Ditching the half-helmet for a modular helmet?

[Humbucker]

I know that it looks a little bit odd while riding a big cruiser but I might replace my half-helmet with a modular flip-up type.

I'll wear the shorty for slow rides around town but for anything else I might opt for something that offers more comfort and protection. I already have a cheapy fullface helmet but that's only good for when the weather's really cold and is too restrictive IMHO.

I was out looking at modular flip-up helmets and tried on a couple made by Zox, the fit was amazing, I've never worn a helmet that was so comfortable and versatile. The price was outstanding too, about a third the cost similar helmets.

The helmets look good, here's a link to the black one(Genessis SVS):
Zoxhelmets.com - Genessis SVS Flip up helmet

And the other one that I tried on, it's not the same colours as in this example but that basic type of paint pattern(Nevado R SVS):
Zoxhelmets.com - Nevado SVS Full Face helmet

I compared them to $600.00 Shoei flip-up helmets, the Shoei helmets weren't quite as heavy but damn pricey! I'm definately not paying that much for a helmet.

I was out for a ride in the countryside the other day with my fullface helmet on and even though I had my windshield mounted on the bike, I was still pelted in my helmets visor by numerous hard bugs and they would have smarted bad had I been wearing a shorty.

At one point I got hit just above my visor by what felt like an acorn because I was cruising at highway speeds and had large trees towering over me, I'll bet that the wind blew something off of there and beaned me with it, that could have been dangerous actually, had I not had my fullface helmet on.

So, the shorty is out for highway treks and fullface is a bit too confining, I guess that leads me to these flip-up types. I know that it won't make me look like a really cool dude but I'm getting too old to care I think.

As far as the "cool" factor goes, maybe the black Zox flip-up would be a tad more cool then the black and white one with the patterns?

But I suppose that the one with the black and white patterns would make me more visible at night. I kept going back and forth trying both of these helmets on and while both felt excellent, I found the black and white pattern one to be just a tad better fitting. They were both size Large and seemed to have identical padding inside but one felt just a hair more comfortable then the other.

You could ride like a demon out on the highway with this type of helmet and once arriving in a town, flip up the chin bar and get free flowing air like you've got a 3/4 helmet on. The only difference is a small amount of extra weight on the top of the flip-up helmet compared to the 3/4 helmet.

Does anybody else here use one of these flip-up helmets?

[millman]

I've been using a HJC CL MAX for 2 years and I'm very happy with it. Initially I wanted to try a full face for more protection, but since I wear glasses it was a bit of a pain to put on. For in town riding you don't even have to put the chin bar up. Just raise the face shield and you're in business.

[Tall Trees]

I use the Nolan 102 modular & have been very satisfied with it. Think I gave around $205 for it.

[tomslusher]

If they are anything like modular snowmobile helmets, they do not offer any more protection than an open-face helmet. The front flip-up part is not certified as a helmet and does not offer any protection. Most fli[p-up fronts are made of cheap plastic and the hooks that keep it closed are also. Notice the flip up modular helmets are only DOT certified, not SNELL.

But as far as convienience, they are the only way to go. I use one for snowmobiling and wouldn't ride with any other style anymore.

tomslusher

[snickerdoodle]

i just bought the HJC Symax 2....it was $200...and seems pretty solid. gears work nicely, but it is a little windy...the vents seem really good too, they cut vents all the way through the pads inside...so the air really flows...albeit 110 degree air...but at least it's moving...LOL.

Good luck with your decision...i know it can be grueling.

[redcap]

I started out with a half-helmet, but recently looked at modulars. Unfortunately, the ones I wanted weren't in stock (grrrrr) so I went with a full face instead. I am happy with my purchase and feel much more protected than with my half lid, but I will look at modulars again when the extra cash is lying about.

I have heard negative things about modulars in the past, but have since heard many positive responses about them including comments about post-crash performance.

[2WheelFun]

I have an AGV modular and it's friggin noisy!!! (got what I paid for?) With all vents closed I feel like I'm in a wind tunnel. Even with my ear plugs in it's noisy. The fit is good and the visibility side to side is good. The modular part works good and the latch is tight and holds very well even though the latches are plastic they look to be made strong enough for every day use. Ventilation is good (perhaps the problem for all the noise). It's not overly heavy (for me) so that's a non-issue. Would I buy this helmet again? No! Is it good enough to use if you can stand the noise? Maybe...for some it might be but not for me! I'm looking for another (QUIET MODULAR) helmet and will pay extra "IF" it really is a quiet helmet that I can wear daily and on longer rides.

I've heard the Shoei Multitec modular is a nice helmet. It's pricey at $450.00 but supposedly is much...much quieter than most other modulars out there (can anyone verify this?).

The key thing here IMHO is to get honest reports from others who have and use a modular helmet. What I want to hear is...how quiet it really is...or how noisy it really is...not how pretty it is...or nice it is...or I like it alot...I want to know if the user is really honest about how good it keeps noise out...period.

Fitting a helmet is subjective as the wearer should try them out in a store to really see if they fit correctly or not. While we tend to accept some purchases and think we got a good deal...price wise...it's more important to me to know all of the details of the helmets I try on. One thing that is not as easy to do is to take each helmet out for a ride to compare their noise levels one to another. What we are subject to is the purchase we've made and either think it's ok "for me" or I wish it wasn't so big...or so tight...or so heavy...or so noisy...or it had better ventilation...etc.

