Nolan N103 flip face Helmet

**riffer** · 11th July 2008, 20:02

I still reckon you'll go for the Shoei.

**Griffin** · 11th July 2008, 20:10

Well without comparing I couldnt put money on that. Re your comment about the internal visor... are you sure it doesnt go up? I kinda pictured that it did.

**Horse** · 11th July 2008, 20:12

Originally Posted by riffer

Internal visor is a pain in the arse I reckon.

I've got an HJC FS-MAX with an internal sun visor. Frankly, it's the shiznit, I'd expect one as standard on any future helmet I buy.

On the HJC the sun visor goes up and down, controlled by a slider on top of the helmet. I presume it's the same on the Nolan. The visor's great for riding on a day with broken cloud, put one hand up to slide the visor down when the sun comes out, slide it back up again when the sun's gone. Particularly good on sunny winter days when the low sun means big chunks of the road in shadow at all times of the day.

I can see an N103 in my future.

EDIT: BTW I wear glasses - no issues with the internal visor.

**Pogo2** · 11th July 2008, 20:34

just brought a N102 only to find out here that the N103 is due any day....bugger!

Anyhow really happy with mine. I do wear glass and I do wonder if the internal shade would get in the way of the glaases. Mind you alot of Nolan wearer wear glasses by the sound of it. Regardless of where the VPS is, it certainly makes it easier on the eyes especially when riding into the sun in the evening. Now that I have VPS I really would like some sun to get maximum benefit. Spring is on the way!

**Tank** · 12th July 2008, 02:15

Originally Posted by Griffin

Well without comparing I couldnt put money on that. Re your comment about the internal visor... are you sure it doesnt go up? I kinda pictured that it did.

Yep - Im sure that it does go up.

**Tank** · 12th July 2008, 02:16

Originally Posted by Pogo2

just brought a N102 only to find out here that the N103 is due any day....bugger!

Not due any day - they are here. Mines at the shop and Im stuck here unable to get there until next week grrrrrr

**denill** · 12th July 2008, 10:23

Originally Posted by P38

Gunnyrob

N-102 was manufactured to be fitted with a Basic kit (speakers & microphone boom) and a Bluetooth Kit. I have this set up in my N-102 and it works great.It all just clips into the helmet. I use my Garmin Zumo 550 GPS as a hub and connect the celly to this via bluetooth.
The GPS then connects via bluetooth to the helmet.
Music, Directions, In comming calls, Out going calls all hands free and not a wire in sight.

Are there any radar detectors that transmit the warning beep via bluetooth??

**Tank** · 13th July 2008, 21:03

Well - I went to collect my N103 from cycletreds today - and I'm most disappointed.

I take a MED sized helmet. But once I tried closing the flip face - it hits my chin before closing. I have to pull my chin right back in order to get it closed.

Its not wearable.

Struggling away with the pain of having the helmet on - it fitted everywhere else well - just not the chin - so it was the right sized helmet.

I tried on a N102 for comparison (also a MED) and there is certainty more room in the front of the older helmets.

So if you find your N102 tight in the front - don't even think of getting the 'upgraded' model.

The flip down sun shield is now internal - but it dosnt come anywhere close enough. It comes 1/2 way down into your vision and is really off putting. I tried a HJC with the same feature and found it better on the HJC.

Anything else? - finish was very good, although I think that that the front wind dam seams more plastic on the 103 from the 102. The latching mechanism had a solid clunk to it and felt secure - and seems better (safer?) than all the other flip faces that I looked at.

So - after looking forward to this new helmet I ended up ordering a Shark RSR2 instead.

**Griffin** · 15th July 2008, 09:26

Geez... Im sposed to be going to check out my potential new Nolan 103 tomorrow... ben looking forward to it all week but now Im hoping Im not going to be dissappointed. Thanks for the review Tank... I will let you know my thoughts once I check it out.

**Swoop** · 15th July 2008, 09:54

That is a bugger!

The internal visor only coming part-way down is also a concern.

**Griffin** · 16th July 2008, 15:52

Well the decision has been made... I now own a beautiful Matt Black Shoei FF Helmet

The Nolan 103 is a nice helmet... and I didnt suffer the same issues as Tank with regard to the chin being too close or the visor position. I just found that the Nolan wasnt as comfortable as the Shoei - a mix of general fit and material comfort (didnt like the finish material used inside helmet).

The Nolan is also a lot bigger in shell size and kinda looked 'too' big (I was trying a medium in both brands) although with the face up and the sunvisor down I did look pretty blardy cool

even if I do say so myself.

The visor DOES retract up in to the helmet via a slide switch on the Left side just above the intercom cover... I found it came down to a suitable level that I would have been happy riding with - face shape is everything! However when it came down to it I can put sunglasses on - I cant replace comfort with something outta my pocket. Therfore Shoei wins

In fact... if Shoei could design an internal sunvisor into their FF helmets it would be THE helmet to own.

Anyway - IMO, pros of the Nolan = internal retractable sunvisor, chin strap locking mechanism (ratchet type - very easy).
Pros of the Shoei = Comfort ++, shell size & shape, comes with extras inc. whisper kit, chin curtain (N103 has one fitted), spare (tinted) visor.

Both helmets utilise the pinlock anti fog system

and both have good catch/release mechanisms for the Flip Face. Another down with the N103 was its finish detail - the screws that hold the front to the helmet are glaringly obvious (helmet matt black - screws silver) two each side

where as the Shoei has a cover over their attaching screws which means the whole helmet is one colour. Good on ya Shoei

**riffer** · 16th July 2008, 18:04

Mwahahahahaha

Another converted to the Shoei FF fold.

We're taking over people...

Your points are very good there Griffin. The Shoei just oozes quality. As for the ratchet lock system, I hate it. Double D-rings all the way for me mate.

And the Shoei is sooooooo comfortable.

**Griffin** · 16th July 2008, 21:02

I dont mind the ratchet idea - seemed to work quite well and certainly saves a few seconds. Not sure how it would fare in a crash that put strain on the mechanism... thats where the double D's have it

**James Deuce** · 17th July 2008, 08:48

I prefer the sunshade on the outside.

As for it getting covered with bugs, as previously documented by me, (taaa daa) the brilliant thing about the VPS is at twilight in Summer the bugs go mental. When it finally gets dark enough that the VPS is impeding vision, you just flip it up and voila, perfectly clean clear visor for night riding.

**Sparky Bills** · 17th July 2008, 21:46