Thread: Riding Comparison: SHOEI X-12 and X-11.

Time marches on and helmets must be replaced.

The material necessary to slow the impact of your brain against the inside of your skull in case of a crash is Expanded Polystyrene; otherwise known as Styrofoam. Environmental factors and constant use can degrade the EPS, so it’s wise to get a new lid every five years; especially if you want to meet the requirements of a responsible track day organizer or race sanctioning body.

Having been happy with the SHOEI X-11 I have worn since 2006, I bought the new X-12 as soon as it became available at something less than MSRP, before even seeing or wearing it. I took both out for a comparative evaluation today.

FIT
In order to comply with SNELL 2010, SHOEI is using 5 different sized shells instead of three as they did with the previous model. The Small is now being made with the Medium shell rather than the Extra-Small It must have given the engineers more room to work with, because it fits better than any helmet I have ever worn; tight and secure but comfortable and plush, without the characteristic SHOEI forehead pressure point or mid-cheek squeeze. Plenty of room for eyeglasses, too.
shell sizes.jpg different shell sizes

plush.jpg Nice, washable interior


WEIGHT
In my research I read and have since confirmed the new helmet does weigh more than the X-11. After the issue of how the helmet fit this was my biggest concern and I was especially attentive to this factor.
It is difficult to discern from a spec sheet how significant even a small amount of weight will be in the real world in terms of contributing to rider fatigue.

I’ll put it in terms we can all visualize: I weighed both and the difference is almost exactly the weight of a bag of peanut M&Ms in the ‘Tear and Share’ size; and that extra weight is as easy to ignore as it is to conveniently forget one’s implied responsibility to ‘Share’ that candy - or even to ‘Tear’ the bag in the presence of anyone else who isn’t allergic to peanuts, chocolate, or both!
I simply could not detect any noticeable weight difference in a series of A/B tests, stopping frequently and switching helmets. It’s negligible as far as I’m concerned. Moot. And no, I don’t seem to have any more M&Ms just now.

VENTILATION
The X-12 flows air very well, due in part to newly designed exhaust ports which are open at all times. There are also improvements to the ergonomics of managing the airflow. The chin bar vent is much easier to open, and more effective at clearing the shield of any haze of condensation. There are three more manually controlled vents; an inlet on the brow, one at the top of the forehead, and an exhaust at the crown of the head. They are simple and convenient to operate with the left glove while riding.

new back.jpg the new helmet has a cleaned-up back

old back.jpg

VISIBILITY
Peripheral vision in the X-12 is noticeably better than in any helmet I’ve ever used, and the clarity of the distortion-free shield is perfect, as you’d expect.

side by side.jpg Dramatically larger visor, new vents.


NOISE
This is a subjective issue, and individual fit is a factor. Helmets that are well ventilated are noisier than those that aren’t, and any aural advantage a stuffier helmet might have is going to be negated on a 90 degree day with the visor cracked. Finally, if you don’t wear earplugs, you should. No helmet will operate at a noise level that is safe for your hearing at highway speeds, much less track day velocity.
Because people who use communicators and helmet speakers have a legitimate concern about this issue, I’ll attempt to articulate my experience of comparing them without earplugs and with all vents open while riding a sport touring as well as a full-on sport bike with less wind protection.

NO EARPLUGS, NO CHIN CURTAIN
This is not what I would consider a quiet helmet. My first impression was that it was not at all quieter than the Eleven, which is notoriously raucous; but after several switches, I found that the Twelve is slightly - perhaps 5 to 10 percent - quieter than the Eleven, mainly due to the noticeable attenuation of high-frequency shrieks from the visor seal. The Twelve has a more sophisticated closure mechanism that uses spring pressure to pull the shield in firm contact with an improved seal, so while there was substantial wind noise with the vents open and from below the neck opening, the quality of the noise was substantially less uncomfortable on the new helmet.

new mechanism.jpg New mechanism, shield changes are easier than ever.

old mechanism.jpg

WITH THE CHIN CURTAIN (X-12).
The X-11 came with a chin curtain which lasted about an hour before it fell out. The Twelve has a far more robust design, and the effect of this on wind noise was dramatic. With the chin curtain attached, The new helmet is perhaps 15 to 20% quieter than the open-bottom X-11. Use of this feature should make the Twelve a good candidate for in-helmet communication.

new chin curtain.jpg This one feels less likely to fall out.


OVERALL IMPRESSION:
I’m happy. The helmet is comfortable, stable at triple digit speeds (I thought you’d want to know…) acceptably quiet with the chin curtain attached, and meets Snell 2010 standards. The weight difference? – Fuggedaboudit.

I paid $470.00 for a solid white one, which included a bag, the aforementioned chin curtain, a nose breath deflector and some rain repellent.

If I am fortunate enough to keep it (and my head) intact for five years, that’s cheap protection at less than $8.00 per month, or about a quarter a day. And if it saves my life again as my RF700 did about 13 years ago, what’s that worth? I got to hold my granddaughter today. Thanks, SHOEI.
Some advice from an old man - get the best helmet with the best fit available and wear it. This is not a place for false economy.

MAKING IT EVEN SAFER –

eject.jpg pulling these red tabs removes the lower pads to aid emergency workers and further protect the rider.

I’ll be making this far more visible and therefore safer, as I did to my X-11. Hopefully, I’ll be able to accomplish that while making it blend a bit with this old bike that I have…