Wife and I used to wear Bell Pit Boss half-helmets, but parked them permanently due to insufficient protection for our preferences.

Today we each own Shoei J-Cruise (3/4) and Shoei Neotec II (mod) helmets which we use interchangeably depending on temps, distance, forecast, etc. All things considered I prefer riding in the 3/4, though I know the mod has better protection. We both always wear filtered ear plugs and employ hi-def in-helmet audio which really makes the whole noise comparison moot. If you forced me to pick 3/4 or mod, I'd probably go 3/4 for where and how we ride the majority of the time. Then I'd rethink it and say modular....which is why we have both!

 

I really like the look and positive feedback about both the J-Cruise and Neotec, I just can't bring myself to spend the kind of money they want up here for them as n experiment into riding with a fuller coverage helmet. A Neotec up here is going to run around $1100 plus taxes and even if I wanted to drive across the border to get one the exchange rate is a killer.

The HJCs seem to get good reviews and are a more manageable price point.

I know that of it's too loud I'm not going to use it. Even with ear plugs my wife's old HD branded HJC 3/4 was so loud and buffeted so badly that I can't believe she got another HJC. It was getting old though when I wore it so that could have been a factor. I just know that I wore it once after she had switched to her new one and said I'd never put it on again. She had been saying for a while that she needed a new helmet, I just didn't realize how bad.

The reviews about noise are one reason I haven't looked at Simpsons. I've heard the same about the LS2 helmets. I am trying to make sure I focus only on helmets labeled for touring. No sense looking at reviews for helmets designed to be ridden hunched over on a sport bike.

There are so many factors to consider that deciding is hard and you don't know until you've ridden with it and by then it's too late.

 

Have you looked at the HJC i30? I have a really old half helmet that I sometimes wear, but I really need an upgrade. I’ve been looking at reviews and YT videos and the 3/4 HJC i30 looks like it would work for me. I just need to go to a place that has them and see how it fits.

https://www.hjchelmets.us/product/i30-solid/

 

My first rule of helmets is a good fit. Comfort for hours on the road. I have found that a good fitting helmet is usually a quiet helmet. A poorly fitted helmet, too large is noisy.

I cheat, or I guess it might be cheating. If the helmet fits great everywhere, but the cheek pads, I’ll pop them out and set a light weight on them over night. That usually makes the fit super comfortable. So far this has worked with 5 or 6 different brands. One thing I’ve noticed is that for the last 10 years or so, cheek pads have gotten thicker or stiffer. Maybe using fewer shells and more padding to get each size, or to meet on paper perceived fitting trends. Yes, I too have watched experts talk about fitting a helmet.

I have a rounder head, so those super helmets built for oval head types just don’t fit me.

I have a weakness. That weakness is I don’t want to feel like I’m in a car, surrounded by closed windows and looking through a screen. That’s why I prefer the 3/4 with flip up. I get every road smell instantly, yet deflects gravel and bugs. It doesn’t fog up in rain or at 24F from my breath. My modular, my winter helmet is warmer, but I am always adjusting the shield so that it doesn’t fog up. So, in a way, in heavy cooler rain, my 3/4 gives me better vision because it doesn’t fog up. With my 3/4, no need to stop for rain or hail. Just pull it all the way down and ride on.

That’s me. I don’t want you to be like me. If you love your full face, so be it. Just for me, the 3/4 with flip up screen is just so damn comfortable and practical that short of freezing weather, it’s my go to. Yet, I do like my modular for my winter commute. Just be happy with your choice and once you select, ignore this thread. I never have judged another rider because of the helmet they chose. If they are happy riding, I’m happy for them.

 

Pinlock will solve fogging on a modular or full face.

 

My wife wears this helmet. It's a fairly nice helmet. It's a bit snug on the cheeks and the sun shield mechanism isn't in the best place but it is a helmet that I'm considering. It's lightyears ahead of her previous Harley branded HJC. Either that or her old helmet was that worn out that it was effecting noise and turbulence (or just the wrong size to begin with).

I'm just not 100% sold on the 3/4 helmet. Part of this is vanity. I've always pictured these helmets as either being for scooters or old guys on Goldwings. However, as I inch ever closer (and greyer) towards being one of these old guys on a big bike, I'm realizing that as much as I love the look and feel of a half helmet, the safety and practicality just aren't there. We want to ride more and ride farther every year and we each only want to bring one helmet with us.

I've looked at the helmets with removable components that are sold as almost a Swiss Army Knife of helmets but they don't look like they'd do any one thing well and would do nothing if you came off the bike the hard way.

It looks like I'm going to have to either take the plunge into a modular and hope I like it or find a way to spend more time in my wife's helmet to see if I can get used to the 3/4. I really don't want to spend the money on a helmet that I hate or won't wear.

 

For modular there is the Nolan N100 that might be worth a look.

https://billyscrashhelmets.co.uk/nol...helmet-review/

 

I will add this:

The transition from a half-helmet to a 3/4 is substantial. More weight...more coverage...more everything except wind and noise. Going from a half to a modular or FF would be an even more substantial change and adjustment. But personally it boils down to being determined and forcing one's self to get used to the new normal.

 

There are a few manufacturers that make modular helmets where the chin bar flips all the way to the back to become a true 3/4 helmet, I believe Shark and Scorpion are two. I have completely switched to modular and love my Simpson Mod Bandit, but I have had a few and HJC makes some nice ones that aren't crazy expensive.

https://helmetlabs.com/modular/

 

I will also add that getting back into biking 6 years ago after 35 years and the fact it is mandatory here to wear head protection I read that most times your head strikes something hard it is your chin so I went to FF.