For those of us who do have and use modular helmets...how about we begin a rating for the ones we personally have now or have owned in the past? Just a thought.

Rating my AGV I'd give it a 5 on a scale of 1 to 10...10 being the best. My review (for what it's worth) is listed above.

[orrick]

How do people cope with wearing 1/2 helmets? I hit bugs all the time and don't know what I would do if I was not wearing my full face. It might be just Oregon bugs that hurt when being hit so fast

Ride Safe all,

[2WheelFun]

Originally Posted by orrick

How do people cope with wearing 1/2 helmets? I hit bugs all the time and don't know what I would do if I was not wearing my full face. It might be just Oregon bugs that hurt when being hit so fast

Ride Safe all,

I wear both a half helmet and a full face helmet. I wear the half helmet while riding my cruiser sitting behind a very big windshield and wearing goggles to help protect my eyes.

While riding my sport-touring bike I wear a full face helmet as the windshield offers no protection.

[9511234]

Here's the deal. If you are riding with the modular piece up you just gave that nice pole on the side of the road where you fell a nice little grapple to rip your head off.

Sorry to make it so graphic... but the modular part of a modular helmet is to make it easier to wear a full face getting it on and off, especially if you have glasses.

Sorry to burst whoevers bubble wants to diss them, but I own one myself. Until you actually own one you have no place to say they are cheap plastic. Please. Mine is run through the main piece with bolts..... I would hate to see the kind of force it takes to dislodge, because at that point I would not probably have a head and it would probably dislodge any kind of regular full face for that matter.

off the soap box....

[Hacker]

I have both the half and an HJC SyMax II. HJC doesn't recommend riding with the front flipped up. However, the visor flips up which is what I do if things get too warm. I like mine because the latches for the front are made of metal, not plastic. It's a solid feeling helmet. I bought mine from Newenough. Unfortunately, dummy that I am, I still opt for the half when out cruising on a warm day. Cool nights and days up to about the 80 degree range I'll wear the HJC.

[DanL]

Humbucker, I think you should discard the "cool factor" stuff and do what feels right for you. I'd rather look like the biggest geek on the road and be safe than look like the typical poser with a doo rag on my head. It's your choice though, and since you are considering getting rid of the 1/2, I think you are making a good choice.

I have the HJC CL Max, but a week or so ago I dropped it hard and it broke. It landed right on the side with the chin bar in the up position, and the mount where the face shield clamps on snapped off. So I can't use a face shield on it now. I'm going to get the Symax II as soon as I can save up a little band gig money and get one. Until then I'll use my 3/4 Scorpion.

As far as the chin bar goes on the modular. It might not be as protective as a FF is, but it's going to absorb a lot of the impact when you hit the ground, better the chin bar takes the impact and breaks, vs your chin taking the full impact like it would with a 1/2 helmet.

[windsurfdog]

Here's what I plan to purchase sometime this spring/summer. A little more expensive but it looks like a real winner.

And fashion be damned...protection is the key.

[usmalenurse]

I have one of the Zox Genesis SVS and it seems fine to me. I bought it mainly to wear in cold weather and if it was raining and I just felt I needed to ride in the rain (unlikely). It is a little noisy but not bad. I really like the flip down sunscreen in the Zox. It will never be as comfortable as my open face helmet or my half-helmet since I've added lowers to the bike but for a long ride or colder riding it's a nice option to have. I would not hesitate to buy the Zox if I were switching to a modular one for every day use like you're considering. By the way, it is the only full face helmet I've ever tried so I can't compare it with others.

Charles

[Jerrysea]

I have an hjc modular and am very happy with it. It is not noisy when the visor is closed. I will open the visor slightly sometimes for more air at over 30mph it gets noisy. I dont need ear plugs when using this helmet. My bike has a wind shield and I dont get helmet bounce even over 60 mph.

[keith_stepp]

Originally Posted by Humbucker

Does anybody else here use one of these flip-up helmets?

I got mine because I wanted a FF helmet, but I wear glasses and the modular design makes getting my helmet off and on a piece of cake.

I love it. It is a little heavier than a traditional FF, but you get used to it.

I do not ride around very much with it flipped up, but when the weather is nice and I am cruising slowly through some particularly beautiful country side, I flip it up and breathe deeply. That's a nice option to have with a FF.

[snickerdoodle]

Originally Posted by Jerrysea

I have an hjc modular and am very happy with it. It is not noisy when the visor is closed. I will open the visor slightly sometimes for more air at over 30mph it gets noisy. I dont need ear plugs when using this helmet. My bike has a wind shield and I dont get helmet bounce even over 60 mph.

which HJC do you have?

[Jerrysea]

I Have the cl max.

[Jerrysea]

I forgot to mention when I do ride with the visor open it stays open and when closing it will sound like it is closing so you know it is closed. without waiting to move and feel air.

[snickerdoodle]

Originally Posted by Jerrysea

I Have the cl max.

Cool! My symax is a bit noisy, haven't tried it music yet but will soon!