wiping out in convertible helmet?

[niteshade]

I was in my local bike shop today (sweet joint, I'll tell you about it later), and they had this Nolan N100E full face helmet.  The one with the lifting face.  

Has anybody ever had an accident in this helmet where it was put to the test?  A guy in the shop had one and face-planted at 20 MPH; the helmet was fine (and so was he), but 20MPH isn't the same as 80MPH...

Or should I get a Shoei or an Arai?  Any recommendations?

[Roadstergal]

None of the flipup helmets submit themselves for Snell testing, so I pass.

[weaselnoze]

google it and u'll see. they all suck apparently.

[Onlypastrana199]

I saw one were the flip up part like ripped off on one side..and the guys face met the pavement that was gross...

[dgyver]

A friend had one (I do not recall which brand) and it fell apart while he was putting it on.

[GeeP]

I've heard several instances of flip-front helmets coming open in a crash.  Personally, I won't buy a helmet if it's not Snell certified.  Not sure why there aren't any certified flip-fronts, but Snell says they're open to the idea.  Maybe the flip-front manufacturers know they can't pass the tests?   :dunno:

That, and I find the whole flip-front thing a waste.  If I'm going into Burger King I'm going to take my lid off, not sit at a table with the front flipped up.   :lol:

Plus, the whole flip mechanism is one more thing to fail in a crash.  I don't like stuff failing when I need it most.  KISS!   :kiss:  

My opinion is worth all you paid for it.

[callmelenny]

There is a report here http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/fliphelmets/
that contradicts much of the anecdotal reporting in this thread.

I wear the Nolan and have been happy with its performance and my own research has satisfied my safety concerns. Ultimately, it is your head. Wrap however you see fit.

[Roadstergal]

From reading that article, the only independent testing done was the '70s-era FVMSS test.  The testing the mag did was with the chin bar detached (missing the point a bit) and an anvil drop onto the forehead (missing the point more than a bit).  They did have a "chinbar deflection test," but gave absolutely no procedural details.

I've never seen a magazine do a review of gear that wouldn't be laughed out of a peer-reviewed journal.  Yet another reason I don't buy them (the magazines).

[97gs500e]

ha

thats what my older bro "Justinnoob" wears.  I didn't know they weren't snell approved..

[callmelenny]

ha

thats what my older bro "Justinnoob" wears.  I didn't know they weren't snell approved..

There are Snell approved open face helmets. I assume a flip up helmet provides more protection than an open face.  :dunno:

[fettcols]

I've got a vega summit... It's pretty good if you wear glasses. As for crash testing? It was hanging on the helmet hook when I got rear ended and shot about 40 feet into oncoming traffic. The only damage was the visor clip.

[Blazinjr]

I have 2 Fulmer modular flip up helmets and I like them and I bought one for my wife too.  No problems as of yet.

[GeeP]

I've never seen a magazine do a review of gear that wouldn't be laughed out of a peer-reviewed journal.  Yet another reason I don't buy them (the magazines).

Yep.  After all, they're in the business of selling square inches, not providing unbiased information.

[Roadstergal]

There are Snell approved open face helmets. I assume a flip up helmet provides more protection than an open face.  :dunno:

But none of the makers of flipfaces have ever submitted them for Snell testing.

A better-made open face will provide better coverage over the parts it does cover than a worse-made flipface; a shoddy chin-bar might be better than none at all; but I pick a fullface with what's at least a reasonably universal and independently tested standard that I've seen work.

I won't wear an open-face no matter the rating; the part of my body that is not covered by gear is the part I don't mind losing the next time I ride.

[ducati_nolan]

One of the motorcycle magazines (Motorcyclist I think) did a pretty thurough test of a bunch of helmets a while back (june or july 05 I think) and they found that Snell approved helmets didn't do as well as the DOT only approved ones in real world crashes. The two cheapest helmets got the two highest ratings. It's a worthwile read, at least it made me feel a lot better about my $100 helmet.

[Alphamazing]

Oh jeeze. You brought in "The Report". RG is going to have your ass on a stick.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Oh jeeze. You brought in "The Report". RG is going to have your ass on a stick.

haha... let me go make my popcorn, this will be a fun thread to watch

[rtcpenguin]

Oh jeeze. You brought in "The Report". RG is going to have your ass on a stick.

Why? Whats wrong with the report?

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Oh jeeze. You brought in "The Report". RG is going to have your ass on a stick.

Why? Whats wrong with the report?

another sucker brings up the report... oh boy, this'll be fun! Where's RG when you need her?

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

Oh, and so that I can't be called a postwhore, let me clarify... the report was brought up a long time ago and spawned a GIANT thread about independent testing policies, magazines reviewing helmets, etc...if I wasn't about to go to bed, I'd search for it and link ya to it... I'm sure one of the other GStwinners can find it for ya, or you could search too... if not, I'll find it when I get up... It was a long, funny (to me, anyway) thread...