Shark Race R Pro Carbon

Built from carbon / aramid fibres, the new high-end SHARK Race-R Pro Carbon was initially developed for top-level racers at Shark: Moto GP, WSBK, Moto 2 …. Can you imagine the requisite level these riders have? So Shark had to ensure top-level performance, giving functionality and ergonomics the utmost importance: lightness, stability, comfort, precision and aerodynamics. Because the top racers requirement is twofold: safety and cutting edge technology. In critical situations, Shark must protect, and must also contribute to their riding performance. The Shark Race-R Pro Carbon gives your elite riders the same level of excellence as it does.

Shark’s mantra is simple: “Just race! We ‘re looking after the rest.”

The Race Pro-R is the new high-end fibre-composite helmet by Shark. The Race-R Pro Carbon, entirely designed through a reverse engineering process, was developed from the technical data as close as possible to the specifications of the human head. So Shark took your own constraints into account before considering his own. From the very first tests on the track, riders have recognised its stability, even above 300 km / h, its comfort and precision of the wide angle field of vision as well as its distortion-free optical shield.

“The Race R PRO concentrates everything I’m looking for in a helmet when riding my bike. It actually helps my riding performance.” Randy de Puniet, June 22, 2012.

Shark minimised unpleasant cyclonic airflows on the Race R Pro by adding a double blade spoiler, thanks to wind tunnel testing. Outcome = Stable. The Race R Pro ventilation system represents the most efficient ventilation synthesis:

4 air scoops: chin (with integrated anti-pollution air filter) + front + 2 top vents

7 extractors

3 possible positions: closed, intermediate, fully open

Optimization of venturi effect thanks to Formula1 wind tunnel testing

Features:

Super Light Weight Carbon/Aramid Fiber shell

~4.5 dB(A) quieter than the standard Race-R Pro in wind tunnel testing

Sharktooth-ready

Shark Easy Fit glasses system offers wearers a comfort lining which has a pre-fitted system to accommodate all types of glasses

Spoiler CFD

2 shell sizes

Double D chin strap

Magnetic chin strap end

4 anchor points for main shield

4 air flow points with optimized venturi efficiency

Shield has variable density: minimum thickness 3mm, maximum thickness 4.25mm, with new anti-scratch/anti-fog coating

Thermo shaped comfort lining

Removable and washable antibacterial liner

Cheek pads are interchangeable for custom fit

Neck roll with neoprene sections for elasticity and water resistance

Breath guard with new attachment system

Chin curtain

ECE 22.05 and DOT approved

Love it or hate it

I’m a loyal wearer of AGV helmets. Strictly Dainese clothing and AGV lids, because why not? However when Lorenzo debuted this beauty at Aragon in 2016, I was swoon. I was cautious in owning a Shark lid as I hadn’t before. Firstly compared to a Corsa or Pista GP the fit is completely different. It takes a while to adjust, but the fit is just as comfortable once your used to it. 

The sound is by far the best. You hear little to no wind noise compared to other brand which is a bonus on long motorway journeys. The graphics pull attention and everyone either loves it or hates it. But considering there are only 100 that have come to the UK, its very rare and sought after. Having a race visor come with the helmet is a big plus also. I own a Pista GP which didn’t even have that, and its a pure race lid?!?! 

However, the visor mechanism although straight forward isn’t as good as AGV. The clips required adjusting before the visor would even lock into its mechanism. No bother once on, but a bit of a faff. It can also be locked when down. Which is a great feature, but coming from another brand its took me a while to get used to where the opening lip actually is without ripping a piece of the vent off in the process! 

The shape of the helmet isn’t as appealing as a higher priced AGV but its not as egg like once its on. However with those graphics you can see past its aero. Excellent quality helmet which I would recommend to anyone in the market for a higher priced, rarer piece of carbon that they pop on there noggin. Gavin SportsBikeShop customer

Nice look, mediocre function

I bought the helmet two months ago and have worn it every day since then. The first impression was good. The paint is neatly processed and nothing rattles, but the helmet is very tight and only comfortable to wear after two weeks. 

After the cushion adapts to my head. At low speeds, you sweat quickly in the helmet. It is only well ventilated from approx. 70 km / h, but you have to decide which ventilation is open before driving, as the slits are difficult to open with gloves. After two weeks the visor was loose and it could only be fixed temporarily by tightening the screws, since all parts that can be opened are made of plastic and therefore wear out quickly. 

The wind noise is passable up to 120mph, everything about it becomes uncomfortable, regardless of whether the ventilation is open or closed. In addition, the visor could not be closed completely after repeated tightening, which means that there is always a slight breeze in the eye area. This is not dramatic, but is annoying when driving. Conclusion: The helmet is passably processed, if you rarely wear it and you like the paint, but I would not buy this helmet for this price, because you have to make too many compromises in terms of function.

Insanely light, looks amazing

Other than the great finish, the first thing I noticed about this lid was how surprisingly light it was. I had a much cheaper Frank Thomas helmet before and the difference is really apparent. A quick shake also shows the build quality is that much tighter, with nothing at all rattling about. The fit is very good for me and makes for very comfortable riding. 

Plenty of air gets through with the vents open. Once you get used to the visor quick release locks and get it dialled in, they are pretty handy for swapping visors, if a bit wobbly to start with. A couple of gripes to mention as well: wind noise gets pretty bad at motorway speeds, compared to other helmets I’ve used. Opening and closing the visor has also been an issue for a couple of reasons. The latch that holds it shut is incredibly tight. 

A fair bit of grinding with a rasp made it manageable, though the tab is still pretty hard to feel when opening right-handed. The top of one visor I have also catches badly on the switch for a vent right at the lowest edge above the visor, which I fixed by cutting the plastic switch almost flush with the helmet. To finish, I’m giving this helmet 4 stars, because it’s clearly a well engineered piece of kit that’s easy to forget about when using, but for the premium cost, I would have expected even little details like I mentioned to have been dealt with. Either way, I’m glad to use it for all the good points done so well, and tweaking has made its problems unnoticeable. Tony, SportsBikeShop customer

Excellent Helmet

I’ve had this helmet for just over a week now and am impressed. I won’t buy a helmet with less than 4 stars on the Sharp test site. This one has the full 5 stars. 

The build quality is impressive and it looks great too. The visor is a big improvement on a pin lock system and the anti fog works fine as long as you have the face bar vent open. The clarity of the visor is exceptional and I haven’t experienced the reflective issues reported by some people when riding at night. 

The helmet comes with a whisper skirt installed and has an adjustable chin curtain. This contributes to it being reasonably quiet, about the same as my Shoei X1100 with the whisper skirt installed though this is an extra on the Shoei. Ventilation is good with the vents easily accessed with gloves on. Sizing is good, I’m a size large in both Shoei and Shark helmets and the helmet, though quite tight at first is breaking in nicely and is comfortable.

All in all a great carbon helmet and good value . Tom, Helmet City customer

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