I purchased a Shark Alien helmet about 3 weeks ago... it's first use was extensive... a ride from Des Moines, Iowa to College Station, Texas.. I have since used the helmet around town and in local highway riding within 90 miles
of home.
I thought I would write a brief review of this helmet as compared to the
Shoei, HJC, AGV, and Arai helmets I've worn before.

1. I bought this helmet with very little information on Shark... just a brief
conversation with a Sales Clerk at the local Kawa dealer and my initial
inspection of overall helmet quality. The information that I gathered was
that Shark helmets are modeled after current Gran Prix helmets.. only using materials that are not as exotic (read lightweight) in order to keep the
price down for normal street/ club racing use.

I was impressed with the overall quality of the helmet the first time I
picked it up.... the fit, form, and function are what you would find on
a Shoei or Arai... the helmet's padding and interior appointments are
a top flite arrangement.

One other aspect of the helmet struck me as it was sitting next to the
Shoei's and HJC's.... the size or footprint.... Shark Helmets
are narrower... more aerodyamic.... which leads to the natural concern when you see that the helmet is not as wide as it's competitors... comfort
... do I pay for that narrow profile by feeling like my cranium is being squeezed??
The answer is NO....... in fact...I would say with out question that the
Shark Alien I currently have is the most comfortable helmet I have ever
owned.... Better than the Shoei, HJC, Arai, and AGV helmets that have
safeguarded my noggin over the years. Though I have not weighed the
Shark vs Shoei.. etc.... it feels very light weight... the interior padding
was very well thought out and fits very nicely... riding comfort at speed..
70 to 80 mph cruise... outstanding... the aerodynamic design is not just
show.... it works... my head does not buffet when I squirt the speed up
for a quick pass of slower vehicles...

My overall rating for the Shark Alien is- A
comfort and quality are my greatest issues.. and in this arena the
Shark exceeds most of it's contemporaries... I've never worn a more
comfortable helmet.

Now the Con.... thought it's venting and shield hardware are sturdy
..quality pieces that no doubt will last the life of the helmet .. and funtion
without feeling cheap or clunky.... they are not as user friendly as
Shoei or HJC... the Venting Air is adequate at speed... my head was
comfy... temperature wise from Des Moines to Texas.
The "Mouth Vents" for lack of a better term are operated with a
rocker type button that snaps the vents open or shut... and I prefer
Shoei's vent hardware over the Shark's.....
The Visor operation as well.... no doubt a sturdy piece of high quality
that operates fine- without problems... but again I find Shoei/HJC's
visor operations easier and more user friendly at speed.

If you gave me a $600 gift certificate to purchase any helmet I wanted
and I could choose between Shark, Shoei, AGV, HJC, and Arai.... I would
likely choose the Shark... the helmet is just that comfortable and light...
I know that newer things take time to achieve acceptance... because
people are unshure, at first, if the newcomer is going to last or if they
are going to be reliable...... my guess is that Shark will recieve the
same slow but steady acceptance that HJC got when they came on the
market...
Perhaps they will also spur the other Helmet mfg's to offer more aerodynamic and lighter weight helmets that offer great rider comfort... I
hope so...

I hope this provides at least some information that is useful.... I wholeheartedly recomend Shark helmets...