Z1R Retro or Nolan N30? Please help!!

sargelee71 · Post by **sargelee71** » Thu May 01, 2008 5:20 am

***SORRY, THIS IS A REPOST, AS I'M NEEDING TO BUY SOON***

Anyone know anything or have experience with the Z1R Jimmy Retro? I so love the LOOK of the orange with the cream color stripes. I can get it at Scooterworks for about $90, but not sure if it's a good quality helmet.

Ken, if you're reading this, I'm sorry!!! I've got to do this, as I'm a little unsure about a "Made in China" helmet...AND I'M CHINESE...born in Vietnam, though.

I sure love the look of the Nolan N30, but it's a lot more money. What do people think of Z1R helmets in general?

Thanks!!

jaded · Post by **jaded** » Thu May 01, 2008 5:29 am

I have the Z1R Eclipse, flip-face. I've had it for about a year and a half, and I've been perfectly happy with it. Fine quality. I don't know anything about the rest of the line, though.

Queen · Post by **Queen** » Thu May 01, 2008 11:16 am

Z1R's and Nolan's fit differently so you might want to try them on and see which one fits your noggin best.

I've worn a Nolan for the last 15 or so years and love how they fit, I saw one of those Z1R's on sale at a local dealer and gave it a try...fits a much more oval head than mine, I got a wicked pinch at the crown.

Ed Hit · Post by **Ed Hit** » Thu May 01, 2008 11:26 am

Guess that i don't know how much I would be worried about made in China on a helmet. As long as it is DOT certified??? But granted, i don't have a ton of experience on that...

But anything you get should be DOT certified. SNELL is a little more controversial.

+1 on trying them on and seeing how they fit and wear on your head. Ken let my wife take one home for a few hours so she could wear it around the living room. (makes for a fun movie night and she really scared the cats too!

) So you may want to try that. She found out that the one she was going to get was too small and gave her a headache after an hour or so. Big props to scooterworks for that, Champion cycle won't let you leave the store

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Thu May 01, 2008 1:21 pm

I'd stay away from Made in China anything if possible. I just cant trust them.

If you want a truley cheap but safe helmet, look at cyber helmets, they are high quality cheap helmets. I have a US-95 which has a fancy intake system built in, my helmet cost 110 dollars.

it is full face, so if you're looking for half or 3/4th sorry I cant help.

Alix B · Post by **Alix B** » Thu May 01, 2008 1:36 pm

I was just give a z1R Stance helmet. So far, it's REALLY comfortable, it fits my head shape really well. I'm used to riding with a Fulmer-and I now realize JUST how loud those suckers are. Riding with the Z!R is like riding in a pressurized cabin.
I enjoy that it protects more of my face than the Fulmer, although I'm adjusting to a new view. Look for reviews online-what I found is that it is a great value all around. The below link is peer reviews.
http://www.goldwingcountry.com/detail.c ... t_ID=17144
Definitely buy bright, I think thats safer. To make my black one more visible I covered it in reflective tape. Check it!

iinigma7 · Post by **iinigma7** » Thu May 01, 2008 1:42 pm

I have the Nolan N-30, and I absolutely love it. I tried an HJC AC-2 first, and it was just huge and fit bigger than it should have for my head size. So I sent it back and got the N-30. What a difference. It screams quality and style. The ratchet chin-strap is really nice, and it just fits who I am. The removable ear flaps are nice and toasty in the winter and you can just pop em off when it's warm.

Plus you can't deny the "speed racer-ness" of it.

Queen · Post by **Queen** » Thu May 01, 2008 3:54 pm

iinigma7 wrote:I have the Nolan N-30, and I absolutely love it. I tried an HJC AC-2 first, and it was just huge and fit bigger than it should have for my head size. So I sent it back and got the N-30. What a difference. It screams quality and style. The ratchet chin-strap is really nice, and it just fits who I am. The removable ear flaps are nice and toasty in the winter and you can just pop em off when it's warm.

Plus you can't deny the "speed racer-ness" of it.

Who did you order yours from? I'm wanting to order the N30 since my regular Nolan full face is a bit hot for summer.

schlagle · Post by **schlagle** » Thu May 01, 2008 3:55 pm

Pax wrote:Z1R's and Nolan's fit differently so you might want to try them on and see which one fits your noggin best.

