When you buy a motorcycle crash helmet, you expect it to offer a decent level of protection and work pretty well as a helmet.
Well, much of the reason your expectations are met is probably down to the fact that motorcycle helmets are regulated when they’re put up for sale in the US – meaning they have to meet certain performance standards. If they don’t, the manufacturer/importer are fined and the helmet’s withdrawn from sale.
The name of this process? DOT. Or more specifically the Department of Transport FMVSS No.218 safety compliance testing for motorcycle helmets – FMVSS being the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.
All of which is a good thing and should mean that if you buy a helmet with a DOT sticker on the back, it meets certain minimum standards for absorbing the shock of an impact; resisting impact penetration and having a retention strap that won’t stretch like a rubber band. Meaning it should protect your head in an accident.
So what is the DOT test?
The way it works is that the National Highways Traffic Safety Administration make a set of standards available to all manufacturers looking to sell helmets in the US. These manufacturers then need to produce helmets that’ll pass the test. If they do, they’re allowed to self-certify that the helmet will pass FMVSS 218 and can put a DOT sticker on the helmet when it goes on sale.
The Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance are then tasked with testing a number of helmet models per year (in 2007 is was around 40) to ensure they comply with FMVSS 218 standards. If the OVSC find a helmet doesn’t pass their test, the helmet is removed from sale and the vendor has to either repair or replace the helmets for consumers at their own cost. They can also face very stiff fines.
The test itself comprises three elements.
First what’s called the impact attenuation test – which means the helmet is subject to impacts against a rounded and flat anvil after the test helmets have been ‘conditioned’ to reflect four different operating environments. That includes humidity, low/med/high temperatures and water immersion – all of which aims to ensure the helmet will still perform in different extremes of riding conditions.
Each helmet is impacted at four sites with two impacts per site. Testers can choose where on the helmet to impact providing it’s above a ‘test line’, approximated below.
No, not a really bad hair cut – that’s the DOT helmet Test Line
Next is a penetration test where a 6lb 10oz pointed striker is dropped from 118 inches onto various parts all round the helmet – again against helmets that have been pre-conditioned to reflect four different operating conditions.
And finally, the retention strap is tested under 50 and 300lbs loads to ensure it doesn’t elongate more than an inch after load.
The only other check that the helmet then undergoes is to ensure that there’s enough peripheral vision allowed by the helmet – that’s a minimum of 105 degrees from center.
If a helmet passes all these tests, it’s then reckoned to be compliant and the manufacturer/importer won’t get their ass kicked (phew!).
You can recognize a self-certified DOT helmet by the DOT sticker on the outside rear of the helmet – although you can buy phony DOT stickers online so a sticker’s not always a guarantee. However, manufacturers are also required to put a label on/inside the helmet stating the manufacturer’s name, model, size, construction materials and month/year of manufacture – and helmets that aren’t produced to meet the FMVSS 218 standard don’t usually have all the correct labeling in place.
If you’re still not sure a helmet is DOT compliant, then you’ll find a few other pointers on the NHTSA official website that offer you some further pointers. And if you want to read LOTS of detail on the compliance testing itself, check out this link for the laboratory test procedure.
What about DOT AND ECE Certified Helmets?
It’s worth mentioning that you’ll see websites (including this one!) mentioning helmets that are both DOT and ECE. That implies that you can use the same helmet in both DOT and ECE countries – but that’s not necessarily the case.
A particular helmet model might be DOT certified over here and have passed ECE tests in Europe, so technically be legal in both areas. The problem is that most helmets don’t carry both ECE and DOT stickers – they usually have one or the other. And to be legal in a particular territory, your helmet needs to display the correct certification.
So, for example, if you have a DOT Scorpion Exo AT950 with a DOT sticker on the back (and the correct DOT labels inside), and you take your helmet to Europe and get pulled over by the police, they could find your helmet illegal because it’s not displaying the correct legal information – even though the same looking model of helmet’s on sale in Europe (in this case as the Scorpion Exo ADX-1).
Plus don’t forget, it’s often hard to find out if they’re actually the same helmet or the manufacturer’s changed the helmet in some subtle (or not so subtle but hidden) way for a each market. For example, HJC USA say their helmets are made differently than the European helmets even though the helmets look very much the same.
You do occasionally find a helmet with both DOT and ECE stickers on the back. Simpson sell one and that should mean they’re the same helmet in both countries – though they’re named differently.
The DOT test probably isn’t the last word in ensuring your helmet’s a good one. But neither is it supposed to be – it’s more a way to ensure crash helmets sold as rider protection offer a minimum level of protection.
The next stage is to look towards Snell certified helmets (or SHARP in the UK) who both take compliant helmets (ECE 22-05 approved helmets in the case of SHARP, DOT in the case of Snell) and put them through more rigorous testing procedures to try and ensure they’ll give better real-world accident protection. Read our articles on Snell, SHARP or ECE 22.05 for more information.
Nolan N91 Evo: A DOT certified, SHARP 4 star modular crash helmet at a low price
The Nolan N91 is a polycarbonate, flip-up/modular helmet that was introduced as an update to the popular and well-rated N90. Even though the N90 was well rated – especially at this lowish price point – there were a few reported issues with it. So now, Nolan have released the N91 Evo version. As the name suggests, it’s an evolution of the N91 with upgraded comfort lining being the main improvement.
Before we go any further, it’s worth mentioning that the N91 Evo is only a slight evolution over the N91 – so this review covers both helmets. Where we’re talking about a particular Evo version feature, we’ll say so.
The main difference is in the comfort lining of the N91 Evo that was changed in response to some owners comments about the old N91 being too tight around the ears and difficult to remove and refit.
See our section on comfort and sizing below for more information.
You’ll mostly find the Nolan N91 Evo for sale now as the old N91 is being phased out (which is not to say if you do find a non-Evo N91 on sale, it won’t make a great bargain buy!).
Hi Viz orange version of the N91. If you look closely, the black tab below the chrome metal pivot is the chin guard lock.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Nolan-Revzilla-quick”]
Safety
Nolan’s modular helmets have a great reputation for safety, and the N91 is no different. In fact, at the time of writing Nolan are our third safest crash helmet brand with all eleven of their tested helmets scoring 4/5 stars for safety in the SHARP test.
So it’s no surprise that the N91 scored four stars too (though note that the word is Nolan produce different batches for the DOT areas than they do for ECE markets).
Importantly for a modular, the chin guard also stayed locked and closed in 100% of the tests which is fantastic – and just what you’d expect from your modular helmet. Unfortunately, you’d be surprised at how few flip up helmets manage it, so that’s a big tick in the safety box for the N91.
Part of the reason for this great score will lie in the solid construction of the chin guard and mechanism, but part will also like in Nolan’s dual-action chin guard system that needs two buttons to be pressed to open the chin guard – as opposed to many manufacturers that use just one.
It might sound like pressing in two buttons might become a pain but apparently not – owners have reported it becomes second nature very quickly.
Showing single chin and forehead vents and drop down sun visor
If you do like to ride around with your chin guard up, the last thing you want is for it to slam down when you’re riding. So usefully, the N91 has a chin guard locking slider (you can see it just below the left chin-guard pivot point) – slide it towards the ‘J’ setting and it’ll lock it open.
The ‘J’ stands for the fact that it’s been ECE 22.05 tested and approved (or homologated) to be used as a Jet style or open face helmet. It also has a ‘P’ position meaning that it’s also approved for use with the chin guard down like a full face helmet. You may be surprised to know that lots of modular helmets aren’t both J and P approved which really means they’re only designed to protect you as an open face helmet, not full face.
Of course, that’s only legally relevant for ECE 2205 countries – but it’s worth knowing for the rest of us too!
Ok, other stuff to note about the N91 in terms of safety and the helmet shell?
Well, it’s a polycarbonate shell – as most cheaper helmets are – which is a strong and durable material and many five star safety rated helmets are created from polycarbonates. Note that Nolan mentions the name Lexan a few times in its marketing bumf in relation to the N91’s visor and shell; but Lexan is just a tradename of one company (Sabic) who supplies polycarbonate to manufacturers. So, as far as we’re aware, that doesn’t actually have any relevance – a Lexan shield isn’t necessarily any better than any other polycarbonate shield?
The N91 is only manufactured in one helmet shell size to cover all fitment sizes, which isn’t ideal for looks or safety (here’s why). And finally, it comes with a microlock 2 fastener – which are fine and safe, as long as you check the strap adjustment from time to time and as the strap stretches slightly over time.
The N91 Evo Ammersee
Helmet Noise
As you may or may not know, modular helmets are generally noisier than full face.
Reports are that the N91 is one of the quieter modular helmets around though. It’s possibly down to the tighter fitting of the comfort lining and lack of ear cut outs, as well as the chin curtain which owners say is effective at stopping wind blast getting into the helmet.
Having said that, don’t expect the N91 to be really quiet and do expect to wear ear plugs (as we all should if we’re going any distance). Also, if you’re coming to the N91 from a quiet full face helmet, we’d expect you to find it quite loud – much of the perception of how noisy a helmet is comes from how quiet it is in relation to your last helmet, the type of bike you ride and your riding position, amongst lots of other variables.
Ventilation
The Nolan N91 has a single chin vent and single crown vent.
