Shoei XR1100

**Mikkel** · 22nd December 2009, 14:56

For the last 2 years I've sworn by my Shoei XR1000. I've especially been happy with the pinlock visor system. If there has been one point of annoyance with the helmet it would be the bead on the pinlock system sitting inside my field of view when riding sportsbikes due to the forward lean. Other than that the XR1000 ticked all the boxes.

Alas, due to unexpected circumstances I recently had to retire my old XR1000 and went out to get myself a new one... Then I noticed the new XR1100.

Compared to the XR1000 it is about $100 dearer but it comes with pinlock visor, pinlock insert and chin spoiler as standard. Also, the XR1100 does not have a whisper kit accessory since Shoei has redesigned how the helmet closes up against your neck. Seeing as I were going to spend at least another $100 to get the pinlock system for the XR1000 anyway I decided to try on the next generation.

I haven't travelled far since I got the new helmet, but here are my initial impressions:

-The field of vision in the XR1100 has been significantly improved compared to the old helmet.

-The pinlock insert bead is no longer visible from inside the helmet due to the redesigned visor system.

-The helmet feels lighter and more airy in comparison to the XR1000. Ventilation is excellent, the venting system has also been redesigned.

I can't comment upon wind noise yet since I haven't had an opportunity to get out of the city yet.

Anyway, if you like your XR1000 and need to buy a new helmet - the XR1100 won't disappoint!

**steve_t** · 22nd December 2009, 15:11

Where'd u get it from? Is there anywhere having any sales on these currently?

**Maha** · 22nd December 2009, 15:18

Awesome helmets for sure but we had a look at Insanity Rules helmet last week (cant remember the brand) and Mom would have tossed her XR aside and taken it given half a chance.

**ckai** · 22nd December 2009, 16:19

Originally Posted by Mikkel

Anyway, if you like your XR1000 and need to buy a new helmet - the XR1100 won't disappoint!

which flavour did you get? I'm looking at one of these as well and wouldn't wanna uncool someones lid by getting the same 1

Originally Posted by steve_t

Where'd u get it from? Is there anywhere having any sales on these currently?

new model mate, you'll be very hard pressed to find one on sale unless a store is generous. the xr1000 are in runout if you want a cheaper one.

**sarahtvet** · 22nd December 2009, 16:54

Sounds like a good helmet. Love my XR1000 and don't need a new one yet but will certainly bear this in mind if I decide to change.

I would be really interested in your impression on the open road. The XR1000 has meant I can dispose of earplugs which is such a joy, wouldn't want to go back to them.

**Okey Dokey** · 22nd December 2009, 17:01

That is good to hear. Mr OD won't use his pinlock with the Shoei XR 1000 because of the beading in his sportbiker's line of vision. Nice to hear of a fault rectified, because he has had fogging issues with it. Happy riding.

**Mikkel** · 22nd December 2009, 19:17

Originally Posted by steve_t

Where'd u get it from? Is there anywhere having any sales on these currently?

I bought mine at Sportzone Suzuki in Chch. Just list price...

Originally Posted by Maha

Awesome helmets for sure but we had a look at Insanity Rules helmet last week (cant remember the brand) and Mom would have tossed her XR aside and taken it given half a chance.

I don't know what his helmet is, but I'd say you'd be hard pressed to beat the XR1100 on value at ~$700 (IIRC) for a plain coloured one

Originally Posted by ckai

which flavour did you get? I'm looking at one of these as well and wouldn't wanna uncool someones lid by getting the same 1

I went for a normal black one without any fancy graphics on. I can't see the point of throwing 200-300 bucks at a paint job. Especially seeing that the paintjob's main purpose is to camouflage any potential damage to the helmet surface.

Originally Posted by Okey Dokey

That is good to hear. Mr OD won't use his pinlock with the Shoei XR 1000 because of the beading in his sportbiker's line of vision. Nice to hear of a fault rectified, because he has had fogging issues with it. Happy riding.

I wouldn't call it a fault, sub-optimal design for sure - but still vastly superior to having your visor fog up in poor weather conditions.

