Shoei Neotec 2 Review

 Shoei Neotec 2 Review: Is This The Best Flip Helmet On The Market?

The Neotec 2 is the second generation of Showie's Neotec. Their first helmet used an internal sun visor, and this one has become just as popular as the first one.

It's had a few refinements designed to make it quieter and more aerodynamic on the move, which were some of the criticisms of the original Neotec.

Shell Construction

The shell is made from Shoei's advanced integrated matrix, a mixture of lightweight fibers sandwiched between two layers of fiberglass. 

Showie's idea is to give the right blend of elasticity and strength. They say it also brings down the weight.

Weight

We've weighed this helmet at 1718 grams, which would say it's possibly just a bit above average for a flip front helmet, but it doesn't take it up into heavyweight territory.

Aerodynamic

Spoilers factor in those aerodynamic improvements around the front of the chin and the back of the helmet.

Ventilation

There are two ventilation channels. One is at that chin with a simple-to-use rocker switch that can work even with the thickest of winter gloves, and the second is just as idiot friendly.

On the top, there is a slide for the vents to bring in the air at the top. The helmet also can shed warm air from the inside through the exhaust vent at the back.

Sizing

Another factor with the shell for the Neotec 2 is it comes in three sizes. This means you'll get a better relationship between the size of your head and the size of the helmet on the outside. 

The smaller shell covers sizes from extra small up to medium. Large has the shell size all to itself, and XL and double XL get their shell size.

Sun Visor

One factor to bear in mind with the shell of the Shoei is that extra space has been created to accommodate the sun visor. 

Shoei refused to make helmets with sun visors, which meant using a thinner EPS. That's the polystyrene liner that provides impact protection.

They wouldn't compromise on that thickness, so they created extra space to accommodate that visor. So as it slides up, it sits into the recess around the shell.

So you know you're getting the same protective material in this helmet as in one of their helmets without an internal sun visor.

The sun visor operates on a slide switch on the left-hand side of the shell and is also anti-fog coated, so there are no issues with clear vision.

Image 2.49

Flip Mechanism

To open the flip mechanism is simply squeezing the red button on the chin bar and lifting. The final step locks it into the raised position. Again, the reason is to stop it from flopping forward while you're riding.

It takes a little bit of a push to get that chin bar back down. The reason for that is this helmet has been tested twice. 

It's tested under both the open face and the full face impact tests, so you can legally wear this with the chin bar up if you're riding a town and riding at lower speeds. (Check your state for local laws).

Riding in a helmet with the chin bar up throws out the balance. We would say that it's not something you'd want to do on a long-term basis or longer rides, particularly as the speed increases. Probably something more useful when you're scooting around at low speeds in town.

Bluetooth

Flip-front helmets tend to be popular with tourers and commuting riders, and a Bluetooth intercom is handy for them. 

Recently, the infills at the side have become a bit of a Shoei theme on a few of their helmets. 

What that allows is an integrated Rl Sena system to be incorporated. It sits where that infill panel is on the v-shape. The battery is then incorporated into the back. 

There are pockets inside the helmet for speakers to sit inside so you can remove foam sections and put the speakers in without causing discomfort.

Visor

The main visor is protected by a Pinlock Evo Max vision insert. Max vision means it's got the broadest field of vision that you can get from a pinlock.

The Evo means it's got the most moisture resistance of the levels of Pinlock so that you can get the highest speck of pinlock.

The visor operates on a tab located on the bottom side of the visor. The final step locks it in place, and lifting it slightly allows a slight crack around the visor trim to allow some airflow.

Image 4.59

One of the few criticisms of the helmet is that the first open position doesn't allow enough air into the helmet, but if you open it to the next level, the ga is too big, letting too much air in and debris from the road.

Interior

The inside of the helmet is in keeping with the touring and commuting community. The liner is much more touring friendly and suited to riding long distances. 

It's a comfortable velour-type cover for foam and cheek pads. There are various thicknesses available, so if it's too tight or too slack around your cheeks, you can replace the cheek pads with thicker or thinner ones to suit your fit. The liner's fully removable, so it can be taken out for washing. 

The strap fastener is a micrometric buckle, but in keeping with this, being Shoei, it's not just a normal micrometric buckle. 

Instead, the toothed slider that sits within is made from stainless steel, so it's got a classier feel than your average micrometric buckle.

The chin curtain comes as standard. The idea is that it keeps the ride quieter and less drafty, and a breath guard sits on top of the chin bar provided in the box. 

Look for that before you ride off in the helmet, as that's something that would be easily overlooked.

The Neotec 2 has been around for a few years and has built a loyal following. However, looking at the reviews for this helmet, you will find it scores 4.84, which is quite high.

You might think that a high price tag helmet will get high scores; sometimes, it doesn't work like that. 

People expect more of an expensive helmet, and if it doesn't meet those demands, they're a little bit more particular in how they score things. 

So the fact this has got such a high rating suggests that it lives up to the price tag.

Noise Levels

Whether Shoei's intentions to make this a Shoei a helmet have worked or not is up for debate. Look through the customer reviews, and you'll find people who say it's so quiet they don't need to wear earplugs. 

So they've thrown them in the bin. But, on the other hand, you'll also find people who say it's noisy and can't tolerate it.

Noise is always subjective; it depends on your bike, how you ride it, and how big your head is in shape. 

There are so many things that it's really hard to say whether a helmet's quiet or noisy, but I would say that there are more people who feel this is a quiet helmet than a noisy one.

In Conclusion

The Neotec 2 is the latest addition to the Neotec family of helmets. The Neotec 2 features an all-new dual-layer EPS liner, four shell sizes, and five liners.

This advanced liner incorporates several features that will help to keep you comfortable, and it will also help to protect you in the event of an accident.

The Neotec 2 also features a unique new face shield that will keep you protected in the event of an accident. 

It also features the Shoei Vortex Generator, designed to manage airflow and reduce noise.

This helmet will also have you covered in a weather emergency. The Shoei Neotec 2 is designed to be lightweight, comfortable, and durable, and it will provide you with excellent protection.