Shoei Neotec 2 helmet ? any feedback

[sirsidneyrd]

I know they have released the 3 but its heavier than my current Arai but i like the idea of a flip up for touring - The 2s are on offer locally and probably will be at the Bike show in a few weeks

Any comments good and bad  - current issue with my Arai is that i cant hear my Cardo spirit HD  as the speaker ( large) position is nowhere near your ears and like others i don't want give up on earplugs   

Ta

[wassers]

I'm on my second Shoei Netoec 2 helmet. I loved the first one which I had for 5 years and then updated it for a fresh out the box Neotec 2 with a different colour scheme - for a change.

It feels so premium and well built, I love it and its so practical when riding slowly in hot weather, just raise the lid and use the drop down sun visor. Also, obviously really great when stopping for fuel as no need to take the helmet off.

I have read a few reports/reviews on the Neotec 3 and its not moved the game on significantly, so grabbing a good price on a Neotec 2 whilst there is still availaibility would be a great move IMO.

Only negative I can think of is the weight, its a bit on the heavy side, but you soon get used to it.

Let us know how you get on.

[Will Morgan]

I went from an Arai to a Neotec 1 & then a Neotec 2.
I didn't notice the weight after the first couple of rides.
The integrated comms unit (aka Sena) is very good but expensive and a bit of a hassle to pair with other non-Sena units.
It can be awkward mounting a non-integrated unit but depends on exactly what unit you use due to the shape & profile of the area where Sena fits.
The vents on the N2 aren't as comprehensive as an Arai but are adequate in most climates, but then I ride with flip open & rely on the suns visor.
The sun visor can mist up in cooler or damp conditions if the flip is closed.
But overall N2 is a quality helmet & one of the best flip fronts available (best alternative is a Schuberth but I find them uncomfortable).

[Chippy4467]

Agree with Will, good helmet but would be a faff to fit any sort of intercom other than the matched Sena. 
Couple of things:
If you are going with intercom and you use ear plugs then try one in the shop with both the speakers and your ear plugs.  I didn't bother with the ear plugs when I tried mine but find there is some pressure there with speakers in - have moulded plugs made especially thin but still not quite as comfortable as without. Lesson learnt but I can live with it though.
On my Gen2 XRT used to have to leave the visor open a click most of the time as the screen was so good there was no air flow & visor often misted.
Don't have that issue on my Tiger 800 and suspect not on Gen4 (I don't think I did when I test rode one)

[KenW]

I'm interested in this too.

On my trip round Oz, my fellow rider had a Netotec2 with built-in Sena.  He didn't find it necessary to wear earplugs.  I wonder how much of that was down to the good airflow of his Harley Ultra.
His helmet on, helmet off, sequence was much faster than mine, with my eyeglasses, clipon sunnies, earbuds.
And I envied his ability to open the flip.
I've always avoided flip-face helmets because I reckon they are noisier.  But I would love to be able to flip up for a quick drink or snack while riding.
The other big advantage my mate had, was being able to position the flip to just block low sun, when riding into it.

The Neotec Sena setup is speakers or nothing.  With my Nolan helmet, I wear Etymotic earbuds.  At speed, the built-in speakers aren't good enough to allow me clear comms, and they definitely aren't good enough for music.  I could improve them by moving them closer to my ears, but over a long period, small pressures on the ears become very annoying.
I was unable to judge what the Neotec Sena speakers sound like for music.  My fellow rider didn't listen to music.  -He reckoned the exhaust noise was his music.
(My feeling is that if you can hear your exhaust, then either it is too loud, or your ear protection is inadequate.)
But he was able to use comms OK at speed, whereas without earbuds, I couldn't.

So my questions to Neotec/Sena users:  Is the music quality of the Sena speakers OK?  Is the wind noise low enough without earbuds?
I think my XRt is pretty noisy, wind-wise.  The Etymotic earbuds do a good job of blocking noise, but unfortunately they don't sell that type of earbuds any more.

[sirsidneyrd]

Good answers people - come on Neotec guys please chip in -I guess I could sell my Cardo Spirit HD , it cost £104 the Sena is £332 with the discount - it’s a big chunk of money - might take my Cardo thing to a shop to see if I can see how to fit it - the guy in my local shop said that Shoei were coming with a plastic piece for the Neo 3 to make it easier to use other systems

[Houleux]

I recently replaced an elderly Shoei Raid with a Neotec 2. I had it fitted properly (and it is a good fit!) and the SRL-Mesh comms (the harmon/kardon version) installed by the dealer.

My initial impression was how noisy it was compared with my old full face. That really surprised (and disappointed) me, as my old lid had become a bit loose with age and I thought advances in design would have made the Neotec much quieter.

The comms sound - even with foam ear plugs - is very good in my opinion. I don't usually listen to music but did so accidently when my attempts at using "Hey Google" to stop navigation had an unexpected effect. I'm probably doing something wrong (or maybe it's the wind noise?) but my attempts at communicating with Google or Sena are hit and miss - usually miss. Having said that, when I called my home voicemail and played it back my voice was perfectly audible.

It has to be said that my experience seems to be at odds with that of others'. I've yet to try using a neck warmer to see if that helps with the noise (any other suggestions would be welcome, as would suggestions relating to my bad experience with the comms).

But if I was in the market for a new helmet I'd probably look for a full face rather than a flip lid.

[Will Morgan]

I find there are 3 things that really effect the noise level of my N2 which actually apply to every helmet.

1. Having the visor shut firmly. If the visor is just pushed down without clicking/locking shut there is still enough air gap to contribute to noise.
2. The screen of which bike I'm riding. My XRT was reasonably OK, my RT is very quiet, but my KTM is rather loud! A screen extension/deflector or aftermarket screen can often help with noise levels as well as buffeting.
3. The collar of whichever jacket I'm wearing & my choice of neck buff. A good air seal around the neck makes a huge difference. A good Shoei dealer should be able to fit alternative cheek pads etc which makes for an optimal fit and quietness, and some stockists offer this for free on an exchange basis when buying new.

I only ever use disposable foam ear plugs so can't comment on other types and I never listen to music so can't comment on the speaker quality of a Neotec, but never have had an issue with spoken communication.

[sirsidneyrd]

I just watched the Bennetts social review of the Neotec 3 for interest - he seems to say you can fit a Cardo spirit to the helmet somehow and the speakers fit in nicely to the Shoei relieved areas - im just not keen to spend a fortune on another comms system after all its only me     

[T1200GTE]

I'm on my second Neotec II. The first one did about 80,000 miles and still worked well. The new one, well I bought it a couple of months ago when the discounts started.

With the first one I used an external comms system (Sena 30k) which worked fine and was straightforward to fit (for example, the speaker cutouts in the helmet were the same size, so they just slotted in). The new one has the Sena Mesh built-in system, and I have to say the sound is definitely an upgrade. My new helmet is also quite a bit quieter, which i can't really explain. I use Customfitguards moulded/filtered earplugs. Can't feel them inside the helmet.

Anyway, these helmets are comfortable, quiet, offer a good field of view, and at the discounted prices, they are a bargain.