LOVE THIS LID
This helmet is quality, the paint finish is lovely and the interior is comfortable and can all be removed for cleaning. Compared to my last Shoei road helmet the size is a bit smaller so I had to go a size up, this may be different design or maybe my head got larger! Vision is excellent and have yet to fit the provided pin lock as I have not had any issues with misting. Visor locks in position with a solid clunk, I generally have mine open a fraction but when you have it fully closed it locks solidly in place. Thought the helmet visor might make it excessively noisy or get ripped up by air flow but it isn't either noisy or getting caught in air flow, in fact it does exactly what it should and stops glare from the sun. Bit pricey but worth it.
Awesome
I wanted a helmet that was appropriate for my dual sport bike and liked the idea of a peak to block out low level sun. I visited Sportsbikeshop and tried various manufacturers helmets in this style, but it was the Shoei that fitted me the best and seemed to have a more compact look than the others. I was concerned that the peak might cause the helmet to pull backwards when riding at higher speeds and wondered about how much noise it might generate, particularly because my bike hasn't got an form of wind deflection on it, but speaking to a couple of people they said the Shoei ADV was probably the least affected by wind and noise out of all the makes they had tried. The only real way I was going to know was to buy it and try it. I have to say the helmet is awesome. I used to wear ear plugs, but have found that the helmet fits me so well I don't need them. It doesn't cut out all the noise, but it's acceptable to me. Who doesn't love the sound of their bike? The peak cuts out the low sun and certainly doesn't lift at motorway speed or when I turn my head sideways. I get some very slight misting sometimes at the bottom of the visor, which quickly clears and I need to fit the pin lock visor that comes with it, which I presume will help. The visibility is brilliant and sunglasses fit nicely into the helmet and to be honest it really doesn't feel like I'm wearing a helmet at times.
Hornet
1st lid had broken vent and scratch on top. Sports bikeshop very quick and efficient to replace. Second lid, no issues when arrived. Used now for 1 month, 2-3 days per week for commuting 1 hour, plus 2 long weekend rides.. Performance review= Helmet is comfy, light, good view from screen, easy to fit on and to alter locking screen. Sound feels reduced from previous helmet (also Shoe). However found screen mists up with vents open. Visor works well in early late sun light but can catch the air at times and gives a jolt, but this is not a strong pull. Whilst noise is reduced, it seems louder when visor open than old helmet., and my ears have just started to feel a little pinched after long rides. Having said all of this, this is still a massive improvement in quality from my old shoe helmet and the added features are really nice, with a good quality build.
Very well made, light and comfy
I bought this to replace my bell mx9 that I received a full refund for, due to a fault that couldn't be rectified. The shoei is far more comfy I find and is a bit quieter too. It looks to be well made and has a great finish to it. I went for the black one as it's actually 50g lighter than the white for some reason? As always sports bike shop couldn't be more helpful and made the whole warranty claim, refund and new purchase a pleasure. Even if I had 8 different helmets out to try..
I'm disappointed
Bought this as a expensive replacement for my Bell helmet of similar style. The plus is, it's lighter. Negative is it noisier ! Bought a Large, it's a larger fitting over the dome of the helmet where good around the face and cheeks so sagged a little. Overall for the price of this I'm disappointed to say the least.
Another great Shoei lid
Very comfy, perfect fit as always. Less venting than others but I suspect it will only be an issue on a very hot day and if you're riding slow enough not to get wind going through it (in which case, I'd open the visor a little). Speaking of which, I find the visor very easy to open even just a fraction, which I've heard others struggle with but not had a problem myself.
Awesome
I have been wearing this helmet now for 6 x 3-5 hour trips. Unlike my last helmet I finish without a screaming headache and hardly notice I'm wearing it. Comfortable, quiet and quality build. Would certainly buy again and highly recommend it to others. Quick service and well packed, also price matched without a quibble, excellent service.
Seriously good upgrade
Bought this as an upgrade to my now 3 year old hornet DS. This helmet is noticeably quieter and feels a bit lighter. The front vent is not as easy to operate as the DS, but it does provide better ventilation across the visor, I still get misting around the sides of the visor, but riding during the winter in UK it's to be expected.
Best deal ever
Tried the helmet on elsewhere, knew the correct size. Waited until the Black Friday deal came along. 20% off, 10% cash back on eBay and a £50 voucher. Brought the price down to below cost price. Bargain of the year. The paint quality is amazing. The visor is the wide view type no restrictions on peripheral vision. Quality interior will be excellent for my planned Euro tour in the spring. It's got be 5 .
Not as good as expected
I bought this to replace a Shoei Qwest, with my criteria being comfort, larger eye port and pinlock. I've been commuting with it now for a few weeks. First off, it may be more comfortable than the old Hornet but its no where near as comfortable for me as the Qwest, and I did try a brand new Qwest on as well for comparison. a) the lining is far 'rougher' and b) the Qwest fits much better, feeling very refined almost like I'm not wearing a helmet at all as opposed this Hornet. I feel as though I could go to sleep with the Qwest on whereas the Hornet ADV would be a stretch at 2 hours. I also have an issue with the Pinlock. The pins on the either side of the visor hit the visor gasket as I open the visor to its fully open position, and again when closing. The gasket therefore will tear long before the helmets 5 year life span. Also when you actually fit the Pinlock, peripheral vision becomes significantly reduced, offsetting the benefits of the larger eye-port. Peripheral vision is important to me as I commute in London, as is Pinlock in winter to prevent fogging. I believe Pinlock could be far better designed if it weren't regarded as an afterthought by helmet manufacturers. There's a noticeable increase in weight between the Qwest and Hornet Adv. This however does not bother me while riding as its quite well balanced. Good points - peak works very well, cannot feel any drag at motorway speeds. Just as quiet as my old Qwest. In summary - I tried many different helmet brands and styles and ended up with only 2 options based on the fact that everything else was just too uncomfortable 1) Hornet Adv 2) another Qwest. With the benefit of hindsight, if I were to do it again, I would go with option 2.
Quality
Comfortable fit with a real quality feel. To be honest I was expecting the helmet to be noisy with considerable drag at high speeds, however it is 5* in both areas. For the first time in my adult life I feel that I got top quality at a very reasonable price. Delivery and service was excellent.
Broken vents
Bought this helmet for my new Adventure bike, but on arrival, I unpacked it and found the chin vent was broken/not built properly. Re-ordered and second helmet came with exactly the same problem. So disappointed that I decided to go an Aria XD4 instead.
Most comfortable helmet
I've had problems with most other helmets owned with pressure building on my forehead. This helmet seems to have solved this issue as it is by far the most comfortable I have ever worn in addition being very light, a firm fit with excellent peripheral vision.
Top of the class
Comfy, quiet, awesome vision. Having had a Hornet DS for the past many years, the list-of-improvements from reviews made me go for this again rather than another brand. And improved it has! I ride it on a F800GS both on- and off-road. The DS was great, but riding the two back-to-back the improvements are very noticeable. Super comfy day long, be it fast motorway or sweaty dirt tracks. Some reviews mention the ADV being heavier than the DS: in my S size the ADV is actually a few grams lighter, and the better balance make it feel much lighter ! Also my Sena SMH5 headset fits nicely in the dedicated recesses (after removing the ring from around the speakers). Overall definitely "you get what you pay for".