Has anyone purchased a Nolan N102 helmet with or without the speakers? How about the bluetooth? I looked at them at the BMW rally and they look nice but $650 is alot to spend without hearing some feedback.
Thanks
Thanks
Helmets Nolan N-Com
- Thread starter jslarson
- Start date
tkresler
.01% squid
I'd be interested to hear about the electronics as well. I was looking at the N102 base model in a local store, it was nice, but darn heavy. I ended up with the Caberg solo. Not the quietest helmet either, but a heck of a lot lighter, and I love the integrated sun visor.
I need to find a workable solution for cellular phone in my helmet, though. I'm not a huge bluetooth fan, I have a hard enough time keeping my phone charged, much less my headset. I'd like something that is easy to move from helmet to helmet, and from phone to phone. I tried using the bluetooth headset that came with my TomTom Rider v1, but it was useless. I couldn't really hear anyone, and no one could hear me.
I'm looking at throat mike solutions that you can plug into a cell phone, but it's hard to find any that I'm sure will work. Iasus has some, but most are designed for portable radios like a cop would use, not for cell phones.
Hard to say what I'll end up with. I'm open to suggestions. What I don't want is anything that's hard wired into the bike. I'd prefer it not even be hard wired into my helmet, but if I have to I have to.
Tim
I need to find a workable solution for cellular phone in my helmet, though. I'm not a huge bluetooth fan, I have a hard enough time keeping my phone charged, much less my headset. I'd like something that is easy to move from helmet to helmet, and from phone to phone. I tried using the bluetooth headset that came with my TomTom Rider v1, but it was useless. I couldn't really hear anyone, and no one could hear me.
I'm looking at throat mike solutions that you can plug into a cell phone, but it's hard to find any that I'm sure will work. Iasus has some, but most are designed for portable radios like a cop would use, not for cell phones.
Hard to say what I'll end up with. I'm open to suggestions. What I don't want is anything that's hard wired into the bike. I'd prefer it not even be hard wired into my helmet, but if I have to I have to.
Tim
wefcisco
I have the Scala Rider bluetooth headset. Battery life is decent, and it works OK at any speeds I've ever tried it at.... I also bought an extra helmet mike/speaker for $20. With a mike/speaker in both of my helmets, I can swap the bluetooth module between them in seconds.
Wayne
Keith_UK
.. just add pasties
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2005
- Messages
- 49
- Bike
- ST1300 Pan-Euro
I'm riding with a 2-month old Nolan 102 nowadays too; again with no electronics, as I already had, and have fitted therein, an Autocom audio/communications system instead of the v expensive bluetooth set-up.
This is my third Nolan over the course of last 10 years or so. I ditto everything dm mg says. A good all round helmet, but the flip-up hinge mechanism around the sides does make it a little noisier than a straightforward full-face. But I reckon this is true of most manufacturers' flip-ups.
This is my third Nolan over the course of last 10 years or so. I ditto everything dm mg says. A good all round helmet, but the flip-up hinge mechanism around the sides does make it a little noisier than a straightforward full-face. But I reckon this is true of most manufacturers' flip-ups.
JimS
Today is a Good Day to Ride
I just purchased the n-com after wearing an HJC for a few weeks. The HJC became too loose so I decided to fork out the money for the Nolan. Love this helmet! :1st: Much lighter than the HJC, excellent fit, and like the dual-latch flip up chin guard. Kept hitting the hjc latch by mistake when adjusting the helmet while riding. Also really like the 2nd flip-down sun shield (vps) for riding into the sun and the chin strip is much easier to work than the D-ring style on others.
Anyway, highly recommend this helmet.
Jim
Anyway, highly recommend this helmet.
Jim
alcs
I to have a Nolan N102. I've had it for over a year now. It is the model before the N-Com was available as an option. The helmet works well!
ST1100
ST1100
Herleman
If anyone wants to pick one up, I have an almost unused (worn twice for less than 1 hour total) Large silver with the little amplifier insert -- no bluetooth. Two small (1/4 inch) paint scratches on the back bottom near the neck. No idea how it got scratched.
I can make somebody a good deal.
Found a face shield for my Schuberth before I put the Nolan into service.
PM me.
I can make somebody a good deal.
Found a face shield for my Schuberth before I put the Nolan into service.
PM me.
