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I wear an HJC 3/4 helmet with clear face shield.
Never owned a full face unit. The ones I've tried on feel closed in, and I felt that my visibility was impaired - top to bottom and on the sides. Just didn't care for them.
I remember when I heard about the first modular helmets; I believe Nolan was the originator. Haven't tried one on, yet.
Seems the HJC product is the least expensive of the makers. I just don't feel like spending $500+.
So... for those with knowledge, experience wearing both full face and modular I'm hoping to get opinions - comfort, visibility, etc, of the modular helmets...
in advance.
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I have naver owned a full face but can tell you I really like my HJC IS Max modular, as well as with my 3/4 HJC FG Jet.
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Thanks for the info, Nemo...
How is the visibility wearing the modular?
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You made me go to the garage and put on the modular and then the 3/4 to compare...
The only visibility difference I can discern is whatever the chin bar of the modular covers which would be very close and on the ground, which you should've seen as you approached it. Laterally both my helmets afford visibility as far as I can push my peripheral vision.
Hope this helps.
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(01-11-2016, 10:13 AM)quietguy_imp Wrote: I wear an HJC 3/4 helmet with clear face shield.
Never owned a full face unit. The ones I've tried on feel closed in, and I felt that my visibility was impaired - top to bottom and on the sides. Just didn't care for them.
I remember when I heard about the first modular helmets; I believe Nolan was the originator. Haven't tried one on, yet.
Seems the HJC product is the least expensive of the makers. I just don't feel like spending $500+.
So... for those with knowledge, experience wearing both full face and modular I'm hoping to get opinions - comfort, visibility, etc, of the modular helmets...
in advance.
Full face helmets usually fit better than a modular, they are usually lighter and quieter than a modular. Modular are easier to put on especially if you wear eye glasses. Full face helmets provide the best protection. Visibility is about the same.
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Modular helmets are a little heavier, a bit more expensive, but for me, an essential part of my riding gear. They are easier to put on and take off (I wear glasses) and are incredibly convenient.
I've had a couple of Nolan modulars over the years, which were near pefect for me. I tried on some cheaper modulars (Speed & Strength, HJC, Scorpion) and they seemed a little, uh, flimsy. I could feel the pivot pins against my head on the S&S. So I just sprung for a Schuberth C3, and am happy with it.
No modular helmets pass the Snell tests - they feel modulars are less structurally sound. And almost anything will pass DOT. But a large proportion of Europeans use modulars, and their standards are pretty high. I'd never go back to a regular full face.
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I wore a full face for about 30+ years and finally tried a modular about 2 years ago. Visibility is about the same as a full face. My favorite feature is being able to flip up the front at a stoplight on scorching summer days. I also wear glasses, so that's another plus.
I picked up a Bilt Apollo (Cycle Gear's house brand) which looks to be a rebranded Bell Revolver. The Bell version is $200, the Cycle Gear Apollo only cost me $100. Not the quietest helmet in the world, but it fit well and had a comfortable interior.
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Thanks for the feed back, fellas - all very helpful.
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Another you might want to check out is the Shark Evoline 3 series, they are very popular. A bit pricey ($400 range) but quite unique in the way you can rotate the chin all the way to the back, and use it as a 3/4 helmet (other modulars are not meant to be ridden while open).
I have always used full face helmets only due to the superior safety they provide. I might consider a modular in the future, especially for the convenience of flipping it up to talk to someone, get petrol, take a picture, etc.
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I have several helmets, open face, 3/4, modular and full face which I will wear depending on specific conditions.
In the summer my all time favorite is my HJC 3/4 CL-33
I wear an HJC CL Max 2 Modular a lot, especially on trips or in weather under 75 degrees
I also wear an HJC IS 16 Full face although not very often. i have noticed when I stop on it, I automatically grab for the chin bar release to lift the front, only there isn't one. Very inconvenient.
I too wear glasses and both the 3/4 and modular are much easier to use wearing glasses. I will walk into a store with the face shield raied on either without taking my helmet off to use a restroom, or pick up a snack, or a prescription even.
I also perfer dark tinted shields to clear shields or flip down internal sun shields like on the HJC IS series of helmets
