MotoXAddicts’ “Tested” presented by Yamaha Of Las Vegas is a non biased, thorough product test performed by MotoXAddicts contributor Larry Chirco. These are not companies that pay us to do the review. It is Larry’s goal to break the trend of paid reviews from only website advertisers and to give readers an honest review before they purchase a product.
SHOEI has an all-new helmet with the VFC-EVO which replaces the long over due VFX-W helmet. With the intro of the new VFC-EVO helmet there are many new safety features that come with the new helmet. One of the biggest introductions is the MEDS system. This is SHOEI’s new directional impact disbursement system. SHOEI also states better venting, softer cheek pads and bigger goggle opening. This helmet also runs a solid shank through the front mouth guard and also chin bar EPS, which is almost like a crush zone–similar to what you would find in a car.
Those are all new features with the helmet. Along with those you have some carry over things like the helmet shape and distinct lines that are synonymous with SHOEI helmets. They also have the quick release inner liner in case of a emergency situations.
Larry’s Hits
- The color options that SHOEI offers are wide and there is a color for everyone to like
- Chin EPS system is something that is super important for front impacts
- Fit and finish of the product
- Aero dynamics for high speed riding with the unique lines along with their rear spoiler on the lower part of the helmet
- Fast dry liner works very well with sweat and moisture
Larry’s Misses
- Helmet fit is for oval shaped heads. For myself with a round head shape, the fit is not very conformable.
- The MEDS system is all new and very different, but I’m not sold on it being better than the current systems out there. With this being said, I did not test their new system as I kept it upright while testing.
- Venting is also an issue as it does not vent very well over the top of your head.
- Getting the liner back into the helmet is not an easy task as it is hard to line up and get it to sit right after pulling it out.
- Cheek pads need to be softer. They are still not super soft and still a little scratchy.
After wearing this helmet every ride for the last two and a half months, I have found that this helmet is a good helmet in many aspects and also has a good amount of room for improvements. While that doesn’t sound all that bad, at this price point and with other brands putting out great helmets, you can’t have this. This is one of the most expensive helmets on the market at $739 for this model. The helmet is a great improvement over the helmet it replaced–the VFX-W–in all aspects, especially weight. If you are a SHOEI faithful, you will love this helmet over past models. If you are new to the SHOEI line of products, then you will want to try this helmet on at your local dealership like Yamaha of Las Vegas and see if it is a good fit with your head shape.
I give this helmet a 3 out of 5. The fit and finish is there and the safety is there in many aspects even though I’m not sold on the MEDS system, but at this price point, I feel like I should be blown away and I’m not.
