what is your experience?
I'm looking for a new helmet and the Bell helmet I'm looking into has one. I know these hidden visors have been out for a few years now. I'm just want to know if the bugs have all been worked out.
I've had three helmets with an inner visor. None had and "bugs," unless I left the outer visor open whilst riding. ;D
My Schubert R1 has it and it's fantastic [thumbsup]
My wife just bought a Scorpion EXO-500 with the inner visor. She has only put about 20 miles on with it. It seemed to function good as far as depolying it but she thought it could have been a little darker when we where riding into the setting sun. That seems to be a common comment from other reviews. I sure like the idea.
i was thinking about that bell revolver too... but the main reason i want a bell is for that transitions photochromatic visor... only prob is that i tried on a bell vortex in xxl... and it just didnt fit my head. and it seems that most bell's all have the same shape
oh, and here's a webbikeworld review of it...
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/bell-revolver/review.htm (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/bell-revolver/review.htm)
Internal Sun Visor
The Revolver also has an internal rotating sun visor. It works via a rocker lever at the lower left-hand side of the helmet, along the bottom of the helmet shell. It seems to want to either lower the sun visor fully or raise it all the way; it's difficult to find a middle position and the system doesn't seem designed to allow partial lowering of the visor.
The sun visor rotates down far enough to remain mostly out of the line of sight, although a large nose cutout section and sharp upward angles at the sides are visible. I'd estimate the sun shade allows about 20% light transmission, as I think all of these are by law (in Europe anyway), so it isn't as dark as my sunglasses.
This one generally works better than most and stays mostly out of the line of sight, but I wish the rocker lever allowed more choices for placement of the visor. We're still not convinced the added weight and complexity of these devices are worth it, however. Perhaps if the tint was stronger...
Adam, you should ask Dietrich. If I recall, he has or had one with an internal visor and liked it - but I don't recall which brand it was - perhaps Vemar?
Thanks for the info everyone!
Caberg Ego
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/caberg-ego/review.htm (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/caberg-ego/review.htm)
And the most recent version of the AGV Stealth also have visors. I think another one or two lids from AGV offer a visor as well
Of course the Caberg isn't DOT approved yet. Though it's expected for next year. And the new version of the AGV Stealth seems as rare as hens teeth. At least at any of my preferred retailers
I have a Caberg that I bought in Italy in '04. Love that helmet but I bought it right before the visor idea came about. Ill have to check into those again. Thanks.
Usually there is a slight weight penalty. Worth it to me.
Quote from: howie on April 07, 2011, 11:11:26 PM
Usually there is a slight weight penalty. Worth it to me.
I'm definitely taking weight into consideration on the next helmet purchase. Unfortunately, my old Caberg is out of commission so I currently wear an old Fulmer. The Caberg helmet was/is extremely light. If this new model with the internal visor is anything like that, I'll be very happy. On a windy day like today, I was wishing I had a lighter helmet and one that fit more snug! I felt like IZ_bobblehead out there. [thumbsdown]
From the Caberg review..
The Caberg Ego includes an internally rotating sun visor, and it's one of the best I've used. Regular readers know I've been critical of some of the sun visor designs in the past, but this one rings all the bells. First of all, it doesn't seem to add much weight at all to the helmet; in fact, I didn't even realize it was there and the helmet is relatively light for a full-face. [thumbsup]
Yeah, I'm interested in that Caberg. I want a sun visor, and it seems to have stepped up the venting game with that huge slide open top vent, that manages to be water proof and not deafeningly noisy.
(http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/caberg-ego/data/images/caberg-ego-front-quarter-view.jpg)
I have a scorpion exo-1000 as well. The inner visor still works great even after my brother high sided into a concrete barrier in Delaware....
Quote from: Wilco on April 08, 2011, 07:33:51 PM
I have a scorpion exo-1000 as well. The inner visor still works great even after my brother high sided into a concrete barrier in Delaware....
Hope he's OK. Good news on the helmet too. [thumbsup]
I've always wondered if these helmets work with glasses. Anybody got any experience? Is the visor far enough from your face?
I believe the Shark helmet I was looking at had some kind of glasses~friendly logo just inside the visor. I'm not sure what that entails or how it worked. Check out the website.
I'd have to recommend you seriously consider a photochromatic shield.
I've got one on my Akuma and it is the tits.
If I didn't have this one, and a Bell Star in CF would fit I'd have my head reshaped.
I picked up a Scorpion 1000 Apollo for super cheap at cycle gear. Slightly heavier than my Shoei, but the airflow is great! I rarely use my visor except when going towards the sun. Would definitely recommend it!
Quote from: DucatiBastard on April 09, 2011, 09:09:16 AM
I've always wondered if these helmets work with glasses. Anybody got any experience? Is the visor far enough from your face?
I tried on the HJC version (IS-MAX-BT, I think?) at a local shop, and the inner visor didn't hit my glasses. YMMV
Quote from: duccarlos on April 11, 2011, 12:47:25 PM
I picked up a Scorpion 1000 Apollo for super cheap at cycle gear. Slightly heavier than my Shoei, but the airflow is great! I rarely use my visor except when going towards the sun. Would definitely recommend it!
