Topic: First modular helmet

[wannabridin]

Hey all.  I'm looking at selling my Icon Variant and getting a modular helmet.  I wear glasses a lot when i ride and i've always liked the thought of being able to flip more than my visor up to cool off, when i'm filling up, to chat, etc. etc.

I'm looking at the Nolan N-104: http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/nolan-n104-action-helmet

To those that have modular helmets, could you comment on the pro's and con's?  I've looked up the safety of the N-103 (it's predecessor) and it's a very safe modular helmet.  thanks for the help!

[seanbarney41]

I have an HJC modular (which is probably a lot cheaper than the Nolan), it has a lot of wind noise, but well muffled as far as ambient noise, it's quite heavy, and can be pretty un-aerodynamic which is hard on your neck, with the face flipped up...overall, for the price, I like it...probably wouldn't if I had payed a lot for it

[kirkn]

I love mine.  I have an HJC brand.  I don't remember the exact model.  Just like you say - flip up while filling up, to chat, and since I wear glasses too (full time), it's MUCH more convenient.  I put it on and off just like an open face helmet.  No need to take my glasses off and on, trying to get 'em over my ears, etc.

I've never noticed it to be particularly heavy or un-aerodynamic, but I never ride with the chinbar up. 

It was inexpensive yet fit me very well, and that's the main thing, beyond the DOT / Snell cert, which they all have anyway.

Enjoy.

[simon#42]

yes i wear glasses and i find my schuberth c3 is great , its quiet , the vents work well and its light .you can fasten and undo it with one hand which is handy for me as i cant bend my right arm much . on the down side it is pretty expensive

[Frostyboy]

I got a Nolan N104 for the same reason. I'm happy enough with all the features, however I'm really disappointed with the wind noise. Ear plugs or some extra padding velcroed around the ear area is a must in my opinion.

[wannabridin]

Well very few modular helmets are quiet, unless you pay a LOT.  My dad has a HJC sy-max 2 and likes it, but he rarely rides, so he doesn't really know or is just content.  Ive read nothing but good things about the Nolan being a more economical helmet compared to shoei and the c3, among others. 

I ALWAYS ride with nice high quality ear plugs in, regardless of what helmet I have, so the wind noise shouldn't be too much of an issue, and I'm not impartial to adding extra padding or material in critical areas to reduce it even further.

[Raul CB750K1]

When I started riding bikes I got myself a modular helmet, it was a cheaper one though.

I thought I would get the best of both worlds, but instead it turned out the worst of both worlds!

When riding, flipping up would seem to ride like an open-face helmet. The wind drag caused by the flipped-up chin would push my head backwards.

When riding with the chin protector closed, I never felt confident that it would withsand a crash like a full-face helmet would do.

Got myself a full-face helmet as soon as I could. I don't wear glasses but I use sunglasses and I get them in and out with no big problem -now there are helmets with a sun visor that you can put up and down-. From my point of view, modular helmets are practical for people like police officers or couriers - they need to talk and be recognized many times a day without having to remove their helmets-

[toytuff]

Love my Shoei!

I just bought a couple of Bell Mag 9 helmets. Very nice if you wish to check them out.

I wrote a review.

http://www.helmetcity.com/page/HC/PROD/bell-moto-helmets/bell-mag9-pearl-white

Bought a lot of helmets from them. Great to deal with. 

tt

[tortelvis]

Heavy! Great being able to flip open but damn, is it a neck killer!

[Vreihenmotor6]

I think most brands say not to ride with the bar up, I only ride with mine up at low speeds, I mreally do like the move the front to talk to people thing though, I use it many times per ride

I have a Bell revolver evo, its nice, comfy but a bit heavy/ noisy

the flip down sun shade is awesome though!

[trueblue]

I have an R-Jays modular helmet with a flip down sunshade.  The only thing I can say against it is, it has a lot of wind noise.  Other than that I have no complaints with it.

[brooze72]

I've got a Scorpion modular (900 I think?), love the features but same as everyone else says, they're not all that quiet at speed.

[wannabridin]

just ordered a Nolan N-104!  Expensive yes, but i think i'm going to lock the features and having a modular helmet.  now i just need to freaking ride!

[LesterPiglet]

I have a Caberg Justissimo with flip down sun visor. Great as I wear glasses, and for having a smoke. Wind noise as usual but I know where it's coming from and a piece of foam tape will fix it.

[wannabridin]

Ya I understand wind noise can be an issue in a modular, but I always wear ear plugs.  They have a NRR of 32 dB, so they help out a lot!

I found some nice pinstripe reflective tape I'm going to add to the helmet as well.  It's red, so I think it will look good in the daytime too, against the white and black.  Anyone ever add reflective tape to a helmet before?