Do you wear a 'flip up type' modular helmet ? What brand ?

colorider

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EricV said:
Pin-lock visors are available for both Schu and the Multi. No one likes looking thru more plastic, but in the rain the Pin-Lock does NOT fog. It's the best option out there by far, and I've used several from Cat Crap to Fog City to Respro Froggy mask. The Pin-Lock just works.
I've uses the Fog City with decent results, but have always wanted to try the Pin-Lock too. Can you recommend a good source?
 

Combo

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The wife and I are using the new Bell Revolvers. A little on the noisy side but over all we like it and all of the functions of this helmet.
 

justbob

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colorider

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EricV

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+1 on Motorcyclegear.com/NewEnough.com - Good vendor and often great prices. A lot of the moto dealers are now carrying Pin-Lock inserts and pre-drilled shields too. I bought mine at the dealer when I bought the helmet. You have options on tints for the insert as well as the visor. I know a few Seattle commuter types that run the yellow insert and like the clarity for rain/fog.

I haven't looked in a while, but they used to offer a DIY kit for the Pin-Lock too. You got a template, insert and 4 pins, drilled your visor for the two holes necessary and installed 2 pins, then the insert. The other 2 pins were spares. The pre-fitted visors all come with two spare pins too. I've never lost/broken one though.

FWIW, I tend to leave the insert in a visor all the time, then just swap visors instead of trying to fuss with the insert on the side of the road. Main reason I do this is that the inside of the insert is very soft and prone to scratching. Not as bad for the exposed surface when it's on the visor, but the surface that goes against the visor is easy to damage.

They ship the inserts with a semi-transparent film on them too. I know of more than one guy that said the Pin-Lock clarity SUCKED, only to later admit that he didn't know there was protective film on the insert. After I pinged the guy off list and let him know to peel it off, he didn't have issues with the clarity. :))
 

colorider

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EricV said:
FWIW, I tend to leave the insert in a visor all the time, then just swap visors instead of trying to fuss with the insert on the side of the road.
Good suggestion! :)
 

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Got a Nolan N103 and a Scorpion EXO 900 Air. The latter suits my head and is lighter than the nolan (but it is still really heavy with 1850g). The solar vizor is clearer than the nolan's and it has no pinlock. I still think it is much more comfortable than the N103 and it can be converted into an open face. If you have a "nolan head", it is a good choice but if you are concerned by an helmet weight, the only acceptable is the Shoei Multitec.
 

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I own a an Arai for several years. Still wear it and like it. When I decided to try the flip up type helmets I tried 3-4 models.. I finally ended up with the SHOEI Multi-tech just for the simple fact it fits my lumpy skull perfect... My head is a "Shoei shape" 100%.... Love it !
 

spklbuk

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Nolan N90s for about 500 miles so far. Me and spkldoe both like it. Quiet enough and choice of configurations is very functional.
 

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I wore flips for my first 6 years riding, and am now finally comfortable enough with a helmet to have moved to full face for the last 2 years. Full face are, on the whole, lighter, quieter, and safer.

I too look at SHARP ratings. They are a bit hard to translate to US helmet purchases as only AGV, Shark, now Schuberth, and a few others actually bring the exact same helmet over. These brands tend not to be in wide distribution in our market.

But there are some generalizations you can make from the SHARP testing: Last I looked, no current model flip was rating a 5 star (top score). Flip up helmets do flip up in crashes, and some do it quite regularly, others are better.

The Schuberth C3 is available locally for $700, but only scores 3 Stars in SHARP testing, has a ridiculously uncomfortable chin strap (for me...although I see the complaint does crop up a fair bit on the internet). The weight is fair, comparable to many full face, and the SHARP found the chin bar stayed mostly closed (97% of impacts).

The Shark scores a 4 star, but is ridiculously heavy and has a clunky mechanism. I gave up my Shark RSR2 after only a year due to the face shield coating peeling off, the face shield mechanism breaking, and a comfort issue that developed over time. Personally not inclined to go back to Shark.

I had the HJC Symax and before that it's predecessor, CJ-Max was it? They each lasted me about 3 years. In both cases the mechanisms got clunky and hard, the liners got overly compressed and the helmets were both reitred for eventual loose fit. However, at the price 3 years might be a pretty good deal. HJC does not cross certify... SHARP tests different helmets than we get in the US, but the mechanisms seem similar.... HJC has very low (40 and 47% of impacts) ratings for chin bars staying closed, which I find worrisome.

Shoei... I can't generally wear them as their chin bars are too close for me...

To me, now that I feel comfortable with a full face, I just don't feel the need to go back to flip. I used to feel that with glasses I couldn't wear full face, but now I do it. Works fine. I just don't see the advantages of flip any more.
 

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ColoRider said:
I've been a Shoei person since WAY back when (Shoei head, I guess). I switched to a Shoei Multitec about 4 years ago and love it (on my second one). The added convenience for carrying on a conversation or taking a drink of water at stops far outweighs the slightly increased noise level of a modular (just another reason to wear earplugs).

:)
Same here, Shoe all the way the Multitec is amazing and all my visors interchange as we have a few in the family. Black visor all day clear at night, tinted in the winter till dusk. Done! ::012:: ::012:: ::012::
 

EricV

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Everyone has different reasons for considering a flip face helmet. I LD ride, so being able to eat and drink while riding is the main reason I ride with the flip helmet. It's also very nice when you're riding for long periods on the clock during an endurance rally and have to stop and interact with people to find or complete bonuses, but don't want to spend the time to remove your helmet each time, as the stop may only be 30 seconds to 5 minutes and you're back on the road.

For recreational rides, the full face worked fine for me and as has been said, you can often find lighter, quieter helmets in full face styles.
 

Jap_STi_3

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EricV said:
Everyone has different reasons for considering a flip face helmet. I LD ride, so being able to eat and drink while riding is the main reason I ride with the flip helmet. It's also very nice when you're riding for long periods on the clock during an endurance rally and have to stop and interact with people to find or complete bonuses, but don't want to spend the time to remove your helmet each time, as the stop may only be 30 seconds to 5 minutes and you're back on the road.

For recreational rides, the full face worked fine for me and as has been said, you can often find lighter, quieter helmets in full face styles.
What LD riding do you do EricV - IBA Stuff? as that was the main reason I switched, eating and drinking on the hoof.
 

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Multitec user here for a few years now. Comfortable, reasonably quiet. Only complaint is weight.

- Mark
 

EricV

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Jap_STi_3 said:
What LD riding do you do EricV - IBA Stuff? as that was the main reason I switched, eating and drinking on the hoof.
Yes, IBA and MERA events and individual IBA rides or non IBA/MERA affiliated rallies in the US. A lot of the time I just want to ride farther away, then enjoy a relaxed weekend of fun with friends or the wife, then we ride home. It helps that we both do endurance riding, so 600-1200 miles can be an easy day ride.

If you're bored and not doing anything this Sat, (the 15th), you could have some fun and ride a SS1K ride, documenting it as a Jack Shoalmire saddle sore ride. You get a special cert and patch for this ride. Jack passed away a few months ago, but had a dream to ride a SS1K in every state. In memorial to him, a group of riders are riding SS1K rides in every US state on the 15th. You could do one in the UK as well, adding an international flavor. I think it would be well received if you have the time and inclination. If not, no worries mate. ::003::

Linky - http://www.nmpcs.com/Jacks_Ride/FAQ.html
 

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markjenn said:
Multitec user here for a few years now. Comfortable, reasonably quiet. Only complaint is weight.

- Mark
Compared to what helmet? The Multitec is lighter than most, including the C3. I totally understand if you're comparing it to some of the carbon fiber full face helmets now available.
 

switchback

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My favorite Modular is the Multitech but I just bought a Bell Revolver on closeout. I just put a review on the High Viz on on Revzilla. It is not as refined as a multitech but it is the best bang for the buck out there and is made better than any in the MSRP price category IMO. Great features too.

My Review

Let me start by stating that the Bell Revolver is my first modular helmet and I am used to my Shoei X-11 and my Arai XD-3. I have a history wearing Bell off-road helmets (Moto 3, 4, 7). Out of the box the Revolver comes with the typical drawstring bag that comes with most helmets. It does not include the nice zip-up bag that comes with the Star helmets. Looking over the helmet all vents are easy to operate and the chin-bar opens and closes without too much effort. The chin-bar is secured with a metal latch. The design of the helmet is very nice and looks great. Attention to detail on this helmet is average. Paint has some orange peel like appearance when looking at the helmet under the right light. Some trim was loose which I reattached with some adhesive. The D-rings are stamped metal which are actually easier to use than I expected. All these things are very minor considering that the helmet MSRP is ~$200 and the closeout prices are much less. Having handled a few modular helmets it feels better in function and more solid than the HJCs to me, the attention to detail is less than a Shoei Multitech with a similar feel, and it weighs less than a Scorpion EXO-900 with a similar feel. The helmet has LOTS of features: anti-fog and quick release shield, internal sunshade, magna-fusion chinstrap holder. Everything seems well designed but the sunshade is too light to be effective. I can hardly perceive any tint when lowering it. You will need to buy one of the other shade color options or the transitions shield for blocking out the sun. My first ride in the helmet was in some light off and on rain. Not cold enough to test the fog free shield and the rain was too light to test for any visor leaks. What I can say is the helmet was definitely quieter than the XD-3 (not saying much) and on par with my X-11 if not quieter (I wear earplugs at all times with all helmets). Visibility was good. Overall I was more impressed with the helmet in use than I was looking it over. For the price it is an exceptional value and I recommend it as such. In function it is not far off from a Shoei Multitech (2 in the family). The attention to detail could be improved but still it is not bad. I would like to see an ECE certification and results of a Sharp impact test. Perhaps this will come with next year’s model if there is one.
 

Jap_STi_3

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EricV said:
Yes, IBA and MERA events and individual IBA rides or non IBA/MERA affiliated rallies in the US. A lot of the time I just want to ride farther away, then enjoy a relaxed weekend of fun with friends or the wife, then we ride home. It helps that we both do endurance riding, so 600-1200 miles can be an easy day ride.

If you're bored and not doing anything this Sat, (the 15th), you could have some fun and ride a SS1K ride, documenting it as a Jack Shoalmire saddle sore ride. You get a special cert and patch for this ride. Jack passed away a few months ago, but had a dream to ride a SS1K in every state. In memorial to him, a group of riders are riding SS1K rides in every US state on the 15th. You could do one in the UK as well, adding an international flavor. I think it would be well received if you have the time and inclination. If not, no worries mate. ::003::

Linky - http://www.nmpcs.com/Jacks_Ride/FAQ.html

I saw that a while back but its my daughters 11 birthday Saturday so would not go down well if I was to shoot off on a SS1000. God luck on the ride and my thoughts will be with everyone throughout the USofA.
 
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