Question for those in the know on modular helmets.

[mbramley]

  Can you ride with a modular helmet flipped up. I had heard no but I think I've seen videos with them up. Any information pro and cons I would like to hear.

[Willow]

You can but you probably shouldn't.

[Timbo1]

I bought a LS2 Advant X precisely for that reason.  With the chinbar rolled back it turns the helmet into a 3/4 face helmet.  Don't have to take helmet off to drink / eat when I stop.  There's a number of other 180 degree modular helmets on the market.

ETA link:
LS2 Advant X

[Chrisj CMA]

 Can you ride with a modular helmet flipped up. I had heard no but I think I've seen videos with them up. Any information pro and cons I would like to hear.

I ride in slow traffic on hot days with mine flipped up but there are two things

1.  Florida doesn’t require helmets so an improperly worn one wouldn’t be much of an issue

2.  There are modular helmets that are designed to transform from full face to 3/4 and in that case riding either way would be appropriate

[carolinarider09]

  Can you ride with a modular helmet flipped up. I had heard no but I think I've seen videos with them up. Any information pro and cons I would like to hear.

The helmet (well lets say "helmet type") I have used for the last 15 or so years is a "convertible".  I got it because it is designed to operate in "full face" mode and in 3/4 mode (with the chin bar fully "moved" to behind the helmet.

I got that version of a full face helmet because I had heard that the Modular helmets were not truly designed to be safe in "flipped up" mode.  They were supposedly "ok" while stopped but, you should only use them in the "full face" mode while riding. 

I have not seen any reports (that I remember) documenting the above but, it seemed to be the "standard" that was accepted by most riders.

Here is the type I have used (on my second one now) Shark EVO

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/shark-evo-gt-helmet?sku_id=10125966

However, it appears that Shark is going out of business.   

[Serk]

Most modular helmets say NOT to ride with 'em open. I have ridden thousands of miles with the helmet open.

You obviously lose some protection, and I had one fail while riding, the connecting parts aren't designed to stand up to riding wind forces when unlatched.

My current helmet (HJC RPHA 91) is "P/J homologation" certified, which means the helmet is designed to be used while riding in either the open or closed positions (They call those Protective or Jet configurations for some reason.)

So, short answer - Most you shouldn't, but mostly no issues. If that's something you think you'll do a lot, look for a modular helmet that's "P/J Certified."

[Rams]

I bought a LS2 Advant X precisely for that reason.  With the chinbar rolled back it turns the helmet into a 3/4 face helmet.  Don't have to take helmet off to drink / eat when I stop.  There's a number of other 180 degree modular helmets on the market.

ETA link:
LS2 Advant X

I replaced my 3/4 helmet after my crash that basically destroyed that helmet.   I now ride with a modular LS helmet with the chin bar to the rear unless it’s really cold or raining.  Then it gets rotated to the front.   I can’t imagine going back to anything else.

Rams

[cookiedough]

yes as said you can flip it up and ride.  However, depending on the helmet and quality of it,  riding flipped up at hwy speeds can vibrate and rattle a bit, especially if no windshield to block most of the wind.  I have an old and cheap BILT helmet new was around 100 bucks and ever since day one riding flipped up it vibrates a tad and makes a tad bit of wind vibration noise only at hwy speeds but not horrible.  I usually have my helmet flipped down at hwy speeds unless I need to take a drink or want some fresh cool air on very hot days, but once I come into most towns,  I flipped the modular helmet back open.

Not the smartest thing to do all the time though for safety, but then again some protection is better than nothing considering most of the time I wear shorts and tshirt with basic tennis shoes prefer comfort over safety....

[Rams]

yes as said you can flip it up and ride.  However, depending on the helmet and quality of it,  riding flipped up at hwy speeds can vibrate and rattle a bit, especially if no windshield to block most of the wind.  I have an old and cheap BILT helmet new was around 100 bucks and ever since day one riding flipped up it vibrates a tad and makes a tad bit of wind vibration noise only at hwy speeds but not horrible.  I usually have my helmet flipped down at hwy speeds unless I need to take a drink or want some fresh cool air on very hot days, but once I come into most towns,  I flipped the modular helmet back open.

Not the smartest thing to do all the time though for safety, but then again some protection is better than nothing considering most of the time I wear shorts and tshirt with basic tennis shoes prefer comfort over safety....

Never heard anyone talk about chinbar vibration.   Have heard about face shields vibrating.   My chinbar rotates to the backside of the helmet well out of any wind aerodynamic issues.

Rams

[Hook#3287]

I have a HJC I-90 (I believe) modular and it's possible to ride open but I don't, as the wind grabs it.

Don't need the extra muscle use.

The wind screen/shield would shut itself, rather violently, if open and at speed, giving me a "What!"

The OEM indents are not strong enough to hold the wind shield open.

I added some rubber strips to the helmet under the screen and that fixed that.

