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it's just rumour and myth that a flip-front is not as strong as a full bucket-type; for any type of motorcycling incident that we are likely to experience while travelling.

I know a paramedic who would seriously disagree with you there!

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if you're going to go with 'what people say', then why do UK cops (known for their love of security standards) use flip-up lids; if they are so poor ?

Police wear them so they don't have to keep taking off their lid when talking to motorists.

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as I say, the only measurement we have are the standards that helmets are put through. flip-ups (in the closed position) and full-facers meet the same standards.

Currently, the DOT standard does not require chin bar testing.


Despite this, I've worn em for years.
Dave.

yeah, we all know a paramedic with horror stories. I know one that has horror stories about alcohol consumption, but I still drink.

I just think it's got to be put into perspective. Fine if some people are a bit paranoid about safety and won't use a flip-up for personal reasons. but, come on, the benefits far outweigh the risks for most of us mere mortals.

Personally and thats all I can speak of/from, I would not wear one. Much like others have said I fail to see how they could be as strong or as durable in a crash.

• I probably would listen more to the people that make helmets rather than standards results for a number or reasons.
• Standards do change and in the most case only get tougher.
• Helmet A & B both pass but does that mean they both passed by the same amount and just as safe. Some helmets pass and others far exceed the "standard" during testing.

I would not wear one because I am about reducing the possibilities for injury and the "benefits" that they may bring don't outweigh that for me.

I was only talking about the chin bar...... Not the rest of the lid !!

Now I'm sure that a chin bar on a £500 flip helmet is as good or even better than on a £60 "one piece" helmet, but once you get into quality lids, that's simply not the case...

I never said don't buy one or don't wear one.. Just that it's something to be considered.

The chances of it making a difference are of course, impossible to calculate but if I'm flying over the front of my handlebars after hitting a car (like I have done), I'd prefer my chin to protected by a solid steel bar rather than a couple of plastic clips or a few 6mm screws.

You'l never see any racer in street biking/MX/Enduro wearing a flip ( they could talk to the camera men and their crew easier)... The only exception is that the "Trails" guys wear open face but they only hop up and down sewer pipes !

Personal preference isn't it ! Anyway, this isn't what the OP was asking ! Someone advise him on a nice flip lid

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

Why would you think that? Twenty years in engineering sales here, 15 of them in automotive stuff. Price and cost are completely unrelated. The £60 lid is £60 because the fine for not wearing one in Italy is close to that price and there isn't really that much else going for that brand. The £500 one includes some extra costs related to graphics and advertising but after that it's simply that the market associates price with safety and branding.

The only fact is that both passed the same very basic test which proves they won't make a crash worse. Beyond that there is no evidence.

Andy

I am not to sure about that. I think there is a huge difference between a Aldi special and a top of the line Shoei or Arai. As I said before some "pass" a test and other far exceed a test. That (although i don't agree with all their findings) was shown in the helmet tests in the UK in the last couple of years. Sharp tests ? can't remember the name..

BACK ON BLOODY TRACK!!!

I have a Nolan N103 flip front helmet, and recommend it to anyone who isn't on a sports bike. The only reason I say it's not good for those is that the top of the visor opening is a little too low, and when I crane my neck to the position required on my sports bike, I can't see far enough up the road...

So, for everything else I think it's perfect.

When the sun come out the internal visor flips down, so no need to wear sunglasses unless its mega bright.

On fast road sections and in the rain you have the front down so you get full wind / rain protection.

Off road you flip the front up and have a totally clear view of the road ahead / your bike - not even a chin bar in the way.

It has a pinlock visor, so absolutely doesn't mist up.

It has speaker cut-outs moulded in so fitting an auto-com is easy. It even has provision for Nolan's Bluetooth headset system (if you justify the cost).

Only two drawbacks in my opinion are:

1. The weight - it is slightly heavier than a similar full face since the hinge adds weight.

2. It's a bit noisier than a full face because the hinge mechanism add width.

A final plus for the Nolan in particular though, is the design of the hinge: it uses a 'rotating cam' design, which means the chinbar ends up very snug to the top of the helmet, not waving 6 inches above in the breeze once it's opened.

PERSONALLY, I rate it above the Multitech since it is cheaper, has an internal visor, and the clever hinge design.




Any one else got endorements of their flip fronts? (And not you opinion of whether they're safe or not!!)

Schuberth C3 Motorcycle Helmets. Sound Distribution - UK supplier of Schuberth motorcycle helmets

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Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."

Wow - a simple question is asked about fliptop lids one day ago and it gets dozens of replies. What a hot topic.

I did a presentation at Ripley and strongly suggested a flip top lid. It IS much more friendly at police check points and just in general. I have a Shoei multitech (Silver) and think they are great.

I also suggested people think about getting a shaded visor. I find it much easier than sunglasses.

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I didn't realise I'd started such a hotbed of discussion! I think I saw your talk, that's what prompted me to ask! I like the Schuberth C3 currently . . . the quest continues!

Interesting !! Although, I think that's a case of sponsorship and pocketing fat wedges of cash to promote something you might not really chose to use yourself...

__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

JediMaster - I would like to ride off road; The username is an aspirational one! I'm getting into this travelling life slowly. I have big future plans . . . .

I don't think I'll ever be as hard core as Dave Lomax appears to be (having heard him speak at the HU meet), but I will do some in the future in my own way.

I like the idea of the internal visor - I'm giving the C3 serious though. I need to try to remove the small amount of leather, though (see HU meet post!).

That's an interesting point of view ,you've obviously given this matter a lot of thought .

__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."