Product review: Shark X16 ATV/ROV helmet

The research is clear: 30 per cent of ATV/SSV fatalities in this country could have been prevented had the rider been wearing a helmet, but still a large proportion of utility and recreational off-road vehicle (ROV) users eschew the major safety benefits a helmet represents.

Why? Well, in the case of farmers it's often because helmets are viewed as hot and cumbersome to wear, while traditional helmets also obstruct hearing – an important aspect when a cockie needs to hear his herd.

In the case of kids it's often ill-informed parents who are to blame, while SSV (side-by-side vehicle) users may succumb to thinking that a roll cage and safety harness will prevent injury in the event of a spill. Truth is, smacking an unprotected head against a steel bar is often worse than smacking it on the ground…

Innovative thinking
So perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of Shark's new ATV/SSV helmet is the fact it's simply taken this long to arrive – it falls firmly into the category of, 'Why didn't we think of that?' Regardless, the world's first fully certified ATV/SSV lid is here – certified to the ECE 22-05 standard – and it comprehensively addresses all the major issues.

A product of collaboration between Yamaha, the Australian and New Zealand ATV/SSV industries, and French helmet maker Shark, the Shark X16 ATV ROV helmet – to give it its formal name – debuted in Australia in August last year at the giant AgQuip farm expo in Gunnedah, NSW.

More recently, the helmet was provided for use at the launch of the new Yamaha Kodiak 450 ATV, where it impressed on multiple fronts.

Firstly, it's light – in fact it weighs in at just 1200 grams. This means less strain on head and neck muscle and less fatigue, which is important in itself because fatigue is a major influencing factor in ATV/SSV accidents, especially for farmers who regularly face long stints in the saddle.

The design of the composite fibre shell sees four different foam densities employed to deliver maximum protection while accommodating the six large ventilation holes.

The design affords a wide field of vision and the buckle is a super-simple and effective ratchet system that can be done up or undone in a flash, even when wearing gloves.

And because it's certified to ECE 22-05, you can trust it will protect you even at road-legal limits, and not just during low-speed work.

Maximum ventilation
The lining is removable and washable and the lid features two sizeable ventilation channels down each side of the top of the helmet, which can also be easily opened or closed with gloves. The ventilation seems pretty effective too, even though the typical speeds associated with ATV/SSV use are generally lower than those for regular motorcycles.

The ear pods are perforated to maintain hearing quality and this works a treat: we had no trouble at all hearing the pre-ride briefing delivered by the Yamaha ATV/SSV Safety Institute trainers.

The helmet comes with a peak that's easily detachable via three press studs and the design readily accepts sunglasses, if that's your preference over full goggles. I opted for the latter – a good move, I later found out, given the deep bog holes and thick dust I was about to encounter…

The helmet is also Bluetooth ready for those who need to keep in touch or who like to listen to music while they go about their day.

While the basic helmet can be purchased for $249.95, it's also available in four 'utility options' to suit various applications. There's a Dust Pack with breathing filter, a Noise Pack with ear pod inserts for noise reduction, a Fly Pack with insect screen and a Sun Pack with peak extension and neck flap.

Summing up
After a full day of riding the Yamaha Kodiak 450 it was clear the Shark X16 helmet lived up to all its maker's claims. You wouldn't think of hopping on a motorcycle without a helmet in this country and for riding an ATV or SSV it shouldn't be any different. And now there's a fully certified, cool, practical and affordable option just for ATV and SSV riders, there's no excuse at all to needlessly put your safety – and possibly your life – at risk.

Contact Ficeda Accessories (www.ficeda.com.au) to find your nearest stockist.

Shark X16 ATV/ROV helmet
Sizes: XS to XXL
Colours: Various
RRP: $249.95
Web: www.ficeda.com.au