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Ezblast
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - 09:44 pm: | 
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Concur!
EZ |
Zane
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - 10:36 pm: |
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Hmmm. Well, the Shoei will make a great spare helmet.
I was surprised that a modular was that affordable.
Other than one button opening, what else should I look for? |
Kyrocket
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - 10:49 pm: |
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I wear glasses and don't have a problem putting the helmet on or taking it off, just put it on and take it off with the front flipped up of course.
You may not have the coin to do it now but check out how easy it is to change visors. Mine has a lock you can just slide forward or back. Unlock it, slide it out, slide a new one in and lock it back, easy peasy. I have a smoke, clear and mirrored one for the hjc. |
Sayitaintso
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 29, 2011 - 11:31 pm: |
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Other than one button opening, what else should I look for?
For me the big thing with modular is wind noise. The crack where the chin bar is separated from the rest of the helmet increases the wind noise quite a bit. I've even heard from others that some helmets will whistle a little bit in cross winds.
The other thing is how well the chin bar holds in place....if it doesn't stay locked in place it isnt going to protect you.
Many new helmets also have internal flip down sun shields...I never had a helmet with one but they look handy.
(Message edited by sayitaintso on March 30, 2011) |
Drkside79
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 01:03 am: |
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Something else to think about many chin impacts have a tendency to snap the spine right at the base of the brain
 |
Videoninja
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 02:22 am: |
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Something else to think about many chin impacts have a tendency to snap the spine right at the base of the brain
How does that differ from fullface vs 3/4? } |
Zane
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 09:55 am: |
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quote:Something else to think about many chin impacts have a tendency to snap the spine right at the base of the brain
You're just full of cheery thoughts, arent' you? |
Sayitaintso
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 10:07 am: |
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You're just full of cheery thoughts, arent' you?
Look at the bright side, you'd get to have an open casket, a 3/4 you wouldn't. |
Ratbuell
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 10:37 am: |
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Look for METAL modular latches and pins. Some are still plastic. The Shoei I have has beefy metal pins, I have no doubt it would stay shut in an impact. Outside that and the one-button setup, just go by the rukes for a fullface - head shape, pressure points, all that fun stuff. |
Tiltcylinder
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 12:18 pm: |
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The flip front is a wonderful thing, especially when you're wearing glasses. Ever try to ask directions from someone in a full face? Make sure the glasses are reasonably tight to the temple area and no problems with any of them. Just purchased the Schuberth C3 and am in love. The quietest 'modular' I've ever put on my head. Had the first Nolan flip front that didn't come from a BMW dealer... guess it was back in the early 90's. Good helmet, required two thumbs to open (huge pain!) and wasn't very quiet. Been through a couple since then. For the last couple of years it's been a Zox Genesis or Nevado? Not sure which, but it's the basic model without the sunscreen thingy. It's actually quieter than the Nolan was, cost less than $150, sheild changes are quick and easy (helmet actually looks a lot like an HJC, rebadged maybe?) and is comfortable. The Schuberth cost over four times as much.
There have been strange whistles and noises occasionally with all the flip fronts I've worn. None were horrible or continuous. I think the Zox whistles at 70-75 mph when I turn my head to the left... not to the right. The one handed open is the best thing done to them since the inception. Try some on to get the fit... I'm XL in three brands, XXL in another. Fit is the most important, My EXO 700 (Scorpion?) fit perfect out of the box, the Icon Airframe required different cheekpads to fit well and after three or four years the Zox cheek pads are squishing down and it's not as tight as it once was... hence the new helmet. I'm riding about 8k a year on the different bikes and 99% of the time I choose the flip front over the full faces, 3/4's or shorty(I look like the great Gazoo or some short of motorized mushroom in a shorty). |
Sparky
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 02:42 pm: |
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Schuberth C3 quietness indeed! It earned Motorcycle Consumer News' "Recommended" rating compared to 12 other modulars with 5/5 points for Peripheral Vision, Visor Optical Clarity, Sun Shade/Mechanism, Retention system Ease, Ventilation, Cleanablity, Interior Comfort, and high scores for other features except price.
