Wasup all...its about that time to pick up a new helmet cause the old one bought it at the track, and you know what they say bout lids hittin the flr! Anyway does anyone have a Suomy lid? I've been using Arai helms mostly and love the way they feel, but with todays helmets it seens u can't go wrong... Anyone have an idea of how closely they feel to other brands, or how they work in terms of shields and ventilation?

Joe

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by gixxerjoey:
Wasup all...its about that time to pick up a new helmet cause the old one bought it at the track, and you know what they say bout lids hittin the flr! Anyway does anyone have a Suomy lid? I've been using Arai helms mostly and love the way they feel, but with todays helmets it seens u can't go wrong... Anyone have an idea of how closely they feel to other brands, or how they work in terms of shields and ventilation?

Joe<hr></blockquote>

Sorry, too quick on the mouse. I own a Suomy and it will be my last. Good fit and comfortable, but changing the shield is a pain. They have plastic rings that hold the shield in place under the side covers. These rings break (I've had four break) and getting replacements are a difficult. IMHO, stick with Arai or if you want something new, try OGK. I picked one up in the UK last summer and I love it.

Thanks cheetah, I've just been to the ogk website and those helms look cool man! How do they feel and does the shield come off easy?

Joe

They seem to be a tad smaller than Arai's. I tried on a L and XL and saw stars, then tried an XXL and it was still tight. (I have an XL Arai RX7RR4.) Very nice graphics, though.

Maybe you should check out AGV helmets...I just recently bought the Q3 professional Rossi replica at a really decent price ($260 shipping included!) and it came with two shields and a breath deflector....It fits really good and it has tons of ventilation options, including the interior padding is lined with Dupont "COOL MAX" material that prevents sweat and perspiration from building up inside and making it stink. I will buy AGV's from now on.. The shield is so easy to take on and off...and they have tear-offs with it as well! I think I got a great deal and you might consider them as an option.

on those Suomy face shields...do the tabs break because of constant replacement (from tinted to clear or whatever)...or just from rolling it and down?

they break from constant replacement of sheild, if your careful it wont be a problem, but i tend to swap mine at nite..so if you dont line upo the holes with the tabs, you'll end up knocking teeth off the tabs..kinda hard to explain, easier if you actually saw what i am talking about

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by psycho750R:
they break from constant replacement of sheild, if your careful it wont be a problem, but i tend to swap mine at nite..so if you dont line upo the holes with the tabs, you'll end up knocking teeth off the tabs..kinda hard to explain, easier if you actually saw what i am talking about<hr></blockquote>

Sounds good - thanks...I plan to have at least 2 helmets - a nicer one for day use with a tinted shield and a secondary one for night use....so if you are right, I shouldn't have a problem with the shields as long as I don't keep swapping them out all the time?.....thanks for your help... that's great to know...

you can flip it up and down all day long without any problems..and i can atest to that cause mines blue iridium shield, and its pretty dark, so im flippin mine up and down all the time, just take care when swapping sheilds.. images/icons/smile.gif

I tried a Suomy on last year and it felt real good. I will probably get one later this year.
My old Shoei is fantastic though and I'll probably regret replacing it.
I looked at the OGK's and thought that the finish looked a bit crap on the edges even if they are very stylish!
I tried AGV's but they don't seem to fit me well at all images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/grin.gif images/icons/grin.gif

thanks for the imput guys....its seems the Suomy has really cool designs, while the ogks have the cool helmet shape...wish i could have the suomy designs on the ogk helmets...haha, but alas this cannot be....so i have to look at the local stores to fit em on me head and go for over all, comfort, price, and design.

Thanks,

Joe

I would also recommend AGVs. I've got an X-Vent and love it. Changing shields is easy.

i gotta suomy ..love the helmet style , fit , and comfort...and they're pretty unique, makes you stand out of the crowd..when me and my pals go places with our bikes I always get the comments and question from people about my lid, even old people..and I'm surrounded my arai's and shoie's....HATE THE SHEILD changing..pain in the ass..already broke the teeth of 1 side peice..fukers forced me to order a set , both sides, when i only needed one . cost me 30$$ and took like a month to get it casue there based out of UK. I do like the helmet aside form the sheild changing

[ 02-01-2002: Message edited by: psycho750R ]</p>

My OGK fits the same as my Arai RR4. Changing the shield is the best part. There is a button on the side. You put the shield up, press the button and the shield comes off! The dark smoke shield is about the same color as an Arai. The helmet vents very, very well. By far the best and I also have an AGV. As a result, it is LOUD!! Earplugs are a must! The wing in the back keeps the helmet from pulling up and it works great from 120 mph on up. I wish my other lids had one.

