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I will be "retiring" my Shoei RF 1400 later this year. I'll only go with a FF and have it narrowed down to 3... The Bell Race Star Flex CF, the Arai Corsair X and the Alpinestar Supertech R10 Carbon. I really like my Shoei, but thought I'd go to the next level with head protection. All three of these are highly rated albeit unfortunately VERY expensive, but I like the idea of keeping my brain protected as best I can and also place high value on comfort and noise levels. My research tells me that these three finalists all rate very well in all areas.
Side note - looking back, it's somewhat surprising given I never wore a helmet for many years early on. Then went to non-DOT novelty helmets when California adopted the helmet law, and have migrated to 3/4...then modular...and now FF which I would not ride without. I also tend to be very cheap, but head protection falls into the exception, so I'll be cracking the wallet.
I will be "retiring" my Shoei RF 1400 later this year. I'll only go with a FF and have it narrowed down to 3... The Bell Race Star Flex CF, the Arai Corsair X and the Alpinestar Supertech R10 Carbon. I really like my Shoei, but thought I'd go to the next level with head protection. All three of these are highly rated albeit unfortunately VERY expensive, but I like the idea of keeping my brain protected as best I can and also place high value on comfort and noise levels. My research tells me that these three finalists all rate very well in all areas.
Side note - looking back, it's somewhat surprising given I never wore a helmet for many years early on. Then went to non-DOT novelty helmets when California adopted the helmet law, and have migrated to 3/4...then modular...and now FF which I would not ride without. I also tend to be very cheap, but head protection falls into the exception, so I'll be cracking the wallet.
There actually is nothing that I don't like about it. I've been very happy with the helmet. But the other three are lighter weight and I ain't getting any younger. I'm told that they are all quieter than the Shoei as well - we'll see.
FWIW Just bought two LS2 Advent modulars with the Cardo 4X last month. Tried one on at the local Harley dealer and liked them. But they wanted $600 for them. Got them on Amazon for considerably less. I'm thinking they run a little small. Bought a large for me and a medium for the wife. Mine is just a tad tight, but not enough that I needed a bigger size. The wife however couldn't stand how tight the medium was on her, so she tried on the large. She liked that much better so I sent back the medium and got a large for her. I like the Cardo system much better than the F5MC I had in our older helmets too. Haven't had much road time with it but have put a few miles on mine anyway. Pushing the chin bar back 180 degrees allows for wind/buffet free riding up to at least 50mph either visor up or down: at least on my bike. And highway speeds aren't a problem with the chin bar down. I think we'll be very happy with them.
After a noggin, brain, is cracked there is no going back.
Sometimes the brain isn't cracked too bad, but other times it is cracked enough to alter,
or even end, a rider's life.
Coming back to riding after a very long layoff I happened to come across an article which mentioned if you want nice teeth and a jaw that can chew meat get a full face. So many crashes it went on to state saw so many front on contacts of the face.
As much as I would love to purchase a Shoei RJ Platinum (3/4 open face), studies like this
convince me otherwise. I'll stick with the RF-1400. If I were buying a new helmet, I would definitely spring for the Shoei Neotec 3.
The numbers are important because they show the impact zones. Not mentioned, but shown, are the vents to allow air to
flow over the wearers head, at least while moving.
That actually works and makes riding much better. Especially for those of us in certain areas.
I have never tried a Shoei, or any high-priced helmet, but my helmets have always been DOT approved. And since splitting my chin
when it hit the street during the roll, slide, and bounce that happens because of an accident they have always been FF too.
And some FF helmets of the last few years are much better in vision too, so it helps to shop around and try a few on.
It may not be fair, but it is possible to try on a helmet locally and order the same helmet from some other place.
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