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► Motorcycle News 2009
Nolan N43 Trilogy
Nolan N43 Trilogy Helmet
Nolan N43 Trilogy -
DOT Version of N43 Air
September 22, 2009 - Nolan Helmets has released a DOT version of the
acclaimed N43 Air recently reviewed on
webBikeWorld.com.
As we noted in our review, the N43 Air is ECE
approved only. The N43 Trilogy meets DOT safety
standards, but apparently it could not meet DOT
standards with the unique top vent that was one of the
best features of the N43 Air -- a feature that gives the
N43 Air some of the best ventilation available.
Too bad!
Nolan calls the N43 Trilogy a "Crossover" helmet with
a "6 in 1 design". It has quick-change accessories
allows for customized looks and functionality. The
N43 Trilogy comes with a clear face shield, the
integrated sun shield, the peak and the removable chin
bar, similar to the N43 Air.
The chin bar is made from GE Lexan and is EPS lined,
according to Nolan. Mounted with strong
stainless-steel latches, it passes the tests for
full-face helmets of the European standard ECE-22.05.
Nolan N43 Trilogy Graphics
Other features of the Nolan N43 Trilogy include:
-
VPS (Vision
Protection System): A short dark shield
mounted on the inside of the helmet and moving
independently from the face shield. It
provides eye protection and is also available in
amber, light blue and light smoke. It is
operated by a large rubber coated slider on the left
side of the helmet.
-
Quick-Change Face
Shield: Is claimed to be optically
correct; meets UV 400 standards for UV protection;
and fitted in an exceptionally large eye port.
The N43 Trilogy accepts the
Pinlock anti-fog insert (review) but a Pinlock
is not provided with the helmet (Corrected from original version).
-
Separate Visor
Peak: The helmet comes with a short black
peak that can be installed at the top of the eye
port instead of the clear shield.
-
Ncom Intercom
Ready: The N43 Trilogy, like the N43 Air,
is ready for the Nolan Ncom Bluetooth communication
system.
-
Helmet Shell: The
helmet uses a lightweight aerodynamic polycarbonate
shell with built-in spoiler for improved stability.
-
Liner: It
has a fully removable and washable "Clima-Comfort"
liner, which is claimed to be antibacterial,
antifungal and moisture wicking.
Nolan N43 Trilogy with chin bar removed.
Although the N43 Trilogy does not include the unique
parallel top vent of the N43 Air, Nolan says that the
N43 Trilogy has a "JSW" top vent with exhaust grid in
the rear spoiler. This works in conjunction with
the air channels along the crown and it is operated by a
"glove-friendly" rubber slider.
The N43 Trilogy uses a "Microlock" (adjustable
quick-release) retention system and it has velour
chin-strap padding.
The N43 Trilogy meets DOT safety standards in the
U.S. and meets ECE-22.05 in Europe.
The helmet is currently available for sale in the
U.S. at a list price of $299.95 in sizes ranging from XS
to XXL. Colors include solids and graphics.
More: The webBikeWorld.com Nolan
N43 Air review
Source: Nolan press release, edited by
webBikeWorld.
Note: For informational use only. All material and
photographs are Copyright © webWorld International, LLC - 2000-2011. All
rights reserved. See the webBikeWorld®
Site Info
page. NOTE: Product specifications, features and details may
change or differ from our descriptions. Always check before purchasing. Read
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►Your Comments and
Feedback
Please send comments to
Comments are ordered from most recent to oldest.
Not all comments will be published ( details). Comments may be edited for
clarity prior to publication.
From "P.E." (05/11): "Early last
year, deciding our Shoei helmets had aged and needed to
be replaced, my wife and I did a thorough analysis of
the available helmets and read all we could. We
purchased two Nolan N43 N Com helmets.
Aside from loving the comfort, there is no doubt that
this helmet saved my wife's life and maybe mine as well.
While riding in North Georgia last fall, we had a tangle
with a cattle truck missing a turn and taking our side
of the road. We managed to scrape by the truck but were
pitched off our Goldwing.
My wife bounced off her airbag (me) and flew at least 20
feet, landing squarely on her face shield.
Now this is not a full face helmet, but the insulated
structural flip up shield held in the down position took
the full hit. Other than some scraped hands and bruises,
and a ruined helmet, she was fine.
I wasn't so lucky but my helmet did some heavy duty
protection. Allstate bought us two new Nolan's as well
as replacing riding boots and jackets - the gear saved
them a bunch of bucks! Thank you Nolan!"
From "M.S." (05/11): "I have been
using this helmet for the last year and have been very
pleased with it.
There are is only one characteristic I don't like. The
flip down sunscreen is in the shape of two V's which I
find disconcerting. I would much prefer a simple
straight line. That's pretty much it for the negatives.
