Hey All,

Looking for some guidance here. we are planning a trip to SC-USA this May and I am looking for a flip face helmet to speed up gas stops / ease of getting a quick drink etc.

So are there any good brands that are quality? Have a good fit & finish? Keeps wind and hopefully rain out? Do not weigh a ton? etc etc

Are there any good www sites for helmet reviews?

Thanks in advance for your help.

__________________
Cheers...Ham'r

www.myspace.com/themickeydesadistshow
www.myspace.com/steeltownspoilers

Nolan N102.

My first modular was a HJC CL-Max. OK for the price I guess, but cheaply constructed compared to the Nolan. One key difference is a metal latch mechanism in the Nolan vs plastic mechanism in the HJC. My HJC would sometimes jam in the closed position.

I like to ride with my face shield cracked open one notch for additional ventilation. The Nolan face shield stays where I put it. The HJC would blow shut at fairly low speeds.

Face shield replacement was much easier with the Nolan - close to impossible with my HJC. That is important if you want to switch from a clear to a tinted shield - or back again. I hear that HJC has improved their system. I certainly hope so.

Nolan has a handy flip down sun shade. They also have an anti fogging inner face shield. One model comes already set up for Blue Tooth communications. They have a clip latch instead of a D-ring for fastening the helmet strap.

The Nolan costs more - and is worth it. The Nolan is a tad heavier, but it has good aerodynamics, and is well balanced. I've never really noticed the weight difference when riding - and I've worn it for 500 & 600 mile riding days.

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Paul

2007 Triumph Bonneville T100, Tors, xAI, xSnorkel, 120/40, 1 shim, Works Performance suspension, National Cycle Deflector DX, Scrambler Gel Seat

I've got the Nolan as well and am pretty happy with it. Sometimes it "false" closes when I go in full-face mode and I have to really click it in. They're fairly noisy but I think most flip-ups are. I use ear plugs on longer rides anyway. No water leakage. Check eBay. I bought it brand new from an "overstock" type dealer. I can't recall the price but it was much cheaper than MSRP.

I asked this question a while back, and the general consensus is that the Nolan N102 is a good option. My main issue is that I need one with some type of flip-down sunshade. This reduces the choices somewhat. If you don't require the flip down shades, then look at the reviews on www.webbikeworld.com , they have a section on modular (flip-face) helmets.

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Cheers... Bish
'06 Black & check Thruxton - AI & airbox gone, TORs, instruments lowered, YSS piggybacks, prog fork springs, gaiters, kneepads, rear fender bobbed, lucas rear light, Napoleons, custom blue/chrome headers, and a little duct tape...

Hey Guys,

Made it out to a couple of stores today. I tried a J-Max, I think it was called. Just terrible. The opening / closing of the lid and face were deafening, and it had a chin piece that blocked vision when the face was up. It's off the list.

Also tried a HJC, with a plastic button. Fit, finish, and noise levels were good, but after hearing Pauljo reviews of it, I will try to find a Nolan.

*** I have read some reviews but I don't understand the chin 'ski lock' system. Instead of D rings they use this? What is this, and what does it look like? I am not a fan of the half tinted shield, but like ya said, it can (and would) be taken off. Also, can you while wearing the helmet with the chin in the up position, can you ride / see clearly? I am not talking about the interstate or local roads, but from gas pump to store? fwiw, I am looking for one of these helmets for my trip to SC in May. Last year, every gas stop turned into an ordeal due to taking time for a smoke / drink etc...So I am looking to be able to get gas, have a drink, AND be able to have a clear field of vision with the chin up, saving time and avoiding the 'gloves off , glasses off and hung up, helmet off, ear plugs out'...and all back in reverse routine.

Keep the info coming.

__________________
Cheers...Ham'r

www.myspace.com/themickeydesadistshow
www.myspace.com/steeltownspoilers

Originally Posted by Hamr Mark

*** I have read some reviews but I don't understand the chin 'ski lock' system. Instead of D rings they use this? What is this, and what does it look like? I am not a fan of the half tinted shield, but like ya said, it can (and would) be taken off. Also, can you while wearing the helmet with the chin in the up position, can you ride / see clearly? I am not talking about the interstate or local roads, but from gas pump to store?

