Does Everyone Wear a Full-Face?

[plewis51]

http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/03-12-05/snell.htm

[tt_four]

I have one of each. I wear the flip-face helmet when I'm riding in the city and near by. It's convenient for when I stop to get gas at the pump or anything like that, plus it's super easy to put my helmet on with my glasses still on. I wear my normal full face when i'm actually riding.

The 1 piece is quieter, which is nice. I'm not conscerned with the safety of the flip face at the chance that it would open, but one thing I can mention is that there is much less passing around the cheeks. My 1 piece has padding further forward in the helmet and the part infront of my face is much bulkier, so I trust it much more if I was ever to land on my face. The visor is bigger on the flip face helmet, which is nice for vision, but again the bulkier 1 piece does feel more secure, and after the first mile or so you don't notice the difference anymore.

They're both fine options. A solid helmet is a better choice for safety, so just know if you buy the flip face helmet you're giving up some safety for convenience, but it's still better than a half helmet. Also keep in mind you can get a flip face helmet that's nicer than a solid helmet, but it all depends what you want to pay. A $150 solid helmet will be much safer than a $150 flip face helmet, but a $500 flip face helmet is still going to be better than a $100 helmet. I think mine cost about $300 when I got it, and quality wise it's about the same as the $100-125 HJC helmet I started with as my first helmet.

A different point on the subject... The BIGGEST difference I notice between my two helmets for safe riding isn't the flip feature, it's that my nice helmet has a locking sheild, while the ratchet on the HJC flip face is  much less secure. I can move my head all around and look behind me with the 1 piece with the locking visor, but I'm always hesitant to turn my head to look behind me with the flip face because I've had the wind catch it and flip the visor up while I was looking behind me. So regardless of what you get, make sure the visor stays down well. Even if it doesn't click to lock, make sure the ratchet mechanism is stiff.

[Viperz]

Just remember that when you go down and your chin hits first.  I wouldn't begin to chance that for a "couple hundred bucks".

What he said. ^^^^

[purplepeopleeater]

I've a 10 year old Shoei full face only cos i want money's worth. Dad wears 40 year old open face which he had when he rode his vespa in the 60's.
Forget the marketing scams with this and that helmet is stronger etc., wear what you want and enjoy the ride.

[pandymai]

indeed. wear what you want.
but what i WANT is something that will provide the utmost safety. i dont want to be wearing less protection if/when its time for use comes at me.

[purplepeopleeater]

Full face then, don't forget neck brace too, in-built sun visor, gum shield, fireproof balaclava under helmet, bluetooth earpiece to call emergency

[pandymai]

2 out of 6.. im on my way to safety! =P

[O.C.D.]

Hey Ugluk, look at my sig!!! LMAO that was funny as hell! 

[tt_four]

I think your only supposed to get 4-5 years from a helmet arent you? mine are about 7 and i think im due for a new one.

[Ugluk]

Hey Ugluk, look at my sig!!! LMAO that was funny as hell! 

Thank you!

Homer is the originator of the mascot idea. Hilarious guy..

[JAY W]

Full face flip front,had loads of crash`s when i was a teen,doubt i`d be here if it wasn`t for the full face.Don`t you feel like a goldfish,,when you buy a helmet get one with an inner sunviser.
Combo Jay (my GS5 has a sidecar but i won`t wear a pisspot)

[007brendan]

Above is a diagram of where helmet damage was found after motorcycle accidents. Source: Dietmar Otte, Hannover Medical University, Department of Traffic Accident Research, Germany

[Worm]

As far as I'm concerned, a full face is the only real helmet. Those little half helmets people wear, seem pretty useless. If you hit your head on the back, it'll probably be pulled right off. If you hit on the front, well, your face is going to hurt isn't it? Full face all the way! As far as the price of the helmet, I could care less as long as it is DOT and Snell certified.

[drduimstra]

only time to wear a half helmet is when you are riding a little scooter 

[kml.krk]

I ride in full-face helmets only.
My first was Bell, now I have ICON Mainframe and like it much better than Bell.
Bell helmet was kind of tight in sinus area which caused me headaches after longer rides.

ride safe
KML

[Worm]

I have a cheap HJC CL-15 and it whistles slightly as high speed. I guess that's what I get for $65! Other than that I like it!

[bubba zanetti]

Guess I'm the odd one out again. I've got an open face helmet that I enjoy wearing (goes perfect with not wearing ATGATT). I also have two full face helmets.

[redhawkdancing]

I think your only supposed to get 4-5 years from a helmet arent you? mine are about 7 and i think im due for a new one.

I think that is what most manufactures recommend, but some test have been done on helmets from the 70s and they are still good. Shoei will xray their helmets for free to see if you need to replace it.

[tt_four]

only time to wear a half helmet is when you are riding a little scooter 

I wear a full face helmet when I ride the moped, partly just to be safe, and partly so no one knows it's me 


I think something important to remember is that once a helmet is dot and snell approved, it doesn't really get much safer than that, whether the front hinges or not. Once you get past that point of safety, all you're paying for is comfort, noise level, and adjustable airflow. For what it's worth though, being comfortable, being able to hear, and having your head at a good temperature will all make you safer by letting you pay more attention to the road, so I guess technically you are getting a slightly safer helmet.

[Homer]

Full face then, don't forget neck brace too, in-built sun visor, gum shield, fireproof balaclava under helmet, bluetooth earpiece to call emergency

Don't have the neck brace, but I'd like one.  Not sure what they're like during head checks, though. 
The nomex balaclava's too warm in the summer and aggravates my razor burn.  Chin strap's already bad enough. 
Popped face-shields a few times, so far.  Mostly on impact.  Slid across lanes on the eyebrow region, once. 

Saw a girl bite a curb once, in an open face.  She got up screaming, with no sound coming out. 
As close as I like getting to Death, I like smiling back at him with my own teeth.