Flip up helmets.. any advice ?
Discussion
Thinking of a new crash helmet soon, and the idea of a flip type seems appealing.
Seems more comfortable and convenient for touring. Riding slowly in traffic with the flip open to allow extra cooling on hot days and being able to chat with your riding mates easy etc.
Any things I should be aware off, best makes to buy ?
The Nolan N100-5 on Sports Bike shop looks good and has decent reviews. I like the clean simple styling too. (Not into the Storm trooper look)
I've a budget up to say £300.
Cheers
Seems more comfortable and convenient for touring. Riding slowly in traffic with the flip open to allow extra cooling on hot days and being able to chat with your riding mates easy etc.
Any things I should be aware off, best makes to buy ?
The Nolan N100-5 on Sports Bike shop looks good and has decent reviews. I like the clean simple styling too. (Not into the Storm trooper look)
I've a budget up to say £300.
Cheers
You can get Schuberth C3 pro's for under £300 on FC moto, that would be my choice.
https://www.fc-moto.de/epages/fcm.sf/en_GB/?ViewAc...
https://www.fc-moto.de/epages/fcm.sf/en_GB/?ViewAc...
I'm a real flip front helmet fan. I think they are so much easier for general use. My last 3 helmets have all been Schuberth C3 or C4 and I have been extremely happy with them.
There are some down sides though:
Generally they are a bit heavier than an equivalent full face.
They are often not ideal for "lean forward" sports bikes, especially if a PinLock is fitted as you tend to wnat to look through the very top of the visor.
They can be noisier than an equivalent full face, although one of the reasons I went for the Schuberths is that they are (comparatively) extremely quiet.
The "power ranger" crowd think they're really naff. (That's not necessarily a bad thing.
)
There are some down sides though:
Generally they are a bit heavier than an equivalent full face.
They are often not ideal for "lean forward" sports bikes, especially if a PinLock is fitted as you tend to wnat to look through the very top of the visor.
They can be noisier than an equivalent full face, although one of the reasons I went for the Schuberths is that they are (comparatively) extremely quiet.
The "power ranger" crowd think they're really naff. (That's not necessarily a bad thing.
)Been wearing Shark Evo of various models for nearly 10 years now as my "go to" helmet
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
get the ES model for best value or the "One 2" model more expensive but also includes a pinlock if you need that.
its dual homologated so tested and crash tested in both modes (many flip ups are not designed to be ridden open, just open when stationary)
They are about £250-300 depending on model/colour. Really good quality, quiet ish and no heavier than many full face helmets.
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
get the ES model for best value or the "One 2" model more expensive but also includes a pinlock if you need that.
its dual homologated so tested and crash tested in both modes (many flip ups are not designed to be ridden open, just open when stationary)
They are about £250-300 depending on model/colour. Really good quality, quiet ish and no heavier than many full face helmets.
bogie said:
Been wearing Shark Evo of various models for nearly 10 years now as my "go to" helmet
https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
get the ES model for best value or the "One 2" model more expensive but also includes a pinlock if you need that.
its dual homologated so tested and crash tested in both modes (many flip ups are not designed to be ridden open, just open when stationary)
They are about £250-300 depending on model/colour. Really good quality, quiet ish and no heavier than many full face helmets.
Seconded. And thanks for saving me from typing almost word for word what you have. https://www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk/motorcycle_parts/...
get the ES model for best value or the "One 2" model more expensive but also includes a pinlock if you need that.
its dual homologated so tested and crash tested in both modes (many flip ups are not designed to be ridden open, just open when stationary)
They are about £250-300 depending on model/colour. Really good quality, quiet ish and no heavier than many full face helmets.
samdale said:
Do you all wear glasses? Risk of something in the eye, even at low speeds really puts me off. Riding with mates I have an intercom so only real bonus I can see is going in to pay for fuel.
