Shark Spartan GT Elgen MAT KAR helmet in grey/ red

Confusingly, perhaps, the Spartan GT is not merely an upgraded version of the existing Shark Spartan. Yes, it is an upgrade on the Spartan, but it is actually a totally different helmet with very few shared components. There is also a Spartan Carbon GT that sits next to the ‘cooking’ Spartan GT. The Carbon is the same helmet, but with a skin of carbon laid over the fibreglass shell. In either configuration, the Spartan GT is very much a sports-touring helmet. It was introduced in early 2020 as a putative competitor to the Shoei GT Air 2. It features an improved visor security mechanism, improved venting, a much snugger neck roll to reduce noise and a new plusher interior. Many other features, like a Grade One optical quality visor and a drop-down sun visor, the Spartan GT shares with the Spartan. It is a much better helmet than the standard Spartan. In pitching the new version against the Shoei, Shark has been ambitious, although the French helmet certainly undercuts the Japanese one. For a fuller, forthright perspective, watch our video review.