I was in the market for a new lid, and had interest in two lesser seen options. Given that, I ordered both to try, planning to return the one I preferred less. While in hand, I thought I'd take the time to share my thoughts, as I figure I'm not the only one interested in these helmets... Vemar VRX9 vs. Suomy Mr. Jump Never having owned either brand, I liked them both (in print), but the reviews of each are limited. For some background on me (or at least my head), I've owned several Bell Moto 8s' and Troy Lee Airs. They both fit my head shape well, and the sizing seems consistent between them. My comparisons of these two new ones are based on what I've known from the Bell and Troy Lee.... To my eye, both of these helmets have a stylish shape. Both have venting and internal channels FAR more substantial than either the Bell or Troy Lee. Of note: I chose these two colors based on what would look best on my Husky. It just turns out that I preferred the plain white of the Vemar over the other Vemar graphics. As pictured, these are both $350ish. Had the Vemar had graphics, it would be $100 higher. Both of these run true to size large. Both have a nice head shape, and had I ordered either alone, I would like the fit enough to keep. The Suomy feels a tiny bit narrow if anything, but I'm picking at straws. The Vemar has a great shape, but something's a tiny bit strange at the ears. It's as if the ear pockets are a fraction too far back, and slightly press the front of my ears. Not at all in a way that particularly bothers me, but enough to speak of... There is a pretty big size gap externally between these two, but the Vemar neither strikes you as a big shell, nor the Suomy as a small shell, and only becomes apparent when placed side by side. Both visors have plenty of range in adjustment, however the Vemar has more visor, and I would assume it would offer more protection should a bunch of roost be headed your way. I noticed the back corners of both helmets tried to grab my goggle strap when removing them, something I've never noticed on any prior helmet I've owned. Both interiors are well made. The Vemar seems a bit thicker padded, the Suomy a bit less. The Suomy looks a bit fancier for what that's worth. Comfort is a draw. The eye port of the Vemar is a bit larger, though I have no issue with goggle fitment on the Suomy either. Chin bar to face spacing is similar. A bit further away than my Troy Lee, but not excessively so... I don't at all consider my Troy Lee to be heavy, but the Vemar is lighter, and the Suomy so light it's simply amazing... Fit and finish seems great on each. Maybe the Vemar seems a bit better in that regard, but maybe it's because the Suomy is so ridiculously light it makes the Vemar seem more solid. Both come with helmet bags only. The Vemar bag is a nicer bag, but I don't buy helmets for the bag. Which will I keep? I'd be happy with either for sure. In a race this tight, I just can't get past the fact the Suomy weighs about the same as a heavy toboggan, so I think I'll go that route...
Suomy is a very good product, they all are (Italian made helmets), but for me VEtroresine MARemmane would be my choice or if you want a ultra light Italian made helmet try AIROH
www.motorcyclesuperstore.com $350(ish). The Suomy is the same weight as the best Airhoh, and less common around here. I'm just that way. When the whole world had a Nitendo, I wanted a Sega....
I tried on a Suomy, felt very lite, did not care for the interior, felt like some hard foam was poking at my head in a few places, not sure what it was I have always wanted to try a Vemar, but no local distributors to try it on, and didn't want to deal with receiving/shipping it if didn't fit right. The Vemar stood out to me after reading a DB mag product test of it. I need to replace my full dirt helmet which is a THH (dont laugh, it fits so good), I definitely would get another THH, but now need to tory the Vemar How is the the length on the buckle strap? My THH, and now my XD4 have a really short buckle strap. Hope the Vemar is not like that.
I have the Vemar and it didn't hold up well at all. I have the Airoh Aviator and it is 10 times the helmet the Vemar is
Both straps are fine. How so did your Vemar fail? Although I'm not keeping it, it seems VERY well built, and what reviews I've seen are fantastic...
I have the suomy, in all white. Love the fit and the weight is oh so light. It is my favorite for long races because it is nice and light. Before that I had a Shoei VFX, I think, what ever the best shoei was in 2010. It is hanging on the wall with a broken chin bar, yeah that crash sucked. My trail beater is now a bell Moto 9, I won it on a group ride the Bell rep put on this summer. It is a killer helmet, really like the fit and magnet chin pads are a cool feature. If it were as light as the Suomy I think it may take the nod. But it is not, so the Suomy is my favorite helmet so far. All that said, a couple friends have Airoh's they are lighter than the Suomy. Not a lot lighter but enough to notice, not worth the extra $200 on top of what is already an expensive helmet in my opinion. Later,
Haha, was waiting for that, was stuffing my face with my second pulled pork sandwich. Back to the garage in a few. Later,
I have the Suomy Jump model & really like it. The physically smaller size helps when combined with my Leatt brace, doesn't interfere like my previous Thor Quadrant, which was much larger.
Just got a Suomy. Fits my head perfectly. Very comfortable, but the best thing about it is how lightweight it is.
Nice review! After > ~6 hrs riding in a single day, I get neck pain from my helmets due to their weight I think. I'm getting close to ROTH IRA money release time and I'm thinking an expensive helmet that is low weight is the way to go help this pain. This Suomy helmet looks and sounds like it might be what I need. -- Another thing you might wanna compare is how easy are the inner pieces to take out for cleaning AND can they be removed over and over and still be held in-place, inside the helmet.
this is always a pain to do and the more you do it the less good they fit. I dont take them out any more. I simple green or other mild cleaner spray the inside, wipe it around really good and garden hose the helmet out intact. Then put the helmet in front of the forced air heater and I;m done. Works great, it is clean and I dont have to take it apart.
I consider the light weight helmet (mine AIROH @1000grams) one of my secret weapons for reducing fatigue (along with a bunch of other tricks), going light is a real eye opener, especially on those longer days of racing/riding.
I finally met someone with a Airoh. He runs the same size he does with other helmets. He said it is the best ventilating helmet he's ever worn. Just picking the thing up it was light, it's now on my list for new gear I need to have I don't know much about Vemar except that their claim to fame in the street bikes helmets was a carbon fiber helmet. Suomy's for street were really well known, I just never went with one. Check out a Airoh review on www.singletracksyndicate.com
