Plagued by indescision

[barbagris]

The Arai Signet X has been calling to me . . .
@barbagris
Soon as you go with a drop down sun shield you loose any Snell rating.

True but loads of drop downs get full blown 5 star UK Gov Sharp ratings.
And as we all know - The Brits are ALWAYS right.

And whilst this may seem an idiotic statement - I trust the UK one - simply because I know they have refused to back down to at least one (high end) mfr who did not like the rating.
It was a while ago when SHARP was new (and before I knew it existed) - and iirc they tried to pull the Snell rated card too. Somebody on the UK Buell forum (eons ago)pointed me at SHARP - I think tbh because the BUELL helmet gained a full 5stars - much, I suspect, to every-bodies surprise. from what I was told said mfr's sales slumped for a year or two.

I have a suspicion and it is sort of backed up by comments on the webbikeworld tests that mfrs make lids and send them to pass different institutions tests inc SNELL - so what is tested is NOT necessarily what hits the stores. SHARP go out secretly and buy them at retail stores. They will always be retroactive. tbh I think they go for lids that seem popular - just to make sure they are what they claim. They have not tested THAT many lids really.

ANY lid I think has compromises. Honestly I am very intrigued how so many cheaper LEXAN lids actually fare better in impact tests than many fibre lids.

But whilst I may choose lid based on SHARP - it has - first and foremost - to fit. A 5star lid that fits poorly - might as well buy a "license-preserver" - You know German army helmet design for 20 bucks.

As for the rights and wrongs of drop down shields. PERSONALLY I think it is a far safer option than wearing SUNGLASSES. Full tint visors are no use at night or in tunnels (of which we have many). And with the daytime LUX here - some light reduction is necessary. On the LUX front - No ruddy headlight is going to compete with solar reflection here right now. 10's of 1000's.

 

[barbagris]

So - occasional - just occasionally - I flow with the tide. Having decided NOT to work today as frankly I was not (am not) feeling to great - I took advantage to deal with some "stuff" and after drive (yes drive) into Madrid. Thank god it's now "SUMMER", Madrid is half empty. I even found somewhere to park . Not free - but a space.

Went straight to a shop called Motocard whom some (@Joesmoe ) know of and tried on the Nolan N44. Good fit - BUT my stubbly chin was close to the chin bar and it's something that has been pissing me off recently on my current lid . I explained my pique - and the admittedly excellent (in so many respects) and knowledgeable girlie said the only lid they had that was spacious in this respect was a Shoei (Mr @Claviger please note). Tried it plus a couple of others - and correct. But in other respects it was not a great fit - and Shoei prices mean it has to be an OUTSTANDING fit.

So I diesel tractor'd up the road to a shop called "Autoservicio del Motorista" whose website left me wondering a bit - it's a bit flakey. What a monstrous misnomer as it is not self service and really well laid out. They had the Nexx XWED2 in stock. Tried on an "M" and it was HUGE. The stock manager said - we have a "S" - that was dug out and it was WAY too tight. There were almost tears - mine - it takes me ages to decide to even look at stuff.

But then they proffered "Did you know that the previous model called the XD1 has different sizing?". I did not. "Well then - our OUTLET store is just around the corner and we still have some XD1" - So rather half heatedly I wandered lonely as a cloud through the metropolis towards said outlet store.

An "M" you say - yes we have one. Turns out is is on the gregarious side by my usual tastes - and that's the ONLY "M". So a bit absent-mindedly I try it on - Absolutely bloody perfect fit. Chin space spot on. And if I'm honest - feels somehow better than the new version.

I feel lady caprice calling from a distance. So warily I ask - Price?. 40% off sir. €240 instead of €400. "Sold!" says I.

The visor (I mean peak) will probably come off - but the lid comes with all the bits to do so.
Time will tell whether the extra air-vent from teh new model on the forehead would have been useful - I can always drill one.
But tbh it's the only feature on the new one I "miss".

Came with a Max-Vision PinLock too. I was advised NOT to fit it until autumn - but I will because being British I know better (naturally).

I will NOT be using the camera mounts. And most certainly will not be fitting headsets etc.

Anyway - I am a happy pixie today.

 

[Ishrub]

I like it - reasoned cheapness!


But you should have got Black/Red

They certainly got rave reviews

NEXX Voyager X.D1 Helmet

NEXX XD1 Voyager Helmet – For When You Can’t Make Up Your | RideApart

By Gary Ilminen - July 06, 2015
Categories: Gear, Safety

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In March of this year, NEXXPro, the Portuguese parent company of Nexx Helmet established a permanent distribution office in Los Angeles. Operating as Nexx North America Corp., that office handles distribution of helmets and accessories, technical and customer support for the United States and Canada. The launch of the new for 2015 helmet product line coincided with the opening of the new North American operations.

At the top of the line for NEXX Helmet is its multi-task oriented XD1 Voyager dual-sport full-face helmet. Carrying ECE/22-05, DOT and NBR-7471:2001 approvals, the helmet features NEXX’s X-MATRIX (multiaxial fiberglass, 3D organic fibers, special aramid fibers and carbon reinforcement) shell, removable CoolMax fabric comfort liner and ERGO padding system for fit adjustment.

The XD1 includes emergency quick release tabs on the cheek pads to allow first responders to simply pull the cheek pads down and out of the helmet to make the helmet removal easier and safer in the event of an emergency. These are a great safety feature, but on one occasion, in taking the helmet off, the snug fit around the base caused the connectors to release from the cheek pieces, so the cheek pads were loose. They won’t fall out if this happens because the chin strap holds them in place. This only happened on one occasion and was actually a handy chance to get familiar with the cheek pad attachment system. It proved not a problem because the system allows for rapid reattachment.

