Best Modular Helmet

[Dan K]

Can't decide on what to buy myself for the holidays, but am thinking a modular helmet since my old one was claimed by a helmetless rider friend of mine who apparently never bought himself another...

I am an intermediate oval head shape (Arai fitment guys convinced me to buy a Corsair V....) and not looking to spend TONS.  My EXO-1000 fits OK too.  Both are different shades of invisible silver/gray, and I'm thinking hi viz.

Any thoughts?

[Fred]

  Wait until the new Shoei Neotec hits the states.

[hovmaven]

No yellow.  

[sprint_st]

Dan,
I have been trying to get a modular for years, but can't find one that fits.  I have a Shoei RF1100 and the XL fits purfectly.  Arai Quanum's have fit well in the past but a Signet required surgery to the chin bar.  That has been the problem, my chin.  Last year I decided to buy a Shoei modular.  Best fit of all that I tried and believe me I tried just about everything, but it still touched my chin.  Far too many will tell you exactly where hot spots will appear down the line.   I decide just stick with a full face and after having mine bounce down US52 with me inside I truly don't regret that decision.  IMO, a helmet MUST fit as close to perfect as possible and cost should be way down the line in the selection process.

[bomber]

clearly, one that fits (remember, the IMS circus comes to town in February) . . .

if it fits, the best is the Schuberth --

[scottzilla]

I'm pretty sure HJC's are still available at deep discounts.  I like mine very much.

[Justin]

I'm pretty sure HJC's are still available at deep discounts.  I like mine very much.

Have you seen any recently? I need to replace my original Sy-Max, it is falling apart

Doubt there are any originals to be found.

[Dan K]

Had an HJC in the past, didn't like it, felt cheap as opposed to just being inexpensive.

I like my Scorpion exo1000, so maybe will look into their modulars (I assume they have them).

Anywhere to try on a good selection of helmets around here anymore (Chicago area)? I used to go to the place on Touhy and McCormick in Skokie, but they went out of business.

Also, any suggestions for intermediate oval shaped heads?

Thanks as always.

- Dan

[AutoXer]

With a modular the weak point is the latch mechanism - you really want the helmet to stay locked closed in an impact.  Might want to go to the Sharp Motorcycle Helmet testing site (its Brit).  Use the search and check out the HJC FS Max and IS Max modular helmet tests (they are called "system" helmets in Brit-talk).  Note the "Percentage of impacts where the faceguard remained fully locked".   Might be a reason the HJC modular helmets are heavily discounted ...

As a comparison, check out the Shoei Multitech, then the Schuberth C3, and last the Nolan N102, N103, and N90 helmets.   Now, which one would you want on your head in a get-off?

Not saying the Nolans are perfect, but they are pretty damn impressive, especially when you consider their cost!    They have their flaws for sure, but the number one purpose of a helmet IS to save your head ...

[schmii]

http://www.webbikeworld.com/Reviewed-motorcycle-products/Products.htm

flip-up, or modular category.

http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

Sharp helmet tests.  Tests how often a latch stays closed for modulars.

Schuberth C3 is an expensive winner, the same company makes the BMW system 6 I think.

[sfalexi]

I've read good things about the Gmax G68S (I THINK that's the right model number...) and it seems that the brand is a good budget buy.

Myself, I think my next helmet will be a 3/4 helmet.  And I have some neoprene masks for when it gets cold.

Alexi

[danketchpel]

I currently wear an old Shoei Syncrotec modular. I recently bought my wife a Scorpion EXO 900 modular and I like it quite a bit. I'm thinking to replace my Shoei with a EXO 900 next year.

I checked out the Shoei Neotec on their Euro website, looks nice with similar (but less) features to the Scorpion.

I won't go back to a non modular helmet for street riding.

[shil]

I have one of these. I like it.

[scott19]

With a modular the weak point is the latch mechanism - you really want the helmet to stay locked closed in an impact.  Might want to go to the Sharp Motorcycle Helmet testing site (its Brit).  Use the search and check out the HJC FS Max and IS Max modular helmet tests (they are called "system" helmets in Brit-talk).  Note the "Percentage of impacts where the faceguard remained fully locked".   Might be a reason the HJC modular helmets are heavily discounted ...

As a comparison, check out the Shoei Multitech, then the Schuberth C3, and last the Nolan N102, N103, and N90 helmets.   Now, which one would you want on your head in a get-off?

