Helmets Helmet conundrum?!

Diggers1300

Diggers1300

Joined
Jul 21, 2005
Messages
299
Location
Marshall, TX
Bike
ST1300
I'm wanting to replace my current Shoei helmet with a Shoei Neotec II. Going from a FF to a Flip Up. My concern is on the sizing. No one remotely close to me has a Neotec in stock to try on. I didn't know if there would be any size consideration coming from a FF helmet to a Flip Up. My current lid is a large and fits well. But according to Shoei's sizing chart I should be on the line between small and medium! I'm not understanding that one.

If you were in my shoes (Shoei), what would you do?
 
I ended up with a Klim TK1200 in a Large, my Shoei FF RF1200 is a large as well.

I don't care for the drop sun shields and the Klim comes with a transitions shield which is awesome.
www.revzilla.com

Klim TK1200 Tech Helmet - RevZilla

Boasting a full carbon fiber shell in a modular design, the Klim TK1200 Helmet is a technical knockout. The heat-polymerised molded carbon shell affor…
www.revzilla.com www.revzilla.com
 
I'm curious about the modular helmet, the articles I have read are somewhat inconsistent about their safety versus full face; the ones saying not as safe mention the hinge as being a weak point or the latchs - recommended to get metal versus plastic. I have never used or actually looked at a modular helmet. I've read they are also heavier than a full face due to the mechanism? Curious about the benefits; do you actually raise it up all that often?
 
Weaselinsuit said:
I'm curious about the modular helmet, the articles I have read are somewhat inconsistent about their safety versus full face; the ones saying not as safe mention the hinge as being a weak point or the latchs - recommended to get metal versus plastic. I have never used or actually looked at a modular helmet. I've read they are also heavier than a full face due to the mechanism? Curious about the benefits; do you actually raise it up all that often?
Click to expand...
I like it for summer riding... on my recent trip to NatSTOC I raised it quite often to sip from my camelbak. Plus, it's easy to get some air when stopping and refueling or grabbing a quick bite to eat.

Is a FF safer, yes I'm certain of it... but, I think a modular is safe enough. You just have to make up your own mind if that is an issue.

I'll probably wear my FF in the winter as the Modular flows more air and great for summer riding.
 
Diggers1300 said:
...according to Shoei's sizing chart I should be on the line between small and medium! I'm not understanding that one.
Click to expand...

I think it's worth pointing out that the safest helmet is one that, at first, feels uncomfortably tight. That's most likely the sizing chart issue. I'm sure all the many-years experienced helmet wearers here aren't going to change sizes but grabbing the helmet and waggling it back and forth should move your head without delay. If the helmet moves a bit before your head is forced to move, it is too loose. (But everyone knows that, right?)
 
Weaselinsuit said:
the ones saying not as safe mention the hinge as being a weak point or the latchs - recommended to get metal versus plastic.
Click to expand...
I have no idea how many organizations are including the latching mechanism in their testing of modular helmets now because I haven't shopped for a helmet for a while.
The UK, under their SHARP helmet testing program, was one of the first, if not the first, to test and rate the ability of the latch mechanism to remain latched under impact. They started doing this because all of the other testing agencies such as DOT and Snell tested modular helmets the same way that they tested full-face helmets, and did not test the integrity of the latch mechanism specifically.
Their website is below.
SHARP

I have a modular helmet. I find it very convenient at gas stops, stopping for a quick drink, or when trying to talk to other people, etc.. In any instance where you want to do something but do not want to remove your helmet, it is very convenient. I also find it easier to put on and remove than a properly fitting full-face. I also find it easier to put glasses on than when wearing a full-face.

I never ride with it flipped up, not even at very slow speeds. If during your normal riding you very rarely remove your helmet for any reason until when you normally would at a stop anyway, then the benefits will be less of a convenience to you.
 