But the thing they liked most was it's absence of noise commenting that "it's the only helmet they've tested that could realistically be worn without ear plugs." The factory claims interior noise level of 84 dB at 62 mph.
Options?: A Cardo -designed headset can be installed in lieu of the helmet neck roll for mp3 players or phone comm.
Boy, I'd like to find one of these in white on sale to replace my noisy but racy looking Arai. |
Zane
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 03:16 pm: |
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Hmmm... Sounds like I need to go helmet shopping today. I'll ride over with my son. He's going to Cyclegear tonight get a replacement shield for his HJC. I'll see what kind of modulars they have in stock and get aquainted with the idea. |
Drkside79
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 03:25 pm: |
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Well the full helmet protects the chin which can distribute the impact shock. ie less chance of instant death. As opposed to the 3/4 no protection on the chin equaling a higher chance of atlanto-occipital dislocation which unless you shagged a leprechaun the night before equals death.
Sorry i was not clear earlier. I was arguing against the 3/4. BTW i used to really like my HJC modular helmet quite a bit. I currently have a non modular full face Shoie also nice much quieter but not near as convenient as a mod. |
Sayitaintso
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 03:40 pm: |
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Try webbikeworld they have great reviews of all types of motorcycle gear...especially helmets, before you go over to cyclegear.
I dont think they get anything from the vendors, except the stuff they test. |
Tiltcylinder
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 04:52 pm: |
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Zane, actually trying one on, is the only way to go. Tried a friend's Vemar (?)(italian?) recently and although comfortable and pretty quiet... it seemed very short top to bottom, my chin and lower jaw protruding a bit... to the point that they were cold (it was about 40 degrees out). I tried every brand of helmet that was on display at the January motorcycle show here in NY. I was that pain in the @ss standing there asking questions and trying all the different ones on. Heck, I even tried on the women's version of the Schuberth to see how different the fit was. The one thing I noticed was the 'hush' that fell on the crowd noise when I put the C3 on. I was pretty much sold right there. Oh and if anyone is looking for one, Google "competition accessories discount code". Ten percent off is 70 bucks! The price is consistent at $699 everywhere, the code worked so $630 to the door is the best I found. Couldn't even talk them into any kind of a deal at the motorcycle show and I was going to buy two, cash, and only wanted $100 off (plus no tax of course) the total!
Ear plugs are a given. Use something. I regret not using them when I was younger, as I've lost a good bit of my hearing and it's all attributable to the bikes. Plus a ten hour day would leave me 'dizzy' for an hour or so after stopping. Now with plugs and quieter (fullface/flip front) helmets that fatigue just doesn't happen.
Once you go with the flip front, you'll never go back... I've tried. |
No_rice
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 04:58 pm: |
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i shattered the chin bar clean off of an hjc helmet a few years ago pushing about 140(on my snowmobile)
broke my nose, loosened a few teeth, broke my collar bone clean through, separated both shoulders and one hip, as well as a few broken ribs and fingers...
i remember the handlebars coming straight at my face, and then seeing the after math of the helmet it pretty much convinced me if i have a helmet on(which i usually do) it will be full face, otherwise why wear one. im pretty sure if that chin bar wasnt there i wouldnt have a jaw or worse |
Sayitaintso
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 06:01 pm: |
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Maybe I'm wrong but if all you had was a busted nose and a few loose teeth after a hit to the noggin at ~140....the helmet did its job admirably. |
Zane
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 06:40 pm: |
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Ok. James and just got back from Cyclegear. They only had 2 models of Modulars in stock. Their house brand Bilt and a Shoei. Both were one button and both had metal hardware holdling things closed. The Bilt (house brand) is normally $199.00 but on sale until the end of April for $99.00. The Shoei was $459.99. The Shoei felt like it was made for my head but the Bilt wasn't a bad fit either. Sales guy said Bilt is actually made by the people who also make HJC.
