OK, after having my current helmet for 5y I have been looking for a replacement. I was really turned on to the AGV XR2 and actually found a shop that had one, would let me try one on and ride with it. I could have taken it for $399 out the door. It fit simular to my Shoei RF900 but with larger ear openings. The procedure for changing the shield was comprable to my Shoei and it fogged up just about as much (not much, but enough to notice).

After the ride with the AGV the shop offered me a Suomy Spec 1R to try out. First thing I noticed...it fit like it was molded for my head. No lie. I wear a Med in Shoei and AGV, they both fit nice, but not like this Suomy. Every part of my head is cradeled. I have normally had a problem fitting a helmet correctly as I am between a Sm and Med. A small will give me a headache... The Suomy seems to just run a little smaller than most so the Med fits perfect.

Also, EVERY pad in the helmet is replacable to give a truly custom fit. Need a little more area around the cheeks? Put a smaller cheak pad in. Is it tight in the forehead? Smaller foread pad.

Second thing I imediately noticed...you can NOT get this thing to fog at ALL. Even blowing hot ass breath directly at the shield has no effect...mainly because it has a built in breath guard. Plus it has an exhaust vent for your stinky breath...nice.

The helmet isn't noticeably lighter than my Shoei at first, but wear it for a while and you will see the difference. Buffeting is of no problem and venting is EXCELENT. The movement of the visor is actually smooth, not notchy like every other helmet.

Now the downsides. This thing vents...mondo air movement here. For me in Texas weather it is great, although in a colder environment you might have a chilly head. It is still quiter than my Shoei because of the ear pads. The worst part about the lid is the way you change shields...simply too hard. Common Suomy, fix this.

Once I got back from my ride I couldn't even think of putting on another helmet. I went to the store with a budget of $400 (AGV XR2, Shoei RF1000 territory) and this helmet was marked at $600. The guy actually marked it down to $450 for me and I snatched it up.

So here I am typing this in my new Spec 1R (yes, I am wearing it at the computer...gotta break the padding in) and I am TRYING to get this thing to fog up. This is by far the single best helmet that has ever graced my rock.

(I excluded Arai from testing as the helmets don't fit my head right...they all felt wrong)

[EDIT] I also tried on the top of the line Icon...it fit like...like trying to put my round head in a square helmet. But they do look nice. I also tried on a KBC and HJC top of the line and they fit just as horribly as the Icon.

It's all about head shape and size.

I do appreciate the detailed summary. Not offen do you get good objective reviews of gear.
-thx

In my Arai's and Shoei's when the weather gets too cold and wet I like to get foam ear plugs and insert them into the holes from the inside. Just make sure that holes are big enough so you remove them while on a ride. I dont know what your vents look like or if you can get to them! My dads XR2 has triangle shaped, but in my Rossi XR2 they are covered. I'm loking for some stiff form to trim to fit! We'll see. By the way my Arai RX-7RR4 went from being my loud to being very quite with the insert of about eight plugs. Use new ear plugs! You don't whant to use ear wax as an extra layer of gel on your hair do ya!!

Sory four tha speling. I suc, but am I a oily rag!!! :P