Helmets Neotec II Market differences, wanting Euro

sirbike

sirbike

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Last year I bought a Neotec II medium size helmet from FC-Moto and had it shipped to the US
Weight 1615g alone, 1650g with accessories.
I found a helmet available in the UK.
Medium weighs 1665g alone 1700 with accessories.
The US market helmet is heavier.
Now FC-Moto won’t ship the ECE helmet to the US. Just occurred to me writing this that I might be in Germany in November. That could work.
So my primary question is, since Shoei didn’t return my call, does Shoei make a UK market helmet and separately make a Euro market helmet? And knowing that helmet interior shapes vary from market to market, I ask if UK helmets and Euro helmets, are they the same head shape?
It seems to be implied by the different weight specs but possibly there could have been a running change that added weight. And perhaps there is only one helmet built that covers UK and Europe.
Also if you have a Neotec II east of the Atlantic Ocean what size do you have and what weight, and what country are you in?
Thanks for any information.
BTW I know of all the potential hazards of wearing an ECE helmet in the states. Dang it all, I am going to wear the lighter helmet.
 
sirbike said:
...possibly there could have been a running change that added weight.
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My guess - strictly a guess - is that the difference in quoted weights is either a result of not having an accurate "apples to apples" comparison, for example, one weight being for a small helmet, the other being for a large, or a result of a running change such as an improvement in the fabric or padding used inside the helmet.

The Shoei Neotec competes directly with the Schuberth C4 Pro. Schuberth made a considerable number of changes to the C4 to come up with the C4 Pro, and amongst those changes were new and more plush fabrics for the liner and pads. It could be that Shoei has made similar changes so they can stay competitive.

To the best of my knowledge, the differences between the CE helmets & the DOT (North American) helmets of the same manufacturer & helmet model are differences in the testing standard used. I doubt if the helmet manufacturers make two different models of helmets for the two different jurisdictions - I suspect that they make one model only, test it using the two different standards, and then apply the appropriate compliance sticker to the helmet depending on what market the helmet gets shipped to.

A 50 gram difference is 1 3/4 ounces - that's 3% of the weight of a 1,650 gram helmet. Although I do appreciate that you are seeking the lightest possible helmet, I think 50 grams of weight difference would be imperceptable.

Michael
 
CYYJ said:
My guess - strictly a guess - is that the difference in quoted weights is either a result of not having an accurate "apples to apples" comparison, for example, one weight being for a small helmet, the other being for a large, or a result of a running change such as an improvement in the fabric or padding used inside the helmet.

The Shoei Neotec competes directly with the Schuberth C4 Pro. Schuberth made a considerable number of changes to the C4 to come up with the C4 Pro, and amongst those changes were new and more plush fabrics for the liner and pads. It could be that Shoei has made similar changes so they can stay competitive.

To the best of my knowledge, the differences between the CE helmets & the DOT (North American) helmets of the same manufacturer & helmet model are differences in the testing standard used. I doubt if the helmet manufacturers make two different models of helmets for the two different jurisdictions - I suspect that they make one model only, test it using the two different standards, and then apply the appropriate compliance sticker to the helmet depending on what market the helmet gets shipped to.

A 50 gram difference is 1 3/4 ounces - that's 3% of the weight of a 1,650 gram helmet. Although I do appreciate that you are seeking the lightest possible helmet, I think 50 grams of weight difference would be imperceptable.

Michael
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Thanks. I am comparing the same size helmet.
I am aware that different head forms of the same model helmet are made for different markets. Maybe not all models or brands do this but for some there is North America, Europe, and Asia.
The weight of 50 grams wasn’t so much the problem as that it may indicate the possibility of a different head form. Perhaps a separate UK market spec.
The US DOT Neotec II helmet is significantly heavier as has been the case with other ECE helmets that I have owned.
The European market helmets that I have owned have the weight sticker on the helmet that is size specific.
 
In my case, I got tired of the Neotec's weight (not Neotec II), and went with the AGV Sportmodular.... carbon fiber, a whole pound lighter. Amazing difference in that alone. Fits similarly to a Neotec, about the same noise level or a smidge worse/different, good quality, wish it had channels for eyeglasses, but that gets better with time... still breaking it in so to speak.
 
Helmet weight to me is like the ST's weight. Yes it's heavier than others in class but it feels good and it's all day comfortable. You can ride/wear it all day, day after day. Practically it makes no difference at all to me. I can't imagine a few grams makes any difference but to each his own.
 
