Helmets Nolan N104

rcb

rcb

Joined
Oct 22, 2012
Messages
62
Location
Bedford, IN
Bike
93 ST1100
Just picked up one of these.

I looked it over and tried one on before ordering. I have a big noggin so 3x is a must (though my old helmet was a 2x AGV... but the newer ones are tighter).

It's HUGE. I walked by the mirror with the face up and I reminded me of Dark Helmet from Spaceballs. Relatively light for the size. However, for me the big sellers are the flip down interior sun visor and the massive visor allowing a wide track of vision without turning the head.

This is the first polycarbonate shell helmet I've owned, but the reports are all very positive. It's been approved for the face being up or down (though not recommended to be riding with it up). The one I received (in white) seems to be a bit tighter than the one I tried on. I think it will break in ok however. There looks to be enough room that I can wear a respirator inside the helmet for commuting.

From what I've read, it doesn't play well with many comm systems. I don't have a comm system, so I can't speak to that.

Venting isn't too bad. Leaps and bounds above helmets 15 years ago.

I think it might still be a little pricey for what it is. I think closer to the 250-300 range would be more in line. I received mine for 330 delivered from Revzilla. I was really considering another AGV as I've been very happy with them in the past. But, the viewport is what swayed me. Excellent vision inside this helmet.

I won't be able to give a final opinion until I've put several hundred miles on, but I think it will be a good helmet.
 
I and my wife have N103's for riding the wing... no problems with the come system... but then again, Air Rider near Chattanooga, Tn installed the comm system when I purchased it from them along with the helmets.
 
Got my 104 a month back. So far so good. Little tight around the cheeks.. but that is just formt he recent holidays I'm sure.

Fit aside, airflow is really decent from what I can tell so far. Definetly notice when I open the front or top air vents. Top definetly creates a breeze over the noggin, front just provide a subtle cooling effect. Front vent control is not very distinct with winter gloves.

Pinlock is great for the cold weather!

Still trying to get used to the center lift for the visor. My HJC had it off to the left side and it seems more natural.
Drop down sun visor is a repeat of my HJC. Still learning where the controls are for it so I can do it without thinking. They are not very big when you are wearing winter gloves. The nose cutout on the sun shield is a little small, just touches the top of the nose. Also noticed that the shield drops down to one position, no intermediate steps. All up or all down.

Noise control is good, but I still wear earplugs. Tried to fit up a Scala unit, no joy with the standard clamp on the Scala. I'm trying to find my stash of gaffers tape and will use that when I can.

Dual lock system to lift the chin-bar is similar to the sun-shield. Buttons are subtle and kind of hard to work with winter gloves. Maybe I should make a trip south to check all these controls with lighter weight gloves.

Switch on left side that lock helmet into the up position is a little annoying. I can see the reason, prevents unwanted closure. But in 5 years of my HJC never unintentionally closing, why is the Nolan worried about it? Twice now I have accidentally flipped that switch and not been able to close the lid when I wanted. Lid does not lift as far as the HJC, but far enough.

So far, really liking it. More confident in it's impact resistance then with the HJC. But Iope i never try it out.
 
I have my Sena installed on my 104. Just use the adhesive amount instead of the clamp.

Just installed a dark green smoke faceplate and it with the internal sunscreen brings it down a lot.. Also the new faceplate cuts down a lot on the solar heating under the faceplate.

It took a while to get used to not being able to have a small gap at the bottom of that massive shield and to remember to click it down and push hard on the top vent switch to get it to click into the open vent instead.

really like it after one season. Just FYI, you can loosen up the cheek pads by purchasing the pads for a larger size. I have the XL and installed the 3 XL cheek pads to get a better fit.

chris
 
clmixon said:
really like it after one season. Just FYI, you can loosen up the cheek pads by purchasing the pads for a larger size. I have the XL and installed the 3 XL cheek pads to get a better fit.

chris
Click to expand...

Yeah, the cheek is where I've noticed it. Sadly, I'm already at 3x, so no smaller pads.

I am really liking how "open" it feels. I do ride around home without a helmet on occasion (legal in my area) and really enjoy doing so. This helmet is closest in sense of open viewing, that I've come across.
 
