Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor

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Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor
Tobias Beyl

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor

9 pictures

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor
Tobias Beyl

1/9
Marc Marquez rides the Shoei X-Spirit III in MotoGP. Premium is not only the product, but also the price: the helmet is currently available from 759 euros.

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor
Tobias Beyl

2/9
Depending on the intensity of the sun’s rays (UV light), the visor darkens or becomes clearer. The self-tinting visor is particularly recommended for people who are sensitive to light. Cost: around 190 euros.

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor
Tobias Beyl

3/9
The self-tinting visor CWR-1 was developed by Transitions Optical and, in addition to the X-Spirit III, is also available for the Shoei models NXR and RYD.

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor
Tobias Beyl

4/9
The controls on the chin are easy to use, but not that easy to tell apart after the first few kilometers. The button for the cheek pad ventilation is a bit small.

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor
Dina Dervisevic

5/9
The visor lock needs a lot of strength, but also has to withstand a lot in an emergency.

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor
Dina Dervisevic

6/9
The processed materials are noble, such as the Alcantara-like surface on the field of view cutout.

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor
Dina Dervisevic

7/9
Safety feature: emergency responders can pull on the two red straps in the lower area of ​​the cheek pads and remove the pads. The helmet can then be removed more easily.

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor
Tobias Beyl

8/9
Test conditions: 12 to a maximum of 18 degrees, sun, clouds, high and low sun as well as sections of country roads with rapid changes between light and dark.

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor
Alisa Bielicke

9/9
Conclusion: There was good visibility and good sun protection at all times. Too slow changes from dark to light did not occur.

clothing

Helmets

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor

Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor
Practical test for sports drivers and those sensitive to light

The Shoei X-Spirit III has been convincing for years with adjustable cushions, a large field of vision and good ventilation. The self-tinting visor is now the crowning glory. We tried the helmet and lens in a practical test.


Dina Dervisevic

11/18/2019

A sports helmet is puristic and light – only with a double-D fastener on the chin strap, without a sun visor, but with a visor lock and pinlock preparation. The particularly sporty models are often located in the upper price segment. All of this also applies to the current one Shoei X-Spirit III closes, especially if the wearer decides on a desired decor. In the case of the test helmet, the decor is called “Brink TC-1” and pops clearly visible in orange-red, blue, white and yellow. The Shoei currently costs from 759 euros. In return, you get an extremely high-quality, superbly crafted and aerodynamically sophisticated helmet. The combination of X-Spirit III with the self-tinting visor CWR-1 for around 190 euros will be particularly interesting (and even more expensive).

Photochromic visor

Sun visor? Unthinkable on a sports helmet! Only travel with a tinted visor? Not always optimal – especially when it gets late or starts to rain. Sunglasses under your helmet? Annoying. Always take a clear visor with you? Takes up too much space. Many sporty drivers therefore want a flexible solution that is far away from a heavy sun visor. A photochromic visor could be the solution.


Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor


Tobias Beyl

Depending on the intensity of the sun’s rays (UV light), the visor darkens or becomes clearer. The self-tinting visor is particularly recommended for people who are sensitive to light.

“Transitions Optical” is the name of the manufacturer who developed this visor for the three Shoei models X-Spirit III, NXR and RYD. Depending on the intensity of the sun’s rays (UV light), the visor darkens or becomes clearer. How long the change takes also depends on the temperature: the molecules in the visor move faster the warmer it is. For the change from clear to maximum tinted Shoei gives a maximum of 40 seconds in “good weather”. “Half a minute – I’m driving out of some tunnels into the light again,” one or the other might think. It’s correct. The tints in between are absolutely sufficient to see well within a few seconds, even in darker sections.

The visor is not homologated according to the ECE R22 / 05 standard, which strictly speaking means that it may be driven on the racetrack, but not on public roads. A pinlock preparation is available.

Test conditions: We tested the self-tinting visor under more stringent conditions: At only 12 to a maximum of 18 degrees outside temperature, in sunshine and also dense clouds, in high and low sun and also on country roads with rapid changes between light and dark (forest) and at dusk until sunset.

There was no bad view at any point in time and a too slow change from dark to light, and vice versa, could not be determined. On the contrary: the driver had to take a quick look in the rearview mirror from time to time to check what degree of tint the visor was at different times. From the inside, the verdict was without exception: good vision, no narrowing of the eyes, no dazzling, but also no too dark tint when driving through tunnels, forest passages or at dusk.


Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor


Tobias Beyl

The controls on the chin are easy to use, but not that easy to tell apart after the first few kilometers. The button for the cheek pad ventilation is a bit small.

Since the visor – at these rather low temperatures – has rarely become 100 percent clear, it is less suitable for pilots who have enormous visibility problems as soon as the sun is no longer quite as bright. But those will not be the drivers who are interested in a tinted or self-tinting visor anyway. The following applies to all light-sensitive: Anyone who wants to afford the luxury of the self-tinting visor will be rewarded with a flexible solution that does not mean additional weight or requires space in the tank bag.

