Shoei Neotec II Helmet - First Impressions

[Rednaxs60]

Decided that the helmets we were wearing needed to be replaced. I was using a BMW system 6 helmet made by Schubert for BMW and Sonya was wearing the HJC (inexpensive unit), both modular helmets. These helmets worked fine, but if you only have one, the liner can get a bit tired after a while. I also used the HJC for a day and realize you can go up in quality and be happy with a helmet, but using a less than comparable and quality of helmet is not on. I borrowed a friends LS2 modular to give that manufacturer a try, and as with the HJC, it was not anywhere close to my BMW helmet.

Went looking at the local dealers of which we don't have many here on the island. Tried the HJC RPHA 90, not bad but just did not feel right. Looked at and tried the Shoei Neotec II and the fit was good, so it got onto the list.

Went to the local BMW shop where I tried the new BMW system 7 carbon helmet - made by BMW not by Schubert. Nice and light, good looking, no exhaust vents for such a high end helmet. Tried one on and the fit was not right. The helmet liner and structure pinched the cheek bones. For a high end helmet I would have expected a better fit. the sales person mentioned that this was one of the main complaints about this helmet. Tried on the Schubert C3 and C4 Pro as well. Again no exhaust vents and found the liner to sit back on the cheek bones instead of encompassing the face.

Looked on line for reviews, found some and the Shoei had very good reviews.

With this information decided on the Shoei Neotec II. The local dealer had a one day sale, got 10% off. Lesser quality helmets were discounted more. but had the Shoei on my list for Sonya and I. It is not the lightest modular, but the fit and balance is very good. Had Sonya try my friends LS2 and her first comment was it was heavy, but did not tell her until after we bought the Shoei that it was probably heavier coming in at or close to 4 lbs, but she mentioned that the fit and weight was fine at the fitting. Forgot to mention the price of the Shoei to her at the onset. She was surprised at the price but fit, finish, how the various mechanisms work and the balance of the helmet just can't be beat. We got the Shoei in the white colour.

Sun shade operation is smooth and the sun shade does not rattle when the face shield is in the up position, unlike the LS2 that I tried. My BMW helmet sun shade did not rattle either.

The face shield is a two position for locking. The face shield can be closed to the first position and this leaves a small air gap at the bottom and lets air in. Pull the shield down completely and it snaps/locks into place. Nice feature when you don't have the pin lock shield in. The helmet comes with a pin lock shield. When the face shield is locked into place, the opening tab is on the left side, only has one, and the face shield opens easily and once started you can use two fingers to put the face shield in the full open position.

I found the vents to work well and smoothly and the weight is quite neutral. the chin strap is easy to work as well once you get the hang of it. The chin strap does not dig into my chin when together.

The Pinlock shield that comes with the Shoei Neotec II is the Pinlock EVO - non sun reactive. According to the Pinlock web site, you have to order the Pinlock product(s) for the Shoei Neotec II from Shoei.

Looking forward to getting the SENA unit for this helmet. There are channels in the interior structure to accommodate this unit.

When I was talking to the salesperson at the local dealer, she mentioned that Shoei is very meticulous with its quality control in that if a helmet does meet the requirement/specification it is discarded to trash. Here is a link to there manufacturing process: https://www.shoei-helmets.com/technolog ... lity.html/

Here is link to a review of the Shoei Neotec II and others. Lots of flash, but I found it quite good.

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Went for a ride yesterday for some 150 Km and noticed a difference right away. The Shoei was quieter than my BMW helmet as there is more liner in play and the BMW helmet is almost 5 years old. The balance of the helmet at speed was quite good. I look over the windshield so there is air flowing around the helmet. Sonya found the helmet to be quite comfortable as well. We also found the helmets to not be tiring considering the weight.

I/we have been using the SENA SMH10R for the past 4 years. Got a fantastic deal on these units 4 years ago, but we decided to go with the integrated SENA SLR units. Have sold the others to her brother. Not to sound too vain, but it looks good with the integrated unit(s).

