Nolan N90 mini review (longish)

The old Caberg was getting very tatty so I was beginning to think it was
time for a new helmet. I wanted a flip front because I wear glasses. On
Saturday I found myself in the Gants Hill branch of Hein Gericke looking for
some new textile trousers after finding out in a cold, wet groin way that my
old ones were leaking. On impulse I tried on the Nolan N90 helmet whilst I
was there. I took to it immediately as it was very comfortable and seemed
to fit perfectly. It had the internal flip-down sunshade, which is a
must-have as far as I am concerned. The visor is also equipped with pinlock
mounts (but the pinlock visor has to be purchased separately if you go for
the cheaper "special" model).

One minor problem was that, having pulled down the front when trying it on,
I couldn't then release it to lift it up again until the sales guy showed me
the technique (pull the inner lever, outer red thingy pops out then pull
down on red thingy). However, one the secret was revealed it was easy. I
felt a bit stupid not being able to work it out but then a guy nearby who
was also trying on a helmet made me feel much better. He started
complaining about the poor quality of the visor on the helmet he was
trying - "everything looks a bit hazy" - until the sales guy pointed out
that it was still covered in its removable protective film, complete with
instructions and logos!

At first I thought it must be lower spec than, say, the N103 but it turns
out that its a newer and probably improved model. Anyway I parted with
£199.99 and have now been using it for a couple of days. It is definitely
much quieter then my Caberg Justissimo (not that that sets a very high
standard). I haven't got the pinlock inner yet (£16 on ebay and now on its
way) but the ventilation keeps the visor clear in the rain at motorway
speeds. The visibility is good and the rain blows off the visor very easily.
The ventilation is also good for the top of the head with the helmet vents
open. It has been very comfortable from the outset even when worn for
longish periods (1hr.+). The flip-down sunshade is a bit fiddly to use but
not a major problem. The strap fastener is a rigid tab/ratchet type and
easy to use - and I have experienced no discomfort from it. All in all I'm
very pleased with it.

Long review here:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/nolan-n90/

I looked for other reviews and at first I thought there were lots of bad
user reviews - until I realised that it was one single bad review being
endlessly repeated on different websites. I guess its a new model so there
are still very few user reviews out there. Consequently this one
dissatisfied punter has currently cornered the user review market.

 

17 years of riding with specs and I still don't understand why that's
relevant to needing a flip-front lid.

 

I used to be sceptical about this claim that flip fronts were easier to
live with if you wore specs, but having used one almost every day for
the past year I can see why it is a good thing. It really does make
life a lot easier if you're not forever removing specs, finding
somewhere to put them while you take your lid off and then trying to
manouver them back into your helmet when you take it off and put it
back on again.

--
Lozzo
Versys 650 Tourer, CBR600F-W racebike in the making, TS250C, RD400F
(somewhere)
BMW E46 318iSE (it's a car, not one of those 2-wheeled pieces of shite
they churn out)

 

Bloody learners

 

I often do several journies in a day, five days a week. So that's boots and
clothing on, gloves on, helmet on... then helmet off again, gloves off again
becuase I've forgotten to put in the fucking earplugs...then gloves on
again, helmet on again, switch on ...oops fuel very low... so off to a
garage that won't serve helmet wearers if they can't see the face etc. etc.
Anything that saves me even a tiny a bit of hassle and faffing around is a
real bonus. Being able to put on and take off the helmet without having to
remove my glasses is a very definite plus.

 

that Gyp certainly gets about...

-- wessie at tesco dot net

BMW R1150GS

 

I must be lucky because I've never had to remove my helmet to get petrol,
even in a motorway service station with signs up asking you to remove your
helmet. Mind you they probably look at me and decide I'm no threat.

--
Malc

Rusted and ropy.
Dog-eared old copy.
Vintage and classic,
or just plain Jurassic:
all words to describe me.

 

I have *once*. One other time the guard on the door of the shop aksed
me to remove my helmet. I politely declined, paid and left.

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS GT 3.2 V6
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

A BP station I have used for years at Malpas has been taken over by M&S.
They put up a load of signs demanding that helmets are removed before
entering the shop. I don't want to enter their fucking shop. I just want to
buy petrol from BP. Fortunately, the staff, there before M&S infested the
place, ignore the stupid policy.

 

If it comes to the crunch, I can hold them in my hand while putting a
lid on or taking one off, with no difficulty.

 

Our local BP is also M+S. It has no such policy. Consistent it ain't

--
Catman MIB#14 SKoGA#6 TEAR#4 BOTAFOF#38 Apostle#21 COSOC#3
Tyger, Tyger Burning Bright (Remove rust to reply)
116 Giulietta 3.0l Sprint 1.7 GTV TS GT 3.2 V6
Triumph Sprint ST 1050: It's blue, see.
www.cuore-sportivo.co.uk

 

I have, once. I made my sentiment clear and left without fuelling.

 

Bought a couple myself a fortnight ago and got the N-Com headsets and
Bluetooth intercoms. Bloody Brilliant! First helmet with sun visor I've
tried on which cleared my specs. Air vents very effective - I could feel
the wind rushing through what's left of my hair. The N-Coms were dead easy
to install and they paired first time with each other, a TomTom Rider and a
couple of mobile phones. The volume even wearing ear plugs is plenty loud
enough at 70mph+. The mini-jack and curly cable for hooking up an MP3
player are very secure and you can use it even when the Bluetooth module is
removed - the rechargeable battery is inside the helmet. Once you've got
the hang of which button does what - there are only three but they're
multi-functional - they're a doddle to use. I'm well chuffed with them.