full face helmets vs. flip ups

[BRADFORDBENN]

I like my Arai full face better then my Scheuberth Flip. The Arai is lighter and quieter for me. The key is to get one, flip up or full, that you feel comfortable with. You want to be able to wear it. I personally will not purchase another flip up, and I just purchased a 2nd Arai.

 

[gregfeeler]

I like my Arai full face better then my Scheuberth Flip. The Arai is lighter and quieter for me. The key is to get one, flip up or full, that you feel comfortable with. You want to be able to wear it. I personally will not purchase another flip up, and I just purchased a 2nd Arai.

Are the ears extra $$$??

 

[dancogan]

Are the ears extra $$$??

I don't think those ears are attached to the helmet. I think they're attached to Brad!

 

[hawkrider]

I did some checking, and it was the June, 2005 issue of Motor Cyclist with the hemet test called "Blowing The Lid Off".....

They (MC) did a follow up article in the November issue: "Blowing The Lid Off: Part Deux". It was full of more great, no pulled punches, info. I still have my copy and more than happy to share.

Where is a millionaire when you need one?

I happen to be a millionaire! I have buckets of money all over my mansion, and my vast garage which is full of a wide variety of rare bikes and cars, and ......huh, what? Darn, just woke up. I love that dream!

 

[hawkrider]

.....and another 2 cents.

Does anyone know of any "flip up" helmets that are both DOT and snell approved?

Although this is not a "DOT and Snell" answer, I recommend a Schuberth flip up. They are approved by the European equivalent. I was always in doubt as to the structural integrity (in a crash) of a flip up. I good freind recently had a real bad get off while wearing the Shuberth model. The front of it looked like it was bashed with a club multiple times, but the chin piece stayed in place and he had no (zero) head injuries. It definitely changed my mind on this type and brand (expensive) of helmet.

 

[BRADFORDBENN]

I don't think those ears are attached to the helmet. I think they're attached to Brad!

Yup

 

[braddog]

I've got a Nolan N100E....

First and foremost, I bought it because it fits me great, and is very comfortable. I don't wear prescription glasses to ride, so the flipup isn't a big feature for me.

What I don't like about the helmet is that it's very noisy, and the liner is not removable for cleaning. If you're riding with a crosswind, the roar in my ears is unbearable, even with earplugs.

My Nolan has been a good helmet for 5 years, but I'm going to replace it this next season with a regular full face. Not sure exactly which one yet, I'm still looking. My next helmet will be a regular full face, with a removable/washable liner and decent venting.

I'll agree with those that talk about comfort and fit. Those are extremely important. Look at all the features of a helmet to make the final decision.

 

[gregfeeler]

First and foremost, I bought it because it fits me great, and is very comfortable. I don't wear prescription glasses to ride, so the flipup isn't a big feature for me.

What I don't like about the helmet is that it's very noisy, and the liner is not removable for cleaning. If you're riding with a crosswind, the roar in my ears is unbearable, even with earplugs.

I'm not sure when they started doing this, but for the last year or better - IIRC - all the Nolan's have removable, washable liners. The one I bought last fall did.

Personally, I've not noticed a lot of noise - I should say worse noise - in a side wind. But, I haven't really worn standard full face helments, so may not be a good judge. Plus, noise is very much a personal call.

I'll agree with those that talk about comfort and fit. Those are extremely important. Look at all the features of a helmet to make the final decision.

Exactly.

 

[braddog]

Greg, my Nolan is now going on 6 years old. And it's getting a little "stinky".

And it's noisy. Maybe the new ones are better, but I think this time around I'm going for the 1-piece.

 

[Stuff2c]

Snell and Flip lids.
I read somewhere (I think I've read half the internet...I need to get out an ride more). The reason Snell does not approve a flip helmet is they (Snell) strike the chin bar twice and the DOT only strikes it once in their test. The second strike to the chin bar causes failure of all latch systems in some manner on all flip up helmets. Sorry don't remember where I read that...maybe the Snell website.

 

[gregfeeler]

Greg, my Nolan is now going on 6 years old. And it's getting a little "stinky".

And it's noisy. Maybe the new ones are better, but I think this time around I'm going for the 1-piece.

It's good to try different gear: helmets, jackets, tires, etc. You end up finding what works for you.

 

[Kenny2]

Testing Flip ups

This site tested the flip up helmets. They also incorporated the impact to the chin bar. There was NO failure, but one helmet did transfer the force to the "head".

I wear a Nolan and enjoy it. I have done a BB1500 in this helmet with no problems, (hot spots). I also like the ability of removing the liner and washing it. I am waiting for the N102 with bluetooth to arrive in the states.

