What helmet style do you preferr? I'm kinda partial to Modular style helmets myself. Hjc symax soon to be purchased. They seem to fit so much better for those of us that wear glasses without having to alter the helmet or your glasses. Also the convience of drinking and smoking without having to stop and remove my helmet is a major plus.
What do you preferr? Chime in with why if you like also.
marid2apterbilt, Dec 28 2007, 04:55 PMWhat helmet style do you preferr? I'm kinda partial to Modular style helmets myself. Hjc symax soon to be purchased. They seem to fit so much better for those of us that wear glasses without having to alter the helmet or your glasses. Also the convience of drinking and smoking without having to stop and remove my helmet is a major plus.
What do you preferr? Chime in with why if you like also.
Thanks Sam
Sam,
I hope for you that you can test ride the helmet before you buy or have the option to return it....
The draught from below was sooo bad that my eyes dried and began to hurt.... I really wanted to like the HJC, because none of the other brands on the market seemed to fit me. but too bad, settled for a Doohan replica...
Full faced for me. Simply put I want max protection. I have been hit by a cager on a bike before and was wearing full gear. Convenience will always play 2nd string after that. Modular automatically fails the Snell rating and correct me if I am wrong but is not allowed on any tracks (should you choose a track day). And I wear glasses too. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)
But modular beats those beanies hands down. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)
Same here, my wife wears glasses, and I started wearing an HJC modular like hers and really liked it for a long time (still like the convenience), but I always hated the extra wind noise. We've both gone back to Fulmer full coverage D-4 Apaches. My Honda dealer is a large volume direct-buy Fulmer dealer, so I can't beat the prices. Them and the Shoei RF1000 fit me the best also....................... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/fing02.gif)
I have a Symax (the HD painted version) that i'd sooner shoot than wear again after getting my x-11 (or even my old rf800). I would suggest whatever shoei has as their modular, or the Schuberth, or pretty much anything else. It looked like a cool idea, but it was a "if you take it out of here you can't return it" deal, so i took it and dealt with it for about 5 months. Poorly made visors, noisy as all get out, no useful ventilation (yet extremely leaky). for some reason the buffeting was horrible with it on the VFR, completely went away with the x-11. If you have to have one, get it from Cycle Gear, or some place where you can at least exchange it if you don't like it.
I wear a full face all the time, have a couple HJC's but they are pretty noisy, and I started being concerned about safety factors with them. Haven't worn an open face in more years than I care to admit (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
Be interesting to see how many here wear ATGATT also, but I bet its been a poll already,,,,,,,,off to "search" I go (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
I have an Arai fullface right now but I do like the idea of the Modulars's. I may pick one up when I add a new helmet to the stable....I kinda like (Pictures and reviews only) the Caberg Trip.
HHmmm caberg, very tempting too. I have a cheap knockoff similar to the Caberg with the built in drop/dwn sunvisor. I love it but it seems really flimsy. Thats why im looking at getting a namebrand (hjc, fulmer, caberg) It just seems like anything over 250 for a helmet is just overkill. for the price of a shoie or aria it better come with a littole guy to put it on n take it off for me. Doesnt seem to be that much more protection for 2x the cost. Yes modulars are a little noiser, I can live with it for the convience they provide.
?? snell rated?? NO. TO MY knowledge none have even been submittted for snell testing.
Track use?? No (most tracks require snell rating. Note topic says for street use. The fact I must have a license to work keeps me at reasonable speeds on the street
Not trying to stir up a Full vs modular debate just your personal view of a modular/fullface good or bad and experiences ??crashtesting?? Of both styles. Crash pics are a + as i have never seen crash pics of a modular helmet.
I put the 3/4 or openface option in there just to be fare. I will be surprised considering the general feelings of most on this forum if it gets even 1 vote..
marid2apterbilt, Dec 28 2007, 07:31 PMHHmmm caberg, very tempting too. I have a cheap knockoff similar to the Caberg with the built in drop/dwn sunvisor. I love it but it seems really flimsy. Thats why im looking at getting a namebrand (hjc, fulmer, caberg) It just seems like anything over 250 for a helmet is just overkill.
I currently have two Caberg Helmets, both of them modular:
1. Caberg Rhyno: much more aerodynamic but it all depends on the relationship between your height and that of your windshield. It's noisy, but the inner sun-visor and light weight are a plus. OK for a commuter only. Not sure of safety rating but probably lower end.
2. Caber Justissimo GT w/ Bluetooth gizmo. Bought this just before going on 15-day Pyrenees trip as I was hoping for:
� better comfort � less noise � better security � same visor (can't live without one now!!) � bluetooth, not for phonecalls, but moreso for GPS instructions.
