Looking for suggestions on a flip helmet

[eddd]

I'm going through the pain of trying to find a suitable helmet, this time a replacement for my very noisy flip.

 

My current flip is noisy, to the point of being irritating. It is also not the greatest for use with glasses.

 

What I'm looking for is a flip that is quiet, and glasses-friendly. It also needs to be resonably priced. No matter how great a helmet is, I'm not willing to spend $400.00 for one. I've read the on-line reviews, and now I looking for real world experience.

 

Thanks.

[dt20]

im getting ready to buy one of the new cabergs. all the reveiws ive read say this is the quietest flip up on the market. I also like that is got an internal sunshade built in it. its very similar to helicopter helmets. i now the price is ranging from $275 to $300 looks to be a pretty good helmet from what ive read. if you use an autocom system it will take some modifing but been told it will work.

[motorbob]

Check the following web site: webbikeworld. They have tests of many products incl. helmets. I wanted to buy a better modular but after reading tests reports I decided to keep using my RF1000 (great helmet) for safety reasons. Modular or flip ups are simply junk. Even the new Shoei Multitec secures the front piece with metal pins that look like thumb tacks. Unbelievable. I also have an HJC SY-Max and older Nolan N 100 that I don't wear anymore. These things are held together with plastic pins !

Too bad as I now wear glasses and need a more convenient helmet. However I will stick to the real thing until a serious modular is sold.

I think DOT tests modulars as open face helmets. Snell has not tested them (obviously refuses to do so)That says a lot about their safety aspect.

Only Schuberth seems to have a good system but I don't like them. Too large, too confining and very expensive.

[Antaeas]

I've owned a lot of helmets. The Nolan XP I have now is quiet and fits me well. I don't minding spending what it costs, because comfort and protection are worth at least that much to me.

[Mike]

I bought a Nolan N102 last year, to replace my Shoei Syncrotec. My admittedly non-scientific perception is that it's quieter than the Shoei. The overall quality of the Nolan is really nice, surprisingly so, given its very reasonable cost.

 

My initial report on the N102 is here. I've put quite a few miles on the Nolan since sharing my initial impressions. Like I said, the Nolan seems quieter than the Shoei. The Nolan definitely is quieter with the chin curtain in place than without. However, this added quietness with the chin curtain comes at the cost of less air circulation in the helmet, and I typically ride without it in warm weather (I always wear earplugs, so the overall noise level remains pretty quiet). The only other thing I'd add that's not mentioned in the original thread is that the Nolan is less roomy around the chinbar. I'm not sure whether that's a "plus" or a "minus" from a safety perspective, but it does feel a little more confining than the Shoei, something I'm not particularly fond of.

 

As far as Motorbob's observation about Snell refusing to test flip-ups, I believe that his statement is not correct . . . or at least it wasn't at the time I researched this a year ago. The Snell Foundation will test flip-ups, but no manufacturer has submitted them for testing (this is what their website indicated a year ago). I assume this is because they anticipate that a flip-up would not pass the full-face test. However (and again this is discussed in the original thread), not everyone is convinced that the Snell standards are preferable to DOT standards. A helmet that meets Snell standards may perform better in certain types of crashes, but sometimes a DOT-standard helmet offers better protection.

 

Anyway, back to the original question--the N102, at approximately $300, is a high-quality product that offers some very nice features. It's quieter than a Syncrotec, the only other flip-up I've owned, but is still noiser than the full-face helmets I've used.

[Mike05]

I own both the Caberg & the Shoei Multitec; one I bought, the other was a gift.

 

Although I like the Caberg in most respects, be aware the top air vent is sealed & doesn't let air pass thru. (Read somewhere this helmet failed the "drop" test onto a pointed object; apparently an ice pick type instrument penetrated the helmet thru the top vent. So they "glued" a clear piece of plastic in there. ) I live in Texas; thus the Shoei Multitec for Xmas from my wife .

 

Are they as safe as a full face non-flip? Probably not. Safer then an open face or bubble? Yup.

 

I recognize it's a tradeoff, but a mighty convenient one. BTW, the Shoei is much quieter.

 

Good luck in your search.

[dt20]

thats good to know I wasnt aware that the top vent was sealed. kind of false advertising. guess ill stick with my nolan for the time.

[Firefight911]

The new Shoei Mulittec. Expensive at the dealer, cheaper on line!

 

Garnered excellent reviews. Haven't gotten one myself yet, however, it is right up there on the get list when it is time.

[SteveSardone]

I just purchased the Shoei syncrotec from bmw ft worth on sale for 290.00. a little noisier than my hjc full face but very convenient.

[Ken H.]

Another vote for the Nolan 102. Keeping a boom mic positioned with a flip-up is a bit of a pain, but you're going to have that with any of them. The 102's double latch is suppose to eliminate the false opening of some other flip-up designs. I hope I never have to test it! I like the built in sun visor and quick release strap of the 102 too.

 

I always ride with ear plugs / monitors in, so noise is a non-issue for me.

[Crazy_Canuck]

Another vote for the Nolan 102. Keeping a boom mic positioned with a flip-up is a bit of a pain, but you're going to have that with any of them. The 102's double latch is suppose to eliminate the false opening of some other flip-up designs. I hope I never have to test it! I like the built in sun visor and quick release strap of the 102 too.

 

I always ride with ear plugs / monitors in, so noise is a non-issue for me.

 

+1

[motorbob]

I don't know or pretend to know why Snell doesn't test flip ups. Point is that they are not tested as such and that is not reassuring at all !

I forgot to mention that the Nolan N102 seems to be well made. The front piece is held in place by seemingly solid steel pieces. Unfortunately it only fits round heads (just like my old N100 that doesn't fit my head well)

It would be the only flip up I would trust (to some extent)

[marcopolo]

I don't know or pretend to know why Snell doesn't test flip ups. Point is that they are not tested as such and that is not reassuring at all !

I forgot to mention that the Nolan N102 seems to be well made. The front piece is held in place by seemingly solid steel pieces. Unfortunately it only fits round heads (just like my old N100 that doesn't fit my head well)

It would be the only flip up I would trust (to some extent)

 

I think it's more a case of manufacturers not having submitted their flip-ups to Snell for testing, isn't it? If true, it would seem to suggest they don't believe they'd pass. Whether the Snell standard makes sense is another topic.