MotorbikeCrazy Introduces the Shoei Helmet & Sidi Boot Page. Detailed Information About Two Of The Most Recognised Motorcycle Clothing and Helmet Producers In The Industry.

Shoei Helmets
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Shoei has been dedicated the to developement of superior motor bike helmet since 1958.

The company was started by the immense spirit and determination of its founder Eitaro Kamata, who designed and used his first products exclusively for the racing sector.What is amazing even by today’s standards is the pace at which SHOEI became popular all over the world: starting in the late sixties, SHOEI’s reputation as a top quality brand spread first over the U.S., then later all over the motor markets of Europe.

What is also amazing is that everybody who was ever involved in the motor field can spell the name SHOEI, in spite of the fact that they are a team of less than 500 people worldwide.

But what is most amazing, especially to a Western observer, is the dedication of our factory staff. SHOEI manufactures all helmets (and all helmet parts) in Japan, even though manufacturing costs there have long since exceeded the level in many European countries. Why?

Because the men and women in their factories take every single helmet as a personal challenge. Faulty products are practically unheard of, as every single piece reflects the spirit, ambition and attention to detail that is so typical of SHOEI. You will feel and enjoy the quality every time you put on your Shoei helmet.

The Technology

SHOEI Ventilation

Ventilation is more effective if the air has a way out.

That is why SHOEI helmets do not only have effective intakes, but also devices through which hot air can leave the helmet. In the case of their top models, these are the Aero-Vortex-Ventilations.

With their characteristic V-shape, they create negative pressure making use of the riding windstream.

Warm air from the rider´s head is actively drawn out of the helmet.

The hyper dual liner ventilation

On our top range helmets, the shock absorbing liner is made of two parts.Between them, there is a system of ventilation channels which can very effectively carry fresh air to the rider´s head, and vent out warm humid air.

The sightlation system

All SHOEI full face helmets use a sophisticated ventilation intake below the shield window, which serves a double function:

It supplies fresh breathing air to the rider, but also steers an airflow along the inside of the shield. This helps to keep the shields dry and clear of fog.

Advanced Interior Padding

SHOEI helmets are comfortable, even at extreme speeds.This means that the padding must fit snuggly around your head, without ever feeling unpleasant. At the same time, the bottom of their interiors have no rims and no overlapping parts. This prevents turbulence and noise. For their top class models, they took perfection one step further and designed the entire interior to be detachable.

You can replace it in seconds, and you can choose between 7 different cheek pad sizes - what you get is a tailor-fit helmet, taking comfort to the maximum!

SHOEI CX-1 Shield Technology

CX-1 is totally unique - the CX-1 shield is not attached to the helmets with screws, but by a spring loaded ratchet. The shield is detached by pulling two levers, re-attached just as fast and it’s fit on the window seals is fine-adjustable. As the entire attachment unit is inside the shield, there is no need for (noisy) shield covers. The shield itself functions as the sleekest cover you can imagine!

CX-1V Visor Technology

The CX-1V shield mechanism system is the next level in SHOEI´s leading visor technology. Although both systems (CX-1 & CX-1V) look similar the differences can be found in the following features:

1. visor locking system
2. wider shield

Attention: The CX-1V system fits only on the new developed helmet models starting from the X-Spirit, XR-1000…

 

Shoei Helmet Production & Quality Assurance

 

Production of the helmet shell

SHOEI exclusively uses fibre-reinforced plastics that offer the best properties for the manufacture of a helmet shell. Thanks to many years experience and highly specialised employees, SHOEI is in a position to produce helmet shells that are extremely strong and yet light. Each helmet shell is marked personally by the employee who is responsible for it and thus puts his name on the line for the quality of this example.

Laser cutting

Here the helmet is given its final shape. All the protrusions created in manufacture are cut off. The openings for the visor and ventilation are burnt into the helmet shell with a laser. Finally the helmet is checked to ensure that it has the correct material thickness and weight.

Painting

Even though many production steps have been automated today, it is not possible to dispense with hand work in some areas. SHOEI combines hand work and automation in production to ensure superlative quality.

Final assembly

The ventilation sliders, visor seals, inner shell and padding are assembled with great care. The helmet only goes for sale after the subsequent detailed final inspection.

This strict compliance with the production processes with associated quality control guarantees the constantly high SHOEI quality.

The Helmet Hand Work

Hand work plays a significant role in the manufacture of SHOEI helmets. This is especially clear when we take the example of the painting

1. The priming

After the helmet has been taken from the mould and all protruding parts and openings have been removed, the helmet is given its first priming. Then it is sanded and polished by hand and thus gets a
flawless surface for the subsequent painting operations. Working on the various helmet shells with their own peculiarities requires a high degree of experience.

2. Priming Check

After the priming the helmet is carefully checked for any small blemishes and passed for further painting – but only if the surface is absolutely perfect.

3. The helmet painting

The quality of a painting operation depends on the quality of its individual layers. It is virtually impossible to apply a high-quality coat of paint by machine even with the very latest polyurethane paints. For that reason only specially qualified employees are used in this work step.

4. Painting Check

Subsequently the paintwork is subjected to close inspection for drips, inclusions and unevenness.

5. Applying the design

Elaborate, extremely detailed and spectacular graphics are part of the brand image of a SHOEI helmet. In a very complicated work step the designs are applied by hand by specially trained workers to the finished painted helmet.

6. Protective varnish

The last step in the painting process is the application of a clear varnish to the shell to protect the decoration and to give the helmet its unmistakable brilliance.

7. The final inspection

Before it is passed for final assembly, the finished paintwork of the helmet is given one last meticulous inspection. Checking for perfection, even in areas that are hardly visible.

Shoei Race Riders

Shoei helmets are so renowned for their quality that our racing champions are queueing up for them. From Dominique Aegerter from the 125cc World Championship to Ryuichi Kiyonari, currently 9th in the world superbike league. Many special edition helmets are made specifically for them and then available for you to steal their style.

The Shoei Helmet Ranges

	X-Spirit - Adrenalin. When the flag drops it triggers an adrenalin surge that unlocks all the rider's skills, his willingness to take risks and his ability to test his body’s reserves to the limit. He is thinking fast and straight, and he can take decisions in a matter of milliseconds that make the difference between winning and losing, taking a fall or passing the finishing post. It's the ultimate thrill based on safety that has been hard-earned in thousands and thousands of training laps.
XR-100 - Passion. Sometimes, everything is just perfect, there’s hardly any traffic on your favourite road, the weather is ideal and your engine is running like clockwork. At times like this, you can get so much more out of your bike and yourself. These are the moments that keep you addicted and they're the reason why you’ll always be passionate about motorcycling.
	Raid II - Practicality. If you don’t use your bike for touring, but as a regular means of transport, you need a helmet that is designed for everyday use. RAID II is the perfect all-round helmet for people who are often out and about in the city, and for people who like to step up their speed on weekend tours.
Multitec - Fantastic. It makes no difference whether you speed or cruise with the new Multitec sporty flip-up helmet. It has been tested at speeds of up to 300 km/h by professional riders. They were very surprised by the helmet’s first-rate performance and they all said that it is “fantastic”. Try out for yourself how fantastic this sporty flip up helmet really is.
	VFX-W - Freedom. Put on a SHOEI professional off-road helmet and leave your daily routine behind you. They’re top class when it comes to protection and comfort.
The new dual-purpose SHOEI Hornet-DS delivers double action! The Hornet-DS is a SHOEI helmet that is designed for use on all terrains. It unites the advantages of a full face helmet with those of an off road helmet. That means first-rate enjoyment both on and off the road. SHOEI's Hornet-DS is the perfect symbiosis of design and function. The removable visor shield doesn't just look fantastic, it also ensures perfect aerodynamics and keeps the rider's face safe from flying dirt on off-road terrain. The wedge-shape design reduces drag especially at high speeds. It diverts the airstream to the back of the helmet which reduces wind pressure.

 

Sidi Boots
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In 1960 Sidi began as a craftsman's workshop manufacturing mountain sports boots, but in the 1970's they began to specialize in cycling footwear and boots for on and off-road motorcycling. Dino Signori, the founder of Sidi, has combined a passion for cycling with 48 years of experience manufacturing innovative sporting footwear. Thanks to his passion and knowledge, Sidi is now the market leader in cycling and motorcycle footwear.

The Last Ten Years Of Developement

1999
Vertebra Cromo - Sidi uses a new, light, resistant and highly protective material developed in automobile technology to design the first ever replaceable shin deflector for racing boots.

2000
Energy - The closure on the instep of the Energy and the MTB Action SRS models has been modified and both now feature the instep closure system. Ergonomically shaped it can be postitioned to more evenly and securely position the loads across the top of the arch and also replaces the need for a high instep adaptor.

2001
Vertebra 2 - The patented Vertebra system has been re-designed to add the feature of an adjustable calf system, which is replaceable and full adjustbale to the size of the calf muscle.

2002
Ergo 1 Carbon - Ego 1 Carbon is currently the only cycling shoe on the market to feature a nylon sole with two replaceable 100% pure carbon inserts positioned in the metatarsus and arch support areas where the automatic pedal is fixed. The carbon inserts cover 60% of the surface of the sole, giving more rigidity than nylon, but at the same time also providing increased flexibility and comfort in the toe area of the shoe which allows improved blood circulation when the rider pushes on the pedals.

2003
Ceramic Scuff Pad - The first ever use of ceramic on a motorcycling boot. The ceramic in the scuff pad does not wear out and allows enhanced sliding.

2004
Hi-Tech Carbon Fibre Sole - It is a nylon sole with two replaceable inserts positioned in the metatarsus and arch support areas. The inserts are produced in low density material and reinforced with 40% carbon. A light, very rigid and temperature-resistant sole.

2005
SMS Sole - Suitably studyed for the Supermotard, constructed of a special blend that withstands wear and tear exceptionally well, easily replaceable and compatible with the SRS system.

2006
Full Carbon Sole - The sole in full carbon is unique are rare in it's king because it is not completely rigid. due to the soles different thicknesses. Planned, projected and made to satisfy whoever requires a motorbike boot sole that is rigid but does not compromise foot circulation, thus guaranteeing excellent comfort and great performance. The new Sidi sole brings the foot closer to the pedal axis, has a replaceable rubber heel and an anti-slip insert on the top.

2007
Carbon Composite sole - The carbon composite sole is made with different thickness levels to provide a slight amount of flex while retaining excellent stiffness and power transfer in the body of the shoe. The sole is made from injected carbon fibre in a matrix of nylon. The nylon used is preferable to standard nylon because it doesn't absorb water and doesn't lose rigidity in hot or humid weather as it ages. It includes an anti-slip insert at the toe and has a replaceable rubber heel pad.
Adjustable heel retention device - New technology for the heel cup system. The adjustable heel retention device on Sidi boots.

 

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