Japanese helmet manufacturer Shoei has been around for a long time. That kind of tenure in these business has allowed the company to see the evolution of helmets and how technology->ke1701 has played a starring role in the business.

Shoei has also been at the forefront of helmet development and recently, the company unveiled its latest pride and joy, the all-new Hornet X2, the successor to the popular Hornet dual-sport helmet that the company first introduced in 2008.

The Hornet X2 takes a lot of the elements from the original Hornet and gives them a steady dose of upgrades, beginning with the architecture of the visor. The helmet’s construction is made up of a Multi-Ply Matrix AIM+ outer shell that’s made up of no less than 6 layers, ensuring its durability even when subjected to substandard riding conditions. Take a closer look at that part of the helmet and you’ll notice that there are new vents that been added in to help reduce lift and drag whenever a rider is blasting his bike at high speeds on the highway. Don’t worry about the nuisance of having your head being forcibly tilted backwards by the rushing air. These vents now prevent that from happening.

The new helmet also incorporates an exclusive Shoei-developed CN-2 face shield. According to Shoie, the face shield features a 3D injection mold piece that allegedly blocks 99 percent of the sun’s UV rays. I’m not quite sure how to corroborate that, but at least Shoie is proud of its claim and won’t hesitate to promote it any chance it gets.

The face shield isn’t the only unique feature of the Hornet X2. If you’re worried about fog forming on your visor, the Hornet X2 actually has a Pinlock EVO fog-resistant lens that prevents that from happening. If, say, you’re in the business of enjoying your off-road sojourns, the Hornet X2 can also accommodate riding goggles.

Moving inside, the Hornet X2 was given a Max-Dry Interior System II liner, a 3D-shaped, removable, washable and resizable liner with an Emergency Quick Release System. The helmet also comes in various sizes ranging from XS to XXL to go with a five-year guarantee for anybody who might consider shelling out $595 for the chance of opening one. Add some sprinkling of graphic details on the helmet and that cost could go up as high as $716.

Click past the jump to read more about the Shoie Hornet X2 helmet.

Why it matters

Shoei has been known to create and develop some of the best motorcycle helmets in the market today. That goes with the cache of having been in this business since 1958. It’s been around longer than I’ve been alive so that goes to show the level of knowledge and expertise Shoei has when it comes to motorcycle helmets.

As far as the Hornet X2 helmet is concerned, I’ve personally tried out the Hornet a few times and it’s one of the most versatile helmets I’ve ever used. It’s light and its highly function. Sure, it had some issues, but ultimately, it was a really good helmet that served its purpose.

That’s why I’m excited to see what the Hornet X2 is all about. I’m not too thrilled that it costs $600 and I probably won’t buy one for myself. But I do know people who line up for these helmets and you better believe I’m going to give it a go when the opportunity to borrow one presents itself.

Don’t be too rattled by the price because I’ll admit to being a cheapskate. If you think the helmet is worth the sticker, then go ahead and buy it. At the very least, you know you’re not getting short-changed because this is Shoei we’re talking about here.