The Glamster by SHOEI is a minimalist helmet. Sleek. Light. Vintage - note the chin guard - and yet still usable in everyday life. Because, unlike a real retro helmet from the 1960s, the design still hides a lot of contemporary comfort.
SHOEI calls the series 'Neo-classic'. There is something to be said for that. There is a clear nostalgia for the full-face helmets of the 1950s and 1960s. Even the Dunlop brothers wore a similar model in the 1980s: compact, with a straightforward, thin chin guard. Not too many extras. Functional and good. In other words: new and classic. With especially a very safe interpretation of the word 'new'.
The SHOEI Glamster is a style choice, that's for sure. But one that does not come at the expense of modern assets.
There are three helmet shells to accommodate all helmet sizes (from XS to XXL). The technology is called AIM (Advanced Integrated Matrix) and is exclusive to SHOEI: lightweight, rigid, yet elastic where needed. Underneath are EPS elements with different levels of shock absorption. A bit like a modern helmet should be, actually. The scale shows 1200 grams. That’s all!
The visor is one that leans in two directions: both the shape - note the cutout at the sides - and the slide-click-pull-lip feel very retro. Visually, but also when you open and close the transparent (CPB-1) visor. Despite that, the very contemporary Pinlock® lens is included in the box. And the visor fits neatly to the edge of the face recess, minimizing turbulence and unwanted raindrops or ventilation. And you won't hear an orchestra of loose metal snaps rattling around in the Glamster, something other retro motorcycle helmets could suffer from.
This two-way inclination is not a bad thing. It illustrates the successful marriage between 'then' and 'now'. Also minimalistic, clean, literally straightforward and yet functional, is the ventilation that SHOEI put into the Glamster. The chin ventilation consists of four open, ‘grilled’ bars and at the top of the helmet you can choose whether to allow wind or not.
The interior of the Glamster is washable and can be detached or exchanged in all possible combinations. Easy to maintain and ending in a nicely finished leather neck band. It contributes - again - to the retro style. Just like the Double-D ring that is there (among other things) for that reason.
The wind catcher chin that you find in the box, is a more recent invention. It does fit the EQRS (Emergency Microlock System), which makes it easier to remove the helmet in case of emergency.
For cleaning the outside of your helmet we can recommend the helmet cleaner from S100. The helmet interior can also be cleaned, without removing it, with S100 interior cleaner. A treatment on the outside of the visor with Rain-X anti-rain spray improves visibility during rain showers.
Safety above all! Never ride with a scratched or dull visor. Especially at night, scratches cause blinding reflections from street lights and oncoming headlights. This effect is even more pronounced in rainy weather. It is best to replace a scratched or dull visor as soon as possible. Planning a long trip? Then don't forget to take a replacement visor with you. Never ride in the dark with a tinted visor.
