Modular Versus non-modular full face helmets

[gPink]

If I am thinking of the same test article it, was very controversial in that it concluded that DOT helmets protected BETTER than Snell helmets against the type of head injury causing impacts that motorcyclists were more likely to suffer. Something to do with blunt vs pointed impacts.

Also something about the injurys to older brains. The Snell was too rigid.

[Tremainiac]

Beer goes flat.

Your drinking to slowly.

[VirginiaJim]

+1

[RIP50AK]

I am just starting to look at new modular helmets. I had one years ago, the BMW one and remember it being okay. My interest is because of neck problems. I have chronic neck pain which physical therapy has helped but when I put on my full face helmet it gives my neck a twinge of pain as I pull in on. So modular helmets seems like a two edged sword from what has been stated here in that it would make getting in and out easier but then they are heavier. My full face fits very snug which is what I understand to be a good thing.

[B.D.F.]

Yes, even wearing ear plugs my modular helmet is noisy. A tremendous amount of wind roar starting at about 45 MPH and it just gets worse with more speed. The helmet is an HJC Sy Max II by the way. The helmet fits me very well and overall I like it but it is terribly noisy unless the windshield and visor are all the way up.

Brian

Even with ear plugs in?  still noisy?  Both my full face Arai's are noisy as hell without plugs as well.  I tried on some HJC modulars a couple weeks ago.  Wish I could take on the road to test.

[stevewfl]

Heavier, less strength in a crash....I may have one anyway 

[Awaz]

Wife got a modular and she really likes it. Got a tinted visor that comes down. Like everyone said, it is not probably as strong as a full face one. But it is a whole lot better than no helmet, half helmets. And I know that you cannot count on it, but I am not trying to get into that big of a accident that will shear the chin bar off.

[mkorn]

i bought a cheaply priced HJC CL-max to try it out and yes, it is noiser ... but they are so convienent.
I prefer my modular over a regular full face.

i did start wearing ear plugs this year and won't rider without them now.

[MrPepsi]

Earlier this year on a COG ride around Lake Berryessa here in California, a wife of a COGGER took a turn too hot and ended up hitting an embankment on her 650 ninja. She impacted mostly dirt, but her chin bar from her modular must have hit a rock. Her helmet was still on, but her chin bar was totally disconnected from her helmet. Her face was severly messed up from the impact her face made after the modular failed. I don't know about you, but I don't care to take a drink with my helmet on if the helmet can't even withstand an impact when I crash. I just ask is it really that important to wear a modular? She was air lifted to the ER and ended up being ok. I don't know if she's riding again.

Here is the story.
http://forum.cog-online.org/index.php/topic,26469.msg103366.html#msg103366

[Flathead]

Here is a great article from WebBikeWorld on the ECE standard http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/ece-22-05.htm
Couple of items to note from the article:
"There have been several studies of motorcycle crashes over the last 25 years that have attempted to evaluate any protective advantage or disadvantage of helmets meeting one standard or another (Hurt, 1981; tte, 1991).  No advantage has ever been shown in these field studies for any particular standard, so the helmet industry and individual riders are left comparing theoretical pros and cons of the various standards."
"Helmets certified to the ECE 22.05 standard are approved for competition events by AMA, CCS, FIM, Formula-USA and WERA and are chosen by nearly every professional motorcycle racers competing in world championship road racing, motocross and off road events, including the ultimate sport of Moto GP."

There are modular helmets that meet bot ECE & DOT standards, such as the Schuberth C3 ( and many others).

[KawiMick]

Even with ear plugs in?  still noisy?  Both my full face Arai's are noisy as hell without plugs as well.  I tried on some HJC modulars a couple weeks ago.  Wish I could take on the road to test.

Will,
  Find a dealer that sells the Schuberth C3 modular.  I have about 10K miles on my
C3 and itś the lightest, quietest modular I've ever owned.  This is my 3rd Schuberth and itś the best yet.  In clean airflow, I don't even need earplugs. 

[lather]

Will,
  Find a dealer that sells the Schuberth C3 modular.  I have about 10K miles on my
C3 and itś the lightest, quietest modular I've ever owned.  This is my 3rd Schuberth and itś the best yet.  In clean airflow, I don't even need earplugs.

A great example of you get what you pay for.

[roadie]

Will,
  Find a dealer that sells the Schuberth C3 modular.  I have about 10K miles on my
C3 and itś the lightest, quietest modular I've ever owned.  This is my 3rd Schuberth and itś the best yet.  In clean airflow, I don't even need earplugs. 

Think I'm going to punk out and stick with non-modular...have heard good shyte about Schuberth.

[booger]

Will,
  Find a dealer that sells the Schuberth C3 modular.  I have about 10K miles on my
C3 and itś the lightest, quietest modular I've ever owned.  This is my 3rd Schuberth and itś the best yet.  In clean airflow, I don't even need earplugs.

I've been looking at a C3.  Man I want one, but too damn cheap.  Maybe I will treat myself one for Christmas.

[Flathead]

I've been looking at a C3.  Man I want one, but too damn cheap.  Maybe I will treat myself one for Christmas.

Like Mick, I love mine BUT do try one on... they only fit certain heads ;-)

[justbob]

For anyone considering the purchase of a modular helmet, be sure to perform a roll-off test with the chinbar in the open position. The helmet chinbar can unlatch in a accident and it is possible for some helmets to roll off some head shapes even while tightly strapped on. The HJC helmets seem to have a problem in this area.

[koval68]

For anyone considering the purchase of a modular helmet, be sure to perform a roll-off test with the chinbar in the open position. The helmet chinbar can unlatch in a accident and it is possible for some helmets to roll off some head shapes even while tightly strapped on. The HJC helmets seem to have a problem in this area.

And how are you suppose to perform that test....., just wondering.....

[VirginiaJim]

We'll need video as well.

[koval68]

By performing a roll-off test (when you grab the rear lip of the helmet and try to roll it forward off your head), you're really only checking for a proper fit of your new helmet.....to reproduce real life situations you need a lab, and IMO that's what we have DOT and Snell standard testing for.....

[Frontier]

We use Fulmer M1 modulars. Comfortable helmet but LOUD!