The bottom edge of the sun shade on the X-1002 can end up in the rider’s line of sight if the rider is sitting in a more-or-less upright riding position, like on a touring bike. With the flip-up visor closed, the external sun shade can be rotated through two positions, from fully raised and out of the line of sight, to half-closed, to fully closed, where the top of the sun shade rests against the top of the clear helmet visor. The distortion problem, when present, can range from annoying to painful - we’ve tried at least one sun shade equipped helmet that has enough distortion to give the wearer a headache.
#X LITE HELMET FREE#
We’re not sure if the placement of the sun shade on the outside of the X-1002’s clear visor does the trick, but it does seem to be free of the distortion that plagues every other sun shade equipped helmet we’ve tried. This time, it’s attached to the outside of the visor, with its own rotating mechanism. The X-1002 is the latest iteration of sun-shade mania. We can’t help but feel that the rotating sun shade concept is simply a way to justify a higher price for the helmet. Unfortunately, we haven’t found a helmet with a sun shade design that has been executed successfully, including the cost-no-object SCHUBERTH S1. Motorcycle helmet manufacturers must have some research indicating that motorcyclists are clamoring for rotating sun shade visors, because the sun shade concept seems to be getting lots of attention lately. Or it may have something to do with the X-1002’s feature set, which probably adds to the cost - an external sun shade, a unique chin strap retention system and a dual latch arrangement to lift the visor. dollar is taking against the Euro (the X-1002 is made in Italy)? We’re not sure about the logic behind Nolan’s U.S. Sure, the Vega has its faults also, but we’d rather be a victim of the “under-promise and over-deliver” experience than vice versa. Maybe price is a factor, because the X-1002 retails at a whopping $359.99, which makes it one of the highest-priced flip-up helmets available.Ĭonsidering that our favorite flip-up so far has been the Vega Summit XPV at only $129.99, is the X-1002 two-and-a-half times as good? In any event, the X-1002 is a relatively unknown step-sister of the more common N100, at least in the U.S.A. Who knows what strange compulsions lurk in the minds of the marketeers who think up these strategies? Price The X-1002 helmet has a big “Nolan” logo on the front, and a smaller “X-lite” logo underneath.īut the owner’s manual, helmet bag and other information make no mention of the Nolan brand. Nolan also owns the X-lite brand name, which is more commonly known in Europe than in the U.S., and Nolan markets a line of helmets using that name.Īs often happens when companies mix and match corporate brands, the end result can be confusion for the consumer. Nolan is well known for its N100 flip-up, marketed under the Nolan brand. The Nolan X-lite X-1002 also promises something unique and different. The recently released KBC FFR is one of the latest designs, but as we discovered in the recent webBikeWorld review, it’s somewhat disappointing, mainly due to its mass and inability to control noise.
In the meantime, flip-up helmet design seems to be going in the opposite direction. It would weigh in the neighborhood of 1550 to 1600 grams and have plenty of chin room, along with a visor that rotates with one hand yet closes as tight as a vault.Īnd by the way, it should sell for around $250.00 to $300.00. It would meet all worldwide safety standards, with a comfortable and removable liner, have excellent ventilation and it would be as quiet as the best of the full-face helmets.
Someday, maybe, we’ll see the perfect flip-up motorcycle helmet. Two hands needed to rotate the flip-up visor. The Nolan X-1002 flip-up helmet is relatively expensive, louder than average and somewhat uncomfortable due to a thin liner.
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