The Shoei GT-Air 3 is finally available in America!!! Here's why that's such good news...

The Shoei GT-Air 3 is the latest version of the iconic Japanese manufacturer’s premium sports touring motorcycle helmet. It’s been available in our native UK market for months but has finally now hit the shelves in the US.

A relative latecomer to the modified ECE 22.06 European safety standard party, the GT-Air 3 has been through an extensive revamp both inside and out, not just to meet the latest safety standards, but in an effort to improve what was already a well performing lid.

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MCN Editor Richard Newland has racked up over 1,000 miles in one to find out if it hits the mark.

This new GT-Air 3 brings the latest ECE 22.06 certification with it, as well as a whole host of design tweaks and upgrades to bring things like seamlessly integrated intercom preparation for the new SENA SRL 3 Mesh system, a well-designed drop-down sun visor, slippery aerodynamics and effective venting together in one well-balanced and highly effective package.

I’ve been using a mix of Arai Contour-X (called a Quantic over here), Ruroc Atlas 4.0, Shoei Neotec 2 and Shoei Hornet ADV helmets in relatively equal measure over the past 12 months, and (Hornet’s peak aside on sunny days), this new GT-Air 3 is the most accomplished of the lot. 

Is the Shoei GT-Air 3 comfortable?

Some helmets take a bit of bedding-in to start to feel properly comfortable, but – just as I found with the Neotec and Hornet ADV and Arai’s superb Quantic – the new Shoei GT-Air 3 felt absolutely sublime from the very first time I wore it. After one 17-mile commute, I had no hesitation bashing out a 300-mile ride the following day – and nor did I regret it.  

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The lining is pleasingly robust feeling, whilst also being plush and soft; the micrometric buckle (now narrower than before) sits nice and naturally under my chin(s), and the effective venting means that there’s a cooling blast when needed, and none at all when it isn’t. I wear glasses, and they slide effortlessly into place without any concerns of damaging glasses or lining, and they don’t foul the sun visor or rub any part of the visor aperture.  

Wind noise is impressively minimal, while turbulence appears to be non-existent on the bikes I’ve ridden while wearing it (Multistrada V4 Rally and VFR800F). At motorways speeds, or more, it’s completely stable, and there’s no tugging or whipping when you turn your head for life-savers or general observations. I’ve fitted the chin curtain and nose guard to my helmet – both are supplied in the box – and it delivers a draught-free ride even when the air is biting. 

The only downside is that for those of us who are follicly challenged, the EPS channels leave an imprint on your head after a long ride, meaning you look like an extra from Star Trek with ridges temporarily imprinted on your shiny noggin. 

How practical is the Shoei GT-Air 3?

There aren’t a great number of things one has to worry about in terms of practicality when it comes to helmets – beyond getting your head in the hole – but let’s tackle the ones that do matter.  

The visor systems is pretty effortless to use, but not perfect. I find the ‘hook-and-click’ mounting system to be seamless half the time and infuriating for the rest. It’s the same system as I have on the Hornet ADV, so I’ve had thousands of miles of practice with it and have never worked out why it’s a 2-second job sometimes, and a 30-second job at other times. Much easier with a clear visor than a dark one, too – because you can actually see what you’re trying to do.

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I don’t have the SENA comms system fitted, but the ports and channelling for the mic etc all look great – so I doubt anyone looking to fit the system will struggle to get it all secreted within the shell.  

I’ve had some filthy rides in the GT, and the superb visor seal not yet let a single drop of water inside while riding in very heavy persistent rain, and the Pinlock is holding up nicely and hasn’t allowed the visor to mist at all (while the drop-down sun visor obviously does if you huff too much on a chilly day). 

The central visor lock works well, although it’s been harder to click it into place on the last couple of rides, so I might need to deploy a little adjustment – and you can open it a small amount for some more air without it slamming shut or flying open of its own accord.  

Does the Shoei GT-Air 3 look good?

Visual attraction is a rather subjective matter, but I think the Shoei GT-Air 3 looks great. The quality of the finishes is superb, the paintjobs attractive, and I really like the technical feel of the design. There’s enough styling that it doesn’t feel boring, with a nicely proportioned tail fin claimed to improve aero flow, and lots of pleasing little touches and flourishes – but it doesn’t look like a superhero’s cartoon helmet, unlike some.

It’s a classy and quality looking helmet that works as well in plain colours as it does with the various graphic options available. I absolutely love the mat and cyan scheme on this version, and am pleased to report that it’s easy to clean and hasn’t attracted any marks, scuffs, or gone shiny in any areas.  

What’s the build quality of the Shoei GT-Air 3 like?

This is a premium lid, and the quality is evident everywhere you look, from the shell to the strap to the fully removeable lining, to the visor and the integration of the comms capability. If I were forced to point a finger at any area that feels less high-end that the rest, the only real candidate is the drop-down sun visor. I find they always feel a little cheap, and while the slide lever works well, the visor sits nicely with good coverage, and it doesn’t wobble and bounce in your field of vision like some do – I still think it feels less premium that the rest of the helmet.

The only other candidate is the highly effective sliding top vent. It works brilliantly and seals well, while offering two open settings to vary the airflow – but it’s just a plastic slider, so feels no more premium that one you’d find on a mid-level helmet. Not a complaint really, more of an observation.  

What level of protection does the Shoei GT-Air 3 offer?

Certified to the new ECE 22.06 standard, the Shoei GT-Air 3 conforms with the latest industry benchmark, while SHARP don’t yet list it in their test results. Construction is multi-layer glass fibre and organic fibre for the shell, there’s a multi-piece EPS liner and the chin strap is a ratchet buckle style fastener which allows for a decent amount of adjustment without needing to change the strap lengths (great if you wore a neck tube in the morning, then take it off during the day, then put it back on again later).

The only downside to ECE 22.06 is a universal increase in average mass, meaning the GT-Air 3 isn’t float-away light, with a claimed mass of 1750-1800g, and measured on my kitchen scales at genuine 1802g with the Pinlock, chin curtain and nose guard fitted. But while it feels solid in your hand, you genuinely don’t’ notice any detrimental mass when you’re wearing it. Of course, if you’re moving from a 1300g carbon race lid, you might.  

The GT also boasts quick-release cheek pads, so that emergency responders can more easily get your helmet off without disturbing your head or spine more than necessary, too.  

Is the Shoei GT-Air 3 good value for money?

Value is the sweet spot between features, quality, spec and the size of the dent it leaves in your wallet. Can you get helmets with this level of functionality for less money? Yes, of course. Can you get this level of craftsmanship, feature integration and quality for less?

Not really. If you want a helmet that’s as good as this, you’re always going to be paying upwards of £450, topping out at around £700. I would put the Shoei GT-Air 3 right next to Arai’s Quantic in terms of use, design and quality – and while the Shoei is £50 more at the tills, it offers designed-in comms capability and a drop-down sun visor as extras in the features column. Despite the slightly gut-wrenching price tag, in terms of value, I’d say it’s bang on the money. 

Verdict

It’s always gratifying to find fault with a product, but that’s a struggle when it comes to the new Shoei GT-Air 3. The comfort is superb; the airflow management – both around and through the helmet – is great; the ratchet buckle works well; the visor aperture is big, and the closure, lack of wind whistle, effectiveness of the Pinlock and addition of the internal sun visor all work well in harmony; the removeable and washable lining feels great; the graphics and finishes are classy and well done – and the price tag is right where you’d expect it to be for a product at this end of the quality spectrum.

A more positive action on the top vent, the alien imprint on my bald head after a long ride, and the slightly fiddly faff when reattaching the visor aside – I’m struggling to find fault with it.  

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