Of course, right after I bought the I-90, a salesgirl told me HJC was coming out with the I-100 and the front piece was designed to go completely behind the main shell.

IDK if that happened or not.

[Timbo1]

I bought a LS2 Advant X precisely for that reason.  With the chinbar rolled back it turns the helmet into a 3/4 face helmet.  Don't have to take helmet off to drink / eat when I stop.  There's a number of other 180 degree modular helmets on the market.

ETA link:
LS2 Advant X

I replaced my 3/4 helmet after my crash that basically destroyed that helmet.   I now ride with a modular LS helmet with the chin bar to the rear unless it’s really cold or raining.  Then it gets rotated to the front.   I can’t imagine going back to anything else.

Rams

I replaced my full face helmet late last year so don't have any long trips with the LS2 Advant X yet.  I've had a handful of modular helmets previously but none had 180 deg chinbar.   With my previous modular helmets I would notice the additional wind buffeting when riding with the chinbar open but with the Advant X there is none when the chinbar is positioned to the rear.  I was worried about the noise level compared to my full face and was happy to find it's pretty quiet and very comparable to my full face when closed. 

The main reason I wanted to change was my full face ventilation sucked making for a hot head.  The LS2 has much better ventilation and the option to fully open the chinbar is great for drinking / vaping / snacking while riding down the road making for a more enjoyable ride.  I looked at several other 180 deg helmets and IMO the LS2 Advant X had the best features, looked the best and had adequate certifications.  I was looking for close to a year before I found a deal I just couldn't pass up on and I cant see going back to anything else either.

[Knapdog]

As has been mentioned,  for you to safely ride with the helmet, in the UK anyway, up it has to be passed as "homologated".
My Shoei Neotec is.
I flip up when coming to a stop, traffic lights, fuel stations etc, and leave it up nearly all the time at speeds up to 30 or 40 mph.
After that you get a bit of buffeting and obviously there won't be the same protection in a crash.
I've done a liad of Continental trips and always wear one.
Back home for tootling around on 30, 40 or 50 sort of mileage I usually wear an Arai open face.

[mbramley]

 I want to say thanks for all the information everyone is sharing. You all are such a great place for valid true to life information.

[F6Dave]

From my post in September right after buying a new helmet...

I just got a new helmet too. For years I've been using 2 helmets: a Shark Evoline and HJC CL77 (I think). The Shark is a modular with a chin bar that fully rotates to the rear so you can use it as an open face helmet at speed. I use is mostly on long trips. It's pretty good except for some parts that rattle, and it's fairly heavy. That's not good for my neck which has some age related disc issues.

The HJC is an open face helmet that wasn't too expensive. I use it as my daily driver. It doesn't fit that well with a round shape that puts pressure on my forehead, and the ratcheting face shield doesn't hold its position too well. So it was time for an upgrade.

I tried an LS2 on the recommendation of a motorcycle cop and liked it, but they didn't have my size and color in stock. It's another modular with the fully rotating chin bar. Then I tried an HJC F100 Carbon (fiber) and bought it. It fit perfectly and I couldn't believe how much lighter it was. My neck loves it. It's also got the fully rotating chin bar so I can use it as an open face helmet on hot days. It's so much quieter than my other helmets that I had to turn the radio down a few notches. It's the best helmet I've ever owned by far.

I learned something about pricing. I noticed that lots of motorcycle accessories have identical prices on every website. That's because of MAP pricing (Minimum Advertised Price) which many manufacturers enforce. That prevents a merchant from listing a lower price online. But it doesn't prevent them from offering a bigger discount in-store. Luckily I live only 30 minutes from Performance Cycle, the largest parts and accessory store in the nation. So I bought it in-store for $25 less than their online price.

[F6Dave]

From my follow up post. I was surprised how vastly improved new helmets are over just a few years ago...

My new HJC F100 Carbon meets the ECE 22.06 Dual Homologation P/J standards, which went into effect last year. This standard tests modular helmets with the chin bar closed as well as fully rotated to the rear. But there's a lot more.

ECE 22.06 also has visor standards. The field of view must be wide enough to not block any of the rider's peripheral vison, and the visors must pass scratch resistance tests. There are also ventilation and noise standards. Helmets must pass in every size variation, and with every approved accessory (like BT communicators). The bottom line is that helmets meeting this standard are vastly improved over those sold just a few years ago.

I loved my old Shark Evoline, and was really unhappy to learn they were no longer available. But this new F100 is so much better in every way that while riding the other day I thought it felt a little like I had a new motorcycle.

[Rams]

I bought a LS2 Advant X precisely for that reason.  With the chinbar rolled back it turns the helmet into a 3/4 face helmet.  Don't have to take helmet off to drink / eat when I stop.  There's a number of other 180 degree modular helmets on the market.