Ham'r,

The locking system is what I'd call a ratchet mechanism. It's actually very convenient, except that you can't hang it from a helmet hook like you can a D-Ring. If you don't use a helmet hook - no issue - you'll probably like it. If you do use a helmet hook (I do), there is a solution, but it involves carrying another small piece of hardware. I can take some pics of that if it matters to you.

That "half tinted shield" you refer to is what I call the drop down sun shade. Nolan refers to it as the VPS (Vision Protection System). It does remove easily - and I did remove mine for a while. I think the helmet was a bit quieter without it, and I had replaced the clear face shield with a smoke tint one. Eventually though, I put the VPS back. I kind of like it now. It gets rid of one other thing to fiddle with - my sunglasses.

Yes, you have a clear field of vision when you flip the front shell up. It's like you are wearing a 3/4 helmet then. I just wouldn't ride any further than from the gas pump to the parking in front of the store that way. Aside from the safety issue, it would play havoc with the aerodynamic properties of the helmet at speed. That's the whole point of a modular helmet. You have protection very close to a full face helmet when you ride - and the convenience of an open face helmet when you stop for gas and/or a quick break. Additionally, folks who wear glasses usually find that they can put on and remove a modular helmet without removing their glasses, which is next to impossible with a standard full face helmet.

__________________
Paul

2007 Triumph Bonneville T100, Tors, xAI, xSnorkel, 120/40, 1 shim, Works Performance suspension, National Cycle Deflector DX, Scrambler Gel Seat

I tried an AGV modular today... I wasn't that impressed. The top-of-head fit was pretty good, but my chin seemed to hang below the front plate when closed, and it was also bang-up against my chin. BTW, I've got a pretty normal chin, not a Jay Leno type

The other thing to bear in mind if you want the whole buy gas/drink/smoke convenience (which I do as well), is that, when open, a lot of these modular helmets have far more wrap-around than a 3/4 Jet style. This gives a "gladiator" style wrap around the lower jaw and, although open, with some you may be restricted to drinking out of the bottle, or through a straw... I wouldn't want to try a Big Gulp or a 20oz coffee... you may manage a can though. I haven't yet tried the Nolan, so I can't say about that. It's just something that struck me when I tried the AGV and HJC(?) today. I also tried an off-brand one at the flea-market yesterday (Daytona I think... available on eBay)... this wasn't so restrictive, but it was a little "cheap" and didn't inspire confidence.

__________________
Cheers... Bish
'06 Black & check Thruxton - AI & airbox gone, TORs, instruments lowered, YSS piggybacks, prog fork springs, gaiters, kneepads, rear fender bobbed, lucas rear light, Napoleons, custom blue/chrome headers, and a little duct tape...

Originally Posted by BishRat

this wasn't so restrictive, but it was a little "cheap" and didn't inspire confidence.

That brings up another topic...

How much is too much, or is there such a thing? The first, and only helmet I have is an ARAI Quantum II. I walked into a bike store, they were having a half off sale, and I needed a lid. I think I walked out of there paying about $500 Cdn. A friend wears a HJC that he paid $250 or so. Both do their job, but by paying more, do I get more protection? I have been doing some research and the Shoei Multitech seems like a winner, but at the $600+ Cdn they are asking, can I justify that? There is nothing more important than my noggin, but again, is 600 going to protect me more than the 250 range?

What do you think about a) Shoei Multitech and b) do you get what you pay for with safety, or are you paying for fit & finish?

__________________
Cheers...Ham'r

www.myspace.com/themickeydesadistshow
www.myspace.com/steeltownspoilers

I think you are paying for fit, finish, QUIETness, Name, creature features like removable/washable lining, etc. Safety can and has been argued alot.

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Cheers,Denny

Another vote for the Nolan N102.
The Nolan is my first modular helmet and replaced my HJC full-face.
I am very happy with it and find it much more convenient that a standard FF lid, especially as I wear glasses.
As for noise, I don't find it much different to my earlier HJC.

Good features on the Nolan are the drop down sun shield and the ability to install the N-Com intercom units.
I don't have the N-Com so I cannot give any review on that.

__________________
Bob

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