A streaked, hand-scratched-looking print in teal and violet over black gives Assya its identity on the Ridill 2 — a busier decor than the flat colours sold in the same line, priced identically to every other graphic option Shark offers here.

ECE 22.06 — the certification underneath it all

The EU has required ECE 22.06 for any newly homologated helmet since January 2024, and it's a considerably tougher benchmark than the ECE 22.05 it replaced. Where the old rule tested five points on a shell, this one tests eighteen. Where impact testing once happened at a single speed, it now spans several. A new oblique-impact procedure adds abrasive, sideways loading that a vertical drop test could never simulate, and rotational injury data is recorded alongside the traditional linear figure. The full assembly — visor, Pinlock insert, comms unit where fitted — gets tested together, matching real-world use. Check the shell: it reads "2206", nothing more. Road certification only.

Living with 1,470 grams

Shark's published weight, 1,470 g, is for the smaller of the two available shell sizes; go up to a mid-range M on the larger shell and expect a modest increase. An independent weigh-in by Visordown, on a size-M unit, returned 1,474 g — close enough to validate the claim. This number means little in a shop, tried on for thirty seconds. It means a lot three hours into a ride, when the neck has been supporting that mass continuously. Shark's street-helmet range as a whole runs roughly 1,250 g to 1,800 g, and this helmet sits comfortably below the halfway point.

What's built into the shell

Peel back the Assya graphic mentally and you find standard Ridill 2 hardware: a thermoplastic shell (labelled "Thermoplastique" by Shark, called Lexan polycarbonate by independent reviewers), moulded in two shell sizes so a small head isn't packed into an oversized shell with thick padding to compensate. Firmness inside the EPS liner varies by zone rather than staying uniform, and the strap fastens via a micrometric ratchet — a quick, precise, one-handed adjustment that suits gloved hands.

Three vents, tested with gloves on

A chin vent, two crown vents on a shared slider, two rear exhausts — that's the full vent count an independent tester recorded, every one operable without removing gloves. Their airflow verdict: "more than adequate" in typical riding conditions. Worth noting honestly: the chin vent is angled to clear the visor more than to cool the rider's face, so don't expect it to do much for chin comfort specifically.

Visor specifics

Optical class 1 certified, anti-scratch coated, no tools required for removal. It's set up to take a Pinlock 70 insert, though that insert is sold on its own — a sensible add if you'll be riding through anything colder or wetter than mild conditions, since a bare visor fogs easily with the vents closed and heavy breathing. Note that Assya doesn't appear anywhere in Shark's IRID photochromic collection, currently limited to the Aeron GP, Aeron and Race R Pro; a self-darkening option here would have to come from a third party.

Assya: the name versus what's on the shell

Shark's price sheet lists this decor as "Black Glitter Black" — a description that doesn't quite match what shows up on the helmet in hand. Rather than plain black with a sparkle finish, the actual graphic streaks from black through a clearly visible teal-green section and into violet and magenta near the crown, with real colour movement across the shell, not just glitter over a solid base. Anyone buying based purely on that name should know the difference before ordering. The gloss clear-coat sealing the print does its job well — resistant to scuffing, simple to wipe clean — though, as with any gloss finish, fingerprints show up faster than they would on matte paint.

Small conveniences

The internal sun visor lowers via a crown slider, no stopping required. Cheek padding is shaped to accommodate glasses arms comfortably. The shell is ready for Sharktooth- or SENA-compatible comms units without any modification. The outer visor detaches tool-free whenever cleaning or swapping is needed.

Sizing logic across the range

Six sizes span XS to XXL, built on two separate shell sizes rather than a single mould padded differently for each size — the reason the smallest helmets don't look oversized and the largest don't feel cramped. Visordown's own test, riding a size M, described the fit as "very good" and "extremely comfortable", highlighted the ease of the wide opening for putting the helmet on, and found no pressure points around the cheeks.

Price positioning against D-Skwal 3 and Skwal Cup

This decor sells for 209.99 euro, the standard graphic-tier price within the Ridill 2 — a step above the 189.99-euro plain colours, yet still the entry point into Shark's full-face lineup overall. Moving up, the D-Skwal 3 begins at 219.99 euro, adding a wind-tunnel-tested shell and considerably more decor choice. One level higher, the Skwal Cup starts at 269.99 euro with a CFD-designed rear spoiler aimed at high-speed stability. Laid out this way, the actual price steps make clear what extra money buys at each stage.

Wind noise, stated honestly

There's no independently measured decibel figure available for this helmet — and fabricating one would only mislead. What does exist is Visordown's direct account from actual riding: "a quiet helmet to use at motorway speeds", alongside a standing recommendation for earplugs on longer trips, and a mention of light buffeting at motorway speed that the reviewer called "not horrendous". Consider that a rider's genuine impression rather than a scientific measurement, since no such measurement has been made public.

Spare visors when the time comes

The Ridill 2 is explicitly included in Shark's spare-visor collection, grouped alongside the Skwal Cup, D-Skwal 3 and Skwal i3, with seven visor styles on offer — from dark smoke through several iridium tints to a clear, Pinlock-ready screen. A scuffed or misted visor calls for a replacement part, not a new helmet altogether.

Where this helmet falls short

To be upfront: there's no MIPS liner in this build, no electronic quick-release system, and the Pinlock insert isn't part of the package — you get the mounting, not the insert. There's no chin skirt fitted, so cold air at the neck will be more noticeable here than on a touring-shaped design. SHARP has evaluated a "Ridill 2": four stars, tested against ECE 22.06, dated February 2025 — the correct generation for this helmet — though that same SHARP entry also states a retail price of 549 pounds, which has no bearing on what this helmet actually costs anywhere; consider it a mistake on SHARP's page rather than an accurate figure. No FIM racing certification exists for this model, and no rear spoiler is fitted — it's a budget-focused road helmet, nothing more claimed.

In the box

Just the helmet plus Shark's five-year warranty paperwork. The Pinlock 70 insert must be purchased on its own.

Technical data

• Model — Ridill 2 Assya (Black Glitter Black)
• Shell — Thermoplastic (Lexan), 2 shell sizes
• Weight — 1,470 g, first/smallest shell
• Homologation — ECE 22.06
• Closure — Micrometric ratchet
• Ventilation — Chin vent, 2 crown vents (shared control), 2 rear exhausts — all glove-friendly
• Visor — Optical class 1; Pinlock 70 compatible (insert extra)
• Sun visor — Internal, drop-down, crown slider
• Interior — Removable liner and cheek pads
• Warranty — 5 years
• Country of origin — Portugal
• Sizes — 6, XS-XXL