Shoei raid 2?

[McDuck]

Yo. I am thinking about buying one, what do owners think of them?
Thanks.

[scott411]

Shoei do a test ride programme in there bigger dealerships, you can try them before you buy,

i have a XR1000 and love it

[Zookey]

Shoei do a test ride programme in there bigger dealerships, you can try them before you buy,

i have a XR1000 and love it

Myself as above but shocked at the new British Sharp testing results as its only rated 3 stars the x spirit is the highest with 4stars :confused:

[BarBender]

Oh yeah. Great helmet.
I got one because JRandom had one.

[jrandom]

Myself as above but shocked at the new British Sharp testing results...

I'm reserving judgment on that until we hear more about what those tests constitute.

Some organisation somewhere setting up a webpage and publishing a list of helmet names with star ratings alongside each one and no further information is not sufficient to influence my purchasing decisions.

Fact is, Shoei are one of the most respected brands in motorcycle crash helmets and have undoubtedly saved thousands of lives, and the Raid II, XR-1000 and X-Spirit are damn fine melonhead helmets (for them as don't fit Arais) at very reasonable prices.

I'd say a Raid II would be an excellent choice for you, McDuck.

[McDuck]

I'm reserving judgment on that until we hear more about what those tests constitute.

Some organisation somewhere setting up a webpage and publishing a list of helmet names with star ratings alongside each one and no further information is not sufficient to influence my purchasing decisions.

Fact is, Shoei are one of the most respected brands in motorcycle crash helmets and have undoubtedly saved thousands of lives, and the Raid II, XR-1000 and X-Spirit are damn fine melonhead helmets (for them as don't fit Arais) at very reasonable prices.

I'd say a Raid II would be an excellent choice for you, McDuck.

Sweet ;) <ashvjhvbdjhfd>

[jrandom]

I got one because JRandom had one.

Yeah baby!

To paraphrase Big Dave, I, er... make this shit look good.

[Tony.OK]

I use a Raid II and love it, for some reason the XR1000 didn't fit my midget melon the same.
Its lighter than the XR.....well the small is.
Not too noisey and has the visor lever thingy that lets you just open it a crack on one side.
It would pay to get the optional nose/breath guard too,I find the smaller one is pretty effective,doesn't interfere with my glasses.
Its real good for sunnies and glasses too,nothing around the ears to obstruct the arms.

[jrandom]

Its lighter than the XR.....well the small is.

Pinhead!

:laugh:

Stickchick's XS Raid II is definitely lighter than my L XR-1000, but I think you'd find that the XR would be slightly lighter if you compared the two helmets in the same size.

I think the weight stickers on them the last time I was browsing Motomail had about a 100g difference.

Doesn't sound like much, but given that a couple of years ago I paid $460 for a bicycle helmet (MET Stradivarius) so that I could have 200g on my head instead of 350g, I feel morally obliged to claim that weight makes a noticeable difference to comfort.

(No, I'm not going to try and claim that the MET made me faster. But it was awfully comfy.)

[TKDSKIP]

Mint helmet. I agree with getting a breath guard though, I need to. I find it a bit noisier than my old HJC but way nicer to wear. Mine seems to have freed up alot since I bought it, I would buy it a little tighter next time.

[k14]

I'm on my second Raid II now, crashed last one on the track and replaced it with exactly the same model. Awesome value for the price. Had shoei's ever since I started racing and will continue to buy them. The visors are a bit pricy but thats the only downside.

[JeremyW]

I'm reserving judgment on that until we hear more about what those tests constitute.

Some organisation somewhere setting up a webpage and publishing a list of helmet names with star ratings alongside each one and no further information is not sufficient to influence my purchasing decisions.

Fact is, Shoei are one of the most respected brands in motorcycle crash helmets and have undoubtedly saved thousands of lives, and the Raid II, XR-1000 and X-Spirit are damn fine melonhead helmets (for them as don't fit Arais) at very reasonable prices.

I'd say a Raid II would be an excellent choice for you, McDuck.

Jeez you should come work at motomail :) Youd be better at selling them than us...

We do offer test rides if you want to take one for a blat.

[Zookey]

[QUOTE=jrandom;1630146]I'm reserving judgment on that until we hear more about what those tests constitute.

Some organization somewhere setting up a webpage and publishing a list of helmet names with star ratings alongside each one and no further information is not sufficient to influence my purchasing decisions.

