Some of you may remember my rant about online buying/shipping issues. The Nolan helmets that I ordered arrived a couple weeks ago and I've just now (the snow's cleared) gotten around to an evaluation on the X-Lite 1002 with VPS I got for myself.
This helmet is replacing a Shoei RF900 that has served me very well, and will continue to be my helmet for track days. For long trips I decided to go back to the Nolan (I had a N100 that was destroyed in a wreck) for all of the convenience features offered by a flip up. I decided on the Nolan because:
1. I knew they fit my head
2. They're priced a little better than the Shoei Syncro
3. The integral sun shield
4. More modern (lighter weight) construction materials
First impressions:
Construction is first class, metal locking latches, even joint seams and a well sealing visor. All graphics are under the clear coat. Annoying safety stickers easily removed. The visor change procedure is not as easy as the Shoei, but it's still tool-less. The visor is the same as the N100 models so only one spare needed for the two helmets... bonus. Included was also the chin seal and Nolan's anti fog inner lens. These attach inside the visor to existing pins to give you a double window effect similar to ski goggles. There is a very minor increase in peripheral distortion with the inner installed but they do work. The one handed opening that Nolan now uses is a great improvement over the two handed system they used to use. Inside, the X-Lite is much plusher than the N100E and uses different shaped cheek pads. The pockets for speakers appear to be deeper and a little larger. The cheek pads and liner are easily removed for laundering. At first glance the venting system while easy to use, appears to be a little flimsy. Time will tell.
The roads around here are still covered with crap so the KLR was the ride. Stock shield and a slight cross wind created enough turbulance for a good noise test. It passed with flying colors. Not quite as quiet as my Shoei used to be ( a chunk out of the top vent results in a whistle at speed, hence the replacement) and quieter than I remember my old N100 being. This is of course very subjective, but I do remember the N100 having a whistle around the visor that I could never eliminate. *Note* I've always worn ear plugs and will continue to. One of my concerns was the VPS or sun shield, being on the outside of the main visor, would it chatter or create any extra wind noise. Nada... It works perfectly. There's no discernible difference in noise and no lift created at any position. Optics are as good as any helmet visor I'm used, just a very slight distortion at the limits of my peripheral vision, sun screen up or down. I really like the feature.
Nolan's website states that the X-Lite was wind tunnel tested with the chin bar in the locked and the open position. I only rode with the chin bar open around town but my impression was that it made no difference in aerodynamics at around town speeds. It didn't seem to catch the wind as I remember the N100 doing. There's a slight change in the balance due to the weight transfer, but it wasn't objectionable. The chin bar on the X-Lite actually moves a little forward as it pivots up, increasing the clearance as it passes your chin, another bonus.
It will be a full season before I'm totally sold, I want to evaluate the venting in hot weather, and a steady downpour.
For now I rate it (out of 5)
Fit and finish :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:
Comfort :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:
Features :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:
Price :yes: :yes: :yes:
The price for the X-lite 1002 more than the HJC, less than the Shuthbert, and slightly less than the Shoei. Feature wise it's in the Shuthbert range for about $150 less. Price as tested excluding shipping, taxes and brokerage was
$359.99. Your dealer may sell for less.
I like it.
Steve
This helmet is replacing a Shoei RF900 that has served me very well, and will continue to be my helmet for track days. For long trips I decided to go back to the Nolan (I had a N100 that was destroyed in a wreck) for all of the convenience features offered by a flip up. I decided on the Nolan because:
1. I knew they fit my head
2. They're priced a little better than the Shoei Syncro
3. The integral sun shield
4. More modern (lighter weight) construction materials
First impressions:
Construction is first class, metal locking latches, even joint seams and a well sealing visor. All graphics are under the clear coat. Annoying safety stickers easily removed. The visor change procedure is not as easy as the Shoei, but it's still tool-less. The visor is the same as the N100 models so only one spare needed for the two helmets... bonus. Included was also the chin seal and Nolan's anti fog inner lens. These attach inside the visor to existing pins to give you a double window effect similar to ski goggles. There is a very minor increase in peripheral distortion with the inner installed but they do work. The one handed opening that Nolan now uses is a great improvement over the two handed system they used to use. Inside, the X-Lite is much plusher than the N100E and uses different shaped cheek pads. The pockets for speakers appear to be deeper and a little larger. The cheek pads and liner are easily removed for laundering. At first glance the venting system while easy to use, appears to be a little flimsy. Time will tell.
The roads around here are still covered with crap so the KLR was the ride. Stock shield and a slight cross wind created enough turbulance for a good noise test. It passed with flying colors. Not quite as quiet as my Shoei used to be ( a chunk out of the top vent results in a whistle at speed, hence the replacement) and quieter than I remember my old N100 being. This is of course very subjective, but I do remember the N100 having a whistle around the visor that I could never eliminate. *Note* I've always worn ear plugs and will continue to. One of my concerns was the VPS or sun shield, being on the outside of the main visor, would it chatter or create any extra wind noise. Nada... It works perfectly. There's no discernible difference in noise and no lift created at any position. Optics are as good as any helmet visor I'm used, just a very slight distortion at the limits of my peripheral vision, sun screen up or down. I really like the feature.
Nolan's website states that the X-Lite was wind tunnel tested with the chin bar in the locked and the open position. I only rode with the chin bar open around town but my impression was that it made no difference in aerodynamics at around town speeds. It didn't seem to catch the wind as I remember the N100 doing. There's a slight change in the balance due to the weight transfer, but it wasn't objectionable. The chin bar on the X-Lite actually moves a little forward as it pivots up, increasing the clearance as it passes your chin, another bonus.
It will be a full season before I'm totally sold, I want to evaluate the venting in hot weather, and a steady downpour.
For now I rate it (out of 5)Fit and finish :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:
Comfort :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:
Features :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:
Price :yes: :yes: :yes:
The price for the X-lite 1002 more than the HJC, less than the Shuthbert, and slightly less than the Shoei. Feature wise it's in the Shuthbert range for about $150 less. Price as tested excluding shipping, taxes and brokerage was
$359.99. Your dealer may sell for less.
I like it.
Steve
