Good points. I too have the shoei neotec2. I am on my 3 set of liners ( the original and 2 replacements). Shoei has two options for liners, one thinner , one thicker. They are expensive helmets and very well rated. However, noise is louder than I was expecting and ventilation is limited. I also find accessing the Sena controls annoying at best. I often have to pull my gloves off to change volume and access features. But, after spending that amount of money I have accepted living with the helmet’s characteristics.
thanks Wade, I already have the other thinner one but haven't had a chance to test it out since it's been super cold and rainy. Overall, it's not like I'm completely dissatisfied with the Neotec II, just that I didn't find a justifiable difference between that one and the much cheaper ones. When it comes to noise, I also didn't find a huge difference. There is extra lining around the jaw area to block more wind, but that's about it.
After using Arai for decades I wanted a modular and tried what Harley had in the dealership. None fit well as they're made for round heads. Mine is oval which is why Arai Signets fit so well. I tried a Shoei Neotec 2 as they're being discounted to $600 and bought it. Fits perfectly. The only gripe I have is that it takes a firm push to lock the chinbar in the down position, and sometimes I have to do it twice. Not a flaw in the helmet, it works perfectly off my head, I just have to get used to closing a chinbar on a modular. I don't have the Sena. I was using the wired Harley headset in my half helmet and the bike's bluetooth to link to my phone. Worked great. I'll fit it into the Shoei, I don't care about it being wired. All in all, I find the Neotec 2 to be a great value at $600 and even found the wine red you have which matches my Road Glide Ultra.
Your harley Davidson helmet, looks very close if not the same as the hjc i90. I wonder if harley rebranded it or whether hjc made it for harley. This maybe why you get on with it so well, having previously having an hjc.
The Harley helmet is a Capstone model. It’s a re-branded HJC i90, $219.00. $60 more for that Harley name on it. The SRL 2 is terrible. I returned it. I put a Cardo Black comes with JBL 45mm speakers. Its voice control. It’s like wearing headphones. The Shoei was state of the art when it was introduced in 2016. Had my Shoei Neotec 2 since then. Did all the adjustments, check pads and liners. Every head is different. Fine tune it for yourself. The only thing I don’t like about the Neotec is the ratchet strap. Double D is the safest.
Ah, thanks for the insight! I have never tried the Cardos but your feedback is very consistent with what I read online. I just picked the SRL since it was designed for the Neotec but now I definitely know better. I spent so much $ on it so will have to tough it out a bit before replacing it. :*( and I actually like the ratchet! It's much easier to take off even with gloves on.
I think the main reason you get the Shoei is for saving your head in a crash. There is no comparison between the Shoei and your other helmets as far as safety goes. I have a buddy that bought a less expensive modular helmet from a manufacturer I won't mention there name but it was a name brand. He crashed pretty hard but only doing about 30. The helmet is toast plus it opened up when he crashed so he got pretty messed up. I am willing to pay the extra on a safer helmet. But that is just me.
Hey wdmore, thanks for your insight! That’s the thing though, the safety rating on this is the same as other much cheaper ones (in theory). When I crashed at the track going pretty fast, I was wearing a $200 Scorpion helmet that was DOT and ECE rated. I had absolutely no damage to my head at all. $200 helmet with the same rating as an $800 one. This was over a decade ago and still have that cheap helmet mounted on my wall. I can afford much better’s gear now but I’m wondering if it really makes me any safer. Not willing to crash again to test it out 😉
@@RunCMDmoto Glad you are OK from your crash. True that they have the same rating but the Shoei is built to way above the DOT and ECE ratings. I guarantee you that the cheaper helmets will have no chance of making the new ratings that are coming out in 2023. If you can only afford a less expensive helmet then by all means buy one, it will definitely help in a crash. But if you can afford a better helmet then I would go with that. You only have one chance with your head.
I can wear anything. I can get anything. I stopped riding for a long time. Picked up this helmet with very little knowledge about the neo tec2. I own a number of helmets, and this is my far the most comfortable, quietest, highest quality modular. Very few helmets are made in the factory with their name on it.
Thank you man. Good review. I’m looking the helmet same too and I found the l is too tight and xl it little lose companies with l. Bud l size is squiring my head . I have 60 and l size is 59-60 and I feel if I will ride it for little it will Viva a headache.
Fellow San Antonian here! I have the same neotec II - the length of the chin strap SUCKS! it isn't like I have a large head - it is just a size large but from the day I bought it - I can't get the frigging strap to loosen up half an inch so that it doesn't bite into my neck. I called shoei usa customer service - a guy from California answered and was absolutely useless - provided no help at all. I got an AGV full face a month ago for less than half the price - its way better in comfort and super lightweight.
Ha, I actually have the same issue and I thought I was just not adjusting it properly. I use the very last groove on the strap so it fits without being uncomfortable.
