Gear Review | Todd’s Shoei GT-Air II Ubiquity, 3 Year Test

Three Years On | Shoei GT-Air II Ubiquity Long-Term Review | It’s hard to believe it’s already been three years since I started wearing my Shoei GT-Air II Ubiquity, so I thought it was time for a proper long-term report. In short? It’s brilliant. Words: Toddy Chappo

Todd has been riding for almost five decades and has owned a number of Shoei lids over the years but rates the GT-Air II as his favourite…

Yes, the GT-Air II is no longer produced (but there are some still in stock and bargains to be had) and has been replaced by the GT-Air III (read Jeff’s review here…) but this review is meant to showcase the long term quality of Shoei, which is a fair financial commitment when it comes to purchasing a lid.

Read Todd’s initial review of the GT-Air II Ubiquity here…

I’ve been very happy with mine. In fact, it’s so comfortable that half the time I forget I’m even wearing it – something I could never say about my previous bargain-bin helmets. The main reason I upgraded to the GT-Air II was persistent neck and shoulder pain, which I suspect was caused by lugging around a helmet that weighed about as much as a house brick. The Shoei changed all that.

Over the past couple of years I’ve clocked up several thousand kilometres wearing the Shoei, from spirited rides through my favourite twisty roads to a couple of track days at Sydney Motorsport Park. Throughout it all, in every kind of weather, it has been outstanding.

The lightweight shell is where the magic starts. Not only does it reduce fatigue, but the aerodynamics are genuinely noticeable. Gone are the days of my head bouncing around like one of those nodding dogs in the back window of an old Valiant. The airflow keeps the helmet stable at speed, dramatically reducing buffeting and taking a huge load off my neck and shoulders during long rides.

The ventilation system also deserves praise. The top vent channels plenty of fresh air through the helmet on warm days, and the controls are easy to operate even while wearing race gloves. In fact, the only time I’ve really struggled with heat was riding in 40-degree temperatures—and I doubt many helmets would make that comfortable.

The visor system has also been faultless. The Pinlock insert keeps fogging at bay during cold mornings, while the visor seal has remained completely watertight in heavy rain. I haven’t experienced a single leak. The internal drop-down sun visor is another feature I’ve grown to love, allowing me to ride with the main visor partially open for maximum airflow while still protecting my eyes from glare, dust and the inevitable bug strikes.

Changing the visor is quick and straightforward, taking less than a minute, and even after three years the mechanism still feels as tight and secure as it did on day one, with no vibration or movement at highway speeds. The ratchet-style chin strap is another practical feature. It’s quick and easy to use every time, although I’d like the release tab to be just a few millimetres longer to make it slightly easier to grab while putting the helmet on. It’s a minor criticism in an otherwise excellent package.

One job I’d been putting off was washing the interior. In the past I’ve avoided removing helmet liners because they never seem to go back together properly. Thankfully, Shoei has made the process simple. After locating the attachment points, the liner came out in three sections, washed easily by hand, dried overnight and reinstalled without any drama. Even better, the cheek pads have retained their shape and firmness, and the helmet still fits exactly as it did when new.

The Ubiquity graphics were what first caught my eye, and they’ve continued to attract attention wherever I stop. I’m regularly asked whether the helmet has been custom painted. When I explain that it’s a factory design, people are always impressed, and once they pick the helmet up, they’re usually even more surprised by how light it is compared to what they’re currently wearing.

The GT-Air also includes thoughtful safety features such as emergency-release cheek pads and is designed to accept Shoei’s integrated communication system, making it an even more versatile touring helmet. After three years of ownership, I honestly can’t fault it. It’s comfortable, quiet, lightweight, well ventilated and built to an exceptionally high standard. More importantly, it has transformed my riding by eliminating the neck and shoulder fatigue I used to accept as normal. I’ll certainly be sticking with Shoei for my next helmet. If it’s anything like the GT-Air II, I know I’ll be in good hands.