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!!)

Thank you for the replies so far. Whilst I'm interested in the broader take people have taken for this thread (and I'm finding it interesting), I would also appreciate comments on my original question please! The Nolan sounds interesting; I've looked at the Schuberth C3 as well, which is supposed to be quieter (but looks quite scary when the front is down!). At the moment, my first thought is the Shoei, but I'm looking for further suggestions . . . . .

I might have been one of the people that Endurodude referred to as I mentioned this in my session on Morocco.

In the winter time I use a BMW System V flip top. As I enter villages and towns I normally raise the top so I don't look like a Darth Vader character. With a fliptop I can easily eat and drink on the move (with some helmets it's almost impossible to get a hydration tube through).

With a standard helmet the only way to get some air in is to raise the visor, but I don't want to do this as I get wind in my eyes. So in summer time I remove the chin bar and short visor and stick on the convertors to make it into an open face (or what BMW calls a Jet Helmet) with the longer visor. This way I get lots of air in but with the visor still in place.

I looked at the BMW System VI helmet which has a nice sunshade pull down but it doesn't covert into an open face so that's a no-no for me.

The only thing I would really like is a sunshade for when I'm riding into the setting sun. It seems I am always riding west in the evening!

__________________
"For sheer delight there is nothing like altitude; it gives one the thrill of adventure
and enlarges the world in which you live," Irving Mather (1892-1966)

Thanks for the suggestion, Tim. Unfortunately, I was at work when you spoke about Morocco; I was gutted, as I REALLY want to go next year, and it would have been really useful. I've had a look at the BMW system 6, but I might check out the 5.

Shuberth Concept: Overweight, doesn't age well (linings worn through), overpriced.

Roof Boxer: Not a true flip front, just a styled visor on an open face. Plastic and press stud fasteners fail.

+1 on the Nolan my dad rates his.

Andy

Have a look at the Caberg Justio GT or many of the Caberg's then if worried go to Sharp Test SHARP Helmets - THE HELMET SAFETY SCHEME & take it with a pinch of salt as some will say it is no good others use it as a guideline only, Pays your ££ make your choice.

__________________
We are the Pilgrims, Master, we shall go Always a little further: it may be beyond that last blue mountain barred with snow, Across that angry or that glimmering sea.

I have the multitec Shoei and been in an accident where a 2 ton SUV skoda drove over me with me being stuck under it. Result separated shoulder, head injuries none, not even a headache (only some freaky morphine dreams in ICU).

So I bought a new one (white this time instead of silver as I found a promo for 30% off )

This was on normal EU roads so no offroading or touring on long slow roads.

Going to have a look at the HCJ IS... I didn't see any reference to pin lock stuff... How do you deal with ice forming in the winter?

__________________
EU: DRZ400s 2004 - R850R 2002 - R1100RT 1997 / SEA: AX1 250 1995 / LK: CD200 Roadmaster 1979

Hi there i met old git RAy at Ripley and he had this helmet Caberg Sintesi - FREE UK DELIVERY
he told me it was the only filp that carried a pass sticker said that it could be used safely open
thanks
Doug

This has certainly turned out to be a hot talking point. As I mentioned earlier for me the only choice was either jet, flip front or car. That said of the two helmets I have, Caberg Trip and Shark Evoline, the Shark is the only one I can ride around on at anything over 20mph with the chin bar up. The drag on the Caberg is just to uncomfortable and makes me feel as though some one is pushing my head backwards. If this link works then I hope the pic will show what the Shark is like with the chin bar up.
Helmet City Shark Evoline 'Moovit' White WKS
There are already pics of a Caberg trip with the chin bar in raised position. Although the Caberg is comfortable, I use it as a second spare helmet and at best it is only practical with the chin bar down or when you have stopped at the lights and need a fag without taking the damn thing off.
Just my oppinion of course but I hope it helps.
GM

__________________
www.frothandflames.com
2012 Kawasaki W800
1997 NX 650 Dominator

I have used a Shark Evoline for about 12 months and have found it excellent - most useful. My previous helmet was a BMW 2 which came off in a crash causing concussion and 6 weeks off work. This is the result: It came off with the chin piece closed and latched. I now wouldn't use a helmet without an absolutely foolproof fastening such as "D" rings (which my Shark has) and a really good, tight fit.
I'm lucky to be alive (and thanks to the Royal Flying Doctor) and the moral of the story is to be wearing a helmet when you hit the ground.

(apologies to webBikeWorld for using their picture)
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motor...k-evoline/dot/

Attached Thumbnails

 

 

__________________
Tim ('91 R100GSPD)

The only baggage you carry should be in the panniers