Cycle News Staff | May 10, 2023
Shoei’s new flagship street and race helmet, the X-Fifteen, was developed and refined using Shoei’s state-of-the-art wind-tunnel facility resulting in improved aerodynamics over its predecessor, the X-Fourteen.
Tested at speeds in excess of 218 mph, the newly shaped shell has better high-speed stability and both drag and lift are reduced. The revised eyeport has increased upper and lateral field of vision for racing at extreme lean angles, and the faceshield lock is also improved to handle faster speeds. Seven intake and six exhaust vents move air through channels in the EPS liner, and the chinbar now includes a passageway for a hydration tube.
Shoei’s X-Series of helmets have earned the praise of the world’s top racers, including Marc Marquez and his brother, Alex Marquez, featured in the video below.
VIDEO | Shoei X-Fifteen Helmet
Shoei X-15
Fabio Di Giannantonio
Shoei X-Fifteen Helmet MSRP
Replicas: $1049.99
Graphics: $999.99
Matte Solids: $919.99
Solids: $899.99
2023 Shoei X-Fifteen Colorways
Here are all the current colorways pictured below for the new X-Fifteen. They include (from top to bottom) black and white solids, three colorways in the Proxy graphic, an Alex Marquez replica and a pair of Marc Marquez replicas, and five colorways in the Escalate graphic.
Here is the complete press release from Shoei with all the details for the new X-Fifteen…
Shoei X-Fifteen: When Milliseconds Count
AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE
Among the most important and widely studied properties in racing, no stone was left unturned during the development of the X-Fifteen’s aerodynamics. Designed and refined in Shoei’s state-of-the-art wind tunnel facility, the X-Fifteen boasts impressive improvements in all aerodynamic performance measurables, most notably a 6.1% reduction in drag and a 1.6% reduction in lift [as compared to its predecessor].
Thanks to Shoei’s superior shell molding technology, the bottom third of the helmet (from the chinbar to the rear of the shell) has been strategically narrowed, and together with updated rear stabilizer and rear flap designs, the balance and stability of the all-new X-Fifteen is next level. Working in unison with the newly designed rear stabilizer system and concave of the shell surface, pronounced edges on the top left and right sides of the X-Fifteen further enhance aerodynamic performance by allowing wind to stream off the helmet with minimal resistance.
During the evolution of the X-Fifteen’s 150+ profile shape iterations, Shoei engineers focused on aerodynamic optimization while in numerous riding and racing positions. Special emphasis was placed on the enhancement of high-speed stability [tested at speeds in excess of 218 mph] while reducing the negative forces that can inhibit a rider’s performance on race day. Mission accomplished.
RACING VENTILATION
Overheating while riding and racing can have a direct impact on rider fatigue and safety, which is precisely why ventilation performance was a crucial feature while designing the X-Fifteen. Putting the helmet through its paces in Shoei’s in-house wind tunnel throughout development revealed optimal airflow in multiple riding positions, but none more important than the aerodynamic, tucked racing position.
Featuring seven (7) closable air intakes and six (6) exhaust outlets—all strategically shaped and located to maximize airflow and negative air pressure suction to the rear of the helmet—the X-Fifteen’s ventilation performance is on another level. Helping to pull cool, refreshing air through the helmet, the X-Fifteen’s EPS tunnels have been enlarged from 6mm to 10mm in depth, dramatically increasing cool-air volume and the rate of hot-air expulsion.
Additionally, significant improvements have been made to the innovative cheekpad cooling system by increasing the number of holes delivering refreshing air to the rider’s cheek area. Channels cut through the EPS liner and corresponding air holes located in the cheekpad foam work in harmony with exhaust outlets to clear warm, humid air from the rider’s face with even greater efficiency.
FIELD OF VISION
Taking a new angle on performance, the CWR-F2R shield system provides vast improvements in upper and lateral fields of vision. Shoei engineers revised the eyeport trajectory to increase the upper field of view by 5mm without changing the position of the rider’s head inside the helmet. Though fractional by design, the resulting view through the X-Fifteen’s eyeport is significant while positioned in racing’s extreme lean angles.
Additionally, the DKS-304 Pinlock EVO lens system is 10% larger than its predecessor and improves lateral field of vision thanks to relocated pins outside of the eyeport.
