Topic: SHOEI QWEST helmet review

[Flying J]

Hello, I recently got a shoei qwest helmet and thought i would post my findings.


I tried on multiple sizes until i found one that fit correctly according to their sizing video. The helmet fits well, not to tight not to loose and no heavy pressure points. Thats about all the good i have to say about this helmet.
Before i bought it i should have test rode with it on. It whistled at anything over 35 mph with the visor locked down. Visor up it whistles constantly. But that is to be expected. If I'm going to ride long distances or even more the 5 minutes the whistling will drive you mad.
So i contacted Shoei and told them my problem. They said to send it in and they would adjust the visor for me and inspect the helmet. All i had to do was to pay for shipping. Really? i just dropped Over $450 on a helmet that whistles almost non stop and they want me to pay to ship it back to them! How about some quality control. They were not helpful or apologetic in any way. I took it back to the Dealer i bought it from and had them ship it for me. When the helmet returned it had a form letter saying they had inspected and adjusted the helmet. It also had a letter telling me how to close the visor to avoid whistling. To keep it from whistling you have to "firmly" shut the visor by pulling it down from the center, not from the little thumb latch. If you dont do this right it will still whistle.
SO i have learned the technique on shutting the visor now and the whistling is gone. Which is nice so that now i can here the wind noise much clearer. Its pretty bad. You would think for a helmet said to have "Revolutionary noise-reduction technology" the wind would not be so loud but i guess wind was not the noise they are trying to reduce. But if your going to build a "touring helmet" you might want to pay a little more attention to that. SO that part is unimpressive to say the least.
They also claim to have "advanced ventilation performance". Its pretty much as good as their noise technology. It is no better then any $100 helmet i have worn.

Now all that is very subjective, but I have had my helmet for a little over 2 months now. I put the helmet on following the instruction provided by shoei. Basically use the 2 straps to pull the helmet down over your head. This has caused the padding on one side to pull out. It looks like it should just clip in when you push it back so i do and it stays there until i put the helmet on again and then it pull back out.



So after sending my helmet in one time, Im not going to do it again. Im not sure what you are paying for when you drop this kind of coin on a helmet. It sure does not seem to be quality your paying for, maybe it superior in protecting your head, im not planning on testing it. Or maybe your just paying for a name.
I doubt my next helmet will be a SHOEI unless i see a change in their customer service and quality of product.

[MikeZ]

I think the problem is that you paid to much for it.
I just bought the flat black version a month ago and I'm happy w/ it.
Paid $320 for it.
It has some wind noise but nothing unusual.  I do get a whistle at speeds w/ the visor up but no whistle w/ it down.
I have had no issues w/ build quality/ noise/ ventilation.
I will start w/ Shoei when I look to buy my next helmet

[andy750]

A friend of mine has a Shoei Qwest and was also disappointed with it. I had planned to buy one as well since all my previous helmets have been Shoeis (currently have a TZ-R - great for winter; Shoei X-11 -got it very cheap and its great for summer but too many vents for winter - no whistling and low noise with both these helmets).

The problem my friend had with the Shoei Qwest was fogging up in damp/humid conditions - this from a helmet that claims to reduce that. She rides with it open a crack for going around town or when its raining. Seems worse than either of my two helmets that while not perfect are not this bad.

I like Shoei helmets as they fit me very well and I am looking at the RF-1100 helmet. Thanks for this review!

cheers
Andy

[Flying J]

You tube a also has a review of this helmet.

[srbakker]

Thanks for the review, it's always useful to know what others experience with these kinds of things.
That said, I have always found helmet reviews to be really subjective.

I do not have have a Shoei Qwest, but I had a TZ-R and now I have an RF-1000 and they have both been stellar.  No whistling, minimal wind noise (except on my Tiger, where the wind screen conveniently deflects all oncoming wind directly into my face, still working on that!) and very high quality. 
My only complaint was on the TZ-R, where I once managed to break off the little thumb latch that lets you click the shield up just slightly to avoid fogging.  It was a $10 replacement after I'd owned the helmet for 3 years, so not too big a deal.

I agree, though, that there are a lot of high quality $100 helmets out there.  In my personal experience, a higher dollar value buys you (usually) lighter weight, some features and some name brand prestige, but that's about it.  I tend to buy my helmets when the go on clear out at the end of the season (often without trying them on first - sometimes it's necessary, and I have no qualms about sending them back).

[Flying J]

They have earned a good reputation somewhere. I have heard the RF-1000 is a good helmet but it was said to be a more sport bike helmet and that the Qwest was designed more  for an upright riding position so thats why i went with it over the RF-1000.

[srbakker]

Yeah, I read that the Qwest is their new sport touring lid somewhere too.  Frankly, I have no idea what is supposed to designate one helmet as sport bike specific and another as sport touring.  I keep them if I like the fit, heh.

[Flying J]

Well the pads got worse. They come out every time i take the helmet off. I called shoei and they said that some of the earlier helmets had that problem and if i send it in they will fix it. FOR FREE! how nice that they would fix the helmet that was flawed in the first place with out charging me a dime. I still have to pay to ship it in obviously.

[liPPy]

Sorry to hear about your bad experince ffj.

I've had my Qwest for around six months and so far have had no issues. Your feedback however has definitely put me high alert and I appreciate the heads up.

I personally feel they should offer you a replacement for free, or at the very least pay for return shipping to correct the fault they admit is theirs.

 I'm disappointed to learn the premium we pay for these helmets counts for nothing when it comes to customer service.

[dhall57]

Thanks for the review ffJ. I know to avoid the Qwest. I got a Shoei TZR several year ago and like it. Light weight and wind noise is minimal. I think I got it on sale for $225. It was the only full face helmet that didn't interfer with my eye glasses. Without them my speedo a tach are a blur

[andy750]

I also have the Shoei TZR and overall its a very good helmet. Sadly no longer made ;(