Ever since I started riding, I’ve been a motorcycle gear nerd. Early in my riding career, the search for quality, protective gloves sent me on a mission to educate myself about motorcycle gear, and I haven’t let up since.
But here’s something weird: I’ve never put much thought into buying my motorcycle helmets. As long as it was a DOT-approved, Snell-certified full face, that was enough for me.
Until, of course, now.
My first two helmets were easy-on-the-wallet Bells. Nothing wrong with that — they did their job fine.
But on my trip to Canada last May, I realized my Bell Vortex (now discontinued) wasn’t cutting it anymore. The visor flipped open whenever I turned my head, everything fogged up in the slightest bit of humidity, and the highway-speed buffeting on my upright FZ-07 left my neck sore for days.
On that trip, I knew: it was time for a new helmet. A better helmet. A helmet that not only did its job, but helped me enjoy the ride.
So, for the first time in years, I started reading up on motorcycle helmets.
The most important thing about buying a helmet
These days, helmet technology is pretty solid. As long as you’re wearing a DOT- or CE-approved full face, it’s going to do its job in a crash.
Unless, of course, it doesn’t fit.
If your helmet doesn’t fit you, it doesn’t matter what certifications it has. It doesn’t matter how much you spent on it, or how technologically advanced it is. If your helmet doesn’t fit you, it can’t protect your head.
I knew this already — I’ve known it since I started riding. But in my research on helmet fit, I realized something.
The Bell Vortex I’ve worn for the past three years doesn’t fit me.
When I bought my Vortex, I knew a helmet should be snug (hello, chipmunk cheeks!) without causing painful pressure points. Check and check.
But I missed something: a helmet should also have a uniform fit all the way around your head, like a baseball cap.
And, sure enough, when I wear the Bell Vortex, there’s a gap between my forehead and the helmet shell, large enough to fit my index finger. This indicates that the head shape is slightly too long for my head, and if I had crashed in that helmet, this mismatch may have put me at unnecessary risk. Oof.
Armed with this new information, I knew it was even more critical that I find a quality helmet that, above all else, fit.
My new helmet: The Shoei RF-1200
After doing my research and trying on as many helmets as I could, I chose a crowd favorite: the Shoei RF-1200.
All the reviews agree: it’s an excellent helmet for the price — and most importantly, it fits my head shape perfectly, no gaps or pressure points.
When I rode in my RF-1200 for the first time, the first thing I noticed was how light it feels. It’s amazing how much of a difference 0.42 lbs can make.
Last week, I took a 250-mile ride to the coast, and I’m in love with this helmet. Even in my FZ’s upright riding position, the aerodynamics made it much more comfortable at highway speeds.
At around 60 mph the wind buffeting was unnoticeable, and at 75 only slight. In all the Shoei feels much more compact, much more stable. It makes a 250-mile ride a leisurely cruise, even on a wind-buffeted FZ-07.
Another premium feature I wasn’t expecting to appreciate is the venting. As a native Texan, you’d think I’d understand the importance of a well-vented helmet. But I hadn’t experienced what quality venting felt like. With three forehead vents, a chin vent, and a rear exhaust, the RF-1200 does an excellent job.
On my trip last week, I did still wear earplugs, so the wind noise isn’t altogether gone. But I found myself appreciating the aerodynamics much more than I cared about the noise.
Revzilla calls the Shoei RF-1200 the “gateway drug” to premium helmets, and I’m inclined to agree.
Bonus: The Shoei CWR-1 Transitions Visor
For years, I’ve wanted a Transitions visor, which adapts to ambient light (you know, like the glasses!). So when I chose the Shoei RF-1200, which has a matching Transitions visor, I decided to treat myself.
And now? I’m never going back.
The first thing I noticed wearing this visor was that everything looks more “real.” With the adaptive tinting, everything is the right color, and somehow it all looks clearer, too.
Now, as the packaging says, the photochromic shift is gradual. But I’ve tested it in a few tunnels now, and I never felt unsafe.
The Shoei Transitions shield is Pinlock-equipped, but the visor is pretty good at clearing away fog on its own, too. On my first ride, I tested it by breathing heavily into the helmet at a light. With the vents open and a slight breeze, the fog cleared up in no time.
