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Registrato dal: 29 Nov 2005
ubicazione: The Netherlands
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KBC FFR Helmet
wBW Reviews Home | Comments From Owners (Below)
by "Burn". for webBikeWorld
Flip-up motorcycle helmets seem to evolve at about the same rate as the motorcycle footpeg.
We keep thinking that the market for flip-up (aka modular) helmets will take off any day now, and we'll see light weight, quiet flip-up helmets that meet DOT, ECE 22.05 and the Holy Grail for U.S. riders, Snell approval.
Don't hold your breath. We'll probably see the water-cooled Moto Guzzi first.
This is puzzling, because flip-up helmets seem to have so much to offer. Sort of the best of both worlds; a combination of the full-face and 3/4 length helmet.
But most of the designs that are currently available have been around for three or four cycles more than their full-face counterparts made by the same manufacturer.
For example, the Shoei Syncrotec was released back in the days of the RF-800 if I recall? Since then, we've had the RF-900, the RF-1000 and the X-11 yet the Syncrotec is still soldiering on. The helmet manufacturers probably know something we don't, I'm sure, and I guess they don't see a lot of sales for flip-up helmets.
So it's always good when a new flip-up helmet is released. KBC has been touting their new FFR in print magazine articles for several months, long before it was actually available. We finally got to see one at the recent Powersports Dealer Expo in Indianapolis (see our show report), the place for U.S. motorcycle dealers to go once a year to see what's new in motorcycle accessories.
We tried to get a pre-production model sent from KBC, and they kept promising to send us one, but they never came through, so we ended up having to wait until the FFR was released for sale. This FFR "Freeze" model is claimed to be a limited edition. The FFR is also available in a modest "Infinity" pattern and in five solid colors.
Design and Styling
On first glance, the FFR holds much promise. It has an appealing design and immediately looks like a modern flip-up helmet, compared to the competition. The Freeze graphics are interesting in one regard; the helmet has a matte, or flat, finish. This seems to be a popular type of finish on many European motorcycles, but I'm not sure that it will really catch on here in the Land of Bling.
KBC has added a few very nice details on the FFR. The KBC logo on the brow of the helmet isn't just a plain old decal - it's a 3D appliqué that looks like a porcelain cloisonné, even though it's made from vinyl. It gives a rich look to the helmet, especially with the metal-look top vent and chin vent. The vent openings are actually a type of plastic, but look like aluminum all the same.
The rear of the FFR has two nicely integrated exhaust sections, covered in brass-colored real metal screen. These touches of metal also give the helmet a rich look, especially with the Freeze graphic's matte finish.
All of this would be nice, but let's face it - looks don't contribute to the evolution of the breed. Where the FFR is very different is in the flip-up mechanism, which uses real, live metal, and lots of it. As we shall see, this has its pros and cons, because metal weighs more than plastic, all things considered.
MagCam Visor Latch System
Open the FFR's flip-up visor and you'll immediately feel the difference. The single chin latch underneath the visor has a very positive feel. It can easily be pulled forward to unlatch the visor.
Flipping the visor into the up position reveals a very smooth action with a positive "click" when the visor reaches its uppermost limit.
KBC calls it their "MagCam" visor system, and it also includes metal latches inside the visor that mate to two metal receivers in the lower part of the helmet.
The MagCam system apparently is KBC's answer to the concerns voiced by many potential flip-up helmet wearers regarding the strength of the more commonly used plastic latch systems found in just about every other flip-up (or modular) helmet.
But the MagCam system doesn't mean that the FFR has any special protective qualities. It meets the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements and carries the DOT label but does not have a Snell approval. The FFR is sold in Europe, and although there is no information on the KBC website regarding ECE 22-05 approval, it must meet those requirements when sold there, so we can assume that it does meet the stringent ECE 22-05 requirements.
It's interesting to note that KBC's website states that the FFR "Meets or Exceeds All major worldwide safety standards and tests." I guess they don't consider Snell to be a "worldwide safety standard".
So the American helmet owner is left once again to try and determine if a flip-up helmet will provide any more or less protection than a full-face style. Someday, maybe, Snell or someone else will develop a thorough and meaningful standard for flip-up (and other) motorcycle helmets that will help consumers make intelligent decisions...
FFR Helmet Weight
As we mentioned above, there is a drawback to the metal-based MagCam visor system, and that's weight.
