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SHOEI RF-1000 VS. RF-1100 Sizing!

I didn't read most of the posts here, but my advice to you is that if you're buying your first helmet, the first time you put on a helmet that is the right size you'll think that it's too small. Don't buy a helmet that might be too big, because once it's broken in, it won't be so safe and comfortable feeling any more. As long as there is no discomfort with the XS, I would recommend getting that.

I say this, because this is what I did with my first helmet.
 
The new Shoei Quest is basically the old RF1000 with the new CW1 shield.
That helmet is the cheapest in the range and it also should fit you best.
I would not buy a second hand helmet for few reasons.
One the manufacturing date could already be 3+years old. Also you never know how that helmet was mistreated. Maybe it sat in the back window of some car in 90F weather or in a garage next to open paint containers.
Just not worth it my opinion.


YanaBanana said:
p.s. Cycle Gear offers a 7-day exchange for their helmets; I have a $20-off coupon if you like. :)
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Btw. This :thumbup
 
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I've been wearing a Shoei RF-1000 since early 2004. I finally decided it's wearing out, so I bought an RF-1100 a month or two back. The RF-1100 is a bit more snug, but I attribute that to the fact that it's new. It still fits me correctly.

I've had RF-700, RF-800, RF-1000, and now RF-1100 helmets, all in size XL, and they all fit me pretty much the same.

I'm very happy with Shoei helmets, and will probably buy an RF-1200 when they come out someday in the future.


I recently bought an AFX dual-sport helmet because it was inexpensive and came in a bright color. The quality differences are very obvious between that one and the Shoei helmets. If you haven't noticed, I prefer bright helmets in solid colors:
Helmets.jpg
 
I found the RF1100 to run quite a bit larger than the RF1000. I fit the RF1000 in medium (a tiny bit big, perhaps) but in the RF1100 the medium was WAY too big. The small was too small so I ended up with an Arai.
 
the RF1100 has a different head shape than the RF1000, the RF1100 is more oblong while the RF1000 is more round, the Qwest fits more like the RF1000.
as to sizing, it remains the same from RF1000 to RF1100, that is if you wear a small RF1000 you will wear a small RF1100.
If you wear a RF1000, like me, and want a helmet that has the same head shape the Qwest will fit better than the RF1100.

note the snell test changed in 2010 to reflect the weight difference between little heads and big heads. RF1000=snell 2005, rf1100 and qwest=snell2010.
 
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tuxumino said:
the RF1100 has a different head shape than the RF1000, the RF1100 is more oblong while the RF1000 is more round
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That is different from my experience. I'll admit that I only have one of each, but I assume they're all the same in each line.

I need an oblong shape and both the RF-1000 and RF-1100 work well for me.
 
CABilly said:
You can look up the difference in shells, too. It could be that only the padding is different between S and XS. In that case, you can look for the d/c'd design you like and then switch out the padding.
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The shells are the same size, only the padding is different. If the OP really likes that design, and the helmet is too tight, replacing one or two sets of pads would probably do the trick.
 
ScottRNelson said:
That is different from my experience. I'll admit that I only have one of each, but I assume they're all the same in each line.

I need an oblong shape and both the RF-1000 and RF-1100 work well for me.
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what size? I have a feeling the L and XL size shape stayed the same while the XS-M shape may have changed.
 
If the small is a little too big, you can have them swap the cheek pads for wider or narrower ones, at most places for the same original price. That is, make sure the crown of your head has the right fit and get different cheek pads depending on the fit down below. I have done this in the past, although admittedly not with Shoei, which have fit me out of the box from an RF-200 up to today's RF-1100.
 
Amateur tip

Try the Qwest. It sits quiet on the back shelf as a touring helmet but is similar in quality to the RF models. It runs cheaper. It is my new favorite for the street.
 
CG does have its benes.

as much as folks rag on em I still buy my tires there with price matching. I also buy my helmets through them.
 
I really dig my RF-1100 because it's quieter than my Arai, but it doesn't fit quite as snugly - different head shapes.

However, here are some good resources. Webbikeworld has an encyclopedia of info on helmets http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm

And I really like the videos from sportbiketrackgear.com. Other vendor videos suck, but these guys are really informative even if you don't end up buying through them.
 
mdorkenhoff said:
The RF-1000 weighs a little bit less than the RF-1100 (3 lbs. 8-3/4 oz. versus 3 lbs. 13-5/8 oz) according to web bike world.
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Fixed.

I can't tell a significant difference in weight. The better aerodynamics and quieter sound of the RF-1100 is much more obvious to me, though. And I like how they managed to improve how easy it is to take the face shield off and put it back on.
 
Wormwood said:
Amateur tip

Try the Qwest. It sits quiet on the back shelf as a touring helmet but is similar in quality to the RF models. It runs cheaper. It is my new favorite for the street.
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I think that's more of a pro tip.

I bought a Qwest about six weeks ago and have ridden about 2500 miles in it so far. Great helmet for a decent price. Very comfy for longer days. I certainly like it better than the RF1000 that I wore for a three years - now a backup.

A couple notes:
-It's not "basically an RF1000 with a different visor" like someone else said.
-I wore an XL in the RF1000, but the L fit me better in the Qwest.
 
monkeyneck said:
I think that's more of a pro tip.

I bought a Qwest about six weeks ago and have ridden about 2500 miles in it so far. Great helmet for a decent price. Very comfy for longer days. I certainly like it better than the RF1000 that I wore for a three years - now a backup.

A couple notes:
-It's not "basically an RF1000 with a different visor" like someone else said.
-I wore an XL in the RF1000, but the L fit me better in the Qwest.
Click to expand...

:thumbup

I have both an RF and a Qwest. RF breathes a little better. Qwest is overall more comfortable and quiet. did I say cheaper?
 
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