I have a Neotec II, I DO like it, I haven't had any other full face helmets for road, just dirt. I will say that I like the modular features, and I personally do like the drop down sun blocker. I wear a large, but the one thing I don't care for the strap though, it's a ratchet and not a double ring like most helmets. Not terrible to use, I just don't feel like I can cinch it down as good as I like.
 
mudduc said:
I think it's worth pointing out that the safest helmet is one that, at first, feels uncomfortably tight. That's most likely the sizing chart issue. I'm sure all the many-years experienced helmet wearers here aren't going to change sizes but grabbing the helmet and waggling it back and forth should move your head without delay. If the helmet moves a bit before your head is forced to move, it is too loose. (But everyone knows that, right?)
Click to expand...

That is exactly my problem! While the sizing chart shows me to be between a Small and a Medium, my current Large FF is VERY snug. It folds my ears down if I'm not careful and is very snug against my cheeks. I couldn't go down any smaller. Hence my question.

Must just be that I've got an odd shaped head. (Let the peanut gallery comments begin!)
 
For sizing.....I wear the same size Neotec as an Shoei RF. Both fit me about the same.

Safety of modular over FF......personal acceptable risk level. Modular is not as vault like as a FF but the higher end ones are close.
 
I wasn't sure about the ratchet at first but after living with it for a while I like it. Quick to undo with cold tired fingers. Less fiddling each time putting it on. 3 clicks and I know it's set correctly. Gross adjustments can be made with the sliding part of the strap if necessary.

In an extreme situation a modular is inherently less solid than a true FF. But for the other million miles, the convenience of being able to flip it up for a snack, conversation, or just fresh air is quite nice.

Always closed latched and yanked on to verify when rolling.
 
mudduc said:
I think it's worth pointing out that the safest helmet is one that, at first, feels uncomfortably tight. That's most likely the sizing chart issue. I'm sure all the many-years experienced helmet wearers here aren't going to change sizes but grabbing the helmet and waggling it back and forth should move your head without delay. If the helmet moves a bit before your head is forced to move, it is too loose. (But everyone knows that, right?)
Click to expand...
It's funny you mention that. It's the reason I am looking for a new helmet; the extra large for mine is the only one that fits the shape of my head comfortably but there is a bit of wiggle. I need one for a long oval head and it looks like I might have to pony up for an Arai. The helmet I have is supposed to fit my head shape but it's not great in the size down.
 
Andrew Shadow said:
I have no idea how many organizations are including the latching mechanism in their testing of modular helmets now because I haven't shopped for a helmet for a while.
The UK, under their SHARP helmet testing program, was one of the first, if not the first, to test and rate the ability of the latch mechanism to remain latched under impact. They started doing this because all of the other testing agencies such as DOT and Snell tested modular helmets the same way that they tested full-face helmets, and did not test the integrity of the latch mechanism specifically.
Their website is below.
SHARP

I have a modular helmet. I find it very convenient at gas stops, stopping for a quick drink, or when trying to talk to other people, etc.. In any instance where you want to do something but do not want to remove your helmet, it is very convenient. I also find it easier to put on and remove than a properly fitting full-face. I also find it easier to put glasses on than when wearing a full-face.

I never ride with it flipped up, not even at very slow speeds. If during your normal riding you very rarely remove your helmet for any reason until when you normally would at a stop anyway, then the benefits will be less of a convenience to you.
Click to expand...
Thanks Andrew, I will take a look at that site. :thumb:
 
pmatulew said:
I wasn't sure about the ratchet at first but after living with it for a while I like it. Quick to undo with cold tired fingers. Less fiddling each time putting it on. 3 clicks and I know it's set correctly. Gross adjustments can be made with the sliding part of the strap if necessary.
Click to expand...
Same here... I can't say how many times I forgot to hook my helmet straps w/D rings and had to pull over and take off gloves... with the ratchet, it's easy and taking off even better...
 
We've always worn HJC RPHA modular. Used to be a hard core FF type, but after the switch to modular, will never go back.

I keep the chinbar up the majority of a ride, except when around traffic, then the bar gets latched.
 
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