Up and down, open and closed, flip-up helmets have certainly been catching on the motorcycle scene over the last few years. I’ve heard of several riders opting for flip-up helmets as a nice change from the permanently closed full-face helmets.
For those of us that aren’t looking for a total commitment to any particular helmets we’ll be mentioning in this article, I’d recommend having a look at some of the best half-shell motorcycle helmets, like the M2R.
For this piece, I’ll go through some truly terrific flip-up helmets that are all the rage right now.
What This Article Covers:
Nolan N100-5
A top-of-the-range open-faced helmet with modular capabilities, the Nolan N100-5 is designed to be everything a rider needs.
The Nolan N100-5 is P/J dual homologated, which means it’s perfectly legal to ride with the chin bar up. It also has Nolan’s patented mechanism that pulls the chin bar closer to the helmet. It’s an excellent feature to make the helmet more aerodynamic.
What I like about the visor is it's tall and wide, providing a larger field of view. The visor also comes with a Pinlock antifog insert straight out of the box, which is a nice touch.
The drop-down sun visor is another convenient feature. It can be adjusted to four different positions and, at the push of a button, retracts when you don’t need it anymore.
The Nolan N100-5 is a polycarbonate modular helmet. It has a 4-star SHARP safety rating, is ESS system ready, and can integrate with the Nolan N-com Bluetooth kit.
The helmet is priced at around $750, which makes it a little more expensive than other modular helmets. However, with the Nolan N100-5 you’ll get your money’s worth.
AGV Sportmodular Carbon
Before diving into the AGV helmet, you’ve likely found yourself staring at the word “modular.” What are modular motorcycle helmets? Modular helmets use a hinge system that lets the helmet’s chin-bar lift up with the press of a button. Changing the helmet from a full-face to an open-face as you find necessary.
The AGV Sportmodular Carbon helmet has a flip-up lid, is lightweight, and is made with advanced materials that can be seen in the carbon fibre shell and carbon chin-bar. The shape of the helmet has been designed to lessen impact forces and protect your collarbone.
Underneath the shell, the helmet features a 5-density EPS liner and has a wide range of interior comfort options to choose from. From eyeglass-friendly, pressure-free cheek pads, and crown pads, to a wind protector and removable nose guard.
Since it’s AGV, the helmet also features the Integrated Ventilation System (IVS) for maximum airflow. My face tends to heat up a lot if I’ve been riding for some time, so it’s nice to have some wind cooling off my face without having to stop somewhere.
What’s nice about the helmet is that the part that flips open has an advanced lock system to prevent it from opening accidentally. It also features a Max-Vision Pinlock anti-fog shield, along with an internal sun shield and a titanium double-D retention system.
With the AVG Sportmodular Carbon, you’re looking at a whopping $1,399. It’s definitely a luxury but let’s be honest, we’re looking at a top brand from Italy that has an incredible safety and quality record over the years. It’s an investment I’d consider over losing a few screws in my noggin, for sure.
However, if you’re not the flashy kind of rider and would rather go for the best low-profile motorcycle helmet I’d recommend checking out the Bell Scout Air for something more subtle.
LS2 Valiant II
LS2 FF900 Valiant II Noir Helmet is a brand known for its quality helmets and affordable prices, as evident by the success of its Valiant modular helmet when it first came out.
Now, coming in for a sequel, the Valiant II is built from Kinetic Polymer Alloy (KPA) shell and EPS liner. It’s lightweight, strong, and one of the best affordable motorcycle helmets available on the market.
On the inside of the helmet, the Valiant II features a high-tech comfort liner with moisture-wicking fabrics and thermo-formed padding. It’s a great material for improving comfort and breathability as well as for providing a snug fit.
There are decent airflow thanks to several intakes and exhausts but what’s nice about this helmet is that it still keeps the noise to a minimum, which I’m thankful for.
The flip-up portion of the Valiant II uses a metal latch on the chin-bar to avoid unexpected openings but can be opened with a special function. It also features Pinlock-ready face shields and a built-in sun shield.
The Valiant II is also DOT-certified and is priced at around $635, making it a helmet that ticks all the right boxes and is a worthwhile purchase for the average motorcyclist.
HJC i40 Camet
Compact and stylish, the HJC i40 is a semi-jet helmet made from hi-tec polycarbonate material making the helmet lightweight and comfortable. It also provides a snug fit thanks to the CAD technology it uses.
Similar to the Nolan N100-5, the HJC i40 also comes prepared for Bluetooth communication with added speaker pockets built into the interior of the helmet. Unlike the N100-5, which is prepped for Nolan’s own brand of communication devices, the HJC i40 is compatible with any brand of Bluetooth communications.
Some of us might be wondering why they don’t have their own in-house Bluetooth comms in the helmet straight out of the box. Well, that’s just it - the option is there, and I like it this way. When I’m riding on my own I don’t need to communicate with anyone, and when I do ride with others I can simply put it in.
The HJC i40 helmet’s interior features removable cheek pads and an antibacterial head-liner that can be washed, as well as a dark smoke-coloured sun shield that can deploy with ease. The i40 also features an anti-fog lens and a large top vent that optimizes air intake along with glove-friendly shutters.
Coming in at a perfectly priced $259, the HJC i40 is one of if not the best open-face motorcycle helmets you’ll find today.
Caberg Tourmax Flip Up Helmet
The Caberg Tourmax Flip Up helmet is a world-first and an exciting addition to our catalogue. This exciting helmet is the first ever flip-up adventure motorcycle helmet on the market, making the freedom and style available to a whole new group of riders.
Like so many other quality flip-up helmets, the Tourmax comes with dual P/J homologation that allows you to ride with the chin bar in two positions. This design means that it’s still rigid and will provide you with adequate protection in both the down and upright positions.
As this is an adventure helmet, it has to put up with some fairly rough environments. To account for this, the sun visor is coated in an anti-scratch film to make sure you can see clearly even after getting buffetted by stones and dust. Visibility is one of the most important factors to a rider’s safety, and Caberg knows this.
Conclusion
No matter the occasion, there’s sure to be a flip-up helmet to suit your needs. What used to be a luxury item for casual riders only a few decades ago has become easily accessible thanks to significant advancements in manufacturing and materials.
Whether you’re looking for something to keep you safe as you’re touring through a country highway or want to pop your chin bar up on the dirt track, you can find a flip-up helmet if you’re prepared to look for it. We hope we’ve made that search a little easier, and we’re sure you’ll find what you’re looking for in Moto1’s catalogue.
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