Modular/Flip up Helmet

[rcpd807]

I am looking to replace my existing Arai Profile helmet that is wired with JM Corp elite headsets. The reason I have narrowed my search at this point is because JM Corp offers both the Nolan N103 and Scorpion EXO 900 with the elite headset installed. Today I tried on a Scorpion helmet at a local dealer and it felt pretty good. No dealer around me stocks the Nolan N103 for me to try on.

Does anyone have any experience with both or either of these helmets? I have read information on the forum, but did not find anything comparing these two helmets.

One review I read on the Scorpion said that it allows water to enter the helmet freely while riding in the rain. I am also concerned about the noise levels with both of these helmets. I currently wear ear plugs with my Arai Profile and will probably have to continue to do so with a flip up helmet.

Any and all information on a personal experience level would be greatly appreciated before I make my purchase.

 

[ScottyUSN]

I know many folk who have been or are happy with their Nolan's, but I'm not one of them. My experience is with the N102.

Noisey (probably on par with other modulars), but compared to my Shoei RF-1000 the Nolan was louder.

The helmet fit very well when I bought it. 4 months later was rattling on my head. The padding compressed.

Noticably heavier than my Shoei.

BTW: Other than patience and care, it's not difficult to install your JM Audio in any helmet, or send it to them, for a fee I believe they will do it for you. I have the JM bluetooth built into my Shoei.

 

[Auburn]

I have a Scorpion now. Can't say on the Nolan yet. I bought a 103 at the MC show. Waiting for my new J&M headset to arrive for it. For the N103, J&M uses a longer mic set up than for the others due to the relocation of the access port.

I can say the fit an finish is much better for the Nolan than my scorpion. The scoprion leaked around the face screen when it rained and it is a noisey helmet.

 

[johnny80s]

The scorpion is actually certified as full face helmet and not an open face like all other modular helmets. I wore a Nolan N103 on a 4 hour ride and decided to go back to a regular full face helmet. It was short front to back and even closed, with the neck gaiter and all the vents closed it flowed a lot of air. I could not stop the air. I have not rode with the scorpion exo 900 but am a big fan of my exo 1000 and scorpion's excellent customer service.

 

[HeUeR]

I have the Nolan N103 with Bluetooth and I LOVE it. Biggest selling point is the drop down shades. I use the Bluetooth on my BB Torch phone using Slacker radio and it sounds great. I often get phone calls, as I'm on call a lot with work, and no one can even tell I'm doing 70 MPH down an Interstate...Just a touch of any button and I'm talking. Only complaint some have with the N103 is they're a little noisy, but I have no complaints.

 

[juniorfjr]

The scorpion is actually certified as full face helmet and not an open face like all other modular helmets. I wore a Nolan N103 on a 4 hour ride and decided to go back to a regular full face helmet. It was short front to back and even closed, with the neck gaiter and all the vents closed it flowed a lot of air. I could not stop the air. I have not rode with the scorpion exo 900 but am a big fan of my exo 1000 and scorpion's excellent customer service.

At the Seattle show, I tried on the N103 and didn't fit well. Not enough room for my chin'ssss. They then had me try on the N90 and it fit perfectly. When my HJC symax gives up the ghost, that is what I will probably buy.

 

[SacramentoMike]

.

I like modulars, and I've had three, including the EXO-900. I guess they're all more noisy than a full-face, but I'm willing to make the tradeoff.

Trouble with helmets is it's ALL about "fit." Not just sizing, but shape. So regardless of how much somebody else loves or hates theirs, your experience will be just yours. I'd NEVER buy a helmet on line, for example. It's even more critical than boots, IMO. But back on the subject, the Scorpion helmet had some nice features for me. I liked the flip down sun visor, really liked the snap-in flap below the chin that seals wind out (in cold weather--and removable when it's warm). But the shape turned out to be too round for my longer-shaped head, and it began to press against my forehead after a few hours; eventually gave me a headache.

I have a Shoei Multitec now, and it's much more comfortable--for me. But I wish it had the Scorpion's sun visor and wind seal features too.

.

.

