In the market for a new one, and ive always bought shoei helmets. My main question is about the X-12. Anyone have experience with it? Is it really worth the money over the Rf-1100 and RF-1200?

X12 is all about the "cool factor." I am an ordinary man on an extraordinary bike. No need. Rf's are both good. Case in point I have an Arai Vector and Arai Corsair 5. Both excellent. On is a margin lighter and vents better. But that's it. Vector was 300 Corsair was 1100. What do you think now?
VECTOR or for you RF

Ps had RF 1100. I liked it. A bit heavy but def cool.

Thanks wolf. Im really leaning towards the RF-1100 in chroma TC-4. Would match my bike fairly well and I can find it on amazon for $360. Think I'll use the leftover cash to buy me a new set of rubber.

I'm runnin an RF in that Diabolic Fued pattern, I love the air flow, the weight is very good, and it is so easy to wash the liner. Two thimbs on the RF. Not saying I wouldn't take a GT-air.

Awesome pic!

For the money, I'm very happy with my Joe Rocket Abyss. fits good, and quite comfy. Best thing was price. Was 90 bucks on clearance. Their mirrored shields suck balls, however. Scratched very easily, and even wore some of the coating off in a whole spot. and this is using the same method I always use on visors, mirror or not. Honda polish and a microfiber cloth. Clear shield on that helmet for now on.

My Shoei RF1100 was a great helmet for the money. I paid under 275 (solid color). The Mirrored visor still has almost no scratches, and its like 7 years old.

My only Arai - Rx7 corsair, I love. Except for the money (msrp 800+), it is sort of a pos. both side shield covers, and one of the mechanisms inside; broke the first time I changed a visor. And yes, I was careful. Watched several youtube vids, etc. And the rubber base trim came off the 3rd time I wore it. Also, I have heard of the vents coming unglued, and the switches for the air vents breaking very easily. So, they don't get any more money from me.

That being said.... Its light, comfy, moves a lot of air, paint is awesome w good clearcoat; and looks killer. I have the white wraith with an iridium visor.

My next helmet is probably going to be an icon airmada salient in blue/white. Gets awesome reviews, and its relatively cheap @ 255. Solid colors are under 200. friend of mine has this and its easily as nice as my arai.

Or maybe the HJC RPHA caged. but I doubt it. It cost more than the Icon (360)

no more big money helmets for me unless they have HUD/gps/ and a rear camera. ala skully helmets.

Rod, the HJC RPS-10 is almost the same helmet as the HJC RPHA and IF you can find one on clearence,
They are really cheap, I have one, and it is really light, moves a decent amount of air, and is
Fairly quiet, my son uses mostly, but I still put it on once and a while ....

I like my Shoei GT-AIR, but there is quite a price difference between that and the RPS-10 ...

Also the GT-air doesnt have a full on tinted sheild available, but it does have a pop down tinted
Internal sheild, and I got a smoke pinlock insert that doesn't fog at all,
And the Shoei is super quiet ...

Since I just bought another new helmet...and you get what you pay for.

You need to decide if you want race fit or not. Race fit is tighter around the face and chin and a tighter neck roll (IE: harder to don and doff) I find it easier to do over the shoulder checks. Better aero and venting, sometimes louder, but not always. These are going to be your high end helmets.

My first helmet was an Arai Signet-q.(not race fit)

Very plush inside , decent venting, not too loud. One thing that irritated the hell out of me was the shield vents. When in full tuck they are in the way. I bought a smaller liner this year to try to get change the angle of how the helmet sat on my head. It still wound up being too large at the top of my head to achieve the a position where I wasn't staring at the shield vents. They do make a non vented shield for this line of helmets, but I was not willing to bury $140 into a helmet I didn't want to wear anymore. Here is what changed my mind. I was running the MRA touring windscreen which makes a huge pocket to sit in. The pocket is too large for summer time, you get zero wind. This windscreen was hard to see out of in full tuck because of where the bend was. I put the new corsa on, which changed the shape and size of the pocket. I could now feel the air going over my helmet and down my back. Which is fine, except at 140+ i was getting nasty turbulence. Vibrated my head so bad I couldn't see. This happened even with my chin on top of the gas tank. So now we have a problem, of course I blamed the windscreen, that's the last thing that changed. I was eyeing up the Schuberth SR1 since it came out. Now I had two reasons to try it, all I need was it to be remotely comfortable.

The aero is a shit ton better than my arai. I can now peak above the windscreen at 200 and not have my head bounced around and vision get blurry. Over the shoulder checks are effortless at 100, your head doesn't get whipped by the air hitting the side of the helmet. Plus the view port is huge and un restricted. I can turn my head further because of the race fit. It could be quieter, but i ride with earplugs in anyway. I however do not get the low frequency booming anymore because of the tighter neck roll. You will need to learn how to put this helmet on tho. Because of the race fit, and tighter neck roll, you cannot just pull it on. It will rip your ears or face off. I figured out that for me, I needed to put my forehead in first, and pull the chin curtain against it and rock the back over the top of my head. Slides right on and my ear phones stay in place. Then i just hold it by the back and wiggle it until everything is perfect. Fit and finish of the components is far superior to my Arai.

X-12 is last years "race" version. RF1200 is new this year, with features the X-12 doesn't have. The X-13 is coming out this year. I think venting is the major change.

