Nolan N43 Trilogy Helmet Ride Report

[jfbarron]

I bought one of these lids after my local dealer hosted the Nolan rep for a demo.

Although I have owned about 8 helmets, I never had anyone have the sales expertise that this guy showed. He is based in Quebec and they were demonstrating these Italian made helmets.

I have shied away from full face helmets due to the claustraphobic feeling that my old Bell lid gave me. It used to fog up and was hot and uncomfortable. Yuck...

Anyway, Nolan has come up with a helmet that has a removable chin guard and built in speakers. I ordered one and put it through the paces yesterday.

It was nasty weather and I rode from Mississauga to Haliburton and back-about 500 Km. Snow and ice pellets mixed with rain and some brief sun. My 1150 loves that kind of cold, wet weather and runs like it's on speed.

The helmet seals well and the visor doesn't fog up. It has a screen within a screen. There is a drop down sunshade that is also optically correct. There is no D Ring loop system-it fastens up with a serrated clip system that works quite well.

It is warm enough in 3 -5 degree C weather that you don't need a thin toque like my other HJC helmet.

The venting works well. The speakers work reasonably well with a Sony Walkman MP3 player but it has to be maxed. You won't hear tunes above 100 KpH- too much wind noise.

Eveything seems really well made and the part I like the best is that they claim the whole thing is made in Italy. They seem to understand that people want stuff that is not made in China.

I just got the basic kit which includes a microphone mount and the speakers. Bluetooth is available but was extra money-could upgrade if I want.

I am not going to answer or talk on a phone when riding, so the microphone is still in the box.

Anyway, the thing cost about 675 bucks and is probably the nicest helmet I'll ever own.

So if anyone is looking for a new helmet that converts from open to full face then you should take a look at one of these.

[bikermeow]

Thanks for the report.

I am in the market for a new lid and have decided that i'll stick to a Shoei. Having used a Shoei X9 for years I am thinking of a RF1100. Any one here has used the lid? Would like some feedback on it, whether good or bad.

Cheers

[Methos1979]

I can second this review of this helmet. I had been on a tear to find a new helmet for quite a while (since last year) and I tried the Nolan N103 flip face and then the Nolan N43 Trilogy. I wrote up long review with a bunch of pictures over at the Chromeheads forum. If you want to read it and check out the photos click the link below. Note that I didn't get the speakers or bluetooth as I didn't want them. So my price from an online dealer was $272 US.

http://www.chromeheads.org/discus/messa ... 1270553496

[AirForceDirt]

Thanks for the report.

I am in the market for a new lid and have decided that i'll stick to a Shoei. Having used a Shoei X9 for years I am thinking of a RF1100. Any one here has used the lid? Would like some feedback on it, whether good or bad.

Cheers

I had an RF1000 for about a year or so. It saved my face in my get-off, so I can't complain. It was quieter than my current Arai is with the windshield, but it didn't ventilate as well. I'd buy another one if they hadn't come out with the RF1100. Overall, I liked my RF1000. Good helmet, Shoei quality, and I have a Shoei shaped head, so it worked out. I'm sure the RF1100 is just as good, probably better.