Gti20vturbo
Here is my review of the Nolan N-102 I posted on another forum...(warning, review not Nolan N102 friendly) 
(Most of this applies to wearing the helmet on a sport bike)
Nolan N-102 review after 12,000 miles
Summary: If you're sensitive to weight, price and noise, you will want to look elsewhere.
Helmet Fit and Comfort: This helmet is obviously built for large round heads. The helmet fit my head for the most part but the foam over the forehead area was to tight and caused pressure that would give me a headache similar to a sinus headache after wearing it for 2+ hours. I fixed this by attacking the foam with 80 grit paper to make more room for my “Neanderthal man” like forehead but the weight of the helmet still gives me a headache after a long days ride. The latch for the chin bar closes properly 8 out of 10 times. Sometime the chin bar comes down and has a vague feel to it so you have to re-open it and shut it again. I expected more from Nolan, after all my el cheapo Sysmax did not have this problem.
Air Flow: As with most helmets the airflow inside just isn’t enough on hot days and way to much on cold days. Not sure what can be done about this but “helmet vents” are somewhat of a joke in my opinion anyway. They do nothing more than cause a lot of noise.
Visor: I really do like the visor, the armor coating on the lexan really does a great job preventing scratches. The one thing I DO not like is the latching system. It doesn’t seem to have a “positive” shut so at times when riding a question if the visor is all the way down or not. Mostly because of all the air leaks (more on this later).
Sun Shield and Nolan Fog Resistant System: The sun shield is a great addition and could be useful on any helmet in my opinion. Being able to flip it down on sunny days and up on cloudy or night riding is a big plus! Now the “Nolan Fog Resistant System” is something I didn’t clue into when I first purchased the helmet. When a manufacturer includes an accessory with this name a signal flare should go up. This helmet will fog over in the blink of an eye on days where NOHTING should fog over. Its one of the many complaints I have about this helmet. I did try the NFRS and it works “OK” but I think having to apply this Band-Aid (all the time because it will fog on a 90 degree clear summer day) to this poorly designed helmet is a big minus!
Retention Strap: While it seemed cool at first I have grown to hate the retention strap. Its HUGE and in cold weather when your jacket is zipped all the way up and or you have a neck gator on this thing turns into something similar to baseball jamming you in the adams apple. Give me a strap with D rings over this thing any day!!
Noise and Aerodynamics: Oh my god, time for the review to go south! How noisy is this helmet? Well I think not wearing a helmet at all would be quieter! Honestly why would Nolan release a helmet this loud when its supposed to be setup to integrate a blue-tooth module for communications? I am sure glad I didn’t buy the whole shebang when I first purchased the helmet or I could really be upset. This is absolutely the loudest helmet I have ever placed on my head and the sad thing is the main reason I purchased it was to install the blue tooth for phone and intercom applications. This would be nearly impossible for anyone to use unless they find themselves behind a big windshield. On a sport bike? Forget about it, you are not going to be able to hear the speakers. I am sure the noise is a direct relation to the amount of airleaks this helmet has. Honestly it is so bad you have to wear glasses under the shield because at 80mph there are odd blast of wind that hit you in the eyes and eventually dry your eyes out or worse yet blow foreign matter into your eyes.
Aerodynamically this helmet is great unless you have a passenger. For some odd reason once you add another helmet within a few feet aft of the Nolan it starts to bob and weave all over the place. You start to feel like you’re a prize fighter trying to dodge the opponent’s jabs.
Weight and Price: I consider myself a fairly burly guy and didn’t think an extra few ounces would make much of a difference. Holy cow was I wrong, the extra weight really starts to “weigh” on your at the 2 hour mark. I will never make this mistake again, weight is important! At a $279.00 MSRP I feel this helmet is over priced by about $200. In fact I am pretty sure I wouldn’t buy another one for $50 so take that for what its worth.
Conclusions: Well it’s a pretty helmet but other than that I wouldn’t wish this thing on anyone. Would I recommend to a friend? No, would I buy another one? Hell NO! The purchase of this helmet as been the largest waste of money to date on motorcycling gear.
(Most of this applies to wearing the helmet on a sport bike)
Nolan N-102 review after 12,000 miles
Summary: If you're sensitive to weight, price and noise, you will want to look elsewhere.
