Shoei Helmets

Shoei Helmets Co., Ltd is a Japanese company that produces a popular line of motorsport helmets.

Historyof Shoei Helmets

Shoei Helmets is a Japanese company producing motorcycle helmets since 1958. Its roots go back to 1954 with the founding of Kamata Polyester Co., whose first helmets were produced primarily for use in the construction industry.

Shoei Helmets's founder, Eitaro Kamata, began to produce helmets for the motorcycle racing sector and in 1960, the Tokyo factory began to produce the first motorcycle helmets to meet the Japanese Industrial Standard.

In 1965, Honda Motor Co. adopted Shoei's helmets as their 'genuine' helmets, increasing their popularity and availability. The Shoei Helmets Safety Helmet Corp. was established in 1968, shortly after construction of the Ibaraki factory. The current Iwate factory was built in 1989.

Despite their success, Shoei Helmets remains a relatively small company, with a workforce of under 500 people worldwide.

Shoei Helmets sponsors several MotoGP riders, like Chris Vermeulen and Toni Elias.

The Shoei Helmets

Since the foundation of Shoei Helmets, all Shoei Helmets have been designed and manufactured in Japan, although they are distributed and sold globally.

Shoei Helmets's GRV helmet was the first helmet to use carbon fiber and Kevlar. Shoei Helmets also created the first coverless shield system and the Dual Liner Ventilation system. The flagship X-Spirit was introduced in 2003 and was promoted by Shoei Helmets as the most advanced helmet in the world, winning MCN's Product of the Year 2003 award in the clothing category. It was followed by further development and the introduction of the RF-1000 (sold as the XR-1000 in Europe) in 2004, and the later introduction of the X-Eleven. These helmets paved the way for the current RF-1100 and X-Twelve models.

Shoei Helmet History

1959 - Shoei Helmets Kako Co., LTD is established and begins manufacturing general safety helmets in Tokyo, Japan.
1960 - Shoei Helmets acquires a larger facility to begin manufacturing motorcycle helmets.
1962 - Shoei Helmets motorcycle helmets earn JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) certification.

Shoei Helmets begins producing Fiber Reinforced Plastic helmets.
Shoei Helmets begins racing sponsorship program to help with research and development of new products.

1963 - Shoei Helmets introduces the SR-1 — the company’s first motorcycle racing helmet.
1967 - Shoei Helmets establishes its factory in Ibaraki, Japan, which is still in service today.

Shoei Helmets introduces the SR-Z — the company’s first full face helmet.

1968 - Shoei Helmets Safety Helmet Corporation, the North American arm of our company, is formed in California, U.S.A.
1971 - The S-3, SA-1, and S-10 helmets are popular models for Shoei Helmets.

The S-12 obtains Snell certification.

1972 - The S-20, with its two piece structure, is introduced, and proves to be very popular in the North American market.
1976 - Shoei Helmets introduces the GR-Z, the world’s first helmet to utilize carbon fiber in its construction.
1978 - Shoei Helmets Europe PVBA is established in Belgium to distribute Shoei Helmets products throughout Europe and West Asia.
1980 - A new factory is built at Shoei Helmets's Tokyo facility.
1982 - Shoei Helmets's first off road helmet, the EX-2, is introduced.
1983 - Shoei Helmets introduces the Z-100, a full face helmet with innovative designs such as an injection-molded shield and chin spoiler.

Shoei Helmets introduces the RF-102, a full face racing helmet equipped with a quick opening shield system.
Shoei Helmets introduces the TJ-201, an open face helmet equipped with a quick opening shield system.

1984 - Shoei Helmets introduces the RF-102V and TJ-201V — the world’s first ventilated helmets.

Shoei Helmets introduces the TF-250, a full face helmet equipped with a ventilation system in the chin bar.

1987 - Shoei Helmets France SARL is established to distribute helmets in France.

Shoei Helmets racer Wayne Gardner is crowned champion in the GP500 Road Racing World Championship Series.

1988 - Shoei Helmets introduces the VX-4 off road helmet.

Shoei Helmets racer Eddie Lawson is crowned champion in the GP500 Road Racing World Championship Series.

1989 - Shoei Helmets's Iwate factory in northern Japan is established.

Shoei Helmets racer Eddie Lawson successfully defends his GP500 championship.

1990 - Shoei Helmets introduces the X-8 with its unique built-in mechanical shield system, eliminating the need for noisy base plate covers.
1991 - Shoei Helmets introduces the VF-X off road helmet.
1992 - Shoei Helmets racer Wayne Rainey wins his third championship in a row in the GP500 class.

Shoei Helmets racers won every GP500 title from 1987 through 1992.
1993 - Shoei Helmets released the first dual EPS liner ventilation system in the world with the X-8 Air.

The DUOTEC modular helmet is introduced.

1994 - Shoei Helmets Europe GMBH is established in Germany.
1999 - Shoei Helmets racer Alex Criville wins the GP500 World Championship.
2000 - Shoei Helmets introduces the Syncrotec — the company’s second-generation modular helmet.
2001 - Shoei Helmets Europe Distribution Deutchland GMBH is established.
2002 - Shoei Helmets introduces the X-Eleven, the new standard in premium road racing helmets.
2003 - Shoei Helmets introduces the RF-1000 full-face road helmet.
2004 - Shoei Helmets introduces the TZ-R full face helmet.

Shoei Helmets introduces the V-MT off-road helmet
Shoei Helmets introduces the VFX-DT off-road helmet that utilizes the groundbreaking new Max Dry liner.

2006 - Shoei Helmets introduces the Multitec modular helmet.

Shoei Helmets expands the Iwate Factory to increase production capacity.

2007 - Shoei Helmets introduces the Hornet-DS — the company’s first dual-sport specific helmet.
2008 - Shoei Helmets introduces the all-new VFX-W off-road helmet.

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