Shoei RF-1400 | Full Review

Full review of the Shoei RF-1400
Let’s get right to the nitty gritty! The shell on the fourteen hundred boasts Shoei’s strongest, lightest, and most elastic shell resulting in optimal impact absorption. This is achieved by hand laid interwoven layers of fiberglass with lightweight organic and high performance fibers all a part of Shoei’s own unique Aim Plus multi ply matrix shell. That’s a mouthful! This shell was specifically designed to meet Snell M 2020 and DOT standards. The redesign of the shell also boasts impressive improvements in aerodynamics performance and reduces the forces placed on a rider’s head. The compact aerodynamic shell with integrated spoiler was developed and refined in Shoei’s own state of the art wind tunnel facility. So what’s the bottom line? The answer is a reduction in lift by six percent and a reduction in drag by four percent. This is really impressive because this new fourteen hundred is actually three ounces heavier than the twelve hundred, but the reduction in lift and drag make it feel lighter! Pretty awesome! We will talk about the three extra ounces more in a bit.
Still focusing on the exterior we also have an update to the intake and exhaust system. There are six different intake points, two at the chin, two at the forehead, and two on the upper sides. These vents were created using wind tunnel testing to optimize not only the vents location but the shape of the vent as well. The forehead vent has a bigger intake mouth which helps to increase the volume of incoming cool air that moves through channels in the EPS foam layers. The rear passive exhaust has been enlarged by almost fifty percent by taking advantage of the negative pressure suction at the rear of the helmet. I want to mention here that the new helmet has done away with the previous slide lever style switch on the intake and the exhaust by utilizing a more glove friendly switch at the forehead and getting rid of the rear switch altogether. This means the exhaust ports remains open at all times.
Time for the shield and there’s a boat load of features here too. This lid has what Shoei calls their CWR F Two Shield and Base Plate System which has been completely redesigned for quicker and smoother shield changes. If you want to remove the shield you will have to remove one side at a time. First open the shield all the way, then pull and hold this lever in, while holding the shield with the other hand pull towards the front of the helmet until the two tabs come out of their tracks and out pops the third. Repeat with the other side. To reinstall reverse the process carefully. Not too difficult once you get the hang of it. This shield also thwarts ninety nine percent of the suns damaging rays and if you look along the edge you will see these bumps which are pretty cool because they are actually vortex generators which are specifically designed and located here to reduce air friction. Nice nubs. The shield also has a new center locking mechanism with patented spring loaded technology that ensures it will keep wind and water out aided by the new window seal. I felt that this push button system was a little tricky at first but became fairly easy to operate after a few times with or without my gloves on. Back to the base plates which are completely redesigned. They produce solid detents as you raise and lower the shield, your field of view and peripheral vision has been increased and there is a new “first position” opening for advanced venting and defogging. Opening the shield all the way also gives you the option to fine tune your shield’s seal by adjusting this lever mechanism up or down. The pinlock evo fog resistant system is also ten percent larger for improved lateral vision while using the insert.
Right off the bat we have the plush Three D Max Dry Interior System Two. This padding has been three dimensionally shaped to match the contours of the rider’s head and provide a more secure hold. The cheek pads are multi layered and have more volume for greater comfort and reduced wind noise. They also absorb and dissipate sweat two times faster than nylon. Fully removable and washable, you also have options for different sizes to get your fit just the way you want it. Tucked into the ear recesses they have removable pods just for your speakers. The fourteen hundred also comes equipped with the Emergency Quick Release System or EQRS which is a big help to EMS respoders in the case of an accident.
Moving further inside, there is a dual layer multi density EPS liner. It's been designed for enhanced energy and impact absorption by using varying densities of foam. In between these layers is the cooling air channels mentioned earlier that help maximize air flow in the front and out the rear. The precise placement of the foam liner is what helps to yield a more compact and lightweight design and they have even added extra foam on the lateral sides of the helmet which make it safer but weigh three ounces more.

Видео Shoei RF-1400 | Full Review канала Cycle Gear Guide