Schuberth C3 Pro Hi-Viz Helmet
5
5
5
5
This is an excellent extremely stable helmet, perfect for sport touring.
The first time I used this helmet, I put in a 500 mile day in 25-45 mph cross and head winds. This helmet was as quiet as you could reasonably expect in these conditions. More impressive than quiet was its stability. No wobbling or headshakes at all. Easily as stable or more stable than my Shoei X12 I use on the track. It's smaller, lighter, quieter and more stable than my Shoei Duotec (now retired). This is a very low volume helmet which makes it quiet but which also reduces air circulation (depending what you ride). The snug fit around the jaw line gives it added quiet but also cuts down on air that gets up underneath- this can be good or bad depending on how hot it is. Behind the screen on my GS Adventure, ventilation is reasonable given the wind protection on the bike. On my Ducati with my head in the wind, this helmet is perfect (although I don't use flip ups on the track). It has excellent visibility including when you are leaning forward on a sports bike or sports tourer. the shield is easy to change-- a little less fussy than my Shoeis. The neck fastening is a bit bulky but once positioned it seems very secure and easy to use. Size wise this definitely runs a little smaller than equivalent size Shoeis so best try some on. I mounted a dark faceshield (not available as yet on the Shoei Neotec) so I'm not using the flip down sun shield. Whether it's worth the bucks is your call but for me this is a solid purchase for beautifully made secure helmet. .
May 14, 2013
Picked this over Shoei Neotec
I was looking to replace a set of Nolan N102's for my wife and I that were getting a little worn out. We have just purchased matching Tour Master Air Intake 3 Hi Viz Mesh jackets and wanted to add a high viz helmet also. I had narrowed my search down to the Neotec Borealis and the C3 Pro. Using Revzilla's try before you buy offer (actually buy then return), I ordered one of each and wore them around the house for a while to see which I preferred. You can find my review of that helmet on the Shoei Neotec page on Revzilla.
My head measures 59cm exactly and is between an intermediate oval and long oval. I wear either L or XL typically. I ordered a large, based on Revzilla's sizing rec and it was perfect. My wife, with a 55.5 cm noggin opted for the M and fits her like a glove.
The Schuberth C3 Pro is pretty much like they say in the video, a state of the art premium modular that is packed with features. Already wearing a modular for touring, I wanted another modular and plan to wear it on my naked cruiser as well. I do sometimes wear black leather jacket and I liked the idea of a high viz helmet to increase visibility, theoretically of course. The Schuberth is high viz, and while not exactly the same color as the Tour Master, blends well with it. Compared to the Neotec, it has several features that i like. I'll move on to a Pro/Con style for the remainder of my review.
Pro:
The helmet is very light and compact. Because the shell is not as bulbous as others and has a narrow profile, it feels like it conforms to your head, without feeling cramped. In other words, it wears lighter than its weight would even suggest. This reduces neck fatigue.
It is quiet. Compared to my full face Corsair V, HJC AC-12 or the previously mentioned N102, it is remarkable how quiet this helmet really is. I always ride with ear plugs but, on the Goldwing at least, may chose not too with this helmet. There is a little wind noise, of course, but it is much more muted than I'm used to.
The sun visor works very well. It isn't optically distracting at all. It comes down low enough without touching the nose. It is dark but I always want sunglasses darker, and this is no exception. I'm not complaining, just voicing my opinion. The mechanism is smooth and is easy to find on the bottom of the left side of the helmet. As many do, you push it back to lower and forward to raise, which is counter to what it seems should happen so it takes some getting used to.
I haven't had the opportunity to ride in hot weather as I just got the helmet and it hasn't been abvet 75. In the cooler weather though, you can feel the air on your head. It felt like an air conditioner on my bald dome. The front ventilation keeps the face shield from fogging but is easy to close accidentally when lowering the flip face or shield. I call it good ventilation, which is probably all a non race intended modular that is at all quiet can muster.
The flip face latches solidly but takes a bit to get used to in order to operate with a single gloved hand. Once you figure out where the release is, it works well. It does take a firm closing and with the breath guard (and boom mike) it is easier to use two hands to close, but can be done with one if everything is positioned just right.
