Need info - Shoei RF1000 vs X11?

CBRVFR · 11-30-2003, 8:17 PM

This is supposed to be the upgrade for the RF900 - it's allegedly significantly lighter, with better aerodynamics (anti lift) etc etc.

Does anyone have experience with this lid?

It's quite a bargain on various internet sources - as low as $235 + shipping for a white one ( I'm going to paint it)

My question has to do with whether it would be worth $150.00 more for the X11, which everybody raves about.

$150 = a track day....

I have crashed hard in a Shoei, and I believe in them. I usually keep them 4 or 5 years, barring.........incidents.

Wisdom, please !

bwhip · 11-30-2003, 10:38 PM

I can't speak to the merits of the RF, but I can tell you that I could not be happier with my X-11 Norick. It is the lightest, most comfortable, best-fitting, coolest (best ventilated), comfortable, safe, great visibility helmet I've ever owned (or tried). It's awesome. Here's a review of it from SportBike magazine that you may have seen:
Linkage

deez · 12-01-2003, 3:26 AM

My previous 3 helmets have been Arais, and I have to say the X11 is better than anything they currently make. I have the Ukawa. It's light, and provides better forehead ventilation than anything on the market. It's a great helmet, relatively quiet (compared with Arai's RX/Corsair) and light.

Zeeman · 12-01-2003, 6:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by CBRVFR
This is supposed to be the upgrade for the RF900 -

as low as $235 + shipping for a white one ( I'm going to paint it)

whether it would be worth $150.00 more for the X11,
Wisdom, please !

HOLY ****!!!

An RF1000 is over $500US here!!! FARK!!!!

I hate they way we get ripped off so hard here in Aus...

Z...

thebackdraft · 12-02-2003, 3:58 PM

I just picked up an RF1000 today and I like it. I have no grounds to compare it to the X11 but for the price of the RF1000 I went ahead and got it. This RF1000 is replacing my RF800 and there is really no comparison between them two. My 800 is three years old and the 1000 is just as comfortable being brand new. It is lighter and has better ventilation also. I just got back from riding and it may sound odd but it is easier to move my head around while riding. I didn't run over 80mph so don't know about high speed but it's good up till 80 at least. The only thing is that it is kinda noisey. I'd say for the price range it is a really good helmet. But go with what you want. I would like an X11 but I want the Kato replica and it runs twice that of the RF1000.

CBRVFR · 12-02-2003, 11:19 PM

Thanks for the input, guys.

I guess I'll wait for the motorcycle show and try them on. I'll probably get the one that doesn't interfere with the aluminum foil I customarily wear on my head during a presidential election season....

Bacchus · 12-02-2003, 11:55 PM

If you can find a leftover, you might also want to check out the Shoei XS-PII. I bought one from a forum member (thanks for the great deal!) and I love it!! Other than being a bit noisy, it is perfect for me.

CBRVFR · 12-03-2003, 10:55 AM

I guess I'd also be trying to get rid of "excess pee, too..."

Gedddit? XSPII

hondaf4iguy · 12-15-2003, 7:17 PM

I have the RF 1000 after damaging my RF900 at Jennings. The initial impressions are that the fit is similar, but ventilation is much better. Wieght difference was not so noticeable. I was looking at the X11 also, but price brought me back to the RF1000. The best helmet I have owned so far.

Sinister Racing · 12-18-2003, 12:17 PM

The RF1000 is definately much better than the RF900, I'd say it is better than the Z-II, aside from not having a fully removable liner. If you don't want to go with the high dollar X-11, the RF1000 would definately be the best choice.

CBRBob · 12-18-2003, 12:38 PM

You should know that the RF helmets are shaped to fit a different headform than the X series helmets. X series helmets tend to fit people that wear Arai helmets. That why you might have heard the term Shoei-head or Arai-head.

Sinister Racing · 12-18-2003, 12:43 PM

The X-11 is a more relaxed Shoei shape, made for those who may not have been able to fit into a Shoei before, but not necessarily an Arai shape.

CBRVFR · 12-18-2003, 11:12 PM

Thanks for that review, Clint.
It seems from your website that you only sell the X-11, is that right?

I'm still going to wait till the February Detroit Motorcycle show and see how they fit, so if you are going to carry them later, I'd like to know. ..

Sinister Racing · 12-19-2003, 12:08 AM

We don't have the RF1000's on the sight yet, we are waiting on the digital images. We do have all of them available however and would gladly match anyone else's prices. If there are any questions, don't hesitate to give me a call.

coeff · 12-23-2003, 9:17 PM

I just bought a 1000, it's a plain interior, noisy, with an additional, mildly annoying whistle that appears to eminate from one of the top vent holes.
It seems to ventilate nicely enough. It also has the wider face opening requiring the longer shield as the X-11 requires, it's lightweight and a much smaller shell than the 900, I just don't like the 900 at all.
I can't wear the X-11 because it has two pressure points above my temples, it does have a much more plush interior but I can't equate to the noise levels.
My wife did really enjoy her X-11 when we were over in Europe. I think she likes it as much as her Criville X-SPII. I would have bought the X-11 if I could have worn it, actually I did buy one when we bought my wife's but I had to return it.
The 1000, for me, will be a fine track helmet, which is what I bought it for, but I'll stick to my X-tec for the street.

WetShrub · 12-24-2003, 12:04 AM

Sorry to partially hijack but does anyone have any info on the Shoei TZ-1? It's lower down on the totem pole but I just recently won a free TZ-1 through DP Safety School (track day promoter) and I just wanted to know what people thought. I have to tell them what I want. Perhaps I could even ask them if I could pay some cash and upgrade to a RF or something. Let me know...thanks.

