Modular helmets, safe? Only for nerds?

Forum Sponsor
Snobike Mike said:
Most if not all of the modular mfg's state that having the bar closed is the correct/safe way to use these types of helmets. Not only would the helmet have it's structural integrity improved with the chinbar down, the chinbar is a huge thing to be hanging over your head that could get caught or who knows what if you happen to pitch it down the road.
Click to expand...

Most of the good ones say they're certified in open position...
 
omnivore said:
You'd have to tumble down the road and hit your head again in the same spot for that to be much detriment. Most fibre shells soften to their fabric state on the point of impact, so they too will offer little or no protection if you were to tumble and hit the same spot of the shell again. The benefit of fibre shells used to be their ability to stay together after the initial impact where plastic ones would come apart.....however, that isn't the case anymore as plastic ones can stay together too nowadays.

The EPS liner has a one time energy absorbing factor. Once it is crushed, it's junk. SO regaining shell shape doesn't mean anything if the foam underneath the shell has been compromised anyways. See the video and you will see an example of a helmet that has seen a huge impact, and shell looks undamaged, but the liner has been compromised inside.

GO to the 2:00 mark in this video to see what I mean- plastic shelled helmets do better in these tests than fibre helmets....10 yrs ago, a plastic helmet would crack or shatter.
[video=youtube;VA63gMKU6PM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA63gMKU6PM[/video]
Click to expand...


yeah. the foam is a one time shot, but what im talking about doesnt consider the foam at all.


when a plastic helmet makes contact, it deforms, then regains its shape. think about squeezing a plastic container. the action of regaining its shape makes the head move more than a fibred helmet would.

the bullet test is purely to ensure the integrity of the type of plastic used. not to test deceleration
 
Last edited:
Snobike Mike said:
I'm pretty sure Schuberth is good and I'm pretty sure they say it must be closed.

YMMV
Click to expand...

The Schuberth helmet manual specifically states that it is not certified with the chin bar up, nor should it be used while riding with it in the up position. Part of the helmet's design pinches the bottom edges tight when the front is closed, to help resist having the helmet come off in a crash.
 
I've got the BMW system6 helmet. Love it. Very light, very quiet. When i was looking at them it was one of the highest rated for safety. Flip up is a bonus as times, but you look like a king (or queen)dork with them up. For street riding I would get a flip up. Racing or track they're no no's. Wouldnt ride with it up, you're head is off balance.
 
If you are worried about your chin bar opening 'in an accident of a certain magnitude', then I think you are worried about the wrong thing.

I have a HJC CL-MAX and I don't worry about it coming open in an accident because if the accident was that severe then I probably will die on impact anyways.
Click to expand...

Plus 1

I like 3/4 first but use a modular in Australia as the rain is sooooo heavy and occasionally like this morning there may be some size large bugs about

I tend to ride with it up most often
 
Snobike Mike said:
I'm pretty sure Schuberth is good and I'm pretty sure they say it must be closed.

YMMV
Click to expand...

Fair enough. I could swear I was looking at models from Nolan, Shark, Scorpion, Roof, and more that specifically said it was certified open or closed.
Forum Sponsor
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom