Shoei have unveiled full details of their latest racing helmet, the Shoei X-SPR Pro.
The Shoei X-SPR Pro will replace the X-Spirit 3 when it comes into service in September 2022.
It’s already seen action on the heads of Shoei’s MotoGP racers such as multiple world champion Marc Marquez, and also made its debut at the Isle of Man TT this week.
It’s certified to the new ECE 22.06 safety standard here in Europe, and perhaps obviously it is also approved by the FIM for use in international racing.
The new helmet will be launched with an RRP of £699.99 in gloss black or gloss white, with the matt black option at £719.99.
Graphic designs will be added to the range in March 2023 with an RRP of £899.99.
Photography: SHOEI EUROPE
The shell is made from the same AIM+ (Advanced Integrated Matrix Plus) as the X-Spirit 3 and comes in four different size. Helmet sizes XS and S share the smallest shell, M and L get a shell each and XL/XXL share the biggest shell.
It boasts Shoei’s CWR-F2R visor, which mounts in the same way as the existing Shoei NXR2 helmet, but is flatter to better suit use with tear-offs. The lid comes with a Pinlock anti-mist insert in the box.
It has the vortex generators first seen on the X-Spirit 3 to reduce turbulent airflow, and it can also be locked to the helmet by flicking a lever that then has to be released before the visor can be removed.
As we’d expect with a race helmet, cooling is high on the agenda and it combines seven air intakes with six outlets.
The inlets comprise four on top, which operate in pairs to give more control over airflow.
On the chin there are three intakes. Two sit just beneath the visor to ventilate the eyeport and another just beneath that brings air through the chinbar and can enter the interior behind the cheekpads.
Air is able to escape through six exhausts - two each on the left and right top scoops, and another pair inside the air stabiliser.
Photography: SHOEI EUROPE
Shoei’s focus on aerodynamic performance remains, with the continuation of the stabilisation system at the rear of the helmet. This combines a spoiler with two wings to keep the lid steady at high speeds.
Shoei say the lid is suited to speeds of 350kmh (217mph) or more and their work in the wind tunnel has inspired them to make 150 alterations to the shape compared to the outgoing X-Spirit 3.
The new lid is narrower at the base from chinbar to rear, which Shoei say they’re able to do thanks to improved moulding technology for the shell.
The spoiler and wings are also reshaped and Shoei say these make the new helmet, which was launched with publicity shots of it being worn by MotoGP's Marc and Alex Marquez, 3% more stable than the one it replaces.
Photography: SHOEI EUROPE
If you’re not expecting to be topping 200mph then it’s likely the most noticeable difference will be inside the helmet.
Shoei have made the top section of the interior padding modular, so sections can be adapted to adjust the fit.
The pads at the front, back and on each side of the crown pad each form a pocket that lets you add in an extra section of soft or hard padding if needed, and they can also be tweaked to make the helmet sit on your head differently.
The pad at the top of the head is also a pocket and there’s the option to add a hard pad to adjust the fit there.
Fans of customised fit will rejoice at this news - as will devotees of Sportsbikeshop Milton Keynes store manager Sue’s custom-fit service.
The cheekpads can also be replaced for better fit. As standard, cheekpads in all sizes from XS to XL will be 35mm thick, while XXL will have 31mm pads as standard. Those are interchangeable and there will also be optional pads available in 39mm and 43mm thicknesses to fit in all sizes of lid.
The cheekpads give more extensive contact with the face than the X-Spirit 3, with a 16% increase in contact area. That’s handy for stopping the lid pushing back against the rider’s face when racing at high speeds.
Just in case there’s any doubt, the strap fastener is a double D-ring arrangement but that in itself is hardly going to make headline news.
One other interesting development… the X-SPR Pro has a sculpted section inside the chinbar that holds the tube for a drinks reservoir in place. Shoei say a dedicated hydration kit is in development at the time of writing.
We’ve laid our hands on an X-SPR Pro in advance of the September 2022 release date and you can read our review, and watch the detailed video, by following this link.