Shoei GT-AIR Wanderer Helmet

In the pursuit of excellence in motorcycle helmet creation, SHOEI continues to strive to develop the most stylish, versatile and technically advanced protective head gear that riders have come to expect. Taking into account that comfort and convenience are key to a quality riding experience, SHOEI introduces the GT-Air, a lightweight full-face helmet with improved ventilation, a fully removable noise-reducing interior, a built-in sun visor and a distinctively stylish shell that is as good looking as it is integral to its performance while on the road.

SHELL DESIGN: Incorporating a built-in, retractable sun visor presents the challenge of retaining a compact size to the helmet. In the case of the GT-Air, the visor’s compartment actually contributes to the aggressively sporty look by shaping contours around it which extend into a rear spoiler. These work together to stabilize the helmet at high speeds.

CNS-1 SHIELD & QSV-1 SUN SHIELD: SHOEI’s CNS-1 shield is the result of years of injection-molded face shield development, the aim being to improve vision by diminishing distortion, as well as reduce constant wind noise. The QR-N shield base helps keep the shield tightly sealed to the helmet’s Dual Ridge Window Bead, as well as allowing for easy removal and replacement.

The GT-Air includes a built-in sun shield, the QSV-1. The visor tucks neatly away beneath a non-intrusive shell built into the helmet’s liner and can be lowered with the easy control of
a sliding button.

PINLOCK® FOG-FREE SYSTEM: The CNS-1 shield includes built-in pins for a Pinlock® anti-fog lens, which transform single shields into dual shields that resist fog buildup. The lens has been designed to cover a larger area on the shield, increasing peripheral vision in the event of fog buildup.

SHELL AND INTERIOR FIT: The interior of the GT-Air has been designed for fine adjustment and easy maintenance. The top center pad is removable, in turn making it easier to remove all other interior parts. A variety of fabrics, including Max-Dry, are utilized to maximize comfort and perspiration absorption. A firm, even fit is accomplished
with the help of polyurethane foam layers of varying hardness. Hold can be further optimized through a choice of three shell sizes. Improved design in the shape of cheek pads now allow for better fit around the earpieces for eyeglasses, reducing the gaps in order to reduce invasive exterior noise.

AIM (Advanced Integrated Matrix) is SHOEI’s own shell structure, lightweight but rigid and elastic, combining layers of strong fiberglass with organic fibers. A balanced combination of both rigid and pliant layers provides superior safety performance and fulfills strict standards
expected of protective motorcycle headwear.

Borrowing technology developed for SHOEI’s VFX-W and X-Twelve racing helmets, the GT-Air is equipped with the exclusive EQRS (Emergency Quick Release System) that allows emergency medical personnel to easily remove the cheek pads from an injured rider’s helmet. With the cheek pads removed, the helmet can be safely and easily lifted from the rider’s head.

Aerodynamic Shell Design:
Aerodynamic properties are maximized through extensive wind tunnel testing and professional riders’ feedback
Multi-Piece EPS liner enhances impact absorption and ventilation
Three shell and four EPS liner sizes provide increased fit options that help to comfortably
Fit most head sizes
Molded air spoiler reduces drag and lift, as well as diminishes pressure on the rider’s neck while riding at speed

Sun Shield Visor System:
Built-in QSV-1 sun shield gives riders instant relief from sun glare in one quick motion
Visor meets ANSI Z80.3-2010 standard for non-prescription eyeglasses
Large and easy to reach switch activates the 3D injection-molded inner sun shield
Distortion-free shield blocks 99% of harmful UV rays
Forehead area of the outer shell is raised slightly to accommodate the internal sun shield, helping allow for the integrity of the helmet’s inner EPS liner to remain intact

Ventilation System:
Upper Air Intake Vent is positioned to maximize air volume into the helmet interior
Large upper intake vent positioned to maximize performance behind wind screens
Easy to operate large lower intake vent
Lower air intake/defroster vent reduces shield fogging and increases ventilation
The rear/neck vents allow for effective air exhaust
Breath guard and chin curtain included
Advanced Integrated Matrix (AIM)
High performance fiberglass and organic fibers are combined to create a shell structure that is ultra-lightweight, rigid and resilient

Interior System:
3-D Max-Dry center pad and multi-layered, polyurethane foam cheek pads
Chin curtain prevents wind entry and reduces noise
Cheek pads are replaceable or removable for maintenance
Eyeglass compatible interior
E.Q.R.S. (Emergency Quick-Release System) allows emergency medical personnel to easily remove the cheek pads from the helmet of a rider involved in an accident, in turn making the helmet more easily removable

