The Shoei J-Cruise is a unique helmet. It may not have a protective chin bar but there is a reason why this helmet is so popular among urban motorcyclists. We all know that people mostly go for full-face helmets. After all, it provides the maximum protection to your head, which is not the case for an open-face helmet.

But, not in this case. In my opinion, the Shoei J-Cruise is one of the best touring open-face helmets I have ever seen.

Because the Shoei J-Cruise is basically a full-face helmet with an open-face shell. It is the same helmet that replaced the Shoei J-Wing and comes with the latest design and features that are found in other premium helmets by Shoei, such as the Shoei Qwest, the Shoei GT-Air, and the Shoei Neotec. It also includes outstanding ventilation, which has now become a trademark of Shoei.

So, if you are looking to buy this helmet, we should learn more about the J-Cruise Open Face Helmet. You can check it out here; the latest Shoei J-Cruise Helmet Review.

Shoei J-Cruise Open-Face Helmet Review

Shell Design & Protection Level

It’s quite common that when someone talks about open-face helmets, nobody seems to care about the build quality and the aerodynamics. Everybody is centered on the paint, graphics, and coolness of the helmet. Well, it is obvious since the riders who prefer open-face helmets over full-face helmets hardly care about protection. These are not sport bike riders but the cruiser motorcyclists who love to go on long, sunny rides.

I understand touring riders do not need extreme protection like Moto GP or motocross riders, but it definitely would not hurt to have some decent protection. Right?

No matter what bike you ride, as long as you are riding on a road you need protection but not at the expense of comfort. Generally, the open-face helmets available on the market are not well built to secure the rider’s head during heavy impact.

But there is one helmet that has the protection of a full-fledged full-face helmet. And that’s the Shoei J-Cruise motorcycle helmet.

This open-face helmet has the same build quality as other premium Shoei full-face helmets. It’s basically just a helmet without a chin-bar Moreover, Shoei included the same Multi-Ply Matric Advanced Integrated Matrix (AIM) Shell technology, which is a strong, yet lightweight shell that makes it ideal for open-face helmets where the rider won’t be bearing extra weight for added protection.

For enhanced impact absorption, it is enabled with a multi-piece EPS liner that is a composition of varying densities of foam to absorb heavy impacts during a crash.

The good thing is, the helmet has the intermediate oval shape and comes in 4 different shell sizes. This is the optimal build shape that makes it easy for most riders. Besides, the helmet is DOT-approved, which makes it a lot better to wear while cruising around without compromising protection.

Face Shield & Visor System

Shoei’s J-Cruise helmet has a most unique face shield system that Shoei calls the CJ-2 Face Shield. It gives a much wider and taller field of vision, which, by the way, is the primary reason for using an open-face helmet. Now, Shoei has made it much wider than other helmets available on the market. Cruiser riders have the added advantage of a three-dimensionally curved screen that significantly increased peripheral vision and optical clarity while riding.

The face shield has a scratch-resistant coating on it that also blocks 99 percent of UV rays.

This is a face shield that is 10 mm longer than the previous CJ-1 and comes with the PINLOCK EVO Ready lock system.

The internal sun shield is another remarkable feature of the J-Cruise helmet. It has a built-in QSV-1 sun shield to protect riders from the sun’s glare in one quick motion. Shoei claimed that the internal sun visor “exceeds the ANSI Z80.3-2010 standard for non-prescription eyeglasses.”

It has a large and easily located switch that activates the 3D injection-molded inner shield.

Aerodynamics & Noise Levels

The Shoei J-Cruise has wind tunnel tested aerodynamics. Its shell-integrated spoilers reduce drag and lift problems during high-speed riding. However, noise levels are always an issue in open-face helmets. The open bottom and sometimes, the short face shield are the main reasons for noise issues. But, not in Shoei’s J-Cruise helmet. Because it has a large face-shield that reduces noise while providing excellent ventilation.

So, in my opinion, the Shoei J-Cruise is the best open-face helmet with very few noise issues. But, remember noise can be caused by many other factors, such as helmet fit, speed, gear, windscreen, etc.

Interior & Comfort Level

Shoei’s J-Cruise 3D Max-Dry Interior System is fully removable, washable, and adjustable. This material absorbs and dissipates moisture and sweat two times faster than ordinary fabrics. Its 3D shape and multi-layer cheek pads provide more comfort and helmet stability. It will give riders more options.

Ventilation System

The ventilation system is as unique as this helmet is. At first, it seems ordinary but as I told you before, it has the same ventilation system as Shoei’s GT-Air. It has an upper vent with two large holes through the EPS liner that passes the air through the liner. And then its unique system starts working.

Even I was amazed when I realized how good the ventilation is in the J-Cruise. The EPS liner is designed to match the vent ports. The front vents take in cool air and the 2 rear exhaust vents and 1 neck exhaust vent remove hot air from the helmet.

So, if the weather is cool, the air can be too much for you and you will have to close the vents.

What We Learned

Notable Features: Ventilation, Durability

Best Suited For: Extensive Use

Final Thoughts:

Safety
Airflow
Comfort
Noise
Value

The Shoei J-Cruise is a replacement for the ever-popular Shoei J-Wing helmet. It almost gives the feeling of a full-face helmet. However, it doesn’t have a chin bar. The J-Cruise has all the features that you will typically find in a Shoei helmet. The ventilation is excellent, thanks to the top vents and the open bottom. So is the build quality. The Shoei J-Cruise has an outstanding internal sun visor system enclosed in a special chamber in the brow, which does not reduce the thickness of that area’s EPS liner.

The Shoei J-Cruise also has a thick-feeling clear coat finish that provides stable and durable protection. The fact that there is a five-year warranty with the helmet ensures durability. The noise level in this helmet is less than other open-face helmets; it is even lower than most full-face helmets as well, a huge plus point. The Shoei J-Cruise is like a full-face helmet with an open-face shell. Many riders aren’t fond of full-face helmets, so this would be the way to go for them. The J-Cruise helmet has all the incredible features that you would expect from a Shoei helmet, plus being a combination of an open- and full-face helmet actually works very well.