Looking for a different helmet

[danrev]

This riding thing has sure gotten complicated. Back in the old days (60's-70's) in So. Cal. my riding gear consisted of whatever jeans I was wearing, a light weight London Fog jacket and everyday department store gloves. You went to the sporting goods store and found a inexpensive helmet that met the current standards. Now the helmets come with more options than my car! I bought an GMax helmet with a full face shield and pull down sun visor so I could take the motorcycle class and start looking for bikes. I tried on a full face model but couldn't get it on with my prescription glasses on. If I took my glasses off and put the helmet on I couldn't put the glasses back on. So I went with the model with the face shield. Didn't know about modular helmets. After riding for a while I'm beginning to find some limitations to my helmet, and am looking for a replacement. Want to stay below 3 bills. The guys at revzilla recommended 3 modular makes: Nolan N90, HJC SyMax III, and Bell Revolution Evo. Has anyone had actual riding experience with any of these? If so, what pros and cons have you found? Are there any other modulars out there in the below $300 price range that are good possibilities?

 

[MZ5]

I always buy Snell-certified helmets. However, there are only 2 Snell-certified modulars at present, and I do not know how much they cost. The FF394 from a company called LS2 is the only American-based modular helmet Snell lists as certified. There's a British-based helmet, too (the Zeus 3000), but I do not know whether they're available in the USA.

 

[bamamate]

Not on your list, because they only sell in dealerships, I have the Fulmer M2B flip front. It has the integrated sunshield that flips down with a lever on the side which I love. Wouldn’t have a helmet without that feature now that I’ve had it. Flipping the chin up allows me to get the helmet on without taking my glasses off. It is also nice to flip it up at stops to get more air. The ear padding is a separate section from the rest which gives a nice cutout for the arms of glasses. The down side is it is bit noisy on the highway but from the reviews I’ve read all of the modular/flip front helmets are noisier than a standard full face.

 

[wgwgoldwing]

Modular helmets are a bit more noisy compared to full face helmets.

Do you have a Cycle Gear near you? They have a 7 day no hassle exchange program on helmets. If you don't like it for any reason you can exchange it for a different one:

"7-Day No Hassle Helmet Exchange
If you're unhappy with your new helmet for ANY reason you may exchange it for another within 7 days of receipt. Simply bring the helmet in original condition and packaging to any Cycle Gear store or send it to cyclegear.com. If you choose to mail it, give us a call and we'll provide you with a shipping label."


Might be a good way to test drive a helmet.



WGW

 

[Heavy]

I've had an assortment of helmets over the years and never had a problem putting my glasses back on after I put the helmet on.

I, currently, have 2 ARAI XD-3s (not less than $300) and love them. Excellent air flow, very functional visor, exceptional comfort.

 

[soggybottom]

I found my XD3 Arai in XXL for $299, free ship and a store credit for next purchase of $13.50 which went toward my tinted visor/shield. Their website says Aria XD3 from $299. I'll post the website in the vendor review forum.

 

[Billy Budd]

When I bought my NC700X, they threw in an HJC modular. I like it and it fits well, but noisy. I wear earplugs with it. All my other helmets are Arai.

 

[Tucsonrider]

Never could get a full face Arai to fit me properly. Until Arai came out with the Signet Q. Great Helmet. Like it a lot...

 

[BttrThnWrk]

I had an HJC IS-MAX flip-front purchased a year or so ago that worked just fine. HJC makes helmets for rounder heads than mine, but I went up a size from L to XL and it fit fine, then. My size was just on the border between L and XL, anyway, so it wasn't much of a jump. It saved my bacon back in April of this year, too, so I was quite happy with it.

 

[Daboo]

Helmet sizes and shapes are like shoes. Different manufacturers make their helmets to fit a particular head shape. A Shoei head is not the same as a Scorpion head, even though both helmets come from companies who's name begins with "S".

If you haven't done so yet, spend some time at Motorcycle Helmet Reviews - webBikeWorld. The folks there do reviews on a lot of different riding gear and accessories. Their helmet reviews are some of the best. You'll find they cover things like...head shape , quality of finish, features, noise, weight and more.

Chris

 

[frozenpoet]

I have the HJC IS-16 and for the most part I like it. As said before, once you have a helmet with a built in sun visor you will want every helmet after to have one. I'm looking at the Scorpion EXO-1100 for my next lid. The Scorpion has one feature I wish my IS had and that's the ability to crack the visor open for a little more airflow. That is something that comes in very handy when the mercury pushes into the 90F.

 

[turbodieseli4i6]

I had an HJC IS-MAX flip-front purchased a year or so ago that worked just fine. HJC makes helmets for rounder heads than mine, but I went up a size from L to XL and it fit fine, then. My size was just on the border between L and XL, anyway, so it wasn't much of a jump. It saved my bacon back in April of this year, too, so I was quite happy with it.

My last helmet purchase was a HJC IS-MAX BT. It's a little noisy,but my Cal-sci shield has taken care of a lot of the noise. I love the sun shield on it.

 

[turbodieseli4i6]

Here is a good price, if you like HJC. HJC IS-MAX BT Modular Helmet - Bluetooth - Solids, Grey, Black, Red, Silver, White, Matte Black - Compacc.com

 

[Jguarfn28]

I have a cheap HJC Modular and it has a big back neck roll that bugs the crap out of me. My Shoei RF1000 is my usual lid. Both are still loud at speed.

 

[Rocker66]

I always prefer to try my helmets on before purchasing rather than buying on line

 

[2wheels4fun]

I have the HJC IS-16 and for the most part I like it. As said before, once you have a helmet with a built in sun visor you will want every helmet after to have one. I'm looking at the Scorpion EXO-1100 for my next lid. The Scorpion has one feature I wish my IS had and that's the ability to crack the visor open for a little more airflow. That is something that comes in very handy when the mercury pushes into the 90F.

FYI, a large EXO-1100 will not fit in the not-a-tank storage. It also does fog up in cold rain unless you crack the visor open.

 

[AZ_Ed]

I am currently using an older KBC and this summer purchased an HJC CL-16. Both SNELL approved. previous helmets were Bell and Shoei

I have a concern with modular helmets, I don't know if this happens, but they could pop open in the event your head hits the pavement. That and less structural integrity is why most can not pass the SNELL tests.

Helmet house has a nice video on the CL-16. Competition Acc has a closeout on some models for $89
I also wear glasses and take them off to put on and remove my helmet, doing it so long I am used to it. I always wear my helmet even though not required in AZ.

ed

 

[Heavy]

I always prefer to try my helmets on before purchasing rather than buying on line

I went to The Service Pavillion, in Pennsylvania. They specialize in ARAI. The guys spent 3 hours fitting me for my first XD3. It was perfect from the minute I walked out the door. It cost a few bucks more but it was well worth it. When I bought my second XD3 I just made sure I got the same size/model liner and cheek pads.

If you're anywhere near South-East PA and are considering an ARAI, be sure to go to these guys. They will take care of you better than any other helmet retailer.

The Service Pavilion Homepage

 

[tr0uble]

I have a Nolan N90 and love it. No real cons that i can think of other than the normal things that come with modular helmets. Typically slightly heavier than than a normal full-face but that's about it in my opinion. It definitely fits in the tank storage on the NC100x as well. I know that from taking one on a test ride last week.

additional thoughts....saw some comments posted about concerns with a modular helmet popping oprn on a crash. The Nolan N90 has a failsafe system for opening and closing the helmet that will prevent this from happening. Look it up.

 

[frozenpoet]

FYI, a large EXO-1100 will not fit in the not-a-tank storage. It also does fog up in cold rain unless you crack the visor open.

That's good to know, which brings up another question. Those with xl helmets, have you had problems trying to get it to fit in the frunk?