The chin vent has a panel that flips out when pressed and allows ventilation to the chin and back of the visor. The top vent is opened/closed by a slider right on the top of the helmet which allows air into the top of the helmet, through channels moulded in to the polystyrene shock absorbing liner then around the scalp, exiting through the single rear exhaust vent.
You can see the rear spoiler and exhaust vent
The chin vent is easy to use in gloves while the top vent is a little fiddlier, sitting right on top of the helmet and being relatively small, so it’s trickier to find in gloves.
Owners seem to think that ventilation is average at best and poor at worst. There’s not much sensation of air around the scalp and while you can feel some air pushing on to the back of the shield, it’s not really enough and certainly not enough to keep it from fogging up.
Shield fogging may not be an issue though as the Nolan N91 Evo comes Pinlock ready and with a Pinlock included inside the box (US-only though check with your retailer before buying) which is good.
The shield itself is reportedly OK – for most people.
It operates on a ratchet, seals well against rain and is quick-release. It looks like Nolan have given the quick release mechanism lots of attention because it operates on a separate pivot mechanism to the chin guard and it’s easy to use, unlike some other modulars.
This one’s the plain matt black version
The only issue some folks report with the main shield is that the ratchet mechanism doesn’t always hold the shield open, with some owners saying it can slam down at any speed. It doesn’t seem to happen for everyone and Nolan don’t apparently acknowledge it as a problem – but if you buy an N91 and find it happens to you, you might want to swap it for another as it might be that you’ve bought a duff one.
Sun Visor
The sun visor’s operated by a slider on the left hand side of the helmet. Its analogue, meaning that you can partially slide the visor across and that’ll partly lower the sun visor. It’s a matter of personal preference if you like that sort or prefer the type that’s either fully lowered or fully retracted, usually by pressing a button to spring the visor out of the way.
A few owners have said that it’s not really tinted enough, though that’s a problem with pretty well all motorcycle helmet sun visors, as manufacturers try to ensure they’re legal in all territories and don’t interfere with vision levels too much.
Likewise, a couple wished that their sun visors dropped a little lower to stop that potentially annoying band of un-dimmed light along the bottom edge of your vision. Again, sun visors have to accommodate the wide range in variation of owners’ faces, so if that’s an issue for you, you’re probably going to have to hunt around A LOT – or read through quite a few of our crash helmets with sun visors reviews because if owners have mentioned that a particular sun visor drops down lower than average, we’ll mention it.
Chin Guard
As mentioned above, Nolan flip-up helmets seem to have particularly solid chin guards because not one of the chin guards on their modulars has ever come unlocked during safety testing when tested by SHARP. Which, obviously, is excellent and the best performance by any flip-up crash helmet manufacturer.
Nolan N91 Evo Strip
The Nolan N91 is also dual-homologated in the ECE testing zone (i.e. Europe), meaning it’s designed and tested to work as a full-face helmet as well as an open face. Again, lots of modulars aren’t.
Other than that, the chin guard is opened by pressing two red buttons; one on the front of the chin guard and the other tucked underneath it. That’s Nolan’s patented dual action system and is probably one of the reasons their system works so well under impact testing.
It’s apparently easy to use too – pressing two buttons rather than one becomes second nature pretty quickly and owners are happy with the way it operates. So no worries here.
Comfort & Sizing
The Nolan N91 and N91 Evo is available in sizes XS-XXL. However, quite a few owners said that they had to return their N91 for a size larger because it fits particularly snugly. It sounds like there’s a slight issue with the sizing of the N91 helmets which are a tad small, but also that the comfort lining is particularly generous meaning they can feel tighter than other helmets.
So we’d suggest if you’re going to buy a Nolan N91 and you’re between sizes (see how to measure your head here), it’s probably worth buying a size up (so if you’re between M and L for example, order the L).
On the internals, the N91 Evo has what Nolan call their Clima Comfort lining. It ticks all the right boxes as Nolan say it’s designed for comfort and is anti-microbial and hypoallergenic too. It’s also fully removable and washable.
A look at the internals. Note second red chin guard release button inside the chin guard
The comfort lining is the major difference between the N91 and the N91 Evo.
With the N91, quite a few owners complained that the comfort lining was too tight, particularly around the ears. Unlike many helmets, the comfort lining of the N91 presses directly against the ears (many helmets have cut-aways meaning there’s space for the ears away from the liner) which some owners found very uncomfortable.
It seems like Nolan listened closely and have redesigned the N91 Evo to be more comfortable in this respect and to ‘incorporate the chin strap into the inner comfort padding.’
Unfortunately, we don’t have any feedback as to how much better the N91 Evo is over the older N91, so if you use an N91 Evo, please do let us know (thanks!).
Similarly, a couple of people commented that removing and reinstalling the comfort lining was a pain with the old N91. You can struggle and get it out, but it was double the trouble getting it back in again. Hopefully that’s sorted with the N91 Evo too.
Front view of the N91 Ammersee in black/white
Looks & Graphics
You’ll find most places only sell the N91 Evo (though you can find its predecessor the N91 on sale/clearance).
It’s available in the usual range of solid colors as well as a couple of hi-viz versions in yellow and orange. There’s also a classy plain silver version available too.
Otherwise, there aren’t too many designs to choose from, though Nolan are sure to launch others from time to time, so if you’re interested in buying an N91 Evo, we suggest you click a couple of the recommended retailer links you’ll find below to see the latest designs and prices.
At the time of writing, there’s the Ammersee design and the plain Outlaws available; you’ll find examples of those up and down the page.
The N91 and N91 Evo are designed to work with Nolan’s N-com communication system only. That’s not to say it won’t work with others because it will, just that you’ll have to adapt them to fit. Apparently, that can be tricky because of the thick rubber skirt on the N91 so reports are that it works best with communicators that’ll stick to the helmet shell.
Here’s the hi viz yellow version
Like many flip-up helmets, the Nolan N91 isn’t the lightest. The medium version of the N91 weighs about 3.7lbs (1.67Kg) so it’s not lightweight, although it is about bang-on the average weight for a modular. So it’s not overly heavy like some reviews report.
There aren’t any reports that the N91 is particularly subject to buffeting which may be testament to the fact that Nolan paid quite a bit of attention to the aero on the N91. Build quality is said to be very good by many owners and it does come with a chin curtain in the box too – said to be very good for keeping the chill out and reducing noise.
Finally, Nolans come with a 5 year warranty (7 years from manufacturing date that you’ll find somewhere inside the helmet, though you may have to remove the lining to find it). So that’s as long as warranty’s come – so far.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Link-to-guides-page”]
Chin guard opens just above the eye line
Alternatives to the Nolan N91 Evo
There’s lots of competition in the flip-up helmet market at this price point and some fabulous helmets to be found. The AGV Numo Evo is a SHARP 4 star rated modular with sun visor and free Pinlock. Then there’s the very light 4 star Lazer Monaco – a bit more expensive but a great helmet with a photochromic shield as standard.
Or how about the HJC IS-Max II: SHARP 4 star rated, sun visor and comfortable for around the same price as the N91 Evo. That’s gotta be worth a look?
Finally, if you’re considering a step up in build quality, there’s the Shoei Neotec – that’s a fiberglass flip-up that’s well rated in almost every area and is SHARP 4 star safety rated too. It’s about double the money from the N91 though.
The Nolan N91 was a bit of a slightly flawed gem. A great priced modular polycarbonate crash helmet that scored really well in the SHARP safety testing and is a well built, quality piece of kit. Owners say it’s pretty quiet (for a modular) and both the main visor and the sun visor generally work well.
It also seems that Nolan listened to first gen N91 owners and upgraded the internals with the N91 Evo to make it more comfortable and, hopefully, to remove the pressure points some owners felt around their ears. If that’s sorted (we’re quizzing Nolan for answers at the moment and if we hear back, we’ll let you know – as well as up the comfort star rating) then the Nolan N91 Evo is really worth considering – especially with its great safety rating and competitive price.
The Nolan N64 – Nolan’s ‘do everything’ polycarbonate full face helmet
The N64 is another reasonably priced polycarbonate full faced helmet from Italian manufacturer Nolan.
Note: the N64 is no longer produced. Take a look at our Top 10 Full Face Helmets page to find a quality alternative.
Nolan tend to specialise in polycarbonate helmets – mainly because they perform really well in an impact, they’re reasonably light weight and they’re cheaper to manufacture and therefore have a lower shelf price. But that doesn’t mean they’re not going to offer great protection, because some of the best protecting helmets around are polycarbonate; and of course Nolan are our joint third best performing crash helmet brand.
The N64 is Nolan’s ‘go anywhere, do anything, ride any bike’ type of helmet – aiming to be a versatile, lower priced helmet for more or less everyone, whatever type of road riding they do.
There’s not much information out there about how well it’s liked, but we’ve trawled the web and found out as much as we can about what owners think about the N64 motorcycle helmet.
Overall/Summary
The Nolan N64 is a essentially a great basic helmet let down by poor noise suppression. It scores highly for impact protection (SHARP 4 stars) and it does pretty well everything that a budget helmet should do – except the ventilation is to be found a little wanting when things hot up. The shield’s fine, it’s comfortable, it’s got an easy-to-use micrometric lock and it can be had for a very reasonable price.
Only pretty well every owner we could find said it was noisy.
