Aussie Helmets

[dirtz]

Hi,
     I am from Melbourne, Australia. Just wonderin......

Would I be taking too much risk FROM COPS, riding  with non-approved helmets........ especially these open face helmets

http://www.xratedhelmets.com/acatalog/Catalog_Open_Faced_Helmets___Paint_1.html

I am planning to buy FOC1-Skull Cap or FOC2-Desperado.

Pls advice me. Do cops actually come and check if ur helmet is approved. I am sure the Skull Cap is too small and may attract cops to Fine me.

So what do you think, would I be safe from Cops ??

[Manix]

I wouldn't risk myself in driving with an open-face helmet. I know about crashes where the motorcyclist would have gotten away in one piece but his jaw was ripped right off because the helmet didn't offer enough protection. Just something to think about...

[bbanjo]

Chances that an open faced helmet will save your mush in a 40mph high-side face slap = 0

Chances that an open faced helmet will save your mush in a 40mph low-side face drag = 0

Chances that an open faced helmet will save your mush in a 40 to 0mph straight-on face plant on a stopped vehicle = 0

Buy a nice full-faced unit so I can get off of my soap box, please.

[dirtz]

Hi Guys,
            Thank you for your concern.
I want a true answer related to my post, from Aussie riders.

Please don't feel I am being rude or disrespectful.

I am aware of the risk I will be taking by using an open-face helmets.

You guys have to understand. I am an Indian, I have been riding since 16 without a helmet. I love it that way, with the wind in my face.

I come to Australia and suddenly I am expected to wear a helmet. I just CAN'T do it.
Wearing a helmet feels like I am sitting in a box. It takes away the true fun of bike riding.  You guys here won't understand, coz you have never done it and also you fear the risk you are taking.

You may call me foolish, but you have to understand that I have never used a helmet and I am a careful rider, otherwise, I wouldn't be here after so many years of riding without a helmet.

I actually want to ride without a helmet, but it would be illegal. So I want a helmet which would be most open. I do use eye protection.

Thanx again for your concern. Pls don't think of me dumb or foolish, its just that I am used to that and love it with the wind in my face.

[bbanjo]

Granted. I have a friend who grew up riding 100-250cc bikes in India and he can't imagine riding full-time with a full faced helmet. With the types of accidents that happen most frequently in Philly, a full faced helmet would simply save your bacon better than a brain bucket.

I'll never stop preaching about the benefits, simply out of concern for my fellow humans.  

[dirtz]

Thanx bbanjo.

I'll think about it, but its really hard to change.

[mrslush50]

why don't you try a flip-face helmet?

like the HJC Symax or this Schuberth:

http://www.helmetharbor.com/streethelmets/helmets/schuberth/opening.htm

it offers the protection of a full face, with the convenience of an open face.

just a thought.  

It's great that you're a careful rider, but the problem isn't you.  It's all those drivers out there who aren't careful.

[JohNLA]

You should ask your question on a Hardly forum.

[The Buddha]

Wind in your face... Even with a full face helmet its possible... You forget the speeds in US/Aus are nearly 2-3 times that of India, and the temps are cooler to most of the time... so a little wind bleeds through even on the most sealed shut helmet... and in winter its enough to have parts of your face freeze tight... Even with a neoprene face mask on... (atleast in US) and open all the vents in the full face and its like standing in front of a AC vent. Plenty of wind. And finally there are helmets that let you lift the facesheid a crack (as big a crack as you want really) which will pretty much drown you in air at freeway speeds. In 2000 I crashed and fell face first into the dirt on the shoulder... and went home and saw a black mark above my eye where my head knocked the helmet. That's it. I call that Kevlar... and Full face... You could start with one of those flip face ones and slowly get used to the idea of the front part being there a few mins at a time. Then slowly go full face... and then get a better helmet... cos those flip face ones are decent 1/2 face helmets, but as full face ones they fall far short... no pun intended.
Cool.
Srinath.

[Michael]

The answer to your question, from an Australian, is that they can and occasionally do check for the legality of your helmet but it doesn't happen often and I don't know what the fine would be.  It's also only likely if you're wearing a helmet that looks like it's not legal anyway (ie modified, too small, obviously not made for road use, etc.).  I have to agree with the others, though.  If your main concern is having to fork out a few bucks for wearing an illegal helmet, rather than losing you looks or your marbles in a survivable incident, we would rather you didn't tarnish the reputation of motorcycling the rest of us have worked so hard to engender.  If the rush of wind is what you want, take up skydiving (you'll notice they also wear pissy little skullcap helmets   ) or train surfing, or get a job in a wind tunnel.

[dmp221]

Hey, Dirtz:
Please don't take it personally, that most of us disagree with what you are thinking about doing.  You're asking a valid question, and the answers you are getting represent the concensus of our experience; should you ultimately decide to ignore the advice given here, you may very well slip one by the cops...but you'll never fool the asphalt.
I wish you good luck, friend.

[JohnNS]

Crash protection aside, I don't know how people can stand to wear open-face helmets, simply because of the insects. I've gotten home some days with the front of my helmet and visor completely plastered with dead bugs. Always makes me wonder how people can stand to do it!  

Like Srinath said, you really do get a decent amount of air in your face even with a full face helmet....when you're moving along anyway. When you're in traffic you can just open up your visor and you almost have an open face anyway. In fact...this time of year up here it's almost too much wind getting in sometimes. Brrrrr!

Anyway, open face is better than nothing at all I suppose, just try not to land on your face if you go down. Good luck in your search!  

John

[96gs]

i like all these http://www.xratedhelmets.com/acatalog/Catalog_Full_Faced_Helmets__9.html


they are awsome!!!

Dirtz....

I am an Aussie, why do you want a skull cap? Just go to any vespa/scooter shop and buy and open faced helmet THAT IS APPROVED... I wear one when I ride my mates scooter, I gotta say, nothing beats the feeling, but it aint safe at the end of the day!

there are heaps of different styles and sizes of approved open face helmets that offer great head protection... just not face...

If you want a skull cap, get one, no cop (unless a bike cop gets you) will have a clue about your helemet... but check out the THH open faced helmets first.... they are comfy and cheap and APPROVED!!

Stay Safe  

[JohNLA]

i like all these http://www.xratedhelmets.com/acatalog/Catalog_Full_Faced_Helmets__9.html


they are awsome!!!

Those do look pretty crazy.
I would love to see one, in person.