It's getting on for time to replace my Shoei and I'll be buying another Shoei.
I've been considering the GT Air but I see the Neotec 2 is now released a nd is a flip front style.
Ive always liked the idea of a flip front lid but haven't owned one.
Has anyone used/owned a Neotec could offer the impressions and opinions of the Neotec?
Alternatively of this style of helmet generally?
I bought a used pair of Neotec's for $650. I really like the flip up style and would now not buy anything else. They are especially good in hot weather when the pace slows you can ride with the front up to cool off a bit. They are quieter than the Arai I have used for a long time but I always ride with ear plugs anyway. Inbuilt dark visor works well and is easy to use. Good in winter as well with the pin lock double visor. I ride with glasses and they fit in the helmet nicely. Only down side is I have to open the front to put the helmet on but I'm used to that now. I also find it's not as well ventilated as some other helmets I have owned. This doesn't worry me too much as I do most of my kms on a R1200GSA which has an extended screen allowing me to ride with the visor up all the time. Hence it's relatively cool most of the time. I'm pretty sure they have removable and washable inserts as well but don't quote me. If the helmet suits your head shape go for it.
There a couple of YouTube's on the Neotec. Check them out.
Get one Mike. I've got a flip face hat, loving it. Mine's a Nolan N100-5 but they're all pretty much the same, just brand & price. I can open the visor, or open the front. It's got an internal 4 stage sun visor, good vents, easy to put on or take off & high safety rating with the double lock for the front.
The Shoei will be the same, although, I thought their safety rating wasn't as high? Think they had 3 stars, which is pretty average. Might of got a new model out by now though.
There is a good review in last months Motorcycle monthly but I cant find a link to it online. They say that it's a completely new helmet from top to bottom and is very quiet. If I can find a link I will post it.
Found it http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=dd236ec2-3bca-4e76-a05f-229633c06fe4
I'd love to get one, but I have big problems finding any helmet that fits.
I've got a flip front lid at the moment, a Scorpion EXO-900. It's very well made, I like the convenience of opening the front, but you have to be aware of the downsides of a flip front lid. They tend to be heavier than regular lids, they can be noisier, they are more expensive for a given quality (because they're more complex to make) and it's possible that they aren't as safe in a big crash because you can't make a two-part shell as strong as a one-part item.
I like the Shoei flip fronts, the only problem I have with them though is that the chin strap is a little further back than non-flip fronts which (personally) I find to be uncomfortable, so opted for a GT-Air instead when I replaced mine
Thanks for the feedback. I'll definitely have a look / try on then.
A furtehr back chin strap mightbotehr me too.
Apparently some flip front helmets (while they'd be safer than an open face, when flip front is closed) are only RATED to open face standards.
The Neotec 2 is a fully rated open face AND full face helmet.
@BJ I also ride with glasses so that's good to know they fit. I;d alwasys wondered about that with the internal sun visor type of helmet.
"Anyone who has sneezed in a full face helmet, will understand the value of flip front" :lol:
Quote from: mjgt on Thursday, 22 March 2018, 02:26 AM
There is a good review in last months Motorcycle monthly
Found it http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=dd236ec2-3bca-4e76-a05f-229633c06fe4
@mjgt that links to December? and doesn;t appear to be the one with the article?
edit: Jan edition, found it :)
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&edid=d3767208-ae4a-4a63-b3ac-7def7ae92b18
I too have owned 2 neotecs..
I really like the car seat belt type buckle on these helmets..
It makes them MUCH easier to take on and off.
I wont be getting any other make/type of helmet but I am a bit intrigued by the MK II version I must admit..
I bought a Neotec II at the bike show, I was going to get a Shoei Ryd, but £400 seemed too good to pass on.
Unfortunately it's my first flip lid so I won't be able to compare it with anything other than my GT Air, also not used it yet due to cold/ice/snow/salt and a DIY/decorating project that I have little enthusiasm for, but would rather get finished before summer!