If that doesn’t bother you – or you’ve got a pair of really good ear plugs – then the Nolan N64 is worth a look. If not, you might want to check out one of our suggested alternatives at the bottom of the page – or click around the site to see our other budget helmets or top rated crash helmets.
The Nolan N64 scored four stars when safety tested by SHARP – which is a very good score and in line with every other Nolan tested to date.
It is of course ECE 22.05 tested/approved too (though not DOT certified for the US), so all round, we’d expect the Nolan N64 to offer good impact protection in an accident.
There’s other features which contribute to safety too of course – including the micrometric fastener and the Pinlock-ready shield to keep things fog-free – though unfortunately the N64 doesn’t come with a Pinlock insert in the box, unlike many helmets these days including some of Nolan’s other helmets like the N87.
Here’s the N64 Gemini Petrucci replica
A slightly negative point is that the N64 is only manufactured in one shell size. That’s not uncommon for lower priced helmets but if you’re at the extreme ends of the fitment sizes (XXS/XS or XXL/XL) it may mean the helmet looks either too large or small for your body size. It may also, arguably, mean there’s more or less than the optimal ratio of padding and polystyrene lining in there.
That said, experts agree that the most important factor for the safety of any helmet is to get a helmet that fits correctly in the first place and everything else is secondary to that. Check out our fitting guide to find out how.
Helmet Noise
There’s one thing that pretty well every owner we heard from online said – that the Nolan N64 is a noisy helmet.
As we always say, how noisy a helmet is is very much a personal thing and depends on a wide range of factors. But in the N64s case, opinions seem to range from plain ole ‘it’s noisy’ to ‘OMG NOISY!’ so we’re pretty sure this is one helmet you’re going to have to wear a good pair of ear plugs with.
Folks who ventured a suggestion thought the noise levels might be down to lack of padding around the ears or a lack of a chin curtain, allowing noise (and air) to come up from the bottom of the helmet. Either way, if you’re after a quiet helmet, you might want to look elsewhere and check out our quietest helmets section.
Single chin vent and double scalp vents
Ventilation
Ventilation is taken care of by the pretty common combo of single chin vent and double forehead vent, with exhausts pulling out the warm air from the rear of the shell.
All vents on the N64 are easy to operate, with the chin vent being a large toggle plate (press the bottom to open it at the top) and the top vents being small sliders – though one comment was they feel very far back on the helmet until you get used to them.
The chin vent seems to work well. Even so, it’s not going to be enough to keep the shield fog-free in colder areas or when it starts to rain, so it’s good to see that Nolan have made the N64’s shield Pinlock ready (though there’s no Pinlock in the box).
For the head vents, a few owners commented that it can be hard to feel any ventilation going onto the top of the helmet and it can get a bit hot in there. So if you’re after a great venting helmet, you might want to look elsewhere.
Rear view showing exhaust vents hiding under the spoiler
Shield
The shield on the Nolan N64 is a pretty straight forward affair. It works on a ratchet and has the opening tab in the middle so you can open it with your left or right hand – which is useful.
It has four ratchet positions, including a cracked-open position for a little extra venting when you’re bimbling along, and it has Nolan’s own version of the shield quick removal mechanism which is very good and easy to use.
While the N64’s shield is Pinlock-ready, it doesn’t come with a Pinlock anti-fog insert in the box, which is a shame because many other Nolans, including the N87 and N86 do. If you do buy an N64 and expect to wear it in colder/rainier climates, we’d recommend buying a Pinlock to keep things mist-free – but factor another $30ish into the price.
Comfort & Sizing
Inside view showing micrometric fastener
The interior on the Nolan N64 is widely rated as fairly comfortable by the owners we heard from. They also seem to reckon it feels light – which it is for a polycarbonate full face helmet, weighing in around 3.1Lbs (1.4Kg).
The comfort lining includes Nolan’s Clima Comfort material which is their version of a moisture wicking fabric, there to pull moisture away from the head where it can vent out of the rear of the helmet. The interior’s also removable and washable, as you’d expect in all but the very cheapest helmets.
There were no reports of the helmet sizing being other than accurate, so if you’re interested in ordering an N64 (or any other helmet) we recommend you use our helmet fitting guide to make sure you order the right size.
Looks & Graphics
If you’re after a plain, solid color, there’s both a gloss black (Metal Black) version and gloss white (Pure White) as well as the Flat Black matt black version. There’s also the Gemini Replica range, featuring replicas from lots of European riders like Danilo Petrucci, Danny Kent, Canepa, Bastianini, Chas Davies, Leon Camier and Marco Melandri. And there’s also the distinctive Wiring and Twirl designs.
Rear view of the N64 ‘Wiring’ showing small rear spoiler
Nolan N64 video
We actually couldn’t find an English language video showing the N64 – so instead here’s a video with Italian riders Marco Melandri and Claudio Corti showing how much they love their N64s (and not because their sponsors told them to – honest!) followed by an interesting video showing the making of Nolan helmets, presumably at their factory in Bergamo, Italy.
Well, I found it interesting anyhow…
Other stuff – audio, build quality, warranty
Here’s the N64 Twirl (also available in red and grey)
As is usual with all Nolans, the Nolan N64 is designed to work with Nolan’s own N-Com bluetooth communicator.
Most owners reckon it feels well built, with quality parts and construction. But if it does fail, it comes with a 5 year warranty, which is about as long as crash helmet warranties come.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Link-to-guides-page”]
Alternatives to the Nolan N64
There’s plenty of alternatives to the N64. If you’re looking for a great value full face motorcycle helmet, have a look at any of these…
For a similar price to the Nolan, there’s the Shark S600 – an entry-level helmet that’s a bit no frills but comes with a Pinlock in the box and scored a great four stars in SHARP’s safety test. It comes in under the ton too so it’s great value. Or if you want a sun visor included, the Shark S700S is SHARP four star and a good low price too. Finally at this price, there’s the Scorpion Exo R410, that’s a four star rated helmet with great ventilation and optically-correct shield.
Going up the pricing scale a little, the AGV K3 SV is a four star full face helmet with drop down sun visor and a Pinlock in the box. And finally, there’s the N64’s older brother, the Nolan N87, a SHARP 4 star helmet with Pinlock in the box and drop down sun visor like the AGV.
Phew – told you there were plenty of alternatives!
A mid-priced all-rounder from HJC: the HJC R-PHA ST motorcycle helmet
The RPHA ST is HJCs fiberglass sports touring crash helmet. It’s a mid-priced helmet designed for riders who spend a bit of time tucked down in a race position but the rest of the time a bit more upright. It’s been designed in a wind-tunnel to keep it slippery, has a built in sun visor for when things get bright and is pretty much designed to be all things to most people. Which is possibly why it won German magazine Motorrad’s group helmet test back in 2014.
Overall/Summary
The HJC RPHA ST is a competent performer. It’s well built, has good ventilation, a couple of great visors, comes with a Pinlock MaxVision in the box (check before you buy) and its wind-tunnel designed form reduces buffeting. It’s a bit noisier than most owners would like and it hasn’t yet been Snell/SHARP safety tested (though looking at past performances, we reckon it’ll score either 3 or 4 stars on SHARP) but if you’re after a sports/touring helmet that’ll give you years of use – especially with its 5 year guarantee – then it’s well worth checking out the HJC RPHA ST.
Fibreglass construction
Not yet Snell certified or SHARP safety rated
Full face helmet
3.2lbs (1.45Kg) weight (just under average for a fiberglass)
5 year warranty
Integral sun visor
Sizes XS-XXL
Expect to pay $280
Note: the HJC RPHA ST has now been discontinued. So please check out our other HJC Helmet reviews – or maybe check out our Top 10 Helmets Reviews Pages where you’ll find all our top rated helmets?
Safety
The RPHA ST hasn’t yet been tested by SHARP so it’s difficult to get an independent, objective review of quite how well it’ll perform in protecting your head. As usual, it’s been both ECE 22.05 approved and DOT approved for sale in both Europe and the US. However, until it’s been independently tested, it’s difficult to say how safe it is.
HJC RPHA ST Turok
What I can say is that of the seven fiberglass HJC full face helmets SHARP have tested to date, they’ve scored either three or four stars (out of a maximum five) with the average being 3.4. So we should arguably expect a similar score for the HJC RPHA ST.
Other features that contribute to safety which are all a tick in the box include a drop down sun visor, large shield aperture and the fact that the helmet is manufactured in three shell sizes. See why that’s important here.
It’s also got a shield locking mechanism which is designed to lock the shield when you close it to stop the shield flicking open accidentally, which could be incredibly distracting/dangerous. In my experience it’s unlikely a shield will flick open for most of us in the course of normal road riding (unless it’s really badly adjusted or faulty), but having a shield locked closed could be very useful in the event of an accident to stop debris entering the helmet.
Overall though, we’d expect the RPHA-ST to be average to good for safety. If/when SHARP test or Snell certify the RPHA ST, we’ll let you know here.
Helmet Noise
HJC RPHA ST ‘Dabin’
Owners usually have pretty varying viewpoints on how noisy a helmet is and it’s no different with the HJC. However, taking a multitude of owners’ thoughts into consideration, most people find that it’s a bit louder than they expected and a bit louder than the average full face helmet.
Of course, it’s very subjective and it’s worth making the point that it’s very dependent on what your last helmet was like and the sort of bike you ride (fairing or naked, upright our crouched position etc.). We also recommend you ride with ear plugs in to keep impact on your ears to a minimum.
