The New Shoei Hornet X2

[jettcity1]

I am wondering if anybody has any miles on this helmet yet, I am set to buy one after some good reviews and a test fit.
It sure looks like this one has everything I would want in an ADV style helmet and it fits my head very well.
I'd like to hear from guys who are using this new one, thanks.

 

[Bushyar15]

Shoei used to make helmets that fit me best. Not so much anymore…. I only tried on the X2 and immediately had pressure points on the crown of my head and the cheek pads made it snug around my face…

I'm really curious to hear how the "buffeting" or lack is on it. I have the XD-4 and at highway speeds the buffeting is awful...

 

[echo_four_romeo]

I have one showing up this afternoon, if UPS is accurate on their timeline.

I'll be comparing to the older Hornet DS and the RF-1100, as those are the only other helmets I've worn.

 

[echo_four_romeo]

Alrighty, I've had the helmet for all of 12 hours now. Background, I've only ever owned two helmets...RF1100 and the Hornet DS. I commute daily which is about 40 miles of highway or 60 miles of city streets depending on how I want to get there. I spend my weekends exploring dirt roads, two track and sometimes going to an OHV park.

First impressions - the X2 is much quieter than the DS. The interior is more comfortable than the RF1100. Fit and finish is top notch, what I would expect from a premium helmet brand. I have no experience with pinlocks so I did not install that piece just yet. I was surprised that the helmet came with one to use right out of the box. Eyeport is huge, great peripheral view. The peak does not catch air as bad as the DS. I tried every way I could to get it to grab and pull my head around...just didn't do it. Only time I felt buffeting was when large trucks were around me on the highway and disturbed my nice clean air bubble. The chin vent leaves a bit to be desired. It is fine if you leave it open all the time. Closing the chin vent does not feel secure, it clicks but the slightest bump opens it again. This is not a problem for me as I leave it open all the time. The peak vent is easy to find with gloves on and has a definitive click when engaging. Brow venting is the same. Exhaust vents are always open. The quarter turn fasteners to remove the peak are leaps and bounds ahead of the old DS screws. I was afraid I was going to break them initially as they are kinda tight but a little more pressure and they popped loose from the helmet. The visor uses the same style quick release as on the RF1100 and RF1200. Does not require the peak to be removed to change the visor.

 

[20valves]

Great info, echo.

I like my DS but knew this new X2 would be a significant step up. ::008::

 

[jettcity1]

Thanks for the info, it is all good as I have expected.
The reviews all point me to this helmet.
I am sold, somebody take my money.

 

[Bushyar15]

Thanks for the write-up!

 

[Bushyar15]

BAH! Decided to try one! Picked one up….

I'm coming off of an XD-4… As stated in my earlier post I used to have a Shoei head but it seems within the past couple of years, Shoei has changed the something inside the helmet. While not uncomfortable it doesn't feel immediately comfortable like an Arai does (Defiant, XD-4).

In a nutshell the differences between the two are very minor. I feel that the XD-4's venting is a bit better. The peak on the X2 seems to do a better job at near-highway speeds than the XD-4 but both stiff get buffeted at 75+. Really not much that I'd say one has a clear advantage over the other making one "THE" choice over the other.

IMO, comes down to fit.

 

[jettcity1]

Got a hundred miles on the new helmet today and 1st impression was very good.
I am surprised there is so little wind noise, it really is quiet.
The pinlock was nice but a little tough to get it on perfect without actually touching the thing.
Buffeting was little to none and even cross winds were no problems.
Venting to me is good but its never quite enough, I like a lot of air, all the time.
Every helmet Ive ever owned has been all vents all the way open...all the time.
I give it two thumbs up, a winner in my book. One of the rare helmets that I actually want to wear.
when you click it shut, it really quiets down, amazing how well it works.

 

[Bushyar15]

After living with my X2, a few "Spring" months, a few more observations… (Again, I tend to focus more on off-road than touring)

At moderate temps, low 70s I think the helmet can already use more venting especially with the visor down and "working" it in off-road sections. I'm wondering how its going to feel when temps are in the 80s and 90s around here. I think the venting at this temp is okay at highway speeds, but when you start working it and need to have the visor down it gets a little warm. The XD-4 did a good job at venting at low speeds…

I also don't feel the air moving through the helmet like the XD-4.

I also found that riding in a group towards the back in dusty conditions (getting dusted) really makes the visor action very gritty, notchy and very hard to fully close or open from fully closed. While this also happened to the XD-4, the tighter tolerances of the X2 make it happen much sooner.

I now feel the the XD-4 is better if off-road is where you like to spend your time. And if you spend your time at speed, then the X2 is probably better.

For me, If I could, I'd swap my X2 for an XD-4… (just my .02)….

 

[doc187]

The ds is going for $350 now that the new model is here so I picked one up. The price was too good to pass on. I'm sure the x2 is better but it's also heavier.

 

[crashmonkey85]

I have been using my X2 for a couple of months. Huge improvements over my DS. Fits way better! Love the helmet! Beware that the Sena 20S speakers do not fit in the cutouts. I had to modify.

 

[adventurelounger]

FWIW I picked up a DS from Revzilla for a great deal. Wore it on the 1,200 mile Utah ride (half on road, half off) me and a buddy took in July.
It fit great (size L) and performed flawlessly. I love the wide field of vision. The peak was only "pull-y" at higher speeds (and high winds) on the highway. Otherwise, hardly noticeable. And my regular lid is a Shoei Neotec (peakless modular).

Venting was great (ironically, it's almost cooler with the face shield down rather than up...you really feel the venting sucking air over your head).

And in my one get-off, it protected my noodle. I'd also give a HUGE shout out to my Leatt 4.5 neck brace...I wouldn't want to fall and have my head bouncing down the road without it. It really takes the protection from a good helmet to another important level: your head's attachment point!

My riding buddy had the newer X2. We swapped for a bit (same size) since my helmet had the GoPro on it. Felt mostly the same, maybe a scosh tighter.

Post mud-eating helmet pic attached!

 

[Bushyar15]

Final report on this helmet from me…. Sold it and bought another XD. Much happier and better fit for my "melon". And better venting for off-road!

The last straw for me with the X2 was it was putting some weird pressure on my left ear. Like it was squashing the lower part of my ear. It only manifested itself after a couple hours of riding and then became too annoying.