It's time for the powers that be (maybe the good old EU can do it) to make Sena & Cardo get together & make coms systems that are totally 100% compatible with each other so that the only choice you need to make is which style you prefer.
EXCELLENT review as usual, I really do like them as you give us the negative points too. Thanks 👍🏻 I do not like the Sena comms and have always stayed with Cardo as I believe they are much better, so looks like I might need to look at another make and model - thanks again I will definitely come to one of your shops 👍🏻
l owned the original Mk1 Neotec helmet, currently use the Mk 2...l found the Mk 2 to be a big improvement ... the reason, the shell size, although of the same fit size...ie:- medium... the Mk 2 shell is definitely slimmer, plus because an intercom system can be built into the shell, rather than 'stuck' out in the slipstream negating wind noise to a certain degree.....(l think built in is the way to go with intercom systems)......l always wear earplugs... the Alpine red...and ride a Triumph Street Triple. Which means the helmet is in clean air...If the Mk 3 has been 'tweaked' it can only be better..l will certainly give the new model serious consideration when looking to replace my Mk 2 Neotec....What price head safety!!
Awesome helmit and review. As for Sena. Im done with Sena until they support Open Bluetooth Intercom Standard. Imagine a mobile company that doesn't allow you to call other mobiles? Its insane that they dont support it. Motorcycle at its core is about community but Sena gives everyone the big middle finger.
This is the best review of the Neotec 3 by far! You’ve covered all aspects perfectly. I am in the market for a new lid and it’s between this one and the GT Air 3. An Arai is out since an internal sun visor is a must. Since I have never used a modular before I will head to a store to check it out before deciding if a modular is for me. I ride a Multistrada V4s for reference. Thank you!
Thanks, I'm glad you found it useful. Good luck with the shopping trip and enjoy the Multistrada - I've not ridden the V4, but I can imagine it's pretty amazing. Cheers, Tony
Great review but I disagree with the ventilation part. I ride with a 2 and find the ventilation poor with warm rides. If the 3 is not improved over the 2 it is a shame. Looking forward to the new 5 mil. gab, all the old Shoei helmets had these and I really missed this on the 1 and 2.
Thanks for kind comment on the review, and the feedback about ventilation. On the bikes I rode, the venting on both helmets was very good when the screen allowed air to reach them. It's a bit like noise I guess - one person's experience and preferences can't cover what everyone will find out on the road. Cheers, Tony
I think choosing sena was a bold move. Surely some kind of blank space and sell adaptors to fit the blank for your chosen comms unit would be better. I wanna get the Neotec 3 and reviews have won it for cardo but seems silly to buy a helmet with integrated comms capability and can’t use the comms I want 🤔
I was looking to order the Noe 2, but after trying the HJC 90S Carbon at the same store, it was a no brainer for me. The HJC nailed it out of the park on all levels. I was a Shoei user for years. Sorry, Shoei.
I have SHOEI GT-Air and HJC RPHA 90. To different helmets. GT-Air (and GT-Air II) have mist problems, Pinlocks are to small. Venting is weaker and visor closing is more troublesome compared to those from RPHA 90. And price difference is not small. But SHOEI have own special magic among best helmets in the world...
Thanks for the extra info on the latch percentage from SHARP. Having landed chin first in an Evo One 2 (that got 100%) I value that rating quite a bit. Hopefully SHARP get back on track with their testing now ECE 22.06 is underway.
Personally speaking, I think 22.06 means the end of SHARP as we know it because as many of the tests that elevated it above 22.05 are now standard in 22.06. They've announced a project called SHARP 2025 so I await the verdict on its future with interest. Cheers, Tony
Nice good review. I went from a Neotec 1 with a Packtalk on the side to the Neotec 2 with SRL2, really nice to have reduced wind turbulence noise but the sound quality of the SRL2 is laughable at best, so I really hope they fixed that for the SRL3 otherwise I will go back to the wind turbulence with an external unit if I will get an Neotec 3.