A couple of owners put the noise level down to a noisy top vent. Close it and it’ll reduce the noise. Also sitting upright may stick the vent into the wind more and therefore make more noise.
Either way, it seems the HJC RPHA ST is slightly louder than the average full face helmet.
Top view of the Twocut design showing top vent
Ventilation
Ventilation on the RPHA ST is pretty good.
There’s a large top vent high up on the forehead that’s opened with a nice big slider that’s really easy to find and use with gloves on. It’s got two positions, which i’m not sure is really needed (I think for most of us, knowing which was is open and which way is closed is enough of a technical challenge to cope with when riding along!) but the vent does pull enough air in to keep your head cool in warm weather.
The chin vent has a large switch too – again easy to use in gloves and pulls a decent amount of air in which, coupled with the Pinlock, does a sound job in keeping the shield clear on cold and rainy days.
As most mid-top end helmets have these days, there’s ventilation channels cut into the EPS liner to direct the air through to the rider’s scalp and the internal comfort liner has large unpadded areas to let the air through and then channel it towards the rear exhaust vents.
All in all, nothing to worry about here. Moving on…
Face Shield
Similarly, there’s no problems reported with the Shield of the RPHA ST.
HJC RPHA ST Murano in blue/white showing lowered sun visor
It has a large shield aperture with good peripheral and vertical vision. The main clear shield is Pinlock MaxVision ready – that’s a Pinlock that sits in a recess in the shield to make an air-tight seal. It’s also taller than standard Pinlocks so when you’re tucked down, the top of the Pinlock shouldn’t get into your line of vision. Good.
Owners of the RPHA ST reckon it works well on all counts and are delighted that the MaxVision comes in the box (and wouldn’t you at $30-$40 a go?)
Another feature of the main shield is that it auto-locks when you close it (a safety feature to give peace of mind that it won’t open when you’re riding along or, hopefully, if you have an accident).
It’s down to personal preference whether it’s a feature you’d like on your next helmet or not, but RPHA ST owners find it’s very easy to open/unlock the shield because all it takes is a single movement – opening the shield by the central tab automatically disengages the locking mechanism and opens the shield.
This is amongst the easiest and quickest shield release systems on the market and means you can take out your visor to clean it – and replace it – in a matter of a handful of seconds.
The sun visor sits high up in the shell of the helmet, dropping down when you move the slider to the left of the visor pivot. It’s fine in most respects. It drops nice and low down (not all do) and most people find it very useful. It’s also designed to cut out 99.9% of UV rays.
Matt black ‘rubbertone’ version
The odd person complains that it’s not really dark enough but there’s not much HJC can do about this as there’s usually a legal maximum for how dark sun visors can go.
Like pretty well every other sun visor, it’s not anti-fog so can be prone to fogging.
Overall though, the visor system is well developed and functions well.
Comfort & Sizing
You can get an HJC RPHA ST in sizes XS – XXL which pretty much the same as every other modern HJC helmet. It’s produced in three helmet shell sizes which means a shell size for every two fitment sizes.
That’s a good thing because it means whatever size helmet you buy, the shell size will be proportionately the right size to your body and also means there will be about the optimum level of EPS liner and padding used inside the helmet.
Inside the helmet, there’s a removeable/washable comfort liner that’s made from moisture wicking material to keep you relatively sweat free. It also has what HJC call SilvercoolPlus – tiny strands of silver are incorporated into the lining to give it antibacterial properties. You only tend to get that in premium-priced helmets so it’s nice to see in the RPHA ST too.
That’s all fine and well but does it mean it’s a comfortable helmet?
HJC RPHA ST in Knuckle design
Generally, yes. There’s a few people who suffer around the forehead – possibly because incorporating the sun visor has brought the forehead back a bit – and a few people who just don’t get on with the HJC RPHA ST.
It’s designed to fit quite a broad range of head shapes though, so unless you’re at one of the extremes of fitment shapes – either your head’s pretty long or wide – then you should be OK with the HJC RPHA ST. However, if you follow the rules for getting a helmet that fits right in the first place, then owners say it’s a very comfortable helmet.
If you’re looking to buy one, it’s a little small-sizing, so if you’re on the border between sizes, it’s probably worth going for the larger size. But once you get the right size and it fits your head shape, then the HJC RPHA ST is reportedly a very comfortable helmet.
It’s also good for glasses-wearers because there are grooves in the lining to allow for the stems to seat without pressing into your head.
Finally, it’s worth saying that there might be a slight issue with the chin curtain as a few owners reported that it’s only loosely fastened and can drop off easily. It might have been a batch issue but if a chin curtain’s important to you, it’s worth checking out when you receive yours.
Looks & Graphics
Side view of the HJC RPHA ST Rugal. Also available in blue and green
The HJC RPHA ST is a modern-looking helmet with a streamlined, sporty look thanks to its windtunnel inspired design.
At the time of writing, it’s available in around ten designs (each with multiple color combos) so if you want to see the latest designs available to buy, it might be worth clicking through to our recommended retailers using the links you’ll find up and down the page.
You can buy an HJC RPHA ST in gloss/matt black and gloss white. The Twocut are black/white or grey designs whereas the Balmers are mostly black with bold HJC themed graphics around the lower half of the helmet. The Murano and Rugal are probably the sportiest designs and finally the Knuckle is mean and moody with subtle colors.
As always, you can see examples dotted around the page.
Video
Here’s a video from the Two Wheel Centre taking you on a tour round the HJC RPHA ST. Note, it’s not a carbon/kevlar PIM shelled helmet but a fiberglass based helmet. Apart from that, check it out…
Other stuff – weight, fasteners, glasses, buffeting
Gloss white HJC RPHA ST
In weight terms, it’s pretty good. It’s a shade lighter than the average fiberglass helmet so shouldn’t cause any problems with fatigue when wearing it. It’s great for glasses wearers too as it features a glasses groove to accommodate glasses’ stems without pushing them into the side of the face. And because it’s been developed in a wind tunnel, owners say that it doesn’t suffer from too much wind buffeting.
Finally, it comes with a double-d ring fastener on the strap. For the first time I’ve heard people complaining about how fiddly they are. Obviously they’ve been around for years and most of us have seemed to be happy with them. But with the advent of things like micrometric fasteners that are incredibly easy and convenient, maybe it’s a portent of things to come for the trusty old double-d?
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Link-to-guides-page”]
Alternatives to the HJC RPHA ST
There’re so many alternatives when looking for a full face helmet with a sun visor, it’s hard to know where to start. It’d be worth checking out our list of the best full face helmets we’ve reviewed so far. Also, our page showing four and five star SHARP rated crash helmets. But if pressed to choose, there’s the polycarbonate Caberg Vox – a five star rated helmet that’s about as light as the HJC but lot’s cheaper. Or how about the carbon/fiberglass SHARP four star AGV K5 which is a tad cheaper than the HJC too. Finally, there’s the Shark Speed R – a SHARP four star fiberglass helmet with a sun visor that’s about the same price point as the HJC.
The Lazer Bayamo – a great value SHARP 4 star rated full face helmet
Belgian helmet maker Lazer have been making helmets for almost as long as motorbikes have been around. The Lazer Bayamo is Lazer’s attempt to make a low-cost full-face all-rounder; one that doesn’t cost too much, isn’t that fancy but has everything and does everything you’ll need.
SHARP 4 Star safety rated
3.4lbs/1.55Kg weight (about average)
Integral sun visor
Comfortable with decent ventilation
Pinlock ready
2+3 Years Guarantee (standard plus Lazer’s own)
Sizes XXS-XXL
Expect to pay between $100-$140
Overall/Summary
Lazer have produced a great helmet in the Bayamo. Not only does it perform in pretty well every aspect, owners are surprised at how well built it is (especially at this price point). It’s an excellent all-purpose helmet that’s backed by Lazer’s 5 year guarantee and represents great value for money.
Safety
Safety is of course one of the main things you look for in a crash helmet. The Lazer Bayamo has a thermoplastic injected shell that’s made in two shell sizes. It’s hasn’t been Snell certified (Lazer don’t tend to submit their helmets to Snell for testing) but it has been independently SHARP tested where it scored 4/5 stars.
Hi-vis Bayamo Reflex
That’s a great score; and it’s also the average score for Lazer crash helmets, with all their helmets apart from one (the Tornado) scoring either four or five out of five stars – though despite this, they still didn’t quite make it into our list of the top 10 safest helmet brands!).
However, because the Bayamo has a quadruple-density internal shock-absorbing EPS lining and a 4 out of 5 SHARP score, we reckon you can probably put your trust in the Bayamo to look after your head in an accident.
Of course, there’s more to safety than having a helmet protect you during an accident. A well designed helmet can also contribute to you not getting into an accident in the first place.
You need a decent strap to make sure it stays on your head and a nice clear visor for good vision. The Bayamo has a decent shield and an integral drop down sun visor to help keep things bearable and safer when you’re riding into the sun. It’s also got a micrometric chin strap which are nice and safe and easy to operate.
The fact that the shell is manufactured in two shell sizes is also useful. In general, the more premium a helmet is, the more shell sizes are produced. It all contributes to making a helmet that looks proportional to the size of the person wearing it – and also means both the comfort lining and the shock absorbing EPS liner are there in the correct proportions to be most effective.
