Shoei Qwest Review

Shoei Qwest Motorcycle Helmet Review
by Rick K. for webBikeWorld.com

More:  wBW Reviews Home  |  wBW Motorcycle Helmet Reviews  |  Owner Comments (Below)

Summary
Smooth styling, sleek appearance, outstanding quality...  The Qwest build quality is a benchmark helmet that others should aspire to.

Background 
I used to think of Shoei as a very conservative helmet manufacturer, basking somewhat in the shadow of Arai.  Shoei execs will probably shudder at that comparison I'm sure, but plodding along for half-decade or so with the X-11 and RF-800/RF-1000 series and milquetoasty offerings like the TZ-R just doesn't cut it (although the Qwest may be the TZ-R's replacement).

But then a sneaky Shoei staffer plumbed a keg of Red Bull into the office water supply.  That's my only explanation, because within the space of a year we not only have a completely revised RF-series with the RF-1100, we also get the Shoei X-12 replacement for the antique X-11.  And now along comes a brand-new helmet series with the Shoei Qwest.

Here's the bottom line folks: the Shoei Qwest is everything the RF-1100 and the X-12 should be and could be. 

Both of those helmets are, quite frankly, overpriced and overweight, but the Qwest is a marvel.  As far as I'm concerned, anyone choosing an RF-1100 would be much better off with a Qwest.  The Qwest has the same or better build quality; the vents are less fussy; it's quieter; it's lighter and, best of all, it's $155.00 cheaper!

So what does Shoei do with this marvel of modern noggin protection?  They handicap it with a "Touring" label.  Ugh!  I can see the advertising byline now: "The Shoei Qwest. Too old for a Sportbike? We have the helmet for you!"

It's a conspiracy, Sportbike riders, and here's my theory: Shoei is doing this on purpose to steer you away from what is probably the best helmet in their lineup.  It's some type of weird reverse psychology marketing strategy...like calling a Durian a fruit.

Obviously, they have all those unsold RF's and X's in the warehouse, and when motorcyclists find out how good the Qwest is in comparison, Shoei will end up with...a lot of rotten Durians on their hands.  And there is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- in this world that is worse than a rotten Durian.

But now you know -- the secret is out.  Uh-oh...I hear someone in the bushes.  They're out there.  They're watching me.  They're coming for me....

Shoei Qwest Paint, Graphics and Overall Quality
Granted, I'm working with just one sample here, and in the prosaically named "Light Silver" at that.  So it's difficult to generalize on the quality of the paint and graphics across the entire Qwest spectrum.

But about those graphics...  It's probably a good thing that the first batch of helmets released for sale is in Touring shades of gray.  The Qwest graphics displayed on the Shoei website look pretty awful to me; obviously another factor in the plot to keep Sportbike riders from the helmet they really need. 

This is one time I'd advise to keep the extra 100 bucks in your pocket and buy a Qwest in a solid or metallic because the Qwest actually looks much better in that dress; it compliments the modern architecture of this sleek and inspired design.  Too bad they don't offer more solid colors -- perhaps a bright metallic orange or high-viz yellow?

Let me digress here slightly.  When considering the Qwest, it's almost like Shoei deconstructed the motorcycle helmet and completely redesigned it, putting it back together again with 21st Century mojo.  Every little piece on this helmet is familiar but just seems better, more intuitive and of higher quality than probably any other helmet we've seen in 2010.

And I'm only using that weasel word "probably" because it's still only October and, in theory at least, it is possible that we might find a helmet to top this one before the final quarter is out.

Anyway, that's the vibe I get from the Qwest.  It seems to make other helmets feel instantly old-fashioned-looking.  The more I handle it, the longer I wore it, the more I realized how different -- yet similar -- this helmet is to everything that's come before.

All of the parts work in a sort of harmony, from the overall design to the sturdy-feeling clearcoat to the ingenious face shield mechanism that maintains a tight seal against the surround-me eye port gasket.

But probably the best feature of the Qwest is the liner.  The padding and choice of plush fabric is everything we have been hoping for after a hot summer of too-scratchy helmet liners, such as the rather disappointing material used in the new RX-Q. 

We thought perhaps some new environmental law or material shortage was preventing the manufacturers from producing that nice baby-soft fleece of old, but Shoei must have scored a new supplier, because this is exactly how motorcycle helmet lining should feel.

OK, I'm gushing here.  You get the point.  I like it.

