Matching helmet/Shoei NeoTec review

[Papa Weeley_imp]

I have to say that I'm not the kind of guy that's been concerned about my helmet matching my bike. It might just be that I've usually had more than one bike in the garage, which could make that a difficult proposition, but it's just never been an issue. I mean, I try to make sure that I don't look like a mis-matched dork gear-wise, but matching gear to the bike wasn't really a thought.
Then I saw Motogeezer's recent helmet buy that matched his red '14, and I couldn't help but think "dang, that looks great!". So Jim, this is all your fault!
I'd been wanting a modular helmet now that I only have two "standard" bikes (the venting is different on helmets to suit upright, touring or sportbike postures on various bike), and when I saw that the NeoTec came in a color very similar to the red on my '13, I had to check it out. I'll add here that I've only worn Shoei helmets for about 35 years - they just fit me right, and I love the quality.
Well, Chaparral had them in stock, and as usual the fit was just right. Then hearing that they were on sale made it a no brainer. (MSRP is $663; they were on sale, plus I got an additional 10% off as a regular/repeat customer - final cost $537)
I thought that it would be fairly heavy, given all the extra pieces involved, but it actually feels lighter than my RF1100s, and maybe even a little lighter than my Qwest. The internal flip-down visor is very cool, works really well, and completely solves the age-old problem of having to change faceshields for day or night riding. It's a mixed-bag when it comes to noise: it isolates outside noise much better than my other helmets - it seems much better insulated - but seems to create more wind noise at speed (around 60 and above), that sounds like it's coming from right around the ear areas on both sides. Most of all, the venting is phenomenal - much better than any of my other helmets. I had to stop for gas on my first outing with it, and I have to say that being able to flip up the whole front of the helmet to be able to see what you're doing while you're messing with our PITA California gas nozzles is awesome, too.
The color isn't exactly like I had it custom painted to match the bike, but it's so danged close, I'm guessing most people couldn't tell it wasn't if seen at speed:

[url=http://s157.photobucket.com/user/mustangfeverrr/media/2015-7-12%20015_zpsgipztdfi.jpg.html]

I think it looks great. Overall, I'm really happy with the choice.