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Shoei V-Moto Helmet
 If
you looked at the picture on the left and surmised that I
am utterly lacking in fashion sense then you surmised correctly.
Around the office I manage to avoid most fashion faux pas
like black socks with tennis shoes, but out on the trails
I firmly believe that form follows function. Out in the boonies
I am not looking to impress chicks; I just want comfort and
protection.
Let’s take my way-cool, helmet, for instance. This
plain, white, open-faced helmet was selected for comfort,
not for looks. I liked this uncomplicated and unadorned helmet
because it was cool (from a temperature standpoint, obviously).
Since it was an open faced model it was light, well ventilated
and I didn’t have to take it off to get a drink of water.
Well, I got called Ponch or Marvin the Martian one too many
times so I went in search of a new helmet. If you are too
young to know who Ponch is just Google “CHiPs and Erik
Estrada”, then you’ll understand.
The helm that replaced my beloved brain bucket had a lot
to live up to. It would need to be comfortable, lightweight,
well ventilated and yes, I conceded, it would need to look
cool too. It would, quite simply, have to be one of the finest
helmets money could buy to convince me to ditch the top to
my Marvin the Martian costume. Knowing that I needed a great
helmet, I knew that I needed to start by looking at Shoei’s
off-road lineup. Having grown up with Shoei’s on-road
motorcycle products I suspected that their off-road products
would live up to the same high standards. I am pleased to
say that the search ended with the Shoei V-Moto.
As soon as I pulled the V-Moto out of the box I could tell
that it was a well made helmet. The vents opened and closed
with a solid precision and felt like they would last the life
of the helmet. The rubberized strips that cover all of the
edges fit well and don’t leave gaps that collect mud
and dirt. The slick graphics are protected by a thick clear-coat
to deter branches and rocks from giving it additional and
unwanted pin striping.
 Inside
the V-Moto, all of the pads are easily removable for cleaning.
They are a little clumsy to reinstall, but once you have installed
them a couple of times, you can do it pretty quickly.
The V-Moto is an exceptionally comfortable helmet. The padding
is thick and well placed and it fits snugly in all the right
places. One problem I have with some helmets is that after
a long day of riding the top of my forehead gets rubbed raw
by the thin padding at the top. Not so in the V-Moto. The
snug cheek pads keep the helmet from moving around while riding
and, as a result, my forehead is chafe free.
One of my biggest concerns about switching to a full face
helmet was ventilation. My old helmet lacked vents in the
back since, well, there was a gaping hole up front. The V-Moto
didn’t disappoint here either. Riding around with all
four vents open on the V-Moto was like riding with an air-conditioner
on your melon. As soon as you start to move and air begins
its journey through the V-Moto, the helmet becomes instantly
cooler. I easily rode all day in 90 degree weather with a
black Shoei and didn’t need a single “helmet break”.
Another thoughtful touch on the V-Moto is the easy to reach
visor adjustment screw. Rather than burying this screw under
the visor where it is impossible to reach with gloved fingers,
Shoei had the foresight to move this screw to the top rear
of the visor so you can adjust it with gloved hands while
riding. Nice touch.
So what’s not to like about the V-Moto? Well, it’s
not cheap. Solid colored helmets start at $325 while the Pulse
and Holeshot lineup will set you back about $425. But hey,
if you have a cheap head, then buy a cheap helmet. If you
want this level of comfort, engineering and safety you are
going to have to pony up the dough.
The V-Moto is an easy helmet to like. It is lightweight,
comfortable, well designed and yes, it looks cool. So cool
in fact, that the wise-cracks about my fashion sense have
become less frequent, chicks now dig me and I even saved a
bunch of money on my car insurance. OK, well the second two
aren’t true but the first one is.
If you are on the market for a helmet, you should take a
look at the V-Moto. You won’t be disappointed.
| Shoei Safety Helmet Corporation |
3002 Dow Ave.
Suite #128
Tustin , CA 92780
Phone: 714-730-0941
Email: sshc@shoei.com
Website: www.shoei.com
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