Do we like modular helmets or not???

[PMK]

I would prefer a modular but still wear a full face.

There are no modulars currently available from mainstream manufactures with a Snell safety rating. In fact most modulars are LESS effective than 3/4 helmets in a crash due to the chin bar and hinge CAUSING injury when they come loose. This is also why Arai still does not build any modular helmets. All Arai helmets are Snell certified. Arai and Shoei have been working on the problem for years but to date have not produced anything that works and is effective.

I read the earlier post stating the modular helmets met DOT. Previously, when shopping for helmets, I looked at many modular helmets. After reading about and watching of how the face coverage portion opens in a crash, I opted away from modular helmets.

Ultimately, we went with Shoei GT Airs. These are a full coverage helmet, what some call full face.

Possibly, when we need to replace these, I will revisit the modulars. It will be tough though since these are very cool to ride in with the vents open and have no percieved buffetting from airflow.

 

[McClendons]

On the glasses, it is typically easier to flip a modular chin bar up, put on glasses, then move bar down/up as needed. Makes putting glasses on similar to no hemet at all.

On noise.....it REALLY depends on the helmet. Modulars will have more noise, but if you get a high end one it is not significantly more. Right now I have a Shoei Neotec and it is pretty quiet. Before that I had a Schuberth. Both are excellent and pretty quiet. I had an HJC and it was moderate, but that was years back and not one of their higher end ones. I've read that HJC now has some serious contenders. Bottom line, typically the more expensive modulars are quieter (not always but), the ones you get for $200 are typically loud(er).

After having both types (modular/full), the convince of a modular is too great to pass up. Ig you get one with a pop down shade, makes them even more compelling.

One final note, and this is a "do not do (but I do), in slower traffic and heat, I put the chin bar up and the shade down. That ways eyes are protected, but you get some breeze. This is not an advised configuration, but still beats no hemet at all.

As a full-face helmet wearer, I have Peter's question plus another that may be stupid, but why is wearing glasses such a nudge towards a modular?

Quick explanation: I wear glasses for distance vision, but do fine without them from a "seeing stuff that matters" standpoint, including being able to read signs at speed, etc. I'm pretty new to motorcycling, and bought my first helmet only a little over a year ago. I was definitely going to get something with a chin bar, and everyone I talked to said the modulars were convenient but noisy, so I never gave them much consideration.

I'm happy with my full face (HJC), but if modulars accommodate glasses more readily -- and aren't as noisy as I've been told -- I'd give them a harder look next time. Thanks.

 

[bluewoo]

Modular HJC with retractable shades and I also wear glasses.
Most of my friends ride harleys and its hard to talk with a full face on at stop lights.(Usually they don't wear anything But a Dew rag)
Cooler in the summer time when it gets very warm out.

 

[SPECTACUALR SPIDERMAN]

Got my c3 pro during the winter, only used it once. i checked into c3 & c4 a lot before buying, revzilla & others said c3 is preferred.

 

[hrdware101]

I wear a Shoei RJ Air 3/4 helemet anytime temps are above 55*. Nolan N103 modular for when it's rainy or below 55*. If going on a longer/overnight trip, I bring both (in case it rains). Thankfully the top case on my F3 Ltd can hold two helmets. Never cared too much for closed helmets as I find they detract from the "open air" experience of riding a motorcycle. The modular is a compromise for me, but beats having rain and cold in my face. The flip-down sun shade is an added bonus.

 

[Lew L]

"How about you, do you rYde with modular or regular helmets.???"

Both my wife and I use modular helmets.

Lew L

 

[rodentrancher]

Looked at modulars, but was unable to find one that fit properly (size 8 and 1/8 head, long and narrow). Have found that Arai works best for me.

 

[pegasus1300]

I would prefer a modular but still wear a full face.

There are no modulars currently available from mainstream manufactures with a Snell safety rating. In fact most modulars are LESS effective than 3/4 helmets in a crash due to the chin bar and hinge CAUSING injury when they come loose. This is also why Arai still does not build any modular helmets. All Arai helmets are Snell certified. Arai and Shoei have been working on the problem for years but to date have not produced anything that works and is effective.

I realize this is limited personal experience but I have been down twice in modular helmets and neither experienced chin bar loosening or helmet ejection either during or after the accidents. Though both helmets did their job and as a result were compromised. I continue to wear a modular helmet and feel from personal experience they are quite safe.