Plus, it was especially nice to not have to pack a second visor on my day trip last week.
At $170, the Transitions visor is by no means a necessity. But it is an awesome nice-to-have.
PSA: Helmet color matters!
You might have noticed that both my old Bell Vortex and new Shoei RF-1200 helmets are white. There’s a reason for that.
For my first helmet, I went with a cool, classic look: matte black. But by the time I bought my second helmet, I was much more interested in motorcycle safety. Surely, I thought, white would make me more conspicuous on the road than black.
Turns out, my instinct was right. According to a New Zealand study of 460 crashes and 1,200 riders, “light colored” helmets are associated with a 19% reduction in crash risk. And compared to black helmets, white helmets were associated with a 24% lower risk.
Especially because I tend to wear casual-looking gear, a white helmet is an easy way to add an extra boost of always-there visibility.
For bonus reflectivity, add some sweet white-on-white reflective stickers. I have these stars from Stellar Moto on my Bell Vortex, and this this Hinterland Empire sticker is a super cool option, too.
How much should you spend on a helmet?
On her blog GearChic, Revzilla fit consultant Joanne Donn writes that “helmets are something that you don’t really figure out until you’ve been riding awhile.”
I agree. It wasn’t until I started riding farther and longer that I even started to feel the need for an upgrade.
If you’re a new rider, you likely won’t notice or appreciate the features of a premium helmet. At that stage, you’re thinking about so many things that 0.42 lbs of helmet weight won’t make a difference.
What you get when you pay for a premium helmet is creature comfort. Better ventilation, less wind noise, more aerodynamics. Longtime riders might say they can’t live without these features, but they’re not required for learning.
Plus, motorcycle gear is expensive, and you’ve got the rest of your body to cover, too.
If you can afford to get a $500 helmet and the gloves, boots, pants and jacket, then by all means, go for it. But otherwise, get the $250 helmet, and spend the difference protecting your feet (or torso, or hands, or legs).
As long as you’re wearing a full face, certified helmet, your head will be protected. As long as, of course, it fits.
My data may lack “external validity” for a larger group: Shoei is the only helmet that can fit my rather sizeable and somewhat uniquely (though beautiful, IMHO) shaped head. ?
But yeah, I love mine for the look and feel (and, of course, fit ? ).
Thanks, AGAIN, for ALL that you do in an effort to keep us safer, stronger, and riding longer! ??
Ride on and Write on, because you’re Right on!!! ??
Hahah if your head is uniquely shaped, then I guess mine is too, since this Shoei fits me perfectly! But even within the Shoei brand, there are some shape differences. For example, the RF-1200 is actually more round than the RF-SR, which I definitely noticed when I compared the two!
Thanks for all your support, Ohene!! Take care! 🙂
For sure, fit is the most important factor, budget or premium helmet. I had been wearing XL size Scorpion and Shark helmets for years until, on a whim, I got properly fitted. It ends up for my head shape the best fit was actually a medium Arai with the optional thicker cheekpads. World of difference, quieter, less turbulence and less fatigue riding long days on my naked bike. If you can’t get fitted by a pro I’d recommend using motorcyclegear.com’s Lid Picker service, its the next best thing.
Wow! That’s so crazy that you were actually a medium! I didn’t mention this in the article because it was getting long, but I actually had to switch up the head liner to get the perfect fit. The regular small was giving me a slight headache, and I wanted to size up (or get a different helmet entirely), but the guys at Beaverton Motorcycles gave me a slightly thinner headliner instead, which was exactly what I needed.
I didn’t know about the Lid Picker service, that’s pretty neat! I might try it sometime, just to see what the results are.
For anyone else reading who’s interested, here’s the link to their kit! http://www.lidpicker.com/
Thanks from me too, Scott!!! Maybe I’ll find out my head isn’t as oddly shaped as my wife & kids tell me it is. ?
I’ve always been one of the guys that refuse to wear a lid, then I bought a full face helmet. Not only am I more comfortable in my environment, the city, but it makes for a more enjoyable ride. I can see and hear so much better. Helmets rock! Now I want to upgrade.
