Flip top Helmets

[Jim McSharry]

Lidz

Have owned the Arai Quantum 4 for a year now - great lid, fits well and is quiet at speed.
Bought a System 4 flip up thingy at knock down price of £75 smackers and stuck peak/side panels on thinking it would make a great summer helmet - used it for the first time last week in full face mode and initially found it to be very noisy/buffeting compared to Arai - soon got used to it and actually became really attached to it - the benefits of using it in the 'open' mode in city work far outweighed the Arai's closed aspect - fresh air, sense of freedom (you know what I mean!!!) recommend it as an alternative.
£75 I hear you say? fell off the back of a wagon ;-)
Only joking - I have a receipt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Jimbo

 

[Steve]

Re: Lidz

£75 I hear you say? fell off the back of a wagon ;-)
Only joking - I have a receipt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...scribbled on the back of a fag packet, no doubt.

Steve.

 

[Jim McSharry]

Lidz

Heyup Steve - don't forget, i know all the answers, now, what's the question officer???


Jimbo - Still in retirement ;-)

 

[Jim McSharry]

Receipt

Ah, you must mean THIS receipt hofficer...

 

[gazza]

Caberg Tourisimo

Hi Paul, just recently I have experienced a very frightening experience with my Tourisimo. During quite heavy rain there was so much water coming inside of the visor from the top centre that it became impossible to see where I was going as it was also covering my glasses.
I have returned the helmet to my local supplier who agrees that the fault is unacceptable.
Pidcocks my local dealer returned the helmet to Caberg for comment. The made no comment but have sent me a brand new helmet. However, upon opening the box Pidcocks tested the new helmet ( with my patent visor tester, sliding a doubled piece of paper in between the visor and the supposed seal at the top of the visor in the centre). We actually managed to slide four pieces of paper in the gap before any resistance was felt. They ( Pidcocks ) said that the helmet was no better than the original faulty one they sent back and to some extent was probably worse and offered me a full refund. I note that you also experienced this problem. I suspect there is a design problem here and that anyone experiencing this problem should return their helmet so that Caberg can see the scale of the problem.

 

[gazza]

Justisimo

Ooops sorry ment Caberg Justisimo dont know where I got Tourisimo from. Must lay off the drink I think.

 

[LivNorway]

Helmet with a bow port!

Hi Gazza!

I call the front of the helmet ''bow port'' = ''baugport''. (The ''door'' in front of a big boat.)

And your story gives that name a new meaning!

Flip top helmet = opening helmet = bow port helmet!

Liv.

 

[roadrider]

Hi Guys

Any recommendations on the best flip top helmets, I would prefer one that I could wear with the face piece in both positions.

The system 4 comes with a sticker on it " do NOT ride with chin bar raised". You can get them with the Jet pack which turns it into open face, which I prefer especially in the hot weather and is less noisy than with the chin bar fitted.

john

 

[MikeO]

John,

the only flip front helmet which is designed to be worn open or closed is the Roof Boxer, as far as I know. If you come a cropper with a 'normal' flip front helmet in the 'up' position, you stand a very good chance of breaking your neck. The Roof chin bar is designed to break off (it's tested as an open face and the chin bar is not meant to provide crash protection).
I strongly advise you not to ride with the front of any other helmet in the raised position.

Mike

 

[Mike Werner]

Here's a link to an article I posted some time ago in my daily blog site, copied from a french biker mag, testing flip up helmets.

Helmets

 

[Iain Hogg]

The System 4 Jet Pack is not available in the UK - presumably as it has not been tested in that format, or just didn't meet the requirements!

Iain

 

[gazza]

Blog Site

Just had a look at the Blog site Mike and agree with the rating for the Shoei Syncrotec. My old one is looking a little worse for wear as I have used it daily for the last 4 years. Pidcocks have agreed to let me have a new Syncrotec 2 at a good discount to replace the Justisimo. Nice touch that, they didn't have to but makes for good customer relations. Noticed there have been quite a few modifications to the new Syncrotec also.

 

[Martyn B]

Hi Stunpy,

I've got a Vemar. Had it for three years and it hasn't fallen to pieces yet.

It's also lighter than most flips but still noisier than a normal full face. I don't need to wear earplugs unless I'm going to do sustained high speeds over long distances. You cant wear it in the open position and for that reason I'm going to buy a Roof Boxer. I've seen the postings about them and have tried a few and they seem to be OK for comfort round the chin so I'm going for it...

The good news about the Vemar is that they are relatively cheap compared to the competition. If it does fall to peices you can afford to replace it more frequently!

Martyn

 

[(RIP) maverick]

Roof Boxer

Bought one of these last year at Ally Pally and the most money I have personally wasted!
Looks nice, very comfy etc but if it starts raining your are really, really F$CKED! It mists up so badly that no amount of anti fog etc will cure it. The shape of it also lets most water enter you nose when you leave the lid slightly open for ventilation. Brilliant for the summer but be prepared to put it away on rainy days.

Cheers

 

[Invicta Moto]

Never having had a flip helmet before, I have recently bought a Caberg just one plus. It was very cheap at £99.00 (they are advertised for £85 in MCN) So far very comfortable, good seal on the visor with no draughts and acceptable soundproofing.

Mine is in black which is a metallic colour and looks brilliant, especially with the BMW helmet badge on the back and front.

This helmet can be converted easily to an open face.

Mark

Saw a couple of gys with them on the National at the weekend but the front didn't seem to lift all that high to clear the face on the Caberg. My System 3 the chinpiece folds right back but these didn't seem to go more than half way..... is that right or did these guys not oull it up high enough.... Seemed the defeat the object if you have to squint under the chinpeice.....

 

[roadrider]

jet pack

The System 4 Jet Pack is not available in the UK - presumably as it has not been tested in that format, or just didn't meet the requirements!

Iain
The jet pack is a BMW part and can be ordered from any BMW dealer. if you bought one in the LT colour scheme you got one included in the normal price.

John

 

[Deadskin]

Saw a couple of gys with them on the National at the weekend but the front didn't seem to lift all that high to clear the face on the Caberg. My System 3 the chinpiece folds right back but these didn't seem to go more than half way..... is that right or did these guys not oull it up high enough.... Seemed the defeat the object if you have to squint under the chinpeice.....

I tried one but had to take my glasses off to put it on,
kinda defeated one of the benefits of a flip up lid

 

[Shugz]

Lidz

Hi folks,

I have a Schuby Concept and canna fault it. It even matches my 1150.

If I was to replace it, I would think about the Roof Boxer as it looks cool.

Don't you's think we should be able to 'test drive' helmets ?

cya's

Shugz.

 

[justin limmitz]

Lazer Revolution is the way forward:

One hand to put it on
One hand to fasten it up
One hand to flip it up
One hand to flip down the integral black visor
( so, ideal for person with one hand..)

Tried and tested against a moving Scania 143M...

Replaced for £139.99.Bargain.

If you've got a MASSIVE anglo saxon square head like me..its the only helmet thats any good.

 

[littleredrooster]

Well, lots of different manufacturers mentioned here, but no mention of the flip-top that I use and recommend.

HJC Sy-Max: single handed operation for flip, excellent visor design, (easy to change, no leakage, good anti-fogging as standard) chin-piece comes well up when open (although I rarely ride with it up, only when going extreeeemely slowly), lining pops out for washing, good vents on head and chin, and MINIMAL BUFFETING!

This is my second one now, bought at the BMF for £79 including Iridium visor (legal, before you ask, officer). Highly recommended if you have a funny-shaped bonce like wot I has! Try it.