Way back in January, I had my first "big off" in nigh on 19 years. Up till then i'd been riding my Shoei Synchrotec helmet on the street and my Shoei RF1000 on the track. With the resulting decomissioning of the Synchrotec it was time to replace my street helmet !

 So coinciding with the purchase of "wee Billy" I went helmet shopping and chose a Shoei Hornet DS in Matt Black as the new replacement. I knew that with the Hornbet DS I'd get a lot more wind noise from the  visor. What i didn't expect was how well the visor shielded my eyes from the sun, allowing use of a non tinted face shiel;d for the first time in 4 years. I can also fit my Oakley perscription glasses under the Shoei, so they serve as my sunglasses as well as letting me actually see while riding :)  Good thing that the shield works so well, because a tinted face shielf for the hornet DS is a scary $82 USD on the shoei website !!! is that daylight robbery or what ?

Better not scratch it then !  Overall fit is good, but after a few hours the helmet is still pinching my ears, even after 1600 miles, which is kinda unusual for me in this size of a Shoei. I'm hoping it beds in quickly as the larger size was much too big off the getgo.

 Ventilation is something i havent really noticed working too well on this helmet, opening and closing the vents seems to make little effect, but i am biased , my last ride was on the hottest day of the year :) so i'll report back on that one. 

The helmet was also nigh on 500 bucks, so with hindsight i'd have to recomend to only buy one if you really want n Enduro styled helmet that makes you look like "Master Chief" ...especially when Shoei has other less expensive , very well made helmets that are lighter, less noisy and cheaper to buy face shields for.

 However, if like me being cool is all that matters, then certainly go and check out the Shoei Hornet DS, and dinnae forget your wallet !

The Shoei Hornet DS has a MSRP of $482.99 as reviewed. You can check out the Hornet DS from Shoei at the Shoei USA website.