Flip front helmets - how safe are they?

[KiwiKat]

:bash:

As I've been out of biking for a while can you help?

I'm wanting to get my wife to join me on the bke but she finds full face helmets claustrophobic. How safe are flip front helmets.

HJC Helmets?

Specs don't say a lot. What happens when your head hits the ground?

[Broomrider]

:bash:

As I've been out of biking for a while can you help?

I'm wanting to get my wife to join me on the bke but she finds full face helmets claustrophobic. How safe are flip front helmets.

HJC Helmets?

Specs don't say a lot. What happens when your head hits the ground?

I'm not sure about flip front helmets, the MOT always wore them, not sure if that's a recommendation though, they needed to lift the front up to talk to the custies.

What value do you put on your head... all helmets we have in NZ have to meet the safety standard, but I would rather wear one that exceeds the standard rather than just meets it... Climb up a ladder, then drop a water melon from the top... thats basically what happens when an uncovered head hits the road, if your wife wears an open face helmet the bits that meet the road will be removed from her face... :( .. don't fall off and all will be good.. safe riding..:)

[riffer]

Not too sure on HJC, but my Shoei Multitec utilises metal pins and hooks to hold the front together, and you have to actively click it together. It meets ACU Gold and ECC 22.05 standards.

Rely on the standards mate. If a helmet meets them, it should be good.

[cs363]

From the Snell website (http://www.smf.org):

Why won't Snell certify some types of helmets like flip up front designs?
Snell does not dismiss out of hand any helmet design that strays from the conventional. Snell does not point out any design specifications other than general requirements in our standards. We are however, always concerned with innovations and new designs that may effect the helmet's ability to protect the wearer, or in some cases the helmets potential to cause injury. At present the Foundation has not had the opportunity to test any of the flip up front type helmets for certification. We do not find any fault with these designs as long as they are used according to the manufacturers instructions and meet all of the requirements of the standard. We will also certify any size of helmet as long as it meets the same requirements as any other Snell certified helmet.


I'm not a big fan of flip front helmets, but I would take one any day over an open face for exactly the reasons that Broomrider outlined above.
Just make sure that the front is properly latched, as that would seem to be the only possible problem area.

[Griffin]

I also have the Shoei multitec - its a great helmet and very handy for when you stop and dont want to take the helmet off - just pop up the front. However - I am relying on the fact that it meets the safety standards when it comes to an accident. Obviously I havent had to test it for myself and hopefully never will.

The Motorbike Police still utilise the flipface helmet (unsure which brand tho) so that must be an endorsement of some kind...

[Subike]

Have had a flip front now for 5 years. Due for a new one.
I have found it to be very practicable, as I wear glasses, it makes life very easy. No removal of helmet for fuel stops or dairys.
I have an HJC, comfey as,the lining can be removed and washed.
The visor lifts seperatly to the chin gaurd and a new model has built in tinted flip down screen.
Thats what I will be getting next.
Be sure you get a good fit, like any helmet the fit is IMO the most important thing.
A loose helmet is not safe.
But dont ride with the front up, its a wind catcher.

[Chickadee]

Mine stood up to the test.

I have/had a Nitro flip face which has been my fav out of the two I've owned. I've binned it properly and its protection was awesome. Comfy helmet. Saw a Nolan flip face last year and was tempted to get it. Better make and neat features. You get what you pay for with the finish, but my Nitro certainly was a great basic flip up and safe.

Nice gouges in my helmet shell from my bin, won't be wearing it again - but that's elementary my Dear Watson after any bin for any helmet.

Make sure she gets a good fit, and pay attention to how easy it is to get on/off. Will she be wearing sunnies or glasses with the helmet (see how easy she finds it to take them off/off - and comfortable to wear with the helmet).

[swbarnett]

I don't wear one and saw tales of one accident that has put me off wearing one unless I had a specific need to remove the helmet frequently as is the case for a cop (and even then I wouldn't wear one for weekend jaunts or touring). From what I can gather the better ones that have strong fastening mechanisms are just as good as a normal full-face helmet except for the area where the hinge sits. In this area there isn't as much impact resistance. A good whack to the side of the helmet sends the hinge in to the side of your head for a nasty concussion.

