gb506
04-09-2004, 07:20 PM
I've had a chance to "road test" the Spec-1R Extreme helmet on a few occasions this season and I think I've got enough experience with it to make some observations. Essentially, the Spec-1R Extreme (not the Spec-1R) beats the Arai Corsair and Quantum/f in fit, field of vision, aerodynamics, and ventilation. But it doesn't sweep the win in all categories - it loses to the Arai in ease of shield replacement and noise levels.
Fit:
(Note: I have an Arai shaped head (as opposed to a Shoei shaped head) and have had Arai helmets exclusively in the past. I also have an HJC AC-10 that I keep as a spare.)
In a non-riding situation the Spec-1R Extreme is more comfortable to me than any helmet I've sampled. In a riding situation the Extreme feels more comfortable to me than the Corsair or Quantum/f (or the HJC by a wide margin). Obviously fit is subjective, but I feel that the materials used in the Extreme lining (alcantara fabric) and the lightness of the shell make the helmet "disappear" more than the Arais. A couple of hundred miles and the helmet is just as comfortable as it was at the beginning of the ride.
Field of Vision:
I seem to have an easier time seeing things in the periphery with the Extreme than with the Arais and the HJC. Looking to my 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock in traffic merging and lane changing situations, the Extreme allows me to see more without twisting my neck and torso as much as I need to with the Arai.
To me this is an important plus for the Extreme. While fit and comfort is very important, having the ability to see more with less effort means a more enjoyable ride. It wouldn't be so bad if I were a cruiser rider, but I'm not. Sportbikes make looking in your rears difficult, but this helmet makes it a bit easier to do. Big plus for the Extreme here.
Aerodynamics:
The Extreme does not seem to buffet from side to side at all that I can recall. Even though there were some gusty winds this afternoon, at no time did I feel my head being tugged in the way it would be with the Corsair. Rearward stress placed on my neck at 120+ speeds was noticeably less than the Arai, but I think this is attributable to the Extreme's aerodynamic stabilization feature built into the back of the helmet, a feature that does not appear on the standard Spec-1R.
Overall the Extreme is fairly devoid of any aerodynamic personality whatsoever. It just goes through the air smoothly and consistently.
Ventilation:
I've always thought the Arai (RX7 and Quantum) had good ventilation systems. But I have to say that even though the Extreme only has two user control-able vents (the corsair has 8, the quantum 5), the Extreme has better flow when you want it. Switching open the single vent on the top/front of the Extreme, you are rewarded with a noticeable increase in airflow in the helmet. Switching all vents open on the quantum, on the other hand, would not net you very much. Some, yes, but not as much as you want on a hot day.
Visor replacement:
The Extreme is like other Suomy helmets in that you have to use a small tool to push a button under the side cover in order to get the shield off. This is a pain in my ass. The Arai has the shield rep system down and everyone should just copy it or improve on the concept. Tools? Screw that.
That said, I gotta say something about the visor that comes stock on the Extreme. It's kind of a mild neutral tint that is optically very good. Marketing copy says "translucent Opalescent Iridium finish with a special hydrophobic coating." The visor does not fog up, even with my heavy breathing and sweating, and it supposedly wicks water away from the outside when it rains like Aquapel treated windshields. Very nice, no need to buy a Fog City insert.
Noise:
The Extreme will not be fun for people who do not like earplugs. It's just not a very quiet helmet. The Arai is more quiet by a bit. For me it doesn't matter, though, as I like earplugs - they drown out the wind and allow me to hear the bike.
Anyway, that's the extent of it. I love the Extreme - it's the bets helmet I've ever owned by a large margin, and I invite anyone who is thinking of replacing their Arai to give it a look. It's a big step up from the standard Suomy Spec-1R, so Suomy guys should give it a try, as well.
Later...
Suomy marketing copy regarding the Spec-1R Extreme:
Pushing the limit is what "extreme" is all about, and Suomy's new Spec 1R Extreme sets a new standard. This incredible helmet is an enhanced version of Suomy's top rated Spec-1R, featuring:
- The lightest weight (1250 grams), race approved helmet available
- 3 shell sizes for ultimate fit
- Dynamically Variable Resistance Crush Zone designed into the EPS
- Removable washable 3D cheek pads (allows for adjustable custom fit)
- Removable washable Comfort liner (allows for adjustable custom fit)
- Anti-Fog / Anti -Scratch Face Shield
- Sound Absorbing Polymers
- Safety Lock visor system
- Breath Deflector
- S.E.C (Structurally Enhanced Composite Fiber Weave)
- Hot Cured Bag Molded construction
- Oversized sponge cervical neck roll
- Advanced Channeled EPS for optimum venting
- Race approval by every major US Motorcycle Race Organization
- DOT approved and CERTIFIED to BSI 6658 Type A: providing unprecedented pre-public release batch testing of each production run, providing exacting quality controls
In addition to the above standard Spec-1R features, the Extreme offers the following remarkable technological advancements that push helmet technology to the "Extreme":
- Ultra Tech Face Shield - Standard to the Extreme is a unique face shield incorporating a beautifully translucent Opalescent Iridium finish with a special hydrophobic coating - this allows water to easily roll off the surface of the shield, an anti-IR coating to block heat and keep the riders face cool, and a state-of-the-art anti-fog coating. And that's just the face shield!
