Schuberth vs. Nolan vs. Shoei....

[braddog]

Hello All,
Any time there's a helmet thread in "Gear", I'm one of the first to say that while I like my current lid, a Nolan N100E, I'll want to replace it with a non-flipup due mostly to the noise I experience. My Nolan is now 6 years old, getting a little musty and long in the tooth. Time for it to be replaced.

Well, after trying on a lot of non-flip type helmets, now I'm not so sure. Nolan has the newer N102, Schuberth has the S1 as well as the C2, and Shoei has a new flipup as well. In other words, it may be worthwhile to investigate a bit.

Right now, the leading candidate to replace my Nolan is the Shoei RF1000 (non-flipup). It seems quiet, fits my head right, price is not too bad. However, I've also read some reviews that talk about how quiet the new Schuberth's are. I'm also reading that Nolan has made many improvements to the N102 as well. Same with the new Shoei flip.

So, what say you out there in the field that may own one of these models? Are they indeed quieter than previous models? Which brand/model seems the most practical? Yes, yes, I wear earplugs, but sometimes for shorter rides, I'd rather skip that step. Any other decent flipups (quiet ones only, please) that I may have missed?

 

[sheridesabeemer]

I can't compare noise levels between your old Nolan and the Shoei RF1000, but I have found the RF1000 to be the noisiest helmet I've owned. Made my previous RF800 seem quiet! Thanks to the quality venting in this helmet, there is always a rush of air going past your ears. I can't ride a mile if I've forgotten the ear plugs. This is also a very cold helmet if you are a Rounder, again, due to vents that can't be closed.

 

[Jasper]

S1

I purchased my S1 from Germany so I could get the factory pre-wired Bluetooth version. I love the helmet and it is much more quiet than my previous Shoei RF800. I always wore ear plugs w/ the Shoei but I find the noise doesnÔÇÖt seem to bother me with the S1.

The only disappointment w/ the helmet is that the face shield doesnÔÇÖt shut at 40mph or whatever they advertised. The pin-lok feature is available on this helmet also and it virtually eliminates any issues w/ fogging.

 

[paulsibek]

My .02

I just replaced my 4 year old Nolan N100E with a brand new Nolan N100E, same size and colour.

I just don't think that for me there is any helmet that is much better. It't fits me very well, is as quiet as a flip up can be and is a better quality helmet that my Shuberth. The Shuwas fraying around the edges of the liner after 4 years, not even my Bieffe Flip up disintegrated lke that. The new helmet is slightly more "rounder" than the slightly oval shaped helmet it replaced, the guy at Nolan confirmed that.

I paid around $100 for the new Nolan.

The Shoei is probably $400something and I can't see where it is better, I like the chinbar release better on the Shoei, it's in the center, Nolan is on either side but the left opens for one handed opening...

Also Nolan has a wide range of face shields and the sun visor thing that I like better than the Shuberth.

Also, I hada reason to call their suport line and the guy I spoke with was very helpful and proactive.

 

[lazywizard02]

I just received my new Caberg Justissimo flip up w/inner flip down sunvisor. It is definietly quieter than the ole HJC and with conventional earplugs is satisfactory. Flips ups may always gen more noise due to structure but this one passes the first test. I'll get some custom fit earplugs in Daytona.

The minor negative is that the XL size fits a bit closer on the chin than the HJC did. Guess that's a confession I got a big head??

 

[paul_f]

I can't compare noise levels between your old Nolan and the Shoei RF1000, but I have found the RF1000 to be the noisiest helmet I've owned. Made my previous RF800 seem quiet! Thanks to the quality venting in this helmet, there is always a rush of air going past your ears. I can't ride a mile if I've forgotten the ear plugs. This is also a very cold helmet if you are a Rounder, again, due to vents that can't be closed.

And I was so pleased when I got my RF1000 because it was so quiet compared to my flip up Schubert. However, I usually ride with the top vents closed because of the noise that they create. Instead, I pop open the visor a crack every so often. There are three vents on the front and one at the back. All of mine open and close. Which ones of yours do not?

I found a dealer that let me take the helmet for a ride before putting my money down. Wouldn't that be the best way to buy all helmets?

 

[braddog]

I found a dealer that let me take the helmet for a ride before putting my money down. Wouldn't that be the best way to buy all helmets?

That would be a fantastic option. Don't get me wrong, there are many things that I love about my Nolan. It fits me great. I really like the strap clip as opposed to D-rings. Having the front flipped up makes it easy to take on and off. So, really, the noise factor is a major deal. It's something that I'm looking to reduce. From almost everything that I've read, flipups just tend to be noisier. But then I read posts from people that claim that their newer flip-ups are quite quiet, and I read Gail's post about how noisy her RF1000 is.

Keep posting, folks, this is all very much appreciated. At the end of the day, it's me who's going to have to make the decision, and things like fit, and feel will ultimately be as important as noise reduction. But I'd sure like to get it down.

 

[rdalland]

I've been wearing a System III helmet for ten years. I purchased a C2 helmet recently. The C2, in my experience, is considerably quieter than the System III. I remember thinking "wow, this is really quiet" the first time I wore it.

I have no idea how the noise level compares to a non flip up helmet, but the Schuberths have come a long way in ten years. The addition of the internal sun visor is brilliant.

