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Talk to me about modular helmets...

Arminius said:
I think Arai was the only one that produced a Snell rated modular helmet but they discontinued it for some reason
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You are correct. As far as I know, Snell will not rate any modular helmet due to the chin bar not able to pass their test. It is ECE and DOT rated.
 
Also, the reason I went with a modular helmet is because on long multi day rides, my ears would start to hurt from taking the helmet off multiple times a day. By day 3 of a ride, my ears would be raw. The modular ended that.
 
I owe my life, probably, to my Scorpion AT950. For reasons unknown, I rode off a corner at 25-30 MPH and landed in a nice soft dirt field. In the middle of the field was a boulder into which I face planted. The helmet was destroyed (the impact sheared off one of the latching pins, and the visor was gouged and broken), but my face wasn't, and I'm grateful. I did get a concussion and have no memory of any of it, so I can't tell you more about the off, but as far as the helmet goes, it did its job. It was a comfy helmet, well ventilated, easy to use, easy to clean, etc. I didn't notice that it was heavier or louder than my full face helmets, but I did notice how much easier it was to get in and out of.
 
larry kahn said:
Why I wear the Bell Bullitt. Nice big opening, don't even see the chin bar unless I try to.
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That is a Classy looking lid!
mjj said:
I owe my life, probably, to my Scorpion AT950. For reasons unknown, I rode off a corner at 25-30 MPH and landed in a nice soft dirt field. In the middle of the field was a boulder into which I face planted. The helmet was destroyed (the impact sheared off one of the latching pins, and the visor was gouged and broken), but my face wasn't, and I'm grateful. I did get a concussion and have no memory of any of it, so I can't tell you more about the off, but as far as the helmet goes, it did its job. It was a comfy helmet, well ventilated, easy to use, easy to clean, etc. I didn't notice that it was heavier or louder than my full face helmets, but I did notice how much easier it was to get in and out of.
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Glad your still here man. I would have a soft spot for that helmet too. When I got thwacked by the deer at 65ish mph I did a nice little slide, stumble and stop too. I blacked out for a period and when the lights came back on the Aria I was wearing had a pretty good grind mark in it. No concussion or real bramage to my drian. I have no idea what I hit or why a was so covered in dirt. There didn't seem to be much of that on Hwy 1 Southbound :laughing
 
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Mike95060 said:
I have no idea what I hit or why a was so covered in dirt. There didn't seem to be much of that on Hwy 1 Southbound :laughing
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Yeah....I've learned accidents can be messy. I try never to crash in "my good clothes". :laughing
 
I found an article on modular helmets. Again, I have the AGV CF Sport Modular and love it but it looks like AGV stopped making them. My only concern with it was when I read a diff article comparing 15 different full face helmets (not modulars) and rated the AGV towards the bottom of the list. Not sure how legit that article was, but I'll post it if I can find it again.

motorcyclegear101.com

5 Of The Quietest Modular Helmets And 2 To Avoid | Motorcycle Gear 101

The Schubert C4 Pro was the quietest modular helmet, followed by the AGV Sport modular and the Neotec 2 Helmet By ModelRevzilla USASports Bike Gear…
motorcyclegear101.com motorcyclegear101.com

Edit:
I found the article: https://www.slashgear.com/1699145/best-worst-motorcycle-helmets-ranked/
 
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I've had a few different modular helmets, and I can categorically say that they are heavier, hotter and louder than their equivalent full-face versions.
That said, I wear my modulars more often than I wear the full-face helmets, for the reasons listed above. It's nice to not have to take it off to talk to someone, or to take a drink of water or eat a snack while standing around outside a gas station.

As far as riding with it open, I don't really do that. I ride a naked bike and at any kind up speed at all the raised chin bar catches too much air and the helmet tries to yank my head off.
 
I'm not sure I can go back to a non-modular helmet. My AGV is only 1,300 grams, or 3 lbs 10 ounces. On a hot day, it's especially nice to open the face when I'm at a stop or in heavy traffic going less than 15 mph stop and go.
 
While my Arai is a bit of a tight fit it is a solid fit. It won't really move even if the chin strap is not tightened. At least up to 60 mph. My Bell Custom Carbon that aged out was even a better fit. Amazing actually.

I am still in the safety vs convenience camp and since I see speeds even above 65.... :teeth
I am sticking with what I feel is safest = full face.
 
budman said:
While my Arai is a bit of a tight fit it is a solid fit. It won't really move even if the chin strap is not tightened. At least up to 60 mph. My Bell Custom Carbon that aged out was even a better fit. Amazing actually.

I am still in the safety vs convenience camp and since I see speeds even above 65.... :teeth
I am sticking with what I feel is safest = full face.
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I've worn Shoei helmets since I was 15 with one exception. Two helmets ago I bought an AGV. I tried to return it a week after I got it because it fit so snug it gave me headaches. I was told to give it another week to allow it to fully break in. It did just that and quickly became the most comfortable helmet I ever owned....for a few years.
Over time it got so loose it felt like I could spin it on my head at freeway speed. No bueno.
So...I'm back with Shoei.

And to your other point, yeah....my speeds are still too high for me to feel comfy with a helmet with a hinge in it.
 
It's all about risk vs reward.
 
The above video looks like a decent review of several. They don't mention Caberg for one. I have used a modular Caberg Tourmax and loved everything except the weight. It's a polycarbonate shell so a bit heavy but strong latching mechanism. I also have their carbon Drift helmet that is ultra light but very snug. Other modular is the Schuberth C3 and C5 Pro. I didn't like the C3 but really like the C5. Additionally I have a Schuberth S2? Non peak modular that is nice.

Now with the crazy tariff here today gone tomorrow doubled the next day happenings use caution in purchasing from overseas. I purchased several Cabers from FC Moto Caberg flip ups.
 
Arminius said:
I'm not sure I can go back to a non-modular helmet. My AGV is only 1,300 grams, or 3 lbs 10 ounces. On a hot day, it's especially nice to open the face when I'm at a stop or in heavy traffic going less than 15 mph stop and go.
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AGV Sportmax?
I like the way mine looks and the lightness of it, but... The visor release is an incredible pain in the ass, the chin bar is difficult to open and close relative to other modulars I've owned, and the drop-down shade had to be swapped out for the special darker version immediately. The one that came with the helmet was a joke.
It's also very tight through the cheeks and will rip my ears off when I go to remove it unless I have the chin bar flipped up and use my thumbs to pull the sides farther apart.
 
I only have one modular helmet now. The best thing about modular is it's easy to put on over glasses. After I got LASIK surgery I didn't need that feature anymore. I never ride with chinbar up it looks goofy to me. If I want more air I will crack the faceshield open a bit. Also if I'm ADV riding I will switch to wearing googles to get more airflow in.

I suppose one nice thing about the modular is you can eat and drink with it on.
 
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