Rear of the Bayamo Sprint
Not all lower-priced helmets are made in two shell sizes so that’s another tick in the box for the Lazer Bayamo.
Helmet Noise
If you’ve read a few of our reviews, you’ll know that helmet noise is very subjective and depends on how your previous helmet performed and the type of bike you ride. Having said that, in general owners of the Lazer Bayamo seem to think it’s about average for noise suppression. We tend to find sporty helmets are noisier helmets so the Bayamo being a general purpose helmet with sporty aspirations, it’s about typical for the noise levels you can expect from a helmet of this type.
Bayamo Spirit helmet
Owners say it gets particularly noisy above 60-70 Mph (100-110 Kmh) which means you’re best wearing ear plugs with it (as we recommend with all helmets anyhow).
Ventilation
The Bayamo has the usual array of chin and head vents found on most full face helmets these days.
The double chin vent (it’s got two vents, not that it’s there to ventilate your… you know what I mean!) is operated by an easy to use up/down slider switch and directs the air onto the back of the shield as well as around the lower face area, exiting from the twin exhausts to either side of the chin bar.
On the top of the helmet, and set slightly rearward to allow for routing the air past the retracted sun visor, there’s a pair of air inlets that can be opened/closed by a slider. Again they’re very easy to operate in gloved hands.
Unusually, the rear exhaust ports are also covered with the same sliders to allow for reduced airflow in colder weather.
Importantly, owners say the Bayamo has good ventilation with no problems to report – though to keep the main shield fog free in cold/wet weather you’ll need to fit the optional Pinlock (see below).
Showing the quick-release shield and sun visor slider
Shield
The Bayamo has a clear Pinlock-ready main shield and a drop down internal sun visor, operated by a slider to the rear/left of the shield pivot.
There’s no problems reported with the main shield and the only issue with the sun visor is that many owners reckon it could do with dropping down a bit lower.
Good points about the main shield are that it’s got a nice ratchet mechanism; the opening tab’s where it should be, i.e. on the bottom left; and the shield quick-removal system is great. As you can see in the sales video for the Bayamo below, to remove the shield, simply twist the central dial slightly and it’ll clip out. To refit, it just clips in. Simple, quick and it works well.
The Lazer Bayamo comes with a Pinlock-ready main shield but, unlike some, it doesn’t come with a Pinlock in the box so that’s worth considering if you’re looking to buy one – you might need to spend another $40ish to get one (you can buy one from Amazon here though unlike our recommended retailers, we can’t vouch for the quality of the retailer).
Rear view showing closeable exhaust vents
Sizes & Comfort
Lazer produce the Bayamo in sizes XXS-XXL which, if you need a helmet at either extreme, you’ll know is reasonably unusual.
As usual, make sure you get a helmet that feels tightish and doesn’t have any pressure points or over-rotate when you grab the helmet and move it about on your head. See our fitting guide for more information on getting a helmet that fits right.
Assuming you’ve got a Bayamo that fits correctly, then owners are happy with how comfortable they are. They’re often happily surprised at the quality of materials used by Lazer – especially at this price point.
The interior is removable and washable and it comes with a flexible and removable chin curtain and nose deflector. Lazer also has what they call their Morpho system plus. It sounds grand but all it is are replaceable cheek and head pads so you can tweak the fitting to get the size just right. Again, that’s a nice feature and one that’s typically only available on pricier lids.
Looks & Graphics
Bayamo Spirit helmet
I think it’s fair to say that the Bayamo isn’t going to win any design awards – it’s more functional than cool-looking. But that’s just fine for many of us who want something that works well and doesn’t break the bank (me included). It’s available in gloss/matt black and gloss white (called Z-Line) and if you’re after something hi-viz, the closest you’ll probably get is the Bayamo Reflex in fluo yellow/black/red that’s shown further up the page.
There’s a couple of classic black and white designs – the Bayamo Cup and Bayamo Spirit (right) – plus some gaudier designs like the Pitt Bull, the Sprint and the Helter. And last but not least there’s one designed with the ladies in mind which (sorry girls) is a flowery design in the usual pink and called Pretty Love (at least they didn’t call it fluffy kittens!). You can see it at the top of the page.
As usual, we’ve tried to include examples of every design available at the time of writing on this page – though it’s worth checking out the recommended retailer links you’ll find towards the bottom of the page to see all the latest designs.
Video
Here’s Lazer’s own promotional video that takes you through some of its main features. Nice music!
Other stuff – guarantee, weight, buffeting, comms
The Lazer Bayamo comes with a standard two year guarantee but if you register it here on the Lazer site, they’ll give you an extra 3 years’ manufacturer’s guarantee too. For a lower-priced helmet, that’s a great guarantee; right up there with the most premium helmet manufacturer’s.
As you’d expect from a thermoplastic helmet, it’s not going to be as light as something like a composite-shelled helmet. However, it’s more or less bang on the average weight for a thermoplastic shelled helmet (the Bayamo is 3.42lbs/1.55Kg while the average is 3.46lbs/1.57Kg!) so you know it shouldn’t tire you out or feel too heavy when riding.
Finally, it’s what Lazer call speaker-ready. No more details are provided so that probably means it has speaker pockets. Also, a couple of owners rated it very highly for the lack of buffeting, saying they’ve found it markedly better than their previous helmets and doesn’t move around on the head, even at speed.
Front view of the Bayamo Pitbull
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Link-to-guides-page”]
Alternatives
There’s several thermoplastic/polycarbonate full face helmets out there that are great value and score well on the SHARP safety test. Take a look at the slightly more expensive (but also scoring 4 stars) Scorpion Exo R-410 – it comes with an optical class one shield (though no sun visor). If price is your main consideration, you can check out our cheapest crash helmets here, or if it’s safety, you’ll find all our four and five star rated helmets on this link.
The Nolan N90-2 – Nolan’s entry-level flip-up crash helmet
The Nolan N90-2 is Nolan’s replacement for the old N91 and N91 Evo. That was a bit of a flawed gem – scored well for safety but was marked down a bit for comfort (and noise too but that’s normal for a modular).
It’s Nolan’s entry-level flip up helmet; a polycarbonate shelled helmet that’s made to a budget but with enough useful features to keep discerning buyers happy.
So here’s what you can expect the Nolan N90-2 to offer when it hits the shelves.
Note: the N64 is no longer produced. Take a look at our Top 10 Full Face Helmets page to find a quality alternative.
The Nolan N90 will be both DOT and ECE certified, but it hasn’t been tested by Snell or SHARP yet, so we’re not entirely sure how well it’ll perform in terms of safety.
But looking at previous Nolan testing data, we reckon we can be reasonably confident that the N90-2 will perform well.
Its predecessor, the Nolan N91, scored a very solid 4/5 in the SHARP safety test. But it’s not just that that’s making us think the N90-2 will do well. So far, every single Nolan helmet that’s been tested by SHARP has scored exactly the same marks – that’s 4 stars a piece across 12 tested helmets! Wow!
Nolan’s flip-up helmets also do particularly well in the chin guard tests – with every one so far staying locked 100% of the time during impact testing. Which is incredible. Only Nolan have managed to date, and we really hope they continue the tradition with the N90-2.
In all, it’s probably not unreasonable to expect any new Nolan to do well in the safety tests. They always do!
Other than that, the N90-2 has got a full compliment of features to help you keep out of trouble in the first place.
Classic Silver N90-2
Pinlock-ready shield (and we hope it’ll come with a Pinlock included in the box) to keep your shield fog-free. Drop down sun visor to keep vision tolerable in the sunshine. Micrometric fastener that’s easy to use and safe as houses.
So we’d be surprised if the new Nolan N90-2 doesn’t have all the bases covered on the safety front when it’s released.
Ventilation
The N90-2 has a single forehead vent and single chin vent. These have been designed to be simple to operate and look large enough to be easy to use in gloves.
In the top vent, air is directed through the helmet shell and onto the scalp through channels in the polysytrene shock absorbing lining, exiting via the dual rear exhaust vents. So far, so standard.
Ventilation was only rated as average-poor on the N91 so let’s hope that Nolan have learned a lesson from this and improved it on the N90-2.
N90 Special – showing large chin and top vent sliders
Shield and Sun Visor
The main shield comes Pinlock anti-fog insert ready, though Nolan have yet to confirm whether a Pinlock will be included in the box. We’d expect it won’t simply because the N91 didn’t and with the N90-2 being Nolan’s entry-level modular, the pressure’s on to keep costs down.
The shield itself operates on a ratchet and has the opening tab bottom center. All good there then.
The sun visor is anti-scratch and UV400 too and has an anti-fog coating on it – though don’t expect the anti fog coating here to be very effective – they usually aren’t (if they were, everything would be antifog coated and there’d be no need for a Pinlock!).
The sun visor is operated by a slider on the left hand side of the helmet, which is a much better position than many which are located on the top of the helmet.
Chin Guard
Nolan’s chin guards are the safest around.
If you’re buying a flip-up helmet, you’re likely expecting the chin guard to give as much protection as a full face when it’s in place.
But that’s not always the case because a surprising number can open under impact. We know this because SHARP checks the chin guard after each impact test and notes how often the lock becomes unlocked (thanks guys – very useful info that!).
I’m happy to say, that’s not the case with Nolans though (so far) because every tested Nolan helmet has remained fully locked.
