Nolan N103 flip face Helmet

[shafty]

Personally I think these "studies" are flawed. You will probably find that rather than a proper study being completed (where by equal numbers of black, white and inbetween colours of helmets are trialled with all riders pushed out on to the street in similar conditions to see if an accident occurs)... that instead each accident that has occurred has had the colour of the helmet noted.

The problem with this is that black helmets are by far the most popular choice of solid colour helmet available... therefore, in any group of motorcyclists hit by a car, the likelihood of a higher number of black helmets being noted is increased, purely due to their popularity.

The truth is, if a driver isnt going to notice your bike, your bulk, your lights or the noise from your debaffled muffler... then he/she aint gonna notice your white helmet. End of story.

I used to think, for a long time actually, how the hell can a white helmet stick out, any more than the bike itself, lights etc etc

Then it dawned on me this winter while driving the cage....and I saw a riders head (only) visible above the roof of a car - ie a line of traffic coming towards me, and 2nd or 3rd in line was a bike, in wet darkish winter daylight. THATS where you need bright colours! I'd recon some flouro (flouro yellow as in eye catching Police yellow) would do it.

Knew a Guy killed years ago, who was following a car (Lets call it Car "A")closely. Another car coming from the oncoming direction was waiting to turn right once Car A passed, and collected the bike which was not seen behind Car "A". Fatal.

Tragic. Only a young fella, and careful Rider, but didn't didn't have any road presence.

My 10c worth

[MarkH]

Personally I think these "studies" are flawed.

You might be quite right - but I doubt I am putting myself in any greater danger by wearing a white helmet. So maybe it helps, maybe it doesn't and it would cost me $0.00 extra on my helmet purpose to try white.

BTW
I have seen a guy on a motorbike with a white helmet and my first thought was - wow, that helmet really stands out.

[MarkH]

Prolly the dumb questin of the day Mark, but how do you upload music to your phone? Does it involve stupid telecom fees? I think my phone has the capability, but I'm still 'smarting' from a ridiculous Telecom bill for trying the Internet on it when I first got it. I've since seen Fair Go talk about Telecom charging access rates of 47 times the cost of traditional braodband, on mobiles. PM me if if prefer so I don't hijack the thread.....

I have a Nokia N95, I connect it to my PC with a standard 'USB' to 'USB mini' cable and I copy the .mp3 files from drive C to drive F (or whatever). Then on the phone I start the music player (one button) and play whatever I like. I can also select any mp3 on the phone to use as a ring tone or text message tone or individual contact ring tone. I use a Star Trek Communicator chirp for my incoming text notification.

Some phones will not be any where near as easy to copy mp3s to.

[zeocen]

How are you guys feeling the inside visor? I was snooping around in Cycletreads, looking at Shark helmets but the Nolan N103 did catch my eye so I threw it on and it all seemed to fit pretty well, but the thing I had concern was with the inner visor, it was at an almost 'acceptable' level but the wedge in the middle for the nose bridge made looking through it get some sort of double vision because it was further from my eyes than glasses, etc.. is this an issue when riding?

I've also got an N95, how much are the 'extras' to get music via phone -> helmet?

[MarkH]

I might have to pop into Motomail and try one on for size/comfort.

I popped into Motomail today and tried on a Nolan 103. I have an HJC CL-ST size L which is a nice snug fit. I tried the Nolan size L and it felt loose, so I tried a size M and it fitted quite nicely. My chin was nowhere near hitting the front of the helmet and the tinted visor came down to a nice location without touching my nose. They confirmed that they had the 103 version of the N-COM basic kit (that's the one with stereo phones + mic). They didn't have the helmet in white but ordered it and will have it on Wednesday. They don't have the type 'N' cell phone connection lead which is a new one and the supplier wont have it till November.

I liked the helmet, it fitted well and was comfortable. I think the flip-up design is handy and I really like the built in retractable tinted visor. I also have a need for the N-COM kit.

I might order the type 'N' cell phone lead from overseas and buy the rest from Motomail. I could opt for the bluetooth kit instead but that is $400 so the lead would be a little cheaper.

Since my spare helmet is a snug fit on my head I now have a new criteria for girls I date - I will avoid dating any girl with a head larger than mine.

[MarkH]

I've also got an N95, how much are the 'extras' to get music via phone -> helmet?

You would need the 103 version of this: http://www.motoretail.co.nz/product.cfm?ID=5595 fitted into the helmet and then add the correct lead which probably costs the same as this:http://www.motoretail.co.nz/product.cfm?ID=5593

If the 103 basic kit is a little dearer than the 102 version (maybe $100 or so) and the lead is $30 then you are looking at $130 or so total for wired or $500 total for the bluetooth setup. http://www.motoretail.co.nz/product.cfm?ID=5597

[Belsh]

If i can add my 2 cents in, i have the N103 and have got the Bluetooth kit to go with it but if i really thought about it in the first place i would of only just got the standard kit as really when are you going to use the bluetooth you cant answer your phone while riding as the caller can only hear the wind and noise, oh and it has its hazards doing that as well (go figure). and using it to communicate with other riders with bluetooth aswell has the same effect so really the only time you can talk to others is while stationay or going at a very slow speed so in saying that it really is a bit of a waste of money. Positive side to the helmet is that i think the visor is great one flick and the visor is out of the way, and vice versa, a good comfortable fit really.

