Best Modular Helmet

[sleazy rider]

My Bell Revolver showed up late yesterday.  Today, I managed to get my Sena headset installed.  Tomorrow, I ride with it.  Fit and finish are great, the latching mechanism is stiff and the breath guard is severely needed this time of year.  I switched from the Scorpion EXO900 because of fit problems.  My head isn't narrow enough for it and headaches would ensue after about an hour.  The Scorpion is listed in my helmets for sale post now.  For $99, the Bell is a cheap trial.

[Nodaclu]

Been eyeballing a Nolan S90 for a long time now. I might finally pull the trigger before spring.

[vwtom]

I have had HTC (modular and non), Arial (non) and the last time thought I'd step up and by the Shoei - I think the best bang for the buck is the old HTC.

[djacobsen5116]

Just started wearing my Bell Revolver.  Possible replacement for my HJC CL-16.  Initial notes:  Side vision seems about the same but the chin bar cuts off my view of the instruments so I have to tilt my head forward to see the panel on my FJR.  It is noisier than the CL-16 but I wear earplugs most of the time so I don't think noise will be an issue.  There is a noticeable flow of air between the bottom of the shield and the chin bar, this may help keep the shield from fogging up in the Seattle riding weather.  Fits my head more closely than the CL-16, more contact all the way around is the best description.  Less wind buffet and down pressure when the windshield is raised.  I don't notice any difference in weight.  Only my second day riding with it but so far I like it.  Worth the $99.00 from Motorcycle Superstore ?  So far yes.

[jeepinbanditrider]

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

I've got a Scorpion EXO-900 on the way to my local cycle gear.  When it gets here I'll comment on how it fits compared to my other two Scorpions.  One is an EXO-700 the other an EXO-500.  I've been a Scorpion fan for a long time.  I'm hoping the fit on the EXO-900 is similar to the other two Scorpions I had.

[Cricket1]

That Shark does look like something work checking out.  

Update.

So far, I have 600 miles with the Schuberth.  Why did I acquire the Schuberth?


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.  

Doug- This past year I had the exact same criteria as you, and got the Nolan N90 and love it. Perfect fit, pinlock system, ratchet strap, sunvisor that comes down past my nose, etc.  If that Schuberth doesnt work out, the Nolan might. (and I suspect you could buy 3 Nolans for the cost of the Schuberth)  

Also, Nolans customer service is excellent and they do have different thickness cheek pads available.

(no I don't work for Nolan etc.)

[R Doug]

Thanks for the tip.  

[malbojah]

Doug- This past year I had the exact same criteria as you, and got the Nolan N90 and love it. Perfect fit, pinlock system, ratchet strap, sunvisor that comes down past my nose, etc.  If that Schuberth doesnt work out, the Nolan might. (and I suspect you could buy 3 Nolans for the cost of the Schuberth)  

Also, Nolans customer service is excellent and they do have different thickness cheek pads available.

(no I don't work for Nolan etc.)

I picked up my N90 @ the NY IMS last year and I freaking love it. My only complaint: the wind noise around the edges of the helmet are louder than my old Shoei RF1000. I blame it on the wider mechanism needed to open the whole front end. Also, the Nolan doesn't seal all the way around the visor - only the top and bottom have a weatherstrip.

[Cricket1]

I picked up my N90 @ the NY IMS last year and I freaking love it. My only complaint: the wind noise around the edges of the helmet are louder than my old Shoei RF1000. I blame it on the wider mechanism needed to open the whole front end. Also, the Nolan doesn't seal all the way around the visor - only the top and bottom have a weatherstrip.

True the sealing isn't all the way around the visor, but with all the vents closed, I wouldn't call it drafty at all.

Plus, in the summer the vents do flow alot of air. I can feel the air moving over the top of my head with them open.  On my Sprint the wind hits me at the bottom of the helmet, so the vents all get lots of direct air.

[Dan K]

My Bell Revolver showed up late yesterday.  Today, I managed to get my Sena headset installed.  Tomorrow, I ride with it.  Fit and finish are great, the latching mechanism is stiff and the breath guard is severely needed this time of year.  I switched from the Scorpion EXO900 because of fit problems.  My head isn't narrow enough for it and headaches would ensue after about an hour.  The Scorpion is listed in my helmets for sale post now.  For $99, the Bell is a cheap trial.

Anything to add on the Bell Revolver?  THose are sharp looking.

- Dan

[ConPilot1]

I've got a Scorpion EXO-900 on the way to my local cycle gear.  When it gets here I'll comment on how it fits compared to my other two Scorpions.  One is an EXO-700 the other an EXO-500.  I've been a Scorpion fan for a long time.  I'm hoping the fit on the EXO-900 is similar to the other two Scorpions I had.

