Vemar Sharki Hands-On Review


Vemar Sharki Modular Helmet

The Breakdown

Vemar’s Sharki is a great sub-$200 helmet. Despite some minor cosmetic misses, the Sharki is a comfortable, relatively lightweight, and well-equipped package that offers a lot of value. Those looking for an affordable modular at this price point would do well to give the Sharki a good look.
Overall
Pros
Comfortable; Solid movement for both the chinbar and internal sun shield; Snug fit that doesn’t impede your ability to wear glasses if needed; Good looking; Surprisingly quiet; VKS system provides good airflow that keeps you cool and prevents fogging
Cons
Minor cosmetic blemishes

Someone looking for a modular helmet in the $200 range has several options. Notable price comparable helmets in the space include the Scorpion GT920, HJC IS-Max 2, and Bell Revolver EVO. Among them is the Vemar Sharki, a feature-rich modular with solid fundamentals and strong value.

Over the years, Rick, Bruce, and others have covered Vemar helmets pretty well. See more Vemar helmet reviews here.

As with prior Vemar helmets WBW has reviewed, the Sharki gives a lot for not a lot. $200 is a great price point that makes it very attractive to value-conscious buyers, and those buyers will find that the Sharki doesn’t leave much on the table despite the low price.

The Sharki is designed to meet the ECE 22.05 standard and is DOT certified.

The helmet I have here is the “Hive” colorway with a glossy finish, and I have to say that between the black and yellow scheme and the hexagonal graphics, it reminds me of “Bumblebee” from the Transformers movies. That’s not a bad thing- I think this helmet looks badass.

Note: image photo gallery at the bottom of the review. Enjoy.

A Brief Introduction to Vemar Helmets

Vemar isn’t a household name in the motorcycling space like Arai and Shoei are, so if you’re reading this thinking “who the heck is Vemar”, I don’t blame you. However, they aren’t the new kids on the block- not by a long shot.

Vemar Helmets, as it is today, came to be in 1992. However, the helmet making division of Vemar – an Italian fiberglass container manufacturer – was established in 1987. With more than 31 years in the space, you can feel confident knowing that Vemar knows a thing or two.

Vemar plays in the value-brand space, following a strategy of providing superior features and qualities at the price points they compete in. As WBW has found in the past, this strategy has worked out well for them.

Exterior Appearance & Finishing

Vemar Sharki Modular Helmet

Smooth lines with subtle accents give the Sharki a sporty appearance without looking too aggressive. Earlier I labeled its looks as “badass”, though not because it’s got scoops and fins a’plenty (it clearly doesn’t), but because it blends what I feel is a timeless shape with a slick looking graphics package.

Vemar Sharki Modular Helmet

The combination of black, yellow, and grey tones elevates its look. The hexagonal graphics are pleasing to the eye and applied well, conveying a sense of depth that doesn’t actually exist. It’s a great effect.

Colorways

This particular colorway is a little polarizing – yellow will do that – but you can have the Sharki in numerous configurations, including both glossy and matte finishes.

Vemar Sharki Modular Helmet

Personally, I’d go for a matt version of the red “Hive” colorway if I could do it all again.

Finishing Quality

For the most part, the Sharki is finished to acceptable standards and looks good. It certainly does from a distance, and it isn’t until you get up close (and nitpicky, as you might be when doing a review, for example…) that you’ll find a few – and only a few – cosmetic flaws.

Vemar Sharki Modular Helmet

It’s hard to see in the above photo, but the angles of the Vemar logo and DOT designation are at slightly different angles.

Vemar Sharki Modular Helmet

This misalignment is so minor that my pointing it out is less of a complaint and more of a “I guess it’s my job to do this” type of observation. I personally only noticed it after combing the helmet inside and out in preparation for this review.

Vemar Sharki Modular Helmet

The same situation also exists with the front logo graphic which, again, is at a slight angle relative to the lines of the visor.

Vemar Sharki Modular Helmet

This one is somewhat more noticeable, and once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it.

Vemar Sharki Modular Helmet

Lastly, with the visor up I noticed three small folds in the graphic application right at the lip between the graphic and visor cutout. This one is difficult to see, but again, it is there.

Aside from those 3 blemishes, the aesthetic quality is otherwise good. As previously mentioned, the quality of the hexagonal graphics and side branding is high and looks great.

Unless you’re a stickler for perfection, the Vemar Sharki looks great. And, if you are a stickler for perfection, what are you doing shopping for a $200 helmet? Few in this range will deliver on that standard.

Comfort

At 3.81lbs, the Sharki is neither heavy or light. It slots in at #81 on our helmet by weight list, knocking the SCHUBERTH S2 down one slot to #82. Note that I have not yet added the Sharki to the list but will do so soon.

In my estimation, the Sharki is an intermediate oval shape.

Vemar Sharki Modular Helmet

Above is my fellow Canadian, Jim Pruner (who actually rides in the snow), sporting the Sharki and his recently reviewed Siima Sibirsky Super Adventure Riding Jacket. Jim’s my model of the day since I haven’t got a photo of my ugly mug wearing it.

The cheek pads press slightly against my jawline, but not uncomfortably so. Enough that the helmet feels secure. Side to side movement feels snug, with no unexpected shaking, as does front to back movement.

What I have here is a size large (23.2 – 23.6in / 59 – 60cm) and it fits me well. Check out Vemar’s sizing guide on MotoSport.com.

Airflow

Vemar Sharki Modular Helmet

On the front of the helmet is a chinbar air intake and two pop-open vents on the left/right side of the top.

Vemar Sharki Modular Helmet

There are two exhaust vents at the rear of the helmet. Combined with the other vents, this makes up the Vemar Klima System (KVS) that is supposed to provide superior airflow and cooling. While I can’t objectively measure whether or not the KVS lives up to its claims (I don’t have a wind tunnel, after all), I can tell you that airflow is indeed quite good.

