| Author | Message | ||
     Electraglider_1997 |
I need a full face helmet and want to hear what you folks have to recommend. I'm leaning toward one of those flip-up helmets, maybe the Nolan n103. I should have my bike this week or right after Thanksgivings Day and figure that my novelty helmet just won't cut it on this bike. Besides on the ULY it is a long way from where the head is to the cement and I don't want to end up like Indian Larry. What should I look at? And I don't want to spend more than 250 shamolies. | ||
| Lowflyer |
I have been happy with my Caberg Justissimo. It is a flip up with an internal retractable sun visor. You don't need sunglasses and you never need to change visors. I spent $299 for it, but I know it can be had for less. | ||
| Xb12xdude |
Electraglider , I have 2 modular [flip-up] style helmets . Both have ALOT of wind noise. One is a KBC and the other is a HJC. They cost from $200-$250. If you don't mind earplugs they are great. I understand there are some upper end helmets that are not as noisy , but the prices reflect.[$400-$600]. My 2 cents. | ||
| Dmcutter |
Motorcyclist had a real good article back in the summer about the difference between snell and dot certification and the amount of shock transferred to your noggin-certainly worth a read. The ZR-1, i think it was, that goes for all of about $80 was the easiest on your head, but it isn't a flip up type. | ||
| Jim_sb |
Motorcyclist did a thorough evaluation of helmet testing standards some time ago. It was one of the best articles I've seen done in a cycle mag. Read that before you buy. What you're after is protection for your coconut. The published standards aren't what we've led to believe. Some under $100 helmets fared better than some $400 ones in their testing. More money does not equal better protection. As for comfort, make sure you get one the fits well and has good ventilation, especially to help keep the visor from fogging. Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Jim_sb |
PS. I think the flip-up helmets are great but I'm concerned as to how secure the chin-bar will be in a get-off. Therefore I'm sticking with FF helmets only - currently I have a Shoei RF-900 I got on sale and an older HJC CL12. Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Eor |
HJC Symax is a good flip up helmet. My wife has one and I have a Buell helmet I believe is a Symax rebadged with the Buell graphics. I still prefer a conventional full face. Whichever you choose, I'd strongly recommend wearing ear plugs...the wind noise is substantial. | ||
| Beemerscreemer |
Personal preferences and budgets are the important factors in choosing a helmet. I have tried Nolan, HJC, Gmax, Bell and Arai. My preference is the ARAI Quantum in Blue re-entry(I like flashy colors to draw attention so maybe I won't be a hood ornament.) This helmet has the best ventilation of any I have tried. As for the budget issue - I bought a new in box on ebay for $275. But don't try to buy it this way unless you KNOW it will be the right size. Arai has different models for different head shapes! gene | ||
| Crusty |
I like to go to the IMS show and try on every helmet that I'm interested in. When I find the one that fits right and feels best, I note the make, model and size. Then I go Internet shopping. Helmet preference is a personal thing. My wife and I both like modular (flip up) helmets, but she favors an HJC Symax while I prefer a Schuberth Concept. (Message edited by Crusty on November 20, 2005) | ||
| Lowflyer |
"I'm concerned as to how secure the chin-bar will be in a get-off." Jim, I operate under the assumption that anything that would flip the face up on my flip-up would likely be taking my head off at the same time anyway.  The salesguy expressed that same fear to me when I bought mine. He mentioned that Snell does not consider flip-ups to be full-face and does not test them. I would be interested to know if there are any statistics or engineering testing that make the un-commanded flip-up plausible. My biggest fear having a flip-up in an accident would be emergency personnel or good samaritans trying to remove it without flipping the face up. | ||
| Tel |
Personally I prefer FF helmets. You can't go past Shoei TZRs or the TZ1 if you can still get one. | ||
| Dave |
If you go full face ... I am REALLY liking the Scorpion helmet I got. Every review I've read has had good things to say about this bucket. Price is awesome. DAve | ||
| Wasions |
My HJC flip-up survived a pretty nasty accident in which my only facial injury was a fat upper lip. Since I was unconscious at the time, I don't know what I hit, but the only damage to the flip-up portion was a broken corner on the little mouth-vent. That being said, I won't likely replace it with same as the darn thing was so noisy. Steve Gear up! | ||
| Court |
A "good" flip up is the motoquivalent of a "good" ventilated condom. | ||
| Hooaah |
Some time ago I asked about the safety of a flip-up helmet vs the FF. You might want to read this old thread http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/4062/155130.html BTW after my research I bought a Scorpion EXO 400 and couldn't be happier - relatively quiet, stable (no lift), well-ventilated, and the most surprising thing for me was the optical clarity of the shield (both the clear and the smoke). You can also pick up an optional aero skirt that inserts near the chin which cuts down on noise and the cold. Got the helmet, extra visor, and skirt for less than $200. Good luck Don (Message edited by hooaah on November 21, 2005) | ||
| Two_buells |
I love my Arai XD Is it a Dirt Bike Helmet? Or is it a Street Helmet? It's a Dirt Bike Helmet with a shield. You need to take off the visor over 70 mph. The liner is removable and washable......   (Message edited by Two_Buells on November 21, 2005) | ||
| Jim_sb |