I wear glasses, but the Shark Evo has a sun visor you can have down independently and the visor down with the front open. Its more like a jet style helmet when open, not just a flip front. I do have the optional Shark intercom which has great noise cancelling, callers can barely tell you are on a bike chatting at 60mph whether the helmet front is up or down. Not that I use the phone much, I mostly wear headphones for navigation but you cannot separate the mic.Surely the correct answer is buy the one that fits correctly? Try a load on if you can, most of the manufacturers make a flip front. Buy the one that is the correct size and is comfortable.
I only made that 'expensive' mistake once. FWIW, I wear the Shoei Neotec 2, but have gone through the Syncrotec, multitec etc. You may be able to pick up an older model/ design for your budget, otherwise they're a bit pricey.
I tired Shark, Schuberth and Nolan but neither fitted right. I had to wear the Nolan for ages until I could replace it, terrible helmet for me.
My full face is a HJC, and is really comfortable, but oddly, their flip front doesn't fit right either?
I only made that 'expensive' mistake once. FWIW, I wear the Shoei Neotec 2, but have gone through the Syncrotec, multitec etc. You may be able to pick up an older model/ design for your budget, otherwise they're a bit pricey.
I tired Shark, Schuberth and Nolan but neither fitted right. I had to wear the Nolan for ages until I could replace it, terrible helmet for me.
My full face is a HJC, and is really comfortable, but oddly, their flip front doesn't fit right either?
Edited by nordboy on Wednesday 28th July 13:28
I've had Caberg, Nolan and HJC flip fronts. The HJC was the best of the lot, good SHARP ratings, comfy and well ventilated. The Nolan was heavy, noisy and steamed up even with a pinlock. The Caberg was years ago but was a decent lid and they get superb SHARP ratings as a general rule.
If you want to get one to ride with the chinbar up get a dual homologated one. The Nolan and Caberg were, the HJC wasn't.
If you want to get one to ride with the chinbar up get a dual homologated one. The Nolan and Caberg were, the HJC wasn't.
hi i have a nolan n-1005 so can wade in.
it generally feels really well made, good quality materials etc, quite light. i dont use the flip up option anywhere as near as much as i though i would as the wind gets far to strong even at low speeds. It is quite nice in conjunction with the visor down though. I do whip it up when its hot in stationary traffic but not that frequently tbh - reason i mention this is, in my experience the additional noise isnt worth the trade off for noise.
it does seem quite loud which i was disappointed with. Its my first helmet and bike so i dont have much to compare with but i'd be surprised if they were all like this because it really is annoying at high speeds even with ear plugs. It might be a combo of my height + windscreen aiming it directly at my head.
its never steamed up once though and ive now used it in all sorts of weather.
also if you havent worn a flip up before, they put a bit more pressure on your forehead than a typical helmet when its open. its not uncomfortable but mine makes me look like im frowning (more than usual)
it generally feels really well made, good quality materials etc, quite light. i dont use the flip up option anywhere as near as much as i though i would as the wind gets far to strong even at low speeds. It is quite nice in conjunction with the visor down though. I do whip it up when its hot in stationary traffic but not that frequently tbh - reason i mention this is, in my experience the additional noise isnt worth the trade off for noise.
it does seem quite loud which i was disappointed with. Its my first helmet and bike so i dont have much to compare with but i'd be surprised if they were all like this because it really is annoying at high speeds even with ear plugs. It might be a combo of my height + windscreen aiming it directly at my head.
its never steamed up once though and ive now used it in all sorts of weather.
also if you havent worn a flip up before, they put a bit more pressure on your forehead than a typical helmet when its open. its not uncomfortable but mine makes me look like im frowning (more than usual)
Edited by rexwexford. on Wednesday 28th July 17:24
black-k1 said:
They can be noisier than an equivalent full face, although one of the reasons I went for the Schuberths is that they are (comparatively) extremely quiet.
Likely not fitting correctly if that's the case, a quality flip should be quieter, because you slide your head in from the front, rather than pulling it over your head, so the neck roll can be made much much tighter (which is where the airflow, and thus noise, comes from in a helmet).I have a Shoei Neotec which is a lovely helmet, but it doesn't really suit my head shape so isn't comfortable. Annoying, really.
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