Shoei GT Air II

[SidG]

Hi all,

Looking to upgrade my HJC RPHA ST (my one and only helmet since passing my test). Tried on the new Shoei GT Air II and it felt a real step up in terms of quality. My HJC has been good but gets really tiring on long trips with wind noise even with ear plugs. Any of you guys have the new shoei? The possibility of the integrated unit Sena really appeals to me as well as I always listen to music and occasionally use a sat nav.

[jjones]

Just bought a GT air (1) as they are on sale (as the 2 has been released), fitted my cardo packtalk with zero issues. Will report back tomorrow after the 60 mile commute.

[Rubin215]

A Shoei helmet is always going to be a step up in quality compared to a HJC.

Ignoring the price-tag, Shoei, Arai and maybe Schuberth really stand above the competition in terms of design and comfort; safety is maybe a moot point (if you believe the SHARP ratings), but personally, I wouldn't buy anything else.

[timskipper]

I have a GT Air 1 (good deal, also matches my S1000R colour scheme perfectly) and a Neotec 2 - have dabbled with other brands in the past but nothing ever fits me as well as a Shoei.

My only complaint about the Air is the old fashioned d-buckle. I don't know if this is retained on the new one or not though.

[Rubin215]

timskipper said:

I have a GT Air 1 (good deal, also matches my S1000R colour scheme perfectly) and a Neotec 2 - have dabbled with other brands in the past but nothing ever fits me as well as a Shoei.

My only complaint about the Air is the old fashioned d-buckle. I don't know if this is retained on the new one or not though.

I much prefer a D ring strap to anything else; perfect adjustment every time you put it on, no matter what else you are wearing, no matter whether you've been hitting the pints or skipping the crisps.

[outnumbered]

timskipper said:

I have a GT Air 1 (good deal, also matches my S1000R colour scheme perfectly) and a Neotec 2 - have dabbled with other brands in the past but nothing ever fits me as well as a Shoei.

My only complaint about the Air is the old fashioned d-buckle. I don't know if this is retained on the new one or not though.

I hope so, all the other fastening types are less comfortable and less practical.

[Bungleaio]

I tried an air 2 on St motorcycle live in November and it was just as comfortable as my air 1. The internal visor is larger in the new one so you don't get the gap at the bottom.

The new one does not have the D ring which I think is a shame. Apparently the UK was the only market to have the D ring the rest of the world used the clip thing which the new one is having. That's what the shoei rep told me anyway.

[Krikkit]

Rubin215 said:

I much prefer a D ring strap to anything else; perfect adjustment every time you put it on, no matter what else you are wearing, no matter whether you've been hitting the pints or skipping the crisps.

I agree completely there - it's a simple, easy system that's always comfy. Why fiddle with it?

[Sea Demon]

My GT Air 1 had the clip type fastener but I bought from a Spain, Motocard.com.

[EvoDelta]

Sea Demon said:

My GT Air 1 had the clip type fastener but I bought from a Spain, Motocard.com.

Mine does too. In the Netherlands.

[immigrant]

Rubin215 said:

A Shoei helmet is always going to be a step up in quality compared to a HJC.

Disagree. My RPHA70 is way better than the GT Air 1 I ran for a few years.

Higher quality paint without a doubt, less flex in the side pod mechanism, better quality inner and outer visors and flows more air than something called a GT Air. The liner is also more luxurious and comfortable.

[SidG]

immigrant said:

Disagree. My RPHA70 is way better than the GT Air 1 I ran for a few years.

Higher quality paint without a doubt, less flex in the side pod mechanism, better quality inner and outer visors and flows more air than something called a GT Air. The liner is also more luxurious and comfortable.

Interesting. The RPHA70 felt very good too. Perhaps I’m being drawn into the Shoei brand name a bit too much. Guy at j and s said it’s like comparing a Ferrari to a Ford. Unfair exaggeration?

[SVS]

Rubin215 said:

I much prefer a D ring strap to anything else; perfect adjustment every time you put it on, no matter what else you are wearing, no matter whether you've been hitting the pints or skipping the crisps.

^ this

To fasten the chin strap, why has Shoei ruined the GT Air by changing the excellent D-ring for a stupid clip?

[Ho Lee Kau]

I have GT Air, used it for 4 years. Very nice helmet, comfortable, but somewhat heavy. I like the buckle as well. My XLite 802RR are lighter but do not sit as comfortable as GT Air.

Good comparison of GT Air and GT Air II:

https://www.championhelmets.com/en/blogs/blog/comp...

[immigrant]

SidG said:

Interesting. The RPHA70 felt very good too. Perhaps I’m being drawn into the Shoei brand name a bit too much. Guy at j and s said it’s like comparing a Ferrari to a Ford. Unfair exaggeration?

Well the Shoei is something like 200 smackers more expensive. It should be better for that sort of uplift.

But the comparison is unfair as things stand. YMMV.

[SVS]

Ho Lee Kau said:

I like the buckle as well.

Please persuade me about the buckle. Buckle fasteners have always been a deal-breaker for me, but perhaps they've improved since I last used one.

I struggle to see the advantage of a buckle over a D-ring fastener ...

Krikkit said:

Rubin215 said:

I much prefer a D ring strap to anything else; perfect adjustment every time you put it on, no matter what else you are wearing, no matter whether you've been hitting the pints or skipping the crisps.

I agree completely there - it's a simple, easy system that's always comfy. Why fiddle with it?

[Prof Prolapse]

Is a "buckle" the wee seatbelt thing? It's fractionally faster to close, requires less dexterity (thick gloves, cold hands) and it's ultimately less fiddly would be the obvious advantages.

I know it requires sporadic adjustment, unlike a D-ring (which I'm honestly fine with), but conversely I really don't see the advantage in a the D-ring.

Even if the adjustment is slightly out on the "buckle" type on occasion (although it really doesn't have to be), it strikes me as incredibly unlikely to confer any advantage. I mean in an accident it seems unlikely to be any help, beyond keeping the helmet on your head, which either strap will do. A few mm movement I can't see making any difference personally.

[SAS Tom]

The use of a ratchet/buckle/seatbelt/whatever you call it is due to crash data. They are used because lots of young people have died due to not fastening their helmet. A ratchet is easier to fasten so people are more likely to fasten their helmets.

For those of us who fasten their helmets anyway it’s just down to personal preference. There’s no evidence to suggest one is stronger than the other.

Personally I always prefer a D ring as I’m used to using them.

[outnumbered]

My experience with a catch-type fitting on a previous helmet was:

• The adjustment slipped constantly and needed tightening every few days
• the body of the mechanism dug into my jaw when it was at the correct tightness to stop the helmet flapping about, so I ended up wearing it looser than I wanted
• slightly fiddly to operate

DD solves the first two.

[Prof Prolapse]

SAS Tom said:

The use of a ratchet/buckle/seatbelt/whatever you call it is due to crash data. They are used because lots of young people have died due to not fastening their helmet. A ratchet is easier to fasten so people are more likely to fasten their helmets.

For those of us who fasten their helmets anyway it’s just down to personal preference. There’s no evidence to suggest one is stronger than the other.

Personally I always prefer a D ring as I’m used to using them.

Sensible post.