Shoei helmets

[hgmiers]

Anyone tried the Shoei XR 1000? What's it like and is there any place that will do a good deal on them?

[nevets]

I've got one. My only complaint is perhaps its a bit noisy, but don't really have much basis for comparison. Overall I'm happy with it - fairly light and everything works as it should.

Got mine from motomail (www.motoretail.co.nz). There doesn't seem to be much movement in Shoei prices, so don't expect big discounts.

There is a bunch of info on how to select the right helmet (search for it), but basically you need to go and try a few on and find what suits you.

[Gremlin]

As above, I assume you already know that it is the right helmet for your head shape?

Movement in price... barely, they are good helmets, and sell. The helmet itself, I have one, and its very good. Fits me well, good stability when tootling along at some speed . Chin bar is a little closer than normal, but apparently shoei's are like that. Visor clunks shut solidly, and will stay open at any setting above legal limits.

[shepster]

As above as well. I have one and have no compliants. I have the breath guard, chin and neck skirt fitted as well. The neck skirk did make a difference to noise reduction, although I generally use earplugs for most riding. The pin lock antifog system on the visor is brillant and have it on both clear and tinted visors. Overall I think its a great helmet. I'm happy with mine.

[enigma51]

Get some ear plugs other than that its very good

[Blackbird]

Bought mine in Melbourne last November for the total price of ~A$670 allegedly on special, including an Iridium visor. Didn't bother to claim the tax back at the airport. Very comfortable but does tend to mist up slightly more than my old Shoei Raid 2, not to the extent that I've had to buy a pinlock visor for it yet. Agree with the noise aspect, but wear earplugs anyway. I think you can buy a whisper kit for them, but that may exacerbate the misting issue. All in all, a great helmet.

[Brett]

I got mine from Motomail when they were doing their once in a blue moon 50% off Shoei Helmets sale. I love it, the visor is easy to remove and replace it is comfy etc etc. My only complaint is that, for example, when on the track and you're tucked nice and low on the tank...the visibility is SHIT. I find that the top of the visor is too low and I cant see very much. HOwever that just be on my ugly head.

[HenryDorsetCase]

I still have a Raid 2 ($500 full retail locally) and really rate it. I wear glasses so dont use the breath guard. I do have the "whisper kit" which was worth the money but I still wear earplugs on the open road.

The key to a helmet is fit. I was going to buy an Arai, but the Shoei fits me better.

FWIW the next helmet I buy will be the Flip front Shoei. I can use my tinted visors and it will be ideal for touring/town riding, and I will keep the Raid for the track.

[vifferman]

I too bought mine at the Motomail sale. After wearing AGVs for 13 years, the Shoei is a revelation: it's very comfy, much better made than any of the AGVs I owned, and I'm very happy with it. The first time I wore it, I thought it was noisier than the AGV X-Vent it replaced. However, this is not so much wind noise, but more that it lets in more ambient noise, such as the noise the bike makes, traffic noise, etc. I think this may be because it's not as tight on my head as the AGV was. However, it seems to be quieter for wind noise, which I'd say is due to better aerodynamics. Kind of a moot point, as I wear earplugs on the open road anyway.
The only other comment I have is that the Shoei visors aren't as good as the AGV ones: the dark tint XR1000 visor is much lighter and lets more glare through than the tinted + mirrored AGV visor I had, plus it's about $30 dearer. However, visibility is overall better with the XR1000, as the opening seems larger than the X-Vent.
Overall, I'm very pleased, and would buy another one.

[jrandom]

I happen to have a head that fits Shoeis and not much else. I wear an XR-1000, and can recommend the model.

I second Brett's comments about the visibility being a bit crap when your head's down on the tank, but that really only applies down the back straight of racetracks when you're doing over 200kph. On that basis I'd probably look at a Shoei X-Spirit for racing, instead.

But for a bang-for-buck road riding helmet, you really can't beat the XR-1000 at NZ$600 RRP for the plain colour models.

The Shoei Multitec flip-front is also an excellent helmet with the same general fit and appearance as the XR-1000, but you pay an extra $100 or so and it's noticeably heavier.

However, if you like to spend long days on the bike, a flip-front helmet could come into its own. Could be worth trying one out for size.

[Mikkel]

I also have an XR-1000 and must say I agree with most that has been said here.

To this day I still reckon that the pin-lock visors (clear and smoke tinted) I've bought for it are the best money spent on safety gear. You can not fog it up, it really is that simple!

I also wear earplugs - and will now look into what that whisper kit, they mentioned above, is! (But I'm paranoid about my hearing - having already damaged it somewhat(not through motorcycling though).)

[HenryDorsetCase]

The Shoei Multitec flip-front is also an excellent helmet with the same general fit and appearance as the XR-1000, but you pay an extra $100 or so and it's noticeably heavier.

I must pick up one in the left hand one in the right before I plunk down the cash.

Of course all helmets are light compared to my old Bell Stars and such. they were apparently 1850 grams but honestly i reckon they were nearer 2kg.....

[jrandom]

Of course all helmets are light compared to my old Bell Stars and such. they were apparently 1850 grams but honestly i reckon they were nearer 2kg.....

My bicycle helmet, a MET Stradivarius, weighs 199 grams and cost $460.

It doesn't make me any faster, but by god it's comfortable.

[Devil]

I'll be going for an XR1000 next. They're just the right shape for my head it seems. Nice clearance around my ears.

[blueblade]

Crash tested one at a track day at Taupo last year. Major highside and landed on my head after coming down from a great height. Helmet was smashed and I was out cold for a bit but I'm still here. Would not have wanted a lesser brand on my head. Given the nature of the impact I think it performed its task perfectly. Always buy the best you can afford. When you need it, you really need it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!