Couple of things I've noticed... first impressions it's very comfy, feels like a better fit than the GTAir, but noticeably heavier. Being a flip the helmet can fit much closer around the neck, which I'm hoping will make it quieter. The flip mech is very good, with a smooth, positive action that engages and releases first time, every time - much better than some of the others I tried, and I'm liking the ratchet buckle on the chin strap. I felt the top vent is a little stiff to operate and being a smooth surface it's difficult to get purchase on, I'm hoping this will get easier with use.
There's a dedicated comms available from Sena available for the Neotec II which makes fitting my Cardo a bit of a self-adhesive pigs ear, as you can't fit it in the best position due to the flip mechanism, the inner visor mechanism and the removable covers for the Sena set up, so the Cardo ends up a bit further back than I'd like. Also I'm not in love with the boom mic set up, but I guess this is the same for all flip lids.
I have a GT-Air, love the fit. But my next helmet will be a Neotec. My hands can go numb and at times and l really struggle with the double D rings.
Dusty it'll be great when you get a chance to do a comparison !
Quote from: VladTepes on Friday, 23 March 2018, 12:37 AM
Dusty it'll be great when you get a chance to do a comparison !
Yep, we've had a bit or rain to wash last weeks salt away, planning to be done with wallpapering by Saturday afternoon, so I'm banking on a nice sunny Sunday morning this weekend :8:
Managed to take the Tiger out for a spin this morning, my first ride with the new Neotec II.
I don't think it's any noisier than my GT Air, and just as comfy. I didn't notice the extra weight but I did notice it has much much better ventilation, as in I could tell if the top vent is open of closed, and it doesn't mist up with the chin curtain fitted. Getting glasses on and off seemed a tad more difficult, but that maybe something that improves with time.
I've never ridden open face, so it felt a bit odd at first with the chin bar flipped, as you can see so much more bike in front of you!
When in normal position I'd guess the chin bar is a little higher the the GT Air, but you get used to it pretty quickly.
Also a bit scarey when I pulled the chin bar down after pulling away, and didn't click it fully home which meant I couldn't see anything for a second or two.
So I'm very impressed with the Neotec II.
Ta.
Local prices for the GT-AIr start at $850 for the GT-Air and $1K for the Neotec 2.
Real bargains :imrgreen:
total waste of money
Quote from: VladTepes on Monday, 26 March 2018, 10:49 AM
Ta.
Local prices for the GT-AIr start at $850 for the GT-Air and $1K for the Neotec 2.
Then look for "Old Stock" of the mkI Neotec and get yourself a bargain.
I am looking for a nice condition original Neotec as a spare helmet for the occasional wench who fancies a ride (on the bike) in the summer !!
Change brands Vlad. You're paying top dollar for a name brand, nothing to do with 'safer' hat. Unless of course you have Armani riding gloves & want to keep up appearances.
Quote from: KiwiCol on Tuesday, 27 March 2018, 02:13 AM
Change brands Vlad. You're paying top dollar for a name brand, nothing to do with 'safer' hat. Unless of course you have Armani riding gloves & want to keep up appearances.
Probably needs a lid to match his Jimmy Choo boots :whistling: :rofl2:
Do you ask what size helmet they fit Speedy ?? :whistling:
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Tuesday, 27 March 2018, 04:40 AM
Do you ask what size helmet they fit Speedy ?? :whistling:
Ah Mr Fruit I see you are on my wave length
Quote from: Speedy1959 on Tuesday, 27 March 2018, 05:26 AM
Quote from: Kiwifruit on Tuesday, 27 March 2018, 04:40 AM
Do you ask what size helmet they fit Speedy ?? :whistling:
Ah Mr Fruit I see you are on my wave length
Please don't encourage him Col :)
Quote from: KiwiCol on Tuesday, 27 March 2018, 02:13 AM
Change brands Vlad. You're paying top dollar for a name brand, nothing to do with 'safer' hat. Unless of course you have Armani riding gloves & want to keep up appearances.
It's not that mate.
I've tried many helmets over the years and have always found that the Shoei's are better for ME.
