Shoei has been manufacturing top end helmets for years and their products are certainly impressive. The TZ-R may be considered Shoei’s entry-level helmet, but it is packed with features and is delivered at a great price.
One of the best features of the TZ-R is it’s low weight. It is within one ounce of Shoei lightest weight helmet. In fact, it is actually lighter than the nearly $700 Shoei X-Eleven. It is super light on the scales and that converts to an even better riding experience reducing neck fatigue.
The Shoei TZ-R fits “round” to “round-oval” heads very comfortably. The fit is very similar to the RF-1000. The cheek pads provide good facial grip and easily keep the helmet where it needs to be. Aerodynamically speaking, the TZ-R performs just as good as the slightly more expensive RF-1000. It slips through the air with ease and feels very stable. None of our testers could definitively say they felt any difference between the two models.
When it comes to ventilation, the TZ-R is slightly above average. It may not compete with the RF-1000 or X-Eleven, but it really does out-perform most brands in every price range. The downfall of the TZ-R is that it does not have rear exhaust vents. The TZ-R is aimed towards the rider who wants a clean and simple design with little in the way of spoilers and vents to mess with.
The lesser venting TZ-R makes a great choice for anyone wanting a quieter helmet. Because the airflow is not as aggressive as other models, it translates into less noise. The lower noise levels are actually noticeable and this gives the TZ-R an advantage over the competition.
The liner system in the TZ-R is partially removable. The cheek pads can be removed for cleaning or changing the fit of the helmet. Optional padding is around $20 per cheek pad set and that gives a lot of options for customizing fit. The top-liner of the TZ-R is permanently attached but that doesn’t mean you can’t still clean the helmet. It just takes an extra step.
The TZ-R visor 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.
Overall, the Shoei TZ-R is a fantastic helmet. It is lightweight, aerodynamic, comfortable to wear, and offers above average ventilation. While doing all this, it provides Shoei quality and a 5 year warranty. The TZ-R might not be the most expensive helmet, but it certainly provides outstanding quality and value for the price.