Thank you i ende dup with an HJC and a LS2V2, modular 180. For about $600 both. I did it because i like both, so far am keeping them both. I use a cheap blue tooth amazon, cheap headset. 1 year now and i am all is fine. Shoei has a special shell but, not much differe. I think they are overpriced.
A year later, and I still flip between the Shoei and the Harley modular (which is HJC) and STILL don’t feel much difference either. The LS2s are nice and like how some flip all the way back. I’m actually considering it for a future helmet
Thanx for Sharing, I tried the Shoei on today, the Price Tag was $749 and I said “OUCH” I must say, it was quite comfortable and we know that can be a false sense of reality just trying on in the store, In the Real World is where you validate the true quality and comfort of any Helmet. I ride long distance myself and I use a Bluetooth system, one of the biggest complaints I have always had is the speaker fitment, on long rides, it’s terrible at times, I have only had two manufacturers, the HD aka HJC and the Simpson Mod Bandit (
Thanks, this is MY opinion though. I switch between the Shoei and the Harley (HJC) very often and find them both almost as equally comfortable still to this day. And the $300 SRL 2 com system I got is garbage. Hearing that Cardo is a whole lot better but haven’t checked it out myself. Good luck!
Good video, I suspect that you’re paying some for the name, and also some for certain protections… all helmets are DOT certified, even my SOA helmet is. I would expect that in the event of a crash, that Shoei would do a better job protecting your head than the HD helmet, which by the way is also marked up and extra $100 from HJC, and has a year less warranty. HD only has a year, and HJC has a two year for the same helmet. Now I do find it unfair to rate the comms specifically designed for the Shoei by SENA, as it is sold be SENA and not by Shoei. You can use any other comms unit like a Cardo instead which has better sound and mesh system.
Good points. I too have the shoei neotec2. I am on my 3 set of liners ( the original and 2 replacements). Shoei has two options for liners, one thinner , one thicker. They are expensive helmets and very well rated. However, noise is louder than I was expecting and ventilation is limited. I also find accessing the Sena controls annoying at best. I often have to pull my gloves off to change volume and access features. But, after spending that amount of money I have accepted living with the helmet’s characteristics.
thanks Wade, I already have the other thinner one but haven't had a chance to test it out since it's been super cold and rainy. Overall, it's not like I'm completely dissatisfied with the Neotec II, just that I didn't find a justifiable difference between that one and the much cheaper ones. When it comes to noise, I also didn't find a huge difference. There is extra lining around the jaw area to block more wind, but that's about it.
Agreed.
After using Arai for decades I wanted a modular and tried what Harley had in the dealership. None fit well as they're made for round heads. Mine is oval which is why Arai Signets fit so well. I tried a Shoei Neotec 2 as they're being discounted to $600 and bought it. Fits perfectly. The only gripe I have is that it takes a firm push to lock the chinbar in the down position, and sometimes I have to do it twice. Not a flaw in the helmet, it works perfectly off my head, I just have to get used to closing a chinbar on a modular. I don't have the Sena. I was using the wired Harley headset in my half helmet and the bike's bluetooth to link to my phone. Worked great. I'll fit it into the Shoei, I don't care about it being wired. All in all, I find the Neotec 2 to be a great value at $600 and even found the wine red you have which matches my Road Glide Ultra.
Thanks for the thorough feedback! I've actually grown to like the Neotech II a bit more but fired the Sena comms for Cardo
Your harley Davidson helmet, looks very close if not the same as the hjc i90. I wonder if harley rebranded it or whether hjc made it for harley. This maybe why you get on with it so well, having previously having an hjc.
Yep, I shortly realized after this vid that HJC makes those harley helmets
@@RunCMDmoto great video. I really enjoyed it
I am a Shoei guy. I own both the RF-1400 and the Neotec II. I think they’re great helmets and fit me perfectly.
The Harley helmet is a Capstone model. It’s a re-branded HJC i90, $219.00. $60 more for that Harley name on it. The SRL 2 is terrible. I returned it. I put a Cardo Black comes with JBL 45mm speakers. Its voice control. It’s like wearing headphones. The Shoei was state of the art when it was introduced in 2016. Had my Shoei Neotec 2 since then. Did all the adjustments, check pads and liners. Every head is different. Fine tune it for yourself. The only thing I don’t like about the Neotec is the ratchet strap. Double D is the safest.
Ah, thanks for the insight! I have never tried the Cardos but your feedback is very consistent with what I read online. I just picked the SRL since it was designed for the Neotec but now I definitely know better. I spent so much $ on it so will have to tough it out a bit before replacing it. :*( and I actually like the ratchet! It's much easier to take off even with gloves on.
