FAQ – all questions in, out and around a Shoei helmet.

General questions regarding a Shoei helmet

• Where can I buy Shoei helmets?

  In Europe Shoei motorcycle helmets are distributed by our various importers. If you are searching for your nearest dealer please contact the importer who is responsible for your country. You will find the addresses of all our importers on this website.

• Where can I get information about prices or about the availability of Shoei products?

  If you require information about the availability or the prices of Shoei helmets or spare parts please contact our importer in your country. You will find the addresses of all importers on this website.
  Please also ask your local dealer. He will be a great help in many cases.

• Is it possible to buy Shoei products directly via this site?

  To offer maximum protection a safety helmet must be the correct fit. There is a tendency for customers to choose an oversize helmet to achieve initial comfort. A trained dealer will ensure that the correct size is selected, making adequate allowance for «bedding down». This is a very important requirement, the need for personal attention renders safety helmets unsuitable for sale via the Internet.

• Where can I find the production date?

  The exact date of manufacturing can be found inside the helmet under the centerpad. It can be read as follows: Year XX – month XX – day XX.

• Did the fitting change at Shoei helmets?

  Yes, over time the fit of our helmets has changed slightly. We are developing a completely new inner shell with every new model, which is tailored to the latest surveying data and the application area of the respective helmet model. We recommend that you make an intensive test ride with the helmet before purchase.

• How can I convert from the ratchet lock to Double-D?

  On the GT-Air, Neotec models, we decided to use the micro ratchet system due to many wishes of our customers all over Europe. However, it is also possible to convert the models GT-Air and Neotec to a double D-lock for 80,- Euro. For this please return the helmet together with the proof of purchase to your local SHOEI dealer, who will then send it to us with the return form (RMA) for conversion. If this is not easily possible, please request the appropriate return form (RMA) from the dealer and then send it to us together with the helmet and proof of purchase. If possible, the helmet should be handed over without intercom unit (except SRL/SRL2/SRL3 system). The removed old chinstrap will remain with Shoei and will be destroyed for safety reasons.

• Why does my helmet make noise when driving?

  For disturbing wind or whistling sounds the helmet is not always decisive. Often, noise is also caused by unfavorable combinations of the individual components such as body size, clothing of the driver, type of motorcycle or wind shield, etc. For this reason, we recommend that each customer make an extensive test ride with their own motorcycle prior to purchase; in some cases, there may be motorcycle / helmet combinations that do not match each other. Also, the sound sensation of each individual is, of course, very individual.

• How is the weight measured?

  The weight of the helmet is measured with a plain colored model at the size M. It can vary +/- 50g.
  Helmets with graphics are heavier, because the graphic is protected by some layers of clear coat.

• Is a matte helmet more sensitive?

  The matt surface is, in fact, more sensitive than a glossy one. Even with good care, it can not be avoided that, for example, remaining insects affect the porous structure of the surface and can’t be removed therefrom. This is for sure the same case at matte white decoration parts on the helmet.

• Are stickers on the helmet a problem?

  Normally they’re not. The shell is based on AIM (glass fiber) and is usually insensitive to stickers. However, we can not guarantee this, as we do not know if and which solvents are used in the stickers.

• How should a helmet be cleaned?

  The helmet surface should be cleaned after each ride with warm water and a little liquid, neutral soap. A lint-free kitchen towel, which is impregnated with this «mixture» of water and soap, has proven itself. The towel is put on the helmet and should stay there for 2-3 minutes. After that, the helmet can then be gently rubbed off with a soft towel (for example of microfibre). It is important that insects do not dry completely. In the worst case, these can also leave slight scratches when removed.

• When you should not use wax etc.?

  Never treat matte helmets with polishes or waxes. Polishes may leave white spots on the helmet. By growing, the helmet could even lose its matte look. There is also a warning on the visor as well as in the manual.

• When do you have to replace a helmet with a new one?

  For safety reasons, we recommend replacing a helmet after about five years. The outer shell (fiberglass) is relatively resistant against aging. However, the material of the inner shell (EPS), which is substantially involved in the safety (shock absorption), hardens with time. So the inner shell no longer has those important absorption characteristics. There has also been much work on the development of helmets in recent years. Improved helmet shells, advanced materials, better comfort, changeable inner lining, more efficient ventilation systems, higher requirements also in the official test standards such as the E22 homologation, visor quick-change systems, etc. – in summary it can be said that helmets have simply become safer.

• When must a visor be replaced?

