Full Face Helmets

[JDuke1980]

Y o u guys ever consider flip up's? The wife and I have matching full-face-flip-up's that work great for our purposes. They tend to be a little noisier than regular full face in direct wind, but with the windscreen it's not that noticeable. It's just more convenient to be able to toss the front of the helmet up out of the way when you want. They also have built in sunglasses that slide down from above.

Modular's are great, especially for communicating at a red light. But, since we're going to have comm systems, I wanted a queiter helmet and figured the best thing would be a full face.
My wife's bike only has a small windshield too...

I have a Nexx X30 right now (it's been discontinured). It's light weight, and you can ride w/ the face shield up if you want to. But, there's no room for speakers. They saved on weight and the size of the helmet by putting in very little padding (almost none). Still a really comfy helmet though.

 

[JDuke1980]

I like my Icon Airframe a lot. I think they retail for around $250-$260. I got mine for $200 and think that's a bargain considering the quality.

What about wind noise? Is the ventilation good? They have some nice looking helmets.

 

[JDuke1980]

I had always turned my nose up a HJC's since they were the low man on the pole years ago, but they have come along way while still being relatively inexpensive.

We have a pair of HJC flip-up's now and I am very happy with their quality these days.
They have the extra features like removable liners and easily replaceable lenses in all different tints. They have the extra ear space for add-on blue tooth or stereo speakers, and they are now one-hand-lift fronts. I compare them to what Hyundai used to be and what they are now. They've come along way and still cost less than $250.

HJC doesn't fit my head right... I didn't realize how uncomforitable it was until I had something with a better fit though. My first 3 helmets were HJC. Now, when I try one on, it's just really uncomforitable.
I guess it's going to be hard to top the feel and weight of my Nexx...

 

[JDuke1980]

You might check the Nolan N-Com helmets. They are designed for Nolan's bluetooth intercom system.

I've only tried on one Nolan, it was used, I'll look into them again...
Thanks

 

[RocketDaryl]

What about wind noise? Is the ventilation good? They have some nice looking helmets.

Noise isn't bad and ventilation is good; on par with much more expensive helmets, IMO.

 

[JDuke1980]

An awesome lid and specially designed to accommodate speakers:

Bell Star 2010 - webBikeworld

If you can do with a 2009 model here's where to get one at an amazing price:

22 in stock at discount prices, including the Bell Star Ace of Clubs Helmet, Star Ace of Hearts Helmet, Star Contra Helmet, Star Gloss Black Helmet - 2009, Star Gloss Silver Helmet - 2009, Star Gobert Replica Helmet, Star Matte Black Helmet - 2009, S

I've been looking at these... I think I'm sold... Just have to convince the wife to let me order it w/out trying it on now... or find somewhere local to try one on.
Thanks alot for the link

 

[TriumPhil]

JDuke, the older helmets do run about a size large. Bell corrected the problem with their helmets that have the Snell 2010 approval, which seem to be true to size.

 

[JDuke1980]

An awesome lid and specially designed to accommodate speakers:

Bell Star 2010 - webBikeworld

If you can do with a 2009 model here's where to get one at an amazing price:

22 in stock at discount prices, including the Bell Star Ace of Clubs Helmet, Star Ace of Hearts Helmet, Star Contra Helmet, Star Gloss Black Helmet - 2009, Star Gloss Silver Helmet - 2009, Star Gobert Replica Helmet, Star Matte Black Helmet - 2009, S

You say it's specially designed to accommodate speakers?
I called Bell about their new Revolver helmet (a modular, but similar to the Star otherwise). I asked about speakers and they said their helmets weren't made for it and they didn't recommend putting speakers in a helmet...

But anyway, small speakers will fit in the Star?

 

[TriumPhil]

Thanks for the link.
What about wind noise? How is the ventilation?

I agree with the review that I posted above (you should read the whole thing). The Bell is the quietest of the four brands of fullfaced lids I have owned (Arai, Shoie, HJC and Bell) and it has, by far, the best ventilation of them all. As with most fullfaces, it's primarily the vents that make the most noise.

Scorpion makes a really good helmet, which, IMO, is unbeatable if only comparing MSRP price points. The Bell is a considerably more substantial lid, though (engineering, component materials & Snell approved).

 

[evomind]

i picked up the bell star in matte black, and picked up an hjc oprn face.
ill let ya all know someday after the snow clears.
i also bought the transitional shield for it.
only bad thing is that the matte black is a 100 bucks more than the gloss blk.
thanks