Nice Lid!

Firebolter · 05-03-2004, 12:09 PM

So I had some time to kill before my flight home friday. Went to one of the bike shops by the airport in Honolulu. Was looking at some helmets and tried on a Shoei X-11. I am usually a hard core advocate of Arai's. They have always fit good and are well made. But this new X-11 is the shiznit! It is by far one of the lightest helmets I have ever put on. Fit my big ole' noggin really nice.

What I like better than my Arai Quantum is the visor latch. On the Arai you have to line up the little button thingy and clip it down on a tooth, then slide. It can be a little cumbersome with gloves on while riding, but thew Shoei latch is just that, drop the visor and push the latch up and it locks in place with no al;ignment issues...That is nice as I am always having a bit of a struggle on my Arai it seems like....

Anyway, if you have a chance, try out one of the X-11's. It will be my next helmet.

I've found them as cheap as 529.00 delivered (with graphics) and ~400 for the plain color ones. Lots od shields out there for them in smoke and mirror colors.

Olaf · 05-03-2004, 12:54 PM

Firebolter,

I bought an X-11 last year and love it. Great cooling but can be a little louder then others. I guess it is tough to have a helmet that really cools your head and be quiet.

I picked mine up at the Helmet Harbor for under $400 (solid color).

Olaf

motoyoyo · 05-03-2004, 05:39 PM

I have used Arai for a number of years and really like them. I consider the Shoei helmets just as nice but they fit very slightly different. Size for size the Shoei runs about 1/4-1/3 size larger than the Arai. The Shoei fit me just right in the showroom too, but I don't know how much they wear in after a few rides. I've always gone with the Arai which are just a little snug at first but they wear in perfect for me. I would always consider a Shoei helmet though. They are first rate helmets.

johnnydanger · 05-03-2004, 06:01 PM

A note about Arai visor removal. If you man handle the visor you don't have to use the arrow lever thingy. Basically with the helmet in your lap facing away from you, grab the visor near the side pieces, pull out with a bit of umph and then pivot up and voila! out the visor comes. It actually makes for really quick visor changes once you get good at it. It is doable while wearing the helmet as well. It felt a little wrong like I was going to break it the first couple times, but it works well once you're used to it.

ikester · 05-03-2004, 06:03 PM

I recently bought an Arai Corsair RX-7 and they're pretty light also - definitely much lighter than my Quantum/F. Happy with the purchase. They're asking about $550 at the local Coleman's but you can get them for $399 on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7901253312&category=6749

SethK · 05-04-2004, 10:25 AM

What's the general consensus on Shoei vs Arai fit.
Do the Arai helmets tend to be more oval and and the Shoeis more round? I seem to remember hearing this somewhere.
Fit probably varies between model too.

pdonnell · 05-04-2004, 10:33 AM

If you visit the Arai website you'll see they have helmets for 3 different head sizes. Round, oval and in between. In total they have about 5-8 different type of styles that cover this range. Its a personal opinion though. Gotta try 'em first.

Daniel Restrepo · 05-04-2004, 11:06 AM

bought an x-11 medium size solid about a month ago. strange to me cuz my previous helmet was an at least 5 year old agv x-vent and it was an xL. i thought it fit well for most of those years but in the end it was a bit loose around the cheeks.

loved my xvent when it was new but todays' helmets are just so much better. also i think agv is not quite as good as arai or shoei. i LOVE my new shoei. it's so light and when you close the vents they actually close. i have a shaved head and i can really feel those vents working. in the cool chicago spring this year i can close all the top vents and feel no cooling air and keep the chin vent open to keep the shield clear. works like a charm. great helmet.

Daniel Restrepo · 05-04-2004, 11:09 AM

the nice surprise was the chin spoiler that has the litttle netting to close the helmet off. love that!!!

Firebolter · 05-04-2004, 02:30 PM

Yeah, AGV's are sized smaller for them little Euro heads (no offense guys). In AGV's, I need a XXL and it is still a little tight. In Arai and Shoei an XL is the ticket.
Popped for a X-11 today....I only have 5 helmets, what's one more!

Skippy · 05-06-2004, 08:52 AM

Hi firebolter I just wanted to say the Shoei XR 1000 should also be really nice but I guess I'm to late or did you try that one to?

Firebolter · 05-06-2004, 08:59 AM

No I didn't, I liked the X-11 so much that I just had to have it. Man I'm glad I'm single now else this habit would get me divorced! Still like the Arai's but the X-11 is my new flavor of the month!

acidburn · 05-07-2004, 06:44 PM

http://www.helmetharbor.com/estore/products.cfm?seriesid=Shoei+X-Eleven