It complies on most fronts. It's warmer, isoates better and thus somewhat quieter (but hotter in Summer), definitely safer construction, has the same visor, BUT... the bluetooth only works with phone calls, it does not receive the GPS voice instructions and that surprised me as I have TOMTOM installed on my Nokia phone and figured I'd just have to link up the phone and VOIL�, but NO DICE!! Doesn't even play the MP3 format music I have in the phone. Not sure if it would work with a stand-alone GPS or MP3 player. I worte to Caberg asking for tips but no rely.
I've been to a track day with the Rhyno and they didn't say anything. actually it didn't occur to me it might be an issue. There was some preamble amongst the club about the requirement for your jacket and pants to be designed to be joined via a zipper or other form, no home-made remedies. Mine complied.
Another thing, with the bluetooth system installed (involves a rechargeable battery pack), the weight difference is incredible. It's real heavy. I'm used to it now, but when I use the Rhyno, the difference is soooo noticeable.
It's not particularly aerodynamic either, but once again that could be due to a change in windscreen. Not worth the 500 euros I paid (mates rates) cause it didn't serve my reason for buying, half of the cost was the bluetooth system, but would be worth it without the bluetooth.
Of course, I imagine a full-face is way safer, but I'm so used to the convenience now. Although the recent crash has me wondering, the helmet came out unscathed as I used my head and didn't use my head (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)
Because of the way they're tested: SNELL approved: tend to be "harder" shelled DOT "only" approved: tend to be "softer" shelled
.....the jury is still out on SNELL approved helmets being any safer than just DOT approved ones................ (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
Well heres my story and Im sticking to it...I would choose the full face over the modular and the 3/4 helmets due to strength and safety. When I was but a lad my Mom and Dad decided to buy me a go-cart after begging forever from me.They would not buy it or let me ride it unless I wore the full face helmet they bought with it, so I did. Then one day little grayflare decided to do some drifting around a corner that had loose dirt in it, and it was great fun UNTIL... yep the tires caught traction and over it went. Well it threw little grayflare out on the pavement face down, but not to worry little grayflare was wearing his full face helmet and all he ended up with was a bump on his lip. Now little grayflare learned a lesson that day and from that day forward little,all the way to big grayflare has been a firm believer in full face helmets. No matter what the cost to get a good one that fits properly. I seem to remember an old Bell ad that said "If you have a $10.00 head buy a $10.00 helmet." Just my $0.02 worth.
skuuter trash, Dec 28 2007, 03:59 PMBecause of the way they're tested: SNELL approved: tend to be "harder" shelled DOT "only" approved: tend to be "softer" shelled
.....the jury is still out on SNELL approved helmets being any safer than just DOT approved ones................ (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)
So many variables come into play with testing and real life situations. As motor ref said "The results I have read are interesting.
I don't think that there is a right answer."
Maybe some of the European members have there own thoughts on all of this too. Eu helmet ratings verses Us ( since it looks like this is where its leading to) and there feelings on fullface vs modular experiences.
Little grayflare thats about what it boils down too, HOW MUCH IS THE PRICE YOU PUT ON YOUR HEAD. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
You spend as much as it takes to get the best possible fit, I use an Arai profile because it's the only helmet that has properly fit me, expensive as helmets go, but who cares its fits and protects my noggin
I have tried modular but never felt "safe" with them, though that means nothing really other than a state of mind. I did like the convenience as I wear glasses as well. But taking them off to pull off my helmet is just fine for feeling safer, whether I really am or not.
Full face all the way. I don't like the idea that the part covering my face moves.
A friend of mine bought one of the HJC modulars. Less than a year and its already falling apart. I know HJC quality isn't really great, but still. I went to try it out recently, and he told me not to open and close it too much cause he's afraid it might break (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) .
I'm sure the good brands make better modular helmets, but i still like a nice solid full face.
Had Schuberth modulars (BMW) before I went strictly with full face. Like others had mentioned, I never really felt safe in the modulars. The latching mechanisms on most of them also never really looked that strong to me, but what bothered me even more was, the modulars were all heavy and shells seems to be all on the bigger side, specially with the Schuberths.