I think the main reason you get the Shoei is for saving your head in a crash. There is no comparison between the Shoei and your other helmets as far as safety goes. I have a buddy that bought a less expensive modular helmet from a manufacturer I won't mention there name but it was a name brand. He crashed pretty hard but only doing about 30. The helmet is toast plus it opened up when he crashed so he got pretty messed up. I am willing to pay the extra on a safer helmet. But that is just me.
Hey wdmore, thanks for your insight! That’s the thing though, the safety rating on this is the same as other much cheaper ones (in theory). When I crashed at the track going pretty fast, I was wearing a $200 Scorpion helmet that was DOT and ECE rated. I had absolutely no damage to my head at all. $200 helmet with the same rating as an $800 one. This was over a decade ago and still have that cheap helmet mounted on my wall. I can afford much better’s gear now but I’m wondering if it really makes me any safer. Not willing to crash again to test it out 😉
@@RunCMDmoto Glad you are OK from your crash. True that they have the same rating but the Shoei is built to way above the DOT and ECE ratings. I guarantee you that the cheaper helmets will have no chance of making the new ratings that are coming out in 2023. If you can only afford a less expensive helmet then by all means buy one, it will definitely help in a crash. But if you can afford a better helmet then I would go with that. You only have one chance with your head.
@@wdmore “You only have one chance with your head” excellent point dude!
I can wear anything. I can get anything. I stopped riding for a long time. Picked up this helmet with very little knowledge about the neo tec2.
I own a number of helmets, and this is my far the most comfortable, quietest, highest quality modular.
Very few helmets are made in the factory with their name on it.
Thank you man. Good review. I’m looking the helmet same too and I found the l is too tight and xl it little lose companies with l. Bud l size is squiring my head . I have 60 and l size is 59-60 and I feel if I will ride it for little it will Viva a headache.
Fellow San Antonian here! I have the same neotec II - the length of the chin strap SUCKS! it isn't like I have a large head - it is just a size large but from the day I bought it - I can't get the frigging strap to loosen up half an inch so that it doesn't bite into my neck. I called shoei usa customer service - a guy from California answered and was absolutely useless - provided no help at all. I got an AGV full face a month ago for less than half the price - its way better in comfort and super lightweight.
Ha, I actually have the same issue and I thought I was just not adjusting it properly. I use the very last groove on the strap so it fits without being uncomfortable.
Thanks for your video. Sounds like you paid too much. UK the Nii is 579 Sterling with free shipping ($700)
Thank you i ende dup with an HJC and a LS2V2, modular 180. For about $600 both. I did it because i like both, so far am keeping them both. I use a cheap blue tooth amazon, cheap headset. 1 year now and i am all is fine. Shoei has a special shell but, not much differe. I think they are overpriced.
A year later, and I still flip between the Shoei and the Harley modular (which is HJC) and STILL don’t feel much difference either. The LS2s are nice and like how some flip all the way back. I’m actually considering it for a future helmet
Thanx for Sharing, I tried the Shoei on today, the Price Tag was $749 and I said “OUCH” I must say, it was quite comfortable and we know that can be a false sense of reality just trying on in the store, In the Real World is where you validate the true quality and comfort of any Helmet. I ride long distance myself and I use a Bluetooth system, one of the biggest complaints I have always had is the speaker fitment, on long rides, it’s terrible at times, I have only had two manufacturers, the HD aka HJC and the Simpson Mod Bandit (
Thanks, this is MY opinion though. I switch between the Shoei and the Harley (HJC) very often and find them both almost as equally comfortable still to this day. And the $300 SRL 2 com system I got is garbage. Hearing that Cardo is a whole lot better but haven’t checked it out myself. Good luck!
Good review!
Which helmet are you reviewing? The Harley thing or the Shoei
A year later after this vid and I still like the Harley/HJC helmet better. 😉
Good video, I suspect that you’re paying some for the name, and also some for certain protections… all helmets are DOT certified, even my SOA helmet is. I would expect that in the event of a crash, that Shoei would do a better job protecting your head than the HD helmet, which by the way is also marked up and extra $100 from HJC, and has a year less warranty. HD only has a year, and HJC has a two year for the same helmet. Now I do find it unfair to rate the comms specifically designed for the Shoei by SENA, as it is sold be SENA and not by Shoei. You can use any other comms unit like a Cardo instead which has better sound and mesh system.
That’s an excellent point Rodrigo. Didn’t think about that
Sena sucks i think you should try cardo pack talk edge
The sena sucks, it's possible a Schuberth helmet is a better fit for your head shape....
I’ll see how it feels next time I swing by Cycle Gear
You’re comparing a Lexus (Shoei) to an overpriced due to HD branding, Kia (HJC). Shoei’s are made in Japan. That’s why they’re the best.
Harley Davidson helmets are made by HJC, many moons ago they were made by Shoei.
Oh really? I had no idea! That makes a lot of sense actually.
HJC S90
No not all of them