N90 in gloss white
That’s partly testament to the quality of the locking mechanism and partly because Nolan use a two-button opening mechanism – squeeze the button underneath the guard with your thumb and push down the front slider and the chin guard opens up.
It sounds trickier than it is – owners say you get the hang of Nolan’s two button chin guard quickly and it’s not really any bother. And it might make all the difference between a having your chin guard unlock during an accident or staying firmly closed.
Not only that, but the Nolan N90-2 is dual homologated (that’s an ECE European testing thing so not legally relevant to us here in the US) – but it means it’s designed and ECE approved to be worn as an open face helmet as well as a full face helmet. Lots of modular helmets aren’t.
With the N90, there’s a slider on the side of the helmet – if you want to ride in open face ‘Jet’ mode, open the helmet fully and push the lever up to the J position and you’re good to go. That’ll lock the chin guard up and open.
Looks & Graphics
At the time of writing, only a few graphics and designs have been released. But they do show, along with the usual plain colors, a couple of hi-vis variants (for those of us who like such things). To date, they’ve released the Classic N-com range (that’s the plan blacks/whites etc.) and the Special and Straton designs – along with the Hi-Visibility N-Com version.
Click the links below to see more designs and pricing once the N90-2’s been launched.
Other stuff – audio, warranty
The Nolan N90-2 has been designed to integrate with the Nolan N-Com bluetooth communicator. So if you’ve got one of those, there’s a removable door on the side of the helmet to accommodate it.
On paper at least, the Nolan N90-2 looks to be a decent package. It’s got plenty of useful features that make for a helmet that’s easy to live with – including sun visor, Pinlock-ready main visor and N-Com communicator integration. It’s not the cheapest modular around, but if it can carry on the Nolan tradition for making very safe flip-up helmets, then it may well be worth checking out if you’re in the market for a new Flip-up helmet.
Of course, once the N90-2 has been out for a while, we’ll fill you in here on what owners and riders think about it. Until then, why not check out one of our suggested alternatives below.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Link-to-guides-page”]
Alternatives to the Nolan N90-2?
With flip-up helmets being more popular than ever, there’s tons of choice out there. But first up, you might want to have a look at the N90-2 predecessor, the Nolan N91. It’s discontinued now of course but it’s a decent helmet and it means you might find a real bargain (check our recommended retailer links above, they usually discount discontinued lids pretty quickly).
Side view of the Nolan N90-2 showing N-com panel, sun visor slider and chin-guard lock
We recommend having a look at the Lazer Paname – that’s a SHARP 4 star tested modular helmet that’s cheaper than the N90-2 and comes with a Pinlock in the box.
Or a couple more from the Nolan group are the Nolan N104 or the X-Lite X-1003. The N104 will retail for about the same as the N90-2 but has a 4 star SHARP safety rating, while the X-1003 is more expensive but it’s a composite helmet so should be quite a bit lighter. That’s SHARP 4 star rated too.
And finally, if you fancy something a bit different, then the Roof Boxer V8 is certainly that – but it’s also a decent helmet, scoring 4 stars in the SHARP test and costing around the same as the Nolan. It looks well cool too!
MDS MD200 – a great performing budget modular crash helmet
For those not in the know, MDS is AGVs budget/entry level crash helmet brand and the MDS MD200 is their flip-up/modular helmet. But given that it’s a budget model, does it offer the same protection and performance as some of the higher priced alternatives?
Overall/Summary
Well worth a look. It’s made by AGV who have tried to keep the build-quality high and have produced a budget flip-up helmet that really performs. OK it’s a bit noisy (most modulars are) but it’s well rated for safety, has some great features and owners find it really comfortable. If you’re after a flip-up on a budget, then the MDS MD200 might be just the helmet for you.
First off, the MD200 hasn’t been Snell tested (AGV don’t seem to submit their helmets to Snell as their last helmet was certified to the old M2005 standard many years ago). However, it has been tested by SHARP, who scored it a great 4/5 for safety. That’s a solid score with the MD-200 only dropping a point for side impact results (if a helmet drops a star, it’s usually from the side impact tests).
However, when testing modular helmets, SHARP also note what percentage of times the chin guard stays closed and locked during impact testing. You might be alarmed to hear that most modulars don’t stay closed 100% of the time during these tests. Some brands do perform strongly though (you’ll find more information on which ones in this article on crash helmet safety) – but I’m delighted to say that the MDS MD200’s chin guard stayed closed and locked 100% of the time!
All in all, MDS/AGV have got the basics bang on with the MD200 then. It’s scored strongly in the SHARP tests so you should be pretty confident that it’ll give you good levels of protection in an accident.
Of course, there’s other dimensions to safety: shell sizes, chin strap, visors all play their role. The MD200 is manufactured in two shell sizes which is pretty good for a budget lid (read more about why here) and it comes with a micrometric chin strap. They’re easy to use and safe. As usual, there’s a clear, anti-scratch shield (though no Pinlock anti-fog so you’ll have to buy another anti-fog insert or try a spray) but it does have a drop down sun visor – almost essential these days for when you’re riding into low sunlight.
Helmet Noise
The MDS MD200 is a flip up helmet, and that means there’s a good chance it’ll be a pretty noisy helmet. Modular helmets are known for being noisier than full face lids so if you’re coming to a modular for the first time, be prepared. The MD200 is no exception so you’ll need to wear ear plugs at anything over 50 MPH if you want to keep your long-term hearing intact.
That said, it’s no worse than many other modulars so if you know what to expect, you should be OK.
The MDS MD200 is available in two shell sizes and XS-XL fitment sizes. Because it’s made in two shell sizes, the helmet shouldn’t look too large on your head and should also contribute to safety (as the internal shock-absorbing polystyrene line will be closer to the optimum level).
Ventilation
Perfectly formed and vented rear!
No problems have been reported by owners about the ventilation. AGV helmets are usually pretty well ventilated and the MD200 has their usual array of dual chin vents and dual head vents, both closeable with a nice, large slider (that’s easy to find and use in gloves). Hot air exits to the rear of the helmet through the rear exhaust vents.
Of course, there’s an internal sun visor in the MD200 which has meant MDS has had to position the top vents further back on the helmet because, when retracted, the sun visor covers the area on the helmet where the vents would normally be. However, the vents work well.
Shield
There’s both a clear external shield and integral drop down sun visor and apart from a few niggles, owners are broadly happy with the way it all works.
As usual, the helmet will come out of the box with a clear main shield. Of course, it’s anti scratch (though sometimes AGVs anti scratch shields seem to be a bit less anti scratch than others: one owner reported that it can scratch pretty easily and I’ve had that problem myself with an AGV). It’s also quick release (AGVs XQRS system), which works well so you can remove the shield in just a few seconds without tools; and it has its opening tab nicely to the bottom left which is good for easy of opening.
There’s no problems reported with the sun visor too – owners say it works well and is easy to use.
You shouldn’t see this happening in an accident with the MD200
Chin Guard
As you can see by the photos, the chin guard opens to a three-quarters position (rather than swinging around to the back of the head like the Roof Desmo or Shark Evoline) and it’s only been tested/approved (or homologated as it’s called) for use in the closed position. This doesn’t mean you’ll necessarily get nicked for riding with it up, but it hasn’t been ECE approved for use as an open faced and full face helmet in the same way dual-homologated helmets are.
However, a major thumbs up for the MD200’s is that the chin guard locks closed and didn’t open in any of SHARPs impact tests. It’s always nice to know with a modular that the chin guard will stay closed if you have an accident – and you can be as sure as you can be with the MD 200.
Comfort
Even though it’s a budget helmet, it still has a removable and washable lining with what MDS call a dry-comfort, hygienic lining. Owners are mostly amazed at how comfortable the helmet is too – again, a feeling probably heightened as they were expecting less from a budget lid. So, as long as you get the right fitting/size in the first place, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Looks & Graphics
There’s a very limited range of colors with the MDS MD200 so if you’re after a race rep or something to match your bike, then you’re probably best looking elsewhere. Colours are gloss white/black and matt black only (though I have to say it looks pretty fetching in them all!)
[xyz-ihs snippet=”MDS-SBS-long-ad”]
Other stuff – fasteners, weight, glasses, build quality
Like many modulars, it’s great for glasses wearers. If you’re not used to a modular, you open the chin guard to put the helmet on which means you can easily slide your glasses on at the same time without any of the usual struggle. Also, in our review of SHARP data and various crash helmet average weights we found the average weight of a modular helmet is about 3.75lbs/1.7 Kg, and the MD 200 comes in at 3.9lbs/1.78 Kg. That’s not a massive amount but slightly above average (though the average figure does of course include carbon and composite helmets, not just thermoplastic!). With the MD200 you also get a micrometric chin strap. They’re very easy to use and nice and secure so all great there.
One final thing to note is that even though it’s a budget helmet, owners are surprised about the build-quality. AGV are a more premium brand so are obviously not wanting to sully the AGV brand by knocking out any old rubbish. Which is great for us consumers as, in the case of MDS, you can get a great quality helmet at a much lower price point. Nice.
Search any online forum discussing crash helmets and someone always chirps up with that old chestnut ‘if you’ve got a cheap head, buy a cheap helmet’. The Box BX-1 is undoubtedly aimed at those riding on a small budget but does that mean it’s rubbish? We’ve hopefully debunked that myth several times (notably in Cheap v Expensive helmets and our look at SHARP testing data) – but let’s see what the undeniably cheap Box BX-1 says on the matter.
