Shoei X-14 help

[PeregrineKeith]

So I’m on the hunt for a new helmet and the Shoei X-14 has caught my eye but….. I have some questions.
1. Is this helmet on its way out? RF-1200s discontinued last year and the 14 is over 5 maybe 6yrs old already, I just don’t want to buy a soon to be discontinued unit. Should I wait?
2. Anyone with some real world experience with this helmet? Pros? Cons? Noise level, ventilation?
I’ve seen the tubes reviews.… everyone loves it blah blah blah. Nothing’s perfect and tired of filtering through 5yr old reviews to gauge and gain some insight.
3. Alternatives? AGV and Arai are not out of contention, I’ve just always liked and have worn Shoei (current helmet is an RF-1400)
4. You all knew it was coming…. Where do I pick this up the cheapest? 5yrs ago this was a mid $600 helmet, today it’s sporting a price of $879 at the cheapest that I have found.

Thanks in advance and yes I did search so sorry if I’m dredging up old news but I’m looking for a fresh take.

 

[sixpack577]

FWIW
Shoei will have replacement parts available for 5 years after they discontinue it, and if they do not, and could not make a warranty repair...they will give you the new helmet in it's place.
And if a new version is released soon...count on it being more than the current version.
Also, if you wear Shoeis, Do Not buy an Arai without trying it on first.
Their quality is equal, but Shoeis fit egg heads, and Arais fit round heads, lol, they do fit differently.
I also bought a new RF1200 last year, and got the photocramatic/transitions sheild with a pinlock(no fog).
I also had one on my Bell Star.
Those sheilds tint light to dark and vice versa instantly, and adjust automatically to anywhere in between, so the veiw is always clear and without glare.
Never swap sheilds on a ride again.
Worth getting for whichever helmet you chose that have them available.

 

[PeregrineKeith]

Thanks Six! Yeah the photochromic shield is what I’m really after. The 1400 is a new helmet (last year) and my shield has been prepaid since April 21 but just got news that I won’t see it until Mar 22…. they’ve had my loan long enough lol.
New helmet must have the transition option!

 

[ZeePopo]

So I’m on the hunt for a new helmet and the Shoei X-14 has caught my eye but….. I have some questions.
1. Is this helmet on its way out? RF-1200s discontinued last year and the 14 is over 5 maybe 6yrs old already, I just don’t want to buy a soon to be discontinued unit. Should I wait?
2. Anyone with some real world experience with this helmet? Pros? Cons? Noise level, ventilation?
I’ve seen the tubes reviews.… everyone loves it blah blah blah. Nothing’s perfect and tired of filtering through 5yr old reviews to gauge and gain some insight.
3. Alternatives? AGV and Arai are not out of contention, I’ve just always liked and have worn Shoei (current helmet is an RF-1400)
4. You all knew it was coming…. Where do I pick this up the cheapest? 5yrs ago this was a mid $600 helmet, today it’s sporting a price of $879 at the cheapest that I have found.

Thanks in advance and yes I did search so sorry if I’m dredging up old news but I’m looking for a fresh take.

X-14 is a nice helmet. I liked the fit. But since you are looking at new helmets perhaps it's good to look at FIM approved helmets list. It's a more realistic safety testing standard than the previous and at the speeds we ride we need it lol. It's the standard that MotoGP, Moto 2 and Moto3 use, so do a lot of the upper racing bodies.

Homologated Helmets | FRHP

The FIM Racing Homologation Programme was established in order to grant special recognition to products related to safety and as a requirement for FIM competitions.

www.frhp.org

 

[PeregrineKeith]

X-14 is a nice helmet. I liked the fit. But since you are looking at new helmets perhaps it's good to look at FIM approved helmets list. It's a more realistic safety testing standard than the previous and at the speeds we ride we need it lol. It's the standard that MotoGP, Moto 2 and Moto3 use, so do a lot of the upper racing bodies.

Homologated Helmets | FRHP

The FIM Racing Homologation Programme was established in order to grant special recognition to products related to safety and as a requirement for FIM competitions.

www.frhp.org

Thanks for the reply. I will definitely look into that list of helmets.

 

[Bumblebee]

I sure like the way my HJC RPHA fits....most likely when I'm in the market, I'll be researching an HJC off that list.

 

[PeregrineKeith]

I took a look at the FIM list and its pretty short... maybe 1 or 2 from major manufacturers and like 1 from some brands I've never heard of...
For reference... what the heck are the standards we've been or at least have I been following.. I thought Snell, DOT and ECE were it... do those just don't apply anymore or is that the very least of testing they have to meet?

 

[michael parris heuberger]

I took a look at the FIM list and its pretty short... maybe 1 or 2 from major manufacturers and like 1 from some brands I've never heard of...
For reference... what the heck are the standards we've been or at least have I been following.. I thought Snell, DOT and ECE were it... do those just don't apply anymore or is that the very least of testing they have to meet?

Hi. Shark makes one, but you have to call Chrome Burner to get one. It is the Shark Race R pro carbon. It was my 2nd choice I went with a Suomy carbon fiber. I think I have photos of it in my thread [my very show build]. It is the SR GP Carbon fiber.

 

[sixpack577]

Pick All of the ones you like best, looks, features, sheilds, weight, etc
Then buy the one that fits you the best.
Keeping in mind that brand x may fit well as a Medium, vs the competition which may fit better in large.
If you can't get to a store to try them on
www.revzilla.com
they are excellent to buy gear from online, hassle free exchanges and returns, until you get what fits.
And all the big brand helmets have great quality, warranty, and service too, so I wouldn't argue one being better than the other.

