SHOEI helmets are renowned for quality and style. The new GT-Air 3 has come in for review and our resident SHOEI nerd, The Ed, has been putting it to the test for three months. Read his thoughts...

SHOEI released the new version of the GT-Air, the GT-Air 3, back in August 2023 and by early September, my own shiny new white one arrived by courier, ready to review. I’ve been wearing the lid regularly for three months, and I am impressed. Here is our GT-Air 3 review…

Jeff first tested the SHOEI GT-Air 3 back in September 2023 when they first hit the bike shops. He was impressed from that first day riding.

Jeff first tested the SHOEI GT-Air 3 back in September 2023 when they first hit the bike shops. He was impressed.

Why only three months use, you ask? Well unfortunately the day after I got the new SHOEI, I went out testing on the PTR Hayabusa and that ride aggravated a hand injury I’d been waiting for surgery on, and I could not ride at all from late September until mid December, when I was able to throw the $1249.90 RRP GT-Air 3 back on and get some miles down the road. It was worth the wait, it’s a fantastic helmet and I was impressed from the word go…

My test GT-Air 3 came with a SENA Comms system ($599 RRP seperate review on the way) as the GT-Air 3 is Comms Ready. It also came with a neat SHOEI helmet bag ($149.95 RR) for my launch trips, keeping the lid safe and sound as my hand luggage on flights, and SHOEI threw in a cap ($29.95 RRP) and shirt ($29.95 RRP) , which I gifted to Toddy Chappo (He’s a mad SHOEI fan, here is his GT-Air II review) I also opted for a Dark Tint ($119.95 RRP) and Silver Spectra ($169.95 RRP) iridium visor.

The GT-Air 3 comes with the usual good quality literature and extras from SHOEI.

SHOEI helmets are boxed up perfectly, which is typical of most high quality Japanese product. Japanese brands take pride in packaging, which is old school and very cool. This means that nerds like me keep boxes, bags and wrappers! Hey, I build Tamiya models and I cut the box art out and display it! Like all SHOEI lids, the GT-Air 3 comes with stickers (which one goes onto my beer fridge in the shed and one gets kept as a spare), a breath guard, manuals, lubricant and soft bag.

You can tell that everything in the box is hand packed and done with care, even the manuals and other paperwork is neatly bagged up with a dedicated space in the box, there is plenty of foam support and the helmet is wrapped too. Mine also came with a Pinlock anti-fog visor, which is a must-have for anyone planning on riding in winter. They work perfectly and don’t cause any issues with visor clarity.

I could say after almost 30-years wearing them, that I have lost track of the number of SHOEI lids I have owned, but I have to admit that I can name every one and when I had it! You can read my full SHOEI story here where I get right into it, telling the whole history in my NXR2 Review…
I’ve had everything from an early RF900, multiple NXRs, X-Spirits, Hornets, GT-Airs and a J.O.

this is the only shot I have of my first SHOEI. It was a blue and white RF9 that I was given by Len Willing in 1993 when I was an apprentice at his shop. It was smashed, and I bogged it and resprayed it! I was 17...

This is the only shot I have of my first SHOEI. It was a blue and white RF9 that I was given by Len Willing in 1993 when I was an apprentice at his shop. It was smashed, and I bogged it and resprayed it! I was 17…

All of them have been super high quality, very long lasting (I do a serious amount of riding each year. My Hornet, for instance, lasted six years and Nick Ware still uses it as I have a new one), remained scratch resistant, no broken or worn visor or vent mechanisms and clean interior due to regular washing. Some of them I still use, some are on display and I lost my beloved X-Spirit III at an airport!

There is a lot that has been updated for the GT-Air 3. SHOEI have gone to great lengths to reduce wind noise, while doing their best to further improve the already brilliant ventilation of previous GT-Air models. The new model exceeds ECE22.06, the long awaited (19-years) update to the ECE22.05 standards, which expired in July 2023 (helmets must pass ECE22.06 now in most parts of the world).

The new aero deflectors can be seen here, and the drop-down visor slider, which is easy to find and operate.

Other updates include a smaller more comfortable chin-strap, and also even wider vision fields that before, and that was already a strong point. Of course, to pass the new regulatory tests, you might have noticed that most helmets on the market have grown in size. The GT-Air 3 is no different, however, it isn’t too big a deal, thanks to the already over-engineering of the previous model…

Because the GT-Air II passed the old ECE22.05 test so easily, it only took a small increase in size and a very minimal increase in weight (we’re talking grams here), to pass the ECE22.06 test. Yes, it’s bigger than it was, but not too bad. We all need to get used to this, as helmets will be a bit bigger externally from now on. Does this effect the comfort of the GT-Air? After three-months, I can definitely say no.

