Full face or 3/4 Helmet

[pro10is]

Chins are easier to fix than brains.

I don't want to preach to anyone either, it's a personal decision we all need to make for ourselves. It's just that the way I look at is that if I'm going through all the bother of wearing a helmet anyway I might as well protect my entire head. You may be able to live with a severely damaged jaw, chin, and mouth but you'll regret the decision to skimp on the protection of a full face for the rest of your life. Again, my 2 cents only.

[kepople]

So how much protection does the modular N43 chin piece actually provide?

Are you better getting a helmet that provides some vents at the chin as well?

[PrairieSpyder]

Your safest option is to not ryde at all. Since we do ryde, we have to balance the desired level of safety with comfort and features we prefer, given our climate, style, and the amount of risk we feel comfortable assuming.

It's a personal decision.

[ARtraveler]

RE: Chin Bar on N43. I would not count on it to give you the same protection as a "real" full face helmet, since it clicks into position. Too much stuff to break in a hard hit.

[Bob Ledford]

When we first got our Spyder we bought half helmets with zip out cold weather protection. Then we saw these neat Arthur Fullmer open face with drop down shades." I found a Vega Transit 3/4 on clearance table with attached drop shield that I wear all the time now.

Being in Florida I may go back to the 1/2 for extreme heat conditions.

A full coverage helmet causes me problems with putting off and on as I wear corrective glasses and need two hands free and hate to put my glasses on the seat as I had a new pair blow off and destroyed the lenses $300 down the drain.

[flaggerphil]

My wife and I both use Shoei RF-1100 full face helmets. I also have a half helmet that I only use for parades or short Patriot Guard missions. For 99% of my riding I use a full face helmet and have since 1976. Don't like the idea of asphalt or concrete shaving my chinny chin chin.

[jlemkow]

I seem to lose quite a bit of my peripheral vision with a full. I find I must turn my head and take my eyes off the road to really see what if coming up next to me. Not too safe for me.

so what do most of you use for a helmet?

I bought a ST3 but I dont think I will like it much.

If touring, which do you prefer... Full face helmets, or 3/4?

[DoggyDaddy]

I just ordered the same helmet for the wife and I this weekend. She liked the comfort and the removeable chin bar as well. Cant wait to try mine out.

Check out ordering it from Revzilla. That's where I got mine and they have great customer service. If it doesn't fit, return it without any hassle. Also, they consistently beat their estimated shipping times...at least to me in So. Cal. (probably from their Las Vegas warehouse). Finally, the price from Revzilla was the best I was able to find anywhere online.

[NancysToy]

I seem to lose quite a bit of my peripheral vision with a full. I find I must turn my head and take my eyes off the road to really see what if coming up next to me. Not too safe for me.

Head on a swivel! Standard procedure when riding a motorcycle or flying a plane...with or without a helmet. Learn to keep that head moving.

[Jeriatric]

and, I use what I'll call a head dip if I'm clearing a lane visually before moving over. Dipping the head is much easier on the neck when looking back, to the left or right, which does two things. It gives me a much better view of what may or may not be there, and gives a strong indication to anyone 'back there' what my intent is. fwiw

[pro10is]

I seem to lose quite a bit of my peripheral vision with a full. I find I must turn my head and take my eyes off the road to really see what if coming up next to me. Not too safe for me.

The new Arai full face helmets have great peripheral vision. I just bought one this year and the need to swivel is much decreased. Vision-wise I hardly know it's there.

[NancysToy]

The new Arai full face helmets have great peripheral vision. I just bought one this year and the need to swivel is much decreased. Vision-wise I hardly know it's there.

They have eliminated that feeling of looking through a porthole.

[ARtraveler]

Nolan has also been advertising better peripheral vision with their newest 104 version of the helmet. I have not tested this version out. I have a 102 and a 103.

[muonwhiz]

I'll stick with the full-face protection; thank you...

I'm with you there!

[Highwayman2013]

Full face HJC's here. When I get a new one I'm leaning towards a modular like the Shark. My wife just ordered a new Scorpion Lily EXO 400 full face nice graphics and snell for $109.

[wis2013rtltd]

Bell Revolver EVO helmets. The modular function is useful on so many levels, but we like it most when we stop for a minute to be able to hinge it up and talk without removing the helmets.

[TicketBait]

so what do most of you use for a helmet?

I bought a ST3 but I dont think I will like it much.

If touring, which do you prefer... Full face helmets, or 3/4?

I did my own review of two helmets I have. http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...Final-thoughts
When I was shopping for a helmet I wanted as much versatility
as I could find. These foot the bill. Price was never a concern as
safety , comfort and versatility were a higher priority for me. ( have kind-of grown fond of my head and the brain inside )






After being broadsided on the right side of my spyder in a parking
lot less than a mile from my house a year and a half ago from a car
going approx 10-15 mph, when I launched from the spyder I had on
my Can AM ST1 hybrid helmet with the full face jaw attached to it.
The Jaw struck the windshield as went over it, rather than my chin.
I landed on my back and remember the back side of helmet striking
the ground and making a "Kuussh" sound.

The helmet took the entire blow! I will never ride without the jaws in
place. I don't care how hot it gets. And the way the Jaws on the Can-Am/GIVI
helmet are attached, there not coming off no how no way.

jmo

[Silvervette05]

Full face at all times,my head and face are worth a little money

[Bob Denman]

Head on a swivel! Standard procedure when riding a motorcycle or flying a plane...with or without a helmet. Learn to keep that head moving.

Thank you!

[kepople]

Awesome... thanks for the info.
I heard mixed results on the Nolan and was originally going to get ST1's. I like the modular ability.

Problem with anything like this is not being able to try them on.

[TRQ]

The wife and I really like our Nolan N43E Trilogy helmets. We always use the chin bar when riding, but remove the bar while putting the helmet on or taking it off as it makes it much easier with eye glasses.

[meyers54]

I recommend a full face. I have ridden all types of bikes for 40 years and was an accident investigator. Get a good modular and have the advantages of being able to flip up chin bar on stops. Keep it locked down at highway speeds.
They don't have to be super expensive to be good. Check to see if they have metal locking posts and are smooth to operate. Check helmet vents so your head can get plenty of air in hot conditions. My wife likes the Nolan 104 but I recently bought the GMax 54S for $145.00. It also has a built in rear LED light with selectable flash patterns and a flip down internal sun shield. What a bargain. I'm a new RT Ltd owner and am keeping my Gold Wing but if you value your face at all and especially your jaw, go with the full coverage. We all want to see your smile.

[flaggerphil]

I find the peripheral vision on the new Shoei helmets to be outstanding. That being said, I've never had a vision problem with full face helmets even back to the late '70s.

[NancysToy]

I find the peripheral vision on the new Shoei helmets to be outstanding. That being said, I've never had a vision problem with full face helmets even back to the late '70s.

Me either (head on a swivel), but the new wide vision helmets are still a joy compared to our old Bell Stars, eh?

[kepople]

think I have decided.

Ordering a Shoei Qwest with the graphics in white. (unless you guys can talk me out of it)

My wife fell in love with the RF1100, which I know if not so much a touring helmet, but could not talk her out of it.

BTW: My local "gold wing" dealer gave me a great price because we bought riding jackets. Prices lower than online other than tax. I would rather support local business if I can, so I will pay the extra $20

My only question about the qwest is that the top padding is not removable. Might get funky after a while. I really like the GT Air also, but I think the Qwest fits my head a bit better... (Fat Head)