Shoei RF-1400

Very good helmet, i chose it because of the reviews regarding noise reduction capabilities, but when tried it didn’t exceed my previous helmet by much, other than this point everything is fine about this helmet

There have many reviews of this helmet so I am going to stick to what things I found. I wear a large in each of the Shoei helmets I have. This one is no exception though as my first full face, I found the fit to be really snug. Not uncomfortable mind you, but SNUG. It's a bit of a process to get it on, again, not problematic in any way, but nonetheless a process. I find the field of vision to be no less than any of the open face Shoeis I have owned. The visor when down, cuts noise noticeably, but in warm/hot weather as in above 80 degrees, makes the helmet warmer. I generally wear a skull cap under the helmet to wick away perspiration and that helps. Ventilation is certainly adequate, but it's not like the thing is going to be air conditioned. I tried the chin screen and found that it wanted to hang up on my nose when removing the helmet so I removed it completely. Others may have different experiences. Mounting my intercom headset presented come challenges. I have a GL 1800 and use the bike's existing intercom system. The cutouts in the helmet seem a bit small for the speakers which came with the IMC Motocom intercom system I use. When I first mounted the speakers into the cutouts they pushed against my ears and I think this stems from the snug fit of the helmet. I skirted that issue by cutting up the round selfsticking velcro mounts for the speakers and making smaller pieces which I was able to put down into the cutouts and pressed the speakers down into the cutouts. That maneuver helped and essentially resolved the problem of the speakers pressing against my ears. The newer bluetooth communication setups may have smaller speaker which may fit into those helmet cutouts so you may not have the issue I had. A Pinlock antifog panel comes with the helmet and will eliminate any cold weather fogging. The Shoei RF-1400 is pricey, but I feel safer in a full face and the comfort, fit, and finish is there. Good buy and no regrets!

I'm just getting back to motorcycles after 40 years. I decided if I splurged on any gear at all, it would be the helmet. I did a ton of research and finally decided on this helmet. Shoei's reputation precedes itself, so I know the product itself was already great. I ordered a medium, and when I first slid -- CRAMMED-- it onto my noggin, I thought my skull would cave it after my eyes popped out. I ordered a medium, as my head is small (and, as my skull throbbed, it was evidence of a lack of brains as well) but I took few breaths and the pounding eased a bit. About ten minutes later I couldn't fee a single pressure point-- and, no, it's not because my head was numb. So, it needed a little break in time. After walking around the house with it on for half and hour at a time for a few days-- driving my wife nuts and scaring the cat-- it became quite comfortable. If I'd sent it back after the first try on, it would have been a huge mistake. It's still snug, but by no means uncomfortable. Grabbing the jaw and pulling from side to side, it doesn't budge an inch, but it doesn't pinch either. A sharp shake of the head, nodding like a headbanger, and the helmet doesn't shift an inch. Not even a quarter inch. The helmet is light, about three and a half pounds (I guess it's heavier than the RF 1200), and when it's on my head it by no means feels bulky and, now, not constrictive. My first impulse was to send it right back-- if I could ever get it off-- and order a large. I'm glad I didn't. It would have been a huge mistake. Now, I hope I never have to find out how well it works. But, if that event occurs, I'm very confident I made the right choice.

First, the vendor had this shipped in microseconds and arrived exactly as it should have. I previously had an RF1200 which was great. I had lost a fair amount of weight and the RF1200 was too loose (because my face was thinner, pads were too small). Rather than ordering new RF1200 pads I figured it was about time to upgrade the helmet. I’m still not completely sure I shouldn’t have just got the pads. My melon measures 59.5cm at the equator, placing the size in the middle of L for both the RF1200 and the 1400. The RF1200 fit great immediately. The 1400 … not so much. To me it felt too tight and trying to put it on was a reverse birthing process. I thought I was going to get a nosebleed. The donning process got smoother, but for the first week or two it still felt tight and there was a hot spot at the top of my forehead which the 1200 had never caused. Now, the helmet is breaking in and more comfy. I still have to adjust around the ears when I put it on, but it’s not uncomfortable to wear anymore. The hot spot seems to be gone (hopefully). So, in comparison to the RF1200: Is it quieter? Yes, maybe a little bit, but not drastically. Is the wind drag better? Yes, and I do notice a difference here. Is the visor annoying? Absolutely, there is a little button you have to push and the handle is centrally placed. It’s awkward to open. Also, it’s a pain to remove. Is the field of view better? Probably, but I didn’t have a problem with the 1200. Is it more comfortable? Out of the box, that’s a hard “no”. After break in, similar to 1200 (so pretty good). Is the ventilation better? I think it is. Is it heavier? Yes but I don’t notice it. To summarize, I do think it is a little better than the 1200 but not overwhelming so. The margin is very narrow. If you have an RF1200 that fits and works well, I’d stay put until a new helmet is definitely needed. When you do switch, you’ll have to be more patient with the break in process as it will feel tighter at first and take longer. If this is your first Shoei, I suppose all the above applies, most importantly expecting it to feel almost too tight at first. They are however world class helmets; your safety and life are worth every penny.

Best helmet. Light!!!! fits like a glove... pay attention to the sizes