Some helmets I've tried might be perfectly safe but they don't give me confidence and I do need that in a helmet.
The Shoei's seem to fit my head better than other brands.
The Shoei's I've owned have been better than other cheaper brands available at the time in visor operation, ventilation etc.
Sure I'd rather they were cheaper BUT it's my head so I am prepared to pay to play.
But it is a lot of money, for sure.
Fair enough Mick. If you've got a 'Shoei head', that's the hat you need. I had a GT Air last time & had no trouble fitting into the Nolan 100-5 this time.
Well I'll def have a look. Why did you go to the Nolan, Just the $ or was there something else to recommend it?
Think it was Sweaty that got me looking at them originally, but that was for a full face hat. Then I started looking at their modular / system hats & checking on the 'Sharp' rating for them & the Shoei. - Surprising result there.
So, I was going for a Nolan N104 Ultimate (or something like that), but, whilst they're still advertised for sale in NZ, that helmet is now no longer produced & Nolan have gone to the N100-5. Don't think it's even avail in NZ yet. Brought mine online, made in Italy & purchased from a shop in the Netherlands, & the price was very very competitive to anything here. The local shop wanted $650 for a white (no colour choice) N104 - old model. I landed the new model for about $525 - $550 from memory, & it has an even better rating than the 104.
So I checked out a heap of helmets at MRW today and came to a firm conclusion... Shoei Neotec 2. The problem ? Well the price mostly. $999. And the fact I;d have to shell out some extra $ for thicker cheekpads.
I wear an older Shoei full face in XL but the Neotec 2 is slightly looser it seems, so I tried the L and its nice and tight - maybe too tight - but the shell feels a bit small and comfortwise I think the XL is the way to go. But will need some thicker cheekpads I think and god knows how much they are.
Long story shorter - does anyone know where I could buy a Neotec 2 from, so the helmet and cheekpads comes in at under the $1K mark? Looking for Black or Black and red colour schemes.
Note I'm in Australia, but I will consider online options.
Thanks.
Mike have you tried on a new out of the box helmet rather than one sitting on the shelf that many have tried on.
Thought they swapped the pads around to suit at no charge ?
Most of the warehouse type shops have all their stock on the shelves mate so no. And generally they want you to use the ones they have out anyway to keep the boxed ones pristine.
I just checked the sizing chart and says I need an L. I'll have to go try them on again and pay more attention to the details of fit.
No they come with 'standard' cheekpads depending on shell size and extra sets have to be ordered. I think they are around $60-70. Bloody ripoff.
I bought my wife an NXR a coupe of years ago and she needed larger cheek pads so they fitted them for free, it's worth asking the question.
I went back this arvo to re-check fit more thoroughly. The L I think would press on my brow too much which would be a killer, so XL it is.
The shop is going to find out what 'best price' they can do the helmet and thicker cheekpads for. :)
Quote from: VladTepes on Sunday, 22 July 2018, 07:42 PM
I went back this arvo to re-check fit more thoroughly. The L I think would press on my brow too much which would be a killer, so XL it is.
The shop is going to find out what 'best price' they can do the helmet and thicker cheekpads for. :)
In the UK we have some dealerships which are Shoei fitting centres - when I bought my Shoei GT-Air, they fitted the right linings to fit me (Shoei typically use one shell to fit 2 sizes, the difference is in the linings), so its possible that both the "L" and "XL" are the same shell, but you need a couple of the innards changed.
On mine, they replaced the cheek pads with slightly smaller ones to reduce the inner thickness on my cheeks by about 1cm overall and then it fitted perfectly. Had I stuck with the standard gubbins, then the L would have been too tight, and the XL too loose. At Shoei fitting centres all this swapping of inner parts is done FOC whne you buy brand new, so you get a helmet which fits you perfectly.
Its called Shoei Assured in the UK, so if they do Shoei Assured down under, you need to contact one of those dealers to get the right fit
haha you're funny ! :D
You have to remember we have a MUCH smaller market down here mate, no fancy stuff like that around here.
