With the ever growing market share of motorcyles in the Philippines, we have a fairly large poppulation of riders. One of purchases they have to make before or after the motorcycle is a motorcycle riding helmet. Add to fact that wearing helmets is the part of the law here in the Philippines. Helmets are the most effective way to protect your head from possible injury in event of a crash or fall. With nearly all helmet brands trying to come up with innovations in helmet technology, we got to witness the launch of an intrigung helmet at an event. The Shark Skwal i3 is a full face helmet with a twist.
We approached the distributor, WWR Manila, for a closer look at the new Shark Skwal i3. With their green light, we picked up the gear at their headquaters in Quezon City and reviewed away.
For those unfamiliar with the brand, Shark is a French helmet brand that has been the business of protecting heads from injury for the past 35 or so years. Started by two brothers, the Teston brothers, who are also motorcycle enthusiasts in 1989. They choose the name “SHARK” because it symbolizes a full of bite. Based in Marseille, in the south of France, the company quickly distinguished itself through its commitment to competition and innovation. With riders in the highest forms of motorcycle racing wearing their helmets, the brand has experienced growing success, winning podiums and becoming an international reference in the world of helmets for bikers and pilots.
The Shark Skwal i3 is a full face helmet with the usual latest safety enhancements built in. It is compliant with current ECE 22-06 standards. Shark used the latest 3D scanning technology to create a catalog of a wide array of users in order to define the best possible fit. “BEST FIT” by SHARK if you will. The use of 5 highly technical textiles offer a fit with a unique second-skin feel.
The structure of the helmet is made of high-impact LEXAN™ polycarbonate, a material that is both lightweight and very resistant to impacts. It’s shape is streamlined to enhance airflow around it to reduce wind resistance. Outward and peripheral vision is very good. The visor comes ready for Pinlock 70 Max Vision anti-fog and it also comes with a UV380-treated integrated sun visor, a perfect blend of riding technology and safety for riders. The visor has micro open-closure, this micro-opening feature allows for ventilation during low-speed riding and closure that is quick and easy to fasten, the visor can be easily disassembled without the need for tools if ever the rider needs to swap another type of visor.
The most striking feature of the Skwal i3 is its integrated LED lights. It has four white LEDs in front, around the top and bottom vents and two red ones at the rear of the helmet. With this is a new version of their innovative LED system, an integrated triaxial gyroscope that detects deceleration rates to blink the rear red LEDs, warning whoever is behind you that you are stopping. The system has three modes that you can select via a button on the lower left side of the helmet. The front LEDs are cosmetic during the day but they can be a convenience in the dark. There is just enough illumination that you can see what’s immediately in front of you.
Power for the LEDs is provided by a rechargable battery pack tucked inside the comfort liner in the rear portion of the helmet. The pack can be charged via a Type-C cable and a powerbank. After charging is done, the socket is tucks neatly away in it’s pocket. Charging takes roughjy 3 hours and gives you a claimed 12 hours of functionality. While charging, the LEDs blinks in avery slow rate until they stop when they are fully charged.
Now for the comfort. The Shark Skwal i3 is a sport-touring helmet, its relatively light at a claimed 1,585 grams. (it’s slighyly heavier than say a CF shelled helmet but the diference is small), There are provisions for prescription glass, so they fit well without any issue. Comfort-wise, it’s all aces. The helmet envrlopes your head with firm but soft foam that is both antibacterial and moisture-wicking. In addition to the comfort, it’s a quiet helmet. Wind buffeting is minimal to none at all. It’s quiet enough that you would probably hear your ride buddies clearly over the comms with volume turned down. Yes, it is optimized for comms. Keeping the helmet on your noggin’ is done with their Precise Lock racket headstrap for easy clasping and unclaspsing. Upon doing research for this artice, I learned that the Skwal i3 can also be purchased with a doube D-ring chinstrap depending on the market.
The vents on the Skwal i3 gets mixed reviews. Its great that they have them on the helmet but it seems like they flow only some air into the helmet. Less than what I’m used to at least. I count two in chin bar location and two in the top of the helmet. When I quizzed a fellow rider about this, he answered the typical climate at their home market is cool to cold, they need to keep warm somehow. I’m not sure if that explains it but I’m tempted to believe the explanation. When riding within the city, it tends to get really warm and cracking the visor open just a little becomes a need. But around a few time with it on, I found simple hack. Tilt your head downwards like your riding a sportbike. I guess it was really a sports tourer helmet. It positions the forward vents more towards the incoming air, so more air flows than usual.
Overall, the Shark Skwal i3 is the perfect helmet for riders who want to see and be seen out on the road. The LED system is very integrated and works quite well. The Shark Skwal is available in plain colors and with graphics. Sizes availablity is from S to 2XL There are 18 colora in total for the Skwal i3 according the the Shark website. ranging from solid colors to well thoughtout graphic schemes.
Sugggested retail price for the Shark Skwal i3 is Php15,500 for solid colors and Php17,500 for the ones with graphics. Shark Helmets is officially distributed by WWR Manila in the Philippines