Yep, Schuberth has its E models but my head doesn't fit in them properly! Meanwhile Shoei lids fit my head like a glove so it would be ideal if they could work out a peak arrangement for the Neotec 3 (Neotec 3X? Adventuretec?) and set it up so it's easy to remove for high speed rides.
Good review, I bought a Neo 2 and comms just last year so won't be back in the market for a wee while but this looks like a solid upgrade option with useful improvements. Seems to be limited graphics colours at moment so will wait and see what they add. Was going to say that one issue might be cost, a graphics design and the SRL3 comms could be nudging close to 4 figures! but a review elsewhere said there might be an adaptor plate to allow SRL2 carryover which avoid replacing existing-perfectly serviceable-kit. Better start topping up the piggy bank...
If you think that's bad, the Neo 3 with graphics and SRL3 will come to $2100 AUD at retail pricing ($1500 + $600). I can swallow the cost increase on the helmet but Sena are taking us for a ride at $600 for the kit. When I change from my GT-Air 2, I might have to go with a more basic system like the spirit HD for $250 and deal with fitting it; I don't want the mesh anyway, just bluetooth to my phone for music and calls.
I've just had confirmation from the UK importer that an adaptor plate to allow fitment of SRL2 comms to SRL3 helmets is 'in development' but there's no further info on that as yet. Cheers, Tony
If they don’t go back to the D-ring chin strap, I will never buy one again, as much as I love the helmet. It was disappointing when they dumped the D-ring for the ratchet. It is otherwise so uncomfortable. I got a good deal on an AGV carbon fiber modular. Lighter and less expensive deal on the AGV. I had to go X-large on the AGV so it is not quite as snug at the Neotec, which fit my skull perfectly.
P.s. this issue will decide what my next helmet will be, i've always had shoei, but it may now be time to change given the cost of these helmets too...
Thank you. Assuming bith fit well and are comfortable for the wearer, is the Shoei much better than the HJC RPHA 91 Helmet that i am considering plrase? Always had Shoei helmets but this has been recommended, receives great reviewsas and is quite a bit cheaper. Many thanks. Peter
I can't give a personal opinion on the safety of any helmet, but I can tell you the Shoei Neotec 3 has been awarded a five-star rating in the SHARP testing scheme run by the UK Government. The chinbar remained closed in 93% of the impacts carried out for that test. Not everyone believes in SHARP, but I personally feel it remains the best available measure of safety performance for a helmet. There's no SHARP rating available for the HJC RPHA-91 as I write this. If I were to make safety the absolute priority, and aspects such as fit and comfort were equal as you suggest, then I would choose the Shoei in the absence of a SHARP rating for the HJC. There's more info on the Neotec 3's SHARP performance here... sharp.dft.gov.uk/helmets/shoei-neotec-3/ I hope this helps. Cheers, Tony
Great review, thanks. However, the review implies that the Shoei Neotec II wasn't Dual homologated, when I think you'll find it was. Keep up the good work!
Have Shoei addressed the leaking visor seal issue that some neotec 2 helmets suffer from ? I have 2 of those helmets that leak and now my Partners helmet has started to leak ! All 3 neotec 2 helmets now leak, my main one has been back to shoei 3 times and it still leaks from the top right hand side, it is a seal issue but they seem unable to sort the issue, so has the 3 been redesigned ?
The new centre tab on the visor is there to reduce distortion from the visor being lifted/lowered from one side. There's also a reinforced ridge around the top of the visor to help it seal better. I didn't get chance to test in bad weather, but a reviewer I respect a lot (John at Bennetts) rode for three hours in the rain and he didn't have any issues with leaking. Cheers, Tony
Very helpful review and might be enough for me to move on from my 1st generation Neotec. Just one thought - might be handy if you used a naked bike for the helmet reviews so the comments on draught proofing and wind noise don't get distorted by the effect of a windscreen?
Thanks for the kind comments. I thought quite hard about which bike to use for this review and a naked bike may have given a back-to-back comparison with the Neo 2 for noise, but I decided it wouldn't be realistic as I feel more people will wear this helmet behind a screen. I specifically swapped the V-Strom 800DE I have on long-term loan for a 1050 as I felt this was more likely to give an experience that matched real-world usage. I'll continue to match bikes and helmets in this way as best I can, and will have to point out that no one rider's experience can give an accurate picture of what someone can expect in their own circumstances. Thanks for getting in touch. Cheers, Tony
There is a 200-euro price difference between the Schuberth C5 and the Neotec 3 (C5 being 200 euros cheaper), and both helmets have the ECE 22.06 certification. Do you think Shoei is still a reasonable choice despite this price difference?
Yes, I think the Neotec 3 remains a reasonable choice as the quality is very high. It's down to every rider to make our own assessment of what's important to us and how much we're prepared to pay for it. Cheers, Tony
@@sportsbikeshopI am grateful for your quick response, I think I will choose the Shoei Neotec 3. Although I have seen bad reviews about it, just like any helmet, there are good and bad reviews from different users for all helmets. Thanks again.
I tried SRL3 for the first time this morning and didn't notice that. Do you mean sound from devices (phone, sat-nav etc) or when talking to other riders? Cheers, Tony
Great review I have the Neotec 2 love the helmet but unfortunately after a few hour riding I get an ache on both side of my crown what I would like to know is the internal lining on the scull cap and cheek pads different shape on the Neotec 3 and of coarse when will it be released for purchase.
I think if you have pressure points like that from the Neo 2 then you would probably have a similar experience from the Neo 3. If you're near our Milton Keynes shop then I'd suggest asking the store manager, Sue, for advice. She is an absolute whizz with Shoei fit and if she can't tweak your Neo 2 then I doubt anyone can. If she can, then you'll know it can be sorted on a Neo 3 as well. Cheers, Tony
There's no reason why you couldn't use this helmet like that. If you want to ride with the chinbar up a lot then I think there are better options - either a flipover helmet like the Scorpion Exo-Tech Evo, or a flipfront where the chinbar sits in a lower position, such as a Nolan N100-6 or HJC RPHA-91. I hope that helps. Cheers, Tony
The two helmets are similar in outline spec. We've reviewed the RPHA-91 and hopefully this will give you enough detail on each helmet... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-R8iUoS1mjVg.html Cheers, Tony
Hi, based on my usage I'd estimate it as round to intermediate oval, though that's not very scientific - and Shoei don't specify the internal head shape themselves. Cheers, Tony
So I'm about to get back into riding after a few years out. Would your recommendation be to purchase a Neotec II at a reduced price, or is the extra for the III worth it?
Tough call. The end-of-line deals on the Neotec 2 make it a very attractive option. It all depends how big a problem you think the shallower sun visor and larger 'cracked' position for the main visor would be if you went for the Neo 2. They are the most noticeable upgrades from 2 to 3. I couldn't say whether those improvements are worth £200 to you, but I'm sure you'll know. Good luck with the decision. Cheers, Tony
I had a Neotec 2 and a GT Air 2. While they are both the older models and it could be different on the 3, I found the Neotec 2 to be a little quieter than the GT Air 2 because the neck seal was tighter.
I'm sure you could get it to fit with a bit of determination, but it's never going to be ideal as this helmet has been designed to work with the Shoei system. Cheers, Tony
@@sportsbikeshop I don’t understand why they go with one brand of Bluetooth comms it could hurt their sales of that particular helmet as I believe Cardo is the more popular in the UK. But hey Ho it is what it is (looks like I’ll be looking for a Cardo friendly lid soon )
I'm one of those 1 out of 14 people who find the neotec2 very noisy. I have an Arai that I can hear my self talking even at 100kph on a naked bike, while the shoei neotec 2 @50kph all I can hear is the wind and it's very loud.
Great helmet but it does look like your are riding with your tongue out and you have lost the rest of ya panda suit. Im going for the gt air 3. Why thank you and goodbye.,
