Hi Tony.. after watching many reviews I found yours to be the best one. I decided to go ahead and buy the N90-3 and after trying different sizes I got one that fits me well either open or closed. I do like the top vent and I can easily notice the difference when it's open [even behind my versys 650 windscreen]. Thank you again for helping motorcyclists riding safe everyday.
Thanks for the kind comment, Renato. I was impressed with this helmet in my time with it and I hope it gives you many miles of fun riding. Cheers, Tony
One thing that was not mentioned in the review is the quality of the paint on this helmet. It's above average, makes the helmet extra beautiful, not common for a helmet of this price. I've been riding with Nolan N90 for 5 years and the paint lasts against scratches pretty well. Definitely a good helmet worth buying. Took me a while to find another one in medium, but it was worth the search. Highly recommend it.
I have looked at the N100-5 and the N90-3 other than the adjustable neck roll tension in the liner I could not really identify any other differences whilst looking in the shop, the shells looked identical so does the flip mechanism.
The biggest differences are a better visor and mounting mechanism on the N100-5, a plusher lining and a one-push sun visor retraction. I hope that helps. Cheers, Tony
Hi Tony. Thanks for the review. Actually your video is one of the few reviews about this helmet and motivated me to order it from a local Canadian seller (FortNine)! Aside from the fact that it arrived used (untrustworthy seller!) I felt a few issues but have no where to double check and appreciate your comments: 1) You said this helmet comes with a pinlock 70 already installed on visor, but what I see is a pinlock (seems non-genuine, neither 70 nor 30!) taped inside the box. 2) Flipping up the chin bar and opening the helmet with my thumbs to put in on my head, it makes a lot of squeaking noise. Even a Chinese helmet 1/3 this price from amazon was not this much squeaky. 3) Even forcefully pushing down the helmet on top so my head completely goes inside the helmet, still my chin slightly hit the chin bar when helmet is closed. The helmet shape seems weirdly circular. 4) the quick release strap, even when locked at minimum (only one click passed) hurts my throat when I move my head down!
Hi Alireza, that seems quite a negative experience for you. I'll deal with your comments one by one... 1) In the video I say it's a Pinlock, but I don't specify the grade. As far as I am aware, Nolan Group makes its own Pinlocks under licence - but they don't have the very visible branding or display the grade. Try looking for a small embossed Pinlock logo as this is sometimes what's on there. In the UK the inserts are fitted to the helmet, but it may be a requirement of other markets like Canada that they cannot be fitted before sale. Most helmets sold here in the UK have the Pinlock in the box, so I wouldn't be concerned by that. 2) Without experiencing the sound you're explaining, I couldn't tell you if it was something to worry about. 3) Head shapes and sizes are all different and it may well be circular inside this helmet. My head is as wide as it is long, so that wouldn't have been an issue for me. It's not ideal to have your chin against the chinbar. 4) That issue on your throat will be because the strap is mounted too far back on the helmet to suit you. There's nothing you can do to correct that, however tightly you fasten it. Overall, I would suggest this helmet is not suited to you and I'd advise returning it for a refund or replacing with an alternative. Thanks for getting in touch and I hope you have a good experience with your retailer. Cheers, Tony
Really appreciate the review, I am considering this helmet but there are not many reviews out there yet. I am surprised that you did not mention the ESS (Emergency Stop Signal) system that is part of the helmet. Though I am in Canada, so perhaps that is not part of it across the pond.
Complete oversight on my part. It's an option over here to add the stop signal to the rear of the helmet, rather than being part of the standard. We have some more Nolan reviews coming soon and ESS will be mentioned in those. Thanks for getting in touch to point this out. Cheers, Tony
You're right, I didn't. I'm not convinced by the whole head shape thing, sorry. And there were very few customer reviews to use to give an idea whether it stays true to size. Usually I only ever refer to that if there's something striking in the reviews about sizing (such as lots of people recommending going a size up/down). In my opinion it's always best to try a helmet on for fitment purposes. If it's any help at all my head is as broad as it is long (what head shape fans would call 'round') and I found this helmet comfortable to wear. Cheers, Tony
N90-3 only issue is unwanted exterior side wind noise.. if your place your palm at side of the where trigger the inner visor location, the noise disappear.. weird ?? what am i missing here?
Windflow hitting switches can cause extra noise. To really narrow it down I'd suggest putting some gaffer tape tightly over the switch to make that shape smoother. Then you'll know if the switch is the real cause. There's probably not much you'll be able to do to rectify the noise (unless you want to leave the switch taped and ride with the sun visor permanently up or down), but it might at least solve the mystery. Cheers, Tony
okay, went to try out tape, not that efficient. instead i try plasticine clay seal around the flip up modular gap... and wear balaclava with scarf.. haha. indeed reduced wind noise by a bit. not as hollow as below. however wind noise still come back after high speed. and the helmet looks damn ugly with those plasticine clay.. T.T Guess ear plug is still the end game for all wind noise.