Helmet Fit and Comfort: This helmet is obviously built for large round heads. The helmet fit my head for the most part but the foam over the forehead area was to tight and caused pressure that would give me a headache similar to a sinus headache after wearing it for 2+ hours. I fixed this by attacking the foam with 80 grit paper to make more room for my “Neanderthal man” like forehead but the weight of the helmet still gives me a headache after a long days ride. The latch for the chin bar closes properly 8 out of 10 times. Sometime the chin bar comes down and has a vague feel to it so you have to re-open it and shut it again. I expected more from Nolan, after all my el cheapo Sysmax did not have this problem.
Air Flow: As with most helmets the airflow inside just isn’t enough on hot days and way to much on cold days. Not sure what can be done about this but “helmet vents” are somewhat of a joke in my opinion anyway. They do nothing more than cause a lot of noise.
Visor: I really do like the visor, the armor coating on the lexan really does a great job preventing scratches. The one thing I DO not like is the latching system. It doesn’t seem to have a “positive” shut so at times when riding a question if the visor is all the way down or not. Mostly because of all the air leaks (more on this later).
Sun Shield and Nolan Fog Resistant System: The sun shield is a great addition and could be useful on any helmet in my opinion. Being able to flip it down on sunny days and up on cloudy or night riding is a big plus! Now the “Nolan Fog Resistant System” is something I didn’t clue into when I first purchased the helmet. When a manufacturer includes an accessory with this name a signal flare should go up. This helmet will fog over in the blink of an eye on days where NOHTING should fog over. Its one of the many complaints I have about this helmet. I did try the NFRS and it works “OK” but I think having to apply this Band-Aid (all the time because it will fog on a 90 degree clear summer day) to this poorly designed helmet is a big minus!
Retention Strap: While it seemed cool at first I have grown to hate the retention strap. Its HUGE and in cold weather when your jacket is zipped all the way up and or you have a neck gator on this thing turns into something similar to baseball jamming you in the adams apple. Give me a strap with D rings over this thing any day!!
Noise and Aerodynamics: Oh my god, time for the review to go south! How noisy is this helmet? Well I think not wearing a helmet at all would be quieter! Honestly why would Nolan release a helmet this loud when its supposed to be setup to integrate a blue-tooth module for communications? I am sure glad I didn’t buy the whole shebang when I first purchased the helmet or I could really be upset. This is absolutely the loudest helmet I have ever placed on my head and the sad thing is the main reason I purchased it was to install the blue tooth for phone and intercom applications. This would be nearly impossible for anyone to use unless they find themselves behind a big windshield. On a sport bike? Forget about it, you are not going to be able to hear the speakers. I am sure the noise is a direct relation to the amount of airleaks this helmet has. Honestly it is so bad you have to wear glasses under the shield because at 80mph there are odd blast of wind that hit you in the eyes and eventually dry your eyes out or worse yet blow foreign matter into your eyes.
Aerodynamically this helmet is great unless you have a passenger. For some odd reason once you add another helmet within a few feet aft of the Nolan it starts to bob and weave all over the place. You start to feel like you’re a prize fighter trying to dodge the opponent’s jabs.
Weight and Price: I consider myself a fairly burly guy and didn’t think an extra few ounces would make much of a difference. Holy cow was I wrong, the extra weight really starts to “weigh” on your at the 2 hour mark. I will never make this mistake again, weight is important! At a $279.00 MSRP I feel this helmet is over priced by about $200. In fact I am pretty sure I wouldn’t buy another one for $50 so take that for what its worth.
Conclusions: Well it’s a pretty helmet but other than that I wouldn’t wish this thing on anyone. Would I recommend to a friend? No, would I buy another one? Hell NO! The purchase of this helmet as been the largest waste of money to date on motorcycling gear.
Last edited by a moderator:
Basic helmet without electronics can be had for under $300. :biker:
I Like Mine. It's Kinda Noisy, But I Ride with an MP-3 Player and Ear-Buds.
Last edited:
josephthreedogs
I've been riding for three years with an older Nolan with no electronics, and like it just fine. I will buy another one when i need a new helmet.
cheezewhizz
I bought one to replace my hjc ,couldnt tell much difference in weight or noise but the buckle on the chin strap is bulky and uncomfortable if you dont loosen it quite a bit. The visor works good for me and the latch also.Fit is good but i suppose that depends on the shape of you'r head.Would be a good thing to try one on before paying that much money.
If your head's XL size, I have a like new platinum one for sale (with or without a J&M headset.) Check out the classified section if you're interested.
kanem
I don't have the N-102 but the N-84. That's the full-face N-Com helmet. Didn't bother with the electronics but I love the helmet. Got a brand new post recall (May 2007) Fulner AF-Modus XL, in silver if anyone is interested.