The Bell Star line is a very nice helmet. Plus you can get a photo-chromatic shield for it. The overall fit was probably the best of all the high end helmets for me, but the deal breaker was my chin not fitting under the chin curtain.

* Last updated by: fatsix on 6/5/2014 @ 9:47 AM *

I can't speak to the Shoeis, as I've never owned one, but I've never heard anything but rave reviews from those that have. The X12 certainly looks better on paper... But I doubt you'd notice the difference once it's on your head.

For the money, I'd recommend the Bell Star. I'm on my third one, now. Great fit and finish, intuitive design features and amazing aerodynamics.

* Last updated by: TRAILBOSS on 6/5/2014 @ 9:48 AM *

X12 is a completely different fit from the RF1200 and RF1100. I tried them all on, Bell STAR, Schuberth, ARAI Corsair and RX-Q, and every Shoei. I have no clue whose head SHARK made their helmets to fit.

Again, I second the Bell Star if it fits.

* Last updated by: fatsix on 6/5/2014 @ 9:51 AM *

Maybe I'm not going over a hundred often enough but I don't notice a whole lot of difference bewteen my RF-11, Icon and $30 Zox helmet. The Zox is just as good as the Shoei except the face sheild can fly up at high speed when you turn your head. I guess that's the main reason they were selling for $30. The Zox has thick foan=m that interferes with field of view more than my other two lids.

They're all DOT approved and SNELL so as far as I'm corncerned, they all offer acceptable protection. You won't live if your head hits a fixed object at over 25 mph anyway...even if the helmet survives.

Its like buying a new bed. If you don't lay on the expensive one, you'll never know what you are missing, and you can rationalize your decision.

If you don't break the sound barrier, and settle for just good enough to achieve a certain rating then any helmet will do, because you'll never know the difference.

Thanks for all the input fellas.

I also wear a Bell, they are a great helmet. I can't make my shield fog up, cold rainy day with the shield down sitting still and breath right on it and it won't fog up. Not sure if your considering trying a different brand, but if you do, try on a Bell, they seem to be sized the same as shoei.

I recently purchased Marquez RF-1200. Will say helmet is lighter than than 1100, but is very noise in my opinion.

I recently purchased Marquez RF-1200. Will say helmet is lighter than than 1100, but is very noise in my opinion.

GT Air here....I have always had a Shoei head. Love it.

I would (and did) spend the extra couple of $ on the RF 1200 over the 1100s on sale right now, main reasons are: the 1200 is made to comply with newer safety standards and it comes with a pinlock shield and lens for anti-fog (which so far seems to work quite well)

Have an AGV Grid that smashed my schnozze. Bought a Arai Signet Q and am well pleased.

As far as I'm concerned all haymets are loud compared to long wiskers.

Hey Nasty. I've always had a Shoei shape head and always spend up on the top of the line helmets. There is some truth in the old adage that it's cheap insurance for your head.
I have two X-11 Shoei's now and an X-12. I find that the X-12 does fit a little firmer and nicer feeling than the X-11, not forgetting that the X-11's are about 2 years+ old now and the X-12 is barely broken in. I found one of the best features, especially during and after summer is that the entire liner is so easily removable for washing in a little soapy water. I get the new helmet feel whenever I want it. I think the skull pad in the RF's are not removable, only the cheek pads. Someone might correct me here if I'm wrong.
Aero's and venting are both fantastic. More than enough vents to keep things fresh and fogging low, and the aero's when you poke your head out above 200kph do not try to rip your head off, or flip the visor up accidentally. Both are very light and "race" fit. Providing you get the right size, the helmet never moves at all, so no need for adjusting the helmet back down all the time. The chin bar is nice and deep, and sits forward a little more than some helmets, so you don't have your chin or mouth sitting on the chin bar at speed. The rear of the helmet sits a little higher than some, but when tucked down under the screen, you can still lift your head up enough to see clearly.
Sorry, getting back to your question, I haven't tried the RF1100 or 1200 in a year or so, as the X-11 and 12 both stood out as my preference at the time. The fit, and entirely removable liner were features that stood out. Hope this helps.

* Last updated by: sweetfa65 on 6/5/2014 @ 7:26 PM *

Love this helmet. Fits perfect. Came with a dark smoke tinted lens also. Only complaint is its a bit loud. I'm sure there are others that are quieter. But I honestly got this one coz it's "loud"! The bright red n yellow is an eye catcher when zippin on the black 14r.

* Last updated by: smatlock42 on 6/5/2014 @ 7:51 PM *

I wanna get a gt - air as well. They are nice.

#1 to me is the Bell Star. Fits my head great and moves a ton of air. Very loud though. I always wear ear plugs anyway(with the Brocks CT Meg you need them). My second favorite is the shark RSR2. Another great lid which I love. Very plush, quieter but moves less air then the Bell. I just picked up a Shoei X12. Very nice helmet. Plush liner and awesome graphics but it does not vent as good as the Bell. Still moves about as much air as the Shark and looks awesome. Nasty if you wear an XXL like me I have an X12 for sale in the classifieds. Great Deal.

So I went a little nuts and bought this recently....solid carbon fiber AGV project 46 in the solid carbon (no Rossi graphics) I have 2 Aria corsairs and several Shoei's....this helmet is by far the lightest I have ever had...it's a little noisier than the others but the ventilation is great and well.....it a freakin beautiful helmet...the pics don't do it justice...not cheap, but well, I guess sometimes you do get what you pay for.....