Shark Race-R Pro GP FIM review | Emma Franklin's verdict after 3500 miles with this quiet racer

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Shark have been making motorcycle lids since 1989. Initially very popular in their native France, Shark started to branch out to other markets in the late 90s and early 2000s. In 2019, the Shark Race-R Pro GP FIM was launched in response to the FIM (motorcycle racing’s governing body) mandating that all competitors in world championship road racing classes wear an FIM-homologated helmet from June 2019 onwards.

This meant that all lids used in WSBK, MotoGP and their respective support classes must be tested to the FIM’s own stringent safety standard – FRHPhe-01 – in addition to the usual type-approval for road use (ECE 22.06, Snell, JIS etc).

The tests for the FIM standard include the same linear and oblique impact tests as the road-going standard (in fact the FIM standard pioneered the oblique impact test that is now part of ECE 22.06, to test for rotational force transfer, known to be the leading cause of brain injury in motorcycle accidents). However, the FIM tests take place at higher impact speeds while still demanding that 275g of impact force or less be transferred to the head. The standard also includes a test for shell penetration.

Therefore FIM-approved lids meet the highest global standard for motorcycle helmets currently available, and although intended for race use, they are legal to wear on the road as they have already been type approved to their respective regional standard.

Comfort

Back in the day, we’re talking 15 years ago or so, I literally couldn’t wear Shark helmets. There was something about their fit that didn’t, well, err, fit with my head. Even a short ride would leave me with unbearable pain and a big red mark across my forehead. And it’s not just because I have an odd-shaped head either (at least, I hope I don’t…), several of my colleagues on MCN experienced exactly the same problem!

But at some point along the way, something changed in terms of Shark’s internal shape because after being convinced to give the brand another go with this range-topping Race-R Pro GP FIM back in 2021, and also more recently with a 2023 Spartan RS, I now find the French firm’s fit to be all-day comfortable.

With a thick, padded ‘whisper strip’ around the head opening, it is a bit of a squeeze getting the Race-R Pro GP FIM on to your head. Once on, the snug fit continues with the plush, sumptuous cheek pads providing firm contact with your face.

Once my head’s inside, I physically have to pull the helmet forward to ensure the rear of my skull goes deep enough into the back of the lid in order to ensure I have enough room to close my mouth without risking biting the insides of my cheeks. Although this doesn’t sound particularly comfortable, I can happily wear the Race-R Pro GP all day on the road without it causing me any discomfort, and I personally find the snug fit extremely reassuring.

The interior material itself feels technical without being too harsh against your skin. The hexagon-patterned Alveotech lining wicks away sweat extremely well, and doesn’t seem to retain moisture after sweaty track sessions, meaning it feels dry when you next put it on. Even after 3500 it still looks (and smells) as good as new, thanks to its antibacterial qualities and the fact it’s fully removable and machine washable.

Visor

Shark visors have always been reassuringly thick, and the pair (clear and dark) that come with the Race-R Pro GP FIM are no different. The visors are 4.2mm thick at their thickest part (the middle), tapering down to 2.8mm at the edges, and boast Optical Class 1 rating, which means there’s no optical distortion through the visor whether you look through the thickest part in the middle, or through the thinner sides, preventing eye fatigue during long rides.

Although there’s no provision for a Pinlock, both visors have been treated with an anti-fog coating that works well, as mist seems to disappear almost as quickly as it forms. Although this is not as good as a Pinlock which do not mist up at all.

The visor-release mechanism is one of the best around – simple to use and allows for extremely fast visor swaps, we’re talking less than 30 seconds to change a visor – and without the need for an engineering degree to figure it out, either. The mechanism also holds the visor ajar via friction, allowing you to open it at whatever height you choose. The visor locks shut via a single pop stud on the left-hand side of the shield, although it does require two hands to open and close so can’t safely be done on the move.

Whilst it’s great that this lid comes with a dark visor (I should hope so given the price!), being so thick makes the Shark tinted visor extremely dark and meaning it is only useful on very bright, sunny days – very rare here in Britain!

Ventilation

There are four toggleable vents; two on the top, one in the centre of the brow and one at the chin. They’re all really easy to open/close with gloved hands (the brow and top vents are either open or closed) and toggling them provides a noticeable amount of air flow.

