Bought a new Shoei RF-1000 Helmet today.

[messer00]

Prior to this morning, I was using an HJC CL-15. The leather at the bottom of the helmet was cracking, so I decided to take it into the dealer to submit a warrenty claim to get it repaired/replaced. It has a 1-year warrenty on it and I purchased it in December of 2007. The dealer said they would have to send it back to HJC, leaving me without a helmet. Not good.

I've always heard Shoei made a great helmet and decided to try one on. I never even considered them in the past because of their price. My HJC only cost $119 bucks and it had the same DOT and SNELL rating, so why pay more, right?

I immediately noticed the difference in the fit and you could just feel the quality. SOLD. The ride home was amazing. I was wearing ear plugs for the wind noise with my HJC helmet. Not needed with the Shoei. I could actually feel air coming in the top of the helmet vents, something I had not experienced with the smaller HJC vents. To give it a better test, I decided to take the scenic ride home and stretched a 24-mile trip to 56-miles. It was perfect. It's a great helmet and I'm glad that I spent the extra money.

[maximum_babe]

Wow.. now that you hv given your report/views on the Shoei helmet, i think u got me into the shopping mood again.

I've been looking online the past week on Shoei, Arai & AGV helmets. Man! Some are really good looking but like you.. i also hv a HJC and though why pay more than double for another helmet? On the other hand, i also hv a Lazer fullface helmet which is not too bad too.

I've had my eye on an AGV helmet for a while now. Maybe it's time to go to the store and try out the rest.

Thanks for your input

Oh! One question though, is there any difference on the sizing between the HJC and Shoei helmets?

[messer00]

Originally Posted by maximum_babe

Oh! One question though, is there any difference on the sizing between the HJC and Shoei helmets?

Nope... I wear an XL in both brands.

[jeremy]

Shoei"s are great helmets. But if you want a helmet that fits incredible, try on a Suomy(sp?). they hug your head and have very low wind noise. I have ridden with my brothers and am decided right then and there i'm buying one come tax time next year.

[maximum_babe]

Great.. thanks for the reply

[Slo'Poke]

I concur with Messer00 on 'you get what you pay for'. The RF1000 is pricey, but it was a tremendous change from (me too) the HJC I had prior to it! I can go for hours on hours without discomfort; my five day tour earlier this year was proof.

[messer00]

Originally Posted by jeremy

Shoei"s are great helmets. But if you want a helmet that fits incredible, try on a Suomy(sp?). they hug your head and have very low wind noise. I have ridden with my brothers and am decided right then and there i'm buying one come tax time next year.

Funny you mentioned Suomy. I was at the Ducati dealer the day before and they carried that brand. The owner of the shop said that Ducati's factory riders are sponsored by them. Prior to that, I've never heard of the brand. Nice looking helmets. I didn't try one on, so I don't know how they fit or the quality of them.

[polizei]

I just looked up Suomy because I've never heard of them. $400-650 is a lot for a helmet, especially when reviews say it's noisy and the comfort isn't the best. I tried on a Shoei RF-1000 and the fit was amazing, MUCH better than my AFX, and much more comfortable! Suomy graphics are awesome though!

The one thing that got me into looking at Suomy is the safety side of it. If I'm going to wear a helmet, I want it to protect my head! My AFX helmet saved my head once (literally). Reviews say you have to wear earplugs though.

-Cody

[bretsk2500]

Originally Posted by maximum_babe

I've been looking online the past week on Shoei, Arai & AGV helmets. Man! Some are really good looking but like you.. i also hv a HJC and though why pay more than double for another helmet?

I have a Zamp helmet (which is more or less the same thing as a low end HJC) and a Shoei TZ-R (which fit me better than a RF1000). The first thing I noticed was how much LESS the shoei weighed and in the 6,000 miles I've ridden with the shoei on, it cools much better, but fogs easier than the Zamp (even with the optional shoei breath deflector). My Shoei is also fairly noisy, but still quieter than the Zamp.

