Skwal dissapointment and replacing my spare lid

talkToTheHat · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Karma :

The Skwal appealed to my inner child but has been disappointing. It fits nicely and has both the features I require (pinlock, sunvisor, space for the speakers from my bluetooth kit), the vents work and it doesn't leak in the rain so it's reasonable.

The clever just pulls off visor failed me on a long ride during the actually hot part of the weather when I flipped it open cool off in crawling traffic on the M1. Visor nearly escaping mid-filter is not particularly confidence inspiring. It would stay in place locked down, so I did the rest of the day with visor taped shut and called into J&S on the way home. Swapped there and then, apparently it had been happening a lot. Unsure if bad batch of visors or design flaw.

Skwal is back having the LEDs repaired under warranty as some of them have stopped working. It doesn't stop it being a helmet but if it has features they should work.

So i'm on my spare helmet. It's a 5 year old FG-15. The chin vent has crumbled and it's probably time I replaced it. I like to have two helmets on the go so I can wash the lining from one whilst I'm riding in the other, and I don't have to worry if I scratch a visor, need something fixing or drop one.

As mentioned above I want an internal sunvisor, pinlock and space to fit the speakers from my scala bluetooth. I had a speed-R which was ok on a naked bike, but noisy behind a screen, the extended spoiler on the rear edge caught on protrusions from sportier jackets and the visor locking was a bit awkward so I won't be getting another.

I think AGVs are a similar shape, does anyone know if the K5 has arrangements for speakers?
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BumpingUglys · Trackday Trickster Joined: 12 Oct 2010 Karma :

The K5 has pockets in the lining for your ear flaps, with optional thin liners to go in there, as well as grooves for glasses. Not worn it with speakers but ear buds don't present a problem. You should be OK with something thin.

It's a nice helmet and easily the equal of my old Arai for comfort and noise, with better features. The one thing to watch out for is the placement of the pinlock: If your laying over the tank, the top of the pinlock can be bang in the middle of your line of sight. Not a massive problem on the Monster, but it might be an issue with something of a more sporty inclination.
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SophR so good · Trackday Trickster Joined: 08 Aug 2016 Karma :

I just bought a bell qualifier. Has a transitions visor instead of sunglasses which works brillliantly, and a hole in the side for a scala Bluetooth... Wink

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talkToTheHat · World Chat Champion Joined: 21 Feb 2012 Karma :

I'm on a bandit S, chin on tank isn't really a thing. Don't need to move that far to be nicely tucked in. Whatever I'm riding the top of my glasses gets in the way before the pinlock. It's either snooker glasses or contacts if I decide to own a sportsbike.
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P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

Thoroughly disappointed with my Shark Skwal.

Noise was a bit too much. LEDs started to break randomly and not flash and then bird bounced off my tank into the side of it and broke both sides.of the visor.

I've worn it 6 times in a year.

grr666 · Super Spammer Joined: 16 Jun 2014 Karma :

* Checks receipt is safe and sound...

Just bought a(nother) Shark lid after being very happy with my last. Not a Skwal but has same visor type.
Bought from decent supplier/5 year warranty so shouldn't have too much agg if its a lemon. We shall see.
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NJD · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Mar 2015 Karma :

I've got a Skwal. I'd ask if you had the visor fitted correctly but as anyone who's owned one knows you never really can be sure because its designed so stupidly. I attempted to remove the visor once or twice and gave up in fear of causing more damage than good, arse of a design.

P. · Red Rocket Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Karma :

My 5 year old LS2 is quieter than my Shark. It doesn't have pinlock, but at least it has a functioning visor. The Shark one broke both sides at the same point, I'll photo when home as I'm few miles away currently, but shark didnt seem to care and simply said take to retailer, who said contact shark....etc etc Laughing