NOS NS-15F Modular Helmet – Winning Bet – [ROAD TEST] (2024)

I'm going to start this test off with a bang, but it's worth getting to the end... Is a modular helmet really safe? All enthusiasts have had to deal with topics like this, and modular helmets, or helmets with a chin guard that rotates on the shell, have always divided motorcyclists between those in favor and those against, with arguments and opinions of all kinds (and imagination). But then, you want practicality or necessity, many have tried some and over time, maybe even changed their mind. I am one of these, but each of us if not in first person, surely has a motorcyclist friend who already uses one or more modular helmets, or not?

Well, taking the opportunity to also delve deeper into the concept linked to the safety of these helmets, today we are going to tell you about the road test of the new modular helmet from the NOS Helmets range, the NOS NS-15F, hoping to shed light on an aspect that is too often underestimated.

After having already tested two helmets from the range NATIONS, or the road one NS-10 (click here) that the dual sport/crossover NS-9 (click here), today we try the new modular NS-15F which is presented on the market with the necessary approval to be used with the chin guard raised. This means that it has the safety requirements necessary for the relevant approval, and on this point a great distinction must be made between the modular systems on the market, because if you intend to use the chin guard raised only when stopped at traffic lights, for example to talk or take a breath, one modular helmet is as good as another, while to ride with the chin guard raised, not everyone knows that a specific approval is required, which this NOS NS-15F has. This point should not be underestimated because it is an arrow in its bow and determines the quality of the product, which cannot be questioned. If you didn't know, and you use a modular, Check whether the approval shown on the label of your helmet is indicated with P (Protective) or P/J (Protective/Jet). In the first case, your modular helmet cannot be used with the chin guard raised.

I was talking about it with an acquaintance, very critical of modular helmets, who however once on the bike still wears the fantastic Arai replica Doohan bought in 2008. It is true that it is beautiful, but displayed on a noticeboard, and not on someone's head even today. Thinking before speaking would do many people good especially in the Social era, but the reference to Arai is also useful because Ber Racing Europe, that is, the manufacturer and distributor of the NOS Helmets brand, who among other things “directly directs its development”, is the same one who has been importing Arai into Italy for 40 years, and knows well what he is doing, as demonstrated by his products.

NOS Helmets It is a brand that can count on the vast experience of Ber Racing Europe, creates and offers quality products, and those who already know the brand because they have chosen it, are also well aware of how good the quality is, and in relation to the price it is further valued. In the catalog, today NOS Helmets offers every type of helmet, all characterized by good workmanship and a pleasant attention to detail, but also to aesthetics that, as we know, never hurts. However, an important aspect to underline is that in these years of continuous product development, the search for perfection has never stopped. Today the new NS-15Fnot only does it improve the brand's offering in the modular panorama, but it also presents itself as avery interesting helmet for the refinements it brings as a dowry.

HOW IT'S MADE – NOS NS-15F

We have already talked about the homologation in relation to the safety offered, now we add that it is a helmet made “totally” made of fibreglass, and therefore unlike other helmets which are perhaps more famous, the chin guard also benefits from the same material as the shell, placing it in a very high product range if we talk about safety as well as quality. Obviously, being a helmet entirely made of fiber, it is very light and well balanced, even when used with the chin guard raised.
Another factor to analyze is that modular helmets often produce a notable impact on the air, which is not always easily improved (and I can guarantee this having participated in the development of some similar products). To optimize the performance of the NOS NS-15F on the march, A study on the design in the wind tunnel has allowed to optimize thenoise which is in fact particularly modest, as well asthe ventilation that for this model has been developed by perfectly integrating the air intakes into the shape of the shell and the chin guard. Thanks to these technical choices, and the choice of a particularly rounded shape from every angle, it is a helmet that can easily be chosen to tackle long distances covered.

Some additional practical elements should also be noted: the internal sunvisor with the right degree of darkening., the double ring locking system provided for all products NOS Helmets in fibre like many high-end peers, and the customisable, hypoallergenic and hand-sewn interiors, which are just some of the valuable features of this helmet, which also surprises and impresses with the pleasant colours offered in the range.

