Flip-top lids

[OV Lander]

So the old lid now has several years on the clock, and it is time think about re-newing.

As I wear glasses I am thinking about a flip top helmet, and possibly one with a flip down sunvisor.

Am not 100% behind the Nolan N102 as the visor is external (it must surley be noisey), but with glasses on how will an internal one fit?

Have not yet found a model to try on here in NZ,but can see plenty of attractive overseas offers. For example, the Caberg Justissimo GT (supposed to be really quiet?) has caught my eye tonight, and I am not sure about the standards of the HJC Max lids.

Interested in your views, thoughts and advice.

[timg]

I have the Nolan 102 and am very happy with it. VPS visor doesn't seem to be noisy, but I wear ear plugs too. The only thing I miss is a visor. Experimenting with a 'Super Visor at the moment. The ultimate would be a flip front Arai Tour X or similar. Flip fromts are great for us specs wearers. Cheers.

[Hitcher]

If you want a flip-front helmet, then I hope you haven't got a large head -- all manufacturers only make these to Shoei size L or equivalent.

[NordieBoy]

Currently using a KBC FFR in XXL.

[GaZBur]

If you want a flip-front helmet, then I hope you haven't got a large head -- all manufacturers only make these to Shoei size L or equivalent.
I have a big head (OK that leaves me open for some jokes) and have a flip front ZEUS 508. I was quite pleased with it, but you need to have a one piece helmet for MNZ meetings according to the rulebook even though flip tops are rated the same they are not permitted.
If you decide to go for a one piece the only one I could find that was a good fit and also had enough room around the ears to fit my glasses after putting the helmet on was the Zeus 803. It is well rated and very reasonably priced. I must have tried on 20 bloody helmets before I found the one that fit right. I would not buy by price or what i liked the look of but by fit above all else.

[Grub]

Am not 100% behind the Nolan N102 as the visor is external (it must surley be noisey), but with glasses on how will an internal one fit?.

It seems difficult to believe that the visor doesn't create noise, but it doesn't. There's a heap of threads about the N102, try a word search but here's a starter where we were discussing the noise issue

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=56702

[xgnr]

So the old lid now has several years on the clock, and it is time think about re-newing.

As I wear glasses I am thinking about a flip top helmet, and possibly one with a flip down sunvisor.

Am not 100% behind the Nolan N102 as the visor is external (it must surley be noisey), but with glasses on how will an internal one fit?

Have not yet found a model to try on here in NZ,but can see plenty of attractive overseas offers. For example, the Caberg Justissimo GT (supposed to be really quiet?) has caught my eye tonight, and I am not sure about the standards of the HJC Max lids.

Interested in your views, thoughts and advice.

My partner (size S. Me L) use the HJC Max fliptop. No problems so far. (had it about 12 months - 30,000 Km) Don't think its too noisy ( I wear plugs). Does not leak and is comfortable.

Unsure re the standard can check the documents if you like but they all meet min Helmet stds anyway.

Cheers

Stu

[shaneh]

I've got a size S Nolan 102 and like it a lot. Going for a flip means a small, tight fit helmet without tearing my ears off.
Great for gas stations, no need to remove to go inside.
I wear plugs and don't notice any extra noise.

[shafty]

I've had a Shoei flip for a few years and can't see myself going back to a solid helmet again - they are SO handy in gas stations, rest stops, having water etc etc - and easier to get on and off and talk to people.

[Hitcher]

Agree 100% for convenience. I'd love one, but cranial considerations forbid.

[Kwaka14]

Try the schuberth flip front helmet if you want a high quality flip lid - they also have a secondary sun-visor which is pretty cool and I'm told they're quiet. I just wish I could fit one....

[warewolf]

I've just replaced my Shoei Syncrotech II after only 2 years or so of use. Just too noisy and inconvenient.

Flip helmets are noisier, earplugs won't change that fact. $200 HJC CS-12 is way quieter than the $550 Shoei.

The flip is so tight under the chin it can only be put on/off with the front up. So every time you put it on, you have to slam the front closed. That gets a bit hard on the neck on a long busy day. If you are gentle with it, it won't latch.

As with most of the Shoeis, they now have a glasses channel for the arms of the frames. Great while you're wearing them. Problem is, with the flip, the square edges catch your glasses, so you have to take off your glasses before putting the helmet on/off. The glasses channel would be great in a full face helmet. Without it, you could probably get a flip on/off without removing your glasses.

Oh, and the gaps that let in the noisy wind also let in the cold wind.

And I had a discussion with several fuel station people, they didn't care whether it was a flip or not, they just wanted it off.