 

[Kenn45]

I replaced my Schuberth Concept at last year's national. I tried on the Nolan 102 and the new Concept. The Concept had a collar that closed around my neck. I think it was to reduce noise, but I couldn't stand the feel of it. I bought the N102 for around half the price. I wore it for the rest of the trip (more than 1500 mi) and it fit right from the beginning. I use ear plug all the time, but it seems a little quieter and much lighter than my discarded Schuberth. I liked the interior sunshade on the Concept better than the exterior one on the Nolan primarily because when I crack the visor, the shade lifts. The Nolan was much more Autocom friendly than the Schuberth and changing visors is easier (for me). I also opted for the light smoke visor. I use it all the time, but I don't ride much at night anymore. I live in big time deer country. I would recommend the Nolan--especially for the price. For the bottom line, though, I will echo the advice of many others. There is no substitute for the right fit. Get the one that fits the most comfortably. You are in for a longterm relationship.

 

[pj1150r]

anyone have any input on hjc symax helmet? wondering how it compares to others,i have one,but wonder how it stacks up.

 

[screamineagle]

I just replaced my 4 year old Nolan N100E with a brand new Nolan N100E, same size and colour.



I paid around $100 for the new Nolan.

.

Paul,
Is that a mistake or did you really get a Nolan for $100. Is that a flip up. Where did you get it.

 

[paulsibek]

I bought the Nolan

From a guy who bought it wore it once and was selling it. I think I actually paid 120 for it with shipping.

I see them for well under 200 all over the www and its a great price for a great helmet.

 

[marcopolo]

Check Reviews In WebBikeWorld

Why not check out the reviews of dozens of helmets on WebBikeWorld:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm

I now have an Arai Quantum/f, but just ordered an HJC Ac-12 carbon fibre helmet. Several people on another discussion board were impressed by theirs, and it got a positive review on WebBikeWorld. They're not necessarily the final word, but they do try lots of helmets (and other gear).

 

[Timba]

I have a Shoei X11, an HJC Symax flip up, and a Schuberth C2 flip up.

The Shoei is is comfy for up to 8 hours, and quiet.
comfort= 8 out of 10
quiet = 9 out of 10

The HJC is much less expensive, and it shows. The padding is much coarser. It does take an autocom setup pretty easily. The chinbar release is easy to operate one handed. I get a couple of sore spots after 2-3 hours.
comfort = 6 out of 10
quiet = 5 out of 10

The Shuberth is pricey as heck, but it shows. The padding, fit and finish, and noise level are excellent. I wore it on a two-week six thousand mile trip that included an ss1000 and a bb1500, and it was great.
comfort = 8 out of 10
quiet = 8 out of 10

Hope this helps...

 

[braddog]

Good tip, thanks!

Why not check out the reviews of dozens of helmets on WebBikeWorld:

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm

I now have an Arai Quantum/f, but just ordered an HJC Ac-12 carbon fibre helmet. Several people on another discussion board were impressed by theirs, and it got a positive review on WebBikeWorld. They're not necessarily the final word, but they do try lots of helmets (and other gear).

Reviews of many helmets and much gear, good stuff. The bottom line is that I'll have to make a choice and go with it. I appreciate all of the info here so far.

 

[flymymbz]

Better half and I both have C2's, Nolan N102's and the Caberg Justissimos.

Schuberth is by far the quietest. But you can't get the visor in any color but clear. Fairly comfortable and it fits nice. Cost the most $$.

Nolan isn't bad. It is louder than the C2, and the outside shade visor is OK, but if you lift the face shield to get some ventilation, you loose the shade. But you can get the face shield in several different colors (blue, smoke, yellow, etc). Heading into the sunset with the smoked visor, shade visor down and sunglasses on, you can practically stare directly at the sun.

I only have 25 miles on the Caberg. So far, I like it. Noise level is the same as the Nolan (so far), but the ride was on city streets. It fits a lot different than the other two, I keep feeling like I need to tug the helmet down even further. I THINK that they cut it a bit higher in the back to keep it from rubbing on a jacket collar. The visor seems to work OK, it was overcast out, and I really didn't get a chance to use it. The strap fastner/clip thingie was kinda of clumsy, but I'm sure I'll get used to it.

I wanted to go for a ride today and use it, but for some reason, Mother Nature decided to present us with about 6" of snow..... --sigh--

 

[hortok]

anyone have any input on hjc symax helmet? wondering how it compares to others,i have one,but wonder how it stacks up.

I bought an HJC Symax last year to replace a Shoei flip up. It's much more quiet, the insides can come out to wash'm, it's warmer and it fits my head better. It's a bit short front to back but fits very well side to side.

 

[1flyer]

Are there any dealers for the C2 helmet in the US? I've got a Schuberth now and I'm happy with it but it's 4 years old and has 70+K on it. I need to either replace it or fix some minor problems.

 

[braddog]

Are there any dealers for the C2 helmet in the US? I've got a Schuberth now and I'm happy with it but it's 4 years old and has 70+K on it. I need to either replace it or fix some minor problems.

When I googled "Schuberth helmets", I came up with this site. It looks like they're out of Costa Mesa. I have no experience with them, but it looks like they've got a very wide selection of helmets, including Schuberth.

Click here ---> http://www.extremesupply.com

 

[1flyer]

Thanks Brad. You have to wonder if they are the only source of supply in the US. I've got a contact in Europe that can get me what I need but was hoping for a CONUS source. I'll give them a call and see if they carry the parts I need. If not I'm in the market for sometrhing new.