 

[bcer960]

Another Modular....Shoei Neotec wouldn't go back to full face, never had a open face

 

[BajaRon]

As usual, I am bucking the trend. Modular's have gotten better over the years. But I am a full face guy. I wear glasses but have no problem with a full face and glasses. I've had some neck injuries and weight is very important to me. So is frontal coverage so a 3/4 helmet does not appeal.

Modulars are always going to be heavier. They used to be real bricks. But weight has been engineered down over time. Full face helmets have also gotten lighter.

 

[2dogs]

How much wind noise do you get with that? The earlier Evoline's were some of the windiest & noisiest helmets around, especially with the chin bar flipped up, but Shark tell us they've done a lot of work to make the Evoline 3 a heap quieter in both the open & closed positions.... I haven't found anyone locally yet who's been brave enough to shell out the $$ after being burnt so badly by the earlier versions, so I've been unable to find a 'rider/wearer' comparison between the earlier versions & version 3 nor get any wearer impressions on the latest Evoline - so please, what do you reckon? :dontknow:

Just as an aside, & I don't really know if it applies to anywhere but Aus/NZ, but down here I have it on good authority that the Shark Evolines are the ONLY modular helmets with swivel type chin bars that have received all the necessary Safety & ADR/EU type approvals in both their open & closed positions - all the rest are only fully approved with the chin bar locked down & the face shield shut! :shocked: So for many of those riders, especially those who wear these helmets for work here Down Under, that effectively means it's either a Shark Evoline (with all the wind noise in the older versions) or a full face helmet! :gaah:

Shark Evo 3 :2thumbs: :yes: for both my wife and I. :thumbup: I use it both with the chin guard up and down depending. Up when in town and when I have a warm tumbler of coffee I'm sipping on in winter time, or a cold soft drink in the summer. I wear prescription sun glasses most all the time so I use the detachable face shield mainly at night. I have about two strips of black tape on the sun shield to block that (dam) morning and late afternoon blinding sun. It's easily adjustable so I don't use it all the time. Wind noise? None because I have Sena 20s ear pieces for communication and AM/FM radio so if there was wind noise I don't really hear it. I also have Bluetooth hearing aids which give me several more options. Fit? The Evo 3's are made to fit the North American head shape. The Evo 1's and 2's were more of a fit for European heads. Ours fit very well and are comfortable for long periods of time. As for any helmet it may very well take some time to break-in. If I ever buy another Shark I think I'll get it with the smaller cheek pads. They are interchangeable for a more custom fit. Shark Evo 3 has been the most versatile and comfortable helmet I've owned. Love it, love it, love it! By the way, I believe the new ratchet chin strap is DOT approved. I never did like those darn D-rings, and Lid Locks works well with the ratchet strap.

 

[sandeejs]

3/4 for me

I wear a HJC FG Jet. It's a 3/4 face. The reason I like it: the shield coverage gets the entire face, down to the chin. I found that modulars and full face helmets didn't seem to provide as much space to peer out of that 3/4 and 1/2 helmets do. Most 3/4 and 1/2 helmets don't have the chin protection, but the Jet's shield goes down to the chin. My last get-off, the Spyder was totaled, the helmet was totaled, but I got away with broken ribs and a mild concussion. As soon as I decided to ryde again, I bought the exact same helmet.
~Sandee~

 

[Bfromla]

I read the earlier post stating the modular helmets met DOT. Previously, when shopping for helmets, I looked at many modular helmets. After reading about and watching of how the face coverage portion opens in a crash, I opted away from modular helmets.

Ultimately, we went with Shoei GT Airs. These are a full coverage helmet, what some call full face.

Possibly, when we need to replace these, I will revisit the modulars. It will be tough though since these are very cool to ride in with the vents open and have no percieved buffetting from airflow.

SNELL rating is not the same as DOT:lecturef_smilie: & the "chin bar opens in a crash" is not 100% of time, as well as can not prove if the bar was properly latched 100% of the crashes reported. Are 100%more effective than those with NO helmet.

 

[FalconAF]

This is probably gonna upset some people, but I'm a realist. So.....

