Shoei Neotec 3 Grasp TC5 helmet in white / black / red

Reply from Motolegends

It would seem to me that you perhaps didn't do enough research, because you have clearly not fully understood how flip-helmets, and in particular how flip  helmets like the Neotec, work.

Your Arai is basically a race-derived helmet, as indeed arguably all Arais are. And when you race you need excellent venting to keep your head and face cool under the extreme exertions such activity demands. So yes your Arai is well vented. 

The Neotec is a different kettle of fish. Indeed, whilst there is venting on the chin, the helmet's venting is kept to a minimum, because air that comes into a helmet is basically noise. And the reason that the Shoei is deemed to be so quiet is that it is designed to keep out as much noise-inducing air as possible. Hence also the super-snug, neck curtain.

Now you say that you find your Arai to be as quiet as your Neotec, but that goes against the general tide of opinion. The Neotec 3 is considered by most observers to be the quietest helmet on the market. Whereas the general view is that Arais are noisy as heck. (Again because of the large amount of air they let in). And I say this as a long-term Arai wearer.

In terms of a misting drop-down, sun visor, there is no irony. Now the reason that a fogging sun visor is only to be expected is because, as I have explained, the Neotec is very well sealed. 

Now good flip-helmets like the Shoei and the Schuberth always have a greater propensity to mist up in cold conditions than do normal helmets. That's why the Pinlock is so important. But there isn't one for the sun visor, so misting up cannot always be avoided. Of course the solution is to raise the main visor for a couple of seconds. The fogging will then disappear.

I won't address the comms. issue here, as you have covered that elsewhere. I do acknowledge that voice commands don't work well on the Sena; and indeed we do make this clear on the website. I have not heard of complaints about the size of the buttons. Maybe it's something you have to get used to.

Finally, you mention price. You say the Neotec is expensive, but it's nowhere near as expensive as the RX7 which, whilst very protective and beautifully built, offers nowhere near the features, functions and flexibility of the Neotec. In our view, if anything, it's the Arai that's noteworthy for its pricing; not the Shoei!