Shoei GT-Air 3 motorcycle helmet review - Sportsbikeshop

Shoei’s GT-Air 3 is here to shake up the touring market. Safer, quieter, better venting, superior rain seal. Find out what we think of it by watching our detailed review.

[chrisdagnall]

This is a really nice helmet and am looking to get one. I am not too bothered by comms as I don’t use it but it occurred to me that maybe all the helmet manufacturers should come together and create a dimensional standard for comms and they all have the same and it’s up to the manufacturers to make their electronics fit and then you have a choice, then everyone’s happy.

[luke]

The intercom has put me off buying one. It’s very frustrating that all of the top spec helmets are tied to specific units.

[David_O]

Shoei - and a few other brands - are making it harder for riders to buy their helmets. I used Shoei GT-Air helmets for a decade but moved to another brand when the GT-Air II came out with the dedicated comm system. I use Cardo units and have always liked them better than Sena. I kept hoping Shoei would come to its senses and go back to a helmet that allowed any comm system but with the GT-Air 3, it seems that is not to be. And to top it off, until an adapter comes out, even current Sena users will have to buy new units in order to add comms to the GT-Air 3.

[keithmason]

I have GT air 2 my only concern is it possible to fit my Cardo pack talk X2 ?
This works really well shame if I can't swap it over .

[chrisbourke]

The GT-Air 3 has four significant issues:
1 - the neck roll is so tight it dislodges when you remove your helmet.
2 - the chin air curtain doesn’t clip into the helmet properly and dislodges every time you remove your helmet.
3 - the visor is too flexible at the centre locking clasp, which makes it impossible to lock the visor by pressing on the centre visor clasp. The only way I can lock the visor is to push down on the top of the visor.
4 - the chin vent is second to useless. It allows very little air and doesn’t adequately clear the visor.
Overall the GT-Air 2 is a much better all-round helmet. That being said the Sena SRL-3 is light years better than the SRL-2. Full Siri integration is a game changer. Cheers. Chris

[lew]

I’m sure this is a great helmet (most are but can we please discuss the fact that an intercommed graphic version is a thousand pounds? I can’t be the only one baffled by that figure.

[cac]

I have my own Cardo comm system and Shoei almost makes me unable to buy all their new helmets because of that...

[Trumpetsme]

The only place to go for all your biking needs. Great videos too. Thanks for this, sadly a bit out of my price range😢😢

[philipbassett]

Hi thanks for the detailed review, useful, as I have a GT Air 3 on pre-order. One question, you say fitting other brands of intercom may be “difficult”, is that just because of the positioning of the unit? I have a Cardo Spirit HD, could the unit not be fitted slightly more forward of the normal position, on the side of the chin piece? I would really appreciate your opinion, as I may cancel my order if it’s impossible to fit my own system.

[markholmes]

For those saying you need to buy the integrated comms system….. you don’t. You can buy any third party comms system and slap it onto the side of helmet. I did 🤷‍♂️ 😊

[cpuuk]

I think this purpose in-built Comms is a bad idea, just mould a recess on the lid and let people decide.

[unaetnumitsirc]

We need more awareness for the integrated intercom thing to be dropped down, just like apple was kind of forced to switch to type C cable. What could we do more? is there a petition we can sign or anything?

[rjsalameh]

excellent and well balanced review! Thanks!! Btw, what is that jacket you are wearing? It's pretty sharp!!

[colesthelol]

Thanks for the review, been waiting for this one for a while. When you say shell size you mean the outer shell, correct?

[Rezo]

I really wanted to buy this helmet but if I cannot use my own (high end and brand new) intercom with it then it's a no go. Same with the HJC RPHA 71, this is a real shame ... Shoei is losing customers this way, I'm going to start looking at Shark or Scroprion, which I did not want to do.

[saulruizcr]

Tony, two questions, is it really worth it to buy this one helmet instead of the GT Air 2? and the other one? besides this and the Rpha 71? Thanks in advance and cheers from Costa Rica. Pura vida.

[gieljanvde]

Rather have double D than those microlocks.. sounds like a hassle to ship it back to the factory only to switch it into double D and get a homologation wich also costs money again

[gbner]

Looks nice. Is there any new info on a new Hornet? 😁

[LostStylus]

How is the vertical visibility? Is it better than gt air II which was unusable with clip-ons (unlike the first gen)?

[Greggable]

I've owned a GT-AIR II and loved it. It was amazingly quiet. Recently purchased the GT-AIR III and added the Sena SRL3 comms. The helmet is incredibly noisy in comparison. I'm not sure why. Also, it appears that the GT -AIR III model Shoei changed the color of the sun visor. It's tinted slightly lighter. This change in color from GT-AIR II makes a big difference if your eyes are sensitive to light. I found it immediately noticeable in comparison to the GT-Air II. My GT-AIR II was purchased in the USA and the GT-AIR III in EU. It seems like there may be some differences in the market releases.