Overall/Summary
The Box BX-1 is a decent crash helmet. Most owners are newish to biking but they’re surprised by the build quality and like the helmet. Likewise many seasoned bikers with many helmets/winters under their belts reckon it’s surprisingly well built and capable.
It does everything pretty well. Sure, it’s lacking some of the build quality of the big brands or some of the bells and whistles of the best featured helmets. But that said, it’s safe, has good ventlation, looks decent and, at this price, you really can’t go wrong. Well worth the (not very much) money.
Which means the Box BX-1, despite being a low-priced crash helmet, should give you decent levels of protection in an accident. The reason for this is explained in the links towards the top of the page but, in a nutshell, it’s believed it’s because even though it’s a thermoplastic shelled helmet (which many lower priced helmets are) the slight flexing of the shell absorbs some of the impact and allows the expanded polystyrene liner to do its job more effectively.
All in all, nothing to worry about on the safety front with the BX1.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Box-SBS-quick”]
Rear of the BX-1 Jack
Helmet Noise
The BX-1 isn’t the quietest helmet around (for the quietest helmets, look here) but it’s not bad either. Most owners rate it as average or slightly below average for noise suppression. As usual, it’s very subjective and dependent on the type of bike you ride and how quiet your previous helmet was. However, most people agree that it’s easily manageable, especially if you wear ear plugs.
Size
Like many budget helmets, Box produce the BX-1 in just one shell size to cover the full range of sizes from XS – XXL.
That means, to produce this range of fitting sizes, they have to put more padding into the smaller sizes (XS-S) and less padding into the larger sizes (XL & XXL) which may make the helmet look slightly large on your head if you’re a smaller size and may possibly compromise safety a little if you’re a larger head size. See here for more information on crash helmet shell sizes.
Ventilation
Box BX1 in ‘Scope’ black design showing front vents. Note, helmet comes with clear shield.
There’s five air vents on the BX-1: two in the chin and three in the forehead – and owners say they work pretty well.
The chin vent directs air onto the back of the visor area and owners seem mostly happy that it does its job, though like any helmet, when things get cold or wet, the BX1 will steam up its visor. There is a removable breath guard as standard, which helps a little with keeping the visor condensation free, and the chin vent can be opened and closed using the very glove-friendly large slider covering the vent.
Similarly the top vents have a reasonably large sliding switch to open and close them and, like many more expensive helmets, there’s a rear exhaust vent to remove hot, stale air from inside the lid. Again, owners say it does its job well.
Shield
Many ads for the BX-1 show the helmet with a dark shield and some folks have ordered one, unsurprisingly expecting it to come with a dark shield. It doesn’t. Like pretty well all helmets, it comes with a standard clear shield in the box, so beware.
Samurai graphics
The shield itself is good. It opens on a nice, positive ratchet, has an opening tab to the left in just the right place to help you open the shield without fiddling about too much and the aperture is a reasonable size to give decent peripheral vision.
It’s also got a quick-release mechanism that works really well. Open the shield, push the lever and out pops the shield. Reverse to refit. Nice and easy and no problems here.
The only very slight fly in the ointment is there’s no anti-fog insert included and the shield isn’t Pinlock ready. Pinlock is probably a bit too much to ask in a helmet at this price but, if you’re going to be riding around in cold or wet conditions, you’re going to use some antifog spray or an antifog insert to stop it fogging up (or don’t bother and pretend you’re riding in the 70’s – your call 🙂 )
Comfort
Owners say once you get the right size of helmet, the BX-1 is just as comfortable as many more expensive helmets. They do say it takes a little while to wear-in and that you might find it’s pretty tight for the first few rides. But once it’s worn in, you shouldn’t have any problems.
Matt black version
Note that the BX1 is one of the few helmets we review that doesn’t have a removable/washable liner. Again, just like most helmets used to be. But if you like to be able to fumigate your helmet with a good wash of the lining, you might want to look elsewhere (our crash helmets with removable linings section is probably a good place to start!)
Looks & Graphics
It’s probably fair to say the Box BX-1 is reasonably average looking. But then I guess it wasn’t really designed to be anything more than a standard, workmanlike helmet. There are some pretty cool designs and paint schemes available though and you’ll find some of them dotted around this page: including the funky BX-1 Lions and Jack as well as the usual plain blacks and whites (no hi-viz unfortunately though).
Other stuff – fasteners, weight
The Box BX-1 is a fairly standard crash helmet so not much else to report other than to say it comes with a nice and easy micrometric fastener and weighs in at 3.4lbs/1.55kg (round about average for a full face thermoplastic helmet).
Alternatives
There are plenty of budget helmets out there and you can check out the ones we’ve covered in our budget helmets section.
Review of the HJC RPHA 11 PRO full face sportsbike helmet
The RPHA 11 PRO is HJCs new top of the range sportsbike helmet and would presumably have been the one Jorge Lorenzo would’ve been wearing in 2016 had he not jumped ship to Shark helmets.
Expect to pay from $400 (plain colors) upto $600 (specials)
RPHA 11 PRO ‘Oraiser’ design
Even though it’s HJCs top of the range crash helmet, it’s still a steal compared to other maker’s top helmets so represents great value. In line with HJCs stated goal of offering top quality products at a reasonable price, the price of even the most expensive models is very low in comparison to similar AGVs or Arais. And if you get an RPHA 11 PRO, you’re getting a decent amount of tech, development and innovation for your money.
So what can we expect with the RPHA 11 PRO?
Looking to buy an HJC RPHA 11 Pro?
Please click below to visit the HJC RPHA 11 Pro helmets pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).
Safety
Well, first off, the shell’s a composite, constructed from various layers including fiberglass, carbon fiber and aramid – what HJC call their premium integrated matrix or PIM – which should make for a strong shell (hopefully not too rigid though).
Rear of the RPHA 11 PRO Eridano
It’s also been wind tunnel tested with the end result being what looks like a fairly round, very slippery design along the same lines as recent Arais.
It hasn’t been Snell tested but has been SHARP safety tested and awarded 3 stars (out of 5) which isn’t the best score – especially when the last composite HJC to be tested back in 2013 scored full marks, as did the most recently tested; the FG-ST tested in 2016.
It’s worth pointing out that a good SHARP score is important – but not as important as getting a helmet that fits correctly in the first place.
Also, there’s other features which contribute to all round safety – to avoid an accident in the first place and post impact too.
A large shield aperture is important for good visibility and the RPHA 11 PRO, like many track-focused helmets has been designed to maximise visibility all round. Most owners seem to agree that the visibility in the RPHA 11 PRO feels nice and wide – that’s great for survival both on the track and the road.
They also like the way the supplied Pinlock keeps the shield clear – but a couple commented that it really needs it as low speed fogging can be an issue.
This one’s the RPHA 11 Pro full carbon ‘Lowin’
The RPHA 11 PRO also comes with an EQRS or emergency quick release system. That’s where you can pull on the red tabs at the bottom of the helmet to slide out the cheek pads to ease removal of the helmet after an accident. That’s a feature that’s becoming increasingly popular on helmets and good to see on the RPHA 11 PRO.
Helmet Noise
Well, the HJC RPHA 11 PRO is a sportsbike helmet and like lots of track focused helmets, it looks like noise suppression wasn’t a priority. A few owners commented that it’s about the same as their previous helmets – but that their previous helmets were noisy too! Another said that it’s noisy at anything above about 40mph.
Bottom line is that you should probably expect the RPHA 11 PRO to be quite noisy and plan to wear a decent pair of ear plugs each time you use it.
But that goes for most helmets right?
Ventilation
Airflow into the RPHA 11 PRO is in the form of a couple of chin vents and forehead vents with four exhaust vents to the rear. The forehead vents use a small wheel which HJC says is glove friendly and provides multiple positions.
Make some kid’s day with the Spidey RPHA 11
Overall, owners reckon the RPHA 11 PRO vents really well, with lots of air making it into the helmet to keep the head cool.
It’s not quite so good with the lower vents though because not so much air seems to find its way onto the rear of the shield.
That’s not necessarily so much of a problem in normal temperatures or if you’re on the track and don’t like air in your face. But it can be a problem for keeping the shield mist-free and a few owners reckoned that there’s a reason HJC supplied a Pinlock free in the box with the RPHA11 PRO – because it needs it.
It seems to only be a problem at town speeds but be aware if you do lots of commuting especially when things start to cool down, then you’ll probably have to fit the Pinlock to keep things clear.
Shield
HJC designed the shield on the RPHA to be nice and wide for improved visibility in all directions, and they’ve used their decent RapidFire system to help with quick removal of the shield.
Or scare the kids (and mums!) s***less with the Venom!
That’s all good – and so too is the fact that they include a Pinlock antifog insert in the box – though as we mentioned above, there’s method in their generosity.
They also include a tinted shield in the box which is handy, especially if you’re taking it on the track.
A final word on the shield is that there’s a nice and easy to use lock in the middle of the shield. That’s useful, especially if you’re taking your RPHA 11 PRO to the track where the last thing you want is your shield coming up when you’re tumbling through a gravel trap!
Comfort and Sizing
The HJC RPHA11 PRO uses their latest ‘Multicool’ interior which ticks all the right boxes when it comes to a helmet liner.
