Shoei X-Eleven Motorcycle Helmet Review

I don't think anyone would argue that the single most important piece of riding gear you can strap on is a quality motorcycle helmet. With helmets ranging anywheres from 10 dollars to 800 dollars and with the large number of manufacturers making helmets then it can be difficult for a new rider to discern what is a quality, established brand and what is just the latest marketing gimmick from a her today, gone tomorrow kind of company.

One name you can ALWAYS trust in the helmet manufacturing world is Shoei and this review is specifically on the Shoei X-Eleven helmet. The X-Eleven is the current peak of technology available from Shoei motorcycle helmets and it encompasses over 40 years of research and development earned at racetracks and roadways around the world.

Shoei Fit and Finish

Shoei offers more than just a quality helmet, they offer a darn good looking quality helmet. One of the first things I noticed about this Shoei X-Eleven is the flashy graphics and cool finish. This is a good looking helmet, no matter how you cut it.

The Shoei X-Eleven is designed to mimic and exude the racetrack styling that you see at tracks across the world. This helmet would blend right in at the track with the best helmets in the world. The Shoei helmet's base coat and graphics are laid down by hand and then covered with a super tough clear finish that will protect the colorful paint scheme for a long time to come. The clear finish has proven to do an excellent job of protecting the paint from the normal road debris that you will encounter on your daily rides. After a few thousand miles our Shoei X-Eleven is still chip free.

Lest you think that the Shoei X-Eleven is all flash and no function you can be assured that underneath the flashy exterior is Shoei's patented Advanced Intergraded Matrix shell. The helmet shell is constructed out of thermosetting plastic that is reinforced by layers of both organic fibers and fiberglass. What this means in laymans terms is that this helmet is strong, durable, good looking and light. In fact the Shoei X-Eleven weighs in at just over 3 lbs which is pretty darn good and will greatly reduce the fatigue you can endure from holding up a cheaper, heavier helmet on a days worth of riding.

Shoei X-Eleven Comfort level

Ok now I know looks and safety are the first things you think about when you think of a helmet but the fit and comfort are every bit as important as we've found that many riders will forego a helmet altogether rather than riding with a poorly fitting helmet that gives them a headache. I have to say that in all my years of riding, I think that the Shoei X-Eleven is the most comfortable helmet I have ever pulled down over my noggin. The X-Eleven's fit could be compared to the fit that nicely tailored suit, it just fits and feels great. My XL sized helmet fits snugly and has no free movement when strapped but also offers no pressure points or head aches at all.

The inner liner can easily be removed and washes well once it gets a little funky and I would be remiss not to mention how silky soft and smooth this liner feels to the touch. I don't know what it is made of but it sure feels good against your skin.

The best testimony I can give for the X-Eleven is that after a couple of hours in the saddle, you will barely even notice that you have a helmet on your head, in fact I often feel like I am not wearing a helmet at all and that makes for a PERFECT motorcycle helmet in my opinion.

The ventilation system on any motorcycle helmet is crucial to rider comfort and Shoei's answer to that issue is a ventilation system that incorporates a front intake, lower intake and neck exhaust outlet and rear aero edge spoiler, which when open, work to keep a constant flow of air across your head. I can tell you that I live in Georgia and the summer temps can be pretty brutal but the venting system did a superb job of cooling my head and face.

Another key ingredient to a quality motorcycle helmet is the faceshield/visor system. Some helmets are a major chore to change the face shield but rest assured Shoei is ahead of the game when it comes to their design and they offer a quick release system that easily allows you to change the face shield with no tools. No surpise with a company that is as quality as Shoei.

Shoei helmets are first rate and I think most would agree that they are one of the finest motorcycle helmets on the market. Shoei feels so good about their product that they offer a rock solid 5 year warranty on their helmets which is one of the best warranties in the industry so rest assured that should you need it, Shoei will stand behind their product.

Shoei Helmet Review Conclusion

If you agree with the old addage that you get what you pay for then the Shoei X-Eleven could be the helmet for you. Shoei helmets are not the least expensive helmet on the market by any means but they shouldn't be because they are easily one of the best helmets on the market and you quality costs money.

Considering that your brain is irreplaceable and that you spent far, far more on that shiny new motorcycle than you ever will a helmet, I would think that the few hundred dollars you invest in a quality motorcycle helmet would be worth it's weight in gold. Your head will thank you.

Shoei X-Eleven Helmet Deals