Leaking RF1000

So, I live in the Pacific Northwest. I also insist on riding to work daily in all sorts of weather conditions. About the only time I don't ride is when it dips down into the freezing temps, and it is wet. I am at the edge of sanity with my RF1000. It leaks like a siv around the eye port, no matter how it is adjusted. I am tempted to throw down on a new helmet, and have been reading reviews for days, but no review seems to review whether or not the helmet leaks in torrential downpours! Any suggestions? Thanks.

[image: View Post]Fattiremike, on 14 February 2010 - 08:14 PM, said:

So, I live in the Pacific Northwest. I also insist on riding to work daily in all sorts of weather conditions. About the only time I don't ride is when it dips down into the freezing temps, and it is wet. I am at the edge of sanity with my RF1000. It leaks like a siv around the eye port, no matter how it is adjusted. I am tempted to throw down on a new helmet, and have been reading reviews for days, but no review seems to review whether or not the helmet leaks in torrential downpours! Any suggestions? Thanks.


Sorry to hear that about your RF-1000. I just bought the Sever version, but haven't gotten it yet. I noticed that today only Bike Bandit is selling the Castor for $269. I only mention that if your helmet is old. I rode home in a torrential downpour only once last year in my Scorpion EXO 700 and I don't remember it leaking. They can be had for steal now, but you will notice they are way heavier than your Shoei.

I've never heard of this as being a problem with Shoei's. I've got a Multi-tec and it's never leaked no matter how vicious the rainstorm. I've got a few friends with RF1000's and they have never said anything about leaking either. I think you should look at the rubber surround that seals to the visor, plus a new visor. $25 would be much cheaper than buying another equivalent to the RF.

My RF1000 has never leaked in the 5 years I've had it.

I have three different visors! The one that came with it, a Pinlock (that I use most of the time), and a dark smoke visor. All three leak. Now, they don't leak if I am moving along nicely, with the airflow blowing the water off, its when I get stuck in traffic and am just sitting there. Then the top of the visor above the eyeport fills with water, and leaks on down. Interestingly enough, they have spring loaded the RF1100's visor so that it has spring pressure against the visor when closed. They have also made something of a damn across the top of the visor as well. I have also read other reviews of RF1000's leaking. When you think about it, how big of a deal is sealing a helmet to a manufacturer? Probably not much of a factor, as most guys/gals park their bikes all winter anyways. They only have to contend with the occasional rainshower. Thanks for the replies!

If you can't do something to beef-up the rubber seal to make it more effective, it may be time to upgrade to the RF1100. You may also want to consider contacting Shoei directly to see if they'll take some responsibility on this and maybe provide you with a subsidy on a new helmet or correct the problem with your current helmet. Wishful thinking, I know, but if they're a responsible company that cares about the quality of their product, maybe they'll do something about it.

I guess you've loosened and adjusted the plates on the side?

[image: View Post]vfrcapn, on 25 February 2010 - 08:03 PM, said:

I guess you've loosened and adjusted the plates on the side?
Yep. A ridiculous number of times.

[image: View Post]jaimev34, on 25 February 2010 - 07:52 PM, said:

If you can't do something to beef-up the rubber seal to make it more effective, it may be time to upgrade to the RF1100. You may also want to consider contacting Shoei directly to see if they'll take some responsibility on this and maybe provide you with a subsidy on a new helmet or correct the problem with your current helmet. Wishful thinking, I know, but if they're a responsible company that cares about the quality of their product, maybe they'll do something about it.
I have tried this. I have these earplugs that are joined together by some blue plastic thread. You can buy them at any hardware store. So, I cut the earplugs off of the thread, and put the thread in behind the seal. Didn't work. I emailed back and forth a couple of times with the folks at webbikeworld.com, (a great review site) and they say that alot of helmets will not only leak around the eyeport, but at the vents as well. I really am not asking for advice on how to fix this helmet, as I think it is a done deal, but if any of you out there also regularly ride in the rain, and might know of a good watertight helmet. Thanks, though!

[image: View Post]Fattiremike, on 25 February 2010 - 08:09 PM, said:

[image: View Post]vfrcapn, on 25 February 2010 - 08:03 PM, said:

I guess you've loosened and adjusted the plates on the side?
Yep. A ridiculous number of times.

I've had the same problem with my Shoei and after adjusting the sideplates managed to get mine to stop leaking for the most part, but not completely. I agree that it's when you are going slow that it becomes a problem. Personally, it's not that big an issue to me as I ride with the shield cracked open in the rain anyway to help with fogging.

I need to replace my helmet this year, actually way past due, and I'm anxious to hear if anyone out there can give us a review of how well the new spring-loaded visor mechanism works to seal the shield, and also about how the venting has been improved, if any.

Sorry if I'm of little assistance, but good luck, and we'll hope to see you at PNW VFRD in August.

[image: View Post]keithbob, on 25 February 2010 - 08:36 PM, said:

[image: View Post]Fattiremike, on 25 February 2010 - 08:09 PM, said:

[image: View Post]vfrcapn, on 25 February 2010 - 08:03 PM, said:

I guess you've loosened and adjusted the plates on the side?
Yep. A ridiculous number of times.

I've had the same problem with my Shoei and after adjusting the sideplates managed to get mine to stop leaking for the most part, but not completely. I agree that it's when you are going slow that it becomes a problem. Personally, it's not that big an issue to me as I ride with the shield cracked open in the rain anyway to help with fogging.

I need to replace my helmet this year, actually way past due, and I'm anxious to hear if anyone out there can give us a review of how well the new spring-loaded visor mechanism works to seal the shield, and also about how the venting has been improved, if any.

Sorry if I'm of little assistance, but good luck, and we'll hope to see you at PNW VFRD in August.

I went and looked at them at a local motorcycle shop, and I was not super impressed. I could see air through the lower RH corner, although the top seemed to be sealed up tightly. I am not going to spend that kind of money again until I know it works. So, a user review would be great!

Not sure how old your helmet is but Shoei replaced my Multitec when it was about 6 months old because we couldn't get it to stop leaking. May want to check with the place you bought it and if they won't help either call Shoei or get the dealer to give you the area reps number and they are almost always the most helpful person around.

I have a RF-1000 and a X-11, neither have ever leaked, however I rarely ride in the wet (Southern California). I do treat the rubber beading with silicone "oil" a couple times a year that seems to keep it fresh and supple. Also, Shoei sells replacement beading on their website for $12.00.