ROAD TEST – THE TEST

I chose to deal with this topic more as a tester than as a journalist, so beyond the pleasant interest in a valid product, I tried to use the maximum of the skills in my possession to describe every sensation during the road test.
The ease of entry and exit makes the helmet pleasant to wear. from the first use. The overall comfort in contact with the skin is good, and the helmet shows good breathability. Whether you are riding a scooter on an urban stretch or on the highway on a sport tourer, even the maneuverability of the chin strap never suffers, which in a modular helmet is not at all a given precisely by virtue of the impact on the air that produces the "sail effect" when riding with the chin guard raised.

With the chin guard lowered, the helmet appears well-balanced while riding, and shows no problems even after long journeys, but even with the chin guard raised the perception of weight appears well-balanced. and the minimal air space taken up by the helmet as a whole is appreciated, also considering the tester's height of one metre and ninety centimetres.

AERODYNAMICS, SILENCE AND VENTILATION

With the chin guard closed the helmet did not show any specific problems due to speed or noise, and during the test of over 3000km it did not show any sagging, remaining correctly adherent to the tester's skull during its use.
With the chin guard raised, for a modular helmet it did not show any noteworthy problems, and in terms of aerodynamics it is a really well made product.
Ventilation is noticeable from every air vent and nothing has ever appeared to represent this, so the minimum amount of air flow that is perceived while travelling is more attributable to good ventilation than to problems or limitations of the product.

Even when wearing winter gloves, the levers and vents are easy to operate., the chin guard opens and lifts with an ease that is enviable by other premium products and also the opening of the visor, which offers the Pin Lock as standard, or the raising/lowering of the Sun Visor, are always easily manageable.
The latter offers a good degree of darkness and protection, is correctly sized and its actuation mechanism did not show any difference in operation during the long test, which is not at all a given, especially in relation to the rustling and vibrations associated with helmet models in this price range and with this type of integrated sun visor that I happened to use.

CONCLUSIONS AND ANALYSIS

I can only be satisfied with a product like the NOS NS-15F, offered at a list price of less than 400 euros. Since the eye also wants its part, noticing every neat finish and the top quality fabrics chosen for the interior upholstery, increases the pleasure of owning and using it. The only thing I feel like reporting is the sizing of the helmet area in the cheek area, not in size but in size. It's something purely personal, but using it (sometimes) in the city with the chin guard up, I would have liked to have an extra centimeter of cheek wrapped and protected by the helmet. Nothing problematic, to be honest from the second day of use the feeling disappeared, but reporting this perception also gives an idea of ​​the honesty of the writer, given the considerable and justifiable compliments to this helmet.

And just looking for the needle in the haystack, I noticed a couple of dust spots under the transparent layer of the cap, but nothing that affects the beauty and quality of the product. Given the good feeling with this NOS Helmets helmet, I also used it during an international presentation of a motorbike in Spain, and even then it proved to be more than up to the task.. In the company of journalists in the sector, discussing the helmet, I was made aware of how the air intakes were not painted in the same colour as the helmet. Personally, I imagine that the choice (which I don't mind) is linked to an economy of scale that allows the buyer to be rewarded with a very aggressive price. So, having said this, if you were looking for a good modular helmet, satisfy your curiosity by going to see and try one NOS NS-15F, because it's worth it. And in case you want something more exclusive, the range offers the same product but in high quality carbon fiber, beautiful, which is called NS-15C.

TECHNICAL DATA

Outer shell made of composite fiberglass and in two sizes;
Inner shell made of EPS with differentiated density and in two sizes;
Fabrics made of “super dry fresh”, breathable, hypoallergenic, washable and with the possibility of customization;
Double ring locking system;
Sun-visor with optical filter with anti-scratch treatment like the visor, and protection from UV rays;
Mack Efficency 3 ventilation system

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