Shoei Motorcycle Helmet

An Introduction To Shoei Motorcycle Helmets

Over 40 years ago, in 1958, Eitaro Kamata founded the Shoei Helmet company in Tokyo, Japan. His first Shoei motorcycle helmet was designed for the racing sector; however, by the late 1960s it had gained popularity throughout the United States and across the Atlantic in Europe as a versatile accessory useful in many applications. Today, the Shoei motorcycle helmet is firmly established as one of the world’s most respected motorcycle accessories.


The Shoei Process

The Shoei company prides itself in a unique production process that yields a top quality product. Shoei uses computer controlled lasers and water jets to create eye and vent openings, and computer controlled painting for the basic white, black and red colors. Other colors are applied by hand, as is the interior assembly. The company believes in applying technology only when needed to maintain quality without sacrificing hands-on artistic influence. In order to maintain this type of control, all Shoei helmets are manufactured in Japan.


Shoei Design

When designing the Shoei motorcycle helmet, the company considered several factors:  

§         COMFORT/FIT:  Reduced “buffering” (shifting of the helmet due to external forces) can lead to rider fatigue or impaired vision.  Shoei’s patented liner system controls buffering and, thus, assures a more comfortable helmet. 

§         WEIGHT & AERODYNAMICS:  Shoei has spent hundreds of hours conducting wind tunnel tests.  They have succeeded in lowering inertia by improving helmet aerodynamics that, in turn, reduce strain upon the rider’s neck.  

§         VENTILATION:  Shoei has a patented ventilation system that circulates air throughout the helmet, thus reducing heat buildup and fogging.  This, in turn, reduces rider stress from overheating and loss of concentration.  Shoei was the first to develop this next-generation system into safety helmet design. 

§         SHIELD:  Shoei’s innovative, distortion-free face shield is constructed of strong polycarbonate material that is 99% UVA/UVB protected, as well as water and scratch resistant.  The Shoei motorcycle helmet offers a quick change, single release system that allows the rider the ability to change face shields in a snap, in the event of a sudden change in the weather. 

§         NOISE:  Noise inside the helmet may contribute to rider stress that can affect concentration.  It can also have a bearing on the rider’s ability to hear engine noises related to motorcycle safety.  While Shoei increases the degree of helmet comfort by optimizing liner comfort, constantly improves the aerodynamics and ventilation system, and improves the quality of the shield, the company also aims to minimize the level of noise heard inside the helmet.

Commitment to Safety

The Shoei motorcycle helmet company has a strong commitment to safety. As required by the federal Department of Transportation (DOT), all Shoei helmets sold within the United States meet all safety standards. These standards can be viewed at: www.DOT.gov. In addition, Shoei helmets also fall within safety standards outlined by the Snell Memorial Foundation (www.smf.org) , a non-profit organization founded in 1957 and considered a prestigious standard for measuring helmet safety.


Why Choose a Shoei?

The Shoei motorcycle helmet is considered one of the top five or “best” helmets sold in the United States and worldwide. A primary consideration is their strong commitment to safety and design, while constantly stressing innovative production processes and creative design. The helmets are handmade to assure quality. The company’s 40-year history assures its trustworthiness among motorcycle helmet manufacturers and this, along with Shoei’s outstanding quality, means it is the right choice when choosing a motorcycle safety helmet.

Valeria Vegas has a Masters degree in Writing and regularly writes for a local newspaper.  She also teaches writing workshops in San Francisco and has taught high school English.  As a freelance job, she corrects essays for the SAT and ACT through Pearson scoring as well as write copy for websites.  She is the Associate Editor of a literary magazine, edit manuscripts for Behler publications, and works for authors independently.  One of her stories was named Notable Story of 2004 by Million Writers.  She is a regular contributor to  http://My-Motorcycle-Helmet.com .