Score:  I'll give the Shoei Qwest an "Outstanding" for paint (in solid colors), clearcoat and overall fit and finish.  Just don't stare too long at the versions with graphics, you'll start to feel queasy.  See the Summary Table at the end of this page for a description of our rating system.

Shoei Qwest Slide Show

Shoei Qwest Helmet Fit, Internal Shape and Liner
Shoei says the Qwest has a slightly different internal shape than the RF-1100 or X-12.  I'll buy that; the Qwest feels just a touch more round inside than any of the RF- or X- series helmets I've worn.  In fact, unlike the RF-series, the Qwest is actually a pretty good fit on my very round head shape, with just the tiniest amount of breathing room along the center of my flat forehead.

The size large Qwest feels snug along the sides, and overall I'd have to say that it's another good fit replacement for my Arai Quantum (review) -- that is, the original Quantum with the now-discontinued Arai Round Oval fit.

I'm very relieved at the news, because it took me so long to find the Quantum, which was the only helmet that actually fit me.  Now I have both the RX-Q (review) and the Qwest to choose from.  Both of them fit my head shape and both are much better helmets than the old Quantum anyway.

I can't imagine there will be many motorcycle riders who won't fit in a Qwest, and the cheek pads are removable for possible customization with six different sized pads available.  OK, so the complete liner isn't removable, but when is the last time you had a liner out of a helmet?

The lining in the Qwest is beautifully applied with some of the tightest tolerances and highest quality I've ever found in a helmet.  The padding is also Chez Posh DeLuxe, with dual-layer foam and that very plush and cushy lining material that we thought was a thing of the past.  It's the type of interior that Arai used to offer and which I expected to find in the RX-Q but didn't.

Most helmets that are put through the webBikeWorld evaluation process, including helmets at nearly twice the cost of the Qwest, usually have one or two flaws in the liner.  Loose threads perhaps or material not correctly molded, shaped or sewn for the interior curvature or a mis-alignment between the fabric lining and the EPS are very common issues. 

Not in the Qwest though; I have actually spent more than a few minutes shining the all-powerful Clearwater "Andie" flashlight inside, marveling at the construction.  Nerdy, I know, but part of the job.

For some reason, it's become more difficult recently to pin down helmet shapes and the Qwest is yet another example that seemingly spans the "Neutral" and "Slight Round" categories.  Thus, I made a new graphic for the Shape Estimator chart shown above so we can span two categories if necessary.

The chin strap on the Qwest uses the same comfortable material for padding to protect the neck and the helmet has the light, simple and elegant double D-ring attachment system with a heavy-duty snap for the loose end.

The liner also has open ear pockets with a plastic backing towards the outside.  The pockets are slightly indented and should be the right size to fit a variety of motorcycle intercom speakers.

More information on helmet fit can be found in the webBikeWorld Motorcycle Helmet FAQ page, along with the chart that lists the helmet weights of webBikeWorld reviewed helmets and also by shape on the webBikeWorld Motorcycle Helmet Shapes page.

Score:  I'll give the Shoei Qwest an "Outstanding" for an internal shape that should fit a wide majority of head shapes, a very comfortable liner, padding and material and overall quality.

The Shoei Qwest has a single and rather small top vent with a small profile design.

The chin vent flows a large volume of air up through the breath guard.

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Shoei Qwest Face Shield, Eye Port and Visibility
The Qwest provides excellent visibility, with better than average vertical sight lines and slightly better than average lateral vision. 

The helmet also uses a newly designed face shield, according to Shoei.  The CW-1 shield is claimed to be "both wider and taller than the CX-IV that it replaces".  Shoei also claims that the shield filters 99% of UVA and UVB light.

We measured the face shield at 2.21 mm thick and it has excellent optical qualities.  It is also labeled as meeting or exceeding the VESC-8 face shield standard.  Shoei also said the face shield is ready for the special Shoei Pinlock anti-fog insert (review), although there are no Pinlock installation posts on this one so I'm assuming the Shoei version of the Qwest Pinlock is the stick-on type.

Other Shoei face shields have responded very nicely to our favorite anti-fog coating, the easy-to-use Clarity DeFog It (review) and I'd expect this one to be no different.  The weather here is just starting to turn to a point where we'll be able to evaluate the original equipment anti-fog prevention treatments once again.