The most important thing about a motorcycle helmet – the fit

The Shoei X-Spirit III has all the requirements to fit as many heads as possible: There is a separate helmet outer shell for sizes XS and S, sizes M and L each have their own outer shell, XL and XXL share a shell again . If the helmet does not fit perfectly on a head, individual pads can be replaced. For example, if size M is a good fit for you, but there is too much air on your cheeks, you can use S or XS pads.

Depending on taste and seating position, the entire interior upholstery can also be moved four degrees forwards or backwards. So if you like to pull your helmet deep into your forehead or prefer to place the chin part a little higher (can be helpful in a very sporty sitting position), the padding of the X-Spirit III can be optimally placed for this. All cushions are also removable and washable.

Chinstrap: The double D chinstrap required in racing is well positioned. Especially for drivers who have already made the experience with other brands or models that the belt is far back and therefore presses uncomfortably on the larynx, should make friends with the X-Spirit III.

The helmet sits perfectly on the tester’s head. “Finally a helmet that fits my skull like a glove.” The tester’s head shape is narrow on the sides, the face is oval and the back of the head is fairly pronounced. “A lot of helmet pads press too much in some places, especially in the jaw area. This becomes uncomfortable after 100 kilometers at the latest. The X-Spirit III sits quite tightly – it should, too – but does not press in individual places, but lies nicely on the surface.

aerodynamics

On a Yamaha MT-07 with a slightly higher touring windshield and at speeds over 120 km / h, the tester hears a low hum with a wide variety of helmet models. Earplugs only help to a limited extent: although high and medium frequencies are effectively attenuated, plugs are less effective for low tones because the bass waves can be felt directly on the head without having to go through the ear canal. The Shoei X-Spirit III brings relief in this case, because there is no more droning under the helmet. Turbulence can hardly be felt, if at all, which is why the helmet – despite the naked bike and head in the wind – looks light as a feather. It is not one of the lightest sports helmets. We weighed 1,344 grams in size XS, with padding and visor.


Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor


Dina Dervisevic

The processed materials are noble, such as the Alcantara-like surface on the field of view cutout.

Shoei himself states that he has reduced the tendency to swing by 50 percent compared to the previous model, thanks to new air deflectors in the rear spoiler.

processing

Anyone who has ever really destroyed their hairstyle while trying out a helmet in a motorcycle accessory shop may have noticed that some helmets – across all price ranges – give off an unpleasant smell. The Shoei X-Spirit III finds the right measure: smells as nice as a luxury new car, but not intrusive. The processed materials are noble, such as the Alcantara-like surface on the visible cut-out, and every pedant has a real pleasure in the gaps.

Functionality

Visor and locking mechanism: The visor can be folded up and down with great care, but it is stable in all positions. It is locked using a small slider at the front left. Here, too, some strength is required.

Service: The controls on the chin are easy to use, but not that easy to tell apart after the first few kilometers. The two sliders on the forehead and top of the head could be a bit more handy, but since there are no other switches nearby, they can still be operated properly.

Ventilation: In order to individually set the optimal ventilation, there are two possible openings in the chin area, one on the forehead and one on the top of the head. The helmet has a total of six air inlets and six air outlets. The ventilation itself is impressive: the test kilometers were driven without a Pinlock. Here, the opening of the cheek pad ventilation is sufficient during the journey to prevent fogging up of the visor. Particularly pleasant: Thanks to this type of ventilation, no breeze draws directly into the face, which is particularly beneficial for contact lens wearers and drivers with dry eyes. The ventilation is more indirect via the fact that the upholstery is cooled.

If you open the second slot on your chin when you stop at the traffic light, you have a clear view through the visor even when you are standing and get the air directly into your helmet via the chin section. The cooling via the ventilation openings in the upper area works flawlessly – as in the lower area without it being annoying at certain points.

Security feature


Shoei X-Spirit III with self-tinting visor


Dina Dervisevic

Safety feature: emergency responders can pull on the two red straps in the lower area of ​​the cheek pads and remove the pads. The helmet can then be removed more easily.

For easier helmet removal in an emergency, the X-Spirit II is equipped with Shoei’s Emergency Quick Release System (E.Q.R.S.). Specifically, this means: emergency workers can pull on the two red straps in the lower area of ​​the cheek pads and remove the pads. The helmet can then be removed more easily. A note is printed on the lower part of the helmet.

Conclusion

The Shoei X-Spirit III convinces in practice with its stable seat, large field of vision and great ventilation. Above all, the cheek pad ventilation is effective without it getting drafty under the helmet. The sliders to control the individual ventilation openings could be a little bigger. The workmanship and materials used are top-notch and the removable cushions lie flat on the surface.

The self-tinting visor is particularly recommended for light-sensitive sports drivers who do not feel like changing visors or a helmet with a sun visor. On our test drives, the change from a tinted visor to a clear lens, and vice versa, worked flawlessly.

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