Overall quite impressed and happy with the quality, fit and finish. Realize from having the BMW helmet (made by Schubert) and wearing a high end helmet, it is not easy to go to a lesser quality helmet; however, I will caveat this with a person needs to get the best helmet that fits their budget.

Here is a pic:

Have been using the helmet now for the past three days and it is extremely comfortable, quiet and working well.

Just thought I'd give some first impressions. Cheers

[AZgl1800]

I have been using the Shoei Neotec now for 2 years, and it is the most comfortable helmet I have ever worn.

I also have a HJC modular that is now almost 20 years old, it survived the Mr. Penski semi-truck merge into the center median back in 2008.

as for the liners wearing out, you can vastly improve the liner lifespan by wearing one of the moisture absorbing head socks... they have a terrific advantage in that they cover the ears and keep the ears from being folded over as you pull the helmet on. My HJC has the original liner in it, the headsocks make all the difference.

[C-dub]

If Rednaxs60 doesn't mind I'll also post my first impressions over the next couple of weeks since I just got my Neotec-2 today and have ridden a grand total of 8 miles so far.

I have a trip coming up next week and should get about 800-900 miles in 4 days and can give further impressions at that time.

In my eight miles the helmet feels good overall and quieter than my HJC IS Max-2 modular helmet. The HJC is silver and I went with anthracite for the Neo-2 as it matches well with my 2016 blackish Wing. The cheek area is expectedly snug and I'm aware of the break in period. The dome area feels good. One major thing I noticed when first putting it on was that my ears were immediately in the correct position inside and did not require any additional re-positioning to get them there.

It was about 92 degrees on my way home and I felt this odd cool sensation on the top of my head.

So, my very first impression is that it is good and I'm going to like it. We'll see more after next week's trip. I saved up for this a little at a time for several month and paid cash so it wouldn't give my wife a heart attack seeing that $700+tax hit all at once. I hope she doesn't get too mad when she realizes I have it.

[Rednaxs60]

C-dub: no worries on the report. I too noticed good air flow inside the helmet. You do have a problem though, this is a very high end helmet and as such the fit and finish will spoil you for any lesser helmet. My BMW helmet made by Schubert did the same. Hard to go to a less expensive helmet, just not the same.

[C-dub]

Thanks. I debated starting my own thread, but hoped you would be okay with this since the title also fits my post and yours was one of the last I read that pushed me over the edge.

I thought my impressions compared with yours in the same place might be helpful to others.

I’ve also been mulling over headsets and thought I wanted to stay wired and just plug into the Wing’s system. Getting the Neo-2, I’ve committed myself to the Sena SRL. Either that or stay with nothing, which is a slight possibility.

Regarding getting spoiled to high end stuff: too late! When I bought my first 1100cc bike at 18y back in ‘83 the dealer warned me that I wouldn’t like anything smaller than 1100cc ever again. He was right. Plus, my wife convinced me on the Wing last year. They’re pretty high end when it comes to motorcycles.

[Rednaxs60]

Getting the SENA SRL for our helmets. Have read good and not so good reviews of these. Will be doing a review of these as well.

[C-dub]

Getting the SENA SRL for our helmets. Have read good and not so good reviews of these. Will be doing a review of these as well.

What is your intended use?

>90% of my riding is solo, but I expect this to decrease as the wife and I do more exploring over the next several years.

At this time my use will be to listen to music and or the radio. I like using the radio from the bike, but if I understand correctly would need the freewire thingy to do that. Do you plan on connecting to your bike’s system somehow?

I’m also curious about the various ways to connect to the SRL system because I also wear hearing aides that are Bluetooth. I wonder if they will present issues with which device is connected to what between the hearing aides, my phone, and the SRL system let alone if my wife also has a BT headset in her helmet.

It kinda makes my head spin a little just considering the possibilities.

