Review: Shoei RYD Helmet

Shoei RYD Helmet

Tested by: Ross

RRP: £349.99 // Colours: Tangerine Orange, Matt Blue, Black, Matt Black, Grey, Matt Grey, White   // Sizes: S-XXL

Brand new for 2017, Shoei’s RYD lid is a step up from than their entry-level QWEST helmet – and for the money (only £50 more), it’s a really well packaged helmet boasting many top quality features. Ultimately, I’m really quite impressed with this helmet.

Despite the relatively reasonable price, the RYD is really well-equipped and comes with many of the features often found on more expensive Shoei lids. It boasts a compact, aerodynamic shell design, coupled with aggressive, street-fighter inspired styling – and most importantly, it’s really, really comfortable.

It has pretty exceptional airflow and as a consequence, the visor remains pretty resilient to fogging (something I often have a bit of a problem with, as a glasses-wearer). There are multiple vents and extractors – including a chin vent, inlets around the brow area for fresh air supply and a couple of outlet vents at the rear to get rid of the warm air.  

In reality, the new RYD from Shoei is anything but ‘entry level’ – with its quick-release, anti-fog visor and mounting set-up offering protection from (a claimed) 99% of damaging sun rays. It also offers an excellent field of vision (that reaches right round to the side of your head, and isn’t far off normal peripheral vision). It features a fully removable liner, including detachable and washable centre pad, cheek pads, and chin strap cover – in addition to ear pods to help reduce noise.

The Shoei RYD comes with a race-spec Double-D ring and emergency quick release system, which allows emergency medical personnel to safely remove the cheek pads from an injured rider’s helmet, meaning the helmet can be gently removed from an injured rider’s head with minimal load placed on his/her neck.

Although, Shoei have aimed this lid at younger riders, and those who own streetfighter/naked bikes, I think this helmet has an even wider appeal, and would be spot on for anyone in the market for a ‘reasonably’ priced, well equipped touring helmet too.

For more information, visit: www.shoeiassured.co.uk