Shark Spartan RS helmet in gloss black with copper trim

The Spartan RS helmet is the first from Shark to meet the new-for-2021 ECE 22-06 helmet standard. This new helmet safety standard demands significantly increased levels of protection. The RS was/is the first 22-06 full-face helmet with a drop down dark visor to come to market. The Spartan RS is technically a sports-touring helmet. But it is the kind of helmet that you could wear pretty much on any kind of motorcycle: a sportsbike, a sports-tourer, an adventure bike, an upright or even a retro bike. You could tour in it, commute in it, or just use it for weekend jaunts. It is a fairly generic helmet, so will never look out of place. Shark has created a new, reinforced shell to enable the helmet to meet the new higher, safety standard. The Spartan RS, like all Shark helmets, comes in just two shell sizes; not the three offered by some brands. The helmet is equipped with a Class 1 optical quality visor that benefits from a particularly easy to use removal mechanism. The RS, like other Spartans, has one of the best visor detente systems, but what we think is a first is a good-quality detente system for the drop-down sun visor also. The Spartan RS comes equipped with a Pinlock 120; and that’s as good as it gets. Ventilation will be up to scratch. You get a large, adjustable incoming vent on the chin, another on the brow to drag air out from behind the visor, and a rear exhaust port. One thing we like about the Spartan RS is the quality of its internal facings. The extensive use of suede makes this helmet feel more like a Shoei than a Shark. One thing we don’t like is the fact that the Spartan RS does not have the elasticated neck curtain that comes on the Spartan GT. This is very effective at reducing noise, and so we cannot understand why Shark haven’t carried it over to the RS. When we asked, nobody could tell us why. One thing you should know is that the Spartan has a particularly round shape. Now, what you need to understand is that all heads are shaped differently and that similarly all helmets have different internal shapes. What this means is that you cannot buy a helmet based on the circumference of your head alone. Well actually, you can; but the chances of getting a good fit are slim. If you want be sure that the Shark is right for you, come and see us here at Motolegends in Guildford. If it isn’t right for you, we’ll find a helmet that is. But we will be holding in stock all the differently-sized cheekpads so that we can optimise the fit. Not many dealers will offer this free service.