Neotec 2 Fitment Issue

Travex

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Got a Neotec 2 and SRL delivered yesterday. Ordered it in medium as I have 4 other Shoei's. As soon as I tried it on it was immediately evident that it was a bad fit, and not by a little. The original Neotec, as many new helmets are, was a little padding-tight and formed perfectly over time. The N2 was a much different story with the area that we measure for fitment feeling like a tight ring around my head. So much so that I could feel my head pulse and it became pretty uncomfortable with a minute. Strange. Literally every other medium Shoei I've ever slipped on fit very well. Had to check the box as it seemed to me that the incorrect size may have been shipped. Nope, medium.

Unfortunately this one of those times where thinner pads aren't an option as the tightness is above them. Would rather not move up to a larger shell size so Shoei may not do the job this time around.

Anybody else experience any atypical fitting issues with this model?
 

EricV

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No surprise, they changed the shape of the Neotech 2 from the Neotech.

I'm an oval head guy. On some mid-oval Shoei helmets like the old Multitech, a Med fit me fine. I normally take a Large. The Neotech 2 did not fit my head shape, but was clearly different from the typical more round Shoei shape that would have left a hot spot on my forehead.
 

Travex

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Thanks for that EricV. Looks like I didn't do enough homework and likely assumed that my "Shoei-head" was a constant. Wrote Shoei and asked for further fitment advice. Pretty faithful brand guy here and look forward to continued success, but leaving options open. Have the SRL comm kit and won't dare open the box until I'm certain.

You sure aren't kidding about changes in 2.0 . Thought I landed on planet Arai.
 

EricV

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FWIW, Aria is one of the few helmet makers that specifically offer round and oval shapes. Old man Arai was a hat maker.
 
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ballisticexchris

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Travex I'm a typical Shoei medium and the Neotech 2 while a bit tight fits perfect on me. Cheekpads have broken in as expected over a few thousand miles of wear. That being said there are a bunch of "new model" Shoei's that are very ill fitting. Some of the mediums crush my scull and the larges flop around on my head.

The only two new ones that fit me are the Neotech 2 and the VFX EVO. I just bought the EVO in Medium and it is a fantastic fit. I'm actually going to hold off on an "adventure/ dual sport" helmet until I try my VFX out a few times for some long days in the saddle.

That new Hornet X2 is also really tight on my head. I only needed to replace the cheek pads to 31mm ones to get my old one to fit. I'm lucky to live right down the street from Motorhelmets. They have dozens of different brands to choose from.

If you really like the helmet, remove the center pad and cheekpads. If it gets loose on your head you might want to get the optional thinner ones for a better fit.

http://www.store.shoei-helmets.com/neotec-ii-center-pad-1674.html

The smaller cheek pads come with or without the noise isolators.

http://www.store.shoei-helmets.com/cheek-pad-set-31mm-1648.html

http://www.store.shoei-helmets.com/cheek-pad-set-31mm-1648.html
 

ucwinters

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Had a Neotec in the past and now have a Neotec II - I actually found the Neotec II to be a little loose and ended up getting thicker cheekpads. Forehead area fit is OK w/o any pressure points or hotspots. The Neotec II was ordered from a US Shoei dealer. I'll add that in the past I ordered a HJC RPHA modular helmet from overseas dealer japan.webike.net d/t the great price and color combo available. Terrible fit although I've worn HJC's in the past. Apparently they make the shell more of a round shape for the Oriental head and even mentioned this on their website. Ended up selling the helmet at a big loss to get rid of the headaches.
 
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ballisticexchris

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Another modular helmet you might want to try is the Shark. It might not be as fancy as the Shoei but the chin bar flips all the way behind the helmet so you can actually use it as an open face helmet while riding. The president of my dual sport club swears by his Shark modular.
 

EricV

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Euro and US helmets in the same brand and version have different shapes. The Euro Nolan fit me very well, the US version made me feel like I needed a frontal lobotomy.
 

Travex

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Thanks for the great advice ballisticexchris. Yeah, I was used to the cheekpad breakin from previous Shoeis too. Once relaxed, they're really comfortable lids. Was pretty surprised to see the fit disparity within a same-model progression to be sure. It would have been nice if it could have been addressed by cheekpads, but the poor fit was clear with the pads removed. The difference between 1.0 and 2.0 is stunning in the uppers. Wish I had that luxury of a large helmet shop nearby. Have to check out upcoming cities for one. The online retailer where I bought it suggested that I place books on the cheekpads for 48 hours to accelerate breakin compression.
Guess I'm pretty spoiled up to now as I'd been able to simply mail order and get great fits. Had to end sometime.

At this stage in my riding life I'm committed to an excellent modular with integrated comms and will find one sooner or later, glad you did.
 

Travex

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Had a Neotec in the past and now have a Neotec II - I actually found the Neotec II to be a little loose and ended up getting thicker cheekpads. Forehead area fit is OK w/o any pressure points or hotspots. The Neotec II was ordered from a US Shoei dealer. I'll add that in the past I ordered a HJC RPHA modular helmet from overseas dealer japan.webike.net d/t the great price and color combo available. Terrible fit although I've worn HJC's in the past. Apparently they make the shell more of a round shape for the Oriental head and even mentioned this on their website. Ended up selling the helmet at a big loss to get rid of the headaches.
Glad it worked out for you. Figured that would be my experience too, but no such love.
 

Travex

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Another modular helmet you might want to try is the Shark. It might not be as fancy as the Shoei but the chin bar flips all the way behind the helmet so you can actually use it as an open face helmet while riding. The president of my dual sport club swears by his Shark modular.
Thanks. I've looked at those and although nice, they don't really impress me from the upper-tier, sound, and R&D standpoints as Shoei does, yet they've got nice designs. Going to hang tight for a bit and see if Shoei has a trick up their sleeve. I'm a grand in and I'd like to make it work.
 

Travex

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Euro and US helmets in the same brand and version have different shapes. The Euro Nolan fit me very well, the US version made me feel like I needed a frontal lobotomy.
Haha. Sounds like a familiar ache. Are you suggesting that I may have received the incorrect ergo model? Good thought if so.
 
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ballisticexchris

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Thanks. I've looked at those and although nice, they don't really impress me from the upper-tier, sound, and R&D standpoints as Shoei does, yet they've got nice designs. Going to hang tight for a bit and see if Shoei has a trick up their sleeve. I'm a grand in and I'd like to make it work.
Travex, I truly do feel for you. I too will only accept the very best for my head. It really sucks that all the Shoei's just don't fit like they used to. Have you considered finding a good shop with a large selection of helmets you can try on. Even if you have ride a few hundred miles. Maybe get a day or 2 ride out of it......
 

Travex

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I appreciate that Chris, thanks. Your thinking's right on in getting somewhere and doing it right and will have to consider when and where I'll be and if that doesn't work, make a nice ride of it as you suggest. One of the great fortunes you have is that everything you could want is just a drive/ride away in socal. My rural habits can hurt sometimes. Was a Truckee resident and that didn't help either!
 
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