 

[ottafish]

Hi. Shark makes one, but you have to call Chrome Burner to get one. It is the Shark Race R pro carbon. It was my 2nd choice I went with a Suomy carbon fiber. I think I have photos of it in my thread [my very show build]. It is the SR GP Carbon fiber.

Had great reviews too

 

[PeregrineKeith]

Yeah pretty set on an X-14... or actually the one I want is called a X Spirit 3 (same as an X-14) but its a UK helmet... may have to pull some strings and get one sent here. lol And... its on the FIM list.

 

[ottafish]

Yeah pretty set on an X-14... or actually the one I want is called a X Spirit 3 (same as an X-14) but its a UK helmet... may have to pull some strings and get one sent here. lol And... its on the FIM list.

Just check. A lot of EU helmlets are ECE rated and don't carry DOT rating if you need it in your area for compliance.
Australia follows the EU regs more now and we seem to only get ECE ratings now.
DOT and Snell are not legal here for road use

 

[ZeePopo]

I took a look at the FIM list and its pretty short... maybe 1 or 2 from major manufacturers and like 1 from some brands I've never heard of...
For reference... what the heck are the standards we've been or at least have I been following.. I thought Snell, DOT and ECE were it... do those just don't apply anymore or is that the very least of testing they have to meet

In order of better standards, FIM-Snell-ECE-DOT. The difference is what angle they test impact and at what speeds. Fortnine has a good video on Snell vs FIM controversy. Snell is too stiff and leads to concussions. Won't crack your skull but will give you shell shock. Wear a Snell helmet and hit it hard, the vibrations go right into your skull. DOT is useless if you like driving over 55mph.

 

[PeregrineKeith]

Well, I got news from Shoei and a shop in the Netherlands that ships worldwide


Shoei says…. Non US helmets are illegal here because they don’t carry DOT certificatio, they also don’t fit the same not only in that a Medium here isn’t the same as a Medium there but the ”roundness” is different…. And…. supposedly Shoei forbids those helmets to be shipped here.

Netherlands store only says ECE isn’t the same as DOT and because of that the federal law prohibits…. Blah blah blah.

im SOL and will probably order a boring US spec helmet.

Thank you all for your help

 

[Mythos]

I had an RF 1100 for 12 years and I always liked it although I think I should have gone with a size smaller. I do have a long head, not a round head and it seemed to fit me well, just a little slppy because it was loose. It was a lot quieter than the Icon I had before that. I wouldn't say it was exceptionally quiet but it was not loud as motorcycle helmets go. The weight is good, nothing amazing but it's not heavy. The thing I like best is that it probably saved my life in my crash. I was knocked unconscious but the helmet actually doesn't look too bad. No dents, the face shield stayed on and stayed closed and it didn't crack. I miht have paid $600 for that helmet back in 2009 but it was worth every penny. I would trust a Shoei again. I wouldn't go with a cheap helmet after doing my own crash test. I would not want to find out what helmet doesn't work.

 

[ottafish]

Well, I got news from Shoei and a shop in the Netherlands that ships worldwide


Shoei says…. Non US helmets are illegal here because they don’t carry DOT certificatio, they also don’t fit the same not only in that a Medium here isn’t the same as a Medium there but the ”roundness” is different…. And…. supposedly Shoei forbids those helmets to be shipped here.

Netherlands store only says ECE isn’t the same as DOT and because of that the federal law prohibits…. Blah blah blah.

im SOL and will probably order a boring US spec helmet.

Thank you all for your help

Yes. Seems quite common.
USA shops won't ship Shoei outside US.
And I've been told that ece is way better than dot... But who knows..

 

[rd99]

Well, I got news from Shoei and a shop in the Netherlands that ships worldwide


Shoei says…. Non US helmets are illegal here because they don’t carry DOT certificatio, they also don’t fit the same not only in that a Medium here isn’t the same as a Medium there but the ”roundness” is different…. And…. supposedly Shoei forbids those helmets to be shipped here.

Netherlands store only says ECE isn’t the same as DOT and because of that the federal law prohibits…. Blah blah blah.

im SOL and will probably order a boring US spec helmet.

Thank you all for your help

Shark Race-R Pro GP Redding Winter Test Helmet​

cyclegear.com

revzilla.com

 

[Got-Busa?]

Well, I got news from Shoei and a shop in the Netherlands that ships worldwide


Shoei says…. Non US helmets are illegal here because they don’t carry DOT certificatio, they also don’t fit the same not only in that a Medium here isn’t the same as a Medium there but the ”roundness” is different…. And…. supposedly Shoei forbids those helmets to be shipped here.

Netherlands store only says ECE isn’t the same as DOT and because of that the federal law prohibits…. Blah blah blah.

im SOL and will probably order a boring US spec helmet.

Thank you all for your help

X Spirit 3 and X14 are one in the same so unless you are looking for a different color, no need to purchase overseas.

However, I think they are about to release a new X15 or whatever the replacement is. Based on the past timeline, they are due a new model. With that in mind I'd hold out if you can a bit longer.

 

[PeregrineKeith]

X Spirit 3 and X14 are one in the same so unless you are looking for a different color, no need to purchase overseas.

However, I think they are about to release a new X15 or whatever the replacement is. Based on the past timeline, they are due a new model. With that in mind I'd hold out if you can a bit longer.

Too late. Yeah I figure they should be the same helmet but the shop overseas that had it and Shoei rep both came at me with the same story…. Different fitting all around and the certifications were different which wasn’t an issue for me.
I bought a blue aerodyne and it’s a great helmet.

 

[Al Kyrie]

Bought a new helmet HJC RPHA 11 carbon