Honda SR4/ Shoei RF1000 Helmet

It's true, DaveW works for free, however I occasionally throw some swag his way for services rendered . The fact is, those services are starting to be few and far between, in a fit of apalling generosity I recently donated a new "hat" to replace the crusty 1947 model that he saw fit to wear. Will this gift effect his current work ethic? Who knows? Here's his story anyway...

I recently had a chance to try out Honda's new SR4 helmet and thought I would let you, our loyal 2wf readership, know what I think of it. Helmets have really come a long way in the last few years in terms of weight and ventilation and what really struck me most about this hat is the ventilation. Even at speeds as low as 40mph I can feel my hair being blown around inside the helmet when all the vents are open. I'm sure some very complicated engineering went into making the venting system on this helmet including the spoiler thing on the back. Unfortunately MikeE never gave me the technical information he had on the helmet so I have no idea how it works but I can tell you that it works very well.

Is he moaning already? I too got a nice shiny RF1000 direct from Shoei so I need to address a couple of issues that DaveW refers to. For a start the helmet is very light and airy, however when weighed on my trusty digital bathroom scales it weighed the same as my current Arai Quantum (3.5 lbs). These scales, I must add, are very sophisticated and are able to calculate body fat too, but you have to be naked with damp feet. Very disturbing or very handy? Your call. I also have to concur with the ventilation comments; it does seem to move a decent amount of cooling air over ones head. By the way, DW has no hair…

Next up on my list of "attaboys" for the RF1000 is the shield mechanism. It is very easy to change shields without tools or having to hold your tongue the right way. It also has this groovy little lever on the side that will hold the shield just barely open. This worked great for me during a rain soaked trackday at Jennings GP. Normally I have a problem with my glasses fogging up inside my helmet but with the shield just barely cracked open my vision stayed clear for the whole day. Which reminds me of another thing, glasses. With some helmets I've worn it can be every hard to get your glasses on with the helmet over your melon. Not so with the RF1000. I didn't even have any extra pressure on my ears and it was comfortable all day.

Mmmm, I always stick my tongue out, regardless of the job at hand. The shield system for the Shoei has always been good and very easy to use, even with the helmet in place. I'm pretty sure the flush fitting visor is responsible for the reduced wind noise too. I never have problems with visor fog and I'm sure such problems would occur especially as I hang that aforementioned tongue out mid-corner. As far as ear space in concerned, DaveW has unfeasibly large lugs, in fact he looks like a taxi with the doors open, he tripped over once and landed in Miami, his Momma's so fat…

It's hard to find something to complain about with this helmet but being the nitpicker I am, I manage. Since the liner is not removable, this can make cleaning a bit more of a chore and takes longer to dry. My other nit is just that the liner doesn't feel as plush as some other helmets (Arai). However, I think the shield mechanism more than makes up the difference for me.

Nits? Yuck, wash your hair more Dave - It does suck that this helmet's liner is not removable, especially in warmer climates. The solution is to stay on top of your weekly chores, and as it happens, Honda supplies a pretty decent helmet cleaner available at you local dealer. What is removable (and what usually gets dirty) are the cheek pads. They are removable and they can be swapped out to fit your face. Top marks. By the way, peripheral vision is very good with this helmet too and offers an extra ½ inch over the old RF900 - Oh and it looks much better too.

All in all the RF1000 is a really nice helmet and if it happens to match your sporty new Honda, so much the better.

Well funny enough… DaveW's helmet was supplied by Honda to match the new CBR1000RR and called the SR4. Actually, it'll match any red Honda you might have hidden in your garage, including that aging Hawk-GT that I've been begging DW to sell because it's old and decrepit. The Honda SR4 sells for a retail of $409.99 (the same price point as its predecessor the RF900). It's also available from your local Honda dealer in red/black, silver/black and yellow/black. My Shoei is available just about everywhere at a price of between $350-480 depending on graphics.