Know your premium helmet

The depth of engineering and experience behind the design can literally make or break your ride. Something similar is going on with helmets. Like the motorcycles we’re now buying and enjoying, over time helmets have grown in sophistication.

And, if you appreciate good quality machinery, you’ll get the thinking behind a premium helmet such as Shoei’s GT-AIR 3.

Given you are living in a helmet for pretty substantial periods of time, it’s worth taking a closer look. While the cynic might think we’re dealing with little more than a padded fiberglass shell, the reality is a whole other story that’s worth knowing.

Let’s take a look at Shoei’s GT-AIR 3 piece by piece.

One of the great contradictions a helmet designer faces is having to come up with a shell material that’s strong enough to face more challenging impact tests while remaining light and comfortable.

For example, the European Union has an Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) which sets standards for vehicles and related equipment, such as motorcycle helmets. As part of that, the helmet standards were recently raised after a 20-year break.

Called ECE22/06, it threw a far more rigorous set of impact tests at the Shoei development crew. They included a lot more variation in angle and speed to really work over the new designs.

After lengthy backroom development, Shoei came up with a shell for the GT-AIR 3 that comfortably met the new standard while picking up just a few grams of additional mass. Quite an achievement.

The basic structure of the helmet shell is from Advanced Integrated Matrix (or AIM for short), which is constructed from a unique five-layer interlocking format that combines fiberglass, organic fibres and resin. And, unlike some other makers, Shoei does this in three different shell sizes and four different EPS liner sizes to cover a range of fitments (XS to 2XL) instead of just one.

That means you end up with a helmet that is specifically constructed to match your sizing, rather than cobbled together with varying padding. It’s a more involved process, but the company reckons it’s worth the trouble. If you’ve been riding with Shoei helmets for a while, you’ll already appreciate this.

In a world where vehicle design is hugely influenced by aerodynamics, why not helmets? After all, yours is expected to slice through the air at cruising speeds while remaining quiet and comfortable.

That’s where a huge amount of time and experimentation was invested using the company’s in-house wind tunnel. Not only did the end result have to flow through the air well, it also needed to allow for good ventilation and vision, while keeping the noise levels right down. And it had to look good too!

The company freely admits this is where a lot of resources went, with different ideas tried, refined and tried again. As befitting a new-generation product, the GT-AIR 3 looks quite different from its predecessor while enhancing a lot of the practical ideas pioneered in earlier versions.

Sometimes it’s the little things that can make a difference. For example, a lot of effort has gone into ensuring the stainless-steel slide-in ratchet retaining strap system has been upgraded to what’s now called a Micro Ratchet System. The idea is a design that’s a little less bulky while being easier to use.

The retaining strap also has an emergency quick release system (QRS) which potentially assists removal if you’re caught up in an incident.

As previous users will know, a big part of the attraction of a GT-AIR is the versatility offered by a large outer visor, complemented by a tinted inner sun visor. In reality it means one helmet covers pretty much any imaginable situation.

That system has been reviewed on a few levels, improving the range of vision, incorporating a useful ‘just cracked open’ setting for the outer shield, while increasing the coverage of the sun visor. Of course the outer visor is available in a range of tints while also having a Pinlock anti-fog system.

Inside, you have a padding system that can be removed for cleaning. Plus, there is room for customisation, with four thicknesses of cheek pads available.

Of course the interior is not just about comfort. Behind the first line of defence offered by the shell, the lining works with a multi-density EPS foam designed to act as effective shock-absorber. EPS is short for expanded polystyrene, which is widely regarded as a light and very effective material.

Aside from the significant development jump represented by the GT-AIR 3, there is an accessory feature that opens up a wealth of possibilities. That is, it’s compatible with Shoei’s ComLink communication system.

The Bluetooth-based SENA SRL-3 system is specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with the helmet, with a simple control that’s designed to blend in with the shell.

Inside, you score specially designed Advanced Noise Control noise-cancelling speakers by Harmon Kardon which, along with the microphone, come as a kit that’s built to integrate as easily as possible.

The intercom software will support chat between groups of riders over a couple of kilometers, will integrate with your smartphone, and there’s a built-in FM radio.

It takes a bit to fully get your head around what goes into a premium helmet like the GT-AIR 3, but we reckon it’s worth the trouble. This is something that can greatly enhance your ride while providing a critical level of safety that’s a generation beyond what was previously available.

Pricing is very competitive, starting from $1249.95. If you’re ready to upgrade to the world’s finest, try on your next Shoei at your local motorcycle dealer or accessories specialist. Head to premiumhelmets.com.au to find your nearest dealer.

If you’re on the hunt for Shoei quality but are looking for a ‘modular’ option, the company’s Neotec 3 is the answer.

The real appeal of this type of helmet is being able to operate as a full-face most of the time, while effectively acting as an open-face when you need to chat with people without removing the helmet.

For anyone who is an instructor or who leads group rides and needs to communicate quickly and easily, it’s the perfect solution.

Like the GT-AIR 3, the Neotec 3 is effectively a new-generation helmet designed to meet the more stringent European safety standards without a significant size or weight penalty.

It uses a similar multi-layer AIM construction and has benefitted from the same extensive wind-tunnel development as its sibling. It too can be ordered in XS to 2XL sizing.

Plus, it is designed to integrate the SENA SRL-3 communication system!

Pricing is similarly competitive, starting from $1299.90. Find out more at premiumhelmets.com.au