Shoei X-11 Review

[Philip]

I just received my new Shoei X-11 yesterday, and took it for a 120-mile test drive today in temperatures ranging from the low 60s at the coast to the low 90s in Simi Valley and the San Fernando Valley. I was riding behind a cut-down windshield on my Harley Softail Classic.

The Good:

This is one beautiful helmet. Unlike most others, the vents are not stuck on like an afterthought; they're faired into the helmet, making for a very smooth laminar air flow. The finish is perfect, mine being called "Light Silver" which sparkles in the sunlight. I chose that color for visibility and heat reflectivity. First thing I did was peel off that rather tacky looking Shoei sticker on the front of the helmet.

This is also a very, very light helmet. How light? I don't know exactly, but an order of magnitude lighter than my previous Caberg Justissimo. Also, the field of vision is incredible. Peripheral vision is extremely wide, such that I don't have to twist my neck around to do a head-check, and the vision up or down is also superb.

Attaching and detaching the shield may be the simplest and best system in the helmet universe. Push down a little latch on each side and the shield pops on or off. That's it. Two seconds flat, either way.

Some have complained about how the extra bit of chinstrap is secured. Yes, it's hard to do with gloves on. So put the helmet on first, THEN put the gloves on. I don't see what the big deal is.

The thing fits like it was tailor-made for me, with an extremely plush, soft interior and firm cheekpads. I have a slightly oval-shaped head, so round helmets (which typically include all the European helmets, including Caberg, Nolan, etc.) cause a hot spot across my forehead after a short time. This one fit perfectly. (The only other helmet to fit this well was the Arai RX-7 Corsair, which is similarly shaped.) The Shoei RF-1000, in contrast, was too round for me.

Vents. Does this thing ever vent. I hit the coast with all vents open, and had to close them as the cold airflow, especially across the top of my head, was too strong. In very hot weather, I opened them and my head never sweated. This is a first for me in a full-face or flip helmet.

There was no buffeting at all, either looking straight ahead or when performing head-checks. Nor was there any lift. I look over my windshield, so the helmet was directly in the airflow but wasn't fazed by it.

The Less Good:

This is a noisy helmet. I mean Noisy with a capital N. To a large degree, the vents cause the noise. Things got a lot quieter when I closed them. It's also the case that helmets are almost always noisier behind a fairing or windshield. But seriously, I started out without earplugs, which I always wear, so that I could gauge the difference with and without, but when I put the earplugs in, it was still one noisy helmet.

There's something called a Whisper Strip that Shoei sells in the UK that goes around the bottom of the helmet and which Shoei claims cuts the noise in half. But I'm very reluctant, after having shelled out big-time for the helmet, to pay another $40 or so for something that should have been included in the first place. Makes me think that senior Shoei management have all attended the Harley-Davidson marketing seminar taught by Professors Dewey, Cheatum and Howe.

Conclusion:

I will probably buy the Whisper Strip. The helmet is too superior in every other category to allow the noise issue to marginalize it, especially when a simple fix is available. In addition, today was a particularly windy day, which may have added to the cacophony.

List price for this model is $539. I paid $435, including shipping, at Helmet Harbor, plus another $35 for a dark smoke shield. Fast shipping, knowledgeable service.

Hope this helps someone.

Philip

[G8ESCAP]

Nice review and I hope you never have the opportunity to test how it does in a get off!

Some folks get to ride during the week! What am I doing wrong?

[Philip]

Originally Posted by Gixxerdale

Some folks get to ride during the week! What am I doing wrong?

Working?

[cruzinZ]

One little thing for those that dont have a windshield on their bike. This helmet is the only one that I know of that was designed in the wind tunnel. If you turn your head to check your blind spots it doesnt have the usual shake that other helmets have. For those that ride the track it does not have the usual head shake at 100+mph. Top of the line technology that also comes with a price tag that reflects it

[exwingnut]

I bought my X-11 for the fit and weight...the great vents were an unexpected bonus.

[Quixote]

Philip, good write up. I appreciate the time you took to share it with us. Good information.

Originally Posted by cruzinZ

This helmet is the only one that I know of that was designed in the wind tunnel.

Daniel, just for informational purposes, I know that Scorpion, Schuberth, and X-lite (Nolan) claim to test their designs in the wind tunnel. I believe there are others as well. Can't vouch for the actual tests, just that they claim to do it.

[VTXMAN]

I was disappointed in the X-11. After owning several full face HJC's I thought I would move up to a Shoei. Wont do it again. Too much money for what you get. There are a lot of good helmets on the market under $300. That strip you are talking about is a lot cheaper from a company listed on this site. http://www.webbikeworld.com/ I will try and find who I bought it from for $12 plus shipping.

Found it after I posted. http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/windj...nd-blocker.htm

It is $17 plus freight. I got it for my son and he likes it.

[Philip]

Originally Posted by VTXMAN

I was disappointed in the X-11.

Me too. In the end, despite all its great qualities, I returned the helmet. The noise set up by the ridge on the front of the helmet containing the vents finally became unbearable, even with earplugs.

I recognize that this was very likely specific to the laminar flow set up by my particular windshield on my particular bike, and it would not likely be as bad on any other bike. However, for me it was just too uncomfortable.

In its place I got an HJC AC-12 Carbon, which, while not as plush as the X-11 by a long shot, is fantastically light and, compared to the Shoei, relatively silent. This one seems like a keeper. Also, dealers are selling them in shops for $420, but I got mine on eBay for $289. Value for money.

Philip

[zx-greg]

Originally Posted by Philip

Me too. In the end, despite all its great qualities, I returned the helmet. The noise set up by the ridge on the front of the helmet containing the vents finally became unbearable, even with earplugs.

I recognize that this was very likely specific to the laminar flow set up by my particular windshield on my particular bike, and it would not likely be as bad on any other bike. However, for me it was just too uncomfortable.

In its place I got an HJC AC-12 Carbon, which, while not as plush as the X-11 by a long shot, is fantastically light and, compared to the Shoei, relatively silent. This one seems like a keeper. Also, dealers are selling them in shops for $420, but I got mine on eBay for $289. Value for money.

Philip

Interesting observations. I replaced an AC-10 with the X-11. The AC-12 uses a different head shape and does not fit me comfortably.

Comfort and fit can not be compared. The X-11 is far superior.

With the vents closed, the X-11 is at least as quiet as the AC-10 but still vents at least as well. With the vents open, the X-11 is a little noisier than the AC-10 over 50 mph, but this is barely noticeable with earplugs. Venting on the AC-10 was unnoticeable except blustery, dirty air in front of my eyes. The X-11 channels clean air in front of the face and over the head.

What really cemented the X-11's superiority for me is its aerodynamics. I have never had ANY helmet buffeting in crosswinds. In the AC-10, in comparison, my head would bounce around in moderate crosswinds. The AC-10 was still far superior to the CL-12 it replaced. The CL-12's visor would actually open in crosswinds or if I turned my head sideways at freeway speeds.

If you turn your head to check your blind spots it doesnt have the usual shake that other helmets have. For those that ride the track it does not have the usual head shake at 100+mph.

+1

[Tim Torpin]

I had a problem with the Shoei RF 1000 pulling my hair up into the vent slots... looked like "corn rows" after all day rides. Thought about lining the helmet with duct tape... Then something else came to mind....