| Author | Message | ||
     Dynasport |
I have been shopping for a new helmet for several weeks. I recently bought a Scala G4 and since installing it on my Shoei Rf-1000 it has irritated my left ear. My right ear has been fine, but apparently my left ear sticks out further than my right one and no matter where I moved the speaker, it irritated my ear, sometimes to the point of pain. Since I like to ride long distances, and something like the speaker problem just worsens over the miles, I knew I had to do something. So, I have been reading reviews and trying on helmets at every opportunity. I have never had a modular helmet, and thought I might give one a shot. My requirements were a helmet that had a big enough pocket to install the G4 speakers in without any irritation to my ear and made in such a way that I could wear my sunglasses comfortably. I had no idea how hard it would be to find a helmet that met both those requirements. I also discovered it was necessary to check out the size of the speaker pockets, because I found that even though the Scala G4 speakers are tiny, some pockets made for speakers were too small for the G4 speakers to fit. Finally, today I tried on a Shoei Neotec. I had avoided trying one on because of its high price. Today, though, I gave in and tried it one. It fit great and was very comfortable. I checked the speaker pockets, nice and big. I tried on my sunglasses wearing the helmet. They went on nice and easy and were comfortable. The bottom line is that the helmet was a class above everything else I had tried. It also came with a Pinlock shield. I tried it on at the local Yamaha/Suzuki/Kawasaki dealership. I talked to two salespeople during my visit. The first was pretty useless, but the second guy was very helpful. He even installed my Scala G4 in the helmet to make sure it was still comfortable for me with the speaker installed. He also gave me a pretty big discount on the helmet and I got it for much less than I have seen it anywhere online. It is hard for me to spend the money this helmet cost right now, but I am convinced I bought the best helmet for my head and requirements out there and I also got a great deal. Just wanted to share. If you are thinking about a modular helmet, do yourself a favor and try on a Neotec. | ||
| Orangeulius |
That looks like a sweet helmet. I didn't know shoei had a model with an internal visor or I would have checked it out. I just took delivery of the new Shark Evoline Series 3. Features are very similar to the Neotec but it converts to an open face on the fly. Let us know how you like the Neotec. How are noise levels with the Scala? Congrats! | ||
| Dynasport |
It is interesting that you wanted a helmet with an internal visor. I would have been happy to find one without it. I find they add weight to the helmet and add something else to fog in the humid Florida weather. Just about all the helmets come with it these days, though, so I just accepted I would likely end up with one that did. As far as noise with the Scala, I haven't had a chance to try it out on my the Neotec yet, but hopefully will soon. On my old RF-1000, though, I used earplugs with the Scala and loved it. I've only had the Scala a couple of months, but have really enjoyed being able to listen to music or a baseball game (spring training) when I ride. I don't find it distracting, as some say, and don't have any problem focusing on the road. With earplugs in, wind and road noise is kept out and I can turn the Scala to a volume level that is comfortable for me. The Scala also adjusts volume with ambient noise levels, so when I come to a stop it turns down, and then gets louder at highway speeds. I love it. | ||
| Zac4mac |
I just got a Nolan N102C from Drag on closeout - 87 bucks. The last one I bought cost me $280. I won't wear anything else. Sun-shield is on the outside, for fogging, one click open clears the visor with little inside wind. Z | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Zac, Can you give a link? | ||
| Uly_man |
Pick your helmet, buy a set of "made for your ears" sound/music plugs and with a Bluetooth module you will never need anything else ever again. Job done. (Message edited by uly_man on April 01, 2012) | ||
| Dynasport |
Uly_man, I'm going on a 6500 mile ride later this year with a buddy. We thought it would be nice to be able to do more than communicate with hand signals, although we have gotten by for years that way. Anyway, that is the main reason I picked up the Scala. We bought a set to save money and have tested them out and they work really well once you get the hang of them. So, anyway, I respectfully disagree with your concise advise. Zac, what is it about the Nolan N102C that makes it so fantastic that you won't wear anything else? Just curious. | ||
| Zac4mac |
The "link" was a flyer from Drag Specialties to their dealers. The shop I work at ordered me one at cost with no markup, nice guys...  Nolan's N100/102/103 series are modulars and they are light for that class. They fit me very well but the clincher is the ski-boot style latch for the chin strap. I HATE D-rings. I can don and doff the bucket with my heaviest Winter gauntlets with one hand. Been wearing Nolans for over a decade now, the first helmet I actually LIKE to wear. Zack | ||
| Pontlee77 |
echo buckles are the way to go if you don't like double D rings they fit over them and work quite good | ||
| Normanjf |
My buddy and I have the Scala set up as well, but we both found it very hard to hear with the stock speakers. Even on its loudest setting I could barely hear anything. We had another friend of mine(electrical engineer) remove the speakers and install a head phone jack in its place. Now I just use a cheap pair of ear bud style head phones and it is very easy to hear. Also helps reduce some road noise (doesn't completely block all road noise though, which is good). Once we did that the Scala's have been awesome and have seen lots of use and adverse weather and have been working perfect. |
