Calling all riders with flip-face helmets

[diggydog]

was going to buy a helmet like flip up, made me wounder if they would be better than a full face.

[slimjim]

Hi, shazzygirl here, riding a 250. I have a Davida flip top and its awesome. I can get up to 100 kms with the top up, but after that it gets a little hard on the neck. Doesn't whistle or let in any air either. Best flip top brand that I have come across. My mate had another brand and it's visor flipped up at 100 kms and whistled like hell. Hope that helped ya. And another thing the helmet is good for glasses if you wear them, don't have to take them off to put the skid lid on!

[slimjim]

You could get one of those that just has the skid lid without the visor etc. My mate has one of those and they look cool with the shades on! Shazzygirl.

[Ruralman]

I have an HJC flipper - when its a calm day its quiet, on really windy days you need plugs on the highway. I have made some mods to my screen which seems to be helping reduce turbulence and noise.
I really like the convenience of the flip front for all the reasons others have mentioned. I would buy another one but would probably go with a Nolan as it has a safer catch mechanism in the event of an impact and the owners all seem to think they're pretty quiet. They are also well set up for using various electronics and Communication stuff.

[What?]

I have a Nolan N100. Great for commuting, but not comfortable (to me) for more than an hour at a time. It is quite noisy, and draughty (so not good on frosty mornings)
No. I would not buy another.

[Pogo2]

Had a N100 for about 6 years and find them really good, however always wear earplugs as a matter of course. Great on really hot days as sometimes I'll will ride with the lid up (no supposed to I think) When this one is due for replacement will defininately go for another Nolan. I like the sound of the VPS so will have to pop in and met/see Lou.

[scracha]

Shoei Syncrotech 2. Louder than the XR800 I had. On short journeys I take the flip up but for distance work I use a conventional skid lid. Not sure of the legality of riding with it open BTW. Wearing ear plugs means the noise thing isn't an issue.

[far queue]

Shoei Syncrotech 2. Louder than the XR800 I had. On short journeys I take the flip up but for distance work I use a conventional skid lid. Not sure of the legality of riding with it open BTW. Wearing ear plugs means the noise thing isn't an issue.

I currently use a Shoei XR800, which is due for replacement. I'll be going with a flip up this time around, as I believe it'll be a good compromise for adventure rides. After trying on everything available and reading a few reviews I settled on the Shoei Syncrotec 2, only to find that by the time I'd finished dithering, they've gone out of production. They've been replaced with a new model, the Multitec. The local shop's supposed to have one in this week, so once I've tried it on I'll order the colour I want. I wear earplugs on the longer rides anyway, so the noise wont be an issue.

Thanks for your help the other week Lou, I'll be in touch.

[Edbear]

I tried on just about every flip face helmet I could get my hands on, found they didn't really suit me until I got a Zeus off Retardme. Absolutely love it! The road noise is a bit more compared to my old HJC but I like the noise!

I bought a Zeus as well and I like it, but wonder if maybe it's a bit heavier than a conventional full face contributing to neck strain on longer rides. Having said that, I returned to biking after a long illness when Id' been in a wheelchair so was extrememly weak and now I'm gettting stronger it's not such a problem. Just need to ride more and build up the neck muscles, eh?

I do find it's not too quiet, but then I wear earplugs and it's not a problem - just miss the full sound of the bike when it's "on song".

[ninjac]

Has anyone got the KBC FFR?
If so what's it like?

[Lou Girardin]

Shoei's new Multitec is quite a smart looking lid. Not as many features as the Nolan N102, and it's dearer. But it comes with a spare graduated visor and a Whisper kit.

[Zukin]

I have the Nolan N102, and it is fantastic.
I looked at almost every flip helmet when I was buying a new one.
The FFM etc and the other cheaper ones seem to have a less than satisfactory mechanisim? Just try them out in the shops you will see what I mean. Dont know what would happen if it hit the road in an accident??
I tried the Shoei on, again a very nice helmet, but didnt quite feel right on my head

I love the sun visor on the Nolan, I use it all the time.

[scracha]

Shoei's new Multitec is quite a smart looking lid. Not as many features as the Nolan N102, and it's dearer. But it comes with a spare graduated visor and a Whisper kit.

Even the bottom end Shoei's are quality kit though. I guess it depends on the shape of your head too. Only major downside to them is the ridiculous cost of replacement visors. I tend to get 2 or 3 at a time on Ebay.

[gijoe1313]

I bought a Zeus as well and I like it, but wonder if maybe it's a bit heavier than a conventional full face contributing to neck strain on longer rides. Having said that, I returned to biking after a long illness when Id' been in a wheelchair so was extrememly weak and now I'm gettting stronger it's not such a problem. Just need to ride more and build up the neck muscles, eh?

I do find it's not too quiet, but then I wear earplugs and it's not a problem - just miss the full sound of the bike when it's "on song".

Yep, sounds like more riding and getting the lid on the ol'noggin will solve that problem! Any excuse to get the bike out "I have to build up the muscles in my neck and...body...by...riding...riding lots! Yes, I wore an ipod playing tunes but found it intefered with hearing my bike purr away. Just wondering, do you know where to score more visor replacements in case of scratchies?

[Biff]

I used one of these for a few years: http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motor...rg-justissimo/

I don't know of any Caberg distributors in NZ, but they regularly get 4 star reviews in the UK bikie press. A decent helmet, if a little heavy. The 'Top Gun' flip down sunnies are wheeeey cool.

Mrs Biff loves hers.