Shoei RF-1000 Review

Shoei is a name synonymous with quality helmets and for good reason: they make some of the best helmets out there; used by professional racers and everyday commuters alike. My first (and current) helmet was a Shoei TZ-R and it has served me well throughout my years of riding. When the opportunity arose to test out the new Shoei RF-1000 I was very excited to see what improvements were made over my TZ-R.

Graphics

While you can save a decent chunk of change by going for the flat black RF-1000 at $367.99, the paint job on the Caster TC-1 version of this helmet is worth every penny of its $474.99 sticker price. The pictures on the internet really do not do this helmet justice. In general I have always been a fan of the minimalist look, and I think some helmets go a little crazy with the graphics. This Shoei however, is a thing of beauty.

The great thing about the RF-1000 is if you are not a big fan of the caster model you have 41 other paint schemes to choose from. One of my personal favorites is the Voyager TC-5 and the Joust TC-1. Once again, the pictures really do not show the full beauty of these helmets, if you get a chance you should go to your local motorcycle gear store and check them out. (Go to http://www.shoei-helmets.com/road/helmets_road.aspx?h=3 to see all the color options)

Airflow

The airflow on the RF-1000 is much better compared to it's little brother. The TZ-R has a single forehead vent, and one vent at the chin guard. This can lead to easy fogging if you are stopped at a red light in the cool early morning, but it usually clears up once you hit 35mph. In contrast, the RF has split the single forehead vent into two circle vents a couple inches above each eyebrow. I don't know if it's the shape of the vent, or their placement, but when you have both of them open you can really feel the cool breeze on top of your head. The ventilation is so good in fact that I had to close the vents a couple of times because my head was getting a little chilly!

One of the reasons the circular vents might be pulling so much air in is because of the rear vent attached to the "Aero Spoiler" on the back of the helmet. This port has a single cover that you slide open to reveal two more vents that work to get rid of all the hot air that built up in the helmet. If that wasn't enough, there is also a lower air intake at the chin guard of this helmet as well! These additions force a lot of air into the helmet which helps both with fogging and with keeping the sweat off your face.

All these vents on the RF-1000 do a fantastic job of keeping your visor fog-free. If you are stopped your visor remains transparent far longer than with the TZ-R. I'm so used to flipping up my visor when I'm not in motion that it took me several stoplights to realize I didn't have to do that with the RF. Granted, the helmet is great at airflow, but it is still a helmet and it will start to fog up if the environment around you is pretty cold and there is no wind being forced through the vents. All things considered, these vents are still a big step up from my old helmet.

Fit and Feel

There are a lot of different head shapes out there and I happen to have the perfect 'Shoei-shaped-head'. After I got this helmet in the mail I tried it on and immediately felt at home. The padding cushioned and gripped my head just right. It was more snug than my old helmet, but that is to be expected when comparing it to a helmet that has been used nearly every day for the past few years.

I wore the RF-1000 helmet during trips that ranged from 5 minutes to 2 hours and the helmet stayed very comfortable the whole time. One thing that I began to notice is that this helmet felt lighter than my TZ-R. The weight difference is not extreme, but it is definitely noticeable. The heavier a helmet it is the more it will fatigue your shoulders and neck when you are leaning over in your riding position -so I imagine this helmet will help make the longer rides more comfortable.

Visor System and Other Features

The visor system on this helmet is identical to the one on my old Shoei. It is quick and easy to switch out a clear visor for a dark smoke visor if the occasion calls for it. The shields for Shoei are also relatively inexpensive compared to some of the other manufacturers out there so you won't be breaking the bank if you happen to scratch yours on accident. Another small feature is the addition of a thin piece of red nylon to one of the rings of the chin strap. This makes strapping your noggin into the helmet a little bit easier than it would be without. Again that's not a huge thing, but it is something nice that all Shoei helmets seem to have.

The last feature I noticed is the RF-1000 seems to be a lot quieter than my old helmet. This could of course be to attributed to the fact that the RF was brand new compared to my 3+ year old TZ-R. The padding could be worn out and therefore let more air into the helmet to create a lot more noise. To truly be able to test this I would have to either get a brand new TZ-R or wear the RF for a few years to compare.

Conclusion

When I first got my TZ-R my only two concerns were that it was comfortable and full-faced. Now that I've been riding a few years my tastes have matured and I have a better idea of what I do and don't want. Fit and feel is still a very important part of my decisions, but now airflow is right up there when it comes to 'must have' features. If you were to buy a flat black TZ-R you would be $303.99 out of pocket versus if you were to buy a flat black RF-1000 that would cost you $367.99 (a $64.00 difference). In my opinion, the airflow and the lighter helmet materials are worth the extra money, especially if you plan on wearing the helmet as often as I wear mine.

Pros:

• Great airflow compared to the TZ-R.
• Fantastic paint jobs with lots to choose from.
• Light weight.

Cons:

• The cool color schemes add a lot to the price
• A great helmet, but it is more expensive then some other brands like HJC or Scorpion.

Specs

Technical Specs + Features from http://www.shoei-helmets.com:

• Quick Release Base Plate System
• Upper Air Intake
• Lower Air Intake
• Aero Spoiler With Exhaust Vent
• Neck Outlet
• Face Shield Defogging Vent
• Removable / Replaceable Cheek Pads and Chin Strap Covers
• Preset Shield Opening Lever With Locking Mechanism
• CX 1V Shield
• AIM+ Shell Construction
• 3D Comfort liner
• Breath guard
• Chin curtain
• Dual liner ventilation system
• Snell M2005
• 5 Year Warranty From Purchase Date. 7 Year Warranty From Helmet Manufacture Date. Whichever comes first.

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