My wife has the Nolan N30 and you're right, it does fit differently. It's much rounder instead of the oval-ish shape of other helmets. That being said, it's still a comfortable helmet and the quick release latch is really nice. You can take off the helmet while still wearing your gloves.

iinigma7 · Post by **iinigma7** » Thu May 01, 2008 4:07 pm

Pax wrote:
iinigma7 wrote:I have the Nolan N-30, and I absolutely love it. I tried an HJC AC-2 first, and it was just huge and fit bigger than it should have for my head size. So I sent it back and got the N-30. What a difference. It screams quality and style. The ratchet chin-strap is really nice, and it just fits who I am. The removable ear flaps are nice and toasty in the winter and you can just pop em off when it's warm.

Plus you can't deny the "speed racer-ness" of it.
Who did you order yours from? I'm wanting to order the N30 since my regular Nolan full face is a bit hot for summer.

http://www.sandhillspowersports.com/san ... flashbk_07

I got it at Sandhills Powersports, but it looks like they're almost out of stock. The only one they have left is blue in size Lg and XL. It's a shame the options are limited because I picked up mine for $128 with free shipping. A steal.

Helmetcity.com also has them, but they're about $140 and shipping is extra. Shop around for a deal if you can.

Queen · Post by **Queen** » Thu May 01, 2008 4:28 pm

Thanks! I found it one place for $136 with free shipping but I'm still trying to decide on a color.

iinigma7 · Post by **iinigma7** » Thu May 01, 2008 4:32 pm

Excellent! That's a great deal too. Anywhere that you can get free shipping on stuff like this is outstanding in my opinion. When I got my HJC from helmetcity.com the shipping was about $20. Not cool.

sargelee71 · Post by **sargelee71** » Fri May 02, 2008 4:07 am

iinigma7 wrote:I have the Nolan N-30, and I absolutely love it. I tried an HJC AC-2 first, and it was just huge and fit bigger than it should have for my head size. So I sent it back and got the N-30. What a difference. It screams quality and style. The ratchet chin-strap is really nice, and it just fits who I am. The removable ear flaps are nice and toasty in the winter and you can just pop em off when it's warm.

Plus you can't deny the "speed racer-ness" of it.

I totally agree about the look of the N30. I think it's great. Haven't tried it, but want to for fit. Scooterworks is supposed to get the Z1R Jimmy Retro in the orange in tomorrow, so I'll about the fit. It is DOT certified, so I feel better about that.

Post by **ericalm** » Fri May 02, 2008 5:40 pm

Any known-brand helmet sold in the US through a reputable retailer or dealer should be DOT certified. Otherwise, someone's breakin' the law, right?

I have a Nolan N-42 and my wife has the N-30. Both great helmets, higher-quality than the HJC I previously had.

'Course I've been rocking my Vega Modular for several months now. Wore the N 42 (3/4) on a particularly hot day last week and it felt weird.

r0sa · Post by **r0sa** » Tue May 06, 2008 4:48 am

i LOVE my helmet, it fits perfectly around my weird shaped head, and also....it matches my buddy! whoo whoo!

Ed Hit · Post by **Ed Hit** » Tue May 06, 2008 12:15 pm

ericalm wrote:Any known-brand helmet sold in the US through a reputable retailer or dealer should be DOT certified. Otherwise, someone's breakin' the law, right?

Correct as far as I know. So extrapolating from bicycle helmets, they should all do a relatively equal job of protecting your noggin in the event of a crash. (Assuming it is a FF helmet, as a 3/4 obviously may not help as much if you land on your chin). But there will be differences in fit, finish, refinement and style, leaving the crash protection largely equivalent from one DOT helmet to another?

I know Sargelee's original question had to do with the made in china concern, and I am maybe being too optimistic in saying that I would not be concerned about that, given DOT certification. (Of course if it was FDA, I would not be so sure

)

Post by **ericalm** » Tue May 06, 2008 12:30 pm

Ed Hit wrote:
ericalm wrote:Any known-brand helmet sold in the US through a reputable retailer or dealer should be DOT certified. Otherwise, someone's breakin' the law, right?

Correct as far as I know. So extrapolating from bicycle helmets, they should all do a relatively equal job of protecting your noggin in the event of a crash. (Assuming it is a FF helmet, as a 3/4 obviously may not help as much if you land on your chin). But there will be differences in fit, finish, refinement and style, leaving the crash protection largely equivalent from one DOT helmet to another?