Meanwhile the three-position (open, halfway, closed) chin vent is very effective at targeting air towards the mouth and visor – and there’s an added bonus courtesy of the small built-in, replaceable pollution filter behind the chin vent – I don’t know how effective it is or exactly what pollution it prevents you from breathing in, but after 3500 miles of use, the once pristine white filter is noticeably tinged grey so must’ve trapped something or other.

The Race-R Pro GP also comes with a standard snap-in breath guard that clips into the front of the visor opening, as well as a rubber racing breath guard which fastens via pop studs beneath the internal padding.

Noise

The quietest race lid I’ve ever worn! I’ve been a life-long Shoei X-Spirit wearer and, despite always riding with earplugs, long days wearing the Shoei always leave my ears and brain feeling slightly battered. The Shark, on the other hand, is wonderfully quiet.

Whether that’s down to the unfussy, rounded shell shape with minimalistic visor mechanism, or the fact that it has a whacking great big whisper strip and chin curtain around the base, or indeed because there are specific ear-shaped memory foam pads on the inside that help muffle sound. It’s probably a combination of all these things – but it’s a refreshingly unique characteristic for a race lid, and means that it’s my go-to choice for long rides on sportsbikes.

Looks

With that gorgeous COVA RS (carbon on view & aramid racing shell) construction and its rounded traditional shape, the Shark Race-R Pro GP looks aggressive and stylish without being too over the top. The aerodynamic ‘Shark fin’ spoiler, on the other hand, does look like an afterthought – just a stick-on extra – whereas most other rival FIM-spec lids feature spoilers that are more integrated into the design.

But for trackday riders and racers, it looks the part – and, while I can’t say definitively how it affects aerodynamics, the helmet does seem very stable at high speeds.

Quality

Like all Shark helmets, the quality of the materials and build is absolutely first class. The carbon-fibre woven outer shell simply looks immaculate, with not a strand out of place.

Likewise, everything from the lining to the laser-etched logos on the whisper strip, to the anodised red double d-rings scream premium. The only thing that lets it down is the chin vent – which looks and feels flimsy in comparison to the rest of the helmet. And Shark certainly have confidence in their quality, too, as there’s a five-year warranty backing it up.

Despite the Race-R Pro GP being unashamedly for racing, Shark have given concession to touring riders too, by allowing provision for Shark’s own Sharktooth intercom system.

Value

At £999.99 you are absolutely paying a premium for that FIM homologation, and the Shark Race-R Pro GP FIM is one of the more expensive of all the FIM-approved lids currently available, only the AGV Pista GP-RR (£1099.99) and Bell Pro Star FIM (£1199.99) sit above it in terms of RRP.

When you consider that – snazzy spoiler and FIM approval aside – a lot of the Race-R Pro GP FIM’s features are shared with the now discontinued Race-R Pro (itself a carbon-composite shelled lid boasting a Sharp 5-star safety rating) which can still be picked up online for around £400, it makes it appear even more expensive – even if the top-spec Shark does come with a racing service carry bag and additional dark visor as standard.

For those who really want or need an FIM-approved lid but don’t want to shell out £1000, there’s Shoei’s X-SPR Pro from £699.99 or there’s the LS2 Thunder Carbon GP Pro FIM for £574.99. Currently, the FIM-approved Shark is being discounted to £799.88 (in limited sizes) at Sportsbikeshop.co.uk

Verdict

A beautifully made and reassuringly safe lid, the Shark Race-R Pro GP FIM is a stunning piece of kit. Although the jury’s out on both the effectiveness and styling of the huge duck-bill spoiler, it certainly sets this lid apart as a top-spec, racing item.

I just can’t reconcile with the price – even though it is currently on offer at Sportsbikeshop.co.uk for £799.88, it seems you are paying a premium for that FIM homologation and the additional protection it may bring.

That said, it looks like Shark’s top-spec racing lids are priced very high anyway, as the latest ECE 22.06-certificed Race-R Pro GP 06 and new-for-2024 Aeron Pro with adaptive aero spoiler, retail for £999.99 and £949.99 respectively.

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