Re: Helmets - Dual Sport - Mini-review Schuberth C3
I received this new lid last week, and with work and weather, today was the first time I've had to try it out.
First of all, it was $699, so it had better be a darn good helmet.
I've been riding with half-helmets for years and wanted the increased protection of a modular, full helmet: Modular, because of the convenience and full, because of the protection. I had been disappointed in my other mod helmet, the HJC Sy_max II, primarily due to wind noise. I had not been able to secure good ear protection: My left ear canal is larger than the right, so I was unsuccessful in finding anything that cut the noise, and I tried everything. Including something made by an audiologist...it cut the noise, but was too uncomfortable to wear after an hour.
So, the C3: First of all noise: Very quiet...due to the neck flap, there is no wind noise. There is a little buffeting, at freeway speed, from wind coming over the top of the windshield. If I get my head down out of the headflow, there is very little noise...I could hear the engine just fine (a small, not loud Honda twin)...Schuberth says it reduces road noise to 85db....sure seemed like it.
The venting is great...at stops I have to crack the shield and in riding low speed mtn roads, I keep the shield open all the way, giving me the fit and "out there" of a half-helmet, with the protection of a full helmet. I also like the sun visor....easy to use with gloves and easily adjustable. I would like a little bit of a visor, when riding into the sun, even with sunglasses and the sunscreen down, I could see that being a problem.
Headshape is more rounded...my head is more narrow so after 2 hours I felt the inner liner on my forehead...and it started to get a bit uncomfortable, so if you do buy one, wear around the house for awhile to be sure of fit. Most supply houses selling them offer free shipping both ways on exchange if needed. I bought the one listed for my head size and measured it a few times to be sure...and still, the shape may not be to your liking.
I felt like my peripheral vision was cut down a bit....but that might have just been the transition from the half-helmet. I regularly check blind spots, so I'm normally turning my head a lot anyway.
The strapping mechanism is absolutely the best: Easy to use with and without gloves...every helmet mfr should adopt this technique...soft material between cushioning the neck from the strap, and the strap just kind of fits into a plastic holder....piece of cake.
It is supposed to be lighter than most helmets and I could not see the difference with the HJC...so, I have no opinions on that.
Bottom line...$699 is a lot of money, especially if you're only protecting your skull and hearing....
Anthony