[Mr Triple]

I've got the 102 and thought I'd go and have a look at the 103 on the weekend. Called into Sportzone in Ch-Ch to have a look as this was where I got my 102 from. The guy there said they were shit and sent them all back. He reckoned they were too soft in the center right above the visor. I would like to see one for myself tho

[laRIKin]

I've got the 102 and thought I'd go and have a look at the 103 on the weekend. Called into Sportzone in Ch-Ch to have a look as this was where I got my 102 from. The guy there said they were shit and sent them all back. He reckoned they were too soft in the center right above the visor. I would like to see one for myself tho

I wondered if you or I should say this.
I was with Bent51 at the time as I was trying to see if I could find a flip top to fit me.
I couldn't as my chin was near or pressed against the helmet on all of the flip tops.
The HJC (the older style) was the best fit for me.
Still could get my chin to touch the front, bugger it.

[NighthawkNZ:Me]

I've got the 102 and thought I'd go and have a look at the 103 on the weekend. Called into Sportzone in Ch-Ch to have a look as this was where I got my 102 from. The guy there said they were shit and sent them all back. He reckoned they were too soft in the center right above the visor. I would like to see one for myself tho

I love my N102.... was thinking of upgrading....Bugger I was hoping to get one when Honda Otago got them... hmmmmm ummm well I still want to see one for myself.

[MarkH]

Well today was a good day!

My Givi windscreen arrived and I managed to fit the sucker without TOO much sweat. Then Motomail rang and told me that my helmet was in. So I rode into the city and found I could travel along the motorway at 100kph with my visor up without much wind in my face. I also found out that my engine DOES actually make a noise about 80kph, I just hadn't heard it previously due to the wind on my helmet.

Then at Motomail they fitted in my N-Com basic kit into my new Nolan 103 helmet. They don't have the correct wire for my cell phone yet, it seems that it is a brand new addition from Nolan - I can't even find one listed anywhere on the internet. I did grab a multimedia wire so I could listen to some music while riding.

The Nolan 103 helmet:
I found it more comfortable than my old (LOL - 2 weeks old) helmet and at 1725gms it isn't much heavier (old helmet is 1600gms). The retractable sun visor works well on the road - I moved it up and down a few times for the sun, the rain and then the sun again (LOL - Auckland weather). My peripheral vision while wearing this helmet was good. Comfort was good. My chin was well within the helmet, those that have a problem probably look a little like Jay Leno. Overall I rate this helmet

Also:
With my new windscreen I think I could answer the phone while riding as long as I wasn't going too quick. I can move the mic up inside the helmet just in front of my mouth where it should pick up my voice just fine. For those on bikes that let much more wind hit the helmet it may not work nearly so well.

Remember:
YMMV - never buy a helmet just because someone else likes it, you need to try it for yourself and decide if it suits you!

[Grub]

When are you going to use the bluetooth you cant answer your phone while riding as the caller can only hear the wind and noise, oh and it has its hazards doing that as well (go figure).

Hmmm, not sure what's wrong with yours but we've had our N102's a year now and ...
- The phone quality is better than in the car, absolutely no noise, wind or otherwise.
- The Nokia 3220 phone has bluetooth and its set up to answer on headset and to communicate via bluetooth. It rings twice then answers in the helmet - brilliant.
- Dialling out is as simple as one push on the big helmet button and speaking the name in your contacts list.

and using it to communicate with other riders with bluetooth as well has the same effect so really the only time you can talk to others is while stationay or going at a very slow speed so in saying that it really is a bit of a waste of money.

Again, you have something badly wrong. Nasty and I have toured for a year using the bluetooth comms bike to bike
- clarity is perfect up to and including 140kmh. Migh be ok more, haven't tried it.
- There is a volume control, Nasty has hers right up, I have mine on the power-up default ... and that's while wearing ear plugs
- If you don't wear earplugs, that's the problem. All riders in all helmets should wear plugs.
- reception gets scratchy in clear line oof sight after about 100m

The Nolans are the best things we ever bought and operate trouble-free. If yours aren't doing that, you need to take them back and get it sorted.

[JayRenner]

hey man how much were the individual parts?
will it conect to an ipod?
do you have to buy the communicator seperatly after the headset?

[MarkH]

hey man how much were the individual parts?
will it conect to an ipod?
do you have to buy the communicator seperatly after the headset?

For the 103 I paid at Motomail:
Helmet $540
N-Com Basic Kit N103 $85.50 (this is the 2 speakers inside the helmet & the Mic)
N-Com Multimedia Wire $26.10 (One end plugs into the helmet, the other is a standard 3.5mm jack - should plug into iPod or similar)
The helmet is normally $600, actually the items might have all had 10% off. The Motomail special runs till Sunday.

Grub has bluetooth - another $400
I might buy the correct wire as soon as I can get one for my phone - $30 instead.

[JayRenner]

so about $1000 each helmet. for bluetooth and helmet. Do you still have to get the communicator on top of that though?