Shoei Neotec Comments

[Oilman.022]

Just back from a week long trip around the wine regions of France and Germany - perhaps a bike is not the bet way to enjoy wine tasting but a good tip nonetheless!!

Anyway, I thought I'd share my experience having just purchased a Shoei neotec helmet. Sorry if its bit long...!

I should say that I am 6'2", previously rode with a BMW Sport Integral Helmet and had a Transalp. I also always use ear plugs - usually the soft green sponge ones but I recently spent a lot on some filtered ear plugs - which are more comfortable over a day but not as good and reducing noise ironically.

I bought the GS 1200 in December and noticed a significant reduction in wind noise between the two bikes with the Sport Integral. The main difference being that I could now talk to my pillion easily on the motorway doing >70 mph - something I just could not do with the TA.

So, the BMW definitely reduced noise levels.

I bought the Neotec a few weeks ago and admit that it is the first and only flip front helmet, so this may not be a good comparison.

Rode it on a few short rides here in the UK and my initial observations were: (i) Wow, it is comfortable; (ii) Like the flip front and the sun visor; (iii) the air flow and venting is VERY good; (iv) I noticed it was quite a bit noisier than the BMW but not too worry - its my first flip front helmet so maybe this is what they are like.

Landed in Calais last week and took to the motorway and ....... Holy sh!t this helmet is noisy! With filtered ear plugs in I could not hear pillion comms and after a couple of hours was quite deaf. The noise was horrendous. Just a deep rumbling noise from wind turbulance around the helmet. It was exhausting an left me with ringing in the ears. Even my pillion was complaining about the noise she was getting through the comms.

Gave up on the comms (actually they gave up as well but that is another story) and decided eventually only to use green ear plugs on motorway. That improved things but still worse than anything I had previously experienced. I tried playing with the screen setting and fiddled around with all sorts of things but basically the combination of the stock GS1200 screen and this helmet is hard to bear if you are 6.2"

In the end I found out by accident that the best way of reducing the noise was to wear a Halvarson neck protector which sits up under the helmet. Its a lovely piece of kit and can't believe I went without for so long.

So, not sure hat to do next but have to say that this might be my first and only experience of a flip front.

Should also say that had BMW helmets not had a reputation for leaking - my old BMW helmet leaked like a bitch - I would have stayed with BMW!!

Thanks for reading and hope it might be of help so anyone thinking about the Neotec - which is still VERY comfortable by the way!!.

J

 

[Deleted account AWRT]

IMHO having owned a Shoei Multitech for years and loved it, I was hard pushed to either buy another or go to the neotech when it came to helmet shopping a few months ago.
The best way to compare this helmet is to say that it is definitely an improvement on the Multitech, which for the record I thought was brilliant anyway. The wind noise has been reduced considerably over the Multitech and the addition of the internal sun visor is fantastic. They have done that much to sound proof it the wife can no longer hear me talking with the flip front down. Excellent bit of kit and highly recommended as an improvement on the Multitech.

 

[corsicandreamer]

Does the neotec come with the skirt for around the base of the helmet and did you fit it as that is what makes the multitec the quietest helmet i have worn.?

 

[Oilman.022]

Apparently Shoei has no plans to do a Whisper kit for the Neotec because they feel the helmet is quiet enough. I will either have to shrink or do something with the GS screen!

 

[Felters]

I will either have to shrink or do something with the GS screen!

All of us tall guys have to do this eventually - regardless of which helmet we wear. Worked for me at 6'4". Nippy Normans has some and I fitted the winglets as well. Made a huge difference.

 

[Jason P]

When I had my r1100s, the first ride of any distance was awful. Rumbling noise the like of which I'd never experienced before (this with a BMW full-face). As it was a motorway ride, I spend an hour or more trying to figure out where the noise was coming from. Eventually I realised it was the gap between my helmet and shoulders, and the airflow was resonating between this (rather like blowing across a bottle top) causing the noise. A simple addition of a rucksack, the straps effectively altering the gap between helmet and shoulders, completely stopped this. I've now got a Schuberth C3 and find it very quiet on the 1150GSA

So it may not be the helmet itself, but the relationship between all the elements. Experiment before you ditch the Neotec!

 

[Bloomers100]

Bought a Neotech today with the borealis yellow. Nice finish on it and pinlock. I had an xr800 before which was well preserved and had been stored in the dark for ages whilst I didn't have a bike. I'm definitely a shoei shape having tried everything in the shop in flip front. It's got a quality feel to it and a nice fit all round. It's not too noisy for me at 60-70 mph for rides less than an hour, anything further and I'll be wearing ear plugs. I've got Tobinators set up nicely on a 1150 adv for me at 186cm. Going out for few hours tomorrow so we'll see how that goes.

I wear glasses and they fit easily under the sun visor, might be useful info to someone.

 

[stever1]

Firstly you have to accept that a flip front is noisier than a full face helmet as its got more edges and orifices for wind to attack. Then ask yourself these questions
Do I have a Shoei shaped head ?. I love them and they fit. HOWEVER, I also like Schuberth and they fit, but they are not quiet on my head.
Have i got the correct size ?. You need a Shoei to be TIGHT when new to bed in and still be quiet.
The best way to compare is on a naked bike so there is no influence from the screen.
lastly, will a whisper kit from a Multi tech with a Neotec.

 

[(RIP) Tunneruk]

I replaced my Multitec with a Neotec a couple of years ago. I find the biggest single improvement is the sun shade which has become a godsend. I do however fins that the ventilation on the newer lid is a step backwards, I find it virtually impossible to ride wearing my glasses unless it's completely dry. If it's a cold or damp / wet day then my glasses steam up like a bastard.

Aside from that I think it's a brilliant lid!

 

[darthdicky]

I find that opening the chin vent and standing up for a second to get some airflow through it clears my glasses really quick. Would be better if it didn't mist up in the first place though!

Can't compare to anything much else as its my first helmet but I'm pleased with it. I almost broke my glasses getting them on and off when I borrowed a full face helmet, with this it's easy as anything and really comfortable. It does seem louder than I'd hoped for but with earplugs it's bearable