Standard Chin-Strap Clip: Neatly secures chin strap

CNS-1 Shield System:
The CNS-1, three-dimensionally curved shield is both wider and taller than the CX-1V it replaces
Includes new redesigned Pinlock® Anti-Fog
Lens for more coverage of the CNS-1 shield
Dual-Ridge window bead increases contact with the shield to reduce wind noise
Scratch-resistant shield coating
99.9% protection from harmful UV A&B rays

Shoei X-Twelve Daijiro Kato Memorial Helmet

Shoei X-Twelve Daijiro Kato Memorial Helmet

Born from racing, the X-12 combines Shoei’s 50 years of helmet building experience with the very latest technology and most advanced materials to bring you the racing helmet of the future.

Aerodynamic Shell Design
Aerodynamic properties are maximized through extensive wind tunnel testing and professional riders’ feedback
Dual layer EPS liner enhances impact absorption and ventilation
Five shell and six EPS liner sizes present increased fit options that help to comfortably fit most head sizes
Positioning and separation from the ventilation system maximize the Aero Edge Spoiler 2 aerodynamic properties
Impact absorbing EPS liner throughout the entire chin bar

Ventilation System
Air Scoop 3 intake vent is positioned to maximize air volume into the helmet interior
Top Outlet vent is separate from the Aero Edge Spoiler 2 allowing it to be positioned for optimum flow-through ventilation
Racing inspired Side Extractor Vents combine with the chin bar lower air intake to reduce shield fogging and increase ventilation
The rear/neck outlets allow for effective air exhaust
Breath guard and chin curtain included
Lightweight, Advanced Integrated Matrix Plus (AIM+)
High performance fiber materials are combined with extremely elastic organic fibers to create a shell structure that is ultra lightweight, rigid and resilient

3D Max-Dry Interior System
The entire interior lining (cheek pads, upper liner and chin strap covers) is easily removed to allow for cleaning
Each component of the inner liner is ergonomically designed to offer the ultimate in safety, fit and comfort
Comfortable, Max-Dry helmet lining material quickly dissipates moisture within the helmet interior
E.Q.R.S. (Emergency Quick Release System) allows emergency medical personnel to easily remove the cheek pads from an injured rider’s helmet, enabling the helmet to be more easily removed from the head
Eyeglass compatible interior

Standard Chin-Strap Clip: Neatly secures chin strap

CW-1 Shield and Q.R.S.A. System
Q.R.S.A. (Quick-Release Self-Adjusting) base plate allows for tool-less shield removal and installation. The spring-loaded base plate (U.S. patent pending 11/799935) pulls the shield back to contact the window beading evenly and ensures a proper seal
The CW-1, three-dimensionally curved shield is both wider and taller than the CX-1V it replaces
Optional, CWF-1 two-dimensional racing shields with tear-off posts are available
Scratch-resistant coating
99.9% protection from harmful UV A & B rays
Optional, CW-1 Pinlock® prepared shields are available to accommodate Pinlock® Fog Free Inserts
A pre-set lever can easily lock the shield in place to prevent the shield from opening unexpectedly, as well as prop the shield open to increase airflow

Sam Lowes stays on top as official test draws to an end

World Supersport teams have completed today the second and last official testing day at Phillip Island, prior to the Season Opener that is taking place the upcoming weekend. Despite the temperature fall and the cloudy skies above the circuit, Sam Lowes (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) was able to drop 0.443 seconds off his Day 1 best lap time to top the timesheets at the end of the morning session.

The rider from Lincoln has put a 0.181 gap between himself and second placed Kenan Sofuoglu (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki), with Gabor Talmacsi (Prorace Honda), Fabien Foret (Mahi Racing Team India Kawasaki) and Vladimir Leonov (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha) to follow.

The session was red flagged with 30 minutes to go due to technical problems occurred to Sheridan Morais' PTR Honda CBR600RR, and after the restart a quick rain shower passed through. The surface dried up quickly thanks to the brand-new asphalt, allowing the riders to spent the last 10 minutes on track.

Lowes was able to further improve his best lap-time up to a remarkable 1'33.076 - almost 8 tenths of a second quicker than the best lap - that helped him finish as fastest of the whole test for the Supersport class. Mahi Racing Team India placed Kenan Sofuoglu and Fabien Foret in 2nd and 3rd place respectively, not far time-wise from the leader despite a technical problem for the Frenchman towards the end.

