes to avoid and accident.

The Spec 1R is a fantatstic lid, but ever since the Vandal model has come out, I have been in them due to fit. I think they are just a little bit on the better side of ventilation also. Both helmets rock though. Chris at Air Trix does alot of the designs and his work is top shelf as you can see.

Good luck with your Suomy's and safe riding!

N8!

gigantic · gigantic's Garage

I've got a Spec1R for my back up helmet. Compared to my main helmet, which is a Vemar VSREV, the Suomy is quite a bit lighter, but a tad bit noisier (which is not to say that it's noisy). Great race helment & Donny, the Suomy rep gives great support to the sport, as Nate will no doubt attest. I like my Vemar slightly better, just because it fits my head better, better ventilation & the visor doesn't fog- it's also so quiet, that I barely need to wear earplugs. Plus the price couldn't be beat... Thanks, Uncle Bradz!