The Qwest uses the Shoei "Q.R.S.A." (Quick Release Self-Adjusting) base plate rotating mechanism for the face shield.  This is an excellent system, albeit with a few more moving parts than other types.  It is spring-loaded, so it helps keep the face shield tight against the 360-degree full-surround eye port gasket.

The sealing capability and the gasket keeps out all of the water that might otherwise enter the helmet and the Qwest passed our drip test with flying colors.  The spring-loaded mechanism works by keeping pressure on the face shield against the gasket, so water that runs along the top of the shield is directed past the eye port itself and right out the sides of the helmet.  Also, the carefully molded shield has a slight inward chamfer at the top to further reduce the ingress of water.

The only slight downside to this system is that the owner should be a bit cautious with removal and installation of the face shield, making sure to align the two small tabs on the shield to their receivers in the base plate.

The Qwest also has a face shield lock and lift tab on the lower left side.  When it is pressed upwards towards the rear of the lever, the face shield is locked in place.  The center position is "neutral" and the lower position opens the face shield forward approximately 2 mm to the "city position".  This is just enough to allow some defogging and ventilation.

Even the main lift tab on the Qwest got a re-think.  It has an interesting three-dimensional curved shape that actually feels good because it closely fits the shape of the rider's finger.  The tight tolerances used on the face shield system and the location of the lift tab result in a slight torque or twist in the shield as it's raised or lowered, but this is a very small price to pay for what is otherwise a benchmark system.

webBikeWorld Opinionator - Shoei Qwest Outward Visibility

Score:  I'll give the Shoei Qwest another "Outstanding" rating for the overall quality and operation of the face shield and eye port.

Dual low-drag independent rear exhaust vent system on the Shoei Qwest.

Ventilation and Air Flow
Shoei claims to have spent a great deal of time in the wind tunnel to optimize the shape and ventilation of the Qwest, but the work wasn't quite as successful as I'd hoped.

Starting on the inside, the EPS liner is channeled to allow the air to pass through and out the dual rear exhaust vents (both independently operated) and there are a total of 8 very clean vent holes that can be seen in the EPS in the top of the helmet.

Those holes are an indication of the quality of this helmet; most manufacturers simply pop a couple of holes in the EPS without chamfering or without even cleaning out the bits of foam.  It usually looks pretty ugly and more than once we've had to use a pick to clean out the holes to allow the air to flow correctly through. 

Another common problem is when the spaces in the helmet liner aren't lined up correctly and the liner blocks the very holes that are supposed to allow ventilation.  Not so in the Qwest.  It's a small detail but a very telling one -- the holes are perfectly round, with perfectly trimmed edges, perfectly lined up in rows where the spaces in the liner are placed to allow the air to flow through. 

Even the EPS is treated with some type of coating or paint on the inside, another small touch that lends an air of high quality and poshness (is that a word?) to this helmet.  Look inside a Qwest and look inside any other helmet and I'll guarantee you'll be impressed.

So does this attention to detail give the helmet top-notch ventilation?  Well, yes and no.  The new thinking by Shoei also meant a redesign of the top vent, and although it looks modern, with a shape somewhat like Gort's viewport and the on/off switch has a quality tactile feel, the actual vent under the switch is so tiny that I can't even find it using a flashlight.

So the air comes into the helmet -- sort of -- but not at the volume I would like and, in fact, the top of my head can get warm when riding on hot days.  Besides that, the vent isn't all that quiet, making a continuous noise that sounds exactly like someone's tearing of a very long piece of paper in the next cubicle.  The volume and frequency remains the same whether I'm sitting upright or leaned forward.

The chin vent uses a very positive-feeling cover that clicks open and closed.  It directs air through the top of the chin bar only; the Qwest has no vents through the chin bar itself.  This is good news perhaps for intercom users; install the chin curtain provided in the box (along with a breath guard and I'm not sure why they didn't install these at the factory) and you should have a pretty decent sound chamber for a microphone.

The ventilation provided by the chin vent is very good, flowing air on to the back of the face shield and from there on to the rider's face.

Shoei also claims to have molded channels on either side of the liner for eyeglass wearers, but I can't find them.  I can slip a pair of thin wire frame eyeglasses inside but my everyday eyeglasses don't fit.  However, this is highly variable and dependent upon eyeglass type and the match between the rider's head shape and the helmet.

webBikeWorld Opinionator - Shoei Qwest Ventilation

Score:  I'll give the Qwest a "Very Good" rating overall for ventilation with a wish that the top vent intake was able to fully exploit the internal ventilation system.