Visor fog is also minimal, save for when you’re standing still. Excellent airflow, and the integrated breath deflector, work well together to achieve this result.

Ergonomics & Field of View

The visor opening is quite large and does not obstruct. I have no issues enjoying a wide field of vision. Thanks to its relatively light weight, it also is not a chore to look around and enjoy the scenery.

Integrated Sun Visor

Vemar Sharki Modular Helmet

As Jim so handsomely demonstrates, the integrated sun visor is quite large. When fully deployed, it covers the top 8/10’s of my vision, leaving only a small area at the bottom of my field of view without tint. However, it covers 100% of my effective field of vision- everywhere I’m looking is tinted.

Operation of the visor is smooth and precise using the left-side mounted slider. The visor can be partially or completely opened, and stays securely in place wherever you set it.

Integrated Functions

The Sharki comes with a scratch-resistant clear visor, though you can purchase tinted visors as well. The visor is Pinlock MaxVision and is swappable. It detaches easily- simply pull the tab underneath the connection point and the visor pops right off.

Vemar Sharki Modular Helmet

The removable lining is washable (as you’d expect) and is easy enough to get in/out.

Like most modern helmets, the Sharki also comes with easy intercom integration. Vemar has it labeled for the VCS com system, but it’s a universal mount and most com systems will integrate. Certainly, modern com systems from SENA/Cardo/etc. will integrate just fine (though I have not tested this).

The chinbar is also removable should you want some open-faced riding time, not that I recommend it.

A few other line-items on the spec sheet:

  • Visor lock (located on the right side of the visor area)
  • Made from R-3P thermo-polymers
  • D-ring buckle with microlock

In Conclusion

Having spent 8 weeks with the Sharki, I feel that I’ve come to know the helmet well enough to have an informed opinion. It’s objectively good, yes, and it’s low price point makes it all the better.

Despite minor aesthetic misses, the helmet itself is largely a hit. It’s comfortable to wear, kitted out with the functionality that most riders expect from a modern helmet, and looks great to boot. The Sharki comes with everything you need, including a five year warranty. I wouldn’t let minor graphical blemishes deter you from this excellent helmet.

Pros

  • Comfortable
  • Solid movement for both the chinbar and internal sunshield
  • Snug fit that doesn’t impede your ability to wear glasses if needed
  • Good looking
  • Surprisingly quiet
  • VKS system provides good airflow that keeps you cool and prevents fogging

Cons

  • Minor cosmetic blemishes

Specs

  • Manufacturer: Vemar Helmets
  • Price (When Tested): MSRP = $199
  • Where to Buy: MotoSport.com / Amazon
  • Made In: China
  • Alternative models & colors: Matt/glossy finishes – red, black, yellow, white
  • Sizes: XS – XXL
  • Review Date: April 27, 2018

 

High-Resolution Photo Gallery

11 Comments

  1. gary kendall
    April 30, 2018
    Reply

    Hi Cameron, good review of the Vemar, but head shape is left out, and if I’m going to buy online that’s important to know. also where is it on sale for 112 bucks? thank you, Gary.

    • April 30, 2018
      Reply

      Hi Gary,

      Thank you for pointing out the missing information. I will add to the review shortly. In my estimation, the helmet is an intermediate oval shape.

      RE: where to buy for $112, I am going to remove that piece from my review as it is an unauthorized distributor selling the helmet (as I discovered shortly after the review was published). Thus, no warranty from the company accompanies the purchase. You can find it with a bit of Googling but I don’t feel it right to recommend it.

  2. Jon
    May 24, 2018
    Reply

    Just so you’re aware Vemar helmets are no longer made in Italy and it appears the company was sold in whole to a Chinese holding. We will probably no longer see the high quality offerings of the past (VSR Carbon, Eclipse Carbon).

  3. Steve
    May 27, 2018
    Reply

    Is this a flip face , or is the chin bar only removable?

  4. Steve C
    September 22, 2019
    Reply

    I just bought this helmet based on this review. I haven’t put to many miles on it but it seems to hold true to the review. I normally wear a small but read these run small so I ordered the medium which fits me well (oval head). The one thing you did not mention is that this helmet is BIG,they must only use on shell size. It looks a third bigger them my LS2 Strobe. I have read some reviews of parts breaking. Hopefully mine will hang in their.

    • September 23, 2019
      Reply

      Hey Steve, thanks for the feedback. This was my first helmet review for wBW, and honestly, I wasn’t 100% sure what readers found valuable. I take your feedback seriously and apply it to my future reviews. 🙂

      • darren-p
        September 24, 2019
        Reply

        definitely helmet shell size info

        my old shark looked like a giant goldfish bowl !

        helmets should come in 3-4 shell sizes

    • Steve C
      September 29, 2019
      Reply

      Did 120 miles wearing the helmet and for me it doesn’t fit my head well,(long oval, flat forehead) so I had a painful forehead after an hour, bad enough Ihad to take it off and give my head a rest. I don’t blame the helmet other helmets in the past which also didn’t fit me well. The most bothersome is the face shield at it’s first opening point all not stay open over 70 on my Buell. Also when you turn your head to lane check you can really feel it being pushed by the wind.An it seems with all helmets with the internal lens dark lens it could be darker, I always just put some window tint across the top of my helmets which helps a lot.
      I’m hoping it breaks in as I really like this helmet, other then the forehead it fits well with my glasses on and no other sore points.

  5. Richard Roberts
    October 7, 2020
    Reply

    I have a Shaki Hive, but I am looking for a spare visor. A helmet is no good when the visor gets scratched. I can’t find anywhere to get one.

    Dick Roberts
    [email protected]

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