What surprised me was that both helmets were DOT approved but neither had a Snell approved. What's up with that? |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 06:46 pm: |
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http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcyc le_helmet_review/index.html |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 06:53 pm: |
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Clip from the above (excellent) article:
In analyzing the accident-involved helmets, the Hurt researchers also addressed whether helmets certified to different standards actually performed differently in real crashes; that is, did a Snell-certified helmet work better at protecting a person in the real world than a plain old DOT-certified or equivalent helmet? The answer was no. In real street conditions, the DOT or equivalent helmets worked just as well as the Snell-certified helmets. |
Froggy
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 06:58 pm: |
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Modulars can't pass Snell. Not that you would want it anyway. |
Aesquire
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 07:29 pm: |
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Modulars don't pass Snell because Snell doesn't test them.
Obviously, a solid piece of plastic is going to be stronger than anything with a hinge & latch. ( Plastic. yeah, yeah, fibre-reinforced, carbon fiber, fiberglass.... whatever.)
There is little doubt that you could have an impact that would cause a modular to fail, when a solid full face would not. Even such an impact that you would survive in one and not the other, or possibly get more serious injuries with one than the other.
Still, a modular is hands down better than a 3/4 or 1/2 helmet. Neither will save your face. Both could save your life, and I've even seen 1/2 helmets that prevented cranial injury in serious motorcycle accidents, as The first responder.
It's a compromise. A pretty good one, IMHO.
Full disclosure, I have a Suomy Spec-1R solid full face lid, and it fits great, is cool and light, and noisy as all heck. Also a HJC modular, fits good, has ok, but not awesome airflow, ( still have to open the shield in fogging conditions ) and is noisier than many lids. But still quieter than the Suomy.
The modular is great for interacting at the gas station, talking briefly to another rider, when stopped at a light, and not having to take off my glasses.
Bottom line, as mentioned above, it has to fit YOU. You have to try them on. and... get one handed operation. |
Tiltcylinder
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 08:23 pm: |
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Heck,I'd give the 99 dollar special a chance. Even if you end up hating it, you've only lost 99 dollars. You'll then have a greater understanding of what you're looking for in your next lid.
The Zox was bought on a whim as I was looking to replace the last (final) Nolan. But if the money isn't a big deal get the Shoei. That 'mildly less than comfortable' feeling can become downright awful after six hours. I wore a brand new helmet on a five day trip once... by the second afternoon... it did not break in... it did not conform to my noggin... I wanted it off as soon as possible, as often as possible and as long as possible...it did not ever go on my head again after that trip. Yet I'd have sworn it was only the tiniest bit snug at the forehead after the 30 minute ride home after purchasing it...
I pass on my older, outgrown and / or unloved helmets and gear to the 'kids' at work (you know.. the ones in half lids and jean jackets). Was the best feeling ever, when one brought in a destroyed helmet I'd given him just two weeks earlier... not a scratch on him. Thanked me profusely and asked what he should buy next. Had him stop by and try out the half a dozen I had at the time. He ended up going home with my Airframe (great airflow, medium visibility and a bit noisy), gloves that never quite stretched to fit my pinkies correctly(not for a lack of trying to break them in) and a shift jacket I'd stopped wearing. All for the princely sum of 50 bucks... (mostly to recoup the cost of the brand new smoked screen and extra cheek pads)alot of green when you're at the bottom of the pay scale. But now he's wearing a full face, armored, well vented textile jacket and armored leather gloves.
So much better than flip-flops and a t-shirt. |
Fltwistygirl
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 09:05 pm: |
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Badweb never ceases to amaze me with the wealth of info passed along here. Thanks Jerry Haughton for that awesome link above. The "what does having a snell certification mean?" topic comes up from time to time, and now I have a very detailed link where I may refer those inquisitive students.
