Flip front helmets - how safe are they?

[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....

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

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

[Ecclesnz]

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

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?

[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.

[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.