ETA link:
LS2 Advant X

I replaced my 3/4 helmet after my crash that basically destroyed that helmet.   I now ride with a modular LS helmet with the chin bar to the rear unless it’s really cold or raining.  Then it gets rotated to the front.   I can’t imagine going back to anything else.

Rams

I replaced my full face helmet late last year so don't have any long trips with the LS2 Advant X yet.  I've had a handful of modular helmets previously but none had 180 deg chinbar.   With my previous modular helmets I would notice the additional wind buffeting when riding with the chinbar open but with the Advant X there is none when the chinbar is positioned to the rear.  I was worried about the noise level compared to my full face and was happy to find it's pretty quiet and very comparable to my full face when closed. 

The main reason I wanted to change was my full face ventilation sucked making for a hot head.  The LS2 has much better ventilation and the option to fully open the chinbar is great for drinking / vaping / snacking while riding down the road making for a more enjoyable ride.  I looked at several other 180 deg helmets and IMO the LS2 Advant X had the best features, looked the best and had adequate certifications.  I was looking for close to a year before I found a deal I just couldn't pass up on and I cant see going back to anything else either.

Wholeheartedly Agree!

Rams

[HayHauler]

From my follow up post. I was surprised how vastly improved new helmets are over just a few years ago...

My new HJC F100 Carbon meets the ECE 22.06 Dual Homologation P/J standards, which went into effect last year. This standard tests modular helmets with the chin bar closed as well as fully rotated to the rear. But there's a lot more.

ECE 22.06 also has visor standards. The field of view must be wide enough to not block any of the rider's peripheral vison, and the visors must pass scratch resistance tests. There are also ventilation and noise standards. Helmets must pass in every size variation, and with every approved accessory (like BT communicators). The bottom line is that helmets meeting this standard are vastly improved over those sold just a few years ago.

I loved my old Shark Evoline, and was really unhappy to learn they were no longer available. But this new F100 is so much better in every way that while riding the other day I thought it felt a little like I had a new motorcycle.

Dang Dave, now I want one and there are no 2XL available except from Motostorm in Italy.  Their reviews aren't great, but are hit and miss.  I am currently wearing a Schuberth C3 PRO that I bought 4 years ago as New Old Stock from Bob's BMW up North.
It is about time for a new helmet, because the cheek pads are worn and I cannot find replacements. 

Hay 
Jimmyt

[LadyDraco]

I use to wear HJC modular..Never really liked the fit ..
Then I went to Nolan Modular. Have had 2 of them.
Andstill wear my green one.
I always wear  the chinbar up 90% of the time . Should I NO , But that's My choice.

Bad weather  the chin bar is down ...
I have never had any issues with the bar and wind.. But I'm short.
TheBlack   has no windscreen and TheBeast has a super short one.
Highbinder also always wore his up as well..

The nolan fits my head great in the XS ,  One day I will try a Schuberth before I cross over !
   

[FryeVRCCDS0067]

Ordering the HJC F100 now. Thanks for the info Dave.

From my follow up post. I was surprised how vastly improved new helmets are over just a few years ago...

My new HJC F100 Carbon meets the ECE 22.06 Dual Homologation P/J standards, which went into effect last year. This standard tests modular helmets with the chin bar closed as well as fully rotated to the rear. But there's a lot more.

ECE 22.06 also has visor standards. The field of view must be wide enough to not block any of the rider's peripheral vison, and the visors must pass scratch resistance tests. There are also ventilation and noise standards. Helmets must pass in every size variation, and with every approved accessory (like BT communicators). The bottom line is that helmets meeting this standard are vastly improved over those sold just a few years ago.

I loved my old Shark Evoline, and was really unhappy to learn they were no longer available. But this new F100 is so much better in every way that while riding the other day I thought it felt a little like I had a new motorcycle.

[Jersey mike]

I use to wear HJC modular..Never really liked the fit ..
Then I went to Nolan Modular. Have had 2 of them.
Andstill wear my green one.
I always wear  the chinbar up 90% of the time . Should I NO , But that's My choice.

Bad weather  the chin bar is down ...
I have never had any issues with the bar and wind.. But I'm short.
TheBlack   has no windscreen and TheBeast has a super short one.
Highbinder also always wore his up as well..

The nolan fits my head great in the XS ,  One day I will try a Schuberth before I cross over !
   

I have a Nolan as well.

At speeds up to 50 or so I’ll typically have it up and once speeds are higher it comes down.

On my Goldwing I still use a half helmet, the Mrs. uses a 3/4” with a full face shield that lifts if she wants.

[Farside]

 Can you ride with a modular helmet flipped up. I had heard no but I think I've seen videos with them up. Any information pro and cons I would like to hear.

I ride in slow traffic on hot days with mine flipped up but there are two things

1.  Florida doesn’t require helmets so an improperly worn one wouldn’t be much of an issue

2.  There are modular helmets that are designed to transform from full face to 3/4 and in that case riding either way would be appropriate

I concur with what he said!