Which Shoei Helmet

[Hambonee]

I own both the Qwest and the RF1100.  I like the RF1100 better because it vents better and has better options for defogging.  It also seems to have smoother airflow.  The Qwest is a little quieter, but I always wear earplugs anyway.

Just put a pinlock shield on the Qwest like I did. Fogging issues gone!

[motormike]

I didn't vote because I don't have that much direct experience.

I have a Scorpion EXO-700 that I bought one year ago.  I chose it over a Shoei RF1100 based upon price and features.  I was new and wanted to keep my initial gear purchases down.  The Qwest is relatively new so I would look at that and the RF1100 if I was buying.

If the RF1100 is better at venting and anti-fogging then that would be my choice.  The folks at Web Bike World say the Qwest is better than the RF1100 because of price and weight.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/shoei/qwest/

[Papa Lazarou]

I'm looking for a new Helmet.  Been riding with Shoei since the 80's.  Since my last helmet did a great job in my crash I'm shopping for another Shoei.  What are your opinions?

Do you wear glasses? If so, the Multitec. But wear earplugs-they are noisy.

If not, one of the others. Or a dehydrated armadillo.

[photomd]

When I was looking at helmets at Cycle Gear in Atlanta last month, the salesmen told me the Qwest is made to vent on the racetrack, ie, at higher speeds as compared to the RF1100. I don't have any experience with either one other than they're comfortable. I'll probably try to pick up the RF1100 on closeout this winter as I don't spend much (...or better yet, I NEVER spend) time at racetrack speeds.    I ride tractors.  

[Cablebandit]

Do you wear glasses? If so, the Multitec. But wear earplugs-they are noisy.

If not, one of the others. Or a dehydrated armadillo.

Yup, they are noisy.  I wear glasses and no longer wear the Multitec.  I still had to remove the glasses to get it on/off.

[bogfro]

Just put a pinlock shield on the Qwest like I did. Fogging issues gone!

I have tried those, along with Fog City inserts before.  They're horrible at night, so I don't use them.  RF1100 still vents much better than the Qwest in hot weather.

[bogfro]

If the RF1100 is better at venting and anti-fogging then that would be my choice.  The folks at Web Bike World say the Qwest is better than the RF1100 because of price and weight.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/shoei/qwest/

I don't notice the weight difference between the two, but I notice a huge difference in venting in hot weather.  RF1100 also seems to have slightly smoother airflow.  I think the RF1100 was maybe 50 bucks more......big whoop-di-doo in the grand scheme of things.

[bogfro]

Another feature of the RF1100 that they don't advertise, for some strange reason:

The chin vent (and thus eyeball and face shield vent) has 3 settings: open, half-open, and closed.  So you can adjust the wind speed to a middle setting, in addition to "on" and "off".


On the top vents, the Qwest has one single vent, located above the forehead.  So your cool air only enters in the center of your head, pretty high up.  The RF1100 has 2 lower-down temple area vents, which seem to do a much better job of covering the entire head for venting.  Plus the chin vent, in the fully open position, seems to move more air than the Qwest.

[Justin]

I voted "other" - because the right helmet is the one that fits best, no way a poll can tell you which.

[Joey Stalin]

I tried on a bunch of helmets at a store yesterday, nothing really struck me as a perfect fit, although the Qwest did fit the best of everything. I couldn't get any scorpion to feel comfortable.

I like the idea of the RF1100 venting well in summer, but that also means it is going to be mighty cold in winter, I presume.

[Papa Lazarou]

I tried on a bunch of helmets at a store yesterday, nothing really struck me as a perfect fit, although the Qwest did fit the best of everything. I couldn't get any scorpion to feel comfortable.

I like the idea of the RF1100 venting well in summer, but that also means it is going to be mighty cold in winter, I presume.

You may have an Arai shaped head. Try one of them.

[Oilhed]

My first helmet was an Arai.  I've been happy with the Shoei shape since.  Just ordered a RF-1100 and a big discount.

[agent9]

Also always been an Arai guy. My current helmet is well past its best days. Yesterday I went and tried on a Qwest and ended up ordering one.
Very comfortable helmet and a price point I can afford right now.

[NotDeadYet]

I'm a Shoei guy, they just fit my head.  I've been wearing an older RF1000 which just completed its duty as a result of a crash.  I was going to go with the RF1100 but I found a great deal on a Shoei X12 at PowerSportsXpress.com on ebay and pulled the trigger.  I guess I won't get to try it out until spring but I thought the price was right.  

[MCRyder]

Interesting thread.  I'm looking for a new lid to replace my Shark RSI.  I wore Shoei all thru the 80's and 90's before switching over to Nolan flip-front helmets.  After several years of that I went back to a full-face helmet with my Shark, which fits great.  Tried the new Scorpion EXO-750, didn't fit my head shape.  So I'm coming back to Shoei.  It's down to the Qwest vs. the RF-1100.  The Qwest is less expensive, but I really like the RF-1100 in this graphic scheme:



Awesome!

[GerryPetrecca]

I like my Multitec a LOT.

+10.

[Oilhed]

I love the Shoei RF graphics but money is just too tight.  I went with the matte black for a different look.  I like the matte grey as well.

[motormike]

Interesting thread.  The Qwest is less expensive, but I really like the RF-1100 in this graphic scheme:



Awesome!

Yeah, that is a sharp looking helmet and a design that I would choose.