I’ve reached that point where all of my motorcycle gear is wearing out at the same time. This is both good news and bad news. On the one hand, it means an expensive couple of months ahead. On the other, it is all offset against tax and it is better as far as I am concerned to give money to a business that provides me with goods and services that I want than the government that gives it to parasitic quangos and fake charities.
However, enough of that. As I was at the Motorcycle Show last week, I decided to take a look at the new Schuberth C3 Pro. My old C2 is now long in the tooth – I’ve had it for some while now and although it seems sound enough, the lining was beginning to feel a bit loose. Also, the shell will inevitably deteriorate with time. So, yes, time to pension off the old lid. The C2 has been replaced with the C3 Pro. The first, obvious difference is the size. My old C2 was a 54/55 and I asked to try on one in that size. It was too large and I had to go down a size to a 53/54. The C3 Pro, unlike the C2 is manufactured with different shell sizes, so perhaps that is why the difference. Either way, it underpins the need to try a helmet on before purchase. This is the one item of kit that I would not buy online and it is just as well I didn’t.
Having used it for a few days now I have to say that it is a comfortable helmet being much lighter than its predecessor. Also, the Pinlock inner visor works. In over 30 years of riding, I’ve finally tried an anti-fog product that does what it says. I’m pleasantly surprised.
As with its predecessor, this helmet is very quiet – indeed, it is more quiet. I stopped using ear plugs some while ago – finding them uncomfortable over long distances. The C3 Pro is rated at 82dB(A) at 100kmh on a naked bike. As I have fairings on my bikes, this is probably less.
It’s early days yet, but so far, what I am noticing is an evolutionary change from the C2 with subtle improvements. Quieter, lighter, more comfortable and the operation of the sun visor and flip front being easier to operate.
So, was it worth spending £450 (list price £499)? There’s an old adage, if you have a ten dollar head, buy a ten dollar lid. I’ll have this helmet for around five years – at £100 per annum, yeah, it’s worth it.
Or, you could get a trike and do away with the old skidlid altogether! Great blog, btw! 😉
“if you have a ten dollar head, buy a ten dollar lid”
So… if I have followed the logic here, you have a £450 head with a list price of £499. Where can I buy one? I would prefer not to have to use it of course, but if it was a choice between that and nothing I may give it a go when my own one gets beyond repair (even if I have to pay the list price).
Being on a bike bike, I refuse to wear a helmet – they’re dangerous, they restrict vision, hearing and head mobility. So far I’ve survived because of lack of helmet and with peripheral vision.
Me neither. However, on a motorcycle I wouldn’t dream of riding without one. Far too uncomfortable.
I hate to say this but the C3 only gets a 3 star rating from the Sharp test center.
I also have a C2 which is line for replacement and am thinking of a Caberg.
What do you think of the Sharp tests?
Yes, I was aware of the Sharp ratings before buying the helmet and went ahead and bought it anyway, which pretty much answers your last question.
A few years back there was a heated discussion on the UK Bike Forum on very much this topic. A couple of the regulars wanted flip front helmets banned because they are “unsafe”. Apart from ripping into them over their illiberal behaviour, I made the point that I am about to repeat here; there is more to a helmet than impact resistance and we each have to make a decision based upon our own assessment of the risks balanced against the benefits when making the purchase.
When I switched to Schuberth from the BMW System helmets, in part, I did so because it came with an integrated sun visor. This may sound trivial, but it made a significant difference to my riding comfort. So much so, that I would not contemplate buying a helmet without one – irrespective of its Sharp rating. Given the popularity of built-in sun visors, it looks as if I am not alone.
I stopped using ear plugs a couple of years back as they made my head hurt on long rides. Consequently, a quiet helmet helps to offset that. The Schuberth is one of the quietest on the market.
So, I make my purchasing decisions based upon a range of factors. Those factors that affect my daily riding take precedence over a factor that might or might not happen. Consequently, quietness, practicality, light weight and comfort are higher in my priority list than impact resistance given that I’m wearing it for up to eight hours a day. I don’t wear a helmet to protect my head in the event of a crash; I wear it to keep me warm, dry and comfortable. The protection is a bonus for me, not a primary reason for wearing it.
After all, if I do crash, there is plenty more to worry about – not least, my brain spinning about inside my skull, which will happen regardless of the impact resistance of the helmet. Frankly, in that event, I’d prefer not to survive.
As a general rule, I do not allow third party ratings to influence my decision making. Particularly so in this case where the rating system applies to only one aspect of the product and an aspect that is fairly low on my list of priorities. I ignored the Sharp ratings this time and will do again as I don’t buy helmets based upon one criterion alone.