Helmet and Headset Report

[V7Goose]

Just got my new Nolan N102 n-com helmet - man, do I love it! Some great improvements over the N100E that I have been using for three years. I loved the N100E too, but she's yesterday's news now that I have had my head in the N102!! (The N102 n-com is $250 at Motorcycle Accessories Warehouse, and the Platinum color is very close to the 2005 RSV)

 

Both the N102 and N100 are modular flip-front helmets. The N102 is proportioned a bit differently, giving slightly more forehead and chin room (both front and sides of the chin). The new latch release mechanism is really sweet - much easier to use than the old one, once you figure it out. Just pull forward with your thumb on a little lever in the center of the chin bar, causing a bigger lever to push out from the front of the chin bar - squeezing these two together causes the helmet to open.

 

The shield ratchets and covers are significantly improved. Both helmets have Nolan's proprietary anti-fog shield that works really well, and the N102 has a new dark 1/2 shield outside the main shield that works like sunglasses. Nolan calls this the VPS (vision protection system). I am a little disappointed that the VPS is not extra dark, as it will not make a significant difference when riding directly into a setting sun, but it let me make one simple mod that solves that problem too. I just put a strip of blue painter's tape inside the top of the VPS shield. This is above the normal line of vision, but allows a slight tip of the head to completely block the direct rays of the fire ball. Here are a couple of pictures:

[ATTACH]7589[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]7591[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]7590[/ATTACH] That last one is with the VPS shield flipped up and the main shield down, but it looks a little strange because the whole front is flipped up too, so you are looking at the top of the helmet through the shield.

 

For someone who already has the N100E with extra shields, the shields are ALMOST interchangeable. Actually, without the VPS on the N102, they ARE interchangeable. But to use the VPS shield too, you need a little notch cut in both sides, like this:

[ATTACH]7593[/ATTACH] [ATTACH]7592[/ATTACH] A rotary tool with a small steel cutter works fine to modify the older shields. I modified my old extra dark shield so I have both it and the VPS for summer riding.

 

On to the Headsets.

 

I have the cheapest J&M clip-on headset on my old N100E, and I have been very pleased with the quality of the sound. I ordered the mid-level 277 series for the N102 n-com. Love the way the helmet is designed to take an integrated headset and the way J&M used that for theirs. The sound of the 277 series is better, but not by a huge amount. Although the mid-range is more crisp, the bass is not as pronounced as it was with the cheapies. I verified this was the speakers instead of the helmet by unplugging the speakers from the old one and putting them in the N102 after I had completely mounted the new headsets.

 

This weekend I am meeting my brother who has a new set of J&M 584 series (their best, and lot more expensive). I'll compare them and report back next week. Ride safe,

Goose

[BuddyRich]

I heard the same thing on the headsets. I have the cheap ones and the most expensive ones. The cheap ones have a better bass response. The expensive ones are modular with a much thinner mic arm. I was looking for a way to better understand my wife at 80mph.

Nothing helped.

[FROG MAN]

I was looking for a way to better understand my wife at 80mph.:rotf::rotf:

 

 

Very simple!!

 

1. punch in right rib means turn right!

2. punch in left rib means turn left!

3. banging on top of helmet means slow down

 

:confused24: whats a guy to do? :confused24:

[RedRider]

I was looking for a way to better understand my wife at 80mph.

Nothing helped.

 

Buddy, have her talk slower!

 

RR

[saddlebum]

I was looking for a way to better understand my wife at 80mph.:rotf::rotf:

 

 

Very simple!!

 

1. punch in right rib means turn right!

2. punch in left rib means turn left!

3. banging on top of helmet means slow down

 

:confused24: whats a guy to do? :confused24:

 

you left out banging left and right side of helmet simutainuasly repeatedly :starz: means no looking at the topless girl on the side walk :no-no-no:

[Black Ice]

Back to Nolan helmuts for a second. Sorry guys.

Goose, I have both the Nolan 100 and 102 also. I really like both of them but the N102 really is an improvement. I agree with your assessment. The VPS has been helpful several times and the release mechanism is way better than the old one.

I also like being able to take the liner out of the N102 to wash, although I haven't done it yet.

They make a good quality helmut for the price.

Will be interested to hear what you think of the 2 different J&M headsets. I have one of the Universal sets which was kinda middle of the road I think but will need a new one one of these days.

[heatonmt]

So let me get this right at 80 mph I can use the did not understand you right? Where do I get one of these.

[V7Goose]

Back to Nolan helmuts for a second. Sorry guys.

Goose, I have both the Nolan 100 and 102 also. I really like both of them but the N102 really is an improvement. I agree with your assessment. The VPS has been helpful several times and the release mechanism is way better than the old one.

I also like being able to take the liner out of the N102 to wash, although I haven't done it yet.

They make a good quality helmut for the price.

Will be interested to hear what you think of the 2 different J&M headsets. I have one of the Universal sets which was kinda middle of the road I think but will need a new one one of these days.

The liner comes out of the N100E just like it does on the N102. That is a nice feature, as washing it is a whole lot better than just spraying it. Mine is showing a lot of wear, but from what I could find, Nolan does not sell replacement liners for the N100E (but they do for the N102). That, and the wear in the detent pins on the shield hinges is why I decided to go for a new helmet. Glad I did.

Goose