-Shrub

Sinister Racing · 12-24-2003, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coeff

I just bought a 1000, it's a plain interior, noisy, with an additional, mildly annoying whistle that appears to eminate from one of the top vent holes.
It seems to ventilate nicely enough. It also has the wider face opening requiring the longer shield as the X-11 requires, it's lightweight and a much smaller shell than the 900, I just don't like the 900 at all.
I can't wear the X-11 because it has two pressure points above my temples, it does have a much more plush interior but I can't equate to the noise levels.
My wife did really enjoy her X-11 when we were over in Europe. I think she likes it as much as her Criville X-SPII. I would have bought the X-11 if I could have worn it, actually I did buy one when we bought my wife's but I had to return it.
The 1000, for me, will be a fine track helmet, which is what I bought it for, but I'll stick to my X-tec for the street.

Have you been properly fitted for an Arai? It is possible to get an Arai to fit 90% of people by using the correct cheekpads and headliner.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WetShrub

Sorry to partially hijack but does anyone have any info on the Shoei TZ-1? It's lower down on the totem pole but I just recently won a free TZ-1 through DP Safety School (track day promoter) and I just wanted to know what people thought. I have to tell them what I want. Perhaps I could even ask them if I could pay some cash and upgrade to a RF or something. Let me know...thanks.

The TZ-1 ventilation is very inadequate if you plan on riding in the warm weather, it would definately be worth the upgrade to the RF-1000.

Diesel954 · 12-24-2003, 7:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WetShrub

Sorry to partially hijack but does anyone have any info on the Shoei TZ-1? It's lower down on the totem pole but I just recently won a free TZ-1 through DP Safety School (track day promoter) and I just wanted to know what people thought. I have to tell them what I want. Perhaps I could even ask them if I could pay some cash and upgrade to a RF or something. Let me know...thanks.

-Shrub

I bought one for my girlfriend and was really surprised with its quality. Its the first Shoei purchase for me. I tried it (it was a tight fit) and found it was much quieter than my RX7 Corsair. Very soft liner and affordable.

coeff · 12-24-2003, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinister Racing

Have you been properly fitted for an Arai? It is possible to get an Arai to fit 90% of people by using the correct cheekpads and headliner.

Actually, I wore a Doohan Quantam F for a few years as my street helmet, I still wore Shoei on the track. Fit me just fine but, the Arai was always noisier than any Shoei I've owned and the constant updraft from the bottom of the helmet up my face was really irritating, it's better with the spoiler down but still there and I didn't always remember. Particularly on the two occasions bees were sucked up into the face. None of the dozens of Shoei I've owned have done that. Other than that Arai's ok. I almost bought another Arai just because Shoei changed their shell as they did, I was really pissed. I'd like to get another new X-tec or X-9, but may replace my street with another Arai because the RF1000 just doesn't cut it, it's too much a low end helmet but should be fine for track use.

Sinister Racing · 12-24-2003, 10:49 AM

We have some specials on Quantum's ($315-$355) and Corsair's Hayden's, Haga's, Harada's ($415)) until January 1st. Stop by the shop some time, we don't have the Arai's in stock but they are usually only two days out.

coeff · 12-24-2003, 10:59 AM

Who are you?
I must have missed your storefront address when I just glanced at your website.

CBRVFR · 12-24-2003, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coeff

...I'd like to get another new X-tec or X-9, but may replace my street with another Arai because the RF1000 just doesn't cut it, it's too much a low end helmet but should be fine for track use.

I'm curious as to how you differentiate, Coeff. If it's a low end helmet, why is it OK for the track but not the street? And why not use your "best" helmet on the track? Or are we just talking about comfort, fit and finish?

coeff · 12-24-2003, 5:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

I'm curious as to how you differentiate, Coeff. If it's a low end helmet, why is it OK for the track but not the street? And why not use your "best" helmet on the track? Or are we just talking about comfort, fit and finish?

Indeed, I am referring to comfort, noise levels, fit and finish.
I would be comfortable wearing any model Shoei, TZ-1, whatever or Arai for the purposes of crash protection.
After buying the RF1000, because the damn X-11 is unwearable on my head, I decided after a 120m street ride that the RF was simply inadequate for street use. I will note that it definitely has a wider field of view than my previous Shoei or Arai helmets.
But, anyway, for a few hundred mile trip or more, then I start paying attention to the little things, as my friend had said about Arai, "Feels like pulling a pussy over your head."

CBRVFR · 12-24-2003, 5:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coeff

...But, anyway, for a few hundred mile trip or more, then I start paying attention to the little things, as my friend had said about Arai, "Feels like pulling a pussy over your head."

Your friend should propose that as a new marketing theme for Arai. It would go down in history alongside " You meet the nicest people on a Honda", and would be remembered as the ad campaign that saved the lives of thousands of Harley riders...

F3to954 · 12-30-2003, 4:24 PM

I just bought an RF 1000 to replace my RF 900. Still waiting to receive it. First impression was that it was lighter and chin guard seemed smaller and a little higher up which may help to reduce fogging. I gotta admit the first thing that led me to buying it was the new graphics. (I got the Voltage TC-1 red/black to match the 954 and add to my "pose-ability"

). I was happy with my RF 900 and I figured Shoei generally puts out quality products so I went for it after I tried one on at the motorcycle show.