Wait - THIS is what it's s'posed to be?!

[STrider]

After just 13 years into this riding business, I finally got me a real, good, not-price point helmet.

I've long known I had a very Shoei-shaped noggin, but an, umm, not Shoei-friendly wallet.

But the planets aligned such that I was able to pick up a new RF-1000, along with a jacket & some gloves to replace the gear that went away in the NC low-side.

Now, I've had the stuff less than 24 hours, but here's the initial assessment on the helmet:

WOW!! If I'da known how much different it was, I'd have pushed for this a looooong time ago. It comes with a breath guard and chin skirt - While these contribute to a little bit of extra heat, the vents (wait - you mean vents that actually work?? - YES!!) diminish that quickly when underway.

As for those vents, yes, I can really feel air moving in & through the hemmet.

Noise? What noise? This helmet is dramatically quieter than anything else I've used. Up to freeway speeds, I can actually still hear the bike over the wind!!

The visor mechanism is easy, ratchets solid, and easy to remove & reinstall.

Fit & finish are excellent. Matte black, (about $80-100 cheaper than anything with graphics).

Depending on the price-point a person is looking at, it's well worth the higher price for the quality over a more budget conscious lid.

I'll write more about the jacket & gloves when they're a little more broke in - but for now, I'm the Blue Power Ranger!!

[kurt]

Yup. I've long been a fan of Shoei and Arai. I've owned other brands, but my X-II, Profile and XD helmets always make me come back despite the difference in price. I had a boycott of Arai going until they made their helmets available online again, but Lone Star made me a deal on both the XD and Profile that made the issue a moot point.

[bigboy292000]

Did anyone try the new Scorpion?

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/scorpion/exo-1000/

[cmcnamee]

Did anyone try the new Scorpion?

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/scorpion/exo-1000/

I picked up an EXO-400 a while back and was very impressed with the helmet's quality. I can only imagine that their latest offering would improve on the original. The only downside that keeps me from using Scorpion helmets is their shape. All the ones I've tried have been more HJC or KBC round than the Shoei RF-1000 oblong which fits me quite well.

Carl

[Warpbender]

nope.... no pics..=Didn't happen

[Hemibee]

nope.... no pics..=Didn't happen

I saw it in his hand........... so maybe it happened?




Also witnessed a helmet get trash just after you left the store. Couple of bikes rode up as we were leaving and one of them's helmet hit the concrete and I saw some ugly scratches. I think it may have hit the curb before it hit the parking lot, wasn't a pretty sight.

[Tourmeister]

I have field tested two RF-1000's... :doh: I am now on my third ;-)

[GregH]

I've been wearing a Shoei Multi-Tec from the beginning of my return to riding. It was the best fit and I figured my head was worth the money.

[Faylaricia]

Matt, what helmet did you have before that so we know what you are comparing it to?

[Keith]

I like my Arai RX7 a little bit better than my Shoei RF1000, but they are both light years ahead of the HJC I started with. I wish I had bought the Arai without graphics as it just doesn't match the 'Busa at all. Of course the Shoei is the Hayabusa graphics model from Suzuki, so each bike has its own helmet.

[STrider]

Matt, what helmet did you have before that so we know what you are comparing it to?

good point...

I've had:

HJC (don't remember which model. Actually, a certain person whose name rhymes with Squeaky still has it awaiting a TWT paint job...). At the time, a long time ago, it was adequate, but had a forehead pressure point, no venting to speak of, and was loud. But it was cheap. ATTENTION ADHERENTS OF HJC: Do not send me hate PM's over the above statement. I have 2 HJC dirt helmets that I like very much.

KBC - VR-1. This was a good one, but over the years the interior squashed down enough that the fit got too loose. Good fit, not much for venting, somewhat quieter, but still noisy. Gonna keep it, as I got it signed by Hodgson, but only use it as back-up.

Scorpion - EX-400. Got this in a fit of budgetary consciousness. I know there are plenty of folks who think these are the bee's knees, and I'll probably get hate PM's for this, but I found after the initial good fit in the store, it was spectacularly uncomfortable, hot, noisy, and poorly constructed. Returned after 1 ride.

Icon Alliance - I guess this is the opposite of the Scorpion. Icon has lots of detractors, (and a less than endearing street persona) but I found it to be comfortable, well-constructed, reasonably quiet, and decently vented, at a reasonable price. I'd still be wearing this one if it didn't go away post-lowside.

I think there's another one in there somewhere, but I guess it was unremarkable enough not to remember.

Now I've got the Shoei, and I'm quite pleased with it.;-)

edited to respond to Kieth and others: Just as a matter of curiosity, I don't understand the Arai & Shoei combination - I've tried on Arai's before, and it's like somebody went out of their way to specifically design a helmet I couldn't wear, but Shoei's I've tried on have always been great. It seems like the two brands are exclusive to a certain head shape, at least for me.

