Helmet Help - Cycle Forums: Motorcycle and Sportbikes Forum

RazorX · 03-06-2003, 01:18 PM

I'm looking at purchasing a new helmet my mind is pretty much made up on the Shoei RF900 series, but what is the difference between it and the z11 and X11 shoei's?? Thanks

cgreer00 · 03-06-2003, 01:56 PM

i looked at the shoei 900 as well, but i ended up getting the KBC VR-1. It is an excellent helmet, great fit, the liner is comfortable, and it passes all American and European tests. I got mine with graphics for $179, and then I bought a second one because I liked it so much. Just to let you know, in case you haven't given them a serious look.

RazorX · 03-06-2003, 01:59 PM

Thanks, I'll consider.

thunderex · 03-06-2003, 02:14 PM

i have all of those helmets. rf-900, zii and an x11 on the way. they're all the same size but the rf fits looser for some reason. it's not at much older. it's a bit heavier and the venting is pretty good. the bad news is that it lifts off my head pretty badly on the highway (might just be a function of the looser fit). the vents are harder to operate with gloves and it's a bit noisier than the zII.

the zII has a removeable liner and the chin area is shaped diffferently. on my zII, the chin area sweeps further in than the rf and it touches my face with little effort. the zII seems lighter than the rf but not hugely so. the zII doesn't lift as badly as the rf on the highway, but there is a little bit. overall, the zII has been a pretty great helmet. venting and fogging aren't great. but i think i have extra hot breath or something.

the x11 is the top dog of them all. i haven't ridden in the x11 yet since i haven't gotten it in the mail yet, but i wore one in the shop. it's VERY light and i suspect that the tailpieces keeps it from buffetting as much as the others. there's more peripheral vision in the x11 too. also, the liner of the x11 is very very soft. for me, it's the most comfortable.

RazorX · 03-06-2003, 02:46 PM

Thanks for your insight. I like the graphics on the RF900 more so than the zII and the X11. I'm currently using a POS $120 HJC, heheh. So I'm sure any of those three Shoei's will feel like a million dollar helmet. Does the RF900 cushioning come out?

VFR Rider · 03-06-2003, 03:07 PM

No, the RF900 lining does not come out. That I feel is it's only drawback. Personally, I don't have the problems with the fit in the RF900 that was talked about. It fits nice and tight, and doesn't move around at all.

So all I can really see from the other two helmets, is that the lining is removable and the venting may be a bit better.

RazorX · 03-06-2003, 03:20 PM

Well I ordered myself up a RF900 TC-5.

It may not be a X11 but it's better than the one I have. Thanks for all the input!! I think I can go w/o the removeable liner, and I'm sure the venting will be much better than my door stop HJC.

thunderex · 03-06-2003, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by VFR Rider
No, the RF900 lining does not come out. That I feel is it's only drawback. Personally, I don't have the problems with the fit in the RF900 that was talked about. It fits nice and tight, and doesn't move around at all.

So all I can really see from the other two helmets, is that the lining is removable and the venting may be a bit better.

and weight. the x11 is significantly lighter than my zII. so i'd guess it's a fair difference between it and the rf as well. i think my rf just got looser for no reason. it fit better when i bought it.

RazorX · 03-07-2003, 05:46 AM

Well I test fitted one at a local shop and it fit pretty good, a lil more on the snug side. So I should be okay fit wise. I tried a X11 on also, it was lighter, but it costs more than I want to spend. My HJC is a lead weight, so the RF will be a very nice upgrade for me. Thanks again for your input.

Chetnik · 03-07-2003, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by falcorex
the bad news is that it lifts off my head pretty badly on the highway

I'll second that. The ZII has excellent wind characteristics...negligible wind buffeting and liftoff. It does fog badly (though no worse than my RX-7) and with it's stiff padding took the longest to break-in, but it's still my favorite of all the helmets I've ever owned.

lifeliberty · 03-10-2003, 09:51 AM

get the vr1. if you are going from an hjc, the kbc will be a huge step up, and you can't beat the price. also the liner is unlike any I've ever felt, you can get 2002 vr1s for as low as 125 plus shipping and you won't have to feel like a poser.