[Rednaxs60]

The Sena SRL has a built in radio receiver so you don't need to hook into the bike system. Ride two up quite often, keeps Sonya involved in the ride. Connected my cell phone with the older SMH10R. When I rode across Canada from Ontario to BC, Sonya would call and be my pseudo navigator and she was still involved in my ride/. Having a phone conversation when riding alone and doing distances breaks up the monotony and was quite enjoyable.

If a Bluetooth device is not paired with the communicator, should not be an issue, not completely certain, but makes sense.

Cheers

[DonP.]

Really like the helmet but I already have a great pair of Sena20s headsets... They wont fit on the new Neotec2 and I need to get 2 helmets since the wife rides with me a lot now. So another what $500 to $600 for the SRL's ??? We are then close to $2000!!! No thanks! Shoei should have left the comm decisions to us and given us a helmet with smooth sides to attach our favorite bluetooth headsets. Missed a lot of potential customers this way...

[Rednaxs60]

We decided to upgrade to the SRL headsets and sell the SMH10R units to her brother and sister-in-law. They are enjoying them. I sold the headsets for what I paid for them so the damage of the new SRL units was not as bad.

The helmet I replaced was the BMW system 6, made by Schubert. I tried other less expensive helmets, but once you use a high quality helmet with good fit and finish, and workings, hard to go to a lesser quality helmet. Paid about $1200.00 CDN for each helmet including cost of communicator. Amortized over 5 years not too bad. Initial outlay is an ouch, but over the long term well worth it. Since I ride all year round, it's even a better amortization.

I find this helmet to be very quiet, well balanced even though it is supposed to be a heavy helmet. Not as deep in the front as the Schubert made BMW helmet, but once on and closed, it's a treat to have.

If you don't want the integrated SRL SENA unit, I'd recommend the SENA SMH10R. Uses Velcro to attach to the helmet, and is low profile. These units work well.

Cheers

[BJB]

This thread was linked in the monthly email update and timely.

I just tried a Neotec II this weekend and wear glasses. I had read that they added a glasses channel in the new version 2 Neotec but neither me nor the dealer could find it.

My old HJC Symax has a glasses channel and is nice.

Does anyone who wears glasses use the Neotec II and are there different cheek pads with the channel or what?

Also interested in the integrated Sena but since it is supposed to be the 20 series technology hopefully there is similar performance.

Not to get off topic but looking modular with Sena built-in or at least 20 series fit.So the Neotec II, HJC Symax2, or Schubert 4 Pro seem to be the options.
Thanks!
BJB

[Rednaxs60]

Have installed the integrated SENA communicators and these are working well. Had the SMH10R before this helmet and integrated communicator and other than a few extras the SMH10R units gave good performance.

Tried the Schubert 4 Pro adn found the cheek pads to be too far back on my face. It is a deeper helmet than the Shoei, but the Shoei is a more comfortable fit for myself. I found my old BMW helmet, made by Schubert and similar to the Schubert 3 Pro, was a better fit than the Schubert 4 Pro.

I tried some less expensive helmets, and found the quality to not be up to the Shoei or the Schubert. I think that once you have used a high end helmet, going down a peg or two will be disappointing. I think the HJC Symax 2 is a notch or so below the Shoei and Schubert, but still an excellent helmet if the fit, finish and cost are what you are looking for.

I found the workings of less expensive helmets to be not up to par.

This is of course MHO.

Good luck. Cheers

[BJB]

Rednaxis,
Thanks for that great info! Hopefully another user can chime in on the glasses issue.
Thanks,
BJB

[C-dub]

I got my wife a Neotec 2 and the SRL for Christmas.

I got it all installed, updated, and charged before wrapping it Christmas Eve. She was excited, but couldn’t believe how much more comfortable it was than our old HJC Max-2 helmets when she put it on. Then we linked our two helmets intercoms easily and then her phone.

