The Shark Skwal i3 is the ECE 22.06 certified successor with a lot of novelties and a lighting system with active brake lighting. Say what? A motorcycle helmet with brake lights?
Please note! Contrary to the product image, this helmet comes with a clear visor. The pictured tinted visors are available separately.
The unique, rechargeable LED lighting system will surely be seen by other traffic users and it’s also the most striking element in this series of motorcycle helmets. It already existed (somewhat) but Shark took it one step further.
The white LED lighting is still integrated in the chin and top ventilation, red being the colour of choice in the back of the motorcycle helmet. This is no coincidence because in the back, the red lights act as active brake light. This means that you can activate them by burning or blinking (this was already the case in previous versions), which is now supplemented with a new ‘smart brake light’ on top of that. Regardless of how the lights burn, in case of an emergency stop, they will draw more attention to your riding: by blinking or blinking harder, depending on the initial situation.
The system with the LED light can be operated with a pushbutton on the left side of the motorcycle helmet. One, two or three pushes for partial and steady or blinking lights. A fourth push deactivates all the LED lights.
Blinking LED lights and a full charge deliver about 12 hours of active time. Steady burning lights will cut that time in half. The battery can be connected to a power source like a pc, smartphone charger or power bank with the delivered USB cable. A full charge will take about three hours.
Despite all the extras, the Shark Skwal i3 only weighs 1585 grams. The injected thermoplastic acting as source for the outer shell has a lot to do with that. Or more precisely: two high-impact lexan™ injected motorcycle helmet shells in polycarbonate that contain the six available motorcycle helmet sizes have a lot to do with that.
We thought the first version of the Shark Skwal looked a bit too much like a motorcycle helmet with LED lights stuck on afterwards and the second edition appeared to be a lot tighter but to be honest, this is another level. The fact that the Shark Skwal i3 is even more compact a motorcycle helmet and with redesigned aerodynamics, definitely plays a part in this. It gives the Shark Skwal i3 a sharper and a little bit of an aggressive appearance, without overdoing it.
The transparent visor was given a central closure but the most striking feature is that the visor always leaves an air intake. Even when you push the visor all the way down. An ‘auto seal’ system ensures the visor from locking completely to the rubber which makes the motorcycle helmet significantly quieter. Also supplied in the box: a Pinlock® 70-lens, and obviously the class I visor was given an anti-scratch treatment. The patented hinge looks a little like a (French) timepiece and allows you to change visors quicker than you do underpants. And in both cases, without the use of tools.
Enough about the visor, right? But then you discover the integrated sun visor. Again, anti-scratch and anti-fog – the latter is minimalised in a helmet that has a constant air flow – and easy to operate with motorcycle gloves thanks to the central slider at the top. Flipped down, the sun visor just about covers the wind deflector, which allows for a summery (and comfortable) ride with the transparent visor up.
The top and chin ventilation are easy to control: it looks more complex than the two sliders to open and close them. The air stream that enters through the top ventilation is dispensed by the integrated channels in the inner shell. This has been redesigned in the previous version of the Skwal and the pleasant, improved result remained.
The lining – still very comfortable – also remained. Washable, removable, comfortable … Good characteristics that only got better. The cut-outs in the interior make this motorcycle helmet suitable for glasses-wearers as well. The patented way in which the interior is attached – and detached – inside the motorcycle helmet is what allows for the ‘best fit’, which is always preferable in a motorcycle helmet.
The motorcycle helmet is closed with a micrometric closure that can be adjusted very accurately. A wind curtain chin and a well-finished neck rim prevent riding wind and noises to access the motorcycle helmet.
The Skwal i3 has recesses in the inner shell to fit intercom speakers. In the box, the reflective stickers to apply to your helmet required for France are also included.
For maintenance of this helmet, we recommend S100 helmet and visor cleaner for the outside. For cleaning the interior without removing it, you can use S100 helmet interior cleaner. A treatment on the outside of the visor with Rain-X anti-rain spray improves visibility during rain.
Safety above all! Never ride with a scratched or dull visor. Especially at night scratches cause a blinding reflection of streetlights and headlights of oncoming vehicles. This effect is even more pronounced in rainy weather. It is best to replace a scratched or dull visor as soon as possible. Planning a long trip? Then don't forget to take a replacement visor with you. Never ride in the dark with a tinted visor.