 

[sgborgstrom]

Clipped from snell

Why won't Snell certify some types of helmets like flip up front designs?
Snell does not dismiss out of hand any helmet design that strays from the conventional. Snell does not point out any design specifications other than general requirements in our standards. We are however, always concerned with innovations and new designs that may effect the helmet's ability to protect the wearer, or in some cases the helmets potential to cause injury. At present the Foundation has not had the opportunity to test any of the flip up front type helmets for certification. We do not find any fault with these designs as long as they are used according to the manufacturers instructions and meet all of the requirements of the standard. We will also certify any size of helmet as long as it meets the same requirements as any other Snell certified helmet.

So, as of the last update of their FAQs nobody has asked them to certify a flip-up helmet.

Does it matter? Depends on how much stock you put in Snell's tests. I read the Motorcyclist article referenced above too and it certainly sounded like while Snell may be the big dog on the block it may not be the best way to certify helmets.

I don't know the answer, at some point all I can do is go AGATT and hope for the best.

Steve

 

[mika]

Snell 2005 Standard for Motorcycle Helmets

http://www.smf.org/pdf/standards/m2005final1204.pdf

This is the Snell Standard published for 2005, updating the 2000 standard. In my brief read the chin bar is part of the issue. The secondary issue is how the head is protected by the shell if the flip up is removed.

 

[robdogg]

Greg, my Nolan is now going on 6 years old. And it's getting a little "stinky".

And it's noisy. Maybe the new ones are better, but I think this time around I'm going for the 1-piece.

They are much better; the padding is much improved. It is formed more like a persons head; so the noise is reduced; mainly because the padding acts as a sound insulator. Most research I have done regarding the noise factor indicates that noise has to do mostly with

A. The vents; and other protrusions; but primarily open vents which understandably create a certain amount of noise from the wind rushing in and by them

B. The opening around the base of the helmet; again, from the wind rushing past the opening

So it seems neither of these have to do with a flip up style vs one piece per se - I have a Jarrow Mono X-2 and it's quiter then some one piece helmets I've owned. Many people claim the Shubert C2 is the quietest helmet they've owned; and interestingly, it seems also to have form fitting padding.

Just thought I'd mention it in case you find after buying a one piece, it's not all that much quieter - it may be, but there might be other factors other then the one piece vs. modular design.

 

[BRADFORDBENN]

Greg, my Nolan is now going on 6 years old. And it's getting a little "stinky".

And it's noisy. Maybe the new ones are better, but I think this time around I'm going for the 1-piece.

Braddog-

I would recommend getting a new helmet. From what I have read, not even from the manufacturers but other people, you should replace your helmet every five years.

The main reason is that that foam inside will start to compress just from use. In addition there can be degredation to the external shell from UV exposure. Plus you will find that the new helmets are typically lighter and better.

 

[REBECCAV]

After dropping my faithful HJC full face one too many times last season, I bought a Nolan X1002. I can't wait to try it out! I've never had a flip-up.

 

[ppaintguy]

A thought for anyone buying a new lid, take a look at an article run by Motorcyclist Magazine a few months ago regarding the independant crash testing of helmets of all kinds of brands, and how it pertains to ratings such as Snell and DOT versus the EU ratings. Some shocking info revealed and may change your selection criteria too.

 

[ppaintguy]

Greg, my Nolan is now going on 6 years old. And it's getting a little "stinky".

And it's noisy. Maybe the new ones are better, but I think this time around I'm going for the 1-piece.

The age would say change it, but the stink is controllable with a shot of Febreeze periodically...safe and really helps too.

 

[bubbagazoo]

Helmet Testing Standards

A thought for anyone buying a new lid, take a look at an article run by Motorcyclist Magazine a few months ago regarding the independant crash testing of helmets of all kinds of brands, and how it pertains to ratings such as Snell and DOT versus the EU ratings. Some shocking info revealed and may change your selection criteria too.

Something I was quite surprised by regarding the differences between North American and European testing standards is that manufacturers of ECE 22-05 certified helmets cannot ship any batch of helmets until a random sample from that batch has been tested. If the sample(s) fail the tests, then the batch is destroyed rather than distributed for sale. There is no such requirement for the North American standards. The manufacturers may test on their own but once they have gotten the approval to put a sticker on a helmet model, they can manufacture as many batches as they want and ship them before any standards testing is done. I, personally, like the peace of mind that comes from knowing that my helmet had to pass a test before leaving the factory.

On the matter of full face vs flip up, the missus and I bought the best helmet that we could afford that were ECE 22-05/DOT approved and were comfortable. We looked at a selection of both flip up and full face and finally settled on Shark S800 helmets because they were the ones that fit best. And they look good too.

That's my two cents worth of commentary on this subject.