The face shield release mechanism is spring-loaded to maintain eye port sealing integrity.

The Shoei Qwest helmet liner material is very comfortable and nicely padded.

Shoei Qwest Sound Levels
Overall, I'd have to say that the Qwest is a very quiet helmet, with excellent noise control.  Shoei goes to great lengths to describe the work that has gone into this aspect of the helmet.

The noises that can be heard are very muted; the "tearing paper" noise coming from the top vent is there, but not bothersome.

Shoei also talks about the attention paid to the lower part of the helmet, an area that can be the cause of increased noise levels.  The design of the helmet and the neck roll does seem to block the buffeting noises commonly heard, but I was surprised to have a constant low-pitched wind rushing noise coming from the bottom of the helmet that remains at about the same volume whether I'm riding behind a windscreen or not.

Now this may be due to my neck and head shape combined with the helmet fit, and certainly noise levels can be highly subjective and will vary based on many unusual factors, up to and including, believe it or not, the type of clothing the rider is wearing.

So again, overall the Qwest is a relatively quiet helmet but not as quiet as I'd like.  Also, individual perception of noise levels is extremely variable.

webBikeWorld Opinionator - Shoei Qwest Noise LevelsNote that our helmet evaluations are normally a combined effort of several riders over time, on different types of motorcycles with and without windscreens.  Evaluators wear correctly fitted, high quality earplugs (even when evaluating motorcycle intercom systems) and (usually) a helmet liner.  It is strongly recommended that hearing protection is used when riding a motorcycle.  See the wBW Earplugs and Hearing Protection page for more information on choosing and wearing earplugs. 

Note also that perceived noise levels will vary, depending on the individual.  Noise can be caused by many factors, including helmet fit; the type of motorcycle and windscreen; wind speed and direction and even the type of clothing that is being worn.  For more information on helmet noise, visit the wBW Motorcycle Helmet Noise page.

Score:  I'll give the Qwest a "Very Good" overall rating for noise control.

wBW Video:  Shoei Qwest Helmet Helmet Weight
The Qwest helmet shell is made with Shoei's "AIM+" fiberglass composite, claimed to include "organic fibers that are so strong they can only be cut with a laser".  The shell is very stiff, as you can see in the video, yet the helmet is light in weight.

The size large Qwest shown here weighs 1648 grams, currently placing it as 77 out of 149 helmets weighed by webBikeWorld.com.  We're mixing chalk and cheese here because some of the helmets weighed are size XL and some size L and we have very few size L comparisons in the 150 gram range.

However, the Qwest compares very nicely with other size L helmets, such as the Bell Star 2010 at 1628 grams; the Craft R2 Aerospeed which, at 1660 grams, was considered a lightweight helmet when it arrived.  Also for comparison, the Shoei X-12 in size XL weighed 1766 grams and the XL Shoei RF-1100 weighed 1746 grams.

Shoei uses an amazing 5 different shell sizes to span the range of Qwest head sizes.  This means that each head size should have a shell that is proportional, helping to avoid the "fishbowl" or "astronaut" helmet effect of a too-large helmet on a small head.

We don't have the shell-to-head size chart for the Qwest, but I'd have to assume it's the same as the RF-1100 and X-12:

Shoei Qwest Shell Size Chart (Estimated)The size large Qwest is listed as fitting a 59-60 cm head and I'd have to agree, even though my 60.5 round shaped head fits comfortably, if a bit tight on the sides (which is actually preferred as a 'race' fit).

The helmet is perfectly balanced and seems to slice smoothly through the air with no undue buffeting or lift that I have noticed.

All of these weights are available on the wBW Motorcycle Helmet Weights page, along with a chart that lists the helmets by weight and shape on the wBW Motorcycle Helmet Shapes page.

Score:  I'll give the Shoei Qwest an "Excellent" rating for relatively low weight compared to other helmets.

Miscellaneous
The Qwest meets both DOT and Snell 2010 standards when sold in the U.S.  I'm not sure, but the Qwest may be a North American helmet only; I don't see an equivalent sold in Europe.

The helmet carries a five-year warranty or alternatively a seven-year warranty from the date of manufacture, whichever comes first.

The wBW Overall Opinionator - Shoei QwestOutstanding overall quality.

Very comfortable liner and padding.

Solid shell feel and Snell 2010 approved.

Very good fit.

Excellent face shield operation.