Just to make my thread clear here this is not some random organization ,as it is by the United kingdom Department of Transport.Try.
http:/www.direct.govt.uk/sharp.
56 helmets have been tested and remembering that European crash testing sites collaborate and were the reason our Govt has banned Jap exports from before 93 because the were shonky to say the least and to believe anything that a manufacturer says in a sales brochure is a little naive,especially when it states that they are the best in the world yeah right,However before you make me wear this,i have no intentions of chucking my X spirit as fits my bean beute :sunny:

[vifferman]

...the Raid II, XR-1000 and X-Spirit are damn fine melonhead helmets (for them as don't fit Arais).
In fact, Arai have two different helmet shapes, and I bought my XR-1000 because it was the same fit as an Arai Corsair but was considerably cheaper.

[jrandom]

... this is not some random organization ,as it is by the United kingdom Department of Transport.

The fact that unsubstantiated claims come from a Government department does not lend them additional weight in my eyes.

Once again - when they publish test methodologies and actual result data, I'll pay attention. Until then, it's just another unsupported opinion from someone saying "Trust me, I know what I'm talking about".

[James Deuce]

I'm reserving judgment on that until we hear more about what those tests constitute.

Some organisation somewhere setting up a webpage and publishing a list of helmet names with star ratings alongside each one and no further information is not sufficient to influence my purchasing decisions.

Fact is, Shoei are one of the most respected brands in motorcycle crash helmets and have undoubtedly saved thousands of lives, and the Raid II, XR-1000 and X-Spirit are damn fine melonhead helmets (for them as don't fit Arais) at very reasonable prices.

I'd say a Raid II would be an excellent choice for you, McDuck.

Mate, I've repeatedly posted links to the very in depth research that Motorcyclist magazine did a couple years ago with Harry Hurt in the driving seat. Arai and Shoei STILL don't advertise in Motorcyclist as a direct result.

They documented their testing process extensively and declared a couple of the standards like DOT and SNELL as largely pointless because they generally focused on impact and penetration tests on the top of the helmet.

Motorcyclist completely destroyed the "$10 helmet, $10 head" myth, rating $US70 KBC helmets as better at protecting the helmet contents than the $US800 and more top of the line helmets from Shoei and Arai. The ability to cope with huge G numbers when struck from above was demonstrated to be a bad thing. Over about 265G of (IIRC) deceleration the contents of the helmet were jelly anyway. The lower G figures (typically less than 200G) of the cheaper polycarbonate helmets and their ability to spread the deceleration forces over a larger percentage of the helmet shell protects the contents better.

The most important thing when buying a helmet is fit. The next most important thing is the standards it meets and understanding the testing methods those standards entail. Then it comes down to features and perceived quality which is where the "old" names in helmet manufacture win every time, rightly or wrongly.

[jrandom]

Mate, I've repeatedly posted links to the very in depth research that Motorcyclist magazine did a couple years ago with Harry Hurt in the driving seat. Arai and Shoei STILL don't advertise in Motorcyclist as a direct result.

Oooh, really? I missed 'em. Post again plz?

Edit: Oh, is it that link (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/index.html) that cs363 just posted?

[Zookey]

The fact that unsubstantiated claims come from a Government department does not lend them additional weight in my eyes.

Once again - when they publish test methodologies and actual result data, I'll pay attention. Until then, it's just another unsupported opinion from someone saying "Trust me, I know what I'm talking about".

Coudnt agree with you more ,especially a Nipponese advertising guru claiming they happen to make the best helmets in the world. :doh:

[1 Free Man]

I use a Raid II and love it, for some reason the XR1000 didn't fit my midget melon the same.
Its lighter than the XR.....well the small is.
Not too noisey and has the visor lever thingy that lets you just open it a crack on one side.
It would pay to get the optional nose/breath guard too,I find the smaller one is pretty effective,doesn't interfere with my glasses.
Its real good for sunnies and glasses too,nothing around the ears to obstruct the arms.
I to have a Raid 11. Good fit and generally nice to wear. I would like to know more about the nose/breath guard thingy.
Didn't know you could get them for the SHOEI. Any idea how much ???

[JeremyW]

I to have a Raid 11. Good fit and generally nice to wear. I would like to know more about the nose/breath guard thingy.
Didn't know you could get them for the SHOEI. Any idea how much ???

They are breathguard B for Shoei Raid 2. Here (http://www.motoretail.co.nz/product.cfm?ID=892) is a link to buy it online or you can come check it out in store. It only says XR1000 and XR900 but it is for raid 2 as well.

[Timmay]

I have a a raid II, loved it in summer, come winter i find it leaks air around the visor and needs a breath guard. Very comfortable though. Have not tried much else so i don't know how the visor seal compares to others.

[Dakara]

Right now I cant decide between a Raid II, or AGV S4/Stealth... and wont decide until I get to Motomail and try em on.

However, several posts back someone commented that the Raid II only scored 3 stars with sharp, however it was actually 4 along with the X-Spirit. The XR-1000 was Shoei's 3 star:

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/search/compare/?h42=1&h43=1&h44=1

As for the debate over the test itself.... Yes I got a bit worried when my Helemt only scored a 3, but while some really cheap helmets scored rather high, don't forget they are most likely uncomfortable as shit, less fitting options, fog up etc etc....

