Flip-up helmets were made by riders constantly wanting to communicate at intersections and being unable to remove their entire helmet.
The Crown Racing FL900 addresses this issue with a flip-up chin bar, two separate visors and a spare visor in the box. It is priced at the entry level. Therefore the carbon fiber pattern is simply paint and we could not verify the noise levels for the FL900 see it on amazon. If the flip-up function is more important than having the lightest helmet on your head then the FL900 is worth checking out.
Specs and Build Quality
Crown Racing's FL900 features a flip-up chin bar that flips up and down via a button located near the temple area (on the left side of your helmet.) the button locks/unlocks the chin bar and allows you to go from full face to open-face mode.
The outer shell has a carbon fiber finish. This is a painted finish that resembles the appearance of a real carbon fiber weave, it is not actually made of real carbon composite materials. It looks good from a distance, but the shell itself is made of standard composite or ABS plastic. The helmet comes with an additional clear replacement visor. The additional visor is a great bonus, as the replacement visors of big name brands are typically expensive.
The sizing of the FL900 follows the standard m-l-XL adult helmet sizing ladder. The product page suggests measuring your head size against the size chart prior to placing your order. Modular helmets fit differently than full face helmets due to the addition of the hinged chin bar which changes the internal dimensions of the helmet. Take the time to follow the chart versus relying solely on your previous helmet purchase size.
As stated previously, there was no listed weight for this helmet and we couldn't determine the noise levels either. Typically all modular helmets are heavier than their full face counterparts due to the added reinforcement of the hinge mechanism. We'll refrain from guessing.
Modular helmets have a well-known structural weakness at the hinge area. Organizations such as Snell assess modular helmets more closely than traditional full face helmets due to this weakness. DOT certification does not assess this type of structural weakness.
Using the Flip-up Chin Bar in Day-to-day Riding
You push a button on the side of the helmet and swing the chin bar up. Your face is now visible and you may speak with whoever is next to you. To put the chin bar back in place, you pull it downward until it clicks shut again. The functionality is identical to that of many high end modular helmets. however, they're constructed at a lower quality.
When stopped at a red light, there really isn't anything easier than flipping the chin bar up, speaking with someone next to you, and closing it. There is no need to take your helmet off or deal with dangling straps.
There is some benefit for anyone who regularly stops for extended periods or enjoys talking casually while riding with friends. Riders that commonly stop for short periods to chat with fellow riders would greatly enjoy this aspect of this helmet.
There is a structural gap created at the chin bar and main shell interface which differs modular helmets from full face helmets in terms of how each performs in a crash. Organizations such as Snell generally give a higher rating of caution regarding modular helmets compared to full face helmets based on this weak point at the hinge. DOT certification does not address this particular structural weakness.
The lever to unlock and lock the chin bar needs to be deliberately pulled or pushed and does not move accidentally during regular riding, which is exactly what you want.
Two Visors, One Inner Sun Shield That Slides Up and Down
This helmet comes equipped with a dual visor system consisting of a clear outer visor and a retractable inner sun visor. The clear outer visor serves as your daily driver. Scratching either visor reduces visibility regardless of the quality of everything else in the helmet. Having a second clear visor included in the packaging represents true value-addition.
Using one of these visors is easy as snapping off and on using standard pin-and-socket systems used by most mid-range helmets. You can replace third party visors if you wish to install a tinted visor on your helmet. you won't need to hunt down Crown Racing branded products.
What Do Amazon Reviewers Say About the FL900?
Amazon has given the Crown Racing FL900 four stars (average rating), across forty-six total reviews. While our sample size is small, we noticed some trends among them. The majority of reviewers mentioned purchasing this helmet specifically for its ability to open without completely removing their entire helmet. Many reviewers said they appreciated the ability to talk while stopped at heavy traffic intersections.
Several reviewers commented positively about receiving an additional clear visor included with their new helmet. They also praised both visors provided in this package.
Many reviewers said that this helmet ran slightly larger than expected and recommended ordering one size smaller than their typical fitting. A couple noted that opening/closing the flip-up chin bar increased the amount of bulk surrounding the jawline area adding tightness to the fit.
One reviewer pointed out poor ventilation in closed-face mode at slow speeds, typical of modular helmets. As long as you keep your chin bar flipped up then ventilation becomes non-issue.
Reviews had varied opinions about how realistic-looking was the carbon fiber painted finish. Some thought it looked fantastic, while others thought it looked somewhat fake when looking closely. This is because it is simply a painted finish designed to mimic the appearance of real carbon fiber and not actual carbon composite materials.
Who Should Buy This Helmet?
Delivery drivers, commuters who often stop for extended periods, and casual riders who prefer opening their helmet without removing the entire unit are best suited for purchasing this helmet. Casual riders who frequently talk to other riders while riding together in traffic will truly appreciate this feature.
Avoid this helmet if your number one priority is to protect yourself in case of an accident or carrying as much weight as possible on your head. All modular helmets offer a structural compromise at the hinge which reduces their overall crashworthiness. Modular helmets weigh significantly more than similar full face helmets and are therefore not suitable for long stretches of high speed highway travel. Full face helmets are still your safest bet for these types of rides.
If you want other options in this category, compare them in the helmet table. More buying guides live on the blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to quick questions prior to deciding if a modular helmet fits into your riding style.
Is the Crown Racing FL900 DOT Certified?
Yes. The FL900 meets DOT certification standards to fmvss no. 218, which governs all motorcycle helmets sold in the u.s. Under federal law. Fmvss no. 218 defines minimum requirements for testing basic impact absorption and retention testing of shells. However, it does not define independent third party safety assessments conducted by entities such as Snell foundation, which independently conduct crash tests and rate helmets according to their own criteria.
Does the FL900 Come Equipped with a Visor Installed?
Yes. The FL900 comes pre-installed with a clear outer visor, along with a sliding inner sun visor. You can adjust the inner sun visor to sit anywhere along the slider track within the eyeport, and remove/reinstall the outer visor easily using a standard pin-and-socket fastening method.
How Does the Flip-up Mechanism Feel Like While Riding?
The chin bar lock lever is positioned on one side of your head and requires a deliberate action to disengage/lock in order to open/close the chinbar. The lever does not unintentionally open/close while riding normally. conversely, it provides ease-of-use when stopped at traffic lights.
Which Size Should I Order?
The product page strongly recommends comparing your head measurements against our size chart instead of merely relying upon your past experience with helmet sizes. Based upon our customer reviews, many customers suggested that they ordered a size smaller than they normally wear for comfort.
Can I Purchase a Tinted Visor for This Helmet?
The pin-and-socket fasteners used for attaching/removing visors are common throughout many intermediate range motorcycles helmets. Therefore, third party visors should be readily available for purchase through various after-market helmet part manufacturers. You don't have to seek Crown Racing branded visors, thereby allowing for greater flexibility when choosing colors or tints for your desired upgrade.