"That 'mildly less than comfortable' feeling can become downright awful after six hours."
As mentioned above, try the helmet on and wear it around the store for 15 or 20 minutes. In that time frame, if there is any discomfort at all, pass on that particular lid. I find some brands fit my head better than others. Nolan, AGV and HJC seems to fit my melon best. You'll figure out what works best for you in time. |
Sayitaintso
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 09:43 pm: |
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Here are two very good articles about helmets. The first is about helmets in general and the second is mostly about comparing the European and DOT safety standards.
Even if you think you know everything about helmets you will learn something from one of these.
Article 1
Article 2 |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 09:51 pm: |
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Thanks Jerry Haughton for that awesome link above.
You're very welcome.
Take care,
FB |
Zane
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - 10:27 pm: |
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This is a great thread. Thank you everyone for what you are teaching me... |
Cyclonedon
| | Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2011 - 12:28 am: |
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I have a Shoei Multitec and love it! Before that I wore a HJC modular which is more comfortable than a full face helmet which I have a couple of those also. With the flip-up front it is much easier to get my glasses.
I also have a Bell half helmet that I wear when It's hotter than hell out and I want to look like a Harley rider!  |
Dfbutler
| | Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2011 - 12:51 pm: |
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Got this one here:
http://search.extremesupply.com/search/index
Bell Revolver
Also got the photochromatic visor which goes from clear to fairly dark and should eliminate the need for sunglasses in conjunction with built in sunshade |
Ourdee
| | Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2011 - 06:06 pm: |
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I have a Nolan two thumber. Got it for 5 bucks in a ladies yard sale. It was her son's and just sat on a shelf because he never wore a helmet. So she sold it to me. It's alright. |
Tiltcylinder
| | Posted on Friday, April 01, 2011 - 09:13 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton, a second thank you for the link. Remember reading that one. It's the one that had me switch away from my Nolan helmets and start giving other brands a chance. The Z1R helmets didn't fit my shape well. Always wanted a Schuberth but never thought I could swing the cost... I've been both frugal and profitable the last few years, and figured why the heck not. The Schuberth neck/jaw-line and chin seal setup, a very smooth shape (few projections/ lines/ bumps or dips) and excellent gap control at the shield and chinbar edges are what makes it so quiet. Quiet was what I was hunting for. I don't think it's going to be incredibly more safe than any other DOT certified unit.
People go on about metal lock pins and catches. If I can't squeeze/push/pry it open with my hands, I believe it's secure enough. Any impact hard enough to snap the pair of 1/2" x 3/16" or so plastic lock pins on My Zox... will probably snap my neck like a pencil! I believe a helmet should take one fairly massive hit and allow my skull to remain intact or at least less than flat on the contact side. I don't expect a helmet to protect me from multiple fencepost or tree trunk impacts at 100 mph.
Ourdee, I don't miss the two thumb unit operation. But I surely thought I was the coolest thing going. Got plenty of inquiries as to "what kind of helmet is that?".
Check the chin bar pivot screws, if they're even a bit loose... close the helmet fully, remove, add a little blue lock-tite and reinstall, one screw at a time. I remember them coming loose frequently. Plus, when you close them, use both hands to ensure each side is fully caught, they often 'seemed' closed. |
Jerry_haughton
| | Posted on Friday, April 01, 2011 - 09:25 pm: |
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Jerry_haughton, a second thank you for the link.
And a second "You're very welcome." 
I'm wearing an HJC modular in my profile photo. Ran it for about a year, liked it OK, but really wanted another Shoei, only this time a modular. Found a screamin' deal on a pearl white (matches my Bling King, doncha know...) Shoei Multitec at the Long Beach IMS this past December, and D bought it for me for my Christmas present. I love it (and Denise ):
FB |
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