It has been 10 years since Shoei came out with a new off-road bike helmet! 10 years! The new Shoei VFX-W Helmet -Grant 2 is its latest dirt bike helmet approved by DOT and Snell that pays homage to its predecessor VFX-W while updating several styles and incorporating a system of protection against rotational impacts that Shoei calls “Motion Energy Distribution System”. Many other helmet companies have implemented the same system, well-known as the “Multi-Directional Impact Protection System”, therefore, it is interesting to see that helmet technology moves in this direction, although every helmet manufacturer has its own form to market it.
Inside A Shoei VFX-W Helmet – Technology
This is the first Shoei motocross helmet to present this technology. The design has used a new 2 piece Expanded Polystyrene liner which, according to reports, does not adversely affect the overall weight, fit or impact absorption capacity of the helmet. A fixed inner layer and an outer layer are anchored together by an inner column that swings in case of impact; crush the surrounding perimeter columns to absorb power. Shoei says the technology provides a 15{2f4b43b0d6efdd53c03a9a874674d6bf65a24bfae4027e9233fc27065b407ae4} reduction in the brain’s rotational forces. The mats are used in the lower areas of the pads and, as in some full-face models; this dirt bike helmet features EQRS extraction tabs to remove the helmet from the head of an injured biker so easy and safe.
Comparing the EVO Helmet with VFX-W
If you compare the EVO bike helmet with the VFX-W helmet, you may feel the difference in weight by putting the helmet on your head. The EVO feels a bit lighter and the EVO’s casing appears to have a little more flexed near the chin bar than the VFX-W. This is a great thing since the older VFX-W shell is one of the most difficult types of dirt bike shell. A little flex is excellent on a helmet because you need it to absorb large impacts. Whether you push your own helmet, you may see that it will have a few flexions. This is just normal and that does not essentially mean that this helmet is less defensive. The interior and the cheek pads have a much more comfortable feel and the coarse-looking cheeks of the VFX-W are gone. The Shoei VFX-EVO has more pillow feeling against my cheeks.
Even though I do not sweat much, the EVO lining absorbs sweat more than the VFX-W lining. If you test EVO and VFX-W uninterrupted, you can see that there is much less moisture in the EVO contrasted to the VFX-W. The eye port is the similar size as the VFX-W; however, helmet ventilation is much better with 16 intake and exhaust ports all through the helmet. The nozzle has enlarged air flow and is the primary thing you will notice when driving with the EVO.
VFX-W Grant 2 Helmet Features
The common shape is close to the VFX-W helmet – Grant 2, but with additional lines throughout the helmet. The goggle channel integrated into the shell forms a great goggle retention method that will not leave you with that goon gong strap “Ronnie Mac”. If you place the VFX-W helmet, you will generally notice that it hangs very low on the back of the helmet, which may leave several riders with a worn neck and with less movement of the head. Although I do not have a collar, I know some of you can use one so I tried some. I tried an Alpinestars, Atlas, and Leatt as well as noticed that the VFX-W helmet – Grant 2 has less rotation movement with the neckbraces than a Bell or an Arai. Whether you’re not a type of neck rider, you won’t ever notice any of this.
Conclusion
I have come to the conclusion after using the Shoei VFX-W Helmet -Grant 2 for some time that it is one of the most comfortable bike helmets available on the market now. I cannot talk much about the protection features firsthand since I have not tried it yet, but I trust the new owner of Shoei, Motion Energy Distribution System as if it were Multi-Directional Impact Protection System or Omni-Directional Suspension technology. There are several bike helmets that I trust on my head and the Shoei VFX-W Helmet -Grant 2 is one of those helmets.