I found a rather long and thorough review of the new Nolan N103 N-COM modular helmet.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcyc ... olan-n103/
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcyc ... olan-n103/
WebBikeWorld review of Nolan N103...
Guest
G
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
G
Guest
·I found a rather long and thorough review of the new Nolan N103 N-COM modular helmet.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcyc ... olan-n103/
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcyc ... olan-n103/
G
Guest
·Yea, I was thinking about upgrading from my 102 (just for the inside sun shield) but now I think I'll wait for something better.
Joined
·
20,853 Posts
The review-
Summary: The Nolan N103 is the latest version of this popular flip-up helmet. It's well made, loaded with features and feels substantial, but it's 2008 -- shouldn't 21st Century technology be giving us lighter helmets? Each flip-up we review seems to be heavier than the one before...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editor's Note: This marks our 100th motorcycle helmet review since webBikeWorld was started in 2000. I'd like to give a big thank you to all of the loyal readers over the years who have helped make this possible! It's a huge amount of work and several people are involved, and we're also very lucky to have a great group of regular contributors who bring you all the interesting articles.
webBikeWorld visitors often ask if there's anything they can do to help support the site, and there is one thing I can suggest: think about buying some gear from our ongoing "Garage Sale". Please take a look at the variety of very slightly used clothing and helmets we have for sale -- gear that was acquired for the webBikeWorld reviews.
The money from the sale is put right back into the site and it's also used for buying more products so we can bring you more reviews. Kind of like perpetual motion, eh? There's a lot more where those came from; as the gear is sold, new items are listed, so please check back often. Don't forget -- winter's just around the corner, and we have some really nice jackets listed also. Thanks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Background
Let's see -- we're now 8 years into the 21st Century, with the promise of high technology manifested every day in everything we do. So why can't some of these high-tech goodies be stuffed into a helmet to make it lighter and safer?
I used to be the a flip-up helmet fan, but the suckers seem to be getting heavier and heavier with each new model. If you want a shocker, check out the webBikeWorld Motorcycle Helmet Weights page -- out of the 100 helmets reviewed on webBikeWorld, the 7 heaviest are flip-ups.
Not counting the ROOF Boxer, which is sort of a different beast, the flip-ups start at 1614 grams with the Caberg Trip (proving, by the way, that at least one flip-up can be light and comfortable) and go up from there, all the way to the massive HJC FS-Max at 1911 grams (4 lbs. 3-3/8 oz.).
The size XL Nolan N103 that you see here is second from the top, making it #99 on the List of Shame at a whopping 1891 grams, or 4 lbs. 2-5/8 oz.
At least it's well balanced, unlike many other flip-ups that sit so high they feel like they were made for Beldar Conehead. But I sure wonder how all that mass might affect my noggin as it changes the dynamics of a crash...
It just makes me -- the guy who was once Mr. Flip-up -- really start to wonder what advantages a flip-up helmet has over a full-face. It's not the ease of wearing eyeglasses, because I have no trouble fitting mine in any full-face helmet I've tried, and my cut-down eyeglass idea is another good solution.
It surely isn't noise control, because most of the flip-up helmets we've reviewed generally transmit more noise than a good full-face.
It isn't ventilation, because most of the flip-ups we've tried flow much less air than the better full-face helmets.
Most of the flip-up helmet manufacturers warn very clearly against riding with the flip-up visor in the up position, so that's not a reason.
So what is it? Having the ability to flip the thing up at the gas pump? I buy gas all the time wearing a full-face helmet, so that's certainly not a good reason either.
I'm perplexed -- I'm losing faith in the flip-up and I can't remember their raison d'être. Back about 7-8 years ago, I thought they were the wave of the future -- everybody would be wearing them.
But motorcycle riders are apparently smarter than I -- they have not, as expected, turned in droves to the flip-up helmet and, in fact, full-face helmets are definitely still here. There are many more high-quality full-face helmets available now than there ever were -- and at prices that can't be beat.
I'm sure there are some flip-up helmet lovers out there, so let's hear from you and we'll post the feedback in the comments section at the end of this review.
In the meantime, now that I've cooled down, let's take a look at the Nolan N103!
For me it is too heavy and offers no advantages over a full face. Except those riders who wear glasses seem to prefer the flipup
Summary: The Nolan N103 is the latest version of this popular flip-up helmet. It's well made, loaded with features and feels substantial, but it's 2008 -- shouldn't 21st Century technology be giving us lighter helmets? Each flip-up we review seems to be heavier than the one before...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Editor's Note: This marks our 100th motorcycle helmet review since webBikeWorld was started in 2000. I'd like to give a big thank you to all of the loyal readers over the years who have helped make this possible! It's a huge amount of work and several people are involved, and we're also very lucky to have a great group of regular contributors who bring you all the interesting articles.
webBikeWorld visitors often ask if there's anything they can do to help support the site, and there is one thing I can suggest: think about buying some gear from our ongoing "Garage Sale". Please take a look at the variety of very slightly used clothing and helmets we have for sale -- gear that was acquired for the webBikeWorld reviews.
