It's a rightful and righteous heir to the throne that the outgoing RF-1200 has been keeping warm since 2013. 

As the latest iteration of the Shoei’s class-leading “RF” (Reinforced Fiberglass) line of premium street helmets, engineers in Japan had their work cut out for them.

Their top two priorities on the design outline are diametrically opposed: 1.) improve ventilation and 2.) make it quieter.

How’d they do it? 

First, with a venting scheme that looks to borrow from its cousin, the GT-Air II. The 1400 sees an all-new air intake system with bigger, more numerous central brow and chin vents, dwarfing the size of the 1200 intake ports.

The exhaust vent is also enlarged, and it’s not “switchable” like the 1200, meaning it’ll draw a constant stream of passive airflow. Logic dictates that if all the intake vents are closed, the passive rear vents should shut off as well, so this isn't a huge deal if you’re afraid of staying warm during winter.

Then the design was handed off to the aerodynamics department, which tweaked and sculpted the exterior of the helmet to yields some incrementally positive results in the wind tunnel.

Shoei claims that comparing the 1200 to the 1400, lift on the helmet was reduced by 6 percent, while overall drag was cut down by 4 percent.

So it slices through the air better, with less buffeting. But how did they improve on the quietness of the helmet? 

First, notice those little nubs built into the profile of the widened face shield? Some overexcited marketing staffer at Shoei has dubbed them "Vortex Generators." (Mildly better that the Schuberth terminology for the same feature on their helmets: “Turbulators.”)

In real terms, these little nubs help break up passing air and relieve back-pressure. Just a like dimples on a golf ball help it slice further and faster through the air, these lil nubbins help the 1400 cut through the air more efficiently, reducing drag and noise buffeting at the same time.

The next step Shoei took to tame road noises was to beef up its cheekpads. Literally, fattening up the volume of the redesigned cheekpads makes for a more comprehensive fit around the wearers face and jawline, preventing passing air from reaching the users ears. As with the 1200 and any other helmet, installing the included chin curtain will even further quiet down the helmet, as it minimizes the “blowing across a beer bottle” effect that can create unwanted resonance inside the lid.

Structurally, the RF-1400 loses the traditional side clasp on the non-throttle side of the helmet. Instead it gets a centrally located latch that operates with an easier-to-use push-button switch.

The new shield is also slightly taller than the outgoing RF-1200, and its pinlock posts are spaced about 10% further apart, which yields a wider, even-more-unobstructed field of view over its predecessor.

One goal clearly not on the list: Make it lighter. And in fact the new RF-1400 picked up some grams over the RF-1200. A medium 1400 on our shop scale weighs 1,679 grams (3lbs 11oz), that’s up 132 grams from the 1,547-gram RF-1200. While the slight added weight is unfortunate, it shouldn’t present much of a noticeable difference given the wind-tunnel gains mentioned above.

And with weight comes strength (at least that's how we're spinning it) and this SNELL 2020 and DOT rated full-face helmet offers plenty of confidence. Its construction remains consistent with Shoei’s proven recipe for the 1200—a medley of fiberglass in the shell covering up a dual-density EPS liner.

Another nice safety feature carries over with emergency quick-release cheekpads, making it easy for emergency medical staff to remove the helmet following an accident.

Gulp.

It’s good to remember that for all the styling conceits the #1 function of any helmet is to keep you safe. That is, to prevent your brain from smashing into the inside of your skull in an accident, and/or to keep your mandible properly attached, and your teeth intact. And this 1400 delivers safety performance in spades.

With increased ventilation *and* decreased road noise, we’ve got now reason to doubt the 1400 will offer a marked—if incremental—improvement over the much-loved 1200.

We have these helmets in stock in every solid color option as of Jan 1, 2021.

We are not stocking any of the "special graphics" at this time, but would be happy to bring them in for those interested.

* Update: this helmet is now available in a 5th shell size—a true 3X-Large. This size is offered only in matte black or white.