Shoei GT-Air 2 Helmet (X-Large) (Matte Black)
Buy Shoei GT-Air 2 Helmet (X-Large) (Matte Black): Helmets - ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases
Some context: I ride a cruiser, and never really go any faster than the flow of traffic. I don't ride with a windshield.
I just got back into riding again after laying off it for a few years. I'd been looking for a good full-face helmet for some time. Something light, well-made, comfortable, quiet, well-ventilated (if need be), with an internal sunshield, and with decent anti-fog capability. My previous helmets, when I used to ride both a cruiser and a standard, were a cheap BILT number and a no-name half-helmet.
The BILT was incredibly noisy at any speed above "crawl", never felt like it fit right, and fogged no matter what I did unless I opened the face shield completely. It also had a habit of making my head whip back and forth in the wind at highway speeds.
The half-helmet was...well...a half-helmet. Light, but that's about it. It most certainly wasn't going to stop bugs from hitting my face, or rain (which stings at highway speeds), and it absolutely wouldn't help me in a crash unless I only hit the top of my head. Considering the IIHS data showing the vast majority of reported motorcycle accidents include a strike to the chin/jaw areas, that was an issue for me.
After some research, I got the GT Air II. It feels light on long rides, doesn't get pushed around by the oncoming wind, feels quiet-ish, has a few options to handle fog, is well-ventilated, and is pretty comfy.
Some notes: Some helmet brands are better for certain head shapes, but I don't know the shape of my head. The size chart told me I needed a Large, so I got a Large. Unfortunately, I needed to also buy some 31mm cheek pads to replace the fatter ones in the helmet. If you buy this from a motorcycle store, you're likely given the option to replace the cheek pads at purchase at no additional cost to you. This can save you $55-$60.
- All the vents are easy to open with one hand.
- The internal sunshield is easy to manipulate with one hand. It's not on a spring-loaded latch, so it won't wear out so quickly.
- The face shield can be raised only with the left hand, as the tab is on the left side of the bottom of the shield.
- The face shield has a "cracked open" setting for low-speed fog mitigation. It works. The ventilation elsewhere helps at higher speeds.
- I never bought the optional internal comms, so I can't tell you if they're worth it.
- I've read that Shoei didn't submit the helmet for SNELL crash rating simply because it's difficult to obtain a SNELL rating with an internal sunshield. Not impossible, but difficult. The comparable RF 1200, also from Shoei but without an internal sunshield or an optional integrated comms package, has a SNELL certification.
- This has a ratchet strap rather than a classic double-D-ring. Unlike the original GT Air, this ratchet strap was moved further forward to avoid sitting against the neck. I can attest that this does help, but it still feels a bit more restrictive against the neck.
- The field of vision is very, very good for a cruiser. That said, if you're riding a sportbike in the tuck position, you might want the RF1200 instead, as it provides marginally better field of vision vertically.
- I haven't had to install the pinlock face shield insert yet, but it does come with one, which is supposed to help with fog.
Overall, I like this helmet. I wish it cost less, but at least it was cheaper than MSRP. Even so, I would recommend trying it on at a store to make sure it fits your head shape. I recommend it for cruising and standards, but sportbike riders would likely want something tailored to that style of riding.
Good luck!
I had my reservations on paying considerably more money for this helmet after having used the inexpensive helmets. They are both DOT approved after all, have internal sun visor, and fit well. Eventually, I broke down and bought this.
Compared to the inexpensive one, this is lighter, but more importantly, has noticeably less wind noise when riding. The vents are actually functional.
The negatives:
1. Bluetooth - is an add-on and is expensive. Must use the Sena model which is very overpriced
2. This may have been just bad luck, but about a month after I got it, one day while riding on a highway, the clear visor got pulled out of the left side by itself, and before I could pull over, the right side ripped open (wind shear) and I lost the visor and pin lock. To be clear, I was not riding with visor open, and had never detached the visor.
I took it to cyclegear and they saw a small plastic piece in the hinge area - so it was likely a defective visor. Visor itself is about $50 and shoei will not cover it under warranty because the visor was broken up on the highway. Ugh.
For such an expensive helmet, this was unexpected quality
Great helmet. Item showed up on time. Would buy again but I only have one head.
