If it's of any interest - I also have a shoei shaped head and I find that the other helmets that fit me well are HJC and Shark
Had a chat on the phone with a chap I know at Helmet City this afternoon and consensus is, there is definitely something not right with my Neotec 3. Going to take it back for an inspection next week and if that is the case, it can get sent back under warranty. Andy
Please do keep us updated. I am currently on holiday in Ireland and was just about to buy a Neotec 3 as a lot cheaper here, then saw your post. Got me thinking not a lot I don’t like with Neotec 2 I have, but 6 years old so will replace soon, Some very good Neotec 2 prices around, and I don’t have to buy a new Sena kit too! mid ot turns out there is an issue with yours and then you give it a rave revue if fixed will be interesting.
I’ve had a mark 2 one which I found good, although the vents made my eyes water if they were fully open. Since then I’ve had Schuberth C3 Pro and a C4 pro carbon. Been very happy with both but I find the coms to be a bit quiet (but I am a deaf old git!)
Okay, a little bit more time has passed than I intended but went to Kidlington yesterday, where my Neotec 3 was given a thorough inspection. In a way disappointingly, nothing major jumped out and certainly there appears to be nothing ‘wrong’ with the helmet. The rubber visor seal and visor mechanism were a bit ‘dry’ and got a lubricate which is something I should have done and definitely a bit more often …….. than never . What came out of our conversation was the theory that in heavy rain and with minimal air flow over the helmet (slow speed and or protection from the screen), water can follow the channel created by the join line of the jaw piece and the body of the helmet which can then run into the chin curtain. The fit of the jaw piece looked good but might have improved with a minor adjustment but the guys in the shop are not trained to do that. I also bitched about what I considered poor air flow and apparently I’m not going to be the first person to remove the fly screen . A good idea that could have been better thought through IMO. The other modification I went with is a mesh chin curtain rather than the solid chin curtain supplied. It should improve air flow and prevent any retention of rain water with the down side being a possible increase in wind noise but I wear ear plugs so that won’t bother me. The final piece of advice was to ride in the rain to see if water is consistently retained and if it is, return the helmet to the supplier under the 5 year warranty. I asked about the rumoured recall of a batch of N3’s and it transpires someone in Japan applied ACU gold stickers in error. Despite the helmet meeting the current standards, it has not been tested for the track and there was a concern about litigation. Unlike many of you, I will still be riding during the next couple of months so time will tell. Andy
Bought a Neotec 3 at The Biker Company, Cheltenham a few weeks ago. Due to holidays only few rides since. This morning to Hereford with a bit of a mix of motorway as well as some rural roads being the most varied so far. Only in comparison to my aged GT Air (Mk1 bought cheap after the Mk2 had come out). However, I have to say I'm impressed so far. Better in every way, even noise which I wasn't expecting going from full face to modular. I bought the SRL3 at the same time to take advantage of the zero VAT rating when intercom and helmet are bought together. Jury is out on the intercom. Didn't turn on this morning, well tried on the move and either battery is flat (possibly left it on) or just couldn't get button push right with gloves on. Waiting in a cafe whilst my AllYearBiker guy gives the Pikes Peak a going over ether XCP. The SRL3 has more restricted earpiece location than the Sena 10U I had in the GT Air. I wound up relocating the latter to optimise placement which made a night and day difference. Back to the helmet; noise, stability, lack of drafts are all good and significantly better than the GT Air. Vents, so far, have been good though no proper warm weather riding yet. Setting off this morning I immediately noticed that the top vent was open. Temps on the ride varied between 10 and 15°C, no misting thanks to the pinlock with visor closed. The new central latch mechanism works well for me, even with my winter gloves on. The ability the press the button and have the visor open just a crack is great around town. A contrast to the GT Air where it was open to the first indent, too much, or fully closed. The ability to flip up the chin bar and just use the tinted visor at low speeds is a revaluation. Closing and opening single handed isn't as awkward as I had feared and easily doable on the move. Andy's experience in the rain I can't yet comment on. Will have to wait and see if I find the same issue. The mesh chin curtain I believe is an optional accessory. My GT Air came with one in the box and I used that all the time. Might try it if I have issues. No discount, as expected on a new model, dealer remained firm on that but gave me the Shoei custom fit service free as a concession. Had to return and spend almost an hour doing that. I'm a Shoei shape so not much was needed but it's a slightly better all round fit now, if a little firm, though not uncomfortably so. Expect that with a new lid that this will give a little with use and be spot on. Overall I'm very pleased with the helmet itself. The intercom has potential, just need to spend a little time seeing if I can sort out the speaker placement.
you'd sincerely hope EU safety bollocks would be applicable to a helmet wouldn't you - i mean, that's the whole point of having a lid
