Schuberth C3 Flip-up Helmet Review

[This Schuberth C3 Flip-up Helmet helmet review was originally published in the April 2011 issue of Rider magazine]

Schuberth C3 Flip-up HelmetFounded in 1922 and based in Germany, Schuberth claims many innovations in helmet technology, including the first modular or flip-up design. Schuberth-made BMW System flip-up helmets have been around for years, but they’re not sold in the United States. When Schuberth introduced its Concept flip-up a decade ago, we gave it a favorable evaluation. But the company ran into distribution problems and pulled out of the U.S. market. Now Schuberth is back, with a wholly owned subsidiary and a network of dealers handling North American distribution and sales.

Its current lineup includes two helmets: the C3 for men and the C3W for women. The C3W is specially designed for women’s narrower facial features and it has an anti-bacterial, micro-fiber liner; otherwise, the helmets are the same. Utilizing its own wind tunnel for aerodynamic and aero-acoustic testing, Schuberth designed the C3 to be sleek and quiet. Lacking the bulky, awkward shape found on some flip-ups, it’s compact and light, weighing only 58.4 ounces, less than all but the 56-ounce Shoei Multitec in our May 2010 Flip-up Helmet Buyer’s Guide.

The C3 exceeds the latest DOT and ECE testing standards. Its outer shell is made using a proprietary “bag molding” process. Resin, fiberglass and Duroplast composite are layered into the mold, then a balloon is inserted and inflated to 90 psi, which compresses the layers to ensure uniform thickness. Inside the shell is an injection molded, dual-density EPS liner. The chinbar is also lined with EPS and uses metal locking mechanisms for safe, secure closure. A small central button unlocks the chinbar, and a cam lock keeps it in the open position. When lowering the chinbar, I had to pull the chin skirt away with my thumb so it cleared my chin.

Tabs on the lower edge of the face shield facilitate opening with either hand, but locking the shield closed necessitates pressing down firmly on both tabs. Closed but unlocked is the “city” position that allows more airflow but also more noise. Patented triangular “turbulator” bumps along the top of the shield help reduce wind whistling. No dark shield is available since the C3 has an integrated sun visor, which is opened and closed with a convenient slide tab on the lower left side of the helmet. A Pinlock anti-fog insert is included.

Fit, finish and comfort befit the C3’s premium price tag. The Coolmax liner is plush and removable, though doing so requires extra effort due to Schuberth’s exclusive Anti-Roll Off System. To better secure the helmet on the rider’s head and prevent it from rolling forward, two straps attach to each end of the chin strap, pass through the padded collar and then connect via rivets to the back of the helmet.

After weeks of constant use, the Schuberth C3 has performed well but has some finicky details. It’s the quietest flip-up I’ve ever worn (Schuberth says interior noise is 84 dB(A) or less at 65 mph) and through cold, wet, winter riding, it has kept my head dry and fog at bay. Ventilation has been good, but it’s easy to accidentally bump the chin vent closed whereas it’s difficult to open/close the top vent. The removable chin skirt helps keep the interior quiet and free of drafts, but is also a bit stuffy.

The C3 retails for $699 and comes with a five-year warranty. It’s available in six sizes—one shell size fits S-L, another XL-3XL—and four colors: Glossy White, Glossy Black, Glossy Silver and Matte Black. And should you have the misfortune of crashing, Schuberth will replace your damaged helmet for one-third of the retail price.

For another $399, you can get Schuberth’s SRC-System, a complete Cardo G4 Blue­tooth communication system integrated into a special acoustic collar. Although the Medium C3 fits me perfectly, with the SRC collar installed it was too tight around my neck. Once we get the fit sorted out, we’ll run an update on how the SRC works.

For more information: Contact Schuberth

In addition to the colors listed above the C3 is available in Hi-Viz Yellow and comes with a three-year service plan.

 

11 COMMENTS

  1. Did you ever get the SRC collar sorted out? I love my C3 and really want the SRC but $400 is pretty stiff. I want to hear nothing but rave reviews from everyone before I buy…especially since I can’t find one locally to try on and see how it fits. If I discover it is choking me I will have to deal with the hassle of having to ship it back.

    • Ask if you could road test this helmet before buying, its very noisy and would,nt buy again for this hi price. Engineers must have had ear plugs in when testing.

      • You might find youy are not closing the visor fully, which makes it noisier. As was mentioned in the article. you can flip the visor closed. You will see your still have a milimeter or less of a gap. Thats for stop and go riding or when you need to open the visor quickly. If you press down on the two lips once its flipped down. It will click closed. Its not well explained in the manual so you might not be closing the visor fully. This will be even further excaberated if you have a sport bike that leans you forward. I’ve owned my C3 for a couple of years and its the most quiet modular helmet I have tried. Its also pretty quiet compared to most helmets

    • The SRC collar fits exactly the same as the stock collar. The microphone is a bit of a pain to get situated properly (I push it as far forward as I can once the helmet is closed), though it is do-able.

      If the stock collar doesn’t choke you, the SRC collar won’t either.

  2. I just got my C3 last week. It is quite, light weight, comfortable,and I pretty much like everything about with one exception…. I live in Texas and in the summer, it gets real hot. I don’t think the helmet has very good ventilation and the non removeable part of the chin skirt make it like a sauna when at a full stop or going slow .

  3. Quisiera saber cuanto cuesta el visor completo para un casco sistem six
    (I wonder how much it costs the full display for a sistem six helmet)

  4. AS YOU mentioned not closing the helmet. I can,t close it any further for it clicks and you can,t pry it open. I ride a bike with power windshield at the highest position and only cure without checking helmet is to add a extension to the top or buy a taller windshield. Why is it my other helmets don,t have a issue with wind noise. I forgot, the sun shield needs to be replaced due to hard to see out of it, seems faded or discoloured and don,t know why. Baby this helmet.

  5. There are two closures. The front of the helmet where the red catch is, closes the front of the helmet and you use both hands on that. But the visor itself has a detent too. If you just flip that closed, it appears to be closed but isn’t fully closed. It’s not fully closed though. Put your fingers on the transparent lips on either side of the visor and click it fully home. You will feel it click closed. Makes a huge difference. The sun visor has a coating that is a little frustrating but wipe it about once a week and your visor will be cleared…

  6. Love to comment as before but with a apology to everyone I talked to and who read my concern article on the c3 helmet on wind noise. I may have been a little premature on this concern. Reading that someone talked and explained to me about snapping the outer face shield shut with both hands at the edges makes sense after studying that fact. I thought it was the main flip lid but it was the clear face shield. Looking at it it does not close all the way and needs to be forced further to close completely. It now closes all the way and tighter. Too cold now to test but will share my findings in the spring and do have confidence that the wind noise may reduce as people say it does. It seems I am the only one not happy. Why don,t sellers and manufacturers tell you this tip. I feel bad now when everyone else is happy with the helmet. Sorry if I misled anyone and all take care.

    • “Why don’t (sic) sellers and manufacturers tell you this tip.(sic)”

      I’ll bet a LOT of money that you didn’t read the book that came with the helmet or inspect the helmet before putting it on. The book points out the double latch AND it is clearly visible if you look at the helmet closely.

      If there are two latch points and you hear one click, why would you think the helmet is closed? If you pay $800+ for a helmet that is supposed to be very quiet and it’s not, why do you assume it’s the manufacturer’s fault?

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