Motorcycle Helmets - Shoei Helmets Combine Style
Posted on Jun 11, 2008 under Sport |The Shoei Company is a Japanese manufacturer and distributor of high-tech motorcycle helmets which compete internationally at the high end of the market. Shoei helmets are famous for their aesthetic qualities, their toughness and durability and, in recent years, for their versatility as well. As an example of the latter, the Shoei helmet product line now includes the Hornet-DS, a rider-configurable helmet which makes this single helmet suitable for both on-road and off-road riding.
Shoei Helmets are not only functional, they are outstanding examples of industrial design. Good looking, even elegant, they protect the rider’s head, provide proper ventilation and still manage to look strikingly beautiful. The aerodynamically optimized design of the Hornet-DS is a great example. The nose piece stands out in a futuristic way that sets this helmet apart from other, less visually remarkable competitors. As with all Shoei Helmets there is a purpose to the design, however. The curves on the nose piece provide outstanding skull protection and air flow in addition to making a visual impression.
Furthermore, beyond design and function Shoei Helmets are also extremely durable. This is not surprising since their ancestry lies in helmets manufactured for the Japanese construction industry. When Shoei began producing helmets specifically for motorcycle use in 1960 they immediately met the industry standards in Japan for durability and ability to withstand an impact. To this day that remains the foremost concern of the manufacturer. The first use of carbon fiber and Kevlar in a motorcycle helmet was the GRV, a Shoei product. Now many Shoei Helmets even meet the guidelines of the Snell Memorial Foundations M2005 rating. The Snell Memorial Foundation has sometimes been criticized for how stringent it’s safety standards are and the helmets that meet these standards are therefore easily the safest helmets available for motorcycle riding.
In 1965 sales were boosted by the decision of the Honda Motor Company to endorse the Shoei Helmets in conjunction with Honda motorcycles. Since that time Shoei has remained at the forefront of their field. Many Shoei Helmets have won both safety and industrial design awards over the decades.
Surprisingly, this company, a company with a strong international presence-the Shoei helmet is very sought after in the United States-has a world-wide work force of only 500 people. Despite the popularity of the Shoei product in many regions of the world, and despite the fact that the Shoei helmet could be manufactured in places where costs would be much cheaper than in Japan, the company proudly proclaims that every Shoei helmet is produced in its state-of-art facility in Iwate, Japan. This small company produces a superior product that has delighted motorcycle enthusiasts throughout the world.