I bought my N102 last winter. So I have one full year with it and like it but I don't have a lot to compare it to. I have a pre-Ncom model but have added a headset for my iPod. Here is what I have to say about it.
I love the VPS (tinted 2nd visor. Not only is it nice when it gets dark but also acts as kind of a tear off. Once I rode into a swam of bees (I think) the bike and my helmet were pretty covered with lots of splats. Anyhow I flipped up the VPS and never even slowed down. I am tall (6'4") and have heli bars. So when riding I have noticed that the way the air is directed over the cat eye version of the windscreen it directs the air right at the eye level. This also means road debris and bugs.
There is an anti-fog pin lock shield that goes inside the clear shield. I had some problems with this. Last fall it started falling out on me when I would close the chin bar or visor. What ended up happening is the lens got used to the curve so it would slip off the pin lock tabs. To fix this I just reversed the anti-fog lens. Haven't had a problem since but I will likely flip it back if it causes more problems and keep rotating it periodically. Before I did this I had a couple days that I rode without it and I did notice fogging. Also worth noting is that I used to wear glasses (had Lasik) but never had any fogging problems with those and now occasional sunglasses do not fog.
The vents are pretty much there for looks. I cannot really tell a difference with them open or closed. The helmet is hot in the summer but I think most full face helmets are (again not much experience with other models of full face or modular helmets). I have a set of tinted safety glasses that I keep in my storage bin. On really hot days I ride with the visors up and wear the tinted glasses. I also pull out the air dam under the chin in the warmer months. I tend to ride until the snow flies but don?t really have any complaints about cold weather.
As for noise it is pretty loud. However I wear foam earplugs and do not have any issues. I can play my iPod at max volume and can hear it just fine as well as traffic noise. Although I mainly use my bike for commuting and I have a country ride with little traffic. I haven?t noticed any problems with buffeting or aerodynamics problems with the helmet. I have noticed how quiet things get if I duck behind my wind screen though.
I like the ratcheting chin strap. I wear a gator in cold weather and have a joe rocket jacket that has a Velcro closure and don?t feel choked at all. I don?t notice it. My only complaint about it is that it isn?t as easy to use the stock helmet mounts. One fix for that is to add your own ring. A key ring would work fine. I still haven?t gotten around to that but I don?t leave it on my bike very often and when I do leave it with the bike I have been putting it in the Givi top box. It is a tighter fit than my old Nolan ? helmet though.
I may have sounded pretty critical in my review but I am just pointing out some things that have noticed. Over all I do like the helmet. I don?t know if I would buy another. I think because I no longer wear glasses I think I will look at a traditional full face next. That was one of the big reasons I went with the modular helmet. I don?t have a complaint about the modular helmet but I don?t have the need for it that I had in the past without glasses. I really do like the VPS. The VPS was the big feature that convinced me to get a Nolan. I didn?t want to buy tinted glasses and while I don?t normally drive at night I do not want to commit myself to a completely tinted shield.
I love the VPS (tinted 2nd visor. Not only is it nice when it gets dark but also acts as kind of a tear off. Once I rode into a swam of bees (I think) the bike and my helmet were pretty covered with lots of splats. Anyhow I flipped up the VPS and never even slowed down. I am tall (6'4") and have heli bars. So when riding I have noticed that the way the air is directed over the cat eye version of the windscreen it directs the air right at the eye level. This also means road debris and bugs.
There is an anti-fog pin lock shield that goes inside the clear shield. I had some problems with this. Last fall it started falling out on me when I would close the chin bar or visor. What ended up happening is the lens got used to the curve so it would slip off the pin lock tabs. To fix this I just reversed the anti-fog lens. Haven't had a problem since but I will likely flip it back if it causes more problems and keep rotating it periodically. Before I did this I had a couple days that I rode without it and I did notice fogging. Also worth noting is that I used to wear glasses (had Lasik) but never had any fogging problems with those and now occasional sunglasses do not fog.
The vents are pretty much there for looks. I cannot really tell a difference with them open or closed. The helmet is hot in the summer but I think most full face helmets are (again not much experience with other models of full face or modular helmets). I have a set of tinted safety glasses that I keep in my storage bin. On really hot days I ride with the visors up and wear the tinted glasses. I also pull out the air dam under the chin in the warmer months. I tend to ride until the snow flies but don?t really have any complaints about cold weather.
