Motorcycle Helmet Review: Shoei TZ-R

Shoei helmets, which are actually made in Japan, have a great reputation for both quality and safety. In fact the head protection research laboratory, without actually recommending the brand, reports that Shoei helmets consistently do well and outperform in helmet testing. Since I value my brain, I decided to pick one up.

After browsing several Shoei helmets I opted for the TZ-R full face helmet. Shoei helmets can be on the more expensive side-you're not getting some cheapo HJC or Pep Boys helmet here. Some models are pushing $700. I prefer full face helmets because studies have shown nearly 36% of injuries occur to the jaw area- meaning if you wear a 3/4 or half helmet you're not as protected as you should be. What you wear is up to you but I prefer to get as much protection as possible. Anyway, the TZ-R falls in the intermediate price range at around $300. Its available in ten different colors: anthracite, black, black metallic, matte black, light silver, red, orange, royal blue, white, and wine. I tend to like silver or wine colors with helmets, but opted for anthracite this time.

When opening the box the quality of the helmet is obvious. I have a HJC CS-R1 which I like just fine (though not without a few complaints) but just from a visual inspection and feel this helmet is clearly on another level. Its both DOT and Snell certified. The design is pleasing to the eye, but that's something to be expected from a Shoei helmet.

Like the Scorpion, the face shield included with the TZ-R helmet is anti-fog. I haven't been able to test it on a cold day-oddly although it was still January when I began riding with the helmet its been springlike warm outside. But from what I can tell, the anti-fog capabilities of the shield work just as well as the Scorpion face shields-which have really impressive performance. The helmet as you would expect ships with a clear shield, but Shoei has many options availableso I'll probably get a silver mirror or dark smoke shield to go with it. The helmet itself has a scratch resistant coating. We'll have to see how that works in practice, but I can assure you my HJC helmet does not have a scratch resistant coating, or one that works anyway.

Putting the helmet on my first impression was that it was a bit tight in the cheek area. If this is really a problem with you, they have removable inner cheek pads available in different sizes so you can custom fit your helmet. Although feeling tight initially, it didn't bother me after a few minutes, and if it really gets to you then you can opt for the custom pads, so I don't think this is a problem.

When riding, the helmet works great. Wind noise was not excessive and the helmet felt comfortable. Peripheral vision is good, hearing is good without too much wind hoise, and the helmet remained comfortable.

Balancing cost, safety, comfort, and appearance, I have to highly recommend the Shoei TZ-R helmet. For me the recomendation from the head protection research laboratory is enough to warrant consideration of the helmet, although some riders may be a bit put off by the cost. The imporant thing is you wear some kind of DOT certified helmet, but if you can afford the extra couple of hundred bucks, this is a helmet you can't go wrong with.