Please note: sale to France is prohibited.

Chalk Grey is the quiet, fashionable member of the NXR3 family: a light, warm grey with a touch of beige, glossy and calm, that looks more like an architect's colour sample than a racing livery. It works with sand and olive textile suits as well as with classic black, and it fits naturally on bikes in matt grey, khaki or white. Underneath is Shoei's new NXR3, the successor to the NXR2 and the brand's sporty full-face for the street, approved to ECE 22.06. The Chalk Grey version has article number 11.23.030 and is sold in sizes XXS to XXL. Because a helmet's first job is protection, this description starts with what keeps your head safe.

Protection, from the outside in

The first layer is the AIM+ outer shell, Shoei's Advanced Integrated Matrix Plus composite. Its task is to spread the force of an impact across as large an area as possible. Behind it sits the EPS liner, which Shoei builds from several elements of different density: softer zones respond to lighter knocks, firmer ones to severe impacts. The chin strap closes with a Double-D ring, which is simple, cannot loosen by itself and keeps the adjustment you set. And if the worst happens, E.Q.R.S., the Emergency Quick Release System, lets first responders pull the cheek pads out through the bottom of the helmet, so it can be taken off with less movement of the head and neck.

The approval behind it

The NXR3 holds ECE 22.06. This European regulation became mandatory for all new helmets sold in the EU in January 2024 and is considerably stricter than ECE 22.05. It strikes each helmet at many more points, at different speeds, adds oblique impacts to measure rotation, and checks the visor and approved accessories in place. It is a pass-or-fail approval, not a ranking. The NXR3 does not carry FIM racing approval and is not intended for the track.

About the Chalk Grey finish

Chalk Grey is a pale, slightly warm grey, in some light closer to stone or putty. It is finished in gloss, which gives the light colour a soft sheen without looking flashy. Black details contrast with it: the chin grille, the rubber edge at the bottom of the shell, the SHOEI badge in the forehead vent and the visor mechanism. Light, warm tones like this have become popular on modern classics and adventure-style bikes, and the colour lends the sporty NXR3 a more relaxed, lifestyle look. Practically, a pale grey hides dust and dried rain spots better than black, but it will show dark grime, oil or tar more than a mid grey. A light colour also takes up less radiant heat when the helmet is parked in the sun. Clean the gloss lacquer with water and a mild cleaner; light marks can be polished out.

The seven solid colours at a glance

The NXR3 comes in seven plain colours alongside its graphic designs. If you are torn between them, this overview may help.

Technically all seven are identical; only the paint and the size range differ.

What is not published yet

We prefer to tell you openly what we do not know. Shoei Europe has not released a weight for the NXR3 at launch. There is no SHARP rating for this model, and the earlier NXR2 result cannot be transferred to a new shell. Shoei calls the NXR3 remarkably quiet at speed, but no independent noise figures exist yet. Head shape and suitability for glasses are not documented. As soon as reliable data appears, we will add it.

Coming from an NXR2?

Plenty of riders will look at the NXR3 as an upgrade. Here is what matters for them, based on Shoei's European manuals and product page. Your CWR-F2 shields carry over: Shoei confirms that the clear CWR-F2 visor fits both generations, and the Pinlock lens is still the EVO DKS304. Cheek pads keep the familiar 31 to 43 mm range. What is new is mainly the airflow layout, which replaces the NXR2's separate front intake with an upper inlet, lower chin inlets and a defogger vent, plus the slightly-open visor position and the bigger visor lock. For communication, the NXR3 is prepared for the SENA SRL3 Plus, which fits only with the NXR3 adapter kit 19.03.023.0. The magazine motorcycles.news quotes Shoei's wind-tunnel results of noticeably more airflow at the top inlet and the chin than on the predecessor. Whether the fit feels the same on your head is something only a try-on can tell, since the shell itself is new.

Interior and fit

Five outer shell sizes (XXS–S, M, L, XL–XXL, XXXL) keep the helmet compact for each head size. Inside, a 3D centre pad, ear pads and cheek pads in four thicknesses, 31, 35, 39 and 43 mm, let you tailor the fit. All pads can be taken out and washed. Shoei has no centimetre chart for the NXR3 yet, so please use our Shoei size guide.

In town and on weekend rides

Shoei positions the NXR3 for sport, tour and city riding. In town, the new slightly-open visor detent keeps the shield clear at lights, and the larger visor lock is easy to use with gloves. On country roads the six inlets on brow and chin and four rear outlets keep air moving, and the redesigned shutters are easy to find. A breath guard and chin curtain in the box help on cold mornings.

Visor and accessories

The clear CWR-F2 visor comes with a Pinlock EVO DKS304 anti-fog lens in the box. For sunny days you can choose Light or Dark Smoke, Spectra mirror shields, HD Yellow or the self-tinting Transitions visor, as well as CWR-F2R shields with tear-off posts. Changing visors needs no tools. Recesses at the ears and prepared cable routes take the SENA SRL3 Plus; mounting it requires the separate adapter kit 19.03.023.0, which keeps the system within ECE 22.06 as a Special Accessory (SA).

Limitations and service

There is no drop-down sun visor, which matters most on long summer tours. If you need one, the GT-Air3 is the alternative in our range. Shoei grants five years of warranty on the NXR3, and spare parts such as pads, visor plates and shields are available through Shoei Europe.

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 — 11.23.030
• Colour / Finish — Chalk 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