Modular helmets

[Steelybeast]

Originally Posted by DAKEZ

I have crashed in and retired three modulars. They ALL did their job and protected my face... Which frankly could benefit from a little improvement.

I now have the Scorpion EXO 900 and a Nolan N43E (not modular in the classic sense as the chin bar comes OFF)

The N43E if my favorite helmet I have ever owned.

What were the three modulars you crashed with? I am always interested in real world experience when it comes to these kinds of things. One would assume they did the job needed and always good to hear the results.

[DAKEZ]

Two Lazer,
One Nolan 101

[Go Irish75]

Over a month ago, my aunt and uncle were in a serious cycle crash. My aunt was the passenger, wearing a modular (with the bar down) Harley Davidsion D.O.T. approved helmet. (not sure who makes those for them). She smashed face first onto the pavement at about 50mph and the modular chin bar broke away freely from the helmet like it wasnt even there. This caused her to break her orbital bones in her face as she slid on her face across the tarmac, then into the dirt, where she inhaled over a pound of dirt and debris before finally going pulseless and non breathing. She was brought back with CPR and was in a coma for over 3 weeks due to the brain trauma. She is now relearning to walk, talk and still has a drooped left side of her face and wandering eye due to the crash. The brain injury was from the sudden deceleration of the brain inside the skull, and couldve happened in any type of helmet. The facial things and dirt inhale could be attributed to a failed modular helmet though. I looked over the helmet and it just seems like it was such a weak point (being on the hinges), either that or the maker of those Harley helmets isnt very good. I still am not against them, I actually want a Bell EVO myself, but just letting this story be known to all.

*on a side note, theres probably some reason that most (not ALL) modular helmets are only D.O.T. approved, but rarely get the SNELL or CEC approval.*

[DAKEZ]

Harley Modulars are made by HJC.

[BuddingGeezer]

Nolan N102, 60-70mph highside. Right front crown of the helmet caught the ground when I rolled or flipped. My head was the only thing that didn't hurt

[windmill]

Originally Posted by cardoctor1

so how much louder is the nolan 43e compared to say a nolan 104

Compared to a N102, the N43E doesn't block external sounds as much, but is not as noisy.

[LuciferMutt]

Make no bones about it -- a modular helmet will never be as strong as a one piece full face helmet. Period.

Will it be strong enough to survive a crash? Maybe. Maybe not. of course, you don't always know that about a regular helmet either.

I would wear a modular. I think the kind of impact required to rip the chin bar off a modular is going to severely mess up your day in a regular helmet too -- BUT you might not suffer as physical facial trauma in the process.

[Offcamber]

I use a Bell Revolver version one...not a great helmet but for the $80 I paid for it, its worth it. One thing I noticed is that sometimes I think its latched and its not...You really need to make sure it clicks shut.

I realize modulars are not going to be as strong as a full face but the convenience out weighs the risk for me.

[Go Irish75]

Originally Posted by Offcamber

I use a Bell Revolver version one...not a great helmet but for the $80 I paid for it, its worth it. One thing I noticed is that sometimes I think its latched and its not...You really need to make sure it clicks shut.

I realize modulars are not going to be as strong as a full face but the convenience out weighs the risk for me.

I am leaning towards the Evo version (2nd version). Will be my first attempt at a modular, and it seems this one will do well without breaking the bank. Looks like they addressed a few of the "issues" that the first version had.

[DAKEZ]

If you can find them have a look at the LS2. I picked one up for a friend. I would have bought it instead of my Scorpion EXO 900 had I known about it then.

[jachard]

When it comes to these, I follow the Mechanical Engineers Rule: If it isn't there(hinge) then it can't break.

Full face helmet for me all the time.

[Go Irish75]

I have heard others argue that the chin bar breaks away at a certain load to avoid the head and neck taking the full load of the impact and avoid being pushed up or back from the spinal cord. I can sorta see that argument, similar to how Indy cars shatter to keep the destructive forces of an impact away from the driver, but I'm not totally convinced in that logic with helmet technology. I think it's a flat out fail if it comes apart in a crash, IMHO.

[moparren]

Vega Technical gear worked just fine for me -




Same lid from the Killboy failure thread -
http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...7#post19219257

[ray h]

Originally Posted by t6pilot

Only concern I have with flip up helmets what is procedure for removing if chin bar fails to unlatch my Schubert C3 fits snug with chin bar down

It wouldnt take much to cut the chin bar away. Try taking your C3 off without unlatching it, I bet it will come off. I know every flip up I've had would come off with it latched just as a full face does.
I feel that flip ups are a compromise just as everything else is. How many of us wear full race leathers, breast/back plates, neck collars and shin guards or shin high boots all the time? I'm guessing, not many. Sure most here pick a textile jacket or pair of mesh pants or whatever they are comfortable in. How many of us ride a bright orange bike with ABS or traction control, some do, some dont?
Everything is about compromise. We either compromise for comfort or money or convenience or aesthetics. For me, a flip up is an exceptable compromise for convenience.

[DAKEZ]

I would not be able to remove my EXO 900 with the chin bar locked down.