Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Schuberth C3 Helmet

Forgive me, for I am about to gush...

I have owned an Arai Corsair RX-7 helmet for eight years. It has been a great helmet during that time -- perfect fit, excellent comfort, two visors (smoke and clear), and light weight. But as any helmet manufacturer will tell you, these things should be replaced every 5-7 years. Something about the protective foam breaking down over time, or profit margins or something. So in honor of my FJR, I decided it was time to replace the Arai.

I first looked at a new Arai. After getting over the shock of the increase in sticker to $800, I realized that it was not significantly different from my original. I also realized that I was very tired of changing shields over and over. It was a guarantee that whenever I wanted to ride, I had the wrong shield on. A flip-down sun visor would be awesome.

I was not looking for a modular (or flip-up) helmet at all. But it seems that with very few exceptions (like the HJC IS-16), getting the flip-down sun visor means getting a modular helmet. In reading all the reviews (special shout out goes to WebBikeWorld for their excellent helmet reviews), I realized that one helmet stood out above the rest: the Shuberth C3. The main downside: it isn't available in the United States.

I deliberated a ton on this one. Buying a helmet without being able to try it on is a Bad Idea. What if it doesn't fit? I don't want to have to return the thing across the pond. Argh. In the end, I decided to have my wife very carefully measure my skull and take my chances. A twice-checked measurement yielded a skullsize of 58.25cm. Schuberth's Large is for 58-59cm heads. I chose silver for high visibility and pressed the order button from Bikers Direct UK.

To my astonishment, the helmet -- ordered Thursday -- arrived on Monday! Score one for Biker's Direct. I pulled it carefully out of the cloth bag, and gingerly tried to put it on my head. And tried again. My eight-year-old helpfully suggests that maybe it would be a good helmet for her. Then I realized: it is a modular helmet. Lift the chin! And the helmet fit perfectly. Absolutely perfectly.

I had to ride in this morning on my naked 850. Slipping the C3 on, I sped off to work. My first impression was the panoramic view; it was like a theater buff experiencing IMAX for the first time. Huge visibility and crystal clear distortion-free visor. I flipped the switch on the left side to lower the sun visor, and did a virtual dance of happiness. Light and glare were instantly cut to manageable levels. All with the flick of a switch. The C3 also includes a Pinlock anti-fog insert. The entire ride I kept my face shield closed, and had zero fogging.

The second thing that I noticed as I eased up to 60MPH on the freeway was that I literally felt that I was already wearing earplugs. The helmet was so quiet it was actually eerie. I found myself in a state of calm as I negotiated the morning's traffic. I cannot overstate how quiet this helmet is.

So that's my tale. I hope it was helpful. And sure, the C3 is not endowed with the mystical DOT seal of approval, but I am willing to bet that the Europeans value their lives as much as us Americans.

12 comments:

  1. Just a side note about the retention clasp -- it is the European style ratcheting clasp, not the traditional double-D ring. Opinions run rather deep on both side of the fence, but I have to say that I really like it. Not only does it release easier (just pull on the red tag), but I can fasten the clasp with gloves on.

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  2. Very useful information, thanks.

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  3. I own a US-bought Schuberth S1 and that is DOT approved. I'm sure that, if and when the C3 is imported stateside, the DOT approval will be present. I just love my S1 -- and I used to think I was always going to buy Shoei...

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  4. I hope they do bring it to the US. My wife wants one now. ;-) At least I was able to take advantage of the weak pound. Shipped 2-day from England it was only $630 USD.

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  5. The Scorpion EXO-1000 also has the integrated sun visor, and it's not modular.

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  6. Thanks, Dave. WebBikeWorld did not give the EXO-1000 a very favorable review (relative to the C3)... citing heavy weight (heaviest full-face non-modular they have ever reviewed), liner, and comfort issues, lack of real-world air flow (despite the four vents), lack of visor detents and fussy controls, noise issues, gimicky cheek pad inflation 'feature', and something about a faux chocolate smell? Unfortunately, those comments took it completely out of the running for me.

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  7. I bought a used Shoei Multitec off the board and so far I love it! I've been wanting a modular helmet for awhile mainly for long rides and when I have a bunch of stops. I've never heard of this brand, I'll check it out, thanks.

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  8. I think I'll try and find one to try on next time I'm in England - likely in April. Very interesting article.

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  9. My Dad has the Multitec and also loves it. It's a great helmet -- I prob. would have bought one also if not for my unnatural desire for a sun visor.

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  10. Thanks for recommending BikersDirect. I need to replace my Schuberth Concept. It is a toss up between the BMW System 6 and the Schuberth C3. Now all I have to do is justify $673.437. You wouldn't happen to have a coupon code would you?

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  11. Joe - sorry, I wish I did have a coupon code. Good luck with the purchase!

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  12. off road helmets


    Thank you, Dave. WebBikeWorld not give EXO-1000 a very positive review (from C3) ... quote truck (full face heavier non-modular, they never checked), lines and issues of comfort, lack of real world air (despite the four ventilation holes), the relaxation peak and the missing heavy controls, noise problems, inflation gimicky cheek pad "feature", and something about a fake smell of chocolate? Unfortunately, these observations, it has taken completely out of service for me.

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