[portokiwi]

I had a pair of flip tops in Portugal. i had them sent from the states, I only got them as my lady use to get costaphobic in the full face. It just gave her that option to raise it every once and a while.
They were great helmets.
Bit noisy on long trips though.
Now she is happy with the full face. Just took time to get use to wearing.
The option I had was get flip ups and she went on the bike, get half face ones which I dont like.
or get full face and she wouldnt get on due to the custophobia.
You have to do whats best for her.

[MarkH]

:bash:

As I've been out of biking for a while can you help?

I'm wanting to get my wife to join me on the bke but she finds full face helmets claustrophobic. How safe are flip front helmets.

HJC Helmets?

Specs don't say a lot. What happens when your head hits the ground?

I have a Nolan 103 and I like it. Wouldn't want to have it flipped up while riding though - I wouldn't feel safe and it would catch a lot of wind. I am not sure that it would be any less claustrophobic when latched down, but it sure is handy when you stop and don't want to bother taking your helmet off. I also love the inside tinted visor. Damn tricky one when you feel claustrophobic with your head inside a helmet, but risk death when you don't have your head in a helmet.

[portokiwi]

claustrophobic is that how you spell it:gob: Cant spell and dont get it.
But my lady does and bad. The flip top helped her a lot. untill she got ok to wear a full face.
My thoughts are to take your wife to a cycle shop and ask her to try on the helmets with the top up till she gets use to it.
If she dosnt like it you cant force her.
at the end of the day it will be her choise. (cant spell that either):Oops:

[Robbo]

I have owned and used a flip face helmet and don't consider them to have any safety issues provided that they are of a reputable brand and meet the required safety specifications. I did, however, find them to be rather noisy when riding so i went back to my normal HJC full face helmet which has always been very quite and comfortable.

[quickbuck]

I'm not sure about flip front helmets, the MOT always wore them, not sure if that's a recommendation though, they needed to lift the front up to talk to the custies.


Yes, part of the uniform.... If they had a choice they wouldn't wear one.

[Subike]

Yes, part of the uniform.... If they had a choice they wouldn't wear one.

flip the top ! the thought of a cop with no unifrom on a bike,!!
Gastly bloody gastly,
Naked coppers riding bikes wearing flip tops!! :buggerd:

[riffer]

Yes, part of the uniform.... If they had a choice they wouldn't wear one.

Interesting comment, although most likely ignorant too.

Speaking from real life, my Father-in-law is an ex MOT bike cop, and still wears a BMW system flip helmet EXACTLY as per police issue, with the notable exception of comms.

Are you a Police quartermaster?

[quickbuck]

Interesting comment, although most likely ignorant too.


Far from it.
I actually know the chief motorcycle instructor well, and his 2ic.
From what they said to me directly was that they would't actually wear one out of hours....
I know for a fact that three of the policemen that were on the course at the time has normal helmets for wearing when on their own bikes.

[Grub]

Nasty and I have had the Nolan N102 helmets for 18 months. They are certified which is good enough for us. The added bonus with these is that we have added bike to bike bluetooth comms kits. They cost $385 but for $85 you get the mic and the helmet is wired for cell phone, pillion comms, MP3 and radar audio ... just plug them in.

I binned in one ... a high side head-first into a fence post. The helmet looked fine, has the paint from the top of the post over the left ear, broke the sun visor but nothing else was damaged (that you could see). The flip didn't come open and as far as I'm aware it can't because of the way the Nolan system works.

Like others have said, if it's certified, it's safe. Oh and the current Police issue helmet is a flip-front with comms too.

[<Rhino>]

Far from it.
I actually know the chief motorcycle instructor well, and his 2ic.
From what they said to me directly was that they would't actually wear one out of hours....
I know for a fact that three of the policemen that were on the course at the time has normal helmets for wearing when on their own bikes.

Is that because they fear for the safety of the helmet or just don't want to look and feel like they are still at work???