Why the visor removal? I've ridden my DRZ400S above 80mph with the visor on my HJC dirt bike style helmet (with goggles). I really like the dirt bike style helmet and goggles for dirt work. You're moving more slowly and the additional venting is great on a warm day. The XD looks nice for sure - and might be perfect for a Ulysses if you can get around that 70mph restriction. Jim in Santa Barbara | ||
| Lowflyer |
 This is what mine looks like. It's a good helmet and I love the sun shield. It is fairly quiet, but I have always worn earplugs anyway. Habit. Court, I was unaware of any moto-equivalent to condoms.   (Message edited by lowflyer on November 21, 2005) (Message edited by lowflyer on November 21, 2005) | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Lowflyer, Great looking helmet, but you are looking way to pasty. I really dig the helmet though. (Message edited by electraglider_1997 on November 21, 2005) | ||
| Two_buells |
Jim, 70 mph is what Arai says. I've had my bike to 110 with the visor on. just know when you turn your head to look over your shoulder it does catch the wind. Now if I'm going to take a long hwy trip I'll take it off just to give my neck a break. Ewan McGregor & Charley Boorman rode from London to New York with Arai XD's (The Long Way Round) Great book, and TV Series. | ||
| 2old2bfast |
I'd have to weigh in as well in favor of the Arai XD's! I've worn a ton of different full face skid lids through the years (but despite wearing glasses still have not tried the flip-ups), and the XD is the lightest, best vented full face helmet I've worn. As far as the visor issue goes, I've already seen triple digits with the visor in place on the Uly, and just about all my highway riding in Florida happens right at 80mph. So far, it's never even occurred to me to take the thing off. I've never noticed any type of fatigue yet, and I love the way the bill shades the shield and eliminates glare as well (just like your favorite baseball cap)! Combined with great fit and the dual function ability it has just like the bike, and I think you've got the perfect match! | ||
| Lowflyer |
I wore make-up for the photo shoot.  | ||
| Thesmaz |
Regarding helmets, does anyone have a link to a place that sells Arai helmets ONLINE? I'm stationed overseas, want a new helmet but don't want to pay local price (Euro + %21 tax!). | ||
| Gowindward |
I was told by a dealer that has a retailer store and a large online store that Arai does not allow online sales by it's dealers | ||
| Bjack |
I have the Scorpion EXO-700 and am very satisfied. Great helmet at a great price. The ventilation is excellent and I have never had any problem with fogging. I definitely recommend going with the chin spoiler. Cuts down dramatically on noise. | ||
| Thunderbolt_dad |
I also have the Caberg flip-up, did not notice much (if any) noise above what I would hear wih my RF 8-Ball. The Caberg is extremely modular, comes with a kit allowing you to convert it to a 3/4 helmet with full shield. Bought it local for less than $300. Better fit than the Nolan, HJC, KBC, SHOEI or ARAI's that I tried on. But, fit is personal, as always. | ||
| Buelldyno_guy |
I have been using the Buell HJC FF Flip-up for a couple of years, but just bought the Arai DX and love it. I was riding around town with my old helmet with it flipped up so I could see and hear better. The DX does the same with just the shield up. . ... Terry | ||
| Tricklidz |
Scorpion is a nice helmet for the price...but...hold one in one hand and any Arai in the other! They seem to weigh twice as much. This makes a big difference in comfort on long rides. IMHO. | ||
| U4euh |
Ichsnay the Olina(NO on the Nolin), I have that helmet, lots of wind noise with chin bar down. Mine is about 2 years old and the padding now sucks. 2cents | ||
| Stevem123 |
I've had two "Nolans" and now wear a "Shuberth". All three were/are noisy and I hate that. However, I like the features and fit. These two flip-ups have the widest field of view of most all the others, they have great click-type chin straps with the "Nolan being the better of the two. Only the "Shuberth" has the flip-down sun visor which I like a lot. The "shuberth" also has a good venting system and the main visor can be clicked outward a tad to allow venting and de-fogging. It does leak in the rain if you have to vent to de-fog....... The chin-bar on both these helmets are well designed and my first "Nolan" survived a face-plant a few years back. Scratched down the faceshield and chinbar. Not a scratch on me though! They are full-face helmets in my opinion! To enjoy riding, a helmet has to be comfortable and that is the hardest part of finding one that you will like. Try someplace like "Cycle Gear" that carry many brands and try them all on. Buy the one you like the best! Just my .02 BC Steve | ||
| Tomfrey |
I have owned 2 flip ups, and both were noisy so I went back to a full face when I got my Uly. I have a HJC that fits well (I have a Shoei head) and was 189.00 at a local shop and i got the same lid online for 148.00 delivered. | ||
| Mastros2 |
http://www.motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/Helmets.html#Helmets a litle info on helmets which I thought was interesting. | ||
| Dlrides |
If you plan on going off-road, gravel backroads, and fire roads, there is only one helmet :ARAI XD A little pricey though, can be had for $375 | ||
| Fubar |
I was getting a lot of rumbling with my Shoei so i got a Schuberth C2 modular. It almost completely encloses on the bottom and eliminates the low freq booming. After wearing it for 6 long days straight, I really like it on the Uly. | ||
| Jackbequick |
After 40 odd years of 3/4 coverage helmets, I put about 30 minutes on my new HJC Symax today and decided I can live with it. It's not as noisy as a open face helmet. As for the modular, I wear glasses and refuse to wear anything that requires me to stuff them in after I put the helmet on and have to remove them to take if off. I figure if the modular takes one shot that would have been on what was the open face area with my old helmet, I'm better off. Jack |