If ANY helmet is "too noisy", it simply means you aren't wearing enough ear protection. With today's technology, you can find $20 earplugs in all sizes that are not foam and won't muffle every sound you hear. Musicians earplugs are great for riding.

If you were riding WITHOUT a helmet at all, would you still be complaining about the "wind noise" or how noisy riding as a whole is? I wouldn't, because I know I am getting on a vehicle with my butt 6 inches above the engine and my head sticking out in the windstream most of the time (I quit sticking my head out of my family's car windows when I was a little boy because my Dad told me not to...now I don't do it because I know better myself). I want my helmet manufacturer to place the quality of the SAFETY of the helmet first. If they can do that and make it quiet too, great. If not, give me the helmet and I'll fix the "noise problem" with proper ear protection.

We spend 5-figures on our bikes. Thousands more on addons, riding gear, and yes...helmets. Don't put the "noise factor" at a higher priority than your safety factor. Yes, some helmets are "noisier" than others. But ALL helmets can be made quiet with proper ear protection, without compromising your ability to hear music clearly, talk over intercoms clearly, or still be able to maintain "Situational Awareness" around you while riding.

 

[duke50]

Love my modular Shoei Neotec helmet. When im in town, I lift the lid, and enjoy the fresh air for a bit. Nice when fueling too. I like the versatility

 

[JerryB]

Hi Ron,

Re: I wear glasses but have no problem with a full face and glasses.

I thought that I posted a reply on this thread yesterday; I'm in the middle of upgrading to Win 10 & it looks like it did not post.

These days I have to wear glasses to drive/ride. I have a full face & I almost always ride with the faceshield up so I can hear better. I take my glasses off, put on my helmet, flip the faceshied up, put on my glasses & am ready to ride.

Works for me,

Jerry Baumchen

 

[BajaRon]

Hi Ron,

Re: I wear glasses but have no problem with a full face and glasses.

I take my glasses off, put on my helmet, flip the faceshied up, put on my glasses & am ready to ride.

Works for me,

Jerry Baumchen

Works for me too. Some full face helmets do give glasses wearer's issues. But certainly, not all.

 

[PMK]

SNELL rating is not the same as DOT:lecturef_smilie: & the "chin bar opens in a crash" is not 100% of time, as well as can not prove if the bar was properly latched 100% of the crashes reported. Are 100%more effective than those with NO helmet.

Your point is vague.
As for what I watched was lab testing of modular helmets. I would highly doubt that for testing, lab workers would incorrectly latch a helmet.

Your comment about 100% effective is likely supposed to read, at least to complete your comment, that any helmet is 100% better than no helmet.

Regarding DOT rated vs Snell rated, I agree they are different ratings. I would prefer Snell over DOT, but sadly our Shoei GT Airs are not Snell rated. As I understand it, the flip down internal eyeshade has something to do with this.

I live and ride in a state that does not require motorcyclists to wear helmets. As a racer, rider and competitor, I do not agree with this. However, the law was changed, on account of those persons wanting to ride without a helmet. Almost daily, I see riders without helmets, riding in a way to endanger themselves and others. When injuries happen, overall, I simply accept that they rode as they chose too. They, not I, created the situation that their families are thrown into.

I am not here to debate whether or not to wear a helmet. Nor am I here to condemn modular is inferior to full coverage. It is not my place to tell someone they should ride with a helmet or ride with a certain style helmet. Ride with whatever, if anything you prefer. Your safety is your own decision.

 

[jcthorne]

I realize this is limited personal experience but I have been down twice in modular helmets and neither experienced chin bar loosening or helmet ejection either during or after the accidents. Though both helmets did their job and as a result were compromised. I continue to wear a modular helmet and feel from personal experience they are quite safe.

Actual testing by Snell and the main manufactures of helmets have shown otherwise. Your 2 incidents of anecdotal evidence do not show much of anything other than luck.

 

[jcthorne]

SNELL rating is not the same as DOT:lecturef_smilie: & the "chin bar opens in a crash" is not 100% of time, as well as can not prove if the bar was properly latched 100% of the crashes reported. Are 100%more effective than those with NO helmet.

DOT = Manufacture says trust us, we made a safe helmet to meet your specs. No testing of actual model sold.
SNELL = Show me and prove it. Actual test of the actual model being sold by a certified third party testing lab.