Want to buy This? See Shoei RF-1200 Helmet Review From Top Expert
If you’re a motorcycle rider, you know the importance of having the right safety equipment. One slip or one accident can be much more devastating on a bike than in a car, !
so it’s imperative that you have the best gear to protect your fragile body from becoming a permanent addition to the road. One of the most important pieces of equipment you can have is the motorcycle helmet.
……… One of my friends ride a bike to work, and one day he was weaving through traffic and smashed into a car that was trying to merge. He still got pretty banged up, but if it weren’t for his helmet, the crash would have been deadly. Today I’ll be looking at the Shoei RF-1200 Helmet and show you the benefits this gear can provide.
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Some Factor To Choosing The Shoei RF-1200 Helmet
Shoei Brand
Since 1958, the Shoei brand has made the commitment to providing high-quality sporting helmets, with a specialty in motorcycle helmets. This Japanese company is one of the consistently top-rated brands out there, and the Shoei RF-1200 Helmet perfectly showcases Shoei’s commitment to excellence.
In fact, Shoei helmets are so well rated, that in 1965 Honda adopted them as the official racing helmet of Honda. What also sets Shoei apart from other companies is that, even though they are well known throughout the racing world, the company is relatively small, meaning that they dedicate their work to making each helmet as durable and safe as possible.
Safety Regulations in Cycling
Because riding a motorcycle is inherently more dangerous than driving a car, there are a lot more safety regulations in place to ensure that all cyclists are operating as safely as possible. In the US, the Department of Transportation oversees the safety ratings of all helmets produced and sold in the country.
Every helmet must be rated by the DOT to qualify as a motorcycle helmet. The standards for the DOT rating cover everything from visibility to capability of withstanding a crash. When looking at motorcycle helmets, make sure to pay attention to this rating to ensure that it is as safe as possible.
Certification Standards
Along with the Department of Transportation, there is another group that tests motorcycle helmets, called the Snell Memorial Foundation. This group operates independently of the DOT, so any helmet that comes with a Snell rating has been subjected to further testing beyond the basics that the law requires.
The benefits of getting a Snell rated helmet is that this company runs each unit through a much more dynamic set of standards to meet their requirements. These measures include impact tests, chin bar tests, shell penetration tests, and many others. If you can buy a helmet with a certified Snell safety rating, you know that you are getting the best.
Helmet Class
When looking at helmets, it’s important to note that not all helmets are created equally. Beyond the obvious safety ratings, there are different classes of helmets, concerning how they are used. The various base classifications are:
- Racing-Used in competitions with other bikers
- Touring-Used to ride around on the open road
- Dual-Sport-Used for either competing or commuting
- Open-Faced-Doesn’t cover the face, making it slightly less safe but with much higher visibility for the rider
The Shoei RF-1200 Helmet would be considered a Dual-sport helmet since it can be used for racing or regular commuting.
The Shoei RF-1200 Helmet Pros & Cons Are Given below
Pros
- Strong yet lightweight design for easy handling
- Aerodynamic frame
- Custom shell sized for a perfect fit
- Dense interior liner for added protection and comfort
- High wind testing results in maximum ventilation
- Padding material designed to protect and wick away sweat
- Snell Approved safety rating
Cons
- Design of chin strap allows small stream of wind to enter, increasing the amount of wind noise
Highlighted Features For The Shoei RF-1200 Helmet
- Sleek, aerodynamic design
- Improved padding wicks away sweat and provides extra comfort and protection
- Lightweight design is still super strong
- Maximum ventilation while riding
- DOT and Snell safety rated
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Shoei RF 1200 Helmet
Is there a way to reduce the amount of noise entering the helmet?
Unfortunately, Shoei doesn’t have any proprietary fixes for this issue, but you can pick up some foam from a craft store and use it to plug any holes in the chin strap. This isn’t a permanent fix, but it does help.
Can you get the face shield tinted?
Yes, but this doesn’t come standard, so it’s an additional purchase.
How much does the helmet weigh?
According to the specs, this helmet weighs only five pounds. However, because of the padding and ventilation, it feels a lot lighter while riding.
Making Decision About buying The Shoei RF-1200 Helmet
Shoei has always been one of my favorite brands for motorcycle helmets, and I can safely say that the RF-1200, which is a remastered version of their ultra popular RF-1100, continues the tradition of high-quality helmets.
The only major downside is the noise level, but it seems that only a small fraction of users experience this. It could be that certain chin sizes are narrower than others, causing a small gap. Overall, however, the Shoei RF-1200 helmet is a durable piece of equipment with high marks for safety.