I've only had the full face a month, in fact this weekend (700km, half in that drenching rain the NW mainland copped today) was the first decent ride with it. Time will tell if I miss the rare occasion when I'd flip it up while wearing it. So far I'm really enjoying the ease of getting it on/off and the ability to hear people when I stop - through both helmet and earplugs.

[NordieBoy]

I have a big head (OK that leaves me open for some jokes) and have a flip front ZEUS 508. I was quite pleased with it, but you need to have a one piece helmet for MNZ meetings according to the rulebook even though flip tops are rated the same they are not permitted.
I really liked/like my Zeus 508.
The only real plus to the KBC is the very positive latching when open /closed and you can have the visor open when you flip the front and the visor stays open.
The Zeus is more comfortable and takes sunnies better.

The KBC FFR is rated as an open face helmet.
On the chin bar it says "Does not protect chin from impact".

[OV Lander]

Popped into the shop today to try out the N102, and found that the chin bar was just a couple of mm off the chin. Even with the size up (way to big for me) was so close to the chin that it made contact when talking.

Now I am not knocking the the helmet here, but simply recognising that any idea of buying over the net without trying is just plain daft!

So, out goes any idea of buying a Caberg lid - unless anybody knows one in a Med in NZ?

Did try out a full face HJC lid however - a great fit but of course is not a flip-lid. Can't remeber the name now, but it was the FS-10 without the sun visor ($300 rather than $500)? Was keen to try out the FS-10, but have also learnt about the HJS FS-Max - internal sun visor, flip lid and could potentially fit. The shop has not heard of these/does not stock them... ...anybody seen them over here?

Available in the UK for GBP159 (GBP135 exc. VAT), but can find them here to try... ...yet...

[paulj]

Mine's a Shoei Multitec - comfortable, quiet (done away with earplugs) - mists easily, a bit bulky, as other's find, very handy at gas stations etc, a few rattles in high winds or speed from the visor (possibly needs adjusting).

[windboy]

May be able to sneak this one in: Why is it that the adventure lids tend to have a peak? I understand why the opening is big (allowing heaps of air and the option of wearing goggles). But the peak? is it all for the looks?

By the way, I use a HJC-CL max (flip-top) for commuting duties and adventure riding, great value helmet. BUT I found that it may not like much the dirt as the mechanisnm for locking the chin bar gets jammed if I don't clean it regularly as the dirt gets in very easily. Which has made me considered getting an adventure lid. However wondered about the peak strainning your neck while riding a long way in sealed road (+100kph); any thoughts or experience guys?

later,

[NordieBoy]

The peak is to keep the sun out of your eyes when doing the "hundred mile stare".

I use my MX helmet on the road in the summer because of the peak.
I've opened the vents at the base of the peak to help the airflow and keep the helmet pretty neutral at 100kph.
The proper ADV helmets already have good wind venting around the peak.

[warewolf]

However wondered about the peak strainning your neck while riding a long way in sealed road (+100kph); any thoughts or experience guys?It's not the wind blast, at least not on the Adventure. I've never noticed the peak catching the wind, ever.

The problem is the rain: it bloody stings above about 75km/h!!! :crybaby: Made that mistake once, not a pleasant experience.

[windboy]

The peak is to keep the sun out of your eyes when doing the "hundred mile stare"...

It may help with the late afternoon sun, also early morning... May even stop some of the rain if you have the visor open going at slow speed?


...The problem is the rain: it bloody stings above about 75km/h!!! :crybaby: Made that mistake once, not a pleasant experience.

I guess if you have one of the lids with the visor the the rain wouldn't sting... But then, you have to carry the visor somewhere else if you're wearing goggles... hmmm similar story with those tinted visors I guess.

[NordieBoy]

It may help with the late afternoon sun, also early morning...
Helps with the sun in general.


May even stop some of the rain if you have the visor open going at slow speed?
Ummm.... Nope...


I guess if you have one of the lids with the visor the the rain wouldn't sting... But then, you have to carry the visor somewhere else if you're wearing goggles... hmmm similar story with those tinted visors I guess.
The Arai at least lets you tip the visor up and wear goggles, not sure about the others.

[windboy]

Good point Nordieboy, however, $900 for one of those arai lids sound a bit like a armed robbery to me...

I was thinking of the airohs, they have a good review on the webbikeworld (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/airoh-helmets/)

[Transalper]

...
I was thinking of the airohs, they have a good review on the webbikeworld (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/airoh-helmets/)
Funny thing about reviews, I know two people with them airohs, one likes it, the other would not but it again. I'm still tossing the coin.