I know Sargelee's original question had to do with the made in china concern, and I am maybe being too optimistic in saying that I would not be concerned about that, given DOT certification. (Of course if it was FDA, I would not be so sure )

Not an equal job of protection—they would all provide a minimum required amount of protection and meet certain other DOT qualifiers for composition, straps, lining, size, etc.

There are tiny half helmets out there which are DOT-certified, but which won't provide equal to a full face. Even among similar types of helmets, some may still be better than others.

How to know which are best? SNELL ratings have proven very unreliable (or at least debatable). I'd say stick with reputable, well-known brands (though even some of their models have been duds in the past) and do your research. WebBikeWorld is an excellent source for reviews on helmets and other gear.

sargelee71 · Post by **sargelee71** » Wed May 07, 2008 4:49 am

Thanks everyone! You've all been most helpful.

sargelee71 · Post by **sargelee71** » Wed May 07, 2008 9:28 pm

I picked up my helmet from Scooterworks today. I got the Orange Z1R Jimmy Retro helmet and got a flip shield with 3 snaps to go with it. Haven't ridden with it yet, but I like the fit of the helmet very much...but again, haven't ridden with it yet.

http://www.z1rhelmets.com/product.jsp?p ... ry_id=1301

Will try to provide a review after some time using it.

Thanks again for all the feedback/insights.

sargelee71 · Post by **sargelee71** » Wed May 07, 2008 9:28 pm

I picked up my helmet from Scooterworks today. I got the Orange Z1R Jimmy Retro helmet and got a flip shield with 3 snaps to go with it. Haven't ridden with it yet, but I like the fit of the helmet very much...but again, haven't ridden with it yet.

http://www.z1rhelmets.com/product.jsp?p ... ry_id=1301

Will try to provide a review after some time using it.

Thanks again for all the feedback/insights.

sargelee71 · Post by **sargelee71** » Wed May 07, 2008 9:29 pm

I picked up my helmet from Scooterworks today. I got the Orange Z1R Jimmy Retro helmet and got a flip shield with 3 snaps to go with it. Haven't ridden with it yet, but I like the fit of the helmet very much...but again, haven't ridden with it yet.

http://www.z1rhelmets.com/product.jsp?p ... ry_id=1301

Will try to provide a review after some time using it.

Thanks again for all the feedback/insights.

Queen · Post by **Queen** » Sat May 10, 2008 12:08 pm

Thought I'd share my helmet ordering "issues" with Extreme Supply.

I ordered an N42 Classic for my SO and an N42 N Com was shipped. Nowhere on the site did it show that the N42 helmet is a closeout, this only appeared on the invoice after it was shipped, closeouts are final sales...no exchanges or returns. I went back and forth in emails with them and they refused to admit their mistake (it's still not showing as a closeout on their site).

The N30 arrived with the shield popped off on one side and a slight warp in the shield made it very difficult to replace. The gray color is not "flat" it's actually a high gloss. I would return it for a different color but don't trust the company to process the return properly.

The helmets fit so we'll keep them but I would never order from Extreme Supply again...and unfortunately they are the site you link to from the Nolan site, I wonder if Nolan knows about their practices.

Edit - My bad on the shield, I took the shield off and both sides matched, it wasn't warped...I'm just a doof when it comes to mechanical stuff.

sargelee71 · Post by **sargelee71** » Sat May 10, 2008 5:30 pm

Pax, that really sucks!!! I'm sorry you had that issue. The being an internet business does not preclude them from customer service and retention.

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Sat May 10, 2008 6:26 pm

I wear HJC, it fits my strange head. ZR1 has the best helmet as shown in tests. It is also the cheapest and has caused many to squeal loudly as many are convinced more money = higher quality. Maybe higher quality materials, but YOU are the one that matters in an accident, not the helmet.

ZR1 is more flexible, absorbs more shock.

Dennis

sargelee71 · Post by **sargelee71** » Sat May 10, 2008 7:56 pm

DennisD wrote:I wear HJC, it fits my strange head. ZR1 has the best helmet as shown in tests. It is also the cheapest and has caused many to squeal loudly as many are convinced more money = higher quality. Maybe higher quality materials, but YOU are the one that matters in an accident, not the helmet.

ZR1 is more flexible, absorbs more shock.

Dennis

Thanks, Dennis. I went with the Z1R and am pretty happy with it so far. I also got a 3-snap flip shield for "those days."

Modern Buddy

Z1R Retro or Nolan N30? Please help!!

Z1R Retro or Nolan N30? Please help!!

Beware of Extreme Supply