It’s fully removable and washable, moisture wicking, quick drying, antibacterial and antiodour too. There’s also glasses grooves in the lining, there to accept the stems of glasses and make them more comfortable when riding.
Rear view of the Bobba Fett RPHA 11 Pro
A few owners reckoned that the RPHA 11 PRO sizing does run a bit small though – so we’d recommend if you’re between sizes or a little unsure, go for a size larger (eg if you’re usually between an M and an L, go for the L).
Graphics
There’s a stinkload of designs available for the RPHA 11 PRO – probably as many if not more than we’ve seen for any helmet. Though, strangely, no hi-viz version. Odd that.
Anyhow, we’ve sprinkled a few of the more notable designs on the page – including the Spiderman, shy-and-retiring Venom, and the Bobba Fet Star Wars helmet. But there’s no way we can show them all here so head on over to either HJC US or one of our recommended retailers to see the latest designs and prices/discounts. You’ll find the links below.
Matt black version showing top air scoops
Best places to buy an HJC RPHA 11 Pro?
Please click below to visit the HJC RPHA 11 Pro helmets pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).
Skyrym yellow version
Other Stuff – weight, fastener, warranty
The RPHA 11 PRO weighs just 2.9lbs (1.3Kgs) – way under the 1.48Kg average for a typical full face helmet and lighter than most other composites too. Many owners said it feels light on the road too.
It also has a double-d ring fastener. They can be fiddly and slower to do up than the newer micrometric fasteners, but they’re really safe if you diligently tighten them every time, and they’re a must if you take a helmet to the track.
Finally, the HJC RPHA11 PRO, like all other HJCs, come with a 5 year warranty. Hurrah.
Other features that show this could be a helmet package to beat at this price point:
It features HJCs great rapid fire quick shield removal system
The HJC RPHA 11 PRO looks like it could be a great deal. If you’re after a technology-packed racing helmet at a decent price, it’s well worth having a look at.
HJC RPHA 11 PRO Video
HJC RPHA 11 PRO Carbon
There’s also a full carbon fiber version of the RPHA 11 Pro. It has exactly the same features as the standard composite version even down to the same claimed weight of 2.9lbs, so other than the kudos of having a full carbon helmet, there’s arguably not much point in going for the carbon version – especially as it retails for about $100 more.
There’s a few versions of this RPHA 11 Pro Candra in different colors
Alternatives to the HJC RPHA 11 PRO
You can always check all our sportsbike helmet reviews and read reviews on the sportsbike helmets from all the best-known makers.
Obviously, many of these are tons of cash, but if you’re after a lower priced helmet, we recommend you take a look at the latest basic Bell Star model – that’s a SHARP 5 star rated sports-focused composite fiber helmet that’s great value for money, though a bit more than the HJC.
For less than the RPHA 11 PRO is the LS2 FF323 Arrow. That was rated by SHARP at 4 stars and comes with an optically-correct shield.
You might also want to check out the Scorpion Exo-R2000. It hasn’t yet been SHARP safety tested but it’s a composite fiber helmet with Pinlock, EQRS and a 5 year warranty – for about the same price as the RPHA 11 PRO.
Looking to buy an HJC RPHA 11 Pro?
Please click below to visit the HJC RPHA 11 Pro helmets pages at our recommended stores – all checked for great online ratings. And if you buy from any store, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you – a massive THANKS! (it’s how we finance the site).
Shark’s budget thermoplastic full face lid with sun visor
The S700 is a budget helmet that’s a step up from Shark’s entry-level S600 model. It’s a thermoplastic shelled full face helmet with integral drop down sun visor, micrometric fastener, quick-release clear visor and has an upgraded internal comfort liner.
Overall/Summary
When you can grab one for around $200, there’s no doubt the Shark S700 is a reasonably priced full face helmet – then again, most thermoplastic shelled crash helmets tend to be at the lower end of the price range. However, that’s not to say it isn’t well worth looking at. It’s SHARP four star rated for safety, has an integral UV sun visor, uprated comfort liner and owners reckon that, especially at this price, the finishing is great.
So if you’re after a helmet that’s safe, has some decent features and don’t want to spend too much, then the Shark S700 is well worth checking out.
Note: the Shark S700 has been discontinued and rarely in stock these days. You might want to try theShark Ridillinstead (or take a look at ourTop 10 full face helmets).
SHARP 4 Star Rated
Thermoplastic shell
Integral sun visor
Micrometric fastener
S700 gloss white ‘Prime’ version showing sun visor lever next to the visor pivot.
3.4lbs/1.55 Kg (about average for a thermoplastic full face)
Size XS (53/4) – XL (61/2)
Expect to pay $200-260
Safety
Now, it’s worth noting that this specific model, the S700, hasn’t been tested by SHARP, but its predecessor the S700 was. That scored 4/5 stars (which is obviously pretty good) as did the S900 on which this latest helmet is based. So it’s probably safe to assume the 700S will score the same – particularly when every other Shark helmet (bar one) has scored either three or four stars out of five!
Obviously, it’s DOT certified (and ECE 2205 approved) – so we’d be pretty confident in saying if you’re after a safe helmet, then the Shark should do the job.
Other factors that all contribute to safety are that the S700 has a drop down sun visor (especially useful when the sun’s low in the sky in the autumn/winter months) and a micrometric fastener (easy to use and if they’re adjusted correctly in the first place, will keep the helmet securely fastened).
Shark S700 front view (Lab graphics)
Helmet Noise
Most owners rate the S700 slightly below average for noise suppression. It’s not massively noisy (like some out-and-out sports/racing helmets are) but it’s not quiet either – with one owner commenting that it would’ve helped if Shark had included a chin curtain as standard to help reduce noise coming in under the helmet.
The Shark S700 has a single chin vent and two forehead (top) vents. All can be opened/closed by either a slider or toggle switch though all are a bit fiddly to operate so will take a bit of getting used to.
Showing rear exhaust vents of the S700 Squad helmet
The chin vent is there to direct air onto the back of the shield, while the top vents allow air to enter the helmet and through the channels in the shock absorbing liner inside the helmet to allow the air to circulate around and cool the head. Air then exits the helmet shell via the two rear exhaust vents.
Overall, owners say that ventilation is OK though if you’re going to be riding all year round, you’ll still need to use the Pinlock insert to keep the shield fog-free (see below).
Shield
The S700 has a 2.2mm clear anti-scratch shield and an anti-scratch sun visor.
The sun visor is operated by a lever on the left of the helmet and, while it can be dropped to various degrees with a bit of care, it’s spring loaded to quickly drop the visor fully down and back up again. The sun visor’s also UV380 (filters out 95% of UVA and UVB which is the current CE Standard). A few owners mentioned that the sun visor can clip your nose when you first use it, though it hasn’t stopped them using the sun visor or saying, overall, it’s great!
The main shield works on a ratchet so it can be opened to various degrees between fully open and closed positions. It also has an opening tab to the left hand side of the shield which is, arguably, the best place for it to make it nice and easy to find/open the shield.
Tika graphics in green
The shield’s also Pinlock-ready and in some countries (including the UK), it will come with a Pinlock in the box, but it’s worth checking with your retailer before you buy. Read here for more information about why Pinlocks can be useful if you live in cold and rainy places.
All good so far. The main shield is also quick-release, which is essential these days so you don’t have to fiddle about with tools to change or clean your shield. The quick release mechanism on the Shark S700 is a bit trickier than some but once you get the hang of it, most owners reckon it’s very quick. To remove the shield, you press in a button at the shield pivot point then push the shield forwards and pull the shield away from the helmet. To replace, you just press the shield backwards onto the pivot and it clicks into place.
Shark S700 Finks design (also available with yellow highlighting)
Comfort
Shark have updated the liner of the helmet with the specific objective of making S700 more comfortable – and owners seem to agree that it’s worked. The lining is removable and washable (delicates cycle) and, as long as you get the fitment right in the first place, you should find it a comfy helmet.
As usual, if you want see which helmets owners rate as the most comfortable, you can click the link to the most comfortable crash helmets using the tag cloud.
Looks & Graphics
The Shark S700 is a pretty stylish helmet that owners say is well built and, for the price, surprisingly well finished. At the time of writing it’s available in seven different paint schemes as well as a few race rep versions – including three Foggy, a Guintoli and a Redding versions. We’ve included examples of the Oxyd, Squad, Tika, Sprint, Trax, Lab, Finks and Prime (plain) designs around the page, though many of these are available in two or three different color schemes.
Video
Quick look round the S700 – gives you a taster of what it’s about.
Rear view of the S700 Spring
Other stuff – fastener, glasses
Like other Sharks, the S700 has Shark’s glasses-groove in the lining, specifically there to allow the stems of glasses to sit in and not dig into the side of your head. Great touch. As mentioned previously, it comes with a micrometric fastener which is a very easy to use fastener that uses a ratchet mechanism to lock the fastener in place and a simple tag that you pull down on to release it. Quick and easy.
[xyz-ihs snippet=”Link-to-guides-page”]
Squad graphics in orange
Alternatives
You can check out other reasonably priced helmets (generally under about $150) on our Budget Crash Helmets page. However, check out the AGV K3 SV which as a sun visor too and is also SHARP 4 star rated for safety. It’s slightly lighter than the Shark but slightly more expensive too.