What the test proved to me however, is buying a Raid II instead of an X-spirit due cost wont sacrifice my safety, just perhaps some comfort.

[mowgli]

I have a a raid II, loved it in summer, come winter i find it leaks air around the visor and needs a breath guard. Very comfortable though. Have not tried much else so i don't know how the visor seal compares to others.
Call into a Shoei dealer and have the visor adjusted for free. Mine doesn't leak as you describe. Also check the visor lock on the left hand side is in the central, unlocked position. It has three positions: locked, unlocked, and open a crack.

I have a Raid II with the hush kit (chin/neck curtain thingy). Binned it. Replaced with the exactly same. I find it very comfortable and especially good with prescription glasses and sunnies.

[Dakara]

I have a Raid II with the hush kit (chin/neck curtain thingy). Binned it. Replaced with the exactly same. I find it very comfortable and especially good with prescription glasses and sunnies.

How much of a difference does the hush kit make? One thing that attracts me towards a Shoei.

[mowgli]

How much of a difference does the hush kit make? One thing that attracts me towards a Shoei.
I used to have a Hyosung GT250R. The wind disturbance from the screen was pretty bad until you sat real upright and got above it. I first tried an HJC chin curtain which made a difference but I still wasn't entirely happy. When I heard about the hush kit I bought one right away and found it reduced the wind noise considerably more than the chin curtain alone. From memory it cost about $50 so in my case it was well worth the gamble. YMMV

[Dakara]

I used to have a Hyosung GT250R. The wind disturbance from the screen was pretty bad until you sat real upright and got above it. I first tried an HJC chin curtain which made a difference but I still wasn't entirely happy. When I heard about the hush kit I bought one right away and found it reduced the wind noise considerably more than the chin curtain alone. From memory it cost about $50 so in my case it was well worth the gamble. YMMV

Cheers mate. Yea the Hyo screen seems to direct the wind right into ya face which is really annoying. But have got a double bubble on the way for the Honda when I get it.

Seems to be a cheap and worthy upgrade so if the Shoei fits right I'll most likely take the same option.

[mowgli]

... But have got a double bubble on the way for the Honda when I get it...
For after market screens check these guys (http://www.godiva.co.nz/models.php?mk=8&srt=model&pg=1)out.

[Dakara]

For after market screens check these guys (http://www.godiva.co.nz/models.php?mk=8&srt=model&pg=1)out.

Yea had a look at them, but don't seem to have one for the '08.

Picked this one up on Trademe:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=164571147

[vifferman]

Have not tried much else so i don't know how the visor seal compares to others.
Well, the visor seal on my XR1000 is better than for any other helmet I've owned (about 8 or so).

[jrandom]

come winter i find it leaks air around the visor and needs a breath guard

Are you sure it's not just turbulence pulling air into the helmet under the chin guard?

[Blackbird]

Well, the visor seal on my XR1000 is better than for any other helmet I've owned (about 8 or so).

Yes indeed:yes:. However, I think that this might contribute to the reason that it fogs up much more than my old Raid 1 in cold weather. Sadly, the visors aren't interchangeable so I've got a mate bringing a pinlock over for the XR 1000 from the UK where they are a sight cheaper.

[Timmay]

I have never noticed the "open a crack" setting before but this is not the issue. In the fully closed position the visor needs to be forced down onto the seal. Another Shoei owner at work assures me that this is normal however.

[vifferman]

I have never noticed the "open a crack" setting before but this is not the issue. In the fully closed position the visor needs to be forced down onto the seal. Another Shoei owner at work assures me that this is normal however.
There is adjustment avaialbe (for both the "open yer crack" setting, and fully closed), via the screws at the side on the visor hingey thingies (technical term). If you loosen these off slightly, you can then rotate the visor hingey thingie sightly in towards the middle of the helmet, which will make the visor less tight fitting against the seals, and make the "open yer crack" setting slightly widerer.
However (but!) I have found that the visors are not made to exacting tolerances and/or are whittled by different 234 year-old Japanese men in sheds at the base of Mt Fuji from solid blocks of polycarbonate. To whit (to whoooo...) my clear visor is a more tighterer fit (and cracks open less) than the tinted one is/does. Some compromise may be necessary.
Oh - and my visor has been foggin up, even when open, due to my heavy breathing or summat (must stop playing with myself while riding) on these refrigerated D'Auckland mornings. This morning I remembered I had a Jar'o'crap on my bike gear shelf in my bike gear cupboard, and smeared some all over the inside of it. :niceone:
Couldn't see anything, but at least I could see where I was going...