Not saying the Nolans are perfect, but they are pretty damn impressive, especially when you consider their cost!    They have their flaws for sure, but the number one purpose of a helmet IS to save your head ...

It's interesting to me that some of the brands listed on the Sharps site, such as the "Viper" and the "V-Can" are the same helmets Leather Up sells under their budget "Hawk" name brand...and they do better in the latch test than the Shoei Multitech.

[R Doug]

I just acquired a Schuberth.  The jury is still out as I've not had it long enough.  But, the initial quality and features are excellent.  

[mugwump58]

I'll be watching your review closely. A Schuberth is high on the list of presents to myself.

[sprint_st]

I just acquired a Schuberth.  The jury is still out as I've not had it long enough.  But, the initial quality and features are excellent.  

Hey Doug, I had one of the original Schuberth flips about 7 or 8 years ago.  Had to go to XXXL to fit my chin.  That made it way too loose.  The only flip I ever found to fit me was the Shoei.  Now I thought IT was expensive, but the Schuberth is kinda out of sight.  I know the old adage about how much is your head worth, but if it was worth that much wouldn't you get an Arai or Shoei non-mod?

[Papa Lazarou]

The Shark Evoline might be worth a look

[sfalexi]

I'm drooling over the EXO 900.  Can be a FF, modular, 3/4 with shield or just sun visor.  LOVE the utility it seems to offer.  Just not willing to cough up 270 big ones.  But I'm watching for those sales.....

Alexi

[R Doug]

That Shark does look like something work checking out.  

Update.

So far, I have 600 miles with the Schuberth.  Today, I had just over 5 hours on the bike and can tell the helmet is starting to break in.  That said, in the last 90 minutes of my ride, the jaw pressure was present again.  The pain wasn't as bad as my first ride, it was more of a discomfort than a pain.  According to several posts about this helmet, it does take time to break in.  I have left a message with Schuberth North America asking about smaller cheek pads.  It'll be interesting to see how good their customer service is.  Arai has been incredible in this department!  For the price of the Schuberth, the customer service better be on par with Arai.  I haven't received a reply yet to my message.  But, that was on Friday and their office may have been closed for the New Year's weekend.

Why did I acquire the Schuberth?

First, I wanted a modular helmet.  I thought it would be nice to have the ability to take off an put on a helmet with my glasses on.  Next, I wanted something with a built in sun visor, a plush interior, quiet, and well built.  Out of all the modulars I looked at, the Schuberth is the only which which fit all of my criteria.  Not only is this the only lid which fit all my criteria, I also believe the Schurberth is superior to its competition when it comes to the function of the features.  For example, I haven't seen a helmet yet with this quality of interior.  Next, the sunvisor works better than anything else I tried.  It's very smooth to operate and it comes down further than any other I've tried.  This visor comes down to just over my nose.  

Next, the ratchet style strap works very well.  Getting the helmet on and off requires very little effort.  I can even do both with my gloves on (strap and all)!

Finally, this helmet comes with the Pinlock (tm) anti-fog system which is used by Moto GP riders.  

How is it so far?

The first thing I noticed after leaving the dealership with it on is how wide my peripheral vision is with it.  I don't need to turn my head nearly as much when compared to my other helmets (Arai Quantum II, Arai Corsair, and Shoei Hornet DS).  

Regarding the Pinlock system mentioned above, I CAN NOT get this shield to fog up. Today's ride started with temps around 40 degrees and as much as I could huff into the helmet, the visor wouldn't fog up.

My final thought for today is airflow.  With temps in the low 50s on the BRP today, I didn't have the top vent open.  But, I did open it for a brief period of time to experience the venting.  Even with the interior "winter tabs" in place to block a direct airflow to my head, the helmet's venting system can be felt very well.  You could feel the different pressures inside the helmet as the cool air traveled from the front of my head all the way down to the neck vents.  

So far, so good.  I am concerned I am going to be stuck with a lid that doesn't quite fit as well as I want.  Just out of the gate, I will be putting their customer service to the test.  IMHO, if they don't offer smaller cheek pads, I believe they should allow me to exchange for a large with no questions asked.  It's been less than a week since my acquisition so that's a fair request.  Again, I'll let you know how my interaction with them goes.  

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