- Alcantara - Used in the finest exotic sports cars and top class furnishings, Alcantara is a luxurious fabric offering a level of softness, comfort and quality never before seen in the helmet market. Now, Alcantara is being used exclusively for the Spec-1R Extreme's comfort liner, providing a perforated chamois-like material for ultimate comfort, water wicking, coolness and durability.
- Ram Air Intake - The Spec 1R Extreme comes standard with this new cooling device. Located above the top of the forehead, this specially designed intake duct forces air into the helmet body in the open position, pressurizing cool air into the Spec 1R's unique waffled EPS channeled system. Flipping the switch to the "off" position on the Intake Duct closes the ram air intake from the rest of the system.
- Air Wedge Top Diffuser - An extreme helmet deserves an extreme top diffuser and the new, Suomy "Air Wedge" is just that: designed to work in concert with the Ram Air Intake duct, the Air Wedge performs the duty of extracting hot air from the helmet body and out the back of the wedge. Its aggressive design provides a further function; the Air Wedge creates vortices towards the back of the helmet, defeating the potential for "helmet lift" at high speeds providing an extremely stable helmet, even at Daytona speeds…
- Ultimate Graphics - Suomy is renowned for its top quality graphics. The Extreme series of the Spec-1R helmet come with graphics that once again raise the bar for helmet graphics everywhere. Combining Suomy's state-of-the-art graphic technology with a unique series of base paints and ultra-smooth clear coating put the ultimate finish on these outstanding helmets.
http://www.steelcityriders.com/grafix/suomy/suomy-6.jpg
-
http://www.steelcityriders.com/grafix/suomy/suomy-7.jpg
-
http://www.steelcityriders.com/grafix/suomy/suomy-8.jpg
-
http://www.steelcityriders.com/grafix/suomy/suomy-9.jpg
-
http://www.steelcityriders.com/grafix/suomy/suomy-5.jpg
Fit:
(Note: I have an Arai shaped head (as opposed to a Shoei shaped head) and have had Arai helmets exclusively in the past. I also have an HJC AC-10 that I keep as a spare.)
In a non-riding situation the Spec-1R Extreme is more comfortable to me than any helmet I've sampled. In a riding situation the Extreme feels more comfortable to me than the Corsair or Quantum/f (or the HJC by a wide margin). Obviously fit is subjective, but I feel that the materials used in the Extreme lining (alcantara fabric) and the lightness of the shell make the helmet "disappear" more than the Arais. A couple of hundred miles and the helmet is just as comfortable as it was at the beginning of the ride.
Field of Vision:
I seem to have an easier time seeing things in the periphery with the Extreme than with the Arais and the HJC. Looking to my 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock in traffic merging and lane changing situations, the Extreme allows me to see more without twisting my neck and torso as much as I need to with the Arai.
To me this is an important plus for the Extreme. While fit and comfort is very important, having the ability to see more with less effort means a more enjoyable ride. It wouldn't be so bad if I were a cruiser rider, but I'm not. Sportbikes make looking in your rears difficult, but this helmet makes it a bit easier to do. Big plus for the Extreme here.
Aerodynamics:
The Extreme does not seem to buffet from side to side at all that I can recall. Even though there were some gusty winds this afternoon, at no time did I feel my head being tugged in the way it would be with the Corsair. Rearward stress placed on my neck at 120+ speeds was noticeably less than the Arai, but I think this is attributable to the Extreme's aerodynamic stabilization feature built into the back of the helmet, a feature that does not appear on the standard Spec-1R.
Overall the Extreme is fairly devoid of any aerodynamic personality whatsoever. It just goes through the air smoothly and consistently.
Ventilation:
I've always thought the Arai (RX7 and Quantum) had good ventilation systems. But I have to say that even though the Extreme only has two user control-able vents (the corsair has 8, the quantum 5), the Extreme has better flow when you want it. Switching open the single vent on the top/front of the Extreme, you are rewarded with a noticeable increase in airflow in the helmet. Switching all vents open on the quantum, on the other hand, would not net you very much. Some, yes, but not as much as you want on a hot day.
