Do I want a flip front helmet?

[bluninja]

I had a Nolan flip front. I got it so I didn't have to remove all the thermals round my head in winter when I filled up every day. Still had one gas station refuse to serve me with the helmet open, insisting I remove it, though they could see my full face.

I rode for 1200km a week all year round (in England) for 2 years with that helmet and found it comfortable and easy to live with. I found it very noisy ~(though I wear ear plugs anyway), and heavy; after a few years it seemed 'loose', but the closing mechanism was still positive and secure.

The good points were ease of putting on and taking off. And being able to stop, pop the front, chat without shouting for a few seconds, then pop it down and ride off.

It's great for those moments when you want the eleoquence of your epithets to be fully appreciated by the errant cage driver

My choice now is to return to a standard full face. Quieter and lighter.

[Gremlin]

As said, the flip front helmets are heavier than their counterparts, mostly because of the additional mechanisms involved. They are usually louder than the non-flip ones, but none are quiet enough to stop hearing loss, so I always use earplugs.

I have a Shoei Multitec and I currently won't go back to full face non-flipping helmets, because I love the practicality. Helmet gets removed less often, servos have less of a problem, I can drink and eat when I want etc. Even drink from a hydrabak while on the move, say, through towns.

As for danger in an accident, I was tumbling at 100kph, jaw never opened or anything like that, so while yes, they can technically open, provided you have a good quality one, then it should be on a par with a non-flip helmet.

[skippa1]

I have an LS2 flip front. Worst helmet I have ever had. Noisy, heavy, flew open on the Wellington motorway at speed and just about ripped me off the bike. Took it back to the shop and they sent it back to the supplier. "Ohh yes" they said, "there was a problem with the locking mechanisim, we will fix it on warranty". WTF??? since then I have had a Shoei XR1000 that I wrote off in an accident (worked a treat) and now have a Shoei Quest. The LS2 is a standby at home, I cant bring myself to wear it at all now. Shit idea. Just get a decent full face helmet.

[steve_t]

I also started with a flip front and, as others have said, it was heavy and noisy. It also started having problems latching securely and while I never crashed in it, I was wary that any impact to the chin region would probably crack it open. I'm gonna stick to full face from here I think. I have no problem taking the helmet off at servo's or going into any building really.
Oh while we're discussing helmet safety, I'm a big fan of Double D ring fasteners but know others who love their quick releasing latches. Has anyone read or heard of any issues with these latches?

[Griffin]

I have the Shoei MultiTec and love it. It may be a tad noisier and heavier but is incredibly convenient. Havent had to put it to the ultimate test yet and hopefully never will but I would hope that it would do as its designed to do and stay closed and protect my brain case. Shoei is good quality and a nice fitting lid... I would have to find a real good reason to go to a fullface.

Most m/cycle cops around the world wear flip face (for the practicality obviously) but I would imagine that they would have pretty stringent safety regs for what is protecting their boys in blue and wouldnt allow a dangerous or substandard piece of equipment to be used in their circumstances.

[DR650gary]

HJC flip front with push button clip. Never tested it but find it no less or more noisy than the Shoei fullface I replaced. A bit heavier I suppose but easy to use in banks, petrol stations without having to worry about it being nicked or dropped.

Wife has one as well which prompted me to go for mine.

Cheers

[Flip]

I have had 3 BMW flip 2xS2 and 1xS4, The BMW's only seem to last me 2-3 years before the lining falls apart. Now days I have a Shoei Multitec. So far the Shoei has been a much better, quiter and comfortable than any of the BMW lids.

I usually wear a open face half helm, just use the full face if it is cold or wet. My problem is I wear a size 64 and I wear glasses. There is fuck all full face helms I can get by big fat head into. Some of the expensive Arais fitted quite well but they were all race boy helmets and I am a old school kind of biker.

[nzspokes]

I have an LS2 flip front. Worst helmet I have ever had. Noisy, heavy, flew open on the Wellington motorway at speed and just about ripped me off the bike. Took it back to the shop and they sent it back to the supplier. "Ohh yes" they said, "there was a problem with the locking mechanisim, we will fix it on warranty". WTF??? since then I have had a Shoei XR1000 that I wrote off in an accident (worked a treat) and now have a Shoei Quest. The LS2 is a standby at home, I cant bring myself to wear it at all now. Shit idea. Just get a decent full face helmet.

What do you think of the Qwest?

[Maha]

A flip lid would be easier to clean puke out of...if ever you had too...

[skippa1]

What do you think of the Qwest?

Best helmet I have had. Its by far the quietest helmet I have worn and with a whisper kit, pinlock visor as standard and a vent system that really works, it is the best value for money I have had.

[nzspokes]

Best helmet I have had. Its by far the quietest helmet I have worn and with a whisper kit, pinlock visor as standard and a vent system that really works, it is the best value for money I have had.

Did you get a pinlock insert with it? And the nose piece etc? I get told different things by the shops as to what you get with it. I suspect some bits are removed and sold separate.

Also what do you think of the venting?

Im really keen on one.

[steve_t]

Did you get a pinlock insert with it? And the nose piece etc? I get told different things by the shops as to what you get with it. I suspect some bits are removed and sold separate.

Also what do you think of the venting?

Im really keen on one.

Qwest comes with a pinlock insert. Mine didn't come with a breath guard (nose piece) although the website says it does. I asked about it and was told it didn't come with one.

[skippa1]

Did you get a pinlock insert with it? And the nose piece etc? I get told different things by the shops as to what you get with it. I suspect some bits are removed and sold separate.

Also what do you think of the venting?

Im really keen on one.

I was there when they opened the box because it had just come in. No breath guard, pinlock was there as was the whisper kit. The chin vent helps clear the screen to, and the vents work really well. Good investment.

[nzspokes]

Qwest comes with a pinlock insert. Mine didn't come with a breath guard (nose piece) although the website says it does. I asked about it and was told it didn't come with one.

Hmmm, funny. One shop showed me breath guard and wisper kit, another told me pinlock insert and wisper kit.

[nzspokes]

I was there when they opened the box because it had just come in. No breath guard, pinlock was there as was the whisper kit. The chin vent helps clear the screen to, and the vents work really well. Good investment.

Cheers, I think that what I need.