This helmet looks great and fit me perfectly, however it was still cold weather time when I got it and even with the vent closed, it leaked and I had a continuous, annoying cold spot on the top of my head. The rear vent is passive, not active, so you cannot close it. It is designed to create a suction thereby drawing air in through the top vent. Apparently, even when the top vent is closed, it's not a perfect seal and air still entered. I returned the helmet because of this. Others have complained of the same problem. Why Shoei went cheap on these vents is beyond me.
I ordered the Shoei GT-Air 2 for it's comfort features. I like the built in sun visor, chin curtain, and included pin-lock. I switched from riding sportbikes with a Shoei X-11 helmet, to a sport cruiser and a GT-Air 2. The GT-Air 2 feels comfortable to me when I'm riding more upright, as opposed to before when I rode leaning forward with the helmet tilted and tucked on a sportbike. Although I wear earplugs when I ride, the helmet seems more quiet compared to my previous X-11.
I do have a few gripes about it. When stopped, I find the ventilation to be lacking, and would have to crack open the visor to get a decent amount of fresh air. The chin strap is a ratchet design, which makes for easy adjustment and removal, but will prevent you from locking the helmet to the bike if you're used to securing it with the D-rings. Bluetooth communication system is limited to the Sena SRL 2, which does not have great reviews. There are others that were able to make other comm systems fit, but along with that came other annoyances.
Price: US $599.00
Rating: 4.6 / 5.0 from 93 Reviews
Specification
GT-Air II Design Concept.Released in 2013, as SHOEI's premium touring full-face helmet with an internal sun shield, the original SHOEI GT-Air established this type of helmet as a functional and stylish alternative appreciated by many riders, owing to
SHOEI has now released the all-new GT-Air II, a helmet that evolves the GT-Air's functionality, performance, and design primarily for touring use to a new, higher level of experience.The SHOEI GT-Air II integrates the optional SENA SRL 2 Bluetooth com
The GT-Air II is also equipped with a CNS-1 face shield and baseplate system; allowing the face shield to open slightly more in its "cracked open" position to reduce fogging of the shield at low speed.
The GT-Air II also uses an all-new extended QSV-2 inner sun shield for improved coverage of the rider's face in bright sunny conditions.
Inheriting the functionality, performance, and design of the GT-Air, the GT-Air II further enhances the performance of the internal sun shield, full-face helmet.Features:Aerodynamic Shell Design:Aerodynamic properties are maximized through extensive wind-
Description
Size:X-Large | Color:MATTE BLACK
Seven-year warranty from helmet manufacture date. Whichever comes first.Standards: DOT Certified.Note: Ships with a Clear face shield and a Smoke sun visor; the GT-Air II uses the SHOEI CNS-1 Face Shield and QSV-2 Sun Visor as replacements or upgrades.AIM
Great for Commuter, flip down tinted Screen is great at dusk and dawn situations to block glare and direct sunlight. this is my second Shoei, my first was an RF1200. these skid lids Rock!
Love the helmet. Very comfortable and snug fits well for my head. Some wind breach by ears but not irritating, also the backflow from back passive vents does exist but it's not terrible. Chin ratchet strap digs into my neck a little bit but I'm sure things will fit better once fully broken in. The biggest issue for me was the bag that holds all of the accessories in the box was ripped open leaving parts scattered and a leaking bottle of silicone staining my sheets and the helmet sock. I understand things happen when shipping from afar but the bag looked like it was cut? Regardless no complaints about the actual dome piece itself...great lid for the price I paid for it.
This helmet is really comfy, the padding is soft and breathable. It also allows ton if air to pass through, extra air if you remove the chin cover.
Very comfortable to wear for long rides. Much quieter than my previous Shoei and has the removable breath guard which is great in the rain or colder conditions as well as the pinlock shield to prevent fogging. Removing the visor seems to require a demonstration to prevent damaging it. I tried for a bit but didn't want to use too much force as I was afraid of breaking something. I would recommend this helmet.
Product information
Size:X-Large | Color:MATTE BLACKTechnical Details
| Manufacturer | Shoei |
|---|---|
| Brand | Shoei |
| Model | Shoei GT-Air 2 Helmet |
| Item Weight | 5.9 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 15.5 x 11 x 11.8 inches |
| Item model number | 0119-0135-07 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 0119-0135-07 |
| Safety Rating | DOT Certified |
| Vehicle Service Type | Cruiser/Touring, Street Bike, Adventure Touring |
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