To flip or not to flip?

[MaxCannon]

I've been looking around for a new helmet and have been weighing up the merits of a flip front vs a normal full face.

As I see it the flip front offers convienience but is more expensive.

Any other downsides, leaks, noise, less crash proof ?

[jrandom]

See the recent thread(s) on the Shoei Multitec.

The primary disadvantage, IMHO, would be weight; a rigid full-face helmet in the same price bracket is always going to be lighter than a flip-front.

I like light helmets.

[NighthawkNZ]

I've been looking around for a new helmet and have been weighing up the merits of a flip front vs a normal full face.

As I see it the flip front offers convienience but is more expensive.

Any other downsides, leaks, noise, less crash proof ?

All flip helmets are noiser than standard... some are more especially the cheaper brands. but depends what you call noisey, chin guards and ear plugs etc

My Nolan doesn't leak and its been in a Milford sound rain :lol: again the various brands can leak... flip or not...

[xgnr]

Flip for it :yes:

Seriously tho' I wouldn't go back to a solid full face helmet for general use. Flip faces are a lot more user friendly esp when you are stopping to take photos, get gas, talk to people etc etc.

They must be heavier but as I don't swap helmets I wouldn't notice the difference. As to noise.... probably, but then again I use plugs.

Safety... they are all certified to DOT standards to be able to sold anyway.

Leak proof... yep mine sure is. Last year's Grand Challenge proved it!

Cheers

Stu

[NordieBoy]

If I only had one helmet it'd be a flip.
Loved my Zeus flip and my KBC FFR isn't bad either.


However I'm going with...
1 MX helmet
1 Open face (photography/slow adventuring)
1 fullface with peak - Zeus 2100b)

[Edbear]

Had a Zeus flip and liked it, but when we got new helmets we went for standard full-face Grex, and even adding the Blueant Intercoms, the new ones are noticably lighter, and I don't miss the flip-front. We always take our helmets off when we stop anyway.

[MaxCannon]

Great info guys.
I don't make a lot of stops currently, partly because I find it such a hassle taking off my helmet, securing it to the bike etc etc

I'll have to stop in after payday and try on a few.

[swbarnett]

My only real worry with a flip top helmet is the lack of protection from a side impact. I've heard of a rider receiving a concussion from a side impact because the hinge mechanism takes up room that would otherwise be filled with impact resistant material.

[awayatc]

Like my Zeus flip, was not expensive, and I use the "flip" feature quite a bit.
It is not very heavy, and the noise comes mainly from underneath....
so wearing a high collar/shawl etc reduces the noise heaps.
I don't wear earplugs-no need.

[Hitcher]

Most helmets stop at pinhead sizes. The Shoei Multitech is no exception to that rule. In fact it's worse. The rated sizing is about one full size less than a normal Shoei of the same rated size.

When they advertise their helmets, why do so few manufacturers list the size range that a particular model covers? An assumption from any prospective purchaser is that one size fits all. This is patently untrue.

There are absolutely no flip-front helmets for the fuller headed gent (i.e. larger than 63cm). Even a money-no-object BMW Carbon is too small. Another win for the bell-curve.

[awayatc]

There are absolutely no flip-front helmets for the fuller headed gent (i.e. larger than 63cm).

Hell most people I know measure less then 63 cm with their helmet on!!!!:bleh:

[NordieBoy]

There are absolutely no flip-front helmets for the fuller headed gent (i.e. larger than 63cm). Even a money-no-object BMW Carbon is too small. Another win for the bell-curve.

My KBC FFR is XXL 64cm.

[fergie]

love my nolan flip, so easy to talk,take pics etc and when you stop on a hot day it is sooo nice to get that flap up and let some cool air in quickly.

[Hitcher]

My KBC FFR is XXL 64cm.

Interesting. I've never seen a KBC flipper.

[yungatart]

I love my flip front.
HJC..not overly expensive.
It is heavier than Mstrs's Shoei, but doesn't seem noisy to me and has never leaked.
It very nicely accomodates my $1000 glasses without wrecking them and believe me, that is important!

[Hitcher]

$1,000 glasses? You should get one of those prescription visors.

[NordieBoy]

Interesting. I've never seen a KBC flipper.

I like it but gonna get rid of it for a Zeus 2100b adventure helmet.
Really positive latching - doesn't go "click" it goes "clunk".

Bought it off TM as an XL and pulled the tag out a bit more and uncovered another "X" :rolleyes:
It still had the "new helmet smell".

KBC pics...

[jim.cox]

I had a BMW series 3 flip front for a while

It sucked

You needed both hands to open it and take it off

It leaked along the join in the rain

And it whistled badly at over 80kmh

I ended up giving it away...

[NiggleC]

HJC "flipper" Symax for me. would buy another tomorrow, just a bit noiser than a standard full face.

[TygerTung]

I would suggest that they're not as safe.

For racing you are only allowed to use an integral type (IE full face), or 'jet' type, IE open face.

I don't personally know what the story is with their safety, but this is the deal when racing.

