Shoei has finally released the long-awaited successor to the X-Fourteen road helmet that first came out in 2016. The X-Fifteen has been developed in MotoGP competition and is a dramatic evolution of Shoei’s premium road racing helmet.
Photos by Ryan Nitzen
This is a completely new helmet. There’s the new Maxi-Ply Matrix AIM+ shell, the multi-density EPS liner where the venting apertures have been expanded to 10mm (up 4mm), and completely new, adjustable interior system—nothing is carried over from the X-Fourteen.
Development of the new Shoei X-Fifteen saw engineers run through over 150 different conceivable shell forms, the final design seeing a claimed 6.1 percent reduction in drag and a 1.6 percent reduction in lift when in a racing tuck.
For added high-speed stability, the lower third of the helmet—which runs from the chin bar to the back of the shell—was made narrower to accommodate the new rear stabilizer and rear flap/vent design.
Inside the X-Fifteen are seven closable intake vents and six exhaust ports, and work with the EPS liner and the new cheek pads that have 23 vent holes on each side to drag hot air away from the rider’s face.
The interior of the X-Fifteen is incredibly adaptable. You can alter the position on your head by up to four degrees and each cheek pad’s surface area has been boosted by 16.5 percent. To adjust the fit, each pad features distinct, detachable layers that may be peeled off.
Additionally, the field of vision has been improved, with the upper field growing by 5 mm without affecting the rider’s helmet position. When you are in the racing tuck and need to look up to keep the proper line of sight, this is wonderful news.
Aerodynamic-enhancing vortex generators on both sides and a two-stage locking system, one on the side and one on the front near the chin vent, are features of the significantly redesigned CWR-F2R visor that keep it from removing in the event of an accident.
Lowdown | Shoei X-Fifteen Helmet Standout Feature: Massive increase in comfort over long distances List Price: Starting at $899.99 (as tested) Great fit for long distances Flows lots of air Sturdy screen-locking mechanism Not the prettiest helmet out there Visor latch and chin vent are easy to fumble Rider Analysis | Shoei X-Fifteen Helmet The Shoei X-Fourteen and I were never really friends. I have what I would describe as a bowling ball for a head and the 14’s ultra-slim design never really suited my cranium, so I was skeptical when I got the new 15. Helmets don’t get revamped very often. Indeed, Arai’s Corsair-X is a year older than the Shoei X-Fourteen (2015), and that’s the helmet I’ve predominately been wearing all these years. The X-Fifteen is such a massive departure from the old X-Fourteen it may as well be from a different company. Intermediate oval in shape (which suits me just fine), the X-Fifteen is a much more relaxed fit than the old X-Fourteen could ever hope to be. That helmet was like putting my head in a vice after an hour, and I’ve knocked out two press rides with the X-Fifteen. Like a good jacket, the more I wear it, the better it feels. Stability at speed is never a concern. For me, the best part of the X-Fifteen is how snugly it sits on my head and the venting it has. The increased field of view over the outgoing model is welcome, but it’s not as noticeable as how much air it flows. The visor latch at the front of the helmet is a bit of a pain as I’ve caught my glove on the chin vent flap plenty of times instead, but I’m a fan of how tight the locking mechanism works. Visors should never come off in a crash and this Shoei system looks about as sturdy as I’ve seen on the market. The look is taking a bit to grow on me. It’s not the prettiest helmet but it is a sport/race lid, where aero is king and looks are a distant second. I’ve yet to ride this helmet on the track but those times will come real soon. For now, this is an excellent street lid when you take into account all the adjustability it comes with, and very good value for the price. For more information, visit zorbike.com