@@Numbie9527 Earplugs are definitely the way to go. The little foam ones are best for deadening all noise, and filtered ones like Alpine or Auritech are good for just filtering out the harmful frequencies. Helmet noise is such a difficult topic to cover in reviews, because most of it depends hugely on the riding conditions. We have consecutive customer reviews on some helmets where the first person calls it the noisiest ever and the next calls it the quietest. Cheers, Tony
Thanks for the review, mate. How does this match up against the N100-5? What does the extra £60-£80 for the N100-5 get you, and is it worth it compared to this?
It matches up pretty well actually. The N100-5 comes in two shell sizes, so smaller heads get a smaller overall helmet, and the lining is very pleasant. The lining also has a drawstring around its base to help get a closer fit around the neck to reduce noise. If you're doing big miles then I think it would be worth the extra outlay for the N100-5, but the lining on the N90-3 is also nice and comfy and I'd be perfectly happy with that helmet too. Thanks for getting in touch and I hope that helps. Cheers, Tony
Hi, there's no dedicated channel for spectacle arms, but one of our team wears specs and an N90-3 and he finds there's plenty of room for them in the helmet. I hope that helps. Cheers, Tony
The procedure for removing and refitting the lining is explained in the owners manual for the helmet. If you no longer have your manual, you can download one from Nolan here... www.nolan.it/manuali/ISTR000000169_-_09_2020_-_N90-3_ece.pdf Cheers, Tony
Japanese-made helmets like the Shoei are always worth the money, as long as you have it. You don't need to spend that amount to have a decent helmet and the N90-3 is very good value for money if you can't (or don't want to) stretch to a top-line helmet like the Neotec 2 (bear in mind it's a £300 jump from this helmet to a Shoei). Thanks for getting in touch. Cheers, Tony
Hi Tony.. after watching many reviews I found yours to be the best one. I decided to go ahead and buy the N90-3 and after trying different sizes I got one that fits me well either open or closed. I do like the top vent and I can easily notice the difference when it's open [even behind my versys 650 windscreen]. Thank you again for helping motorcyclists riding safe everyday.
Thanks for the kind comment, Renato. I was impressed with this helmet in my time with it and I hope it gives you many miles of fun riding. Cheers, Tony
Who's here from Jordan Howlett?
Me!
@@syedzaqwanhassan5263you got me
Thanks - very helpful for my decision making process...
Great helmet comfortable and easy to use, I use ear plugs to reduce wind noise to a comfortable level without compromising safty.
Thanks👍
One thing that was not mentioned in the review is the quality of the paint on this helmet. It's above average, makes the helmet extra beautiful, not common for a helmet of this price. I've been riding with Nolan N90 for 5 years and the paint lasts against scratches pretty well. Definitely a good helmet worth buying. Took me a while to find another one in medium, but it was worth the search. Highly recommend it.
I have looked at the N100-5 and the N90-3 other than the adjustable neck roll tension in the liner I could not really identify any other differences whilst looking in the shop, the shells looked identical so does the flip mechanism.
The biggest differences are a better visor and mounting mechanism on the N100-5, a plusher lining and a one-push sun visor retraction. I hope that helps. Cheers, Tony
Thank you.
Hi Tony. Thanks for the review. Actually your video is one of the few reviews about this helmet and motivated me to order it from a local Canadian seller (FortNine)! Aside from the fact that it arrived used (untrustworthy seller!) I felt a few issues but have no where to double check and appreciate your comments:
1) You said this helmet comes with a pinlock 70 already installed on visor, but what I see is a pinlock (seems non-genuine, neither 70 nor 30!) taped inside the box.
2) Flipping up the chin bar and opening the helmet with my thumbs to put in on my head, it makes a lot of squeaking noise. Even a Chinese helmet 1/3 this price from amazon was not this much squeaky.
3) Even forcefully pushing down the helmet on top so my head completely goes inside the helmet, still my chin slightly hit the chin bar when helmet is closed. The helmet shape seems weirdly circular.
4) the quick release strap, even when locked at minimum (only one click passed) hurts my throat when I move my head down!
Hi Alireza, that seems quite a negative experience for you. I'll deal with your comments one by one...
1) In the video I say it's a Pinlock, but I don't specify the grade. As far as I am aware, Nolan Group makes its own Pinlocks under licence - but they don't have the very visible branding or display the grade. Try looking for a small embossed Pinlock logo as this is sometimes what's on there. In the UK the inserts are fitted to the helmet, but it may be a requirement of other markets like Canada that they cannot be fitted before sale. Most helmets sold here in the UK have the Pinlock in the box, so I wouldn't be concerned by that.