Michael van der Mark (Pata Honda World Supersport) was able to climb up to 4th place at his last attempt before the chequered flag was waved. The Dutch rider finished ahead of David Salom (Intermoto Ponyexpres Kawasaki), Gabor Talmacsi (Prorace Honda) and Vladimir Leonov (Yakhnich Motorsport Yamaha).

Austrian's David Linortner (Team Honda PTR) crashed out of turn 12 halfway through the afternoon session, while Eduard Blokhin (Rivamoto Honda) fell off his CBR600RR with 12 minutes to go before the end of the test.

Michel Fabrizio on the move after FP1

The first round of the season has finally got underway, as World Superbike riders got on track for Free Practice 1. Michel Fabrizio (Red Devils Roma Aprilia) showed immediate speed and confirmed the good indications of early week's official testing by topping the timesheets of the 45 minutes session. The competitive 1'31.218 lap-time set onboard his RSV4 was 0.5 second faster than 2nd place Leon Haslam (Pata Honda World Superbike) and Leon Camier (FIXI Crescent Suzuki) in 3rd.

The last rider to get into the 1'31 bracket is Sylvain Guintoli (Aprilia Racing Team), fourth ahead of BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team duo of Chaz Davies and Marco Melandri, Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team) and Jonathan Rea (PATA Honda World Superbike).

An unfortunate session for Team Ducati Alstare as both Carlos Checa (9th) and Ayrton Badovini (18th) crashed between a matter of a seconds at different parts of the circuit. The 2011 World Superbike Champion had an high-side at Turn 5, while the former BMW rider fell off his 1199 Panigale R at Swan Corner.

Ronaldinho sets up Atletico victory

Rio de Janeiro: Ronaldinho set up both his team’s goals as Atletico Mineiro opened their 2013 Copa Libertadores campaign with a 2-1 victory over Brazilian rivals Sao Paulo.

Playing in South America’s leading club competition for the first time in 13 years, Atletico dominated the first half at their Estadio Independencia in Belo Horizonte on Wednesday.

The first goal came when an unmarked Ronaldinho pounced on a long throw-in before crossing for former Manchester City striker Jo, whose first-time finish left goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni with no chance.

Rever made it 2-0 when he headed in another Ronaldinho cross from the right in the 72nd minute before Sao Paulo’s Aloisio gave his side a flicker of hope late in the match when he struck with a low shot after Luis Fabiano’s defence-splitting pass.

Atletico coach Cuca lavished praise on Ronaldinho, who returned to Brazil’s national team for the first time since February last year in the Selecao’s 1-2 defeat to England at Wembley Stadium earlier this month.

“Ronaldinho made the difference with his two crosses,” Cuca said. “He is intelligent. You can’t expect him to do some things, like track back in defence, but his quality makes him a match winner.”

In other Libertadores matches on Wednesday, Boca Juniors suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Mexico’s Toluca, Fluminense overcame Caracas away 1-0 and Penarol defeated hosts Iquique 2-1.

Everton on the road to Moyes’ first silverware

Match to catch
After shocking Liverpool 3-2 at home in the previous round of the FA Cup, Oldham Athletic are back in the spotlight again this weekend. The Latics, who are in the relegation zone in English football’s third tier and who will be managed by caretaker boss Tony Philliskirk following the resignation of Paul Dickov earlier this month, this time get to take on the Reds’ Merseyside rivals Everton at Boundary Park. The Toffees always take this competition seriously as it gives them a realistic chance of winning the first silverware of David Moyes’ 11-year reign — the closest they have come previously is FA Cup runners-up to Chelsea in 2009 — and they can be expected to learn from their bitter rivals’ mistakes. Prediction: Everton.

Maradona acknowledges ‘Dieguito’ is his son

Buenos Aires: Argentine football great Diego Maradona says the baby born to his former partner earlier this week — named Diego Fernando at birth — “won’t lack for anything”.

The former Al Wasl boss was criticised because he was in Dubai when Veronica Ojeda gave birth on Wednesday in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires.

He acknowledged on Friday in a statement that he is the father of the baby being referred to in Argentina as ‘Dieguito’, or Little Diego.

The child is the fifth known to be fathered by the 52-year-old Maradona. He has two daughters from his marriage with Claudia Vallafane — Dalma and Giannina and has two other children he has never recognised as his, although courts in paternity cases have ruled he is the father.

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