The Neotec family tree has been growing and flourishing since 2011 and this Neotec 3 is its newest branch. These motorcycle helmets have been top quality for just as long, maintaining what’s good and refining the rest. Standing still is going backwards, which is by no means applicable here. The Neotec 3 has become a stylish precision tool, innovative, comfortable, with a double homologation and ECE 22.06 certification. Which means, all inclusive.
Your neck muscles will have to bear an extra 1700 grams as soon as you wear the Neotec 3, which isn’t all that much if you consider its components. The relatively low weight is primarily due to the outer shell. The multi-layer AIM glass fibre composite (in no less than three helmet sizes) has been further refined for optimal aerodynamic purposes design-wise and has been equipped with different (small-size) spoilers (at the bottom of the chin piece and in the back) that provide an improved air flow.
The Neotec 3 still has it both ways, and the P/J homologation to be legally valid as well. Wearing this, you are allowed to try and eliminate the chicken strips on your tyres or you flip up the chin piece and enjoy a touristy ride on Sunday morning. Both are perfectly possible, turning the Neotec 3 into a motorcycle helmet that will be appreciated by tourers, sportier riders and urban dwellers alike. The double lock system to keep the chin piece flipped up is on par and is easy to operate with a slider on the chin. As soon as you give the flipped up chin piece that extra nudge, it will stay open.
The ventilation system (chin, top and back) was maintained and is still easy to operate, even with motorcycle gloves on. The Neotec 3 visor was adapted in function of a larger field of vision and less visual distortion. This minimises the blind spot and allows you to see your speedometer and the road in one glance, instead of having to move your head up and down. For optimal sealing against and drainage of rain water, the Neotec 3 comes with the ultimate pristine CNS-3C visor (standard delivered met Pinlock anti-fog). The sealing rubbers are now thicker, the visor is pulled tighter into the shell when closed. The central mechanism to do that, is new. If that isn’t enough, the Neotec 3 also has a tinted, integrated sun visor, operated by a decent, haptic slider on the left-hand side.
The cheek pads are new and embrace your face, head and neck even better. It is apparent that the interior – removable, washable and almost completely customisable – has a double goal: fit well and therefore, be soundproof. In the past, modular helmets were rather breezy but the Neotec 3 is another step in the right direction in that regard. A wind curtain chin, the widely finished neck rim and the so-called ‘noise isolator’ in the cheek pads all turn this helmet into a quiet one. The new, adjustable and soft chin strap – ‘Micro Ratchet’ – is a stainless steel ratchet closure developed and patented by Shoei, still quick and easy to use.
Once again, Shoei and intercom specialist Sena have collaborated on the Neotec 3, which means that the motorcycle helmet has been standard equipped with all the space required to fit a Sena SRL3 Bluetooth system. This is more discreet and refined than in its predecessor. The speakers and microphone can be clicked into the helmet when removing little flaps in the collar, left, right and in the back for a seamless integration.
To conclude, this helmet looks – from a distance as well as close up – just that tad tighter and sportier than its predecessors from 2011 and 2018, so we can speak of a positive evolution in the visual aspect as well.
For maintenance of this helmet, we recommend S100 helmet and visor cleaner for the outside. To clean the interior, without removing it, you can use S100 helmet interior cleaner. New visors have received a water-repellent treatment. This treatment is less effective after some time. Restore the water-repellent effect with Rain-X anti-rain spray.
The reflective stickers that are mandatory in France to stick on the helmet are included.
Safety above all! Never ride with a scratched or dull visor. Especially at night, scratches or dullness cause blinding reflections of street lights and headlights of oncoming vehicles. This effect is even more pronounced in rainy weather. It is best to replace a scratched or dull visor as soon as possible. Planning a longer trip? Then don't forget to take a replacement visor with you. Never ride in the dark with a tinted visor.
