Just received this new Shoei RF-1200. Wow I was blown away with the fitment and how light is it. Really like my RF-1100 but this one, totally on another level. Debating whether to get the pinlock tint (pretty easy to remove too) or shield one instead.

Glad to read that Shoei Quality is still there..

Yeah its a pretty good helmet, I picked one up a year (or more?) ago. Biggest selling features for me were the fact that Shoei is renowned for their safety rating and the fact that they finally started offering a factory anti-fog solution that comes WITH the helmet!

I would probably recommend just going with the tinted full shield versus the pin lock, its not overly hard to remove/reinstall the pin lock shield but you wouldn't want to do it frequently (and its easier to swap the full shield anyways). The pin lock lens gets scratched really easily and you need to be careful to try and not get any dust/dirt in it, also Shoei recommends removing the pin lock lens if you don't need anti-fog. I usually keep mine in 24/7 during the spring and fall and remove it for the summer and winter. Although the pin lock lens doesn't meet DOT standards for use at night (it blocks slightly too much light to be DOT certified) I frequently use it in dark conditions and find that it doesn't make a noticeable difference.

My 2 complaints about the RF-1200 however, first which is more of a "pet peeve" is the helmet isn't quite long enough and my nose rubs up slightly on the breath guard, but that's more of an issue with the shape of my head than the helmet itself.

The 2nd complaint is Shoei needs to learn how to build vents, period. Almost all of the vents are difficult at best to operate with gloves on which is compounded by the fact that they just don't flow a lot of air compared to the HJC and Icon helmets I have owned which were the equivalent of turning on air conditioning for your head. Yes they do flow SOME air, but I found it difficult to tell if the vent was open or closed, so if it was a hot day and I forgot to open the vents before I set off, I would pretty much need to pull over, take off my gloves (and maybe helmet) to make sure they were open.

I'm sure a lot of people will disagree, but I'm not saying its a bad helmet, in fact I would definitely buy another! I'm just saying if you plan on doing riding when its super hot the airflow might be a problem for you.

Agree. My Shoei doesn't flow air like my Icon.

Yep. Step one, find the brand that makes a helmet matching your head shape. Makes a huge difference.

Nightmare - yeah thinking of going with the tint shield instead, switching shields I've noticed is easier with these Shoei helmets. I find it pretty easy to change like my RF-1100. I haven't noticed at least for me any issues with getting to hot inside the helmet when I ride..air flow seems fine IMO. I also find the RF-1200 a bit lighter than the RF-1100 too.

alg8er - so true, the Shoei helmet tends to fit me much better than others; Suomy would be a close second.

I fell in love with this helmet when I saw it at CycleGear the other day! Enjoy!

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^^^ Hey Kofla, yep that's sure the helmet. Did you wind up buying any helmet?

Oh ! all those helmets behind you are Shoei too...cool!

Been riding with Shoei for years and have been very satisfied. I currently wear a 1200 and a GT-Air and like them a lot. I sometimes ride with my H-D pals (I ride one of my cruisers then) and I think most of them must have prostate problems because we have to stop every 40-50 minutes so they can smoke, take a leak, etc. It is a royal PITA to keep taking off/putting on the helmet at every stop so I started looking around for a good modular helmet that I can just open during the far too frequent pit stops... I recently picked up a Schuberth C-3 Pro Dark Classic when Revzilla was having a great closeout sale. I got it for $475, normally about $875.

To check the fit, I watched some TV with it on and it fits fine. I really like the styling and some of the features but there was no way in Hell I would have paid full retail since I think my Shoei helmets are great. With the snow already here in Maine, I won't get a chance to use it for at least several months but based on initial impressions, I think I am really going to like it.

"rubs up slightly on the breath guard"...trim the guard some.

I think most of them must have prostate problems because we have to stop every 40-50 minutes so they can smoke, take a leak, etc. It is a royal PITA to keep taking off/putting on the helmet at every stop

I'm not young either but damn not stopping every hour. Heck I don't even smoke so that helps. I used to also ride with a few guys so understand the stops, it's definitely annoying.