Please note: sale to France is prohibited.

Basalt Grey gives the new Shoei NXR3 a cool, technical look: a medium grey with a hint of blue, under a gloss clear coat, that sits somewhere between the severity of black and the brightness of white. It suits modern bikes in grey, silver, black or blue and goes with almost any riding suit. The helmet underneath is Shoei's third-generation NXR, a sporty street full-face approved to ECE 22.06, with an AIM+ shell in five sizes and a ventilation system the brand calls perfected. The Basalt Grey version carries article number 11.23.028 and comes in sizes XXS to XXL. Rather than list features in a row, we follow the NXR3 through a typical riding day.

About the Basalt Grey finish

Basalt is a volcanic stone, and the name fits: the tone is a solid, slightly bluish slate grey without metallic particles. On the gloss surface, highlights run along the brow and the spoiler and show off the shape of the shell. Black details complete the picture: the chin grille, the lower edge trim, the SHOEI badge in the forehead vent and the visor mechanism. Grey has two practical strengths. It hides dust and the light film of road spray much better than black or white, so the helmet looks clean longer between washes. And it shows small scratches less than a dark gloss colour. Clean it with water and a mild helmet cleaner and dry it with a soft cloth; the gloss lacquer can be polished gently if needed.

Early morning: a clear view from the first kilometre

Cold, damp air is when visors fog. The NXR3 meets this with a mist-retardant CWR-F2 shield and a Pinlock EVO lens, type DKS304, which is supplied with the helmet. Shoei has added a visor position that leaves the shield just slightly open, so fresh air flows behind it while you wait at the first traffic lights. The breath guard and chin curtain from the box keep your breath away from the visor and stop cold air coming up from below. A defogger opening in the chin bar directs air straight at the inside of the shield.

Midday: when it gets warm

As the temperature climbs, open the vents. The NXR3 has six inlets, distributed over the brow and the chin, and four outlets at the back of the shell. The shutters have been redesigned so they are easy to find and move even in thick gloves. Shoei's wind-tunnel data, as reported by the motorcycle press, shows considerably more airflow than on the NXR2, especially at the top intake. Inside, the pads are removable and washable, which you will appreciate after a hot summer week.

Afternoon sun: the one thing missing

The NXR3 has no drop-down sun visor. That is the most important limitation for touring riders and the reason we mention it this early. The solution is a second shield. Shoei offers the CWR-F2 in Light Smoke, Dark Smoke, Spectra mirror finishes and as a Transitions visor that tints itself in sunlight, plus the CWR-F2R range with tear-off posts. The visor comes off without tools, and the enlarged lock makes fitting it on the roadside straightforward. If an internal sun visor is a must for you, consider the GT-Air3 instead.

On the motorway

The shape was developed in Shoei's wind tunnel and ends in an integrated spoiler. Shoei states that the NXR3 is remarkably quiet at speed. We cannot confirm this with our own measurement and give no decibel figure, as there is none from Shoei either. Noise also depends heavily on your screen and seating position. Earplugs remain good advice for any helmet on long motorway stretches.

Five shells, eight sizes

Shoei makes the NXR3 shell in five sizes: XXS–S, M, L, XL–XXL and XXXL. The fine split keeps the helmet compact on smaller heads. Cheek pads come in 31, 35, 39 and 43 mm and allow adjustments within a size. Basalt Grey is available from XXS to XXL; XXXL is limited to white and matt black. As Shoei has not yet released a centimetre size chart for this model, please use our Shoei size guide.

What protects you

The AIM+ outer shell spreads impact energy over a large area. The multi-density EPS liner below it absorbs that energy. A Double-D ring secures the chin strap. E.Q.R.S. lets rescuers remove the cheek pads before taking off the helmet. ECE 22.06, mandatory for new helmets in the EU since 2024, tests more impact points, different speeds and oblique impacts, and checks visors and accessories mounted.

Staying in touch

For riders who use a communication system, the NXR3 is ready for the SENA SRL3 Plus: Shoei has shaped recesses in the ear area and laid out cable routes for it. The unit goes in only with the separately sold NXR3 adapter kit 19.03.023.0, which ensures homologation-compliant use as a Special Accessory (SA) under ECE 22.06.

Evening: back in the garage

The ride is over, and a few minutes of care keep the helmet in good shape. Soak dead insects off the shell and the visor with a damp cloth before wiping, so they do not scratch the surface. Take the Pinlock insert out now and then and clean both it and the inside of the shield with lukewarm water only. The kit includes a small bottle of silicone oil: a drop on the visor pivots and the rubber seal every few weeks keeps the mechanism running smoothly. After a sweaty day, unclip the cheek pads and the centre pad and wash them by hand in mild soapy water, then let them air-dry away from the radiator. Store the helmet in the Shoei bag that comes with it, somewhere dry and out of direct sunlight, and never hang it on the mirror, where the liner can be dented. Replace any helmet after a significant impact, even if the shell looks undamaged, because the EPS beneath may be compressed. A spare pin for the Pinlock lens is in the box too, should one go missing during cleaning.

Figures that are still missing

Shoei Europe has not yet published the weight of the NXR3, and there is no SHARP result for the model yet. We do not substitute values from other models or other markets. Head shape and spectacle suitability are not documented either. There is also no FIM approval, so the NXR3 is not a helmet for racing. On the plus side, Shoei gives five years of warranty, and NXR3 spare parts are listed in the Shoei Europe parts shop.

In the box

• 1x helmet
• 1x clear CWR-F2 visor (pre-fitted)
• 1x Pinlock EVO DKS304 anti-fog lens
• 1x spare anti-fog lens pin
• 1x breath guard
• 1x chin curtain
• 1x Shoei helmet bag
• Shoei logo stickers, silicone oil and reflective stickers (France/Chile)

Specification

• Model — NXR3
• SKU / Article number — 11.23.028
• Colour / Finish — Basalt Grey / gloss
• Homologation — ECE 22.06
• Helmet type / Intended use — Full-face sport street helmet / road use (sport, touring, city)
• Sizes — XXS–XXL
• Shell construction — AIM+ (Advanced Integrated Matrix Plus) — 5 outer shell sizes (XXS–S | M | L | XL–XXL | XXXL); multi-density EPS liner
• Visor — CWR-F2 clear visor, Pinlock EVO DKS304 anti-fog lens included; tool-free quick change; extra slightly-open position
• Ventilation — 6 intakes (brow & chin), 4 outlets at the rear; shutters operable with thick gloves; integrated rear spoiler
• Retention / Emergency system — Double-D ring chin strap with E.Q.R.S. (Emergency Quick Release System) cheek pad release

• 1x helmet
• 1x clear CWR-F2 visor (pre-fitted)
• 1x Pinlock EVO DKS304 anti-fog lens
• 1x spare anti-fog lens pin
• 1x breath guard
• 1x chin curtain