Shame, would be a great idea.
But that aside the shop is working out what sort of deal they might be able to do for me.
Wear a Turban that would take up any slack in the XL :whistling:
Yeah if you have a Turban you can get a religious exemption from wearing a helmet. What a fucking toss eh.
There's one of them riding around here in a turban. Hope their religion pays for the medical bills too if they come off & get a head injury. no wait, that'd be discrimination! 1 rule for all - yeah right! wear a bloody helmet then ya raghead bas##rd!
OK well back on the Neotec 2.
Shoei are ripoff merchants in that they do sell different cheekpads for better fit BUT they do not do as exchange. You are paying $1K for a helmet but are stuck with the pads that come with the helmet and then have to pay another $69ish to get cheekpads that are thicker, or thinner, as needed.
I'll be sending a harshly worded email to Shoei but I'm sure that'll end up quickly in the recycle bin.
The shop managed to get them down to $64 (a big $5 off) but they claim the wholesale is quite high so there's not much in it for them. I have no reason not to believe that.
And pricewise I am getting a graphic helmet for $10 less than the retail price of a plain one. So that's nominally $110 saved.
Anyway I've bitten the bullet and am looking forward to having a helmet that's comfy AND has a sun visor AND the outside visor isn't all scratched to hell AND doesn't smell like rotten milk from time to time. (I think I've told that latter story before)
Shoe Neotec2 Excursion TC-5
(https://www.steammotos.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/moto-axxe-casque-modulable-fibre-shoei-neotec-2-deco-excursion-tc5.jpg)
(https://www.infinitymotorcycles.com/media/15321/15321.original.jpg)
Should have it by the weekend :)
If this one lasts another 6-7 years I'd be stoked.
Looks just like my Nolan. Very nice Mike.
Yeah my last Shoei lasted 6+ years which is a very good run, but a new one was due - the old one has started to shed its liner...
I'm pretty excited about getting a new helmet :)
I'm hoping it will be quieter too. :) Should be.
@VladTepes how do you like neotec 2? Is it quiet? I also oredered one and it should arrive next week. Can't wait!
I wished you'd said that before you ordered it...
Frankly I'm not happy with mine. I probably should have remembered to post here. At any rate...
Main issues -
1. fit is different to other Shoeis I've had so I had to pay EXTRA for different (thicker) cheekpads. And as those wear I'll need to buy new ones...
2. It's noisy. Despite all the reviews. This is almost certainly linked with the fit issue so your results may be better.
3. To close the chinbar requires a lot of force or two hands - neither much fun when on the move.
Only other comment I'd make is re the seatbelt style buckle. I find it more convenient than a double D-Ring so I'm happy with it BUT it occurs to me that without a double d-ring the helmet lock on the bike can't be used. Just something for others to consider.
The main reason I got it is because I get hay fever and sneezing in a full face helmet is not nice... This way I can get the chinbar up in time if I feel a sneeze coming on.
So would I buy another hinged chinbar type helmet? Probably.
Would I buy another Neotec2 ? Probably not.
But I did spend $1K (plus cheekpads) so I guess I'm stuck with it for a while.
Such a bargain Vlad. :rofl2:
I got mine neotec 2 ten days ago and took it for a 900 km trip last weekend. I can say it is almost perfect for me! :smitten: only complaint is ventilation, lower vent could be more restrictive and upper vent should let more airflow. Otherwise, it's much quieter than my old shark and it fits me perfectly! :cheers:
I've been using my Neo2 for around 18 months now, and am pleased with it...
Yes the fit is different to other Shoeis, but then they're all different, I've had Qwest, GT Air and the Neo2, you need to try them on.
Yes it's a bit noisy, but no worse than my GT Air.
My chin bar clicks down easily, certainly not a two handed operation.
My main gripes are with the built in comms which only suits Sena, I prefer Cardo, and I'm not keen on the boom type mike you need with a flip lid.
I also find the ventilation could be better, I find it'd difficult to tell if the vents are open or not.