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When the pads come out, they leave the plastic attachment pins in place in the helmet. These have a wide cap that simply slides into the plastic base for each pin in the cheek pad. To reinstall the cheek pad, simply pull the attachment pins out of the helmet, click them back into the base in the cheek pad and snap the pins back into the helmet to put the cheek pads back into place.

While the XD1 has that off-road look to it, particularly with the peak attached, it quickly converts to street use configuration by removing the peak using the “Fast Shot” quick release system, and adding a couple of side panels, all of which takes about two minutes and is done without tools. The XD1 weighs in at 1550g (3.41 lb.) in the “enduro” configuration—with peak attached and only 1400g (3.08 lb.) in “street” trim with the peak removed.

A chin curtain minimizes wind noise in the helmet and the comfort liner includes reflective material that is visible at the base on each side of the helmet. Small reflective panels are also included in the shell above each corner of the eye port and there’s a small reflective panel at the base of the back of the helmet. The retention system is a padded nylon strap with double D-ring closure.

The standard face shield is clear Lexan polycarbonate and Pinlock ready—the Pinlock shield is sold separately. Optional 60 percent and 80 percent gradient smoke tint shields are also available. The interior sun visor is an 80 percent gradient smoke tint as standard and raises/lowers with a raised tab on the upper left side of the helmet.

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The mechanism has a positive lock “click” position that you can feel even with riding gloves on to let you know it is secured in fully up or down position. Likewise, a large tab at the front of the face shield makes moving the clear shield with riding gloves on easy and it locks with a click into the down position where the face shield seals against a neoprene gasket.

Ventilation is handled by dual closable vents atop the front of the helmet with four non-operable exhaust vents at the back. A large operable single vent in the chin bar helps vent the face piece with small exhaust vents at the sides of the chin bar. Overall, the helmet ventilates pretty well with everything wide open. No whistling occurred even at highway speed with the vents open or closed and buffeting was also minimal, even with the peak attached.

The NEXX X-com intercom system can be mounted on the left side of the helmet which is has a cover over the port designed for the installation. The intercom is sold separately.

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There are two shell sizes; one for size extra small to medium and one for large to XXL. Sizing and fit appear consistent with industry norms, though the opening around the base may be more tapered than some, which together with the generous padding of the bottom edge of the cheek pads and rear pads make it snug to put on, but fits very well once its on. Colors include Black Moon, Black Moon Matte, Titanium Graphite Matte, Neon Yellow and Grey Reflex.

The helmet comes with a cloth carry bag, side or top video cam mount, mesh alternative chin bar vent, alternate peak extender, supports for the optional Quick Strap goggle system, comprehensive owner’s manual and booklet for the two year warranty.

MSRP: XD1 VOYAGER - $499.95, XD1 PLAIN - $449.95.

For more information on NEXX Helmets, see: http://nexx-helmets.com/en/home

For more about the Nexx XD1 Voyager helmet, see: http://nexx-helmets.com/en/catalog/showproduct/plain-01xds00001

 

[barbagris]

I like it - reasoned cheapness! - But you should have got Black/Red

And yet - not an ounce of Scottish, Jewish, Dutch or Catalan heritage in me.

I really wanted White (It's a sort of pearl white), which is pretty much as good as it gets in the Land of the Scorching Sun. That, or I had started thinking about Hi-Viz.

Nexx did try and convince the world of the benefits of leather as an outer cover - but for whatever reason (cost or water) they have stopped trying. Shame as it knocks a few dB off the noise too.

Off to see if I can find a LIGHT SMOKE tinted visor later on. As much as anything to see how light it actually is. A DARK outer visor will give the "Boys in Green" a reason to stop you. It does not mean they will, but being not entirely legal - means they can.

This is intended as a Home Turf Summer lid (for now anyway). For trips to the UK I will still want a flip front just because it makes the whole "border crossing" thing an acceptable level of hassle.

 

[barbagris]

Off to see if I can find a LIGHT SMOKE tinted visor later on. As much as anything to see how light it actually is.

Well it does not look THAT dark - but the guy running the shop said he has had a few customers pulled over - so he is stopping stocking them. Rather honest I thought. So I think I'll forget that.

The XWED2 improved one or two criticised areas on the XD1.

1. The peak caused helmet vibration at wind noise at speed. Well the XD1 seemed OK to me today. But they do say when NOT behind a screen. I was.
   
2. The chin curtain is poor fitting and liable to detach - Mine has not detached - but yup - it is poor. tbh I am wondering whether to detach it now or just let it fall off. OK! - Who said "self tappers"? - Stand up! - fat lad at the back!.
   
3. Additional upper venting. The two vents on the XD1 seem fine - they made themselves evident at barely above walking pace. Way better than my current lid. If you are contemplating crossing the Kalahari, Namib or some other sun's anvil - well I can see it might help.

I was pleasantly surprised how much cooler the peak keeps ones face. Even with visor down and shut.

 

[barbagris]

The peak caused helmet vibration at wind noise at speed. Well the XD1 seemed OK to me today. But they do say when NOT behind a screen. I was. I was pleasantly surprised how much cooler the peak keeps ones face. Even with visor down and shut.

In the spirit of R&D - I fitted the supplied little peak extender today. It's even quieter - So whipped out the little screws and put them back in with thread-lock.

 

[Ishrub]

In the spirit of R&D - I fitted the supplied little peak extender today. It's even quieter - So whipped out the little screws and put them back in with thread-lock.

It looks great on you too! Takes years off!

 

[barbagris]

It looks great on you too! Takes years off!

Shame it has not so far acted so efficiently in terms of weight loss.
Starvation. Slimming for the poor.