The FFR in size XL weighs a massive 4 lbs., 1-3/4 oz., or 1865 grams, which is far more than even the next heaviest helmet we've reviewed, the full-face Schuberth S1.
See the wBW Motorcycle Helmet FAQ page for much more information on choosing motorcycle helmets, including a weight comparison chart for every helmet we've reviewed.
On the flip side (pun intended!), I must say that although the FFR did feel slightly heavy when I first lifted it out of the box, and before I put it on the scales, I wouldn't have guessed that it weighed over 4 pounds. However, once underway, the FFR feels all of its weight and then some.
On the Road
It's one of the few helmets I've tried that suffers from lift, which results in a feeling that the helmet is trying to pull back and off my head as I ride. This is surprising, because KBC claims that the FFR "no noticeable drag or lift, this due to the low center of gravity provided due to the MagCam system which allows the face guard to move into a lower position when opened and to click into a firm open position".
The FFR seems to be more affected by turbulence and buffeting than most, and this is especially noticeable when I turn my head from side-to-side during a ride. The internal shape doesn't help matters - the FFR feels like it sits very high on my head; I keep trying to push the top down and pull the chin bar forward to keep the helmet in place.
Helmet Fit
The chin seems like it's right up under my nose, while the top of the visor opening seems way up in back of my eyebrows. The shape, combined with the lift problem, means that I can never get comfortable in the FFR and I feel like I constantly have to adjust it, but I never seem to be able to find a comfortable position.
The internal shape will probably fit round heads best. It seems to be flatter on top, round along the sides by the temple area, and slightly narrow at the bottom. The two magnesium metal receivers on either side of the lower front portion of the helmet dig in to my neck, just below the back of my lower jaw. So far, it hasn't resulted in any pain, but it is noticeable, especially after several hours of riding and combined with the excessive lift.
Unlike many other flip-up helmets, there is a decent amount of chin room in the FFR. It's about equal to a full-face helmet, so just about everyone except Jay Leno should have no problems with front-to-back fit.
Liner
The FFR's liner is unexceptional. The liner material is rather basic and not very soft; nowhere near the ultra-comfortable liner of the Shark RSR, for example.
Just for the record, when we review helmets, we usually always use a "naked" bike, sans fairing.
Your experience will most probably differ, because every motorcycle and rider will have a unique combination of air flow and each individual's helmet fit is different.
We also always wear correctly fitted earplugs and an accessory helmet liner when reviewing a motorcycle helmet. See the wBW Earplugs and Hearing Protection page for more information on choosing and fitting earplugs.
And earplugs will probably be a necessity for the FFR - my opinion is that this is one noisy helmet. When sitting upright, the FFR seems to generate a higher frequency "rushing" noise that emanates from the top of the helmet.
This is apparently caused by the rotating "ears" of the flip-up visor, which have a small gap that catches the air as it flows over the helmet
Venting
The top vent also generates lots of noise when open; it's a big scoop that pops open by pressing a button, and the scoop sticks right out in the air stream. The upside is that it lets in lots of air -- the FFR probably has better air flow than any other flip-up we've tried.
The chin vent also lets in lots of air, directing it up on to the back of the visor, which also helps for demisting.
Overall, the FFR gets a thumbs-up for cooling and air flow, and other than the big pop-up grain scoop on top, it does this without all the extraneous doodads and geegaws that most helmet designers seem to prefer nowadays.
The FFR uses the tried-and-true D-ring attachment system, and the straps include a plastic snap to secure the loose end. The D-ring system is the best helmet attachment system available -- it's simple, it has no moving parts, it's infinitely adjustable and it works.
Conclusion
I really wanted to like the FFR. From its interesting "Freeze" finish to the metal latch system, it holds lots of promise. I could probably even get past the weight issue if the weight was evenly distributed. But the fit just doesn't work for me. The helmet feels top heavy, and when combined with the lift problem, it feels like it's being pulled off the back of my head. It's also relatively noisy.
To be honest, I think the Vega Summit XPV is still the flip-up to beat. Although it also is relatively heavy (a common problem in flip-up design, apparently), it has a comfortable liner and its weight is more evenly distributed. And I'm not just saying that because we have an affiliation with MotorcycleHelmets.net, who sells Vega helmets. Our goal is to provide our visitors with information to help them make informed purchasing decisions, and that's the way I see it.
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Semplicemente....Harl....ehm Honda
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