What Flip-Front helmet?

Lutin

Administrator
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Ok Peeps.

Been thinking of getting myself a flip-front helmet - so what've you got and how do you rate it?

How do sizes compare to other brands?

How's the fit and finish?

How noisy is it? Mind, I ride with ear plugs anyway as I don't want my tinnitus to get any worse than it already is.

Currently have an Aria Quantum full face size Medium (see, I'm not a big 'ead) which works out at 57 - 58 cm or 7 - 7 and 1/8th in Christian units.

So, over to you........
 

Philwhiskeydrinker

Well-Known Member
I have an Arai shaped head & find them very comfy, I went trying various flip fronts before giving up and buying another Arai some 7 years ago.....

Being due another lid, I went through the flip front rigmarole again recently -
Most still feel like cheap crap, creaking when you put them on or open/close the chin bar;

Shoei just don't fit me.

Schuberth C3 was nearly a good fit, a bit tight at the front.

Shark evoline, reasonable fit, I really like the option of using as an openface but the pivot mechanism seemed flimsy although they came with decent warranty.

In the end I purchased a HJC RPHA Max evo (bit of a mouthful) at the NEC bike show for £199 (Ironically from the local J&S stand that I originally tried one on at for £269), a size L is similar to an Arai Medium, has the usual flip front, sun visor, couple of vents, buckle strap fastening, removable lining & comes with a pinlock insert.

So far it's comfy, nice quality feeling (flip & visor mechanism feel nice without the usual creaking), although the strap buckle can feel a bit bulky, nipping the skin if not positioned correctly, venting seems ok but the sun visor can mist up a bit with the main visor down.
Noise is a biggy for me (I hate it), overall it's similar to my previous Arai Chaser with the HJC having less of the ferrocious wind roar but more road noise like when overtaking wagons.
A recent trip in low temps & pi$$ing rain showed no draughts or leaks around the visor (which looks a lot easier to change than an Arai visor.....)

Overall, I'm very pleased & would buy the same again.

As a note, another seller suggested I tried another (cheaper) HJC flip, which felt no where near as nice.

Good luck with the search, Phil
 

Ian Porter

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I'm a Schuberth man

had a C3 which I loved and just recently replaced it with a C3 Pro which is a little tighter but still needs to bed in

build quality is good on both and very quiet (the C3 Pro especially so)

Schuberth do size their helmets a bit differently to other brands so one to watch out for (I'm a medium and it seemed the same as the medium Arai tour-X I tried which fit lovely)

there's also the new Schuberth to look out for that got an enduro type peak on it
 

Chewbadger

Active Member
I've got an Arai shaped bonce. Shoei just don't fit me.

I bought a Caberg Tourmax a couple of years ago. Fits well, but noisy at speed. Then I realised I don't use the flip. Sun visor is useful though.

Gone back to an Arai again now, can't fault them. Have saved my bacon on a couple of occasions.
 

Lutin

Administrator
Staff member
Forum Supporter
Thanks for the info, folks.

As for different manufacturers for different shaped heads - I used to have a Shoei which fit really well, but found that last time, I preferred an Arai. And I don't think that my head changed shape in the mean time.

Looks like I'll have to find somewhere with a range of helmets to try out. Not easy thing to do here in Ireland. One option is Crossan's Motorcycles (aka TheVisorShop) but that would be a serious day out. Even though they have an extensive stock on site some of their stock is listed as being "mail order only". Mind you, they couldn't stock one of every size of helmet that they supply - the warehouse would be huge!

Looking at reviews on-line it appears that some flip-fronts are dual homologated - ie approved for use in either configuration - and some are not. Yet another consideration to take into account.

Ho hum.
 

Rubberchicken

Well-Known Member
Phil said:
I have an Arai shaped head
...
In the end I purchased a HJC RPHA Max evo

So is that the long oval Arai shape then? The sort of head shape that means you can't find a cheap helmet to fit you even if you'd get money for it? :D

Might have to take note of that one then, I still need a new lid.

I had a NeoTec last time 'round. Flippy front is nice, sunvisor is nice, though the fit wasn't quite it for my head, it would start to give me a headache after half a day. They do hold up well in a crash though, no complaints there.
 

Ian Porter

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I tried a neotec once
In the medium I could practically turn my head round and I couldn't get the small on

I just ain't got a shoei head [emoji3]
 

Philwhiskeydrinker

Well-Known Member
Rubberchicken said:
Phil said:
I have an Arai shaped head
...
In the end I purchased a HJC RPHA Max evo

So is that the long oval Arai shape then? The sort of head shape that means you can't find a cheap helmet to fit you even if you'd get money for it? :D

Might have to take note of that one then, I still need a new lid.

I had a NeoTec last time 'round. Flippy front is nice, sunvisor is nice, though the fit wasn't quite it for my head, it would start to give me a headache after half a day. They do hold up well in a crash though, no complaints there.

Yeah, that pretty much sums it!

Most helmets are too tight on my forehead.

Phil
 

Rubberchicken

Well-Known Member
I might actually just go back to a Tour-X3. I'd miss the flippy and sunvisor and stuff, but that was an all day helmet for me.

Finding another helmet that's comfy for more than 3 hours a day is proving to be quite a challenge, nevermind 8-10 hours...
 

Hamster

Active Member
Caberg duke me, good fit, bit of wind noise without earplug,s but can,nt fault it for the price.
 

Ian Porter

Administrator
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Buttercup said:
Caberg duke me, good fit, bit of wind noise without earplug,s but can,nt fault it for the price.

but you don't have to look at it while your riding, can't wait for the batteries to go flat :)
 

austin

Well-Known Member
Shoei multitec for me. No more noisy than the previous 3 shoeis I had before it, watertight in the right places and all-day / all-week / all-month comfortable too. Mine is heading for 7 years old so probably really ought to be changed.


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