Here's a Surprise for Ya!

[wlk12]

Don't have a heart attack Cammie, but I BOUGHT A NEW HELMET. I finally got tired of my fellow riders ridiculing my old bug stained, chipped and faded Shoei RF900, so I got a brand spanking new RF1100 (white of course ). Initial reactions are quite positive (I didn't know those face shields were supposed to be clear rather than yellow ), but I've only done a short ride to Azusa Canyon on the SV. I'll have a full report after more miles on all three bikes.

Bill K.

P.S. - I still feel silly buying a new helmet when I had a perfectly good helmet - only about 100,000 miles on it, well broken in (extremely well ), and so much character! RIP

[Cammie]

   Grats Bill!  You encourage me.  I need a new helmet...want to hear your detailed report.

[Wildgift]

Bill, your extravagance sickens me. 

[rwalterk]

Haha nice!  I wanted to get one but it doesn't fit my head right.  Glad to see you finally upgraded.   

[aprilmaybe]

ohhh shiny

New gear is always good.

[DBegginer]

May you get 100,000 more miles out of your new one !!!!!

[wlk12]

O.K. - here's the report on the RF1100:

Things I love about it:
- Aerodynamics - smooth steady airflow with low drag, even when head turned to check for traffic.
- Ventilation system - it actually works!!

Things I like about it:
- General fit and comfort (for my head - very individual)
- Wide field of vision with the new CW-1 shield
- The way the shield kind of "snaps shut" and seals in the final closed position.
- Removable/Washable liner system - haven't had to do it, but I know it's a feature I'll like.

Things that are so-so about it:
- Noise - fairly quiet in clean air (for example, no windshield) - fairly quiet when windshield directs air at top of helmet (such as my V-Strom set up) - somewhat noisy when windshield directs air directly at helmet (to be expected, I guess).

[wlk12]

Must be a length limit on reply messages . In any case, here's the rest:

Things I don't like about it:
- The channels for eyeglass temples (Shoei says they're a feature on this helmet) are useless. I'm developing a technique, but it'll be a PITA for quite some time.
- The edge of my left ear is barely touching the liner. It's a nuisance that is becoming less noticeable, but was aggravating for a time.
- It's too damn new and pretty - now I'll have to worry about theft - haven't had to do that in some time

Things I haven't tried:
- The chin curtain and the breath guard.

All in all, a pretty darn good helmet

Bill K.

[aprilmaybe]

Good review. The guys at work rave about the venting on that helmet.

All of these new helmets, I need to get a new one too.

[pshaw118]

- The way the shield kind of "snaps shut" and seals in the final closed position.

- The edge of my left ear is barely touching the liner. It's a nuisance that is becoming less noticeable, but was aggravating for a time.

I know what you mean about the "snaps shut" part.  I love that "gachunk" sound that my Arai makes when I close the visor.  It feels so substantial, like you just locked your face into a bank vault. 

As for the ear thing, I wear a skull cap and tuck my ears into them.  I've noticed that a couple of my helmets make me a little uncomfortable around the ears when I don't wear my skull cap.  Might want to give it a try.  They're only $10 or so.