I don't own one, but I've tried a few on. I didn't like the fit compaired to my Arai. I know it's not much of an opinion since I've never ridden with one, just didn't feel as comfy. They are beautiful to look at, got some of the best paint jobs in the business.
I don't think I'd buy one

I've got a Suomy and I love it except the little red tab that helps undo the strap has broken off. Kind of puts a ? over longevity.

Fit, finish etc are fantastic though and the prices are pretty good too.

Some true info for those that want to know about Suomy.

1) They are not based out of U.K. They are made in Italy. They are distributed solely by Gearbox, Int'l here in the USA. The only way you can get them is via a dealer here in the US. Gearbox is the distributor, not a selling place.

2) Those tabs that you all are breaking should cost @ $5. Your dealers need to call Gearbox (If you are from the USA, it's the only place your shop can get them), ask for Ryan, Chris or Don and they will set your shop up with the needed parts. They keep a ton of inventory in stock for the side plates, diffusors and the internal shield pieces.

3) The helmet is super easy to change shields. At the track, we change the shields constantly and have yet to break a single one. When new, they are a bit stiff and tight, but if you take your time, they work great. What you have to remember is that a quick change shield adds to the retail price. It's not a $700 retail helmet. At $400, it is essentially on par with Arai as far as construction and finish. For $300 retail difference, Suomy is actually a better buy.

4) The shield is a pain, but the new Spec1R that will be here in the states for retail is by far a huge leap from the Gunwind (current model). It will have features that will put it head to head with the Arai RX-7RR and a few features that will blow the Arai away. Plus, with all the upcoming features and level of technology that actually will be a bit ahead of Arai, the retail price will come in at $429 for solids and $499 for race replicas.

The helmet is creating a big stir in the industry and it is a welcome change. Not many people have one and the graphics are top notch. Sure, the shield on the Gunwind is a bit of a pain, but to spend $2-300 more for quick release? Is it worth it? When you see the Spec1R in mid March/early April, you'll ask why isn't the other helmet companies doing that. Technology doesn't stay still and if a company waits, it will miss out. Suomy isn't waiting. With this only their second race based helmet, the Italians have hit a home run.

Stay tuned....

Honestly, I was going to buy the Bostrom Rep at a show until I put it one. It was by far the most uncomfortable helmet I've ever tried on. I'll stick with my Shoei and look at the new FIM's and OGK's. Just my $.02

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by SloDuc:
Honestly, I was going to buy the Bostrom Rep at a show until I put it one. It was by far the most uncomfortable helmet I've ever tried on. I'll stick with my Shoei and look at the new FIM's and OGK's. Just my $.02<hr></blockquote>

Hey Duc, I tried the B/B Laguna Seca on @ the bike show also.. It fit me fine and it was only $500. I'll be picking one up in 2 months.

Suomy & OGK have the better graphics IMO.. Arai and Shoei are the best helmets BUT they need to put out better graphics, a little to blah of designs for my taste..

Actually, the helmets retail for $399.00. If you are paying more, go somewhere else. The BBoz helmets (both colors) are readily available at any shop.

I'm putting together a group buy on Suomy helmets (also posted in Group Buy section) for the Dealer Show in Indy next weekend. If anyone is interested, let me know. Pricing should be about ~$300 + shipping (I'll know exact shortly) if I can get 20 helmets ordered.

Wasup all, Does the Suomy GunWind helmets come with removeable liners and cheak pads? I know the Spec1R does and its really important to me that they come off for cleaning images/icons/smile.gif

Joe

no they dont. images/icons/frown.gif

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by gixxerjoey:
Wasup all...its about that time to pick up a new helmet cause the old one bought it at the track...<hr></blockquote>

Sumoy Lids arn't on the Snell cert page...
Some MC Groups (Like Reduc) require Snell Certs.
Personally I think it's BS that just raises the price of helmets!
http://www.smf.org

shoe zII is one of the best i've had... don't think i'll ever switch unless a better shoei comes out... shield snaps off easily, there's a chin guard for wind and it's not the type like arai's where you have to pull it down, it stays in place and never moves... also comes with a breath guard and ventilation is superb

Actually, the Gunwind is Snell certified. It should be on the Snell web site. It's just that the BSI certification is actually a little more in=depth and is more crash realistic in its testing. AMA, WERA, CCS and others follow FIM guidelines and it is a usually easy arguement to get them approved by other orgs.

Where is the best place to order a soumy from and do they cut us a break on the price being members of gixxer.com
Also I tried one on last summer and loved it but cant remember what size it was and no dealers around here stock them. What other brand and style can I compare it to. I have a XL Shoei that sucks and a XL HJC that fits great.