K11 Owners Group

[Flying Duck]

OK, the main reason I got it was to match my Kato action figure on the back of the RS. I paid $100 shipped from Parts411 on an eBay buy-iy-now.

It showed up this morning. It's wet out so I haven't taken it for a ride yet.

Here's what came in the box:

- The helmet itself
- A typical helmet bag
- Since it's a "special eidtion" helmet, it comes with both a clear and tinted shield - that's nice.
- A set of ear plugs
- two spare shield vents
- Some stickers and a manual
- Parts411 also included a strip of sun protector about an inch wide that statically clings to the top of the shield. It has "Parts411" in big white lettering on it so if you use the sun protector you get to advertise for them.

Here are my out of the box impressions. I've been riding with Arai Quantum helmets for the past 10+ years so that's my basis for comparison.

Shield: The shield ratchets with 7 positions, the top and bottom position being firmer. This is a little different from the Quantums which when open will actaully automatically flap shut when you hit 50 or so. With the Arais, if I want the shield to stay open above 45mph I need to keep my head at a specific angle. I like the ratcheting system bettter.

With the clear shield on, you can see the ratcheting mechanism. Side covers like Arai has would be nicer but it's not a big deal. That stuff is hidden with the smoked shield on.

Like the Arais, it has a small closable vent above each eye in the visor for venting.

The tab on the left side for opening/closing the shield seems like it might be a little smalll to use if you have thick gloves on. We'll see how it works riding.

Shield swapping: Since you can see the ratching/locking mechanism on the side of the helmet it's easy to use and figure out - unlike the Quantums which require you to develop some technique for swapping shields. It's pretty easy to swap shields. I usually don't carry a smoked shield when touring with the Arais because it can be a PITA to swap shields in the field. I think I will carry both shields when using this helmet since it's so easy to swap them. And replacement shields are only $20 so I can afford it if one gets lost or scratched in my luggage.

Fit: I measured my head and though I wear a Large in the Arais, the medium fits well. There's a little pressure at the cheek pads but I think after a few break-in rides that should go away. Aside from that it seems to fit my head well. It feels as though the bottom of it is shorter than the Arai so my chin feels a little more exposed. It doesn't stick out or anything but my chin is about even with the bottom of the helmet where the Arai seems to have a longer chin. This could be because I wear a large in the Arais though.

Nose guard: I've found that you need to be careful on Arai helmets to keep the rubber nose/breath gaurd from tearing. The one on this helmet seems much more robust.

Quality: It seems to be a very well made helmet as far as fit and finish go. The Bruce Lee comic is awesome. It has a matte finish. There's about a 3-4 inch wide black stipe over the middle populated by silver yin-yang symbols.

Strap: Standard D-ring setip with a snap for the end so it doesn't flap around.

Venting: Aside from the vents in the shield, it has a closeable chin vent, a pair of inlet vents on the top accompanied by outlet vents on the back. The Arai top vents are closeable. The top vents on this helmet are not. I wonder if rain can get in the Sparx helmet. We'll see what happens next time I ride in the rain.

Chin protector: The Arais have an additional little thing you can pull down in front of the chin. The Sparx doesn't have this feature. On the RS, all the Arai chin protector ever did was create a little more turblence around the chin.

Weight: Actual weights of my helmets: Arai Quantum II: 3# 5.6oz Sparx S-07: 3# 6.5oz. The Sparx weighs less than 2% more than the Arai. I doubt I'll notice the small difference in weight while riding.

Logos: Unlike Arais, it doesn't have big logos all over it, just an "X" (Sparx style) on the forehead. I guess if you have an Arai then you want people to know you spent $500 on a helmet. I kind of like the fact that this one is low key in the logo department.

INITIAL SUMMARY: Given that it meets DOT and EU 2205 safety standards, I'd say it's a heck of a lot of helmet for $100 shipped. I look forward to taking it for a spin.

Note: I got the special edition one with Bruce Lee "The Master" graphics. There are other special eidtion graphics available as well as solid colored helmets that cost less - but I don't think the basic ones come with the smoked shield - that's another $20.



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_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[Flying Duck]

OK, I finally took it out for a spin Thursday evening. About two hours of running errands. It was dark out so I wore the clear shield.

All-in-all a decent helmet and darned good bang for the buck.

Issues:

- Seems a little more prone to fogging than my Arais, not too bad though

- I mentioned earlier the chin seems more open/shorter than an Arai. This may have to do with how air comes off of my fairing but at freeway speeds there's a lot of air circulating about my face. In high 40s weather it was a bit chilly but not too bad. I'm thinking that in the low 40s and below I would end up with a popsicle face. Again, this could just be due to how air flows off of my fairing.

- City street riding, I like to ride with the shield cracked open just a bit. The bottom half inch or so of the shield is beveled (for lack of a better term.) When I glance at the gauges with my eyes, this is right where the gauges are and makes it blurry so I have to move my head, not just my eyes to chekc my speedo. At two clicks up, the beveled area is between my riding line of sight and glancing at my gauges line of sight.

- Periphieral vision: It seemed (to me anyhow) to provide slightly less peripheral vision than an Arai.

- Fit, comfort, weight: Still great - no hot spots or pressure areas after wearing it for about two hours of riding.


CONCLUSION: I'm thinking of it now as a 2.5 season helmet since for me it lets in too much cold air at speed from the more open chin than an Arai. I'm thinknig that in warmer weather riding the air circulation around the face will be a plus.

Still happy with my purchase but will still be wearing the Arais I have in 50 and below weather.

Duck out....
_________________
93 LT (x2)
94 RS
86-97 K75F(K75/100/1100 Frankenbrick)
86 K75C w/paralever, hi perf cams,TURBO!
91 & 92 K75Ss
91 K1
86 custom K100
14 WR250R
IBA #17739 (SS1K, BBG, 50CC)
Buy parts HERE

[owrstrich]

rodger that...

nipple l e d s...

j o
_________________
yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...

[Flying Duck]

[owrstrich]

i was saying led his eyes... ms bug was saying led his nipples...

j o
_________________
yeeeeeehaaaaaaa...