IT'S fullface for me.... wearing a full face helmet is the only way i can get girls to talk to me.......(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1197267108/gallery_3647_3505_140734.jpg) 013endrdsdEE.jpg
squirrelman, Dec 28 2007, 06:47 PMIT'S fullface for me.... wearing a helmet is the only way i can get girls to talk to me.......(IMG:http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/uploads/1197267108/gallery_3647_3505_140734.jpg) 013endrdsdEE.jpg
Now that's funny right there! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
i have a cl-max flip from hjc. very nice when traveling with others to stop and talk, drink, etc. however, as skuuter said, wind noise and general fit/function was not as good as the full faced i have. pretty much stopped wearing it. would do it again if
Well, for me, I have the KBC FFR and a Icon Mainframe. I bought the KBC at first because I wanted the "convenience" of the flip up. Of course, the Modulars are really only 3/4 helmets. It clearly says on mine: "This helmet does not provide chin protection." I bought the Mainframe because it fit better and was so much lighter. I couldn't believe how much lighter it is. However, my experience has been different as far as noise in that the FFR is actually quieter than the full face Mainframe. I always felt safe with my FFR, but I knew that it wasn't as much protection as the full face. Eventually, I realized that safety and comfort came first. So, I have been wearing the Mainframe full time since I bought it. Originally I had planned on wearing the Modular on the hotter days, but it's just taking up space in the closet these days. Just my .02.... JB
Kinda depends on the bike I am riding. I wear full face on VFRs & RCs. I wear modular flip (Nolan) on the Goldwing because of ease of cooling in hot weather, wearing of headsets & CB radio gear. For supermoto, I wear the full face modified Arai XD, which is a hybrid cross between the MX and Fullface road race helmet w/ a flip up face shield.
BonusVFR, Dec 28 2007, 10:11 PMI am looking to try on the latest Shoei Flip up but have not tried it on yet.
I've looked at the Shoei modular, but not fond of the price. Sloans Motorcycles in Murfreesboro have Demo-Days in the summer where you can try out bikes and a coupla' times they add "helmet demos". Wouldn't let me try one of these though...... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif) ......If you ever buy one, what's the chances of you getting a size "medium" in "white" so just in case you don't like it, I can take advantage of the "VFRD 1/2 price sale" and try it....what are buddies for........... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)
Not tested is the Snell problem with flip up helmets, its not that they fail the Snell rating its that they dont test them. The magazine Cruiser rider did a test of some popular modular helmets and I came away satisfied they are safe.
To determine how strong the chinbars are, we also performed a chinbar-deflection test, similar to a Snell test for shell rigidity. We wondered whether the chinbars had the integrity to pass this test without being an integral part of the helmet shell. It turns out that they do. None approached the allowed 60mm deflection. The most deflection we measured was 47mm on the Arrow, with the Schuberth close behind at 43mm. The HJC, Lazer and Shoei deflected the least, all at 28mm. We also tested the chinbars for impact absorption by removing them from the helmets, placing them on the headform and subjecting them to a six-foot drop. There is no applicable U.S. standard for motorcycle helmets that any of them claim to meet here, but the Zeus transferred notably more energy, which isn't surprising because it has no padding in its chinbar. The headform felt 660gs, compared to 200 for the best-performing Shoei and 201 for the Lazer, both of which have substantial padding in the impact area. The second worst was the HJC (409gs), but it has an excuse because we impacted the exact center of the chinbars, where the HJC has its latching mechanism. Its chinbar has substantial padding on either side of the latch and would have almost certainly performed well if we had attacked it there.
HispanicSlammer, Dec 29 2007, 12:19 PMNot tested is the Snell problem with flip up helmets, its not that they fail the Snell rating its that they dont test them. The magazine Cruiser rider did a test of some popular modular helmets and I came away satisfied they are safe.
To determine how strong the chinbars are, we also performed a chinbar-deflection test, similar to a Snell test for shell rigidity. We wondered whether the chinbars had the integrity to pass this test without being an integral part of the helmet shell. It turns out that they do. None approached the allowed 60mm deflection. The most deflection we measured was 47mm on the Arrow, with the Schuberth close behind at 43mm. The HJC, Lazer and Shoei deflected the least, all at 28mm. We also tested the chinbars for impact absorption by removing them from the helmets, placing them on the headform and subjecting them to a six-foot drop. There is no applicable U.S. standard for motorcycle helmets that any of them claim to meet here, but the Zeus transferred notably more energy, which isn't surprising because it has no padding in its chinbar. The headform felt 660gs, compared to 200 for the best-performing Shoei and 201 for the Lazer, both of which have substantial padding in the impact area. The second worst was the HJC (409gs), but it has an excuse because we impacted the exact center of the chinbars, where the HJC has its latching mechanism. Its chinbar has substantial padding on either side of the latch and would have almost certainly performed well if we had attacked it there.
Now I feel better!! GO Flip-ups!! It's true the convenience is a major plus, especially on medium to longish trips where you're on and off the bike, into gas stations, shops, asking at several hotel receptions before deciding, stopping to ask for directions, talking to other moocyclists, and as mine has the inbuilt sun visor, there's no squeezing in and wrenching out of sunglasses with the resultant ache behind the ears and such...
BUT, as one of my new year resolutions is to do more trackdays this year, I'll most probably (make that definitely) get a full face for that...
End of thread · 30 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 22 Apr 2008