Long Time Shoei User - Looking to Switch to ? (Maybe)

[FJ1100mjk]

I've been wearing various models of Shoei full face helmets for at least 10 years, and been pleased with them. My current well-worn model is an RF-1000, and fits nicely in size medium.

I am looking at getting a new helmet, and would like to take advantage of after season sales/closeouts to get a good price on one.

I would welcome feedback from others who may have used Shoei RF's, and switched to another brand. Particularly if you found the new brand and model to your liking, and the points to why you like it.

I know the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it.", and it may be best to stick with Shoei on my next purchase, but if you've switched yourself and are happy with a different brand, by all means, I'd like to hear from you.

Thanks in advance.

Marty

[the fan]

I had both Shoei RF1000 and X-11's in the past.

When Bell sponsored our race team I purchased a Bell Star and found that it compared very favorably to the X-11 in all ways with slightly better venting. I am also a huge fan of the shield mechanism and the availability of a light sensitive shield.

However the BellI have, which is an early model is by no means a quiet helmet. This is not a big deal to me as I always wear earplugs or earbuds with music. I do not know if this has changed in the newer versions.

The rider for our team was one of the developement riders for the RS-1 helmet and it seemed like a very nice lid for the money. He claimed that it was considerably quieter than the star and just as stable at speed.

[ribbert]

I know the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it.", and it may be best to stick with Shoei on my next purchase, but if you've switched yourself and are happy with a different brand, by all means, I'd like to hear from you.

Thanks in advance.

Marty

I thought the old adage when it came to helmets was "the helmet chooses you" It's a fact, it's been my experience that different brand helmets suit different shape heads and that limits your choice.


Noel

[mst3kguy]

motorcyclegear.com, aka the old newenough.com guys, always have killer deals on helmets.  after the rf700 that bill got for me at a great price, i've used newenough for my helmet purchases.

[ddlewis]

Shoei and Arai (astral/Signet line) for me.  Have tried to cheap out a couple times but it didn't work out end up selling at a loss and getting the high dollar helmet anyway.  I actually get a better fit from Arai > Shoei, but the flaky shield swapping process pisses me off.  My current A-team helmet is an RF1100.

Since the RF12 came along last summer, RF1100's are being phased out and you can get great deals on them..  Competition accesories has them for $199  (solids)  - half of what they were last summer.  I paid $279 for mine over the winter and that was a smokin deal at the time.

[giantkiller]

I've never had a Shoei. Always worn Arai. I purchased a Bell Rs1 last year and I love it. Light. No buffeting around at high speed. The self tinting shield is perfect. They have different sized cheek pads you can get to help with fit. Fully removable interior for washing. And the shields come off and back on super easy. Going to get another one... When I need a new one.

[Arnie]

I've worn Shoei for quite a long time previously.  I think I must have had 4 of them.
They fit me well, and I had no complaint with them other than cost.
I've been wearing HJC helmets now for the last 20years, and I've also been happy with them.
Biggest advantage of the HJC is cost with (seemingly) comparable protection.
My current active helmets are both HJC, an open-face "jet" helmet, and the flip-front SymaxII.
In my almost 50 years of street riding, I've never had to really test the protection qualities of any helmet,
and only once touched a helmet to the pavement.  Luck?, Skill?, no claims.
Both Shoei and HJC fit my shape head comfortably.

[FJ_Hooligan]

I also like HJC.  For the price I think you get a very good helmet.  I moved from a Shoei to HJC and the fit is very similar.

[Pat Conlon]

For me, it's all about the proper fit.

I have a Irish noggin, a long oval, and when I had my Shoei I developed painful pressure points on my forehead about 2 hours into the ride.

I love my Arai Signet Q.

I understand the Solfx Transitions face shield the Bell helmet users enjoy, will now be available for my Signet Q.

[keand3]

I bought the Shark Race-R Pro last year, and I havent regreteted it yet!

Fits well, is super light and very good when it comes to wind noise.

The shields are thicker then most others shields and are a bit overpriced perhaps (?), but excellent quality. Super easy to replace.

Cheek pads can also be rplaced to fit your needs.

[Maticuno]

I've had Shoei for off-road helmts.  For street I liked the features of the Bell and got the Vortex.  The fitment was near identical (large).

[aviationfred]

I have used a number of helmets over the years. Fulmer, Shoei, Nolan, HJC, Icon, and Bell. I must have a head shape that is neutral, as I have had no fit or hot spot issues with any of the helmets that I have owned. The Shoei helmets that I had were of the late 80's early 90's models. I currently own a HJC C16, Icon Domain II and a Bell Vortex. They all fit a bit differently. The HJC is the quietest, The Icon is the heaviest and has a snug fit without causing any hot spots, and the Bell has the best venting and the most comfortable fit. I use the Bell as my main helmet. I can not give enough praise to the Bell Transitions face shield. As for as switching from a Shoei to another brand. IMO the Bell reminds me of my old Shoei's the most.

Fred

[FJ_Hooligan]

I guess I'll have to look into Bell, they sound interesting. 

My first helmet was an international orange Bell Star.  The original full face helmet back in the '70s.

I wore that thing until the liner degraded and fell out.

[Maticuno]

The Bell Vortex has a removable washable liner, and cut outs in the helmet for head phones.  I find the helmet a touch too noisy to actually hear the music, so it's just a nice place for my ears to rest.

The easily replaceable shields, especially the transitions shield, is the key selling point.  That and good venting.  If I forget to close the top vent ports in the cold, I get a localized brain freeze.

[Zwartie]

I've also been a life-long Shoei wearer. I've tried on numerous brands in the showroom and the Shoei helmets always seem to fit the best. It's like they made it to fit all 4 corners of my Dutch head just so. That being said, I was in a local dealership a month or so ago and tried on one of these: http://gpbikes.com/kaos-ether-carbon-street-helmet.html. The first thing I noticed when I picked up was how friggin light it was! It felt like it was half the weight of my RF1000. It also seemed to have a good fit and the price was pretty reasonable too. Fit and finish looked to be on par with just about anything out there as well. It may be worth checking out.

Zwartie