 

[Silent]

I ran a Nolan 102 for a couple years. I was always annoyed with how the visor wanted to snap shut at freeway speeds. I prefer to ride with my visor up 90% of the time. Now I wear a Shoie Multitec and I'm quite happy with it. I'll buy another one soon as this one is starting to get loose. I wired my own headset and mic in (Starcom).

 

[RaYzerman19]

I have had a Nolan (wrong shape, no chin room, no room for a mike), Symax II (noisy in a different way than the Nolan, good fit) and a Scorpion EXO-900 (better made than Symax, less noise, adjustable fit via inflatable membrane). They are all noisier than a full face, but the Rifle windshield fixed that. Now I barely need earplugs.

As the guys have posted, get the one that fits your head. IMHO, either Nolan or EXO are the better choices.

 

[Fairlaner]

Schuberth C3 is the only way to go.........

Now available in the US...

R

 

[Auburn]

Schuberth C3 is the only way to go.........

Now available in the US...

R

I agree, but it won't take a J&M headset due to where the cables for the visor are run.

 

[rcpd807]

Thanks for all the information thus far guys!!! I have been doing somemore reading on other sites and I am leaning towards the Scorpion EXO900 at this point. A plus is that it should color match my Black Cherry pretty well. The Schuberth C3 looks like a really nice option, but as pointed out, I don't think the JM Corp head set will work, plus it is double the price of the Scorpion.

 

[johnny80s]

Schuberth C3 is the only way to go.........

Now available in the US...

R

That is one expensive helmet!

 

[beemerdons]

Schuberth C3 is the only way to go.........

Now available in the US...

R

That is one expensive helmet!

johnny80s, they have a cheaper model made in Italy for Italians; $9.99, plus $1.49 for the optional chinstrap! jes' sayin'

 

[2006FJR]

I have 2 modular helmets; the Shoei MultiTec and the Nolan 103. The Shoei is a great helmet and when I bought the N103 I found it to be much too loud. I would go with the Scorpion EXO 900.

 

[HIGHLANDER]

My wife and I rode through torrential rain, rain of biblical proportions, for four days straight coming back from BC this year. Her EXO900 did not leaked one drop, but my full face Arai...........not so good. We're buying another one as her helmet was damaged in the ensuing accident. We tried on all the flippers and the EXO900 fit the best, and the quality, features are great.

 

[johnny80s]

Schuberth C3 is the only way to go.........

Now available in the US...

R

That is one expensive helmet!

johnny80s, they have a cheaper model made in Italy for Italians; $9.99, plus $1.49 for the optional chinstrap! jes' sayin'

The Nolan is made in Italy you fecking drunk mick! No more PWI for you. I guess that means you won't be able post at all any more huh?

 

[fljab]

I've got ~15K miles on a N103; I have no experience with a Scorpion. This Nolan is my 3rd modular and the best one I've owned. That being said I'm not fully satisfied with it.

I do have a premium headset in it that I installed (took me twice to get it right - you gotta make sure those speakers are set in deep enough or they sure as heck irritate your ears!). That part of it I'm well satisfied with, but what I don't like is the liner seems to shift around some now that it's getting more miles on it, and the little snaps that hold the liner in places seem to always be coming undone.

The Schuberth looks great, but dang that is $$$; yeah, yeah, I've heard about having a $10 head and all, but like most of us I try and buy good products that do the job without breaking the budget.

I got my Nolan on sale from Dennis Kirk I think, but do know that it was a great deal. It doesn't feel heavy to me although if I was used to a lighter one then maybe I'd feel different. Fit is great for my head and that's critical IMO. I've had occasional problems with that as sizes differ between manufacturers slightly from my experience.

Good luck!

 

[Crash Cash]

The Schuberth looks great, but dang that is $$$; yeah, yeah, I've heard about having a $10 head and all, but like most of us I try and buy good products that do the job without breaking the budget.

It doesn't help that the last Schuberth I bought was EXTREMELY noisy... so much so that I couldn't wear it even with earplugs. It had horrible fit & finish, and the noise was due to the large gaps and disjoint surfaces. The worse offender was a little medical info container thing that stuck up 2-3mm and whistled/rumbled like hell. I believe that's the only helmet I've paid >$500 for, too. :angry2: I bought it on the strength of their reputation, so I kind of didn't really give the once-over that I'd give a HJC or Scorpion.