hymnz
Well-known member
Be prepared for a lot of wind buffeting if you go for a modular helmet.
Helmets - Modular or Full-Face?
- Thread starter Kent
- Start date
Priller
Well-known member
I thought part of the appeal was to be able to ride occasionally with the chin bar up and the breeze in your face? Is it just to get gas? If so, why bother? I pay at the pump 99% of the time now with zero need to flip/remove helmet, and if I'm stopping long enough for a bathroom break or a bite to eat, I'd rather just take the bloody thing off. Horses for courses, etc., I'm not buying one any time soon so I'm not the target demo, but for the riding I do, I don't see the benefit of something you can't ride comfortably with it open.Could always close the chin bar and visor when riding...
Ones like the Shoei Neotec are like sails when up:
Were I in the market for one, I'd want something like the Shark OXO (boullion?), where the chinbar rotates all the way back and sits flush, like this:
Or the Airoh Mathisse II:
Still get an ECE 22.06 rating, but if you're doing quick urban blats or just like the field of view an open face gives you sometimes, it works way better. Lets you use the clear visor with it open, too.
Anyway, just a counter-point to the snark...
I'm back to using a flip-up helmet with my Shoei Neotech that I bought in 2016. It is my second flip-up helmet with a Schuberth C? being my first many years ago. I've always been a Shoei RF user (200, 700, 900 series), but I much prefer the flip-up option for speaking to people, taking pics, etc.
Forgot to mention, I like the pop down sun visor in these helmets.
I'd like a quiet helmet, but those only exist when magazines do helmet reviews.
I have always used earplugs.As for helmet prices, what the hell are dealers smoking these days?
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My use case for the modular is for touring mostly.
Flip the chin bar up to talk to tolls, customs, your buddies at stop lights, asking for directions, take a picture at the side of the road with my DSLR through the viewfinder, grab a quick bite or drink, all without having to take off the helmet.
Modulars are a great helmet for instructing as well. You can demonstrate to students on the bike and then immediately flip the chin bar up to talk to them and get full-face engagement without taking the helmet on and off.
I do ride at city speeds with the chin bar up, not that much buffetting at 60 km/h or below, but I don't think these things were ever meant to be ridden chin bar up at highway speeds. Not without a huge windscreen.
I own multiple helmets so if I'm just riding without the need for flipping up, I'll either take my full-face or dirt bike helmet.
Different tools for different jobs. Pros and cons for each.
I've been using a modular for years. Wear glasses, works well for me overall. I ride with it "open" very seldom, certainly good when going through small towns with brutal heat and humidity.
When shopping for one ensure it has at least a 4 star rating and that the latch locking the flip up part of the helmet actually works.
This is my current helmet. $300 on sale at GP when I purchased it.
LS2 FF399 Valiant - SHARP
sharp.dft.gov.uk
Same here. Here’s my modular. I didn’t think it rated that high. I have a Shoei head and this helmet fits great. Picked this up at the show a few years ago for $200. Thanks for the link @PrillerI've been using a modular for years. Wear glasses, works well for me overall. I ride with it "open" very seldom, certainly good when going through small towns with brutal heat and humidity.
When shopping for one ensure it has at least a 4 star rating and that the latch locking the flip up part of the helmet actually works.
This is my current helmet. $300 on sale at GP when I purchased it.
LS2 FF399 Valiant - SHARP
Shark Evo-One - SHARP
sharp.dft.gov.uk
Priller
Well-known member
100% of tests had the face guard stay closed, so I'd say that's a win right there, as many modulars have it pop open at least once. I'm a big fan of Shark, as long as you don't pay Canadian MSRP. The OXO above is the updated version of the Evo with ECE 22.06 certification...Same here. Here’s my modular. I didn’t think it rated that high. I have a Shoei head and this helmet fits great. Picked this up at the show a few years ago for $200. Thanks for the link @Priller
Shark Evo-One - SHARP