As for noise it is pretty loud. However I wear foam earplugs and do not have any issues. I can play my iPod at max volume and can hear it just fine as well as traffic noise. Although I mainly use my bike for commuting and I have a country ride with little traffic. I haven?t noticed any problems with buffeting or aerodynamics problems with the helmet. I have noticed how quiet things get if I duck behind my wind screen though.
I like the ratcheting chin strap. I wear a gator in cold weather and have a joe rocket jacket that has a Velcro closure and don?t feel choked at all. I don?t notice it. My only complaint about it is that it isn?t as easy to use the stock helmet mounts. One fix for that is to add your own ring. A key ring would work fine. I still haven?t gotten around to that but I don?t leave it on my bike very often and when I do leave it with the bike I have been putting it in the Givi top box. It is a tighter fit than my old Nolan ? helmet though.
I may have sounded pretty critical in my review but I am just pointing out some things that have noticed. Over all I do like the helmet. I don?t know if I would buy another. I think because I no longer wear glasses I think I will look at a traditional full face next. That was one of the big reasons I went with the modular helmet. I don?t have a complaint about the modular helmet but I don?t have the need for it that I had in the past without glasses. I really do like the VPS. The VPS was the big feature that convinced me to get a Nolan. I didn?t want to buy tinted glasses and while I don?t normally drive at night I do not want to commit myself to a completely tinted shield.
I used a N101 for 2 years and now I have the N102.
I am looking at the N-Com solution with bluetooth as I have a Zumo550 GPS.
These reviews are spot-on. Helmet is heavy and noisy. I still like it. I wear earplugs or my Shure e3c's with the triple-flange tips which act as earplugs. W/o them in place even riding at speeds around 30mph the noise in the lid is terrible.
I love the one hand flip action as well as the tinted VPS system. The anti-fog shield is good for nothing.
But as I said, I still like it. I picked it up for $279 i believe and the blue matchs my bike
Steven
I am looking at the N-Com solution with bluetooth as I have a Zumo550 GPS.
These reviews are spot-on. Helmet is heavy and noisy. I still like it. I wear earplugs or my Shure e3c's with the triple-flange tips which act as earplugs. W/o them in place even riding at speeds around 30mph the noise in the lid is terrible.
I love the one hand flip action as well as the tinted VPS system. The anti-fog shield is good for nothing.
But as I said, I still like it. I picked it up for $279 i believe and the blue matchs my bike
Steven
Gti20vturbo
Im gonna try a Symax II very soon. Since I feel my Symax one was better than my Ncom 102 I am thinking the Symax II might be a better choice for someone looking into a modular helmet. Now with the Cardo Bluetooth (Scala Rider) modules on the market for less than half of what Nolan wants for the Ncom I see no reason at all to purchase a Nolan Modular helemt for user with an intercom or bluetooth cell adapter.
disbemrj
So I started looking into getting a Nolan helmet for easy built in communication. Luckily I had this site to find out more info. Noisy, heavy helmet. I saw it for $314 in white, add the basic N102 communication kit, $99.95, and the Bluetooth ebox $249.95 and I have lost all desire for communication.
Looking to connect my Zumo 550 and iPhone and would prefer stereo bluetooth. Is that out yet?
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks John.
Looking to connect my Zumo 550 and iPhone and would prefer stereo bluetooth. Is that out yet?
Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks John.
The only thing that I know of that supports A2DP (Stereo Bluetooth) is the IMC Motorcom Camos BHS500 or BHS600. Here is a link to some more info Link
They are kind of tough to find as in not many retailers carry them but here is a place that does.
Link
I don't have one but my understanding is that the 600 adds the ability to do rider to rider intercom where the 500 only will pair with devices such as Phone and GPS or other Bluetooth devices.
Now this really doesn't matter. I don't own a iPhone but many of my coworkers do. The Bluetooth in the iPhone isn't Stereo. So you will still be listening to music in mono. I don't know about the Zumo. You would still need to plug the iPhone into a transmitter of some sort that was A2DP compliant order to get stereo music. A better route may be to look the one that people were talking about today. I think it was the Scala SC2 or something like that. It is only mono BT but it has an FM receiver in it. Then you could hook a FM transmitter up on your bike and tune to that station for Stereo music. Or listen to a local station. Just another option for you because based on what you said you have Stereo Bluetooth isn't an option for you unless you add some more equipment.