Correct you’ll have to pivot to ECE helmets or just DOT
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv2zjC8fzrI
Check this out.
Another vote modular full face:thumbup: with shade visor built in (don’t use it everyday, great when forget shades):clap:
Snell testing is primarily for race car drivers. I have known DOT only helmets to do a great job of brain bucket protection.
I haven't kept up with the testing, but some years back there were testers who considered the Snell as too harsh
for regular crash events, and said the DOT was actually a better test for everyday usage. It had to do with the amount
of force that was allowed with Snell vs DOT. But that was some years back and Snell testing may have changed since
then.
A Snell/DOT helmet has more padding, thus it is a larger helmet.
The Shoei Neotech 2 is very heavy when compared to other modular (4# .5 ounces) but it doesn't feel like it. I've ridden with it on my melon for 300 mile days and never felt that it was heavy. My HJC RPHA 90 is about a 1/2 pound lighter but it FEELS heavier. Difference in aerodynamics, I guess.
Some helmets don't play well with aftermarket BT headsets. My Neotech 2 is one good example of that. It's made for the proprietary SRL system and due to the way it's made, it would be difficult (but not impossible) to mount something else. The good news is that the SRL system works pretty good.
I installed a Sena 20S on to a Shoei Neotec II. The device went over the black panel w/o much fussing.
This is FortNine , he makes some very informative video's .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLj9WfoWPSQ
FortNine has a lot of good info, watched a few videos after I randomly stumbled across their channel a while back.
I use a Modular (“LS2” brand, DOT+ECE cert), and Full Face (“Shoei”, DOT+Snell), and bounce between them.
Both with old Sena20s comm’s models attached. The Sena’s are my MUST HAVE. I don’t ride without them. Period.
Personally, the difference in riding enjoyment is night and day. Again, just my opinion though.
The Sena 50s (or maybe 50r) will be a 2021 pickup, some nice improvements over what I have now.
Back to pure Helmets...
Its not as protective, but I still prefer Modular, and I expect to be using Modular going foward in future helmet pickups. ...God willing.
I’ve seen videos of bad crashes, and seen some horrible damage... met 2 crash survivors as well.
You’d think I’d choose differently... buuuut... Nope!
One day, I’ll be RICZ and respect my pietaster a little more...
+1 on the earlier advice to go somewhere with lots of ready selection.
And take your time trying them on, if you can. Remember— this will be your newest best closest friend, for many many miles.
Took me 2 trips (trying on about 7 or 8 helmets, total) before the feel/protection/weight/price was right.
I know it sounds twisted but... While I was trying on helmets for fit & protection,
I tried envisioning myself getting slammed by a SUV when I had it on. Proved to be a very helpful mindset in eliminating the
“WOW this looks good on me” helmets vs the “I could walk away afterwards...” helmets.
And I couldn’t agree more on having an integrated Sun Visor.
preferably with good UV protection (box might reference “UV400”, or blocks out UVA, or blocks our UVA/UVB, or similar).
All that tint is worthless if your letting in