I am glad I purchased the Shoei, and would buy another one to replace it... I'll probably buy Kawichic a shoei of her own come next spring and leave the Zamp in the closet.

[bretsk2500]

Originally Posted by Slo'Poke

I concur with Messer00 on 'you get what you pay for'. The RF1000 is pricey, but it was a tremendous change from (me too) the HJC I had prior to it! I can go for hours on hours without discomfort; my five day tour earlier this year was proof.

they're actually not that bad if you get a solid colored one.. a matte black one is something like $175 cheaper than the fancy paint job RF1k's....

[freezeradio]

I got the artifact one.in silver and black,great helmet.I also had to get 31 mm cheek pads .the 35 mm pads that came with it were to big

[Slo'Poke]

Originally Posted by bretsk2500

they're actually not that bad if you get a solid colored one.. a matte black one is something like $175 cheaper than the fancy paint job RF1k's....

That's the one I got.

[kawichic]

Originally Posted by bretsk2500

I have a Zamp helmet (which is more or less the same thing as a low end HJC) and a Shoei TZ-R (which fit me better than a RF1000). The first thing I noticed was how much LESS the shoei weighed and in the 6,000 miles I've ridden with the shoei on, it cools much better, but fogs easier than the Zamp (even with the optional shoei breath deflector). My Shoei is also fairly noisy, but still quieter than the Zamp.

I am glad I purchased the Shoei, and would buy another one to replace it... I'll probably buy Kawichic a shoei of her own come next spring and leave the Zamp in the closet.

...Awww....

[maximum_babe]

awwww... you lucky chic

[kawichic]

Originally Posted by maximum_babe

awwww... you lucky chic

You have no idea... ...very lucky.

[insolentminx]

i've got that same Shoei.
Had to get slightly bigger cheek pads, and I wear earplugs for journey's over an hour or on the motorways as my Cobras are LOUD! I also got a 'chin skirt' which hugs your neck and covers the gap under your chin. It cuts down wind noise and stops 'helmet lift' if it's windy out.

[jeremy]

i honestly dont know why people say there is alot of noise/and or the fit isnt great. I'll find out what model my brothers is. it hugged my head, and followed my jaw rather than just pushing in like HJC and some shoei's do. the noise level is low too.

you say its too much for a helmet? You should spare no expense when getting a helmet man.what you pay is what you get in the helmet world.

[kawichic]

If the helmet doesnt fit right, your noggin wont be protected. Pay the money. Its worth it.

[polizei]

Yes, but not all expensive helmets are the best. Most helmets that are more expensive have extra features like comfort, noise reduction, better cooling, etc. Some AFX helmets are Snell, DOT, and ECE rated, which is better than a LOT of helmets out there, and they are only ~$150. Plus I've used two, and one saved my life.

-Cody

[CycleDude]

Originally Posted by polizei

Yes, but not all expensive helmets are the best. Most helmets that are more expensive have extra features like comfort, noise reduction, better cooling, etc. Some AFX helmets are Snell, DOT, and ECE rated, which is better than a LOT of helmets out there, and they are only ~$150. Plus I've used two, and one saved my life.

-Cody

+1,000

Face it folks - you are buying a name and a paint job. Check this out...

Motorcycle Helmet Design, Helmet Standards and Head Protection - Gear Box - Motorcyclist Online

The "best" helmet for protection was $89. I bought it for myself, and my daughter. The fit is good, but the vents are less than perfect, they don't have a big name and their graphics are OK.

In the end, the best helmet on the market is the one that fits. Aria helmets which are arguably one of the "best" brands out there are excruciatingly painful to me within 10 minutes, so that $450 helmet is of no good to me at all. You do not necessarily get the best by spending the most. If the $150 HJC fits the best, then it is the best.

Shoei helmets, BTW fit me like my favorite ball cap, and will probably be my next one or perhaps an Icon airframe, which I have yet to try on.