“However, those who are sensitive to wind noise, particularly if you have a screen that is directing air straight at your head, you may want earplugs.”

I’m going to be totally honest, and say that comfort-wise, I can’t tell a difference between the GT-Air 3 and my older GT-Air II, but that is not a bad thing as both are extremely comfortable lids, and I’m talking all-day use, like 1000km days Interstate riding. But like with the GT-Air II, with the GT-Air 3, you may want earplugs for some open freeway riding, as that exceptional ventilation, and some laws around ear-well space, means there is noise, but not compared to a race lid, for instance.

Read our review on the GT-Air II with SENA combo here…

In saying that, by today’s standards, this is a quiet lid. However, those who are sensitive to wind noise, particularly if you have a screen that is directing air straight at your head, you may want earplugs. It’s just general ventilation noise, there is no noise around the visor seal, hinges or coming up under the chin area of the GT-Air 3. Vents open or closed, the sound is similar, at times quieter with them open.

There are trick looking vortex generators behind the ear area of the helmet, so whether these help or not I’m not sure. The central main front head vent is easy to open and close, it’s massive, but there are no rear exhaust vents, only the two on the top, so no cool air reaches the back of your head. The chin vent is also huge, easy to open and close, plus the visor will pop a little to let air in if you want it to.

“I am not sure how they do it, some kind of hot air extraction magic drummed up in the SHOEI wind tunnel!’

The GT-Air 3 is about 200 grams heavier than the GT-Air II, which isn’t much, and I can’t feel that weight difference, even after a long day of riding. The only noticeable thing for me in terms of sizing is the new GT-Air definitely has a bulky look about it. In fact, it’s the first SHOEI in white that I have thought doesn’t look all that cool. I reckon it looks better in graphics, just due to the broad base.

I wore the GT-Air 3 right through Summer and found it cool enough and the ventilation fine, so I am not sure how they do it, some kind of hot air extraction magic drummed up in the SHOEI wind tunnel! Wet weather sealing is exceptional, too, literally not a drop gets in on my lid anyway. I’ve tested all three visors in adverse weather and none leak around the seal. The visor lock button took a month to free up.

Let’s talk about the new thinner chin strap. Am I a fan? In terms of comfort, I am, but I would prefer a wider chin strap, it just feels safer and more secure, a bit like a wide seatbelt compared to a narrow one, It’s psychological more than anything. I love the ratchet system SHOEI use, always have. The visor is super easy to change over, quickly, pops out and clicks back in. I lubed the mechanisms up.

The drop down visor – one of the all-time best features of the GT-Air. If you haven’t owned a lid with one of these, you need to try one out. Not the most stylish look in the world, but absolutely one of the most handy in the motorcycle world! Easy to use, glides up and down with the slider behind your left ear area, easy to change and unlike many internal visors, the GT-Air 3 one is super generous in size.

“Even if you keep it for only three years, you’re still only looking at just over $10.00 per month to keep your head as protected as possible and in comfort. It’s a no brainer.”

The overall quality of finish is absolutely top notch from the gloss to the stickers and the fit and finish of the interior, you are getting value for every dollar you spend. And when you think about a premium lid like a SHOEI GT-Air 3, even if you keep it for only three years, you’re still only looking at just over $10.00 per month to keep your head as protected as possible and in comfort. It’s a no brainer.

I am definitely a fan of the GT-Air 3 and genuinely feel there are improvements over the GT-Air II, while SHOEI have been able to proudly pass the new regulations without too much of a compromise on style and no compromise on comfort. To pass the tests, while still maintaining decent lightness, all with an internal drop-down visor as well, is testament to decades of experience engineering helmets.

SHOEI GT-AIR 3 INFORMATION

Sized from XS-2XL utilising three shell sizes for the perfect fit, internal sun visor, six tint options of the external visor, five solid colours and two graphics with many more to come, the GT-AIR 3 is priced from $1,249.95 and is available now from your local motorcycle dealer and accessories retailers.

Shoei GT-AIR 3 Graphics

For further information about the GT-AIR 3 and to check out the full range, head here.

Shoei GT-AIR 3 Solid Colours

Editor’s Note: If you are reading this article on any website other than BikeReview.com.au, please report it to BikeReview via our contact page, as it has been stolen or re-published without authority.

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