[raftn]

I think it all comes down to personal prefernce, i had a Shoie flip helmet and never liked it, and i feel more secure in full face helmet....just my prefernce, they only real way to know is to try them out, see if you can borrow a mates etc. When ever i stop i always take my helmet off anyway.

[Badjelly]

I have a KBC flipper. I bought it specifically because it was the only helmet I could find in Wellington for under $400 or so that fitted my (large) head.

It's very convenient, at least it would be if I still used the flip-up capability. I dropped it on the face bar from ~ 30 cm a few months back and bent the mechanism slightly. I managed to bend it back so the front can be closed and feels secure, but I've decided not to risk further problems, so I keep it closed and latched.

It's noisy and it's heavy (1.8 kg).

I don't think it's as safe as a comparable full-face. Instead of thick foam next to my ears there's thin foam and a somewhat aggressive hinge. The chin bar has springy foam rather than the energy-absorbing polystyrene stuff. (This is important apparently.) Safety is not just a matter of meeting the standards.

So on the whole I'd avoid having another flip-face.

[Big Dave]

I don't like flip face helmets. Too noisy.

You tried taking a cop seriously when he looks like the guy with the flip top head in the toothbrush advert?

[Mikkel]

Save weight, save money and improve your image...

Go open-face - it's the only thing for the GN-cruiser image honestly! No more fogging visors either...

You won't be wondering if it's safer than the full-face helmet either. (it's NOT!)

[p/t]

While I can see the practical benefits of the flip-front I can't see why I would go for one TBQH. My full-face is nice and it's no big hassle or anything. Let's face it, the only time biking is more practical than driving is when you're looking for a park or lane-splitting :yes:

[Horse]

I've got a flip-face HJC FS-MAX. Love it, especially with the internal sun-visor. As a member of the four-eyed fraternity, a flip-face is essential IMO. No leak problems to date (and I've worn it through a couple of really impressive downpours), and doesn't seem particularly noisy at the nana speeds I ride.

[Hitcher]

As a member of the four-eyed fraternity, a flip-face is essential IMO.

As another member of The Society of the Four-Eyed, I'm keen to learn why (IYO) a flipper is an essential item of kit?

[EJK]

Go flip! :yes:

Even my v-can $170 flip up helmet is waterproof (no leak):lol:
I can't compare with a Shoei (can't afford it) but I have no problem with my v-can :) I'm OK with it.

Oh, the only bad thing is, it's quite heavy lol

[Horse]

As another member of The Society of the Four-Eyed, I'm keen to learn why (IYO) a flipper is an essential item of kit?

Because you don't take your glasses off to put the helmet on! No more threading the temples in the open visor, trying not to stab yourself in the eye and hoping they'll actually end up in roughly the right spot behind your ears (because you know there's nothing more annoying than glasses not sitting right. Ever had someone else put your glasses on your head? I bet you took them off and adjusted them within 30 seconds!)

Plus you don't have the drama of where to put your glasses during the "getting on & off the bike and putting on/off all the gear" routine. Stop at the garage: take off gloves, open visor, remove glasses, place glasses carefully on pillion seat, pray you don't bump bike and knock several hundred dollars worth of specs onto the hard concrete, take off helmet, put down helmet (without knocking glasses), put glasses back on face.

[Hitcher]

I guess I have developed a "system" for removal and appplication of prescription eyewear. This includes have frames with stout arms/temples that thread through nicely onto one's ears, but not too wide that these get moved around by the helmet while riding.

[yungatart]

$1,000 glasses? You should get one of those prescription visors.

But what would I do when I'm not riding?
Sitting at the Patangata Pub enjoying a coffee, whilst wearing my helmet??
I look stupid enough without resorting to that, Hitcher!


As another member of The Society of the Four-Eyed, I'm keen to learn why (IYO) a flipper is an essential item of kit?

I have styly modern glasses which are slightly wider than my face..they (the glasses) don't slide in behind my ears when I wear a full face helmet, without getting bent out of shape, so becoming dreadfully uncomfortable to wear and I'm blind without them!

[Hitcher]

But what would I do when I'm not riding?
Sitting at the Patangata Pub enjoying a coffee, whilst wearing my helmet??

True. It's hard reading braille with a hook.

[ceebie13]

My helmet flips up too... :lol:

[Dodger]

I have a Nolan N102 (NZ$330 delivered, New off Ebay)

pros


No problems with water even in the Wellington downpours.
The Anti Fog is great
As is the sun visor
At 100kph+ the wind doesn't try and rip my head off (unlike my old helmet)
I can plug my cellphone in to it
Opens with one hand
Don't need to remove whole helmet to pay for fuel etc
Nice strap clip (ratchet style thing)


cons


Wind noise is much louder than my old non flip (but I wear earplugs so not to much of an issue)
A little breezy at times, I think it's the wind leaking in around the seal (most noticeable in the early morning chill)
Visor is a prick to remove for cleaning (on the plus side it isn't going to pop out)