Shoei, IMO, will not make different shells or helmet interiors for different EU markets and they all have to pass the same standard of testing.
I wouldn't worry about ordering a UK helmet if that is what you are asking and yes the weight is posted on our helmets in all EU markets as far as I am aware.
Upt'North.
 
I was just about to toss my Neotec II out (sell it) because I didn't like the fit of the Sena 30K, and when I bought a Sena made for the NeoTec II, the volume control was a real pain to get to with gloves. And nothing bugs me more than loud music when I'm at a stop.

But a number of years ago I had bought one of the Sena wrist controllers. After locating it, I connected it up to the Neotec II/Sena and now that I have the remote, Velcroed to my tank bag and easy to get to, I love it. I don't have this huge radio hanging off my helmet, and I can control the volume with either hand! :hat3:
 
Earlier this week I ordered a Schuberth C4 Pro, to replace an older Schuberth modular helmet that I bought many years ago.

I'll come back and post a review of it once I have had a chance to wear it for a few thousand miles.

Michael
 
Ah, the proverbial great deal to be found... not available for shipment to Canada, unfortunately.

Now, knowing that Michael has friends in every corner of the globe...
 
dduelin said:
Helmet weight to me is like the ST's weight. Yes it's heavier than others in class but it feels good and it's all day comfortable. You can ride/wear it all day, day after day. Practically it makes no difference at all to me. I can't imagine a few grams makes any difference but to each his own.
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I'm glad you said "a few grams"... Neotec and Schuberth are in the 1800 gram range, AGV Sportmodular is ~1300. I can tell you how much better losing 500 grams is after an all day ride.
 
RaYzerman said:
I'm glad you said "a few grams"... Neotec and Schuberth are in the 1800 gram range, AGV Sportmodular is ~1300. I can tell you how much better losing 500 grams is after an all day ride.
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It's hard to agree when the extra 500 has never been noticeable to me. Maybe I'm used to how heavy it is and I would like a lighter helmet if I tried it ...... but why when I'm perfectly happy?

I do know how comfortable Shoei been for me for many years and many thousands of miles. That's good enough for now.
 
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One thing to consider buying a euro version Shoei is replacement parts and warranty. My Friend bought a Euro GT Air (I think) Shoei and the visor retaining hardware for the face shield fell apart on one side and a couple of components were lost. We happened to be at Laguna Seca and the official Shoei repair guys were there servicing the racers. None of the hardware they had for any of the US helmets was the same as what was used on my friend's helmet, and they were unable to help. He ended up mcgivering a fix involving a water bottle cap just to get home. Later he could not find the parts anywhere in the US and I think ended up having to order the parts from somewhere off-shore. Shoei would not offer any warranty coverage since they considered his helmet a gray market import.
 
Found a place in Italy selling Euro Neotec IIs that I can get shipped here.
The AGV Carbon Sportmodular is very tempting based on weight but the Euro Shoei fits great and its acceptable weight makes it hard to chance more big bucks.
The Euro Neotec II is about 150g lighter than the DOT version at the time that I was buying and I notice it plenty.
I tried the AGV and didn't like the chin strap among other smaller details.
I learned today that Sportmodulars on on sale for $500 because they may or may not have the chin strap fore or aft due to a change in the production run. All new graphic Sportmodulars have the more forward set chin strap.
 
sirbike said:
BTW I know of all the potential hazards of wearing an ECE helmet in the states.
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What are they? I thought the helmets produced by any give mfr are the same regardless of where they are sold (but subject to different testing standards).
 
SMSW said:
What are they? I thought the helmets produced by any give mfr are the same regardless of where they are sold (but subject to different testing standards).
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Well legally speaking one is not wearing a helmet unless that helmet is approved to the standards of the jurisdiction that it is worn in.
Then there could be insurance issues based on that.
Some helmets are approved for more than one market.
ECE helmets tend to be lighter by a construction that is intended to protect the brain from the most likely of impacts. That being with the ground or a fender, windshield and the like.
US standards especially, especially snell approved helmets are heavier by way of a construction intended to protect the head from sharp object intrusion. This type of construction is more likely to cause brain trauma on average but be safer in the arguably less likely event of sharp object intrusion.
Then head shapes are on average different between Europeans, North Americans, Asians, and today I found that some helmets are built to fit South Americans.
 
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