As some of you know, I am a courier, I currently use a Shoie Multitech flip lid for work (I have a Shoie Raid 11 for domestic).
I have to admit I have the flip part up most of the day, I only put it down at motorway speeds or if it’s raining so effectively using an open face lid.
I do suffer with “courier neck”, partly due to wearing lid for 10 hours a day, partly due to wearing a radio slung around my neck.
I also suffer overheating in the summer.
So I have been thinking about an open face for summer and then I saw the Nolan N43, this is a full face lid that can become an open face by taking out the chin guard.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/nolan-n43/
Helmet choice is a very heated topic, I would not normally consider an open face, but for work, this lid could be a godsend.
Any got one of these or had a proper look at one?
Bob
PS I will be buying a white one, either through Helmet City (Not far from me) or from work as we can get a discount on some gear.
I bought one last year but I’ve barely worn it due to a bit of a tight spot on the forehead that wasn’t apparent until I’d had it on for a while. Other than that it’s fine and it certainly feels lighter than my Arai. I’ve never worn it out of town but I suspect it would make a racket above 50mph.
One annoying factor is the visor is either full open or fully closed, I like to have my visor open a crack to get the air through.
If you want to buy mine, I’m sure we could come to some arrangement. It’s probably been worn about 10 times and apart from that it’s been in it’s bag in the cupboard. Never dropped or anything like that (but I suppose I would say that wouldn’t I).
There is a very similar helmet by another maker - I think it’s Caberg but not sure
What colour? What size? How much?
I am a large in a Shoei.
Yes I saw the bit about the visor, I always use glasses (Safety type) with the flip up anyway, so I would do the same with the visor up (Unless it rains) and when I do motorway work I will put the chin guard in and use it as a full face.
Bob
Me too, I suspect that means it’s too small for you.
It’s black and I think it’s size large, but it’s a small large if you see what I mean - I think Nolan helmets come up a bit small, which is why I never wear it.
Sorry but the colour is the killer, I always wear black clothing, the Addison Lee waistcoat is black with a white top and then finish it off whit the white lid, it’s become my trademark so my mates can spot me.
But many thanks for the offer.
What did you think of the chin guard and the ventilation?
Bob
PS I wear a black lid when I am not working, you try wearing a white lid on a yellow VFR, you end up going at 30mph as all the cars think you are a copper and slow down.
Chin guard is pretty tight against my chin (as in, my chin touches it) but it feels reasonably solid. It is also very small so you get a massive field of vision - that’s the main reason I went for that helmet - you see a lot more, especially in town where you’re always having to look out for people cutting in from the side etc.
Ventillation is good for moving air on top of your head (it’s got a sort of sunroof on top) but because I have to have the visor down all the time and the visor goes right the way down (no chin vent), I miss the cooling blast of air in my face that I get with the arai. Maybe it would be better with the chin bar out but I’ve never ridden without the chin bar.
Just called Helmet City to see what time they stayed open on a Sat.
There is now a new N43E Air.
From what I can see the visor can now stay open a click so helping on foggy days, there are a few other design changes to the chin bar etc.
It’s a bit pricier.
If the sun comes out before 5pm I will try and make it to have a look.
Bob
Popped into HG in Coulsden this morning, tried on a large and an Xlarge N43, although the large went on, the XL seems a better fit on me head.
For someone who wears a Multitech 10 hours a day, day in day out, it felt so very light, I can feel my neck getting better already and I haven’t bought it yet. It is so easy to take off and put on.
The ventilation looks superb, the internal visor will come in handy although I will still use shades.
The visor is enormous and covers your chin even with the chin bar out so will be good in the rain in town.
The most radical part is the chin bar, and in seconds you can convert the lid from a full face to a jet and back, even with it on.
I will buy one as soon as I can find an XL in white.
Although the HG man mentioned the new version the N43E according to him they aren’t getting new stock, just an enhanced chin guard and side pods to allow the visor to open an extra click (Neither are an issue for me). I would imagine it would be easy to upgrade a standard N43 to an N43E as an aftermarket upgrade kit.
For what I do, this lid will be a real godsend, not my normal choice, but needs must.
Bob
