Shoei GT-Air

I really should have written this review earlier; either I overlooked it or it fell victim to some mishap. Anyway, having used the helmet for two years in the meantime, I will try to put together a more thorough review. I first encountered it on our European trip and bought it thanks to a generous discount available only on the red colour. The Shoei GT-Air is a lightweight touring motorcycle helmet available in sizes from 53 cm to 64 cm, with a built-in sun visor and a Pinlock anti-fog insert.

Its AIM shell is made from a secret blend of organic fibre and fibreglass. Three shell sizes and multi-piece EPS liners accommodate heads from XS to XXL. Shoei's so-called layered shell design has earned both DOT and ECE certification. Air reaches the ventilation channels inside the EPS through the three-position inlet on top and the two-position exhaust vents at the rear. The shape of the front inlet cover in particular looks as though it might generate noise, but thanks to Shoei's wind-tunnel testing it makes none, and it is very easy to reach and operate. The chin vent is also quite large and easy to use.

The GT-Air comes with a clear, UV-filtering CNS-01 visor offering a wider field of view than its predecessors. A Pinlock anti-fog insert is included in the box. Behind these sits an optically correct sun visor operated from the helmet's left side. As on similar products, the shell bulges outwards to avoid reducing the EPS volume to accommodate the sun visor. It makes for an interesting design and, surprisingly, generates no extra noise either. The visor mechanism has springs that pull the visor back when fully closed, seating it firmly against the double-layer seal. Removing and fitting the visor is easy: lift it all the way up and pull the tab that is exposed to release it. To lock it completely for high speeds, use the tab just to the left of the chin vent. The package also includes a silicone-based liquid for maintaining the visor seal. My helmet came with the chin curtain and breath guard fitted; on some examples they are supplied separately in the box.

The GT-Air fastens with a quick-release system made from a very sturdy stainless steel alloy. When buying it, I grumbled about the lack of a double-D fastening, but I got used to it; it has never caused a problem anyway. The fully removable interior is made from 3D Max-Dry material, which is antibacterial and washable. Speaker recesses are provided beneath removable covers that you may not notice at first glance. The GT-Air also has the relatively new emergency cheek-pad release tabs (EQRS), with warning labels on the outside of the helmet, although you need to understand English to read them.

When I first put it on, the neck curtains felt tight and slightly uncomfortable, but they soon adapted to me and I to them. It really hugs your head and makes you feel secure. On my first ride in August's heat, it felt a little hot. It is a truly quiet helmet, probably the quietest I have used so far, though I imagine the novelty may have had some psychological effect too.

I had a long love affair with the GT-Air. I do not think this colour was sold in Turkey; apart from a friend who bought the same helmet with me, I do not remember seeing another. Inside, it became quite hot on warm summer days. Then one day I tried raising my head right up and the inside suddenly felt fresh. Being designed as a touring helmet, its air channels apparently work fully only when you sit very upright. That discovery bothered me a little, but I did not make much of it, because ventilation was adequate except in stop-start traffic.

Then autumn came...

With the rain, my visor began misting up despite the Pinlock. The GT-Air could only cope with the fogging above 50 km/h. In heavy rain, I rode with the visor open one notch, getting cold and having to stop frequently to dry its wet inner surface. Thinking I might have fitted it incorrectly, I went to Özen Motor. When the conversation turned to the possibility that the Pinlock's silicone seal had deteriorated, I bought a new Pinlock insert and asked them to fit it. There was no rain for a while; when it returned, the fogging had lessened.

Then winter came...

With the cold, the helmet became almost unusable. It fogged even in dry weather, forcing me to ride with the visor cracked open in the cold. After one ride that left me with a runny nose and red eyes, I wrote Shoei a lengthy email. Özen Motor then contacted me. I went in and showed them the helmet; they removed and refitted the Pinlock, but unfortunately nothing changed. Eventually they suggested leaving the helmet with them for testing. I agreed, but because of my work I still have not managed to leave it. My other helmet has a graduated-tint visor fitted, which I do not particularly like using in the dark. Meanwhile, it occurred to me to remove the chin curtain, and the helmet became usable again. I was a little cold and there was rather more noise, but very little fogging.

While we are on the subject, a genuinely varied and useful range of tinted, graduated-tint and mirrored visors is available. As far as I know, Özen Motor supplies them all. Although it is not visible in the picture above, they are all Pinlock-ready.

Let us come to the end of the review. I will hand the helmet over for testing soon. Although I bought it abroad, Özen Motor is taking an interest in the matter; I cannot predict how the problem will be resolved. I have not often encountered similar problems on Turkish or foreign forums either; only a handful of users have experienced what I have . In that light, I am hoping there is a fault with my particular GT-Air. We shall see, and I will update this page when we do. [Since publishing the review, messages from Shoei GT-Air owners with the same or similar problems have convinced me that this is no longer something I regard as unique to my helmet.]

The Shoei GT-Air is a very reassuring, quiet and fairly light touring helmet, and its distributor stands behind the brand. If you ride a motorcycle with an upright seating position, definitely take a look at the GT-Air. Its sun visor is wonderful, clearly better than any I have tried so far: like quality sunglasses from an optician. It really is quiet; whereas I normally use the yellow noise filters in my ears, with the GT-Air I use the green ones, which let more sound through. Its aerodynamics are good, with no lift or pressure on the neck. After almost two years, there is no visible wear inside or out. It still hugs me almost as snugly as it did in the first month and always makes me feel secure. Taking its price into account too, the Shoei GT-Air earns a place on my list of recommended helmets, costing a little less than its competitors at this level.