Page 1 of 3 123 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 33

Thread: To flip or not to flip?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    15th March 2007 - 20:38
    Bike
    BMW R1200s
    Location
    Te Atatu Peninsula
    Posts
    517

    To flip or not to flip?

    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 ?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    3rd July 2003 - 12:00
    Bike
    Scorpio, XL1200N
    Location
    forests of azure
    Posts
    9,398
    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.
    kiwibiker is full of love, an disrespect.
    - mikey

  3. #3
    Join Date
    19th September 2006 - 22:02
    Bike
    02 Ducati ST4s
    Location
    Here there everywhere
    Posts
    5,458
    Quote Originally Posted by MaxCannon View Post
    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 again the various brands can leak... flip or not...

  4. #4
    Join Date
    3rd May 2007 - 21:43
    Bike
    2006 Yamaha FJR 1300A aka Fat Jandal
    Location
    Victoria Australia
    Posts
    524
    Flip for it

    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
    Next event...

    Aussie - Melbourne - Perth - Darwin - Alice - Melbourne... April-May 2011

  5. #5
    Join Date
    2nd March 2004 - 13:00
    Bike
    FransAlp 700
    Location
    Nelson
    Posts
    14,484
    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)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    29th October 2005 - 16:12
    Bike
    Had a 2007 Suzuki C50T Boulevard
    Location
    Orewa
    Posts
    5,852
    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.
    You don't get to be an old dog without learning a few tricks.
    Shorai Powersports batteries are very trick!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    15th March 2007 - 20:38
    Bike
    BMW R1200s
    Location
    Te Atatu Peninsula
    Posts
    517
    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.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    21st December 2006 - 14:36
    Bike
    Mine
    Location
    Here
    Posts
    3,966
    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.
    "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benjamin Franklin (1706-90)

    "I would rather be exposed to the inconveniences attending to much liberty than those attending too small a degree of it." - Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826)

    "Motorcycling is not inherently dangerous. It is, however, EXTREMELY unforgiving of inattention, ignorance, incompetence and stupidity!" - Anonymous

    "Live to Ride, Ride to Live"

  9. #9
    Join Date
    7th December 2007 - 12:09
    Bike
    Valkyrie 1500 ,HD softail, BMW r1150r
    Location
    New Plymouth
    Posts
    2,144
    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.
    Opinions are like arseholes: Everybody has got one, but that doesn't mean you got to air it in public all the time....

  10. #10
    Join Date
    27th November 2003 - 12:00
    Bike
    None any more
    Location
    Ngaio, Wellington
    Posts
    13,111
    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.
    "Standing on your mother's corpse you told me that you'd wait forever." [Bryan Adams: Summer of 69]

  11. #11
    Join Date
    7th December 2007 - 12:09
    Bike
    Valkyrie 1500 ,HD softail, BMW r1150r
    Location
    New Plymouth
    Posts
    2,144
    Quote Originally Posted by Hitcher View Post

    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!!!!
    Opinions are like arseholes: Everybody has got one, but that doesn't mean you got to air it in public all the time....

  12. #12
    Join Date
    2nd March 2004 - 13:00
    Bike
    FransAlp 700
    Location
    Nelson
    Posts
    14,484
    Quote Originally Posted by Hitcher View Post
    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.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    8th July 2003 - 10:35
    Bike
    Triumph America
    Location
    whangapoua . coromandel
    Posts
    593
    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.
    A universal dream of greatness is that
    We push ourselves to the limit
    Yet still be brilliant when the chips are down.
    Sometimes , The struggle kills the dream.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    27th November 2003 - 12:00
    Bike
    None any more
    Location
    Ngaio, Wellington
    Posts
    13,111
    Quote Originally Posted by NordieBoy View Post
    My KBC FFR is XXL 64cm.
    Interesting. I've never seen a KBC flipper.
    "Standing on your mother's corpse you told me that you'd wait forever." [Bryan Adams: Summer of 69]

  15. #15
    Join Date
    25th June 2005 - 10:56
    Bike
    EX500s - Ruby
    Location
    Napier
    Posts
    3,754
    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!
    Diarrhoea is hereditary - it runs in your jeans

    If my nose was running money, I'd blow it all on you...

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •