Matrix Helmets

Carbon · 11-07-2008, 12:00 PM

I was at McCulloch Suzuki today and was trying on a few helmets. I've got a long oval shape face and not too many helmets feel comfortable on me with minimal pressure on the forehead. I did come across a Matrix Barracuda that was very comfortable, however, a quick Google search reveals no results. I looked on the back and there were no DOT or Snell standards, but it did have the AS1698 sticker. The helmet sells for about $400.

Just wondering if anyone has had any experience with Matrix helmets, and also how rigorous the AS1698 standard is (if it must satisfy the DOT/Snell/ECE standards).

Cheers.

shan · 11-07-2008, 01:43 PM

Yeo ive got a weird shaped head, and i have a Matrix Barracuda. Its not to bad. Viser is easy to change. Dose tend to fog up a bit. At lights i tend to pull the viser up . Sometimes in traffic i ride with viser up even. Just one click will normaly do to stop any fogging.
The outher thing i find is it gets a bit hot in summer, I have been going through the threds on here trying to decide on a summer helmet.
For the mony , im happy with the matrix.

rod · 11-07-2008, 01:51 PM

There are arguments that Snell demands helmets which are too hard and thus are not so good at the slower speeds which most impacts are at. At the "real world" speeds the Snell helmets don't deform and give slow enough deceleration - so more impact is passed through to the brain. There is a European standard but I can't remember what it's called - there's a post somewhere on PSB I did recently which links to an article on helmet testing.

Carbon · 11-07-2008, 02:30 PM

Thanks Shan. I think I will go in again and try it on - leave it on for a good 5-10 minutes. The only other helmet that has been comfortable was one of the M2R ones, but I can't remember which model it was. How would you compare the fit of the Matrix Barracuda to others that you have worn in the past?

Yeah I have read a bit about the different standards. I think the European standard you are referring to is ECE 22.05?

shan · 11-07-2008, 02:50 PM

This mid priced lid is realy the only comfertable one i have had. Used to use AGV however they changed the padding a faire while ago. Im guessine they did as once they would fit, then they dont. Never felt quite right any how.
I have tried on a couple of Shark models that might fit me boof. If your haveing the same trouble as i always do, Check every product you can.
I do think that comfet is very important ( no distractions ) .

D34N0 · 11-07-2008, 03:18 PM

hey rod I think you might be talking about this one?

Good luck with the lid hunt Carbon

BlackBlade · 11-07-2008, 05:54 PM

I have a Matrix...... and think it is great..... I had to find a light lid, cause the cheap heavy ones put too much strain on my neck ( previous injury ) . Didn't want to spend 1K on a shoei if I could help it. Tried on heaps, then found a Matrix at Kim Britton....and after trying it on ,and finding out the price was under $400..... I chose it :-) Haven't looked back since. I do agree with SHAN ... it does fog a touch...but still happy.

P.S. in fact..... I asked for her best cash price when purchasing , and got $50 off too.... Sure makes me shop there for everything now.

BB

Carbon · 11-07-2008, 07:26 PM

Thanks for the feedback BlackBlade.

I did find the official website for the helmet, although its mostly in Italian - Matrix - Barracuda. And yeah, it didn't even occur to me at the time (I'm new to all this), but it's insanely light at only 1.33kg!