X-lite 803 Carbon or Suomy SR-GP?

[AceOfHearts]

I'm unfortunately in need of a new helmet. It will be my only on road full face helmet and also used for track days. I love my old Suomy, with my only criticism being I find the chin bar quite close, although it is super snug and really comfortable, and I like the brand having had a few in the past.

There is a good deal online for the Dovi replica Suomy SR-GT (which is their newest top of the range model) but can't find many reviews online.

Alternatively i can save £100 and look at the X-Lite 803 Carbon which i don't know a lot about, but understand it gets good reviews. Obviously not being able to try things on at the moment makes shopping a bit of a pain. I generally have an Arai / Suomy shaped head. Have always been a Medium size in any helmet I have bought.

Or are there any other thoughts or recommendations? I know its a personal thing helmet shopping but always good to get other peoples input

[Das speck]

I’ve got the 802rr and the chin bar is quite close which I don’t like.

I tried the 803rr in the shop just because it was on the shelf and looks like to has more space.

It did but it felt heavier at the front which I didn’t like so I am now happy with the helmets I’ve got.

[AceOfHearts]

[norlio]

I’ve got the X-lite 802RR carbon version and really rate it. I would say that when I first got it the chin bar did seem quite close compared to the Bell I was using before, but it’s now not an issue. I don’t know if it’s something I just got used to, or it wasn’t that bad after all. The vents on the front top, on the left and right are crap though, they just create a shedload of wind noise. I can’t comment on whether they improve airflow as the wind noise was unbearable, even with earplugs.

Don’t know anything about the Suomy.

[airsafari87]

It would come down to the flip of a coin for me based in the 2 your posted up. I like them both.

I'm a Shoei / AGV shaped head and find that X-Lites don't fit me very well which is a shame as I love some of their helmets.

I'm also a big fan of some of the Bell helmets, but again they seem to fall in to the Arai / X-Lite shape so are no good for me, but I do like their Race Star series of helmets so they may be an alternative for you to take a look at??

No idea about Suomy's newer offerings but I did have one of their helmets some 20 odd years ago and was a decent piece of kit.

[SteveS Cup]

I was between the Arai RX7 or the X Lite, if you have an Arai shaped head the X Lite will be perfect. I love the AGV helmets and even had one as my first helmet but after trying a lot of helmets I realised it wasn’t for me.

The 803 isn’t as compact as the Arai but the chin bar is still close.

It was the carbon / paint scheme / not as common that sold it to me.

Stunning helmet, comes with a dark visor, bigger breath guard that is rubber so flexible which I use, different rear spoiler option.

So comfortable and very light.

[Wildfire]

I recently tried on the X-Lite with a view to a new helmet and it was really nice.

Very light, and felt small on the head. Bonus that you get the dark visor included!

The only reason I didn't get it was I managed to source a X-Spirit 3 Kagyama for a good price and I already have an X-Spirit, so know that it fits etc.

[AceOfHearts]

airsafari87 said:

It would come down to the flip of a coin for me based in the 2 your posted up. I like them both.

I'm a Shoei / AGV shaped head and find that X-Lites don't fit me very well which is a shame as I love some of their helmets.

I'm also a big fan of some of the Bell helmets, but again they seem to fall in to the Arai / X-Lite shape so are no good for me, but I do like their Race Star series of helmets so they may be an alternative for you to take a look at??

No idea about Suomy's newer offerings but I did have one of their helmets some 20 odd years ago and was a decent piece of kit.

Arai fit me well, and my 'spare' helmet is one of the cheaper Bell so maybe X-Lite will fit me OK. Helmet city offer 30 day returns as long as they are new and unused so I might take the plunge on the X-Lite to see how it fits. At £275 it seems like a lot of helmet for the money

[AceOfHearts]

Wildfire said:

I recently tried on the X-Lite with a view to a new helmet and it was really nice.

Very light, and felt small on the head. Bonus that you get the dark visor included!

The only reason I didn't get it was I managed to source a X-Spirit 3 Kagyama for a good price and I already have an X-Spirit, so know that it fits etc.