2) Without experiencing the sound you're explaining, I couldn't tell you if it was something to worry about.
3) Head shapes and sizes are all different and it may well be circular inside this helmet. My head is as wide as it is long, so that wouldn't have been an issue for me. It's not ideal to have your chin against the chinbar.
4) That issue on your throat will be because the strap is mounted too far back on the helmet to suit you. There's nothing you can do to correct that, however tightly you fasten it.
Overall, I would suggest this helmet is not suited to you and I'd advise returning it for a refund or replacing with an alternative. Thanks for getting in touch and I hope you have a good experience with your retailer. Cheers, Tony
Really appreciate the review, I am considering this helmet but there are not many reviews out there yet. I am surprised that you did not mention the ESS (Emergency Stop Signal) system that is part of the helmet. Though I am in Canada, so perhaps that is not part of it across the pond.
Complete oversight on my part. It's an option over here to add the stop signal to the rear of the helmet, rather than being part of the standard. We have some more Nolan reviews coming soon and ESS will be mentioned in those. Thanks for getting in touch to point this out. Cheers, Tony
Thanks for the review. I don’t think you mentioned anything about fitment, as in round, oval or long oval as well as true to size or not.
You're right, I didn't. I'm not convinced by the whole head shape thing, sorry. And there were very few customer reviews to use to give an idea whether it stays true to size. Usually I only ever refer to that if there's something striking in the reviews about sizing (such as lots of people recommending going a size up/down). In my opinion it's always best to try a helmet on for fitment purposes. If it's any help at all my head is as broad as it is long (what head shape fans would call 'round') and I found this helmet comfortable to wear. Cheers, Tony
N90-3 only issue is unwanted exterior side wind noise.. if your place your palm at side of the where trigger the inner visor location, the noise disappear.. weird ?? what am i missing here?
Windflow hitting switches can cause extra noise. To really narrow it down I'd suggest putting some gaffer tape tightly over the switch to make that shape smoother. Then you'll know if the switch is the real cause. There's probably not much you'll be able to do to rectify the noise (unless you want to leave the switch taped and ride with the sun visor permanently up or down), but it might at least solve the mystery. Cheers, Tony
okay, went to try out tape, not that efficient. instead i try plasticine clay seal around the flip up modular gap... and wear balaclava with scarf.. haha. indeed reduced wind noise by a bit. not as hollow as below. however wind noise still come back after high speed. and the helmet looks damn ugly with those plasticine clay.. T.T
Guess ear plug is still the end game for all wind noise.
@@Numbie9527 Earplugs are definitely the way to go. The little foam ones are best for deadening all noise, and filtered ones like Alpine or Auritech are good for just filtering out the harmful frequencies. Helmet noise is such a difficult topic to cover in reviews, because most of it depends hugely on the riding conditions. We have consecutive customer reviews on some helmets where the first person calls it the noisiest ever and the next calls it the quietest. Cheers, Tony
Thanks for the review, mate. How does this match up against the N100-5? What does the extra £60-£80 for the N100-5 get you, and is it worth it compared to this?
It matches up pretty well actually. The N100-5 comes in two shell sizes, so smaller heads get a smaller overall helmet, and the lining is very pleasant. The lining also has a drawstring around its base to help get a closer fit around the neck to reduce noise. If you're doing big miles then I think it would be worth the extra outlay for the N100-5, but the lining on the N90-3 is also nice and comfy and I'd be perfectly happy with that helmet too. Thanks for getting in touch and I hope that helps. Cheers, Tony
Hi is it comfortable to wear spectacles
Hi, there's no dedicated channel for spectacle arms, but one of our team wears specs and an N90-3 and he finds there's plenty of room for them in the helmet. I hope that helps. Cheers, Tony
How do you take the liner out to put your bluetooth in
The procedure for removing and refitting the lining is explained in the owners manual for the helmet. If you no longer have your manual, you can download one from Nolan here... www.nolan.it/manuali/ISTR000000169_-_09_2020_-_N90-3_ece.pdf Cheers, Tony
Hi, Is it worth paying more for Shoei Neotec 2?
Japanese-made helmets like the Shoei are always worth the money, as long as you have it. You don't need to spend that amount to have a decent helmet and the N90-3 is very good value for money if you can't (or don't want to) stretch to a top-line helmet like the Neotec 2 (bear in mind it's a £300 jump from this helmet to a Shoei). Thanks for getting in touch. Cheers, Tony
1660 in what size?
Apologies, that's for a size medium. Cheers, Tony
Also, I'm pretty sure this is the n120-1, not the n90-3. I don't think the n90-3 can do that