I’m happy because she is VERY happy with it. So happy she can’t wait to ride. She wanted to go out the other day when it was only 35F her with a windchill of 27 or 28. I said no because we don’t have the right gear for her to ride in that.

We’ll probably get out together on the 9th or 10th.

[seabeechief]

Regarding BJB post about glasses. I suggest you check out the "AO" pilot glasses frames. They have a straight "bayonet" type earpiece and very easy to slip on AFTER you put on your helmet. The frames are around $100.00. That may seem a little pricey, but they are well constructed and I have been through two different prescription bifocals with them. They are comfortable and well made.

The only downside is if you are doing strenuous activity without your helmet, the glasses don't stay on your face as well as the behind the ear frames.

I have two pairs of glasses now; the AO's stay on the bike and the behind the ear glasses are my everyday work/play glasses.

I had cataract surgery on both eyes about 20 years ago, and subsequently I'm not a candidate for any type of "laser" surgery. I keep checking with my Ophthalmologist every year to see if the technology has improved yet....but so far no luck. I would love to not wear glasses.

Ride SAFE

Chief

[BJB]

Thanks for the feedback. I purchased the Neotec II and SRL. I will either run with the standard cheekpads or order the thinner size, think they are 31mm from the larger size helmets.

Looking forward to warmer weather to properly test!
I never could find a Schuberth 4 to test and SENA is not very involved in the US with the Schuberth's electronics. I agree the build quality and fit is a step above my old HJC.
Thanks,
BJB

[C-dub]

Thanks for the feedback. I purchased the Neotec II and SRL. I will either run with the standard cheekpads or order the thinner size, think they are 31mm from the larger size helmets.

Looking forward to warmer weather to properly test!
I never could find a Schuberth 4 to test and SENA is not very involved in the US with the Schuberth's electronics. I agree the build quality and fit is a step above my old HJC.
Thanks,
BJB

Give the new helmet and cheek pads at least 24 hours or riding time to break in. I think that is the recommendation from Shoei. It took around that or maybe a couple hours less for me. They were a little annoying at first, but are quite comfortable now. My wife is still going through her break-in period with only a couple hours worn.

My daughter, 17y, went for a ride with me and wore Mama's new helmet. She wears glasses and didn't mention any issues with them fitting after getting the helmet on or during the ride. It was about 245 miles.

[BJB]

Thanks for all the great advice on this thread. I have now worn the neotec 2 on numerous short local rides and a long ride. I like how much more comfortable it is than my old HJC modular and also more comfortable. Love the Sena integration once I learned all the nuances

My one issue or question is on ventilation. I have a standard GL1800 windshield and I set it so I can see over it. I open the chin vent and the top vent on the Neotec all the way back. Still when it is anything over say 75 degrees, I cannot keep the shield closed for long periods, it gets too hot!

I constantly find myself opening up the shield one click to get some air which of course defeats the advantage of the Neotec 2 being so much quieter than my leaky HJC was.

Is this just the way it is when using windshield like the gl1800? The HJC did not get as hot as the Neotec 2.

Any thoughts appreciated.

BJB

[TWTourist]

This thread was linked in the monthly email update and timely.

I just tried a Neotec II this weekend and wear glasses. I had read that they added a glasses channel in the new version 2 Neotec but neither me nor the dealer could find it.

My old HJC Symax has a glasses channel and is nice.

Does anyone who wears glasses use the Neotec II and are there different cheek pads with the channel or what?

Also interested in the integrated Sena but since it is supposed to be the 20 series technology hopefully there is similar performance.

Not to get off topic but looking modular with Sena built-in or at least 20 series fit.So the Neotec II, HJC Symax2, or Schubert 4 Pro seem to be the options.
Thanks!
BJB

I wear glasses. I just replaced my Neotec with a Neotec II. I have had zero problems with my glasses. I will say that my Neotec was quieter then the Neotec II. The SRL is working fine but not great. BTW, I prefer earbuds. I have not used the SRL as a two way so can not comment.

