Exclusive SHARK Aeron helmet review: Punk rock looks and performance to match!

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Following hot on the heels of SHARK’s race-ready Aeron GP, the new Aeron is a motorcycle helmet aimed at road riders who want the top-notch quality and performance associated with its range topping stablemate, minus the adaptive aero and MotoGP-qualifying certification.

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It still has plenty in common though, such as the aerodynamic Carbon On View and Aramid shell, quick release visor and Optical Class 1 visor, but at a much more palatable price. I’ve been putting it to the test aboard MCN’s Honda CB1000 Hornet SP long term test bike.

Is the SHARK Aeron comfortable?

The engineers at SHARK designed the Aeron’s interior using the firm’s ‘Best Fit’ technology, which was developed from a database of advanced 3D head scans. I usually wear a size Medium, and the precision with which it sits around my skull is so fine that I felt sure that I’d develop pressure points on longer rides. Thankfully that has not proven to be the case, and I’ve been perfectly comfortable in the Aeron for hours at a time.

Interior padding is on the firm side, but that’s what gives the Aeron such a reassuringly cosseting sensation, along with substantial cheek pads which conform comfortably to the sides of my face. Comfort is further enhanced by the antimicrobial fabric, which allows the Aeron to both slip into place and stay put, with a neutral sensation against the skin.

Weighing in at a claimed 1400g, it’s a light helmet anyway, but combined with the amazingly close fit, it hugs your head in such a way that you’re barely aware that you’re wearing it at all – up to a point. With the optional anti-fog mask fitted as well, I find that a breather from that all-encompassing world becomes necessary after a while, much like when you’re wearing race leathers. That shouldn’t really come as a surprise from a sports focused lid, but worth bearing in mind if you plan to tour in one.

At speed the Aeron cuts through the air with minimal drag, and that’s never more noticeable than on a naked bike, without any interference from a screen or fairing and any turbulence or buffeting that may cause. The spoiler makes it feel stable, which combines with the light weight and interior comfort for an overall sensation of confidence, allowing for unfettered concentration.

How good is the SHARK Aeron visor and is it easy to remove?

The SHARK visor system, as fitted to the both the Aeron and Aeron GP, is hands down the best I have tested on any helmet. The opening is completely stepless, and the friction which keeps it in place can be fine-tuned to suit your preference. It locks on the left-hand side with an easy to find catch that holds it firmly shut against the seal, preventing any invasive drafts or rain.

Removal is easy, requiring a twist of the catches at either side to release the shield, then you simply pull away from the hinges. Installation, as they say, is simply the reverse. I like the fact that retaining/locking mechanism is part of the visor, rather than the helmet-mounted hinge plate. It may only be minimal, but I reckon there’s a bit of weight saving to found with this system.

The Aeron ships with both clear and dark visors, both of which are 4mm thick and Optical Class 1 for clear and undistorted vision. The pink iridium visor in the pics is an optional extra at £113.99, but looks sensational with the uber-jazzy FAWN colourway, and all come with post for tear-offs.

It’s worth noting that there’s no Pinlock insert, and the visors aren’t prepared for one. The Aeron comes with a flexible anti-fog mask, a bit like half a Scuba mouthpiece, that locates in two holes on the inside of the chinbar. It creates an airtight seal around the bridge of your nose, and I’ve had no issues with condensation whatsoever, even when temperatures have dropped to sub-zero. The only slight issue is that it can be uncomfortable with certain types of spectacles.

The aperture itself is sufficiently large for an unhindered view, either on the periphery or when you’re head down in a racing crouch.

Is the SHARK Aeron’s ventilation effective?

Airflow through the Aeron is excellent. The five front intake ports are set in three banks – top, brow and chin, and each of those does a different job. The top pair gulp in air and direct it through two channels per side over the top of the head and out the back, reducing temperatures with a tangible wind-in the-hair effect. Open the twin brow vents and the breeze blasts straight onto your forehead, while the wide opening on the chin bar feeds your own personal intakes by streaming fresh air to your nose and mouth through a replaceable carbon filter.

Is the SHARK Aeron a noisy helmet?

I always ride in earplugs, favouring filtered reusables such as Alpine Motosafe Race or Auritech Biker, and this provides a baseline for noise levels relative to me. For a carbon race lid, I put the Aeron at the quieter end of the scale – there are no localised pockets of turbulent wind roar, but at high speeds I can detect some noise along the sides below the visor, which I suspect is caused by diffusers on the chin bar. It’s not intrusive in any way though.

Does the SHARK Aeron look good?

In the FAWN colourway as tested, the Aeron is the best-looking factory helmet it has ever been my pleasure to test, even beating my prized Nori Haga rep Arai Quantum F or signed candy Tour-X 5. In terms of silhouette, the rounded shell gives it a traditional underpinning, unlike some of the heavily sculpted competition, and the spoiler works seamlessly with the curves to look purposeful without overstating its presence.

But it’s the combination of new wave punk, ‘70s guitar rock, ’80s urban graffiti and ’90s acid house fluo vibes, that really does it for me. And with the pink iridium visor fitted it’s simply jaw-droppingly gorgeous. I have no doubt it will divide opinion, but come on, it’s a race lid in a lairy colour that will go with any naked, super naked or sports bike – what’s not to like?

How good is the build quality of the SHARK Aeron?

From the moment I unboxed the Aeron and slipped it out of its flocked storage bag, I was impressed with the standard of manufacture and attention to detail. From the air vents to the visor mechanism and the well-designed interior it’s a top-class act, and all moving parts have a pleasant ‘hand-feel’ in operation. The deep glossy carbon has a three-dimensional liquid effect, and the wild graphics are flawless.

Details like hidden magnets in the padded section of the chin strap, which gently pull it into position before you buckle up the D rings, further underline the quality, and the whole package just oozes top full factory sumptuousness.

Is The SHARK Aeron good value for money?

In terms of price, the Aeron lines up against the Arai RX-7V, Shoei X-SPR and Bell Race Star DLX, and in SHARK’s range essentially replaces the Race R Pro. At £679.99 (for plain colours) it offers similar levels of performance for the money, and tops the group for the visor system. Build quality, backed up by a five-year warranty, suggests it’ll go the distance, and I’d be happy to put down my own money on the Aeron – if just to get that paintjob.

Verdict

The Aeron is a compact, focused helmet with all the features and functionality required for sporty road or recreational track use. It’s light, comfortable and looks amazing, with a high quality, premium feel to its composite parts – in particular the visor system, which is genuinely a thing of joy. For my 100-mile round trip to the office on a naked litre bike you’d be hard pushed to get me in anything else at the moment, not least because I’m besotted with that livery. It may not be as practical as an all-rounder, but then neither are the kind of bikes you’d ride in it.

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