SS1600 Cruise Missile Helmet Review: Feature Rich Bike For Sporty Bikers
The Speed and Strength helmets were originally just a concept. Today, the company has turned out to be one of the most trusted brands by bikers. With numerous additions to bike gear from Speed and Strength, you can find a good range of new bike accessories from time to time.
Check Price and new models here.
The latest addition to the SS family of helmets is the SS1600 which was released during the same time as the SS1400. Both the helmets have comparable prices, but there are some notable differences that make SS1600 stand apart. This SS1600 Cruise Missile helmet review sheds light on the important features of the helmet that make it one of a kind in the mid-range helmet category.
Even though bikers are passionate about spending time on the road, most of them have a limited budget.
For some bikers, daily commute to work on the bike is possible. However, most of the bikers own a bike simply to enjoy riding on the roads during their leisure time.
They don’t show interest in spending around $500 for a helmet, but you should not hesitate to buy a good quality helmet such as the SS1600 for less than $200. Even though Speed and Strength has a few helmets in the same price range, the SS1600 model is a solid helmet that has the bang for the buck feature.
We have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.
Features and Build Quality
The SS1600 helmet is a full face helmet that weighs about 2.5 pounds. It is such a lightweight helmet that you won’t feel uncomfortable even if you are riding for long hours without a break. It has an angular design that is not found in very many helmets.
This ‘aggressive’ helmet is certainly designed for active sports biking. Intermediate round shape provides lots of room in the side, and it is not going to fit everybody. The SS1600 helmet has a complete redesign, and it proves to be one of a kind helmet from Speed and Strength. The shell is made of advanced Thermo-Polly alloy.
The Poly Carbonate shell is not exotic like fiberglass but it is still a good design. You have to however understand that the intermediate round shell may not be suitable for most of the oval shaped heads.
Comfort
When you pay $200 for a helmet, you expect it to be comfortable. The shell of the Cruise Missile model has a solid design with some aggressive graphics. If you are not a fan of some loud graphics, you may not like this model. The helmet is comfortable to wear for several hours without any discomfort.
The absence of snaps in the front enable you to eliminate pressure points in your head when you wear the helmet. The cool core liner wicks away moisture and keeps you dry. You can simply wash the removable liner with some water to keep the stink away.
The contoured cheek pads provide great cushioning effect while wearing the helmet. Again, you have to understand that it is the round model and make your buying decision accordingly. The interior has pockets for attaching third party communication devices, which makes this helmet stand apart from other models and designs.
Ventilation
You have the Airstrike direct course ventilation system that ensures you can breathe in easily even when you have your helmet on.
The chin vents provide good airflow. Two big vents in the back aid the air flow. This helmet has a great aerodynamic profile. It has some wind noise, but it is not distracting. The SS1600 is not designed to reduce wind noise, and so, it is to be expected.
The exhaust vents suck warm air out, keeping you cool. The breath guard can be removed if you want more room inside the helmet. Overall, this helmet provides good ventilation and in fact; it is rare to find this kind of ventilation in dirt helmets.
We have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.
Visor
The SS1600 Cruise Missile helmet comes with sun protection visor and clear visor. The internal tinted retractable sun visor is easy to adjust and perfect for daytime riding.
The DVD drop down visor model is an excellent addition as you don’t have to fiddle with the visors to switch them. The All Clear visor is UV resistant, fog resistant, and Scratch resistant.
However, when used with heavy rains, the clear visor tends to fog up. The presence of DVD drop down visor eliminates the need to buy a smoke tinted dark visor. The new style visor releasing mechanism is easy to use with a gloved hand. The clear visor has a nice gasket sealing providing protection from nature.
Safety
The SS1600 bike helmet exceeds the standards of DOT and ECE. There is no reason not to choose this helmet as it beautifully combines safety and comfort. Users of Speed and Strength helmet are extremely happy about the features available in this sports helmet model, and everything is available for less than $200.
We have worked closely with RevZilla, Amazon and 2Wheel over the years to provide our testers with products to review. They are all great partners and unique in their own ways, so make sure to check out their prices. Please don’t forget we may get a commission if you buy from them.
Other factors for consideration
If you are used to quiet helmets, you may not be comfortable with the wind noise at first. However, you have to remember that this helmet costs less than $200 and nothing more can be expected.
The presence of dual visors makes it a great choice because you don’t have to worry about changing visors for riding in the sun. The quick release strap system is loved by all bikers. Some models of this helmet are available with D ring.
Finding a helmet with advanced features like poly carbonate shell, dual visors and adequate airflow mechanism is difficult. SS1600 Cruise Missile helmet certainly sets the standards high for mid-range helmets. With the helmet meeting and exceeding the DOT and ECE 22-05 standards, you know that you have nothing more to worry about.