1. Good helmet but the RF-1200 much better
Replacement for RF-1200 damaged in a crash. Same Shoei quaility but not happy with the redesign.
Pros:
- Quality build
- Light weight
- Flows more air than the RF-1200.
Cons:
- Is quieter at lower speeds, but the new brow vent starts to make noise at about 50 mph.
- In the same size much harder to get on and off. (Once on fits about the same.)
- Hate the center lock for the shield. Button is hard to locate with gloves wo/ hitting/messing up chin vent position. The tab to lift the visor is far too small.
- I find it much harder to remove the shield. Easy to remove on my RF-1200s. Have to wrestle with one side of this one.
- The chin curtain covers the emergency release pull tabs so responders may not see them in an accident.
- The orange in the pic is not the orange you get. It's road cone orange vs KTM orange. Matches my Alpine Stars (with "red" accents that are really also road cone orange) jacket so not a huge deal.
- Can't find a dark smoke visor or transitions shield for it anywhere.
- Like all premium helmets these days, over $100 more expensive than two years ago for no additional value and an overall a weaker design than the RF-1200. Wish they'd left the RF-1200 alone.
So why still 4 stars? Tried premium helmets from Aria, Bell, Scorpion and Shark at this price point and the RF-1400 is still the best by far in terms of weight, fit, quiet, air flow, and overall quality. The Aria Regent is I think it's closest competitor. Nice helmet but $30 more expensive for graphics and a pinlock insert, chin curtain, and breath guard are all extra.
