New Flagship Helmet For Shoei

[advrider]

I think it is safe to say (if you’ll pardon the expression) that my life has been saved four times by motorcycle helmets. I am not sure why the brand of helmet in each case was Shoei; I do wear other brands and indeed road test them, but somehow Shoei has always been there when my skull really needed protection. So, when I see the company introducing new equipment, I find it a little more interesting than other brands, due to my own personal history. It’s noteworthy to see the company is overhauling its lineup, just as new helmet standards come into place in the EU market.

The Shoei X-SPR Pro will replace the X-Spirit III as its flagship. It meets the new motorcycle helmet safety standard ECE 22.06. It also meets FIM requirements, so it is a racing motorcycle helmet worn by the Marquez brothers Marc and Alex, who are both currently competing for Honda in MotoGP. It is not just a revised successor, but a completely new development. The shape of the new Shoei X-SPR Pro was developed on the race track as well as the wind tunnel.

The prime aim was to further optimise the aerodynamics. The shape of the helmet has been changed in many places, with two channels on the spoiler being the most visually striking innovation. They guide the airflow through the rump, which should ensure a more stable position of the helmet, especially at high speeds.

The ECE 22.06 standard has seen many changes from then ECE 22.05, many of them applying specifically to modular helmets. But helmet accessories such as integrated sun visors now have standards relating to them. The visor faces a penetration test of a steel ball being fired at it. The impact tests will see harder and faster impacts as well as low-speed ones. There will be a new angle rotation introduced to the impact test. The testing procedures themselves have been overhauled with the latest science being applied to the process. If Bluetooth communication kits are offered with the helmet, the helmet will be required to pass testing with and without it installed.

It looks great in plain gloss black, but will no doubt be covered in sponsorship stickers. Photo: Shoei

There is more to the Shoei X-SPR Pro than just meeting the new standard. It has seven closable ventilation inlets and six outlets, including the cheek ventilation system, for fresh air. They were positioned specifically with regard to the crouched racing posture. The ventilation regulator at the very bottom of the chin area seems to be slightly larger than on the X-Spirit III, which we very much welcome. The visor system of the Shoei X-SPR Pro with double-secured closure is also new. The helmet is not only Pinlock-ready, but also set up for a drinking system.

The back of the helmet is aerodynamically quite sophisticated. Photo: Shoei

A new modular upholstery system allows the Shoei X-SPR Pro to be assembled from parts in different sizes. The outer shells are available in four sizes and cover the helmet sizes XS-S/ M/ L/ XL-XXL. The cheek pads are available in 31, 35, 39 and 43mm thickness. At around 1,450gm, the Shoei X-SPR Pro is slightly heavier than the X-Spirit III at 1,386gm.

Base price will be around 799 euros, but we don’t yet know when the new Shoei X-SPR Pro will be available in different markets. Australian and New Zealand racers will be pleased to know that the helmet will be automatically approved for them.

I wonder if I should get one to save my life next time.

Vezi sursa