[AZgl1800]

I wear glasses and have the original NeoTec helmet...
don't recall it having a "channel" for glasses, but once I have them on, it feels okay.

I have the 2XL, should have got the 3XL though, it makes my head hurt after about an hour, too tight.

I have to take my glasses off before removing the helmet, and not put them on until after I have the helmet on.

PITA

[BJB]

This thread was linked in the monthly email update and timely.

I just tried a Neotec II this weekend and wear glasses. I had read that they added a glasses channel in the new version 2 Neotec but neither me nor the dealer could find it.

My old HJC Symax has a glasses channel and is nice.

Does anyone who wears glasses use the Neotec II and are there different cheek pads with the channel or what?

Also interested in the integrated Sena but since it is supposed to be the 20 series technology hopefully there is similar performance.

Not to get off topic but looking modular with Sena built-in or at least 20 series fit.So the Neotec II, HJC Symax2, or Schubert 4 Pro seem to be the options.
Thanks!
BJB

I wear glasses. I just replaced my Neotec with a Neotec II. I have had zero problems with my glasses. I will say that my Neotec was quieter then the Neotec II. The SRL is working fine but not great. BTW, I prefer earbuds. I have not used the SRL as a two way so can not comment.

Once I started wearing the helmet a while, the glasses fit in more easily. My only issue with the helmet is it fogs up in cooler temps. No matter what I do. It may be because the goldwing fairing moves the air up and around the rider sonthe helmet is not seeing enough air fto circulate maybe?

BJB

[BJB]

I have to take my glasses off before removing the helmet, and not put them on until after I have the helmet on.

PITA

Yeah I have to take them in and off too. However I have always had to do that with any helmet I've had.

BJB

[AZgl1800]

Once I started wearing the helmet a while, the glasses fit in more easily. My only issue with the helmet is it fogs up in cooler temps. No matter what I do. It may be because the goldwing fairing moves the air up and around the riders on the helmet is not seeing enough air to circulate maybe?

BJB

Yeah,
that is a real problem... I have to open the face visor just a crack to get air inside, but that makes things really noisy, even with a big sponge sock over the boom mic, it trips the intercom

if the temps are warm enough, I will lower the Madstad windscreen enough to get air flowing into the helmet's top vents. that helps.

With my Tinnitus, I don't listen to music period, very aggravating.

[C-dub]

This thread was linked in the monthly email update and timely.

I just tried a Neotec II this weekend and wear glasses. I had read that they added a glasses channel in the new version 2 Neotec but neither me nor the dealer could find it.

My old HJC Symax has a glasses channel and is nice.

Does anyone who wears glasses use the Neotec II and are there different cheek pads with the channel or what?

Also interested in the integrated Sena but since it is supposed to be the 20 series technology hopefully there is similar performance.

Not to get off topic but looking modular with Sena built-in or at least 20 series fit.So the Neotec II, HJC Symax2, or Schubert 4 Pro seem to be the options.
Thanks!
BJB

I wear glasses. I just replaced my Neotec with a Neotec II. I have had zero problems with my glasses. I will say that my Neotec was quieter then the Neotec II. The SRL is working fine but not great. BTW, I prefer earbuds. I have not used the SRL as a two way so can not comment.

Once I started wearing the helmet a while, the glasses fit in more easily. My only issue with the helmet is it fogs up in cooler temps. No matter what I do. It may be because the goldwing fairing moves the air up and around the rider sonthe helmet is not seeing enough air fto circulate maybe?

BJB

Get a pinlock shield. The fogging issue will be a thing of the past. My drop down tinted visor still fogs up, but I just raise that back up and out of the way.

[BJB]

Get a pinlock shield. The fogging issue will be a thing of the past. My drop down tinted visor still fogs up, but I just raise that back up and out of the way.

I believe the helmet came with a pin lock clear shield. But the instructions were not great and the benefits were not clear to me. If it is a big help with fog, may try it.
BJB