Nolan N44 Helmet

I had been waiting a long time to buy this helmet. I was about to purchase a N43E, but I saw the N44 on Nolan's product page and decided to hold off. I waited for reviews to pop up, and after a few months finally bought the thing. Revzilla has an awesome return policy, so why not?

The day it arrived, it happened to be 29F out. But, I had a new helmet, and I was going to use it. I installed the Pinlock anti-fog insert and threw on some winter riding gear and warmed up the bike (2012 Kawasaki Versys). While I waited for the bike to warm up, I put on the helmet, and instantly noticed: A) How comfortable it was. I've owned several Nolan's before (N20, N104), but this is by far the most comfortable one I've owned. B) the anti-fog visor does exactly what it says it does. So stoked that it comes standard with the helmet and not as an add-on.

While not a true full-face helmet, it definitely provides greater elemental protection than the N20 I'd used until October. With the vents closed and chin bar installed, I found myself wanting a little more wind protection at my chin, but compared to an open face helmet with shield, it was great. And even with the facemask, pinlock insert, and chin bar installed, this helmet is still lighter overall than my N20 was, which is nice. The shape when in full face mode is also aerodynamic enough that there's no head-bobbling at 60-80 mph, which I had experienced - at least a little - with my N104. Overall, in full-face mode, it does exactly as I expected, so it gets five stars there.

As it has warmed up a bit, I've taken the facemask off and installed the peak, both with and without the chin bar. I'll admit the chin bar doesn't really do much without the facemask and I'm not certain as to whether or not it adds to the safety of the helmet, but it looks cool, and a large part of motorcycling is vanity. Even with the spring-loaded sun visor, you'll want some safety glasses or goggles of some sort. I use goggles, and haven't had any issues. The peak doesn't interrupt the ventilation over the top of the helmet, which is good. It has only gotten to 80F where I live, so I can't say how well the vent system up top works in real heat, but it seems to do its job as advertised pretty well. I see myself using the chin bar + peak setup through most of the summer with little issue.

I've only used the helmet with the faceshield but without the chin bar once, but the face shield was adequate enough that I felt comfortable without goggles on. I don't see myself using this configuration very often aside from in really hot, rainy conditions, but if an open-face with large shield is your thing, this helmet will do it - and well.

As for the things common to all configurations:

- The drop-down sun visor is great. When you try the helmet on the second it arrives (we all do it), the sun visor will seem to not come down far enough. I thought this, too, until I used it. In use, the visor comes down far enough to be very useful, and it is situated far enough from the eyes and nose that my low-profile goggles fit underneath it. Some will say that it isn't tinted enough, but I disagree. I don't like super-dark sunglasses, though, so your mileage may vary. Overall, the sun-visor was a deciding factor when I was helmet-shopping, and it has lived up to the hype.

- Ratcheting chin strap: This is where I'll give the N44 less-than-excellent marks. The chin straps on my N20 and my N104 were both much sturdier than this one. I find myself testing the strap every time I put it on, because there have been a few times where it popped apart when pulled. I'm currently trying to figure out how to graft the ratcheting mechanism from my N20 onto this helmet, because I was much more comfortable with it. Still, it's a great design, and can easily be removed while wearing gloves - something I can't say for the double-D ring straps out there.

- Clima-comfort liner: If you've ever owned a Nolan, you know these are great. They're soft, they're removable, they wick away moisture, and I can't speak highly enough of them. Couple that with the ventilation system in this helmet and I'm confident I won't be stopping to tear the helmet off too often come the 100F days of summer.

- Chin bar: The way it attaches is reassuring, with metal teeth that hold themselves into the helmet. The mechanism to release the chin bar is smooth but firm, and it gives a satisfying "click" when you've popped the teeth in on each side.

- The view: Everyone is touting how great the view is out of this helmet, and I've got to agree. Remember, I came to this helmet from an open-faced Nolan N20, and I don't think my vision is restricted any more in the N44 than it was in the N20. The width and depth of the eye opening when the chin bar is installed is magnificent. In fact, I have to actively search for the chin bar to be able to see it. I thought that because the chin of the helmet was so low, I'd have trouble with head-checks and looking over my shoulder, but I don't. This is one of the least restrictive helmets you'll ever wear from a visual standpoint.

Overall, this helmet is exactly what I wanted. It was great when it was 30F out, and it was great when it was 80F out. Obviously, when it's colder you'll want some neck protection, and when it's hotter you may sweat a bit. After all, it's a helmet. As far as a product meeting or exceeding my expectations, I'd say this did the job and then some. Were I to go down in it tomorrow - pending the helmet protected me from injury as advertised - I would gladly shell out the cash for another. This is one helmet that has you covered for at least three seasons, if not four. It's a great helmet, which is exactly what I've come to expect from Nolan.

