Shoei raid 2?

**James Deuce** · 2nd July 2008, 12:21

Originally Posted by jrandom

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** · 2nd July 2008, 12:23

Originally Posted by James Deuce

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 that cs363 just posted?

**Zookey** · 2nd July 2008, 17:07

Originally Posted by jrandom

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.

**1 Free Man** · 2nd July 2008, 21:46

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 2nd July 2008, 22:37

Originally Posted by 1 Free Man

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 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** · 8th July 2008, 08:52

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** · 8th July 2008, 12:50

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/co...=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** · 8th July 2008, 13:00

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 8th July 2008, 13:08

Originally Posted by mowgli

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** · 8th July 2008, 13:15

Originally Posted by Dakara

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** · 8th July 2008, 13:21

Originally Posted by mowgli

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.