Five-year warranty.

Better value than the RF-1100.

Upper ventilation could be improved.

Not as quiet as expected.

Conclusion
The Shoei Qwest is one of the nicest helmets I've worn in the 10+ years of webBikeWorld.com reviews.  It combines sleek and modern good looks with class-leading quality and comfort and noise control; solid and secure operation; and an excellent face shield system.  This is all simple stuff that very few get completely right, thus the "benchmark" label.

Combine all that with a price that is currently $155.00 less (list) than the Shoei RF-1100 and throw in the Shoei five-year warranty and you have a helmet that is both a benchmark and which surely is a front-runner for the 2010 webBikeWorld Helmet of the Year Award!

webBikeWorld Review:  Shoei Qwest Helmet

Sizes:  XS to XXL  Shell Sizes:  5.Note:  The product featured in this review was provided by RevZilla (more).

Ratings Scale:  For reference, our ratings scale is subjective and ranges from Unacceptable to Poor, Neutral, Very Good, Excellent and Outstanding.  Note: the middle "Good" rating was changed to "Neutral" in November of 2009.

Note:  For informational use only.  All material and photographs are Copyright ? webWorld International, LLC - 2000-2010.  All rights reserved.  See the webBikeWorld? Site Info page.  NOTE:  Product specifications, features and details may change or differ from our descriptions.  Always check before purchasing.  Read the Terms and Conditions!

?Reader Comments and Owner Feedback

Please send comments to
Comments are ordered from most recent to oldest.
Not all comments will be published (details).  Comments may be edited for clarity prior to publication.

From "B.M." (10/10):  "This may sound odd, but I'm almost glad the venting on the Qwest isn't very good.  Why?  Riding in the mid-Atlantic, I consider venting very important. Riding in 90+ degree temps and 80+ % humidity, poor venting leaves me feeling weak.

I've got a very narrow head.  The only helmet I've found that really fits me well is the Arai Profile.  No way the Qwest is going to fit me.  So if the venting was as good as the rest of the helmet, I'd be insanely jealous.  Now I can just ignore it.

For the life of me, I can't understand why no manufacturer but Arai understands that not all humans have the same head shape.

Thanks again for all the great work."

From "Q" (10/10):  "I just saw your review, I had to say I got the flat grey color Qwest 2 weeks ago, I was at the only dealer and they were just putting them on the shelf as he got them in.  I heard about the new Qwest but didn't know anything about them.

I put it on and was sold right there, it is the most comfortable and the best helmet I ever owned and I have owned plenty, I have been wearing it every day and will probably throw away my only 1 year old Scorpion.  I have to agree this Shoei is built way better than the Scorpion and worth the price, I even got it at $40.00 off from the list, which is even a better deal, I thought he was making a mistake when he sold me it.  Love it!"

From "M.R." (10/10):  "I have never found a review on your website that I completely agree with.  However that changed with your review of the Shoei Qwest.  Being an Asian from India, I am a longtime Arai Quantum 2 user (change shields twice a day - never broken a sidepod) but was terribly disappointed with the RX-Q, it's less than plush liner and unjustifiable price left me looking for a replacement elsewhere.

I liked the Shoei RF-1100, tried it but was put off by the busy looking collection of vents in the rear and thought I'll soldier along with my Quantum 2 for a little while longer.

I happened to visit Coleman Powersports in Virginia a week ago, tried the new Qwest (in Black) and an RF-1100 back to back and was quite honestly stunned.  At least for my head the Qwest is the better helmet.  It also seems well put together, comfortable, well balanced and has good outward visibility.

At that price it's a definite winner!  The lack of a fully removable liner is no biggie for me.  Like Bruce Porter of Arai advises - it will do your helmet no harm if once a year you soak it in a bucket of water, swish it around for a few minutes and then let it air dry to remove the buildup of perspiration and oils.

The only downer is that Shoei chooses not to sell their helmets in the hi-viz lime green / yellow color like Scorpion and now Arai.  Perhaps you can use your considerable influence to convince then to come out with one in the next two weeks before I run out and buy one."

From "D.E." (10/10):  "I think you got a bit carried away in your review of the Shoei Qwest.  I won't qwestion the exceptional Shoei build quality, which is probably the best in the world (and I say that despite favouring Arai helmets). But I have a few disagreements:

1. The Styling.  I agree it looks good, especially in metal silver, a colour that makes other helmets look just awful.  But is it so much different from its predecessor, the TR-Z?  That was a handsome guy too in uni colours, and I don't think the Qwest looks much more than a TR-Z with a few plastic pieces.

