Nolan N104 + Comms Kit

-XP-

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We’re always seeing threads slagging off crap products so I thought I’d start one about a good product, seems only fair.

I recently bought a Nolan N104 Flip Front helmet http://www.helmetcity.co.uk/nolan-n104- ... tAodXmYE2A and it’s not bad. My last helmet was a Shoei and I have to admit that the Nolan doesn’t quite have the quality feel that the Shoei did, for the price difference though it’s more than acceptable.

The main reason I bought it (apart from the handy built in sun visor) is that a guy I go riding with has one and bought the Bluetooth kit that fits in it http://www.wheelup.it/gb_en/motorcycle- ... wgodAroBYg and this can stream music from your phone or play the radio but I wanted it for the comms.

We tried them out on Saturday and it works a treat, no messing about with radio’s or push to talk or VOX etc… it just connects via Bluetooth and acts like you’re talking on a phone. We tested it at various speeds and with the helmet flipped up etc… not once could we not have a conversation and hear each other perfectly. The only downside is the range, it’s not brilliant but as a general rule if you could see the other bike then you could talk to it. It states the range is between 500-800 metres and this seemed to hold up. It was completely usable for what we wanted to do and not messing about with radios is a big plus.

You can also connect 3 bikes in normal mode and I think it does 6 in some special friend channel mode but there are only 2 of us with them so that’s all we could test.

Positives:

Decent price, the helmet and comms kit is about the same price as a Shoei helmet.
No messing with Radio’s or push to talk, VOX etc…
Easy connection, one calls and the other answers.
You can take phone calls on the move; if you are in comms or radio etc… it overrides it and calls you.
No wires as it’s all built into the helmet and rechargeable.
Big enough buttons to press even with gloves on.
Loud enough to hear a conversation at 80mph with ear plugs in.
No waiting for the other to finish talking or missing bits, it’s just like talking on a phone.

Negatives:

Short distance of the Bluetooth connection, after about a quarter mile it’ll start breaking up.
You can have either music/radio or comms, not both. It would have been nice to be able to play music from my phone and have that auto cut out if the other rider spoke but it seems you can only have either or… The only way we can do it now is to play music and then call the other rider if you wish to speak (which is easy enough as you just tap a button) then hang up and go back to listening to music.
It’s helmet specific, obviously, so once bought it has to go in the Nolan helmet.

Can’t think of anything else but will add if I do.
 

Steve T

Well-Known Member
Nice to read positive fedd back on products - not enough of that on tinternet - but then where's the fun in saying somethings great and not getting the trolls going :eek: ;)

I've had a few Nolans and I find they fit my bonce fine. They're better made than some of the other mid priced flip fronts, in my opinion, and at the price shown in that link Craig, I'd call them reet good value :thumbsupanim:

Thanks for sharing some positive vibes :thumbsup:

Steve T

:cool:
 

-XP-

Well-Known Member
Forum Supporter
Thanks guys.

Not sure on the battery Andy, we were out for a about 4 hours and I'd say we must have been talking for at least a couple of hours and all was fine.

It has a warning of 1 hour battery remaining but I didn't hear it so it looks like you get a good while out of it.

I'll know more in September as we'll be using them when we travel to the national and it's 300-ish miles so we'll soon see how long it lasts!

An added note: You can get the app for it and control it using your phone, it's not much use though because as soon as you close the phone it shuts the radio off so a bit useless but it's no hassle to use the button on the helmet control to use the radio.
 

-XP-

Well-Known Member
Forum Supporter
Well we've given them a good test this weekend going to the national.

They were brilliant, they lost connection every now and then but it's simple to call it back and answer on the move, not a problem at all.

The battery lasted all the way there, we set off at 1100 and arrived about 1800 (I think?) and we obviously stopped a few times for some food and petrol etc... but the majority of the time was riding and we were talking all the time, so they are definitely good for hours of constant use.

Simple USB charging lead means you can charge them when you get there for the return journey, well, you can if Stuart's going in his mobile palace and there's room left after everyone has their phones jacked in for a charge! :D
 
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