I have owned a Shark S500 for 1 year now. It's the only helmet I have tried as it is my first. I would like to say that it doesn't have any faults... I can't.

The first time I wore it was for my CBT and I was riding all day in poring rain. The vent on the top of the lid leaked. Needless to say I wasn't too happy about that. But it hasn't happened since so that isn't really a big problem.

Noise however is a big problem. It's alright on short trips but when you have to commute down to London from Nottingham once a week it is very tiresome.

Cold is another issue. I'm an all weather rider and as such I ride in temperatures as low as -5 and down. At any speed higher than 30 mph you can feel where the top vent is as your head starts to slowly freeze to your helmet. This can be tempered somewhat by the use of a balaclava.

Misting is also a huge problem that I have had which can be solved with the use of a foggy face mask. However this and a balaclava don't mesh together easily.

In conclusion I would say this is a GREAT summer helmet (apart from being a bit noisy) but not that good in winter where it fogs up is noisy and very cold.

I own this helmet for 18 months now, the comfort and weight is great.
But the visor will open on it self when looking over your shoulder @ speeds over 160 km/u (+/-100 mph). this is becourse the visor opens and closes verry easy. The dealer told me he did hear it before, but he had no answer to the problem. The front airvent fell of the first week, but with a little glue the problem was fixed. I always use earprotection so I cant comment on the sound level of the helmet. the air stability of the helmet @ verry high speeds (>220 km/u) is great (thank god for the german autobahn near my house) it keeps you head on a steady course.
I would recoment it

i have owned my shark s500 for about a year now it is light and comfortable. they came out good in crash tests too. and all for a realistic price. i did loose the vent out of the front but replacements are easily available.

just purchased helmet today-went riding and felt great and fit even better-wicked comfortable. Solid build construction, great looks, great fit, comfortable.

cool looking, comfy to wear and best of all i got it in the jan sales got my self a bargain top helmet.