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- 15,000 kilometers with the C3
- Discovery
- Threading
- Dynamic test
- Conclusion
- rating: 9/10
- Technical characteristics
- User reviews
15,000 kilometers with the C3
The Schuberth C3 is the evolution of the C2, high-end modular of the German brand, still equipped with the Anti-Roll-off system (A.R.O.S.). The C2 was an excellent helmet, comfortable, "light" (for a modular), particularly silent but which failed terribly for its fragile anti-fog treatment, and its vision in the rain.. What about evolution? True new model or simple correction of "youth" defects ?
Discovery
What immediately strikes you with the C3 is its compact form and its design, close to a standard integral and not a modular. Instead of seeing a massive helmet, we have a streamlined, modern, aesthetically successful helmet..
When it comes to handling, we have a second pleasant surprise, because the helmet is much lighter than the C2, with the impression of being the same weight as a standard full-face, even though it still weighs 1570 grams. . Yet the sunscreen – always synonymous with extra weight – is still built in.
The C2’s very thin anti-fog film has made way for a pinlock. This is real good news because the C2 film was very fragile and really did not hold up for very long, even with care..
The fastener is of the micrometric type and is handled naturally. A tab goes underneath and allows you to always have a velvet piece under the neck; pleasant from day to day.
Threading
The advantage of a modular is that you can put it on your head, open, like a jet, without tearing your ears. This is the case with the C3. Anyway, you can only put it on when open! The front panel folds down naturally and easily, with just one click (compared to 2 side clicks on the C2). Closing is thus easier and faster (it happened with the C2 to have to force to close the second closing, not always synchronous).
The helmet is comfortable from the start. The face is well supported without being compressed. The glasses are easily placed despite the support. Depending on the model of glasses, it may be easier to put on your glasses after the helmet, even if in most cases, the helmet can be put on when you have the glasses on your nose..
Interior upholstery is nice.
As soon as you put it on, the ambient noise is significantly reduced and we find the impression of silence already offered by the C2.
The visor is easy to handle and has 5 notches allowing it to be placed in several positions. In fact, in practice we are satisfied with 3 positions: the most important, visor completely raised, the visor lowered with a slight stream of air, and the visor completely hermetic..
In fact, if the visor is naturally lowered, it allows a very small stream of air to pass through. You have to force very lightly to close it completely. Useful in winter and in rainy weather, when despite the pinlock, a little mist forms, especially for eyeglass wearers. In fact, what impresses is the difference in noise between the visor in the air mesh position and the closed position; silence is really important once the visor is completely closed and locked.
The sunscreen can now be handled on the lower left side of the helmet (and no longer on the rear side like the C2), allowing the hand to be less far from the handlebars. Practical side, it’s different, but neither better nor worse … just a matter of getting used to.
The helmet now opens centrally (and no longer on both sides as for the C2), and requires only one hand. It is much more practical and secure from day to day. On the other hand; the small central bib suffers from being often pulled at the same time and has a tendency to unclip, at least on one side. It maintains itself very well in the high position, even with sudden movements. However, it is not approved in jet, that is to say to remain in the open position, while driving (as can be the Shark Evoline for example).
When closed, the helmet offers an excellent field of vision.
Dynamic test
The helmet turns out to be pleasant in dynamics, whatever the bike and the speed. No extraneous noise disturbs driving.
Supplied as standard with a windstopper, mini bib, it performs its role effectively contributing to interior silence. Comfort is therefore real, both inside and outside, linked to noise. However, we note a higher impression of noise inside the C3 compared to the C2 while in theory the model offers -2db which should ensure even more silence (theoretically 82db at 100 km / h against 84db for the C2). It is true that the interior shape is different and the ears placed differently; this could explain it according to the morphologies.
After a long drive, the C3 confirms its featherweight, and the quality of its aerodynamics, causing no pain in the neck, even on long journeys and at sustained speed in a roadster. Day by day, it is closer to the aerodynamic qualities of an integral, with the advantages of modular.
Even without being approved in the jet position, the C3 remains in the open position, even at high (legal) speed, without parasitic closure. Its open position, however, not being aerodynamic on the other hand, this generates greater wind resistance and significant discomfort compared to the closed position..
The improved aerodynamics of the C3 compared to the C2 are clearly felt in the rain. The rain had on the C2 the annoying habit of stuck to the visor, really hindering driving. The C3 is now almost as good as the best integral at this level with a real comfort of vision.
On the fogging side, the pinlock proves its effectiveness. In normal driving, even at slow speed in rainy and / or cold weather, there is no mist. You really need special humidity conditions and you have to be stationary for the mist to appear, especially on the glasses. This is the reason why the C3 has an "air net" position which is enough to dissipate the fog in these cases, without bringing the cold winter wind or freezing the face. I had a negative a priori on this position, with just a small clip to assure it, telling me that it would not survive over time. However, even after 15,000 kilometers, this position is still very effective and flawless..
The sun visor is easy to handle with a little practice, although I preferred the top position of the C2. Above all, it offers the possibility of adjusting the position and height of the screen in relation to the eyes. A plus compared to C2 where it was less obvious. This does not match the filter quality provided by sunglasses and it notably obscures vision significantly, removing the sharpness compared to sunglasses. Now, when you have the sun in your nose, you can see better and with more certainty than in its absence. Above all, during the tests carried out in the evenings in the city, you can go from one street to another from black to the dazzling sun and the visor makes it possible to switch very easily from one to the other. It is therefore a useful addition, but which should not make you give up a real pair of sunglasses for long journeys..
We often think of the advantages of a modular for the city, and the ease during stops. It is also a notable advantage when traveling for all the photo stops. It is no longer necessary to remove the helmet. The reflex is placed in the eye willingly without discomfort, the opening offering all the necessary space. And given the thousands of openings / closings carried out with this model, the system really lasts and much better than the C2 in particular.
Conclusion
The C2 was considered a must-have but had some flaws, especially when it came to rain and fog. The C3 corrects all the defects of the C2 and also brings a modern and lean look. Even during the last C2 promotions where 150 euros could separate the two models, the price difference in favor of the C3 was largely justified. The only – big – defect of the C3 now remains its price, very high – even if justified – at nearly 600 euros, or nearly 10% of the price of a roadster-type motorcycle. On the other hand, compared to many modular, heavier and less aerodynamic, it really deserves to consider the additional price to pay to simply have the best..
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rating: 9/10
Technical characteristics
- STRONG shell (Duroplast Matrix reinforced with fiberglass)
- visor: Pinlock visor, sun visor, anti-scratch, clear and anti-fog
- ventilation: adjustable air flow: chin and shell
- interior: removable and hand washable Coolmax fabric, head and cheek pads
- fastener: micrometric adjustment
- standard: ECE 22-05
- colors and sizes: silver (sizes 52 to 62), anthracite (sizes 52 to 64), black (sizes 52 to 62), matt black (sizes 52 to 64), white (sizes 54 to 62).
Recommended public price including VAT: 595 euros
User reviews
- on the helmet guide
- on the equipment test forum
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