Just got my RF-1000 in the mail to replace my $70 Vega

[kyle]

I'm a bit excited about my first decent helmet so just thought I'd share for the odd person that might be wondering if it's worth spending a little more to get a nicer lid. I picked up the caster TC-5 on sale:
Shoei RF-1000 Caster TC5 Helmet Special Buy from SportbikeTrackGear.com

I guess there's a reason people spend more money on helmets. This thing is much quieter than the cheapo I bought as my first helmet (the Vega). I just got back from taking it out on the interstate to test it out and there was way less buffeting. When I tucked behind the screen at 80mph, it got really quiet. Pretty cool.

Another thing I noticed is that the Shoei offers less obstruction to my peripheral vision. I didn't have to turn my head as far when switching lanes, and the shield is distortion free.

I was a little worried about the shield release mechanism, because it is made much the same way as the Vega's and the spring broke on the Vega the first time I replaced the shield, leaving it a bit troublesome. The Shoei felt a lot more durable and it the dark smoke shield popped right in there without a problem.

Between it and my white Shift boots, I've nearly completed the Storm Trooper look.

 

[FB400]

Congrats on getting the new lid. Indeed sounds like a very nice helmet. I would spring for one of these if I had the cash. On sale or not, this is still out of my budget.

A new helmet came today that I got on closeout. Scorpion Exo-400 Tsunami. Cost me $90 shipped. Build quality is very decent and I liked the graphics of Silver on Black. I was skeptical about the low price but as long as it was going to be DOT/Snell certified I figured I would try it out.

It's plenty comfortable and the venting is decent. And the thing I like the most about scorpions is the shield never fogs up, ever (started with an Exo-700).

 

[Kazza]

I've got one too - love it. I've always had AGV - this is my first Shoei. Mine cost AUS$740 back in August We pay a lot for things like this in Aus.

 

[nextfriday]

to the op. i wear the same lid, only in blue. i'm very pleased with the helmet. Upgrade to a smoked shield. You'll never go back to the clear one during the day.

 

[VEGASRIDER]

I have the same helmet, Shoei Rf1000 Caster in Blue.

They are discontinued, the RF1000 has been superseded by the Eleven. So there are great deals on these helmets everywhere.

 

[kyle]

Congrats on getting the new lid. Indeed sounds like a very nice helmet. I would spring for one of these if I had the cash. On sale or not, this is still out of my budget.

A new helmet came today that I got on closeout. Scorpion Exo-400 Tsunami. Cost me $90 shipped. Build quality is very decent and I liked the graphics of Silver on Black. I was skeptical about the low price but as long as it was going to be DOT/Snell certified I figured I would try it out.

It's plenty comfortable and the venting is decent. And the thing I like the most about scorpions is the shield never fogs up, ever (started with an Exo-700).

I came very close to ordering a Tsunami for my first helmet, but ended up picking up the Vega locally because I really wasn't sure what size to go with at the time. I really like the shield mechanism on the Exo's. I had planned on getting this Sinister Exo-700:
Scorpion EXO-700 Sinister Black Helmet from SportbikeTrackGear.com

But I decided to go with the Shoei because of the closeouts on the RF1000's. I wanted the Camino in white as I think the design is pure sex:

But I searched high and low and everyone was sold out in my size.

One thing about this Shoei - the cheek pads are a bit overpadded for my face. I feel like a little kid getting his lips smashed together by the visiting out-of-town aunt. Hopefully they'll wear in some.

 

[REO Scorpio]

I came very close to ordering a Tsunami for my first helmet, but ended up picking up the Vega locally because I really wasn't sure what size to go with at the time. I really like the shield mechanism on the Exo's. I had planned on getting this Sinister Exo-700:
Scorpion EXO-700 Sinister Black Helmet from SportbikeTrackGear.com

But I decided to go with the Shoei because of the closeouts on the RF1000's. I wanted the Camino in white as I think the design is pure sex:

But I searched high and low and everyone was sold out in my size.

One thing about this Shoei - the cheek pads are a bit overpadded for my face. I feel like a little kid getting his lips smashed together by the visiting out-of-town aunt. Hopefully they'll wear in some.

The pads felt like that for me too initially. After a few weeks, they molded to the cheeks nicely. Not too snug at all now.

Great call on the aunt. Exacty what it felt like

To the OP: great deal on a superb helmet. You'll be glad you dropped tHe coin.

Scorpio

 

[kyle]

to the op. i wear the same lid, only in blue. i'm very pleased with the helmet. Upgrade to a smoked shield. You'll never go back to the clear one during the day.

Yeah, I ordered a dark smoke shield to go with it. It is great. I bought a mirrored shield for the Vega (Altura, btw - I couldn't remember the model as it wasn't down here earlier), but decided to go with a regular smoked for the Shoei due to it being nearly half the price as the mirrored and I wasn't crazy about all the glare and reflections off of my own face on overcast days with the mirrored either.

I've got one too - love it. I've always had AGV - this is my first Shoei. Mine cost AUS$740 back in August We pay a lot for things like this in Aus.

Ouch - that's twice what I paid for mine including the extra shield.

 

[Kazza]

Yeah, I ordered a dark smoke shield to go with it. It is great. I bought a mirrored shield for the Vega (Altura, btw - I couldn't remember the model as it wasn't down here earlier), but decided to go with a regular smoked for the Shoei due to it being nearly half the price as the mirrored and I wasn't crazy about all the glare and reflections off of my own face on overcast days with the mirrored either.

Ouch - that's twice what I paid for mine including the extra shield.

The dark shield was an extra AUS$80!.... Worth it though.

 

[AngelFZ]

Nice!!!!!

I'm just about to get an RF-1100 to replace an used HJC which I don't even remember how much I paid for it.

I'll have to try different helmets on and see if the RF-1100 will be the one I'll pick.

 

[mongol777]

I love my RF1000. Picked it up for CAD399 out of the door in 08. Just got tinted visor for it and love it even more now.