There are a number of features that I very much like.
Number one is the visibility. When I wear my Bell Arrow,
I can't see my chest due to the chin protector. The
Nolan has a much wider field of view that I prefer.
Putting the helmet on with the chin bar off is a snap,
and fastening the bar is also easy. The bar isn't as
sturdy as on the Arrow, but it certainly is much better
than none at all.
I haven't noticed a problem with fogging - I use a defog
film and it seems to work fairly well in the cold
months. I ride down to about 45.
I find the helmet a bit quieter than my Arrow. I am
riding a Suzuki V-Strom with the Madstat. Your results
may vary.
Overall I am extremely pleased with this helmet. It is
comfortable, I like how it looks, and I have much better
visibility than with a typical full face helmet. Putting
on my glasses is a snap compared to with the Arrow."
From "M.G.F." (05/11): "I’ve been using my N43
regularly for the last two months (when the weather is
above 50F). If it’s colder than that, I don’t think it
would clear fog sufficiently (even with Nolan fog lens
insert that wasn’t included).
There are some pluses and
minuses to this helmet, on balance I doubt I’d buy
another.
On the plus side the internal sun visor is a
cool idea, it doesn’t work as smoothly as it should
however and twice it has come loose from its upper
attachment and flopped down until it was resting on my
face (good think I was riding interstate highway).
I
love the concept of the removable chin bar (especially
helpful if you want a full-face type helmet without the
weight of a modular or the bother of taking your glasses
off), I just wish it didn’t press into my chin so much.
The visibility is great (in warm weather) and I
generally like the visor but wish it had an intermediate
stop or two (instead of all open or all closed).
I’ll
never like the quick release buckle system (on any
helmet) give me D-rings and a web-nylon strap any day.
Air management is Spartan but effective and the helmet
seems more than adequately vented for summer use.
The
fit is a bit rounder than my Nolan N-102, which is too
bad because my oblong head is pinched and "Nolan" fit
was my primary reason for buying another XXL Nolan."
From "J.T." (9/09): "Just received
my Nolan N43 Trilogy. It is also sold in an Outlaw
version (which seems to just be the helmet without the
chin bar and attachments).
So far the fit is slightly tighter than one might
expect of an XL jet-styled helmet, but it is comfortable
and LIGHT. Pity about the vents -- I was really
looking forward to those sliding vents but it'll be put
to the test to see if it gets too cold in Fall/Winter,
since this helmet is marketed as an all-season helmet.
The face-shield is unique in that it is spring-loaded
-- just lift the tab up halfway and it swishes up and
holds into place. That keeps it from falling down,
like my Bell Mag-8 used to do whenever I would hit a
bump with the face-shield up. Very neat!
I wanted to point out though that the Pinlock insert is
not included with the helmet -- seems that you have to
buy it separately. If Nolan has told you that it
is, then Nolan should send each of us who have bought an
N43 a Pinlock insert.
Also, I have not yet quite figured out how to put my
Cardo ScalaRider on the helmet yet, as the neckroll
seems to be in the way. I'm sure I'll figure it
out; if not, I guess I'll just have to get an N-COM
unit!
Either way, this is my first Nolan and I must say that
there is a notable and significant difference in the
quality of the fit and finish. I'll be breaking it
in these next 2 weeks, including my first attempt at a
Saddlesore 1000 (Iron Butt Association ride that is 1000
miles in under 24 hours)."
UPDATE From "J.T." (10/09): "The
N43 Trilogy is extremely comfortable although the chin
bar is too close and touches my chin when I have it in,
so I've taken to wearing it without unless I'm on a long
touring ride.
The top vent, as far as I can tell, does not flow the
air that I was hoping to get (as I didn't realize that
the US DOT version was different from the N43 Air).
It's still a great helmet though, heads and tails over
my Bell Mag-8 and my SyMax II.
I do have a question ... That Pinlock insert is
impossible to find. I can't find it online, have
yet to hear anything from Pinlock USA, and not even a
UK-based retailer can tell me anything about where to
get one.
It's extremely aggravating as the visor fogs up like
crazy at the bottom on an all-day ride. Can
anybody help me with finding a Pinlock insert, universal
or otherwise?
Editor's Reply: Pinlock visor
inserts are available
through this link to our affiliate, the Motorcycle
Superstore. However, the Pinlock inserts are
listed by helmet brand and model, so I'm not sure if a Pinlock for a
Shoei, for example, will also fit an N43.
I contacted CIMA International, the U.S. importer for
Nolan helmets, who said that they keep most parts and
accessories for all models of Nolan helmets. The
Pinlock insert for the N43 Trilogy can be ordered by
calling their toll-free number at 866-243-5638.
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