LOL.
Actually, I could see fine. the "Jar'o'crap" is some wog brand crap my mother-in-law bought somewhere for some anti-fogging purpose, never used, and passed onto me. It's a horrible ghey pink pottle, and smells ghey and gormant (like 'gormless' but not), but works OK.
Unless I breathe a lot, then it momentarily gets a bit soggy.

[mowgli]

I have never noticed the "open a crack" setting before but this is not the issue. In the fully closed position the visor needs to be forced down onto the seal. Another Shoei owner at work assures me that this is normal however.

I've had two Raid IIs and neither behave like you describe. Do what Vifferman says or take it to a Shoei dealer for a (most likely) free service. Tell your work mate he's being sold short and should do the same.

[Timmay]

i checked out my mates helmet and his is fine, i'm going to have a fiddle with mine tomorow

[Semantics]

Anyone mind explaining to me why Shoei is so friggin expensive here?
i mean
even if shops got their orders directly from other retailers in usa it would be cheaper than what they are on for sale here.

$375usd for a Raid II and thats with a free visor.
$50usd shipping
= 560nzd
this does not = 640 nzd without a free visor!

anyways - i cant seem to find any helmet that fits me better than a shoei and id rather order from a kiwi shop if possible but i guess it isnt :(

anyone got a better recommendation or even a better usd price for shoei helmets?

[Kirill357]

Are they $640 now, dammit. I bought 1.5 year ago for $450. Also wasnt much choice, only this one felt comfortable

[mowgli]

I bought a new Raid II in matt black three weeks ago from Wellington Motorcycles = $499. Same price I paid for my first Raid II back in 2007. At $640 someone's being had.

Edit: Semantics, looking at your figures, maybe the retailer you found did just that. Bought direct from offshore rather than though the local agent.

[Semantics]

tell me about it. im wrong btw $649
although i was offered at motomail $649 with a free visor... but still thats yet $90 nzd difference.

was thinking of either
http://www.motoretail.co.nz/images/products/6970_l.gif
or
http://www.motoretail.co.nz/images/products/6968_l.jpg

i prefer the rogue graphic, although i know sharp says xr1000 is worse than the raid but im sure it will do its job either way.

are there no decent helmet shops in nz?

p.s if anyone at motomail can read this - CMOOONNN 10% discount!!! i'd totally buy one :)

[lostinflyz]

Anyone mind explaining to me why Shoei is so friggin expensive here?
i mean
even if shops got their orders directly from other retailers in usa it would be cheaper than what they are on for sale here.

$375usd for a Raid II and thats with a free visor.
$50usd shipping
= 560nzd
this does not = 640 nzd without a free visor!

anyways - i cant seem to find any helmet that fits me better than a shoei and id rather order from a kiwi shop if possible but i guess it isnt :(

anyone got a better recommendation or even a better usd price for shoei helmets?

have you found the sharks. I found only the shoei's and sharks fit my head but everyone seems to just want a shoei, arai or AGV.

I found the sharks all fit really different and its easy to find one you like. and there race replica models are a damn sight cheaper than shoei or arai.

[Semantics]

well with the sharks i find my mouth is abit too close to the front piece of the helmet.
therefore if i extend my lips to "kiss" the helmet - i will reach - which isnt somthing i like, when i breathe the air deflects from the helmet "wall" straight back onto my face :( - note this and about 10-5% comfortability is the only reason i prefer shoei, as it fits perfect and snug - comfortablly.

sharks are much cheaper - considering cycletreads + vouchermate = 20% off :)

but just wondering if im looking at the wrong place for a shoei helmet. if anyone can throw me in the right direction of where to get a raid II helmet - preferablly sentry graphic for 550 +/- $ nzd ill be pretty happy
cheers!

[k14]

i checked out my mates helmet and his is fine, i'm going to have a fiddle with mine tomorow
Out of the 5 shoei helmets I have owned (yes I crash too much), I have never had an issue with a visor leaking air. All have been firm closing and seal nicely.

I got an oxford antifog insert (essential for racing in the rain) and it works sweet. Highly recommended, just have to be careful not to scratch the insert, or else it becomes damn hard to see through it.

[Zookey]

[QUOTE=Semantics;1646316]well with the sharks i find my mouth is abit too close to the front piece of the helmet.
therefore if i extend my lips to "kiss" the helmet - i will reach - which isnt something i like, when i breathe the air deflects from the helmet "wall" straight back onto my face :( - note this and about 10-5% comfortability is the only reason i prefer shoei, as it fits perfect and snug - comfortablly.

Now that is strange as i have found this winter wearing a balaclava under my shoei i suck the chin gaurd! So have been using my old Shark Alpha and apart from no wind gaurd doesnt try to rearange my eye sockets,and is lighter (just) :2thumbsup hey and is 4 stars:crazy: