Best Helmet I Have Owned: Shoei GT-Air 3

[rdprdp01]

I received my Shoei GT Air 3 helmet and placed it into service over the weekend. I am pleased to report that it is the best helmet I have ever owned. Here are a few details which you may find helpful as you consider possibilities.

The helmet ships with a

• Pinlock EVO Lens
• Breath Guard
• Chin Curtain

Helmet Specs follow:

• Shell Type: AIM
• Shield Type: CNS-1C Shield & QSV-2 Sun Shield
• Ventilation: Defogger Ventilation System
• Liner: EPS Liner
• Weight: 3.91 lbs
• Certifications: DOT Certified / ECE 22-06

The Faithful consider the GT Air to be the very best sport-touring helmet available. My 25-mile ride over the weekend reinforced that position or bias, depending on your point of view.

Because my prior helmet is over 5 years old, I had to upgrade. Relative to the GT Air 2, here are the following advantages I realized by upgrading to the GT Air 3:

• Stability at Speed: The enhanced rear spoiler makes the GT Air 3 a very stable helmet at speed. At 75 MPH, it felt more stable than the GT Air 2.

• Aerodynamics: The GT Air 3 has a more elongated shape which helps the air flow over and around the helmet. Although it is slightly heavier than the GT Air 2, it felt “lighter.”

• Noise: The GT Air 3 focused on noise reduction with this release. The chin profile is more round than the GT Air 2. The check pads are larger and provide more coverage to the back of the helmet. This design appears to prevent air from entering the helmet from the back of the neck. The venting is also different, which helps pull air through the helmet without it circulating it inside the helmet and making a lot of racket from air currents bouncing around. I do not have the means to take a DB rating while riding, but I believe the GT Air 3 has achieved a 10-15% noise reduction relative to a Gt Air 2.

• Neck Strap: The neck strap is thinner and slightly more comfortable without compromising strength.

• Comms System: The integrated Sena SRL-03 has a lower profile, sleeker design, and most importantly sounds better than the Sena SRL-02. It has more base and the speakers are well positioned. I could hear everything clearly even while wearing my fancy ear plugs.

• Visor: The drop down visor latch is easy to manipulate. It’s position has changed as has the shape of the latch. I found both to be an improvement over an already strong design.

The helmet is made of the finest materials available, as it should because of the expense.

Installing the Comms System required focus, time, patience, and some cursing. However, it is a manageable task. Of note, the Comms System uses a USB C connector, making charging more convenient. The Comms System ships with a charging cable and a wi-fi adapter but you must provide a charger. I used my iPad charger without any problems.

It is possible to push out firmware updates wirelessly after you configure the adapter to connect to your home network. I found it easier than connecting the helmet to my computer for updating firmware. The iPhone App is relatively easy to use and well organized.

I purchased the helmet and comms system from the local CycleGear Store in my neighborhood. The total cost was a staggering $1,195.16 USD:

Shoei GT Air 3 Helmet: $749.99
Sena Mesh Communication System: $359.00
Sales Tax: $113.67

When I began to weep at the counter, the Store Manager gave me a $27.50 coupon to help ease my pain.

I was told that Shoei is quite proud of the GT Air 3 and it is unlikely that a sale or special event will take place any time soon.

Here are a few pictures to help bring things into focus. I will gladly answer any questions, and I welcome your comments. Take care, David

[Cormanus]

Rdprdp01, good looking helmet, but too much cabbage for me.

By the way, you don’t have private messaging enabled.

[pdedse]

That's a great write-up / review. I've owned 2 Shoei helmets and loved them both, a medium size fit perfectly. But last summer I bought another Shoei online, ordering a medium and it was way too small. I measured the opening front to back of the two old helmets and they matched, but the new one had an opening 1" less. I got it on, but it was painful to take off. Makes me wonder if it was mis-labeled. I returned it for an HJC helmet because the Shoei model I wanted was sold out in large.

[peterbaron]

A nice and modern helmet supported by a detailed report.
When I ride a bike, I don't need any communication with the outside world.

[Verlinia_imp]

Maybe I'll have to bite the bullet and upgrade.

[rdprdp01]

Maybe I'll have to bite the bullet and upgrade.

if you are a Shoei fan, you will love the helmet. The price, not so much. Be safe on the motorcycle and take care.

[Tev62]

That helmet is the equivalent of $730 (US) here in Ireland with 23% sales tax included but is a good bit cheaper across the water in the UK as the Government deem Motorcycle Helmets a safety wear item and charge no sales tax on them. It looks like a nice helmet but a bit too heavy for my liking. A well known bike insurer in the UK who test bikes and bits stated "Shoei GT-Air 3 review | Arguably the best full-face helmet" for road riders. It's nice to have nice things :-)

[rdprdp01]

10 days in service, and the Shoei GT-Air 3 has met all my expectations and remains the best helmet I have ever owned. The verdict is still out on if it is the highest value (performance as a function of cost). I am leaning in that direction, but I may just be trying to justify my choice!

Well, the money has left my bank account and made its way to Japan. What’s done is done, but I thought this brief follow up may have some benefit for those seriously considering this helmet.

* Comfort & Aerodynamics: The helmet is very comfortable. I rode yesterday in moderately heavy winds at high speeds. It is a very aerodynamic helmet. I am far from an expert in wind tunnels and air currents, but I cannot imagine any helmet being better.

* Weight: On paper, the helmet is slightly heavier than most sport-touring helmets. While I am wearing it, I can’t detect the weight. I suspect the design is such that it distributes evenly over my big, lopsided head. I was on the motorcycle for 2 hours yesterday, and I did not experience any neck or shoulder strain, exhaustion, or anything else that points to an ill-fitted or ill-designed helmet.

* Pinlock Installation / Fogging / Latch / Noise: I installed the pinlock shield easily on the helmet. It does a great job of minimizing fogging. The latching mechanism for the helmet is on the front of the helmet. It has nice presets which enables the helmet shield to be slightly opened to vent air. It also has a nice snapping mechanism. I was able to actuate the latch while driving the motorcycle. It requires a little muscle, but I did complete the actuation while wearing motorcycle gloves. See Pinlock installation link:

https://youtu.be/N3uFXXrglwo?si=R3aEFtcIf36Wh7H4

The helmet pushed wind over and around the helmet. It was relatively quiet.

* Comms Unit: One of the most expensive accessories for the GT Air 3 is the integrated Comms Unit (Sena 3). It is beautifully integrated. The audio quality is exceptional for both listening to audio and speaking on a phone call. On my ride, I used the Comms Unit for map audio, road alerts, and to field a couple of calls. Because I ride alone, I could not test the Mesh functionality. I was able to hearing everything clearly. I was wearing air plugs.

After my two-hour ride, the battery held a 87% charge.

The placement of the USB C Power Connector makes charging easy. The standard cable is also nice.

I believe the Comms Unit is a nice-to-have and not a have-to-have. However, it makes the Helmet much more convenient for how I ride and the life I lead (on-call, business owner, family, etc.). The Comm Unit can be added at any time. Here is a video documenting its slightly tedious installation. I recommend a cup of coffee and a morning install in good light!

https://youtu.be/B8_-0RePUyw?si=n02zhVzjxI2beW8H

* Integration with the Helmet Holder on the CB1100EX: I love the placement and look of the helmet holder on CB1100 EX. The holder is well designed, protects the helmet by moving it against the bike as opposed to dangling from a handlebar, and in my opinion adds to curb appeal. However, in 2017, D-Rings were the norm for helmets. That may have shifted to a locking clasp.

To bridge the two technologies, I used a Lidlox Helmet Extender:

https://lidlox.com/products/3014-helmet-...-pair.html

It proved to be the only affordable part of the upgrade.

Once the Lidlox extender was installed, the helmet can be stored and secured on the motorcycle like the CB1100 Design Team intended. See a few pictures I took yesterday while I ran my errands and put in some time on the motorcycle. Note that I could not use the LidLox which fit my GT-Air 2. The clasp changed between models, and I needed a longer crossover. The Lidlox extender will work with any helmet which has a clasp. It is not unique to the GT Air 3:















I hope everyone can find the perfect helment that will protect them while riding. I believe I have found mine. Have a great Sunday and please be safe on your motorcycle. David

[Tev62]

I like the lidlox, good idea for the newer style helmet clasps.