I was pretty gobsmacked to find out two things about Shoei recently. Firstly, it turns out that Shoei have been making motorcycle crash helmets since 1959. For some reason I thought they were pretty new. Secondly, they’re actually Japanese when I thought they were German. I guess it’s just that the name looks kinda German. A little like I always thought Arai were Italian (they’re actually Japanese too).
I’ve always been a fan of Shoei. When I was first in a position to buy a helmet for more than $50, it was a Shoei that fitted best and I suppose I just stuck with them ever since. It’s probably a bit of a truism to say that my head is Shoei-shaped (a recent cheapy AGV I bought fits like a glove, whereas AGVs I’ve tried in the past always squashed my forehead like I’ve got a Frankenstein head!).

Shoei are usually very well built. They have thick liners and their helmet ratchet system is fantastic – really simple and positive to use and has a great quick-release mechanism (best one I’ve come across) which is very handy when it comes to clean crud off it. Some helmets you end up leaving the visor on the helmet when you’re cleaning it, but the Shoei, you quickly whip it off , run it under the tap, wipe it clean and wack it back on, all in under a couple of minutes.
Shoei themselves have a corporate goal to try and dominate the ‘priemium’ motorcycle crash helmet sector. They currently say they have ‘over 50%’ of the global market, focusing mainly on the US and Europe.
Full Face Crash Helmets
Open Face Crash Helmets
- Hornet
- J-Wing
- RJ
Click links above to read each review – or visit our Shoei page to access all our Shoei helmet reviews.
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