[Horse]

As I've said in other threads, I've got an HJC FS-MAX flip-face. As a four-eyes, I prefer wearing a flip-face as it allows me to put the helmet on, and take it off again, without removing my glasses.

The FS-MAX also has an internal sun visor, which again I find enormously convenient as a bespectacled rider. I can't abide photochromatic lenses, and while my frames do have matching magnetic clip-on sunnies, the flip-down visor is just more convenient overall. IMO, at least.

[Tank]

I looked at a number and was tempted with the Nolin.

IF I was getting one - I would stay with the 'better known' brands.

Having said that IMHO - They are better than open face helmets, and not as good as a full face in event of a face plant.

[Broomrider]

Interesting comment, although most likely ignorant too.

Speaking from real life, my Father-in-law is an ex MOT bike cop, and still wears a BMW system flip helmet EXACTLY as per police issue, with the notable exception of comms.

Are you a Police quartermaster?

I'm ex MOT as well (car not bike) and when the flip fronts first came out there were concerns, however they were put through the paces, as they were being used by officers who were involved in many a high speed chase...
Not all cops liked them, and given the choice some officers didn't want to wear them... but it was a matter of preference not an issue of safety I believe...

anyway I have been out far too long to have a comment on how the individual Police constable feels about them today... :)

[MarkH]

Having said that IMHO - They are better than open face helmets, and not as good as a full face in event of a face plant.

Not as good in what way exactly? Before I got my Nolan N103 I did a little digging on the internet and could find no suggestion that they were any less safe then a standard helmet. If you know of some reason that the protection offered is in any way below what other helmets offer then I would be grateful for you sharing it with us.

[Winston001]

Have been using an FFM (K3) flip-up for a couple of years now and I'd never go back to a complete shell helmet. I wear glasses and my hearing isn't as good as it used to be - too much rock music on too loud stereos in my youth :laugh: - so flipping the helmet open at gas stations, stops etc really makes a difference. Just being able to put the thing on while still wearing glasses is gold.

The FFM isn't an expensive helmet and my only criticism is that it is noisy. Right at this moment I'm cutting out a couple of foam pads to insert where my ears sit, as an experiment. Ear plugs are a must anyway but cutting down wind noise overall will help.

[quickbuck]

Is that because they fear for the safety of the helmet or just don't want to look and feel like they are still at work???

Good point... Could be both!

They might accidently reach for their books when they stop for a break when out riding for their mates ;)

[yod]

i had a Nolan N102 and binned in it

the helmet took a reasonable wallop to the forehead; i was fine, the helmet was still in perfect working order other than the graze down the front

i wouldnt hesitate to get another

[Pwalo]

FWIW I haven't come across any documented cases of a flip up helmet causing injury because of it's design.

If the helmet has the correct certification it is safe for use.

The only reason I didn't consider one is because I like my helmet to be as light as possible.

[NordieBoy]

Most of the flip fronts are certified as open face helmets.
My KBC FFR ($600 odd) says "Does not protect chin from impacts" on the chinbar.

[fliplid]

I came off wearing a Nolan 100(?, no tinted visors)- a few years ago. Didn't come undone or owt, and that was a good sideways smack into a kerb, shoulder in gutter and slide along with a good view of said kerb going past the visor (noisily!)... Did its job well, so got another as a replacement. Also got a HJC Sy-max- just prefer the convenience.

[Tank]

Not as good in what way exactly? Before I got my Nolan N103 I did a little digging on the internet and could find no suggestion that they were any less safe then a standard helmet. If you know of some reason that the protection offered is in any way below what other helmets offer then I would be grateful for you sharing it with us.

I spent a lot of time looking at them also - specifically the N103 (funnily enough I almost purchased the first one in NZ - and would have should it had fitted me.)

When researching I came to the view that despite the quality of the catches - there WAS a spot that was weaker than a physical single piece of carbon / fiber / plastic / whatever.

on ADV rider there are a number of pics where they have opened in an accident.

Now I understand that this wont happen every time, nor does it mean that you will be any worse off having an accident wearing one.

