Full Face or Modular (Shoei or Schuburth)
#43
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Northwest of Los Angeles
Posts: 18,087
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I wear a Shoei Multitec (modular). While pricey, it was still less expensive than a Schuberth, and there didn't seem to be clear justification for the price difference. I've worn it in all weather, including across the Mojave Desert in July, and been perfectly comfortable. It has better ventilation that you would imagine. It also has a pretty wide field of vision.
Three points: 1) No modular helmet is Snell approved, as Snell does not test modular helmets. If you do the research, you will find that there is a body of opinion that states that NOT having a Snell rating is an advantage. 2) As to opening in a crash: the hooks that hold the chinguard closed are usually metal on the more expensive modulars, while one or both may be plastic on the cheaper versions. 3) If I'm not mistaken Schuberth uses a larger outer shell than Shoei for a given helmet size, lending their helmets a bit more of the "deep sea diver" effect. If you care.
As to "dorkiness": People may think I look dorky with a ff, and that's fine. So far, no one has had sufficiently poor judgment to actually say so, which is a good thing because I'm too old to go rolling around in parking lots. Unless I'm wearing my ff helmet, of course.
Three points: 1) No modular helmet is Snell approved, as Snell does not test modular helmets. If you do the research, you will find that there is a body of opinion that states that NOT having a Snell rating is an advantage. 2) As to opening in a crash: the hooks that hold the chinguard closed are usually metal on the more expensive modulars, while one or both may be plastic on the cheaper versions. 3) If I'm not mistaken Schuberth uses a larger outer shell than Shoei for a given helmet size, lending their helmets a bit more of the "deep sea diver" effect. If you care.
As to "dorkiness": People may think I look dorky with a ff, and that's fine. So far, no one has had sufficiently poor judgment to actually say so, which is a good thing because I'm too old to go rolling around in parking lots. Unless I'm wearing my ff helmet, of course.
Last edited by OldBoldPilot; 01-12-2010 at 04:50 PM.
#44
I was at a dealership with my wife and she was talking to another woman, who along with her husband, was looking at an HD brand modular helmet. I walked over and they were showing me how solid the "click" sounded (I didn't think so) when it locked into place. The woman, while tugging on it, managed to drop it from a height of around three feet onto a carpeted floor. When it hit the ground the chin bar popped open and was broken one one side with a small piece of plastic lying the floor This, from almost no impact at all. I trust they are not all like this but it didn't leave a very good impression.
#45
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Northwest of Los Angeles
Posts: 18,087
Received 24,107 Likes
on
5,313 Posts
I was at a dealership with my wife and she was talking to another woman, who along with her husband, was looking at an HD brand modular helmet. I walked over and they were showing me how solid the "click" sounded (I didn't think so) when it locked into place. The woman, while tugging on it, managed to drop it from a height of around three feet onto a carpeted floor. When it hit the ground the chin bar popped open and was broken one one side with a small piece of plastic lying the floor This, from almost no impact at all. I trust they are not all like this but it didn't leave a very good impression.
#46
Good point. I don't know what the locking parts were made of or if the plastic piece was from the locking mechanism itself, or maybe a vent tab or some such. With a busted helmet on the floor I didn't stick around.......
Overall that helmet just seemed to be cheap quality based upon my very brief exposure to it.
Overall that helmet just seemed to be cheap quality based upon my very brief exposure to it.
#47
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Northwest of Los Angeles
Posts: 18,087
Received 24,107 Likes
on
5,313 Posts
Good point. I don't know what the locking parts were made of or if the plastic piece was from the locking mechanism itself, or maybe a vent tab or some such. With a busted helmet on the floor I didn't stick around.......
Overall that helmet just seemed to be cheap quality based upon my very brief exposure to it.
Overall that helmet just seemed to be cheap quality based upon my very brief exposure to it.
#48
Seems to me if the modulars had a history of popping open under real life accident conditions they wouldn't be on the market very long due to product liability lawsuits. Anybody know of one?.
I would also think an under the chin hit is going to snap your neck anyway whether you're wearing a ff or a modular. In that case, doesn't much matter if the modular pops open or not.
Not of any concern to me since I usually wear a 1/2 helmet anyway. Certainly protects my handsome face better than one of those.
I would also think an under the chin hit is going to snap your neck anyway whether you're wearing a ff or a modular. In that case, doesn't much matter if the modular pops open or not.
Not of any concern to me since I usually wear a 1/2 helmet anyway. Certainly protects my handsome face better than one of those.
#49
Thanks for all your information guys and now its decision time - i am going to try both on again - in an ideal world would be as follows - schuberth r5 ff or agv stealth ff / schuberth c3 / and my hd 3/4 (actually there are probably nicer 3/4 lids but i sort of jumped into buying this one) - forget the tin lid 1/2 helmets as they offer bugger all protection at all and in my eyes you may as well wear a plastic boal on your head. The half helmets are for posing not practical at all
#50
I wear a Shoei Multitec (modular). While pricey, it was still less expensive than a Schuberth, and there didn't seem to be clear justification for the price difference. I've worn it in all weather, including across the Mojave Desert in July, and been perfectly comfortable. It has better ventilation that you would imagine. It also has a pretty wide field of vision.
Three points: 1) No modular helmet is Snell approved, as Snell does not test modular helmets. If you do the research, you will find that there is a body of opinion that states that NOT having a Snell rating is an advantage. 2) As to opening in a crash: the hooks that hold the chinguard closed are usually metal on the more expensive modulars, while one or both may be plastic on the cheaper versions. 3) If I'm not mistaken Schuberth uses a larger outer shell than Shoei for a given helmet size, lending their helmets a bit more of the "deep sea diver" effect. If you care.
As to "dorkiness": People may think I look dorky with a ff, and that's fine. So far, no one has had sufficiently poor judgment to actually say so, which is a good thing because I'm too old to go rolling around in parking lots. Unless I'm wearing my ff helmet, of course.
Three points: 1) No modular helmet is Snell approved, as Snell does not test modular helmets. If you do the research, you will find that there is a body of opinion that states that NOT having a Snell rating is an advantage. 2) As to opening in a crash: the hooks that hold the chinguard closed are usually metal on the more expensive modulars, while one or both may be plastic on the cheaper versions. 3) If I'm not mistaken Schuberth uses a larger outer shell than Shoei for a given helmet size, lending their helmets a bit more of the "deep sea diver" effect. If you care.
As to "dorkiness": People may think I look dorky with a ff, and that's fine. So far, no one has had sufficiently poor judgment to actually say so, which is a good thing because I'm too old to go rolling around in parking lots. Unless I'm wearing my ff helmet, of course.