The money from the sale is put right back into the site and it's also used for buying more products so we can bring you more reviews. Kind of like perpetual motion, eh? There's a lot more where those came from; as the gear is sold, new items are listed, so please check back often. Don't forget -- winter's just around the corner, and we have some really nice jackets listed also. Thanks!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Background
Let's see -- we're now 8 years into the 21st Century, with the promise of high technology manifested every day in everything we do. So why can't some of these high-tech goodies be stuffed into a helmet to make it lighter and safer?
I used to be the a flip-up helmet fan, but the suckers seem to be getting heavier and heavier with each new model. If you want a shocker, check out the webBikeWorld Motorcycle Helmet Weights page -- out of the 100 helmets reviewed on webBikeWorld, the 7 heaviest are flip-ups.
Not counting the ROOF Boxer, which is sort of a different beast, the flip-ups start at 1614 grams with the Caberg Trip (proving, by the way, that at least one flip-up can be light and comfortable) and go up from there, all the way to the massive HJC FS-Max at 1911 grams (4 lbs. 3-3/8 oz.).
The size XL Nolan N103 that you see here is second from the top, making it #99 on the List of Shame at a whopping 1891 grams, or 4 lbs. 2-5/8 oz.
At least it's well balanced, unlike many other flip-ups that sit so high they feel like they were made for Beldar Conehead. But I sure wonder how all that mass might affect my noggin as it changes the dynamics of a crash...
It just makes me -- the guy who was once Mr. Flip-up -- really start to wonder what advantages a flip-up helmet has over a full-face. It's not the ease of wearing eyeglasses, because I have no trouble fitting mine in any full-face helmet I've tried, and my cut-down eyeglass idea is another good solution.
It surely isn't noise control, because most of the flip-up helmets we've reviewed generally transmit more noise than a good full-face.
It isn't ventilation, because most of the flip-ups we've tried flow much less air than the better full-face helmets.
Most of the flip-up helmet manufacturers warn very clearly against riding with the flip-up visor in the up position, so that's not a reason.
So what is it? Having the ability to flip the thing up at the gas pump? I buy gas all the time wearing a full-face helmet, so that's certainly not a good reason either.
I'm perplexed -- I'm losing faith in the flip-up and I can't remember their raison d'être. Back about 7-8 years ago, I thought they were the wave of the future -- everybody would be wearing them.
But motorcycle riders are apparently smarter than I -- they have not, as expected, turned in droves to the flip-up helmet and, in fact, full-face helmets are definitely still here. There are many more high-quality full-face helmets available now than there ever were -- and at prices that can't be beat.
I'm sure there are some flip-up helmet lovers out there, so let's hear from you and we'll post the feedback in the comments section at the end of this review.
In the meantime, now that I've cooled down, let's take a look at the Nolan N103!
For me it is too heavy and offers no advantages over a full face. Except those riders who wear glasses seem to prefer the flipup
G
Guest
·Laen:
In re-reading your snipit above from this review, it sounds a little like the author is somewhat biased against modular helmets in general. Just an impression I got, YMMV...
In re-reading your snipit above from this review, it sounds a little like the author is somewhat biased against modular helmets in general. Just an impression I got, YMMV...
Well, I was able to test out the N102 in a crash a week ago.
I was very happy it was a flip up helmet. I have a tendency to get very claustrophobic when stressed. I don't like to feel closed in. After I stopped tumbling, and rolled over to my back, I started getting that panicky feeling. Since I didn't want to remove my helmet without assistance, I opened the front of the helmet and immediately calmed down. I was able to get more air and not feel like I was trapped in a bubble. Probably sounds silly to most people, but to me, it is an added feature that makes the flip up more desirable.
I am planning on replacing my N-102 with a N-103. Hopefully, I won't test it in a crash. I don't think it weighs much more than the N-102. (about 2 ounces more)
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/nolan-n102/
I was very happy it was a flip up helmet. I have a tendency to get very claustrophobic when stressed. I don't like to feel closed in. After I stopped tumbling, and rolled over to my back, I started getting that panicky feeling. Since I didn't want to remove my helmet without assistance, I opened the front of the helmet and immediately calmed down. I was able to get more air and not feel like I was trapped in a bubble. Probably sounds silly to most people, but to me, it is an added feature that makes the flip up more desirable.
I am planning on replacing my N-102 with a N-103. Hopefully, I won't test it in a crash. I don't think it weighs much more than the N-102. (about 2 ounces more)
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/nolan-n102/
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
