i didnt go to the star...but i got an RS1 which pretty much has all the same features as the star and is in the same price range as the rf1100 ....its a great helmet, dont get me wrong...worlds above my HJC was....but its no shoei initially, it was more comfortable than the shoei....but the pad material breaks in a LOT...the wind noise is almost unbearable, ive never had the urge to wear ear plugs until i bought this helmet (even with the vents closed)....theres a lot of air that comes in under the chin, even with the built in chin guard (although having it built in instead of the crappy clip in like my shoei had, is nice)...if i wear it with my cold weather mask, for some reason the mask pushes the pads out enough where i get a TON of air coming in at the cheek area and directly into my eyes, which was never a problem with the rf1100 overall its a great helmet, and i got a steal on it - so i dont really regret it....but looking back, i wish i had gone with the shoei again instead honestly - the wind noise coupled with the odd amount of air flow up the chin/cheek area, are the reasons i probably wont buy another bell im not saying im a shoei only fanboy....i will probably try more brands in the future (i want a schuberth pretty bad)....but so far, the shoei has been the best overall helmet ive owned (next would be bell, kbc, hjc..in that order) **edit...oh, and after a 300mi ride....my neck hurts pretty bad in the bell...never had that issue with the shoei - but im not sure if its the new riding position on the vfr compared to the vmax, or the helmet itself....so take that comment with a grain of salt