CWR-F2R SHIELD & BASE PLATE SYSTEM
The all-new CWR-F2R shield system features improved visibility, functionality and performance over its predecessor, and like all Shoei shield systems, protects against 99% of the sun’s damaging UV rays. Thanks to Shoei’s innovative 3D injection-molding process, the CWR-F2R shield also offers a distortion-free view throughout the entire X-Fifteen eyeport.
Highlighting a long list of updates, the CWR-F2R 2D “flat” outside surface combined with 3D technology inside offers an aggressive look with optimized visibility for a more natural view. Vortex Generators on the sides of the shield improve aerodynamics and reduce wind noise, and an all-new center locking mechanism helps to evenly distribute shield forces across both spring-loaded base plates.
The X-Fifteen is equipped with an exclusive two-stage shield locking system [center locking mechanism plus racing shield lock], providing optimal protection against unexpected shield releases in the event of a fall. Additionally, a newly designed trigger lock mechanism, once activated, provides even more assurance by preventing the shield from detaching during an impact or crash. The base plate system has been completely redesigned to enable smoother shield openings and closures. Combined with the latest-generation window beading that prevents wind and water intrusion when the shield is locked, the CWR-F2R shield and base plate system is the most advanced on the market today.
3D MAX-DRY CUSTOM INTERIOR SYSTEM II
The X-Fifteen is equipped with a fully removable, washable, adjustable, and replaceable 3D Max-Dry Custom Interior System II. Shoei’s exclusive Max-Dry liner material absorbs and dissipates sweat and moisture twice as fast as traditional nylon interiors, and in combination with the X-Fifteen’s superior ventilation system, keeps racers and aggressive riders alike cool and dry during intense riding sessions. Additionally, the innovative cheekpad cooling system delivers refreshing air to the rider’s cheek area thanks to channels cut through the EPS liner and air holes strategically located in several areas of the foam.
Fine-tuning your racing equipment is essential to improving performance, and the X-Fifteen’s independently adjustable 3D center pad components are no exception. Like its predecessor, each section of the center pad can be replaced with optional thicknesses to customize the fit based on head shape and performance demands. New to the X-Fifteen, however, each pocket-shaped pad has separate, removable layers that can be peeled away to further optimize the individual fit.
Similar to the X-Fourteen interior, the X-Fifteen’s cheekpad system utilizes a patented angle adjustment mechanism to change the position of the helmet by up to 4-degrees to increase the upper field of vision while tucked in extreme racing positions. In addition to innovative cooling properties, the surface area of the cheekpads has been enlarged by 16.5%, giving riders a more secure and comfortable fit, especially at high speeds.
EMERGENCY QUICK RELEASE SYSTEM (E.Q.R.S.)
The X-Fifteen is equipped with the Shoei-exclusive Emergency Quick Release System that allows emergency medical personnel to easily remove the cheekpads from an injured rider’s helmet. With the cheekpads removed, the helmet can be safely lifted from a rider’s head without creating unnecessary strain in the neck area.
MULTI-PLY MATRIX AIM+ SHELL
Few characteristics of a motorcycle helmet are as critical as its first-layer of defense, which is precisely why the all-new X-Fifteen features the Shoei-exclusive Multi-Ply Matrix AIM+ Shell construction.
Combining a six-ply matrix of fiberglass with lightweight organic and high-performance fibers, the X-Fifteen’s proprietary AIM+ shell provides optimal impact-absorption, strength and elasticity, and is available in four shell sizes to ensure a custom fit for heads between the sizes of XS-XXL. The X-Fifteen is both Snell M2020R and ECE22.06 certified.
MULTI-PIECE MULTI-DENSITY EPS LINER
The X-Fifteen’s Multi-Piece, Multi-Density EPS liner boasts optimized impact absorption by utilizing varying densities of foam in key areas around the rider’s head. In addition to impact performance, the precise placement of multi-density EPS liner material yields a more compact, lightweight design, further accentuating the X-Fifteen’s safety and comfort properties.
Contributing greatly to the X-Fifteen’s unrivaled ventilation performance, the multi-piece EPS liner features strategically-located tunnels that allow cooling air to travel unrestricted through the helmet. Enlarged from 6mm to 10mm deep [as compared to the X-Fourteen], the X-Fifteen’s superior ventilation characteristics have been further enhanced without compromising an ounce of safety.
Also new to the X-Fifteen, a small channel in the front chinbar area has been strategically designed to guide and receive hydration systems, including the all-new optional Shoei Hydration Tube.
For more information, visit shoei-helmets.com
