Modern Vespa

I use a Nolan N30 open face helmet and want to add forehead vents. Shoei sells them with sliding covers. Has anyone ever added these?

I think the Shoei parts you're seeing are either replacement parts, or accessories to replace existing smaller vents in an existing hole in a Shoei helmet*

While most of us believe we live in a free country, and you are more than welcome to do what you'd like, I'm not sure taking a Dremmel tool to a helmet is the greatest idea ever, or even in the top 10.

Nolan paperwork that comes the the helmet probably says don't paint, put stickers on, make holes or add bunny ears, clean with nasty solvents, drop, or otherwise modify your helmet.

All that being said, I will not discourage you, and hope to see images of your Dremmel work in the near future. The Shoei vents are $4 so skip the Starbucks for two days, and it will be a wash.

*I looked at all of the current helmets and saw no accessory vents listed for any of their road helmets; so that's what leads me to think they are replacement or modification parts.

You're right about the replacement parts. I thought, since they are so cheap, that I would just order them to see if I could make it work. If I try it, I will post pictures of the work in progress.

Drilling holes in your helmet is not a wise move. Perhaps locating a helmet that has better ventilation is a option?

Biggest issue isn't the front vent - it's getting the air to flow through. So get the rear vents off say a R1000 and then you'll need to groove the Styrofoam to provide channels. Sounds fun - I'm interested in seeing how it works out for you. In my quest for a good helmet I've discounted two because of poor ventilation. Be cool to DO something about that...

Helmets that have vents have corresponding tracks through the inside of the helmet - it's all part of the manufacturing process.

You're going to end up with holes in the outer shell that do nothing since behind that shell will be styrofoam.

I'll bet the OP is on the ball enough to determine where the vents would go, and look on the inside to ensure they'll do some good.

As previously posted on right here on MV - here's a graphic - forehead vents would be in a place that is only in the top 3-4 main impact locations, and exhaust vents would be in an even less impacted location.



While not for discussion, the state the OP is from doesn't even require helmets - when you meet certain age and medical requirements. So good for you helmet wearing Floridian

here's the way it works:
When G*d sends me tribulation, He expects me to Tribulate.

When G*d sends me hot weather, He expects me to sweat.

Don't go messin' with the natural order of things, ya hear??

On the one hand, I don't see how drilling a few small holes in your helmet is going to hurt its integrity.


On the other, I don't see how a few small holes in your helmet are going to make one bit of difference to your comfort.


An easier suggestion is to cut your hair.

I go with the #2 guide; keeps things cooler.

In before lambrettas.

Pretty sure adding holes will void your warranty, particularly if they're the holes of another manufacturer.

Just took a very close look at the helmet I intended to alter. The visor slides too close to the top surface and will not accommodate the vents; project cancelled.

I'm going to consider my other options:

Sweat
Cut Hair
New vented helmet

I saw a similar Nolan helmet with vents in a Parrot SK400 ad, and on their packing as well, but can't seem find it anywhere.

Thanks for the replies,

Chendo

Nolan manufactures their shells from acrylics. Drilling acrylic shells causes heat and stress that will reduce the integrity of the shell and at worst can compromise it completely. The question is by how much and what you reckon your head is worth I suppose! You should not be reassured by the points of impact diagram as a large part of the ability of a helmet to function to proctect you is the shift of the force of an impact a) throughout the shell i.e it spreads it across the shell surface; and b) into the foam liner. Your proposal would affect both. As another earlier post said wearing something on your head is probably better than nothing -- I am ambivalent on that but you should not think that you can make home-grown adjustments without impacting the level of protection you are getting. If you want to wear a helmet, perhaps a better ventilated stock helmet would be a much better idea?

Nolan N41 has vents and is cheap for a decent (3/4) helmet (20% cheaper than an N30 here). N41 also extends a bit lower than the N30 - I passed on the N30 because it doesn't even cover my jaw line. N30's chief virtue (apart form those natty stripes) is that it can be squished into the pet carrier on a GT/GTS/GTV. N41 is relatively classic style and is still on sale in Australia, but maybe not elsewhere

There are also vents on N42, N43 etc ... but they aren't quite so 'retro'
Nolan Super Cruise has vents (but even less coevrage than N30) ...

My first helmet was gloss black, it was summer time (July) and I was
baking my brain. I decided to paint it white, this helped so much I was so
happy. Later on when I started riding in Riverside and High Desert areas
the heat problem came back so I added a few more holes(6). The helmet
never cracked or chipped and I was kept cool for all my rides. I now have
a helmet that came with great vents.


Here I am with my OSBE ventilated helmet. I am not suggesting anyone
drilling holes into their helmets. Now that I know about the dangers, I
won't be doing it again. 8) There is one mod that you can do, Paint the
top third ( at eye level ) of your shield black so the low sunlight doesn't blind you.

The Nolan N42 3/4 helmet has a vent inlet in the top at the forhead area. I have a white size XXL N42 for sale. A shameless plug for the helmet I want to sell.

Oh, I suspect the holes WILL do something.

It just won't do anything good.

OK, I bought an Arai Profile helmet in white. Supposed to have great ventilation, but to be honest, I dont feel much of a difference. Having the full face protection is nice for those faster and longer rides. I'll still use the Nolan on South Beach. Thanks for all the imput.

I was thinking small battery opr. fans if mounted on inside one very large one if mounted outside.

Patent it!

I have a Nolan with a removal chin guard that I take off in hot weather. Looking at the precentages on this chart, I may rethink that and sweat a little seeing as the highest precentage is on the chin. Thanks for info.

I would never think to do this. Paint and/or drill holes in a helmet? My head is worth way more than $300 so I'd rather get a helmet that works for me.

I appreciate the re-posting of the image of the distribution of impact locations on a helmet. A reminder that regardless of the temp I really need to wear my full-face. (minus the home-made drill holes)