The RF-1000 is Shoei’s most popular selling full-face helmet. It is lightweight, vents great and it is well constructed. Overall, our helmet testing staff is very impressed with the RF-1000.
Weight
The RF-1000 weighs 3lbs. 5.4oz (Medium), which is very light. It actually weighs less than many “racing helmets”. The shell is made from a lightweight material called AIM+ and is the exact same material used in the X-Eleven. The lightweight RF-1000 will allow all day riding comfort. Check the Helmet Weight Chart to see where the RF-1000 compares.
Aerodynamics
Shoei’s aerodynamic testing was conducted on the racetrack and also in their in-house wind tunnel. In our testing, we found the RF-1000 to excel at just about any speed. The helmet was very stable and showed no signs of wind buffeting no matter how hard we twisted the throttle.
Ventilation
The RF-1000 vents very well. In our testing, we find the RF-1000 to be right near the top in terms of airflow. The design of the helmet allows a lot of air to move efficiently through the helmet, which keeps the riders head cool. The RF-1000 uses a similar design as the race-proven X-Eleven.
Noise Levels
The RF-1000 is fairly quiet when compared to most full-face helmet models. Normally, noise levels are directly related to the amount of venting, but the RF-1000 seems to break this rule. The design of the outer shell and inner ventilation system do a good job of keeping the noise to a minimum.
Shape
The RF-1000 is best described as moderately round. It does a great job of accommodating the majority of head shapes. Most of our customers are able to get a very good fit from this helmet.
Liner System
The RF-1000 features very comfortable brushed nylon padding. The cheek pads are removable which allows the rider to customize the fit by changing the thickness of the padding. The only downside is the top comfort liner is not removable from the shell. We would prefer a fully removable liner, but it doesn’t really hurt the overall package. The top liner is very plush and we find that most people get great fit without needing to change the liner anyway.
Visor System
The visor on the RF-1000 can be changed in just a few seconds. Shoei has one of the best visor release systems on the market. A gentle pull on the lever will release the visor from the helmet. This makes it very easy to change visors. Shoei also incorporates a preset lever that allows the visor to be locked in the down position while riding. This same lever, pushed in the opposite direction will raise the visor to create a small gap, which helps de-fog the visor or give the rider a small amount of air directed to the face.
Accessories
The RF-1000 includes a soft lined bag to keep the helmet protected. Shoei includes a breath guard to keep the helmet’s visor from fogging on cold mornings and they also provide a chin curtain that helps keep the wind out and the noise levels down.
Conclusion
Our helmet testing staff gives the RF-1000 thumbs up. The helmet performed very well in all of our tests and exceeded many of our testers expectations. The helmet is very lightweight and the venting is great! Overall we feel the RF-1000 delivers a lot of value for your money.
