The Shoei NXR2 (also written NX-R 2) costs €479 to €599 and is a sport full-face helmet built for everyday use: light, quieter than its predecessor and with a visor that is easy to work with gloves on. This review is based on Shoei's official specs and on measurements published by third parties, cited in each case.
Price
On Shoei Spain's official website it costs €479 in white or black, €499 in other solid colours and €599 with graphics. Replacement CWR-F2 visors range from about €70 (smoke) to €199 (photochromic).
Noise and aerodynamics
Shoei refined it in its wind tunnel: according to the brand, it cuts lift by 6% and drag by 4% compared with the original NXR. In Champion Helmets' road test it averaged 98 dB (quiet on our scale), against 103 dB for the original NXR and 101 dB for the AGV K6 and Arai Profile-V in the same test.
Safety and weight
It is ECE 22.06 approved. The shell is AIM (fibreglass and organic fibres) and comes in 4 shell sizes for 7 helmet sizes, so it does not look oversized in small sizes. Champion Helmets weighed it at 1,365 g in size M. It includes the E.Q.R.S. system, which lets emergency services pull out the cheek pads to remove the helmet.
Visor, ventilation and interior
- CWR-F2 visor: flatter than the original NXR's, with less distortion. Pinlock EVO included, with the pins outside the field of view. It is Shoei's first visor with the opening tab and lock in the centre.
- Ventilation: intakes on the brow and chin bar, and four exhausts under the rear spoiler that are always open.
- 3D Max-Dry System II interior: removable and washable, with interchangeable pads to fine-tune the fit.
Pros and cons
- Pros: low weight for a full-face at this price, less noise than the original NXR and a good optical-quality visor with Pinlock included.
- Cons: the rear exhausts cannot be closed, worth bearing in mind in winter, and replacement visors are expensive: €199 for the photochromic.
Verdict
The NXR2 is one of the most balanced buys among €450 to €600 sport full-face helmets: light, quieter than its category average and well finished. If you ride a lot of motorway miles and want an internal sun visor, also look at the Shoei GT-Air 3.
Score: 9.5/10