Even though the helmet feels narrow, I can get it on without removing my glasses. I could not on the Neotec as the neck roll was too snug to allow me to fit it on with glasses no matter what I did. This was one of the reasons I chose the Schuberth over the Shoei
The face shield is nothing too special. The detents are firm, but not as firm as the Shoie. It locks closed easily but opens easily too, unlike the Arai which takes a bit of effort to open. The city position is barely cracked open and I would prefer a little more personally. I have not tried the pinlock yet.
The front spoiler works as advertised and all but eliminates the lift, even on my unfaired bike. My full face helmets pull up pretty hard when I ride it, but not with the Schuberth. You hardly know it's there. The wind buffeting is hugely improved also. My wife really appreciated this on the back of the Wing with me. Her neck fatigue, or lack thereof, was truly amazing. Well done Schuberth.
An added safety touch is the reflective strips on the front brow of the helmet and the rear neck roll. I ride to work in the dark so I appreciate all the reflectivity I can get.
Cons:
Obviously the 800lb Gorilla is the price. It's very expensive. Is it worth $800. Only you can say. It was to me and I bought one for me and the missus.
My head is maybe a bit more long and intermediate and there is a hot spot above my forehead on the crown, about where the liner seam is on the headband. This eventually went away for me after wearing it around the house. The Shoei had exactly the same hot spot but it never went away. This was another reason for me to choose the C3 Pro. After wearing while riding for an hour or so, I did feel that hot spot return for a while, then it went away again. My wife also feels it on her head so I think it may be a function of the liner, not the shell. Who knows.
As a note, I was able to install our Sena SMH-10 coms with no trouble. You have to use the stick mount instead of clamp, but it works just great. With the helmet being so quiet, the volume setting is much lower too.
Other than the hot spot issue, which I'm still hoping will resolve completely with break in, this helmet is about all I can ask for. It is well engineered and construction is excellent.
April 29, 2013
You get what you pay for
The concept of having a full face helmet that can open up is truly a great feature. This is the helmet that originated that idea and the quality is obvious the moment you pick it up.
After a summer of back road travels and extended road trips the premium features will be well worth the money spent.
April 22, 2013
Worth every penny.
This is the best helmet I've ever owned. The fit is perfect, and it is very quiet. The ventilation system is very efficient and fully adjustable. The Pinlock anti-fog insert eliminates fogging completely.
April 22, 2013
Exceeded my highest expectations
I had so very much wanted to love this helmet... I had a terrible time just trying on the original C3: my longer-than-wide yankee American head hated the more spherical confines of the C3. The C3 Pro is just that little bit longer front to back, and it has made all the difference. My favorite full-face lids are the Arai Corsair V and the Arai Signet. The new Schuberth C3 Pro feels very similar to the Signet. I am impressed with the overall compactness of the shell (I am fitted perfectly in the Large/59cm size), and the lightness of this helmet. It is visibly smaller than my Signet, and considerably smaller then the Shoei Neotech -- which I also loved.
In the end, I went with the Schuberth C3 Pro due to its overall comfort, quality of build, features, light weight, best peripheral vision, and the integrated (optional) communications collar. I like the latching mechanism of the Neotech better, but I like the sun visor mechanism better on the Schuberth. The finish on the Shoei is stunning, yet I am all about the hi-viz neon yellow colorway these days, so score more aesthetic/safety points for the C3.
The C3 Pro fits me a tiny bit more snugly in the cheeks than the Neotech, about the same actually as the Arai Signet I wear when not wanting the modular. The Neotech is "felt" a bit more toward the occipitals -- nothing objectionable. I spent a lot of time wearing these helmets while sitting at the desk as I had to make sure I could still love them after a 10 hour day in the saddle (I didn't wear them for that long a time! And yes, my hair was always shampooed and clean). These are both "winners" and I would not hesitate taking either one cross-country. But the Schuberth C3 Pro is so light, so quiet, and so well-made... and plenty comfortable for me. There are things that bug me about any helmet... and never the same things, so I am always weighing the trade-offs. The Schuberth is not "perfect", but it is at least equal to the best and most comfortable helmet I have in the collection. It is getting an 8000 mile workout in June!!
April 9, 2013
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