I may check those out. CycleGear is only a few min away.
I've got a Zeus flip-up helmet with an internal visor. Model ZS-3000 I believe. I did a lot of research looking for a good modular helmet before I bought that. Turns out the Zeus' get great reviews, but also fit my noggin bloody well compared with the Nolan/Shoei, just a shape issue I suppose... Either way I've had the Zeus a good couple of years now (probably running out of life...) and never had a single issue with it. Its obviously a bit louder than solid single shell helmet because of the flip up design and associated wind noise, but the vision is unsurpassed and the internal visor is brilliant! No need to take sunglasses with me riding ever, protects your eyes with the clear visor open, opening and closing it takes half a second, and the Zues has an ultra clear and sharp optical finish. Its obviously important you don't scratch the internal visors as they are hard to replace! But the only negative I've found with mine is that where the visor ends you can get a slight depth perception visual issue, same as when the peripherals in your eyes see "around" the frame of a pair of sunglasses. Not really a problem at all, but it can be noticeable and distracting if you're particularly bored... Other than that, buy one! You won't regret it!
Tk
Thanks for the info Q. I can't say I've heard of Zeus helmets. I see you're down in AUS though. They may not sell them here in the US. I'll check them out though.
Quote from: thought on April 07, 2011, 04:49:55 PM
i was thinking about that bell revolver too... but the main reason i want a bell is for that transitions photochromatic visor... only prob is that i tried on a bell vortex in xxl... and it just didnt fit my head. and it seems that most bell's all have the same shape
oh, and here's a webbikeworld review of it...
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-This one generally works better than most and stays mostly out of the line of sight, but I wish the rocker lever allowed more choices for placement of the visor. We're still not convinced the added weight and complexity of these devices are worth it, however. Perhaps if the tint was stronger...
(http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/bell-revolver/review.htm)
I think this review put the Bell out of the running with this comment..
The Revolver doesn't have a chin curtain, and when riding a motorcycle without a fairing, a lot of air enters the helmet from underneath the front, creating a strong draft (and some noise), whether you want it or not. So the irony is that the chin vent works really well, but there's so much uncontrolled air flowing in to the helmet from underneath, it's hard to tell the difference. :-\
Quote from: Sad Panda on April 07, 2011, 07:05:59 PM
Caberg Ego
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/caberg-ego/review.htm (http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/caberg-ego/review.htm)
And the most recent version of the AGV Stealth also have visors. I think another one or two lids from AGV offer a visor as well
Of course the Caberg isn't DOT approved yet. Though it's expected for next year. And the new version of the AGV Stealth seems as rare as hens teeth. At least at any of my preferred retailers
Who sells Caberg in the US?
Errr - I'm not really finding anyone...
I've never heard of them. Shouldn't their website have a list of suppliers?
remember that grey helmet with black stripes...looks like a pilots helmet? That was a Caberg.
Quote from: IZ on April 14, 2011, 11:20:16 AM
remember that grey helmet with black stripes...looks like a pilots helmet? That was a Caberg.
No longer available in the US
http://caberghelmets.com/ (http://caberghelmets.com/)
I saw that link and was hoping there may be a few places left here that did.
DucCarlos..going with the Scorpion. Found one for $200 at the BMW dealer. Flat black. Inner visor. Air system. Locking outer visor. Not bad. Thanks all!
Quote from: IZ on May 17, 2011, 06:07:15 PM
DucCarlos..going with the Scorpion. Found one for $200 at the BMW dealer. Flat black. Inner visor. Air system. Locking outer visor. Not bad. Thanks all!
[thumbsup]
It's actually a very good helmet for the money.
I recently picked up a Scorpion exo 1000, matte black. Bike Bandit had a one day sale for $144 for the solids. My quick review:
Pros:
Comfort
Look
Inner visor (although ignoring the edge hanging down took some getting used to)
pump up cheeks (I have a thin face)
ability to crack and lock visor
Cons:
Noisy (which is weird because my lowly exo-400 is ultra quiet on me)
Air flow is non existent (I literally cannot feel anything different open vs closed except for chin vent)
Inner visor needs a darker option (ordered the "dark smoke" thinking it came with "light smoke"....nope, that is the dark)
In the end, still very happy with this helmet. I tried on many helmets with the internal visor and this was hands down the comfiest.
Thanks for that review Dark! [thumbsup]
I went to BMW to check them out again today. I've got a few more days to make a decision but I think I'm pretty much settled on one of the Scorpions.
Thanks again everyone for the input!! [beer]
Scorpion worked well for the ride to DIMBY this weekend. A lot of noise on the highway but I typically don't take 10 hour rides to the Santa Barbara. Very light helmet and the inner visor feature works great! Nice to flip up and down going through tunnels.
You almost have to use ear plugs, but other than that I can't complain for the amount of money I paid for it.
I have a Nolan N90 and love it.