I have a Scorp 700. I liked it so much for the money I bought my GF at the time a 400, and she liked that one too. Great helmet for the price. I LOVED the way the 900 modular fit, it was real plushy and comfortable, although I found it heavier than any modular I've tried on to date.
The other thing about the 900 is it's got a funky pull-out release lever for the chinbar that I didn't like, so I passed on the 900. I've heard of instances of that plastic release lever snapping off in the cold weather easily
so crank on that thing gingerly when the temps drop I'd say.

I like my Shoei Multitec. Best helmet I've had to date. Just picked up another one in screaming yellow for an equally screaming deal for a spare/pillion/beater.   (thanks Frenchie)

[sleazy rider]

Anything to add on the Bell Revolver?  THose are sharp looking.

- Dan

The bike is torn apart for some indepth repairs, so no riding for me since Christmas.  Soon as I get some miles on it, I'll post up some thoughts.

Added:  Whew, it's all back together, forecast is for 41* tomorrow.  Time to keep the streak alive!

[SuperSlider]

I'm due for a new helmet and the shark was at the top of the list, until I tried it on.  IMHO it felt really cheap.  The faceshield had a fair amount of distortion and the inner tinted visor was worse, and I don't think it gave any UV protection. It just felt like a pair of cheap sunglasses. I'll save up for a new Shoei or such.

[jeepinbanditrider]

I have a Scorp 700. I liked it so much for the money I bought my GF at the time a 400, and she liked that one too. Great helmet for the price. I LOVED the way the 900 modular fit, it was real plushy and comfortable, although I found it heavier than any modular I've tried on to date.
The other thing about the 900 is it's got a funky pull-out release lever for the chinbar that I didn't like, so I passed on the 900. I've heard of instances of that plastic release lever snapping off in the cold weather easily
so crank on that thing gingerly when the temps drop I'd say.

I like my Shoei Multitec. Best helmet I've had to date. Just picked up another one in screaming yellow for an equally screaming deal for a spare/pillion/beater.   (thanks Frenchie)

It is the heaviest helmet I've held in my hand but when I put it on my head the weight dissapears and it FEELS as light or lighter than my EXO-700 though actuall weight between the two the 900 is heavier.

[vulcanbill]

http://www.g-max.com/gmax/gm54Smotofull.html#http://

???

[jeepinbanditrider]

I'm willing to be the latching mechanism is really weak.  After looking at that Sharps UK website and seeing how even some "mid pack" helmets have a low percentage rate of the chin bar staying closed I'd be cautious.  Even my Scorpion EXO 900 stays closed like 86 percent of the time.  Looks like Nolan has the latching mechanism figured out as does Shoei as IIRC they stayed closed 100 percent of the time.

Some of the cheaper lower cost helmets will only stay closed 30 or 40 percent of the time

[ambientboy]

I have an RF1100 in XL and a Nolan N90.  The wind noise and the buffeting with the modular is noticeable, but only in juxtaposition with the RF1100.  My head fits both of them perfectly, thanks to advice from the guys at Revzilla.  I do my daily commutes in the Nolan, but rock the Shoei for highway.  I love it on my naked bike!

[dan88z]

I have the HJC Symax 2, got it when it 1st came out so it's a few years old now. It's noisy, even with the visor down, compared to my other HJC, a CL-SP full face. I never really noticed the difference on my old Vulcan 1600 that had a barn door size National Cycle 2 up wind shield, but on the Connie, it's a huge difference. I hardly wear the modular now. It is a pretty nice helmet though, good fit and comfortable for long rides.

My wife has the Scorpion transformer one. I've tried that and it's heavier than the HJC, but I like the padding in it.

At this point I'm going to toss modulars to the curb and get a Shoei Qwest. The modular was nice because I wear glasses, and it made getting the helmet on and off easier, but I did little riding with the chin bar up. What I usually do is take the visor off when its hot, that way I get the wind in my face but still have the chin bar protection.

I saw the new Neotech at a bike show over the weekend, it's a nice helmet, but it's somewhere in the $650 range, a little rich for my blood just to get a modular.

[Cablebandit]

I gave up on the modular after realizing that I still needed to take my glasses off to get it on and off.  I really should sell my Multitec but fear I have too much negative rep to do it here.  

[R Doug]

I gave up on the modular after realizing that I still needed to take my glasses off to get it on and off.  

You have to take off your glasses to take the helmet off when flipped up?  I don't have to with my C3.  That's one of the things I LOVE about it.