An interesting post on Shoei’s Facebook page prompted us to ask a similar question, what influences you all when buying a crash helmet?Shoei’s post announced, “We now offer the Neotec, GT-Air and J-Cruise helmet all with a bright yellow colour option. With safety in mind were you influenced by the colour when buying your current helmet? www.shoeiassured.co.uk”
As confirmed Shoei fans ourselves, it’s the fit, safety aspect, quietness and overall comfort that does it for us, with colours etc featuring low down on the list after everything else. Whay is that? Well for a start we ride a lot of miles each year, and realise that a good crash helmet is as essential to protecting us whether touring Europe for a summer holiday, or popping out for 10 minutes to get a pint of milk. Also, having worn numerous helmets over the last four decades, there is a noticeable difference between styles and brands. For example, in my teens I really wanted an American made car-racer’s Simpson and eventually got one to replace a Bell helmet after a crash and insurance payout. Yes the Simpson looked amazing (straight out of Star Wars!), but it was noisy when riding a scooter, even a slow one! The visor wasn’t a great fitment either, but it really does look good, don’t you think?
With various other brands tried over the years, I eventually went from Vemar to Shoei, and the difference was so impressive, I’ve not found anything better since.
So our advice is if you are someone who chooses a crash helmet on colour or style first, then please believe us when we say they are not all the same, despite what a manufacturer or retailer may tell you. Yes they might all meet the minimum ECE-2205 safety standard (at the very least!), but some will be safer than others should it come to an impact, and there are plenty of other areas of safety that cheaper helmets don’t consider. Going deaf while riding is a high price to pay for style, while an uncomfortable and/ or heavy crash helmet can distract the rider and potentially cause fatigue or even an accident.
So go on, spend some time and money and get the best you can afford. You are priceless, your head deserves more than a bargain basement safety helmet.
