{"id":44833,"date":"2018-07-18T17:04:02","date_gmt":"2018-07-18T21:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/motorcyclemojo.com\/?p=44833"},"modified":"2020-03-24T09:42:41","modified_gmt":"2020-03-24T13:42:41","slug":"shoei-neotec-ii-helmet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/motorcyclemojo.com\/2018\/07\/shoei-neotec-ii-helmet\/","title":{"rendered":"Shoei Neotec II Helmet"},"content":{"rendered":"
A new modular helmet that has a lot to offer<\/p>\n
I was excited to hear that Shoei was releasing a new version of the Neotec helmet, and even more excited to see it arrive at our head office. The first-generation modular Neotec was one of my favourite helmets for many years \u2013 it was comfortable and fit like a glove.<\/p>\n
The new DOT-approved Neotec II helmet meets and exceeds the original Neotec in many ways. The shell is made from multiple hand-laid layers of fibreglass, and lightweight organic and high-performance fibres, according to the Shoei literature. The company claims the shell provides optimal impact absorption, strength and elasticity. It weighs in on our scale at 1,885 grams \u2013 it isn\u2019t the lightest flip-up modular helmet, but it does feel well balanced when wearing, and the comfort outweighs the extra grams.<\/p>\n
The interior pads are removable for washing or replacing and are soft enough to easily conform to the rider\u2019s head \u2013 another reason this helmet is so comfortable. Cheek pads are available in different thicknesses for a customized fit.<\/p>\n
Eyeglass wearers or those of us who prefer to ride with sunglasses on will enjoy how easy it is to slide the arms of glasses into position with no binding or jiggling past the side foam.<\/p>\n
The Neotec II was designed with the help of Shoei\u2019s wind tunnel for aerodynamic efficiency and noise reduction. The helmet is quiet, depending, of course, on how hard the crosswind is or your type of fairing and where the wind hits you. One of the benefits of a flip-up helmet is that the neck opening is able to fit tighter to your neck, reducing the amount of air entering the helmet from underneath. I have no complaints at all about the minimal wind noise from this helmet.<\/p>\n
The actuation for the flip-up chin bar and face shield is positive and feels very secure when in the closed, locked position. The locking mechanism is made with high-quality stainless steel components. Unlocking requires just an easy squeeze with your forefinger, and lifting the chin bar to its open position is smooth.<\/p>\n
Shoei used 3-D injection moulding in the creation of the face shield, which leaves it free of distortion. The clear-plastic face shield is large for a good field of view, and according to the Shoei literature, it protects against 99 per cent of the sun\u2019s damaging UV rays. Removing the face shield to clean or replace it is an easy process.<\/p>\n
The design of the shield\u2019s spring-loaded pivoting system actually pulls the shield into the helmet\u2019s opening and against the seals to better ensure that water and air don\u2019t leak in when closed. The Neotec II comes with the tried-and-tested Pinlock system, which considerably reduces the possibility of the shield fogging up from a temperature change or your breath.<\/p>\n
The helmet also features an internal sunshield that\u2019s easily implemented with a lever on the left side, just below the face shield pivot. The sunshield also has the same distortion-free benefits as the face shield, and also blocks 99 per cent of the sun\u2019s UV rays.<\/p>\n
Ventilation is provided by a lower air intake in the chin bar and a three-position upper air intake on the top of the helmet, while the incoming air is exhausted through a non-adjustable
\nvent in the rear of the helmet.<\/p>\n
The chinstrap is adjustable and uses a micro-ratchet that\u2019s quick and easy to use, so no more fiddling with threading
\nthe strap in and around D-rings.<\/p>\n
A quick look online reveals the Neotec II will set you back about $930 and comes with a limited five-year warranty from date of purchase that covers materials and craftsmanship.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re looking for a new helmet or think you might soon be needing an upgrade, the Shoei Neotec II is a great option to consider in so many ways, but if you\u2019re also thinking about a communication system, carry on reading, because one thing that might tip the scales for you is the partnership that Shoei has with Sena and its SRL communication system designed exclusively for the Neotec II helmet.<\/p>\n