I bought this helmet and returned it, after finding a few unforeseen ways in which it doesn't meet my needs. I will start with the good:

- Nolan quality is present here. High quality materials, particularly the liner.
- The Graphite color is very slick. Not totally matte, dark with metal fleck looks very good. High quality, uniform appearance.
- Visibility is unmatched.
- The micro chin strap mechanism works well

However, due to the unique design, there are a few issues which I didn't expect:

- The neck hole is small. It can be put on with the chin bar in place, but it is VERY uncomfortable to do so. You have to wiggle it into place, and mash up your ears in the process.
- The chinbar is easy enough to remove, but you have to bend it into a tighter curve in order to re-insert it, so it is difficult to do it without a mirror.
- The huge face shield presents two problems; first, it turns your face into a greenhouse, trapping lots of solar heat. Second, with a normal helmet, you can crack the shield open to the first detent and get airflow right to the nose region. With this one, however, the first detent only provides minimally more airflow, way down on your chin, which doesn't do much to help mitigate the greenhouse effect. The vent in the visor doesn't do much either.
- Noise levels are 'acceptable', but no better. I was hoping the extra neck roll and chin curtain would help isolate sounds better, but it was merely average.
- The aerodynamics are interesting. Straight on, it is fine. Buffeting from the stock windscreen on my FZ6 is always an issue, but this handles it well enough. However, when you turn your head for a head check, particularly at highway speed, it REALLY grabs the wind to twist your head around.
- The chin strap seems to be set too far close the the throat. As much as I like the zip connector, having that plastic/metal pressing on my Adam's apple is uncomfortable. I had to wear it loose to be bearable.
- The vent within the visor is strange to get used to. With the clear lexan all around it, it is like a floating black orb in the bottom of your vision, obscuring the view of the instruments.

I didn't try out the pinlock insert or the adv visor.

Overall the N44 is a very good helmet.

Pro's
~With all the configurations, it is very versatile.
~It is a great looking helmet.
~The vents work well and provide very good air flow.

Con's
~Sizing is unusual. Normally a large fits 59-60c or something less than 24". This large is listed as 61c or 24" and that is accurate.
~Tying into that last con, there is no ability to resize the helmet with pads. There are no removable pads and there is one size of liner for each helmet size. That is unfortunate.
~Tying into that last con, there are no ear indents or cavities in the liner. It feels a little weird, but you get used to it.
~The venting provides good airflow, but the N44 is also fairly loud. I wear ear plugs and still find it is pretty loud.

Overall, I like the helmet....but I don't love it.

Bought this helmet spring of 2014 and only had it a short time before hitting a deer at 65 mph. Helmet did its job flawlessly. Face plate was ground down so badly you could no longer see through it and there were various other bangs and dents in it but i suffered no head injuries at all. The rest of me didnt do quite so well. Had alittle trouble getting use to the chin strap but was getting over that. Would recommend this helmet with no reservations at all.

The N44 truly is a hybrid helmet. I have mostly worn flip-up modulars in the past, largely due to the shape of my head. Flip-ups usually have more interior space than a solid full face. The N44 isn't just the best of both worlds; it improves on flip-ups and full face in some ways. Namely, better protection than a flip, better vision and comfort than comparably-priced full faces. The venting is very effective. The face shield is sealed by rubber trim, something more helmets should do. It helps with the noise and keeping out the weather.

I was rather dubious about a snap-on chinbar, but know several riders with the N43 who rave about it. The durability seems good; their helmets have held up well over a couple of years. I don't plan on removing the bar often, so won't be wearing down the mechanism, as has happened on flip-ups I've had. (After a couple years, the flip latches can wear down so the chin bar can be released with a strong tug. This has happened on two models I've had from different manufacturers.) Is the N44 as protective as a solid full face? I don't know and hope never to find out firsthand, but it's clearly better than an open face and even some flip-ups.

The features and design are a good update from the N43. The huge face shield has its drawbacks. It's so big, there's more to get scratched and in the way. The trade off for greater visibility is worth it.

The sizing may run a little smaller than what the guide suggests, however, the Nolans all run a little small on me due to shape. I exchanged an XL for an XXL, and once I adjusted all the straps, it fit quite well.

This is an awesome helmet. I bought it to upgrade from a Bell modular that never did fit right or was comfortable. I have since retired my half helmet as well because the N44 is just that good. The air flow is impressive and I live in Hot-lanta. Vision is awesome with full face. No head bobble at highway speeds. I installed the MCS II com system for H-D. The mic boom fits well between chin bar and chin. If you want just one helmet, this is a great choice.

After a season and change with the Nolan N44, I can say that I love it. I will never buy a different helmet ever again. I feel protected, I love all the features and it fits. They run a tiny bit small, the XL is properly snug and I usually take a Large.

The field of vision is amazing. the anti-fog shield works a treat. Do not bother with the Nolan bluetooth setup that fits inside this rig, it's terrible. Better to get yourself a Sena SMH5 or SMH10.

Overall a fantastic helmet if you hate full-face ones. Try it, you may love it. If not Revzilla takes 'em back no problem!

With 6 different optional ways to wear this helmet, you get the most bang for your buck. Exceptionally light and wide field of view with or without the shield on. Plenty of air flow and I love the quickness of changing out the options without tools. Great buy.

This is my first helmet ever. Honestly, still don't know if it "fits properly" but from everything I have read and how I feel in it, I believe it does.
I just got a white '14 Monster 696 and this helmet looks awesome with it. I measured myself and was at the 23" so I ordered a Large. I have only put about 45 miles on it and believe its as broken in as its going to get. No pressure points or anything f that nature.
I have felt some buffeting when doing head checks but nothing major at all. The helmet is pretty loud though. Wind noise is really a factor here so I suggest earplugs, custom ones if you can.
I was considering the AGV Evo naked but the lack of colors kind of killed it for me where as the N44 has great color options. I ordered the white one and its not too white if you understand me since it has the black chin bar and the black vents on top.
I highly recommend this helmet for anyone who uses glasses 24/7 as I do. They allow for easy on/off as the shield is so large. At first glance the drop down sun-visor doesn't seem to come down low enough but it is more then excellent. does a great job.

It remains to be seen, but I was looking for the right combination of full-face, open face and articulation for the annual cross country trip. Comfortable good fit so far.