I chose to buy one believing that I was going to still be well looked after, and have that freedom. It was only because it was too small in front :rolleyes: that I didnt purchase one.

Remember the N103 isnt sold (or only just sold) in the US - which is why there are so few reviews etc of them.

[F5 Dave]

I think the real issue is that for claustrophobia (hey I spelt it right first time) it is quite common for most people first time they try a modern helmet on (usually as a kid trying big bro’s while he isn’t looking). But this usually passes very quickly & you forget about it. As an older person it may linger, but I would suspect that it would pass in a matter of hours. Perhaps may be better to take cheek-pads out if removable & watch TV until fine with it (& put them back in of course).

Otherwise you are buying a more expensive helmet when the money could go on better gear elsewhere, or a more top end lid.

Further you see people riding around with them open in town. This I would suspect would make it increasingly likely to break your neck in a fall. The smoother & rounder a helmet the better if you roll you don’t want to stop your helmet rolling at the same speed as you.

[slimjim]

Interesting comment,

Speaking from real life, my Father-in-law is an ex MOT bike cop, and still wears a BMW system flip helmet.

Are you a Police quartermaster?.

yes and so does my uncle.. ex traffic .. and yes he's only just updated to a new flipflop....:rolleyes:

and if ya head hits the deck.... its gona hurt no matter what you wearing..:drool: however better safe than sorry..

humm why don't they make sideair bags fit inside them as well..:argue:

:clap:

[Ecclesnz]

humm why don't they make sideair bags fit inside them as well..:argue:

Can you imagine the issues the first time one over inflates? or a mate slaps you on the helmet when getting on the bike and your airbags go off? :gob:

[maybe]

I just got rid of mine in favour of an RJS open face with a flip up visor.
In Aussie the flip tops have to be approved seperatley to there normal standard.

[rastuscat]

Have used BMW Series 2, Series 3 and 4 flips. Using a Schuberth C2 flip at work now. Have a personal Nolan N102 flip, so does my her indoors.

I bought the Nolan for money reasons, couldn't afford the BMW or Schuberth.

I chatted to a BMW mechanic recently, he tells me BMW helmets (interestingly, they're made at the Schuberth factory in Germany) and Schuberth too are made of GRP, most others are plastic (my N102). That accounts for the price difference, and the higher weight of the C2 and the BMW. BMW have a promo video showing a BMW helmet bouncing in a high speed bin, and a video of a plastic helmet doing the same. The BMW one glances off the road due to it's harder construction. The plastic one bites, or digs in, twisting the head.

Food for thought. All the helmets meet the NZ standard, althogught the C2 doesn't get sold in Oz (so I believe). It meets the Euro standard and ours, but not ADR. ADR drives a spike into the helmet forehead, something the C2 can't take, as that is where the internal visor is placed.

I wear a flip at work or home, no issues with safety. Basically, pay more and you get more. $10 head = $10 helmet.

Ramble concludes.:sleep:

[NordieBoy]

Basically, pay more and you get more. $10 head = $10 helmet.

But if that $10 helmet has met the same standards as your $$$ helmet?

[PrincessBandit]

i had a Nolan N102 and binned in it

the helmet took a reasonable wallop to the forehead; i was fine, the helmet was still in perfect working order other than the graze down the front

i wouldnt hesitate to get another

Balu's shoei multitec stood up to the low speed slide out he experienced going around a round about a while back. Apart from a weeny bit of rash on the shell and visor (he replaced the visor) all was good. He's still rapt with his and it hasn't put him off wearing it.

[Swoop]

Basically, pay more and you get more. $10 head = $10 helmet.
I'm sure Jim2 will be along soon with the link that conclusively disproves this theory.


After a Saturday of bikeshop visits and multiple fittings of helmets... my money still burns a hole in the wallet wanting to escape.
Flip fronts = heavier.
Flip fronts = more hinging stuff near the ears - and the luggholes are being squashed enough!
I don't give a shit about taking off my helmet when in a gas station or dairy anyway... Perhaps the fullface is the best option.