flip face helmets???

[jimbo]

I'm thinking of getting a flip face helmet, primarily so i don't have to take it off while trying to eat quick on the bike, or gas stops requiring a quick run in.

quiet and comfort are the most important factors. what do you all recommend?

[ride1150r]

I have not seen or head much about this helmet because it is a new model, but i really like the flip down sun visor. Look for the N102 flip-up

http://www.nolan.it/home.asp


scott

[Lion_Lady]

Try on whatever you can get your hands on... they fit differently than a regular full face.

The additional 'hardware' on the outside tends to make them noisier.

I'd love to get one, but I haven't found one that fit well enough AND that I liked well enough to get. Sticking with my Arai for now.

P

[gti861]

Hi,

yes you are right that the flip up helmet are practical but are they really protect? ı am not sure about it?

check "Vemar" or "AGV" helmets. I think they are better as flip ups. also "Schuberth" is ok.

links are:

http://www.vemarhelmets.it
http://www.agv.it
http://www.schuberth.de

[DK]

I began looking at the flip-up style due to the ease of use since I wear glasses but decided on a full face for the safety ratings. It's my understanding that no flip helmet has the Snell rating, at least when I was looking a year ago.

The added benefit of the full face, as mentioned above, is being quieter. I ended up buying a Shoei RF-1000 and am very pleased with it. When I was checking out helmets, I tried the Shuberth flip and I found it to be very uncomfortable.

Hope this helps.

[greer]

Hi Jimbo,

I have the Nolan N100; seems high-quality, it's very convenient, very comfortable, but NOT very quiet. I had always worn a fullface but got tired of fighting to get my glasses on; this helmet solved that problem but it is noisy at highway speeds. For me, the convenience is worth the racket. I'm thinking maybe there's a review at http://www.webbikeworld.
Good luck,

Sarah

[Pat]

I think LionLady pretty much hit it on the head. All other arguments aside, it comes right down to whether it fits you head comfortably AND CORRECTLY. It's just as true for a full-face, 3/4, beanie, or modular.

That said.......
I went through two Nolan flip-ups in 2002/2004, but we're talking about 45,000 miles of helmet on, helmet off. The Nolan was a decent helmet, but the fit & finish is short-lived; they really show their age in a year's time.

I currently have a couple Zeus flip up helmets. I find them to be very comfortable, but they BOTH seem to have stretched and are not fitting as well as they used to.

I've concluded that the modular "flip-up" helmet offers no more protection in a serious get-off than a 3/4 helmet. But they offer more than adequate protection from the elements and flying debris than an open face. I've also decided that they seem to fit their best in the first year of use, then either stretch or show their age.

I've also decided that when I get another one, that I'll be looking for a metal to metal latch system..... no plastic involved. But correct fit is important, and that Schubert doesn't fit my head.......

[DJ Downunder]

I've had my BMW system 4 evo for almost 5 yrs and it's still like new.

You should be able to pick one up very cheap now the new system 5 has just come out...it might not have all your dot/snell stickers.

Make sure you get one that has a single handed opening mechanism.

What type is this one??...I remember someone saying it was a good one...

DJ

[jimbo]

i do intend to try some on at the m/c show next month, coming to a town near me. so i'll check into them then. i'm currently wearing a Shoei RF1000 and it is a very nice helmet. just looking for soemthign for long distance riding, not having to take it off to snack or go in a store or whatever. thanks for the information.

[Blaster229]

Becaus it was probably one of the only helmets that fit me after wearing/trying it on for quite a long time stomping around the dealership, I have the Nolan as well. Comfort is most important and no helmet is soundproof. Most people wear earplugs, as do i, while riding. There probably is no helmet *Utopia* out there, so go for the comfort first and foremost. If you had a helmet blessed by the Pope,Snell, etc.... but isn't comfy, how long are you going to use it? Just like in the car biz they say " there's an azz for every seat", same goes for helmets.

Im waiting for inflation to raise my two cents worth.....

Mike

[bimrluvr]

I recently read a review in one of the magazines, CW, MC, Rider or Motorcycle Consumer News.
Review of the new Nolan N1000X. Made some good mods like metal-on-metal latch, and fits rounder heads better than before, etc. MCN has rated the Nolans the best for the money in comparo's. See their archives on their Website for the comparo.
Head shape is very important. If you like Shoei, you should be OK in a Nolan. I have an Arai head, so the fit of a Nolan N100 that I have and use as a pillion helmet is not as good as it could be.

[gel9001]

Stay away from flip face, I had a HJC flip face and had an accident, on head impact the hinge broke the front shifted and I ended up with a dislocated jaw. Buy a quality full face, they're the safest and a premium helmet like an Arai, will fit like a King's crown.

G

[solitario11]

my Nolan is noisy and I had a problem with a seal and they (NOLAN)nor the dealer have made an effort to fix, I spend $245 for the thing and after one year the seal in the fron fail and nolan dont answer my email nor the dealer (danbura BMW). I think $245 for one year use is a little high, I am even willing to pay for the seal but cant get anyone to help me!
PS. yes is very noise! but confy!

[sjbmw]

On July 2nd 2005, I hit the pavement face and shoulder first with a Nolan NE100 flip face. Although I got busted up pretty good, my smile and striking good looks are still intact. (Of course everyone is looking good on the net)

My insurance company sent me a check for a new helmet, and there is nothing wrong with the Nolan. I'd buy another.

For those who cannot afford a $400-500 flip face, the Nolan NE100 gets my vote at around $230. My face thanks it. As far as noise, well I use XM radio or earplugs anyway. Better than a HJC anyway.

Its a fine mid priced flip face helmet.

[scottybooj]

i use the n100 nolan also.

after a year+ riding with it, I will say that the one handed mechanism and the latch are not as smooth as when new.

but, i paid 200 bones so it's not bad

[toner87]

Nolan doesn't make helmets that fit my huge melon, so I'm sticking with Arai.
T.

[wncbmw]

I would not buy a flip face helmet purely for paranoid safety reasons. It simply cannot be as strong on impact as a regular full face. Of course, I wear contacts. If I wore glasses, my opinion would probably be different.

That said, I have lots of friends that them and the Nolan, (don't know which one), seems to be the favorite.

[gel9001]

Herb,
Glad to hear you're ok after you're accident. Obviously your head didn't land in the same position as mine during my accident. If it would have your helmet would have given way at its weakest point--the hinge for the front half, opened and you would have suffered a dislocated jaw.
It doesn't take to much cerebral horsepower to understand that a helmet that is made of several sections has inherent weakpoints where those sections are joined together.
As far as general guidlines for buying a helmet, the obvious guideline must be buy the best and don't sweat paying a few hundred extra. Quite ridiculous I think to be save a few pennies when you're talking about protecting your head. Unfortunatly I learned this lesson the hard way and suffered additional injury. Hopefully this message will save someone from the same or worse.

Gene

[bimrluvr]

Don't know if anyone noticed on the Nolan site...if you go to special products, it seems they have a line of helmets approved for various municipal Police departments. Seems they're all either flip-ups or 3/4 helmets. Good to know the motor LEOs trust them.

[DG02]

With respect, I wouldn't take the fact that a police department uses a particular type of helmet as a recommendation. Many local departments use "shorties".

On the other hand, I have a Nolan and really like it.