At least three times during my fifty-odd years of riding, a motorcycle helmet has unquestionably saved my life. Once I was unconscious in hospital for three days after a crash; I won’t go into detail about the others to save myself a lot of grim memories and you some unpleasant details. Now the thing about all these crashes is that in every case, I was wearing a Shoei helmet – a different one each time, I should add.

I don’t by any means wear Shoei exclusively. As a bike writer and product tester, I wear different brands all the time and appreciate the quality and ingenuity of many helmets. Admittedly I am more likely to be wearing a Shoei than any other specific brand because my first helmet was a Shoei and I therefore tend to gravitate towards them, but I’d be wearing one far less than half of the time all up – there would be a couple of dozen brands that I have worn at various times. I just thank the gods of the road that I was wearing a quality product whenever I did land on my head, hard. Not that I’m saying other brands are not safe – I just don’t have evidence in their case.

You won’t be surprised then when I tell you that I always have two Shoeis in the garage – one open face and one modular. The latter helmet was getting on a little – I change my helmets frequently – when news came through about the new Neotec 3. Shoei Australia importer McLeod Accessories was kind enough to send me one when I inquired about it, and I have been wearing it for a few weeks on several different bikes, but mainly on my Triumph Street Twin.

A lot of helmet reviews seem to compare the new model with its predecessor. I have never worn a Neotec 2, and I suspect the majority of you haven’t either, so let’s start afresh. Don’t expect a technically comprehensive review – I’m just going to do my best within the space I’m allowed. Let me just note that this is the first helmet I have worn that meets the brand-new ECE 22.06 standard. Its safety credentials are outstanding, with the shell made from Shoei’s new AIM six-layer composite material utilizing fiberglass and organic fibers for maximum strength with low weight, while the internal liner consists of multi-density EPS foam in two distinct layers providing excellent shock absorption.

If you look at the helmet from below, you’ll see that the padding is quite close together, making it look as though it would be tight. Not so. The cheek pads, which run all the way to the back of the helmet, keep the helmet snug but not feeling tight. Once it was on my head, it fit perfectly. It also accommodated my glasses easily. Shoei has taken a lot of trouble with the fabrics that make up the helmet’s interior in three bands: the lower is fleecy and makes slipping the helmet onto your head easy; the middle is smooth and holds it across your forehead and over the ears; the upper is a moisture-wicking layer which is designed to pull sweat from the top of your head. I know that that is one place where I sweat a lot.

头盔可以自定义安装了一系列pads of varying thickness, but I’m happy with the way mine sits on my head. I think I can feel that the Neotec 3 is hand-made; the attention to detail and overall quality are outstanding. This is a class act, with a remarkable four shell sizes..

One of several useful touches is the provision of two open lock positions for the chin piece, both allowing good airflow under it so it does not become a sail; the helmet is approved for use with the chin piece open or closed. The visor mechanism has five detents which are all positive enough to keep it in place. Opening the visor is easy with a smooth central chin button, and removal is a snap without tools. The helmet ships with a Pinlock Evo insert, too, as well as a breath guard, some silicon lubricant and even a small service tool.

The Neotec 3 has the obligatory internal sunshade, and for once the slider that activates it is smooth and easy to use. Both the main visor and the chin piece move easily and click smoothly into position. Its weight is well within the range of competitors at 1750 grams, with the Schuberth C5 weighing 1640 gm and the Shark Evo GT also at 1750 gm. Its balance and comfort mean that it never really intrudes at a stop, and the slick aerodynamics mean that it’s much the same at speed.

The internal shape of the helmet, the aerodynamics and the material used for the brow padding combine to keep it in place without pressure on the brow, something I especially value. I don’t like having that red line across my forehead when I take off a helmet. The cheek pads keep it quiet, too. Ventilation is good with two intake ports on the chin, two on the crown and a large exhaust at the rear. The intake ports have three settings and are easy to open and close with gloves; the chin intake has a bug screen that can be cleaned.

Here are my piddling criticisms. I am not overly keen on the micrometric strap fastener, preferring D-rings, but I suspect I’m living in the past there. And the otherwise classy matte finish shows fat smudges, so to keep it looking smart you need to wipe it regularly. And that’s all, folks. In Australia, my matte black Neotec 3 sells for A$1349.90 (A$1299.90 for white, A$1499.90 for graphics “Grasp TC-5”). McLeod’s also sent me the Sena SRL3 intercom which fits straight into this helmet as well as into the GT-Air3, and I’ll take you through fitting it shortly.

Now to the really important part of this review. Yes, this is the helmet I choose to wear when I go for a ride, except for short jaunts around the city when I’ve always worn an open face. Yes, I think it looks absolutely cool. And yes, I think the Shoei Neotec 3 sets the new standard for modular helmets. I do hope that I don’t ever need it, but I also hope that I’m wearing it if I repeat one of my head-first excursions off the bike. I know I’ll be in good hands.