[rocketbunny]

I loved my old Arai. I still consider it far more comfortable than the Caberg I'm currently running.

I just love the internal sun visor and flip up capability on the Caberg. Now if only my ears would stop hurting after a long day in the saddle... (I generally forgot that the Arai was on my head, always completely comfortable)

//Gotta try the new Scorpion. Or maybe find a dealership that actually has a Schuberth in my size that I can try on.

[wildebube]

I don't have any experience with either Arai or Shoei, but I certainly have no complaints about my helmet. After several Bells and a couple of Schuberths (BMW System I and BMW System III), I went to an AGV. I tried on several offerings from both Shoei and Arai, but found none as comfortable as the AGV. The Arai was more comfortable to MY head, but the AGV beat them both handily. That first AGV didn't vent very well, but it was certainly comfortable and quiet. When it was ready to be retired, I tried both Shoei and Arai again, but once again went with an AGV.

With the System III, I could definitely feel the air moving through the helmet when the vents were open. The first AGV vented a little, but the only time I could really feel it was when I was extremely hot and sweaty - and even then it was minimal and didn't last very long. Oddly, I can't ever feel any ventilation at all in the latest one, but it's much cooler then either the old AGV or the BMW System III. Being a flip-up, this one is a little noisier than the previous AGV, but I would still rate it as a very quiet helmet.

The current AGV is due for replacement in another year or so. I'll go try Shoei and Arai again, but don't be surprised if I turn up in another shiny new AGV.

[Tracker]

Where's the cheapest place to get a Shoei?

[DaveC]

Where's the cheapest place to get a Shoei?

You can't use Shoei and cheap in the same sentence :lol2:

[uieng99]

Depends on your definition of cheap. I ordered mine from Motodepot. They have discounts available. Best price I could find. You could also try parts411.com...

- Jeff

Where's the cheapest place to get a Shoei?

[Morgan Buchanan]

I'm a 20 year Shoei wearer. LOVE my RF. I have a buddy with a Scorpion exo 700...I should trade him for a quick ride sometime to compare just for my curiosity.

[Quick-Silver]

Shoei here too. Syncrotec and now a Multitec for the GoldWing sound system. :thumb:

[Squeaky]

Actually, a certain person whose name rhymes with Squeaky still has it awaiting a TWT paint job

Uh... in my defense, it has been prepped and primed white. :giveup:

[Morgan Buchanan]

You can't use Shoei and cheap in the same sentence :lol2:


http://helmetharbor.com/ I got my last helmet here and was very pleased with the price. If less expensive helmets fit as well and performed as well, I'd buy them, but I can't put a price on less wind noise, awesome ventilation, wonderfully performing visors and the like.

[Nofear]

After just 13 years into this riding business, I finally got me a real, good, not-price point helmet.

I've long known I had a very Shoei-shaped noggin, but an, umm, not Shoei-friendly wallet.

But the planets aligned such that I was able to pick up a new RF-1000, along with a jacket & some gloves to replace the gear that went away in the NC low-side.

Now, I've had the stuff less than 24 hours, but here's the initial assessment on the helmet:

WOW!! If I'da known how much different it was, I'd have pushed for this a looooong time ago. It comes with a breath guard and chin skirt - While these contribute to a little bit of extra heat, the vents (wait - you mean vents that actually work?? - YES!!) diminish that quickly when underway.

As for those vents, yes, I can really feel air moving in & through the hemmet.

Noise? What noise? This helmet is dramatically quieter than anything else I've used. Up to freeway speeds, I can actually still hear the bike over the wind!!

The visor mechanism is easy, ratchets solid, and easy to remove & reinstall.

Fit & finish are excellent. Matte black, (about $80-100 cheaper than anything with graphics).

Depending on the price-point a person is looking at, it's well worth the higher price for the quality over a more budget conscious lid.

I'll write more about the jacket & gloves when they're a little more broke in - but for now, I'm the Blue Power Ranger!!

i want this one I really think that the innovative cheek pad fitting system, called the HelmetPump and the internal retractable sun visor will be Awesome features .... Will you buy one and give me your views on it as well :rider:

[Thermalser]

I'm a 20 year Shoei wearer. LOVE my RF. I have a buddy with a Scorpion exo 700...I should trade him for a quick ride sometime to compare just for my curiosity.

I have both. RF-900 and EXO-700. The fit and finish on the Shoei have held up over several riding seasons (and one deer strike). I picked up the EXO this year on ebay for $109 shipped to my door. I've only used it on the track, but it seems to be on par with the RF. We'll see how it holds up over time.

[jhansen]

Here's new enough shoei stuff

http://www.newenough.com/helmets_eyewear/all_types/shoei/

prices look a bit lower than cyclegear.....FWIW