  The visor should also be replaced within five years. The production date of a SHOEI visor is located on the left side of the visor with four digits (month, year). Visors contain so – called softeners, which evaporate over the years, making the visor brittle and hardened over time. In the case of an accident, it can even break and cause severe cuts in the face, so if a visor has strong scratches, it is advisable to replace it! The aging process is accelerated with scratched visors and they also represent a safety risk in the field of vision.

• Can I use a helmet after it has fallen down?

  When the helmet has fallen from a low height, it can normally be driven further. Especially when no mounting parts (visors, mechanics, ventilation, etc.) are broken off. Unlike a «real» accident, we speak of a very low speed with which the helmet falls to the ground. There is also no head about six kilograms in the helmet. This greatly reduces the impact force. There must be much less energy absorbed. But the recommendation to use the helmet is, however, not an absolute guarantee for the safety of the helmet.

• Can I have a helmet inspected after an accident?

  After an accident, a helmet can only be inspected by the manufacturer itself. In this test, the helmet is destroyed. You only get to know if the helmet was safe. There is no other way to determine this. Modern motorcycle helmets are designed to absorb as much energy as possible during an impact. Therefore they are destroyed. Even a small impact can damage a helmet. Often this damage is invisible to the layman. Every helmet involved in an accident should be exchanged.

• When does a visor with a Pinlock system meet the ECE standard?

  In order to obtain an ECE approval for a full-day visor, a light penetration of at least 80% must be ensured. However, tests have shown that the those penetration with the mounted Pinlock visor can be slightly below 80% due to the production. According to the ECE guidelines, this means that manufacturer’s side must be pointed out that this visor may only be used during daytime.

• Should a helmet from the USA be used in Europe?

  No. The RF-1400 is for example the american counterpart to the NXR2. However, the RF-1400 is homologated according to the «Snell» standard and not according to the European standard «ECE 22/05» or even «ECE 22/06». Therefore, the higher weight of the RF results. Furthermore, the fit is slightly modified and aligned to american conditions.

• Can a faded homologation label (E22) be replaced?

  Yes, we can issue a certificate of authenticity in such cases, stating that the helmet has been tested and approved according to ECE 22/05 or even ECE 22/06. For this purpose, we need the following information: Model description, color / decor, helmet size, production date (inside the helmet under the center pad), copy of purchase (document) and a photo of the helmet. And it is important, that the helmet was not involved in an accident!

• What to consider when traveling to Italy?

  Since 2007 all motorcycle helmets in Italy have to meet the ECE-22 standard. The use of a non-homologated helmet is prohibited. This also applies to the passenger. Violation may be punished with a fine and, in the worst case, with the withdrawal of the motorcycle. Please also click on the following link: http://www.shoei-europe.com/de/service/homologation/ There you will find all the necessary information.

• Is it only allowed to ride motorcycles in France with reflectors?

  Yes, this rule is already since 1959. It seems, however, that foreign motorcyclists in France had so far no problems without these reflectors. Note: It could happen that the coating of the helmet is damaged if the reflectors are to be removed at a later date.

• Can a helmet be safely painted?

  Negative effects of painting are not yet known. Nevertheless, for insurance reasons, we advise against using stickers or painting helmets, as you can never be sure which solvents are used. The structure of the helmet shell could be damaged – the accident protection would no longer be guaranteed.

• What should be considered when painting?

  Please do not use Nitro-based colors and make sure that no paint comes into the interior of your helmet. Acryl colors (water-based paints) are safe. Water-based paint pencils for cars can also be used. During painting, all ventilation and visor openings should be taped off or, if possible, be temporarily removed because the very sensitive material polycarbonate is used. The material resistance would suffer.

• Can the helmet be disassembled before painting?

  In principle it is possible to have a helmet purchased from a retailer sent to us for disassembly. In this case, all attached and installed parts of the helmet will be removed, if possible. After painting, the helmet is professionally reassembled by our service technicians. Firmly bonded parts such as the visor seal, the visor beading and the bottom beading of the helmet are not removed, they would have to be covered before painting.

• Should the helmet be disassembled completely?

  In principle it is possible that you send an already purchased helmet for disassembling to us. After the painting, it would also be assembled again by our technicians. However, please note the following: Seals are not dismantled (helmet edge, facial field), since exact gluing by hand after painting is extremely difficult and time-consuming. We can not guarantee the function of the helmet (tightness, ventilation) after painting.

• How can I have a helmet sent in for dismantling and what is the price?

  Please contact the dealer from whom you purchased the helmet. They can open an appropriate service ticket and initiate the return of the helmet to our service department. For this service we charge a flat rate of € 100,- net plus VAT. It includes the disassembly and the final reassembly. A longer waiting period should be taken into consideration – especially in the high season between March and October.