If these come with the dark visor included that will seal the deal

I have sent them a mail to confirm before i place the order. Suomy visors are nearly £100 so make it a lot more expensive

ETA i am now wondering is Helmet City have got their ebay listing incorrect, as it shows a carbon shell in the picture and description reads 'ultra carbon', but on their website the same price is for the non- carbon scratched chrome model

Edited by AceOfHearts on Tuesday 19th May 14:30

[SteveS Cup]

£275 for the carbon model is silly cheap.

I got mine for £460 when they had 20% off for Easter. Was supposed to be £570.

Mine is the RS model though.

[AceOfHearts]

SteveS Cup said:

£275 for the carbon model is silly cheap.

I got mine for £460 when they had 20% off for Easter. Was supposed to be £570.

Mine is the RS model though.

Ive just edited above, I think they may have listed it incorrectly

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/401916190855

[airsafari87]

AceOfHearts said:

If these come with the dark visor included that will seal the deal

Edited by AceOfHearts on Tuesday 19th May 14:30

Do they do photochromatic / transition visors for these?

I've had one fitted to my Shoei for a few years now and it's the best biking thing I have ever bought. Not cheap mind, but worth every penny in my opinion.

[SteveS Cup]

AceOfHearts said:

Ive just edited above, I think they may have listed it incorrectly

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/401916190855

Just order it through eBay? That’s a bargain.

[AdamIndy]

I recently bought an xlite x803. I was using an Arai RX7 Corsair beforehand.

The xlite isn’t as nicely made as the Arai but the equivalent Arai was the guts of £500 dearer, I couldn’t justify that.

The xlite is very light as most carbon lids are. Nicely packaged and fits me very well. It came with a dark visor, a pinlock and a larger breathe guard in the box too which is a nice touch.

I paid under £300 for mine from Farnham Honda which was a steal considering the same helmet was £479 in helmet city.

I did try a bell racestar, an hjc and shoei but the xlite fitted me better so that’s what I went with. Haven’t been able to use it yet though.

[AceOfHearts]

The thing about helmet city is if I order, i expect I would receive the non carbon 'scratched chrome' finish helmet which is what is advertised on their own site. And then go through the faff of returning it and finding something else. I have emailed them to confirm what the ebay listing is actually for

https://www.helmetcity.co.uk/x-lite-x-803-l-camier...

The Suomy SR-GP is their top of the line carbon helmet with an RRP over £700, and I have found for £420 delivered from a Ducati dealer stock clearance. I think I am talking myself more into the Suomy now

https://www.fc-moto.de/epages/fcm.sf/en_GB/?Object...

[Cheeses of Nazareth]

Which one fits best ?

I have never bought a helmet online.

[Wildfire]

AceOfHearts said:

The thing about helmet city is if I order, i expect I would receive the non carbon 'scratched chrome' finish helmet which is what is advertised on their own site. And then go through the faff of returning it and finding something else. I have emailed them to confirm what the ebay listing is actually for

https://www.helmetcity.co.uk/x-lite-x-803-l-camier...

The Suomy SR-GP is their top of the line carbon helmet with an RRP over £700, and I have found for £420 delivered from a Ducati dealer stock clearance. I think I am talking myself more into the Suomy now

https://www.fc-moto.de/epages/fcm.sf/en_GB/?Object...

The Tatsfield branch is near me and they are always helpful.

Maybe give them a ring. if they are doing mail order they should be answering the phone.

[AceOfHearts]

Wildfire said:

The Tatsfield branch is near me and they are always helpful.

Maybe give them a ring. if they are doing mail order they should be answering the phone.

I tried but closed on Tuesdays unfortunately, so will have to wait until tomorrow.

[AceOfHearts]

Cheeses of Nazareth said:

Which one fits best ?

I have never bought a helmet online.

Me neither but needs must when we aren't allowed to go to the shops! Helmet City has 30 day returns as long as the helmet is unused (sticker on visor etc), and my current helmet is a Suomy of the same size which fits like a glove, so that one would just be a bit of a gamble as its non-returnable.

I'll see what helmet city says in the morning about the X-Lite but I am shifting more towards the Suomy as a more premium model for a bit extra money.

If the X-Lite is indeed the Ultra Carbon as advertised and comes with the tinted visor I will go for that though I think

[mak]

Cracking lid the 803, be warned its quiet draughty making it a bit chilly in winter. I'm one of the unfortunate ones that paid over 500 without a tinted visor I while back. You need to try it on for fit though.