I picked up the mirrored face shield. The few times I've been able to use it in daylight it seems to be nice.

For the cheekpads tightness, sure I could order a thinner set.. but I could also just skip a few meals..
 
Dad and I both have the N103. We would have the 104 except that we already had the Scala Rider Team Set and the 104's sunvisor control is where the Scala has to mount. We love the strap mechanism instead of the D-ring closure. With regards to impact resistance, Dad crashed his FJR back in '08 while wearing the Nolan N102. We were within $100 of totaling the FJR and Dad had 3 broken ribs. The Nolan took a direct impact but it stayed closed. It was obviously warped but the mechanism for the flip up still functioned, it opened and closed just fine. Dad survived with no head injuries. I cannot think of a better endorsement than that.
 
That is a good endorsement, Red! I'm looking at the N-90, I tryed on the 104, and I didn't like the feel as much as the 90, the 90 just felt like it covered my grape better. I've been wearing an HJC, and it felt okay, for the first couple years, but it's time for a new one.
 
Just got my new 104 outlaw yesterday. Man, what a view! That's a really big visor. I love it! First ride this morning to work and no fog at all. I love my scorpion 1100 but I had to open the visor at every traffic light to get rid of fog. Not with 104. And the n-com system is much better than scala rider that I'm using on scorpion.
I highly recommend N104, it's even quieter an scorpion full face and huge difference from N103 that I have but I'm not using it much cause of noise.
Guys, check these prices out: http://www.compacc.com/Helmets-Street-Helmets
 
QUOTE: For the cheekpads tightness, sure I could order a thinner set.. but I could also just skip a few meals..

I just upgraded from the N103... nice difference and one down side... I got a large and it was a little tight.. My solution was to put a volly ball inside the helmet and blow it up to stretch out the inside when I'm not wearing it (duh!) My noggen was right between the lrg and x lrg. The volly ball treatment works for me!!
I like the large view angle but the faceshield shakes like crazy when popped to the first detent. The problem is that with the extra room the faceshield fogs like crazy for me. My N103 didn't fog as much and with the shield at the first detent to de fog the shield, it did not shake rattle and roll like the N104 does.. It is very quiet. The vent system, like everyother helmet vent......... sucks or lack of suck/blow...
I like it when I pop the shield up and get a nice blast of air to the face..I guess I'll try the pinlock and see how it works. Ugh, another layer of plastic in front of my eyes....
All in all I like it.
 
The N102 was the best helmet I ever owned..I went cheap with a Symax 2 (or 3) and kick myself for it..
I WILL go back to a new Nolan when the time is right.

the only problem I had w the 102 was paint chipping..
 
My 2 problems with the 104 so far have been the loudness of the clunk when you close the faceshield, guess that is not necessarily a bad thing, and getting a Scala set to fit. Ordering the sticky tape to replace the clamp. Also I see some reflections of the white lines from the road in the pinlock when the conditions are just right.

In a few more weeks I bet I find another dislike... the internal sunshade is either full up/down. Wish it had incremental stops. Right now I ride to work before the sun is up and heading home after it sets, but that will change shortly, and I'll be doing weekend rides.
\
Well... I can live with these faults. All in all I like it.
 
I ordered two 104's from J&M with headsets installed a couple of years ago. I think they're noisy with the windscreen down, and my clear visor won't stay in position.
 
Just got my N104 the pin lock they sent along is yellow not clear is this standard and if so how is it for nite riding?
 
Mine came witht he clear pinlock.

Yellow would be for low visibility conditions, hazy.
You are not supposed to use the pinlock insert at night due to excess reflections.
 
I picked up a N90 in September and am happy. It seems like a well made product and I think it would do it's job in a crash .With that said, mine is also tight in the cheeks. I am a little disappointed I the noise it lets in. I bought some earplugs and will try them when the weather warms.
 
I only had this helmet on for a short time it does feel snug I think if there is any break in at all it will be just about tight. I never looked at the pin lock close enough to see that there was a peel off cover but if it does not work well at night a may not use it any way.
 
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