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103 Posts
Just took my first ride with my new Suomy Spec 1R helmet, and I like it very much, with a couple of exceptions. I went from an Arai Quantum f, size large, to the Spec 1R, also in large. (Arai's no-internet sales policy and absence of customer support made me look for alternatives.)
For me, the plusses of the Suomy, in addition to price and having changeable padding like the Arais, are less wind-buffeting at 60mph+, easier visor change-over, better peripheral vision, and no rubbing of the lower helmet edge on the collar of my jacket. Also, it seems to be a better fit, although--and this is one of the negatives--I do get some pressure on my forehead from the two snaps beneath the padding there. And despite an overall sense of greater quietness with the Suomy--here is the second negative--I do get a high-pitched whistle at higher speeds that I didn't experience with the Arai. Fiddling with padding might cure the former, and wearing earplugs, the latter.
All in all, I would recommend the Suomy Spec 1R to those looking for an alternative to Arai, subject of course to a try-on, if at all possible. While the Spec 1R is DOT approved, my helmet does not have a Snell certification sticker, and for some reason I have not been able to access the latest certification list on the Snell web site to see if the Spec 1R is included.
By the way, I purchased the Suomy from helmetharbor.com, who were very helpful and easy to deal with. With the purchase they included a second visor and a helmet bag.
Rob
P.S. I have no affiliation with either Suomy or helmetharbor.com, just a satisfied customer.
For me, the plusses of the Suomy, in addition to price and having changeable padding like the Arais, are less wind-buffeting at 60mph+, easier visor change-over, better peripheral vision, and no rubbing of the lower helmet edge on the collar of my jacket. Also, it seems to be a better fit, although--and this is one of the negatives--I do get some pressure on my forehead from the two snaps beneath the padding there. And despite an overall sense of greater quietness with the Suomy--here is the second negative--I do get a high-pitched whistle at higher speeds that I didn't experience with the Arai. Fiddling with padding might cure the former, and wearing earplugs, the latter.
All in all, I would recommend the Suomy Spec 1R to those looking for an alternative to Arai, subject of course to a try-on, if at all possible. While the Spec 1R is DOT approved, my helmet does not have a Snell certification sticker, and for some reason I have not been able to access the latest certification list on the Snell web site to see if the Spec 1R is included.
By the way, I purchased the Suomy from helmetharbor.com, who were very helpful and easy to deal with. With the purchase they included a second visor and a helmet bag.
Rob
P.S. I have no affiliation with either Suomy or helmetharbor.com, just a satisfied customer.