**Pumba** · 22nd December 2009, 20:10

Originally Posted by sarahtvet

I would be really interested in your impression on the open road. The XR1000 has meant I can dispose of earplugs which is such a joy, wouldn't want to go back to them.

Really? I love my XR1000 but quiet is far from somthing I would call it. I always wear ear plugs.

I do look foward to trying the XR1100 when the time comes

**Okey Dokey** · 23rd December 2009, 08:07

Originally Posted by Mikkel

I wouldn't call it a fault, sub-optimal design for sure - but still vastly superior to having your visor fog up in poor weather conditions.

I didn't mean the pinlock was a fault, I meant the helmet ventilation wasn't adequate, so fogging was an issue/fault. His previous Shoei -don't remember the model- had no fogging problems. Sounds like Shoei have sorted it from your post.

**Devil** · 23rd December 2009, 10:19

Originally Posted by Pumba

Really? I love my XR1000 but quiet is far from somthing I would call it. I always wear ear plugs.

I do look foward to trying the XR1100 when the time comes

Ditto.
Xr1000 certainly not quiet and yeah I wouldn't mind an XR1100!

**crazyhorse** · 23rd December 2009, 10:23

Thanks, will look into it

**chester** · 3rd January 2010, 11:55

no good for me I have an Arai head. The Shoei just dont seem to fit...

**gsx61** · 3rd January 2010, 21:50

Just bought a Shoei XR1100 and have done about 2,000 Kms, and I hate it.
I have always spent about $300 to $500 on my helmets as I tend to get a little bord with them and just want a change, but when I went to get a new hat, one of things I was looking for was large ear pockets to accommodate my big ears and helmet speakers, so sales guy immediately pointed me to the XR-1100, so I spent the extra given the brand a it reputation. Here are what I believe to be the pros and cons

1. Very light and extremely comfortable (3.5hrs at a time)
2. Large ear pockets
3. It is the noisiest helmet I have ever owned. Riding my GSXR in normal seating position it continuously whistles, turn your head to look at the speedo the pitch becomes higher. Duck under screen @ 110 kms and it has a drone like a very cheap exhaust
4. The visor does not displace water, it just sticks even at 120kms. I had to flip the visor up to clear the water. Water came on the inside (no Fun).

That’s just my opinion, have a great day

**quickbuck** · 4th January 2010, 10:23

Originally Posted by gsx61

Just bought a Shoei XR1100 and have done about 2,000 Kms, and I hate it.
I have always spent about $300 to $500 on my helmets as I tend to get a little bord with them and just want a change, but when I went to get a new hat, one of things I was looking for was large ear pockets to accommodate my big ears and helmet speakers, so sales guy immediately pointed me to the XR-1100, so I spent the extra given the brand a it reputation. Here are what I believe to be the pros and cons

1. Very light and extremely comfortable (3.5hrs at a time)
2. Large ear pockets
3. It is the noisiest helmet I have ever owned. Riding my GSXR in normal seating position it continuously whistles, turn your head to look at the speedo the pitch becomes higher. Duck under screen @ 110 kms and it has a drone like a very cheap exhaust
4. The visor does not displace water, it just sticks even at 120kms. I had to flip the visor up to clear the water. Water came on the inside (no Fun).

That’s just my opinion, have a great day

Ummm,
IMHO, I think all those issues are actually related to your bike.

Get a double bubble screen, and it will sort them all.
The problem is actually the screen is deflecting air straight into your helmet.
This is where you have a choice to direct it into your chest, or over your head.

As for the rain sitting on your visor... well it does that when it isn't heavy enough.
You can put "Rain Away" or some such stuff on it... but I wouldn't.

The reason you didn't notice these problems with your old helmet is because you wern't scrutinising it so closley... The extra $$ you spent will make you more critical...

**Mikkel** · 4th January 2010, 10:57

Originally Posted by quickbuck

As for the rain sitting on your visor... well it does that when it isn't heavy enough.
You can put "Rain Away" or some such stuff on it... but I wouldn't.

...or one could just clean one's visor with Plexus. I sure don't have any trouble with rain sticking to the visor on my Shoeis.