Visor replacement:
The Extreme is like other Suomy helmets in that you have to use a small tool to push a button under the side cover in order to get the shield off. This is a pain in my ass. The Arai has the shield rep system down and everyone should just copy it or improve on the concept. Tools? Screw that.
That said, I gotta say something about the visor that comes stock on the Extreme. It's kind of a mild neutral tint that is optically very good. Marketing copy says "translucent Opalescent Iridium finish with a special hydrophobic coating." The visor does not fog up, even with my heavy breathing and sweating, and it supposedly wicks water away from the outside when it rains like Aquapel treated windshields. Very nice, no need to buy a Fog City insert.
Noise:
The Extreme will not be fun for people who do not like earplugs. It's just not a very quiet helmet. The Arai is more quiet by a bit. For me it doesn't matter, though, as I like earplugs - they drown out the wind and allow me to hear the bike.
Anyway, that's the extent of it. I love the Extreme - it's the bets helmet I've ever owned by a large margin, and I invite anyone who is thinking of replacing their Arai to give it a look. It's a big step up from the standard Suomy Spec-1R, so Suomy guys should give it a try, as well.
Later...
Suomy marketing copy regarding the Spec-1R Extreme:
Pushing the limit is what "extreme" is all about, and Suomy's new Spec 1R Extreme sets a new standard. This incredible helmet is an enhanced version of Suomy's top rated Spec-1R, featuring:
- The lightest weight (1250 grams), race approved helmet available
- 3 shell sizes for ultimate fit
- Dynamically Variable Resistance Crush Zone designed into the EPS
- Removable washable 3D cheek pads (allows for adjustable custom fit)
- Removable washable Comfort liner (allows for adjustable custom fit)
- Anti-Fog / Anti -Scratch Face Shield
- Sound Absorbing Polymers
- Safety Lock visor system
- Breath Deflector
- S.E.C (Structurally Enhanced Composite Fiber Weave)
- Hot Cured Bag Molded construction
- Oversized sponge cervical neck roll
- Advanced Channeled EPS for optimum venting
- Race approval by every major US Motorcycle Race Organization
- DOT approved and CERTIFIED to BSI 6658 Type A: providing unprecedented pre-public release batch testing of each production run, providing exacting quality controls
In addition to the above standard Spec-1R features, the Extreme offers the following remarkable technological advancements that push helmet technology to the "Extreme":
- Ultra Tech Face Shield - Standard to the Extreme is a unique face shield incorporating a beautifully translucent Opalescent Iridium finish with a special hydrophobic coating - this allows water to easily roll off the surface of the shield, an anti-IR coating to block heat and keep the riders face cool, and a state-of-the-art anti-fog coating. And that's just the face shield!
- Alcantara - Used in the finest exotic sports cars and top class furnishings, Alcantara is a luxurious fabric offering a level of softness, comfort and quality never before seen in the helmet market. Now, Alcantara is being used exclusively for the Spec-1R Extreme's comfort liner, providing a perforated chamois-like material for ultimate comfort, water wicking, coolness and durability.
- Ram Air Intake - The Spec 1R Extreme comes standard with this new cooling device. Located above the top of the forehead, this specially designed intake duct forces air into the helmet body in the open position, pressurizing cool air into the Spec 1R's unique waffled EPS channeled system. Flipping the switch to the "off" position on the Intake Duct closes the ram air intake from the rest of the system.
- Air Wedge Top Diffuser - An extreme helmet deserves an extreme top diffuser and the new, Suomy "Air Wedge" is just that: designed to work in concert with the Ram Air Intake duct, the Air Wedge performs the duty of extracting hot air from the helmet body and out the back of the wedge. Its aggressive design provides a further function; the Air Wedge creates vortices towards the back of the helmet, defeating the potential for "helmet lift" at high speeds providing an extremely stable helmet, even at Daytona speeds…
- Ultimate Graphics - Suomy is renowned for its top quality graphics. The Extreme series of the Spec-1R helmet come with graphics that once again raise the bar for helmet graphics everywhere. Combining Suomy's state-of-the-art graphic technology with a unique series of base paints and ultra-smooth clear coating put the ultimate finish on these outstanding helmets.
http://www.steelcityriders.com/grafix/suomy/suomy-6.jpg
-
http://www.steelcityriders.com/grafix/suomy/suomy-7.jpg
-
http://www.steelcityriders.com/grafix/suomy/suomy-8.jpg
-
http://www.steelcityriders.com/grafix/suomy/suomy-9.jpg
-
http://www.steelcityriders.com/grafix/suomy/suomy-5.jpg