Yess! I love hearing helmet success stories 🙂 Full face helmets are the best, and not just because they help protect your noggin (though that is important!). Glad you’re enjoying the full face experience, I hope you find an upgrade you love!
I tried a bunch of helmets before finding my RF-1200, even Arai didn’t fit me as well. Maybe we should start a unique head club?
One thing though, the DOT standard isn’t actually safe, just legal. It’s standard was outdated by the time it was enacted around the 70’s. It allows too much g-force to reach the head, is based on car crash head trauma, and it allows self certification by companies. A company can just say they pass, or do tests on ultra specific portions of the helmet. Snell and ECE are the standards for safety, DOT is to avoid tickets.
A year later, the RF-1200 still feels so perfect! Unique head club FTW.
I definitely agree with you about the issues with DOT — they are undoubtedly the minimum standard, and the lack of independent testing doesn’t help.
But this article wasn’t really about helmet standards, it’s about helmet fit, so I didn’t have room to get into it. DOT is just shorthand for “non-novelty.” Most, if not all, reputable helmet brands currently sold in the US with DOT approval are going to do their job just fine 😉
It’s definitely a good issue, though, and someday I hope to have a good enough grasp on the research to be able to write a helpful article about it!
I have to strongly disagree with “As long as you’re wearing a DOT- or CE-approved full face, it’s going to do its job in a crash.” Educate yourself on the DOT standard, it is dangerously low, outdated, and easy to circumvent.
I agree that DOT standards could and should be better. But in general, this article was about helmet fit, because so many people do it wrong. And no matter how good your helmet is, it can’t protect you if it doesn’t fit.
My Shoie RF1200 is my first premium helmet too! I had 2 Icon helmets before, an Alliance and an Airmada. The Airmada would cause pressure points on my temples giving me a dull headache after each ride. The Alliance fit better, but I notice the Shoei cradles the back of my head better. The only slight disappointment I have with the Shoie is that the wind noise without hearing protection is louder than my Icons. The best explanation I have found is the lighter more advanced shell transfers vibration and hence sound more. Also the speaker cut outs near the ears may contribute. Overall though no regrets and the price of the helmets are not bad at all for the quality if you find a closeout graphic you like. I got a white helmet with a ruts graphic for around 380.
Regarding fitment, I’m getting the same helmet, and wanted to know if Shoei’s head-sizing guide was accurate for determining the appropriate RF-1200 size to get. I’ve needed an XXL in the past for helmets (it’s been a LONG time since I’ve purchased a new helmet), but their sizing guide – based on my head-circumference – indicates I should go with an XL instead. Just wanted to know if your helmet size was correct based on your head’s circumference.
BTW, great blog! Stumbled on here by accident doing research and ended up reading hours-worth of your stories. 🙂
Thanks!
-A fellow Pacific-NWer
The clarity you noticed is likely due to Shoei using optically-correct injection molded shields. Bell and other lower-tier helmet brands use what is essentially bent or manually curved plastic. Otherwise excellent review! I’ve used many helmets, some half the price, some double, but nothing feels quite like a Shoei. I like them even more than Arai for fit & finish, and I’ll be buying an RF-1200 or RF-SR soon.
The HJC helmets, like the C70, provide more features (sun visor inside) and have a robust gasket, and they are the same amount of road and wind noise, and same fit and finish inside, with a crappier visor latching mechanism (plastic screws on the hinge assembly) for 1/3 of the price. It’s hard to justify spending 300% more on a helmet, that has less features. If you want the sun proof monochromatic visor, you’re looking at $600 for the Shoei, versus $140 for the HJC which has a built in sun shade. That means the Shoei cost 4 times more, and doesn’t accomplish anything more, except a very slight difference in anti-fog and possibly better venting?
What kind of gloves are you wearing in the last picture?
hello!
do you mind sharing the kind of gloves you’re wearing? Thanks!
I’m interested in your comment on comparing the RF-1200 and the RF-SR. I ride a Vulcan S (Kawasaki’s “sport cruiser”) and sit upright. I wonder if the differences between the 1200 and the SR are only the view (I’ve read the 1200 is more for tucked position and the SR, better for cruiser / ADV riding position).
Can you touch on that a little? What made you go with the 1200 vs the SR? Are there many other factors that differ between the two?
Thanks!