2. The liner.  You state it is removable, but it isn't.  At least the European version has no removable liner, but judging from your photos, I think yours lacks that as well.  In contrast, the XR-1100/RF-1100 has a removable liner, which confirms my opinion that the QWEST is mainly just a cheaper version, similar to the Raid II/TR-Z, which was a cheaper version of the XR-1000/RF-1000.

You also say that it feels better than the liner of other helmets, but at least the European version uses the same material as the XR/RF-1100, and in your photos it looks exactly the same.  In Europe, both helmets share the same cheek pads, and the material is the same as in the previous Shoei helmet generation.  I doubt they make a special new liner for the American QWEST.

(Furthermore, I think the new Arais feel better, as do almost all of my customers).

And if I may state what I think about its place in the market, I'm pretty sure it will be a failure at least in Germany.  People who want a sports helmet will go for models with fancy decoration (the 1100), while touring people won't buy a helmet without a sun visor and a quick-acting closure.  They will continue to buy Schuberth or Nolan.  The only reason people might buy it is because it's considerably cheaper than the XR-1100.  I'm very interested however how it will do in other countries."

Rick's Reply:  Thanks for the feedback, yes, I guess I went a bit over the top, but I'm really liking the helmet.  I just checked again and Shoei isn't exactly clear about it, but it does appear that only the cheek pads are removable, so I edited that.  But I discovered that 6 different size cheek pads are available.

This doesn't change my feeling about the comfort and fit however.  The recent Arai helmets and other helmets we've reviewed recently have uncomfortable liner material.  The recent Arai RX-Q has a liner that is nothing like the Arai helmets of the past.

It may very well be that the Qwest is a replacement for the TZ-R, which never sold very well here.  But I stand by my enthusiastic opinion of the helmet.

From "P.C." (10/10):  " I am an avid street and sometime track rider of sportbikes and (unfaired) bikes.  There are two issues that your otherwise detailed helmet review of the Qwest (and prior reviews of other helmets) seems to cover only in
passing that are very important to riders like me:

Upward visibility in the eye port.  Many otherwise excellent helmets have their eye ports set slightly too low in the face of the helmet, making the sportbike rider in a leaned position move his/her neck into greater extension than is comfortable for long periods.

If the eye port extends a little higher, the rider can use an upward eye position in the eye socket instead of neck extension to maintain the road view, which is much more comfortable for longer periods.  Can you comment more about this on the Qwest, and start thinking more about it on other helmets?

For track use, and sometimes for street use, the amount of aerodynamic lift that the helmet generates is a concern.  A helmet that lifts off the head and pulls at the chin strap at speed is distracting, and potentially dangerous.

This is usually a problem at speeds above usual highway speed, but can occur while passing on the highway, and is certainly a problem for certain helmets on straight track stretches.

For these uses, this aerodynamic property is much more important than the airflow noise level that you often emphasize.  Can you comment on the aerodynamic properties of the Qwest, and start thinking about this during future reviews?

Thanks very much for your consideration."

Rick's Reply:  Thanks for the feedback.  Actually, we cover the lift/buffeting issue in almost every helmet review; it is addressed briefly in the Qwest review also.  Lift and buffeting can be difficult to evaluate as it can be caused by helmet fit and motorcycle type (i.e., size of fairing or windscreen).  But if there is an unusual problem, we usually mention it, I'll try and make sure we emphasize this in the future.

Regarding the upward visibility of the Qwest and other helmets, this also can depend on the rider's head and eye shape and proportions, the helmet fit and also the shell size range or shell design.  Since the Qwest, RF-1100 and X-12 have 5 shell sizes across the size range, the helmet shells are much more proportional to the head size, resulting in less overhang at the top of the eye port.

When a manufacturer uses fewer shell sizes across the head size range, the problem you describe can be a factor when the rider's head size is in the smallest range for the shell size; for example, if a shell spans the L, XL and XXL range, the size L helmet may have thicker padding or EPS, causing a larger overhang at the top of the eye port.

This, combined with the other factors and the overall helmet design and shape, can cause a sight line problem for sportbike riders.  This is why it's important to understand helmets, helmet design and shell size distribution across head sizes.  Unfortunately, the helmet manufacturers don't always publish the shell size distribution information. 

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