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The venting systems on quality helmets are designed for a certain riding position; with the RF-1200 being more of a sportbike helmet model the vents won't work as well for a more upright touring bike riding position.
That is what I read too, and that the Shoei RF-SR is designed for a more upright position. I just bought one yesterday and like it so far, it was on sale at Cycle Gear for $400 down from $500. (maybe it will be superseded soon?)
It came with a pinlock inner anti-fog shield which was a nice surprise.
I couldn't find much different on the Neo 3 vs the 2 I'm wearing. My wife and I both love our Neo 2 helmets. On warm or hot days I often ride open-face in slower areas, then lock it down once speeds pick up. The flip feature is great during short stops and fueling. I can't drink while riding....only when stopped.
I picked up a N3 last fall and found it very warm and I got a lot of moisture build up on the face shied. I had the vents closed as it was in the low 40s, riding a Heritage Classic with a windshield.
This spring it was the same, if I opened the top and chin vents then the road noised increased and it didn't feel like I was getting any air. I replaced the standard chin curtain with a mesh one which only improved the air flow slightly.
On my last ride I removed both the chin curtain and the breath deflector, this did help marginally but the road noises increased again. Compared to last season I wore a BMW Carbon 7 helmet, (flip up) and did not have the issue of being hot or not getting any air and it was a quiet helmet.
The N3 is much more comfortable than the C7. It appears Shoei didn't take the touring crowd into their parameters when designing the helmet.....shame.
I have a 1200 as well. Do you get any airflow inside the helmet? Even with all vents open, I feel no circulation.
On my Road Glide I actually do however that is because I still have the stock windscreen and get a lot of air at helmet level. So visor closed the air hits the top vents straight on and I easily notice the cooling provided I have not inadvertently closed the rear vent.
Now the trade off is at speed I cannot ride with the visor open for long as the wind hits me in the face and even glasses aren't going to do much for that. I suspect if I get the 10" windscreen I will be able to ride with the visor open but then of course closed I won't have sufficient air flow to notice in the vents.
Right now since I prefer listening to my music through speakers in my helmet I may keep the lower windscreen longer. I will still try the taller screen and may even have one as an option for cooler weather.
I'm on a Road Glide with nose-level Freedom Shield. I commonly ride all day with my Neo 2 clear face shield raised and sunglasses only. I get nice air flow and my glasses don't move. I also think the Neo 2 has great ventilation. I can feel the breeze moving over my head at speed. Noise has never been any kind of issue, but that's because I/we always wear filtered ear plugs and use in-helmet comms/audio. Even with full stage 2 including a strong cam and forceful exhaust volume we have no trouble hearing each other as we talk back and forth or listen to music in the helmet.
I have a 1200 as well. Do you get any airflow inside the helmet? Even with all vents open, I feel no circulation.
Airflow on my 1200 is poor. My rf Sr was much better
this one also fogs up all the time
Originally Posted by 08xl1200r
That is what I read too, and that the Shoei RF-SR is designed for a more upright position. I just bought one yesterday and like it so far, it was on sale at Cycle Gear for $400 down from $500. (maybe it will be superseded soon?)
It came with a pinlock inner anti-fog shield which was a nice surprise.
mine was pretty good I thought. I thought I was upgrading by moving to the 1200 but I'm not so sure about that
I just bought the RF SR at Cyclegear as I am going to be riding in city rush hour traffic more. The first helmet Ive bought since the helmet law was repealed in PA in 2003. Seems like a great helmet so far, it is definately made for an upright riding position.
Airflow on my 1200 is poor. My rf Sr was much better
this one also fogs up all the time
mine was pretty good I thought. I thought I was upgrading by moving to the 1200 but I'm not so sure about that
Shoei designed the RF1400 to have better air flow than the RF1200.
I don't have any complaints about the air flow in my RF1200 but Michigan summers don't have desert or tropical heat, thankfully.
My complaint with the RF helmets is the cheek pads, which are too thick for my face. I bought thinner cheek pads for my RF 1200 that cost around $35.00. I couldn't find RF1400 cheek pads on Revzilla's website, but I would not be surprised if they cost over $50.00 when they become available.
I like Revzilla's helmet reviews.
I had an RF1100 before I got the Neotec 2, and I think a Schubert C2 or C3 (early modular) before that. The Schubert was VERY noisy, which is why when time came to replace it I got the RF1100. The latter was a very nice, quiet helmet but I really missed being able to flip up the front for things like talking to my wife, filling up gas or going into a store, or even just talking to a cop on the side of the road. A helmet that blocks sound from entering also blocks sound from exiting... It's also really nice to be able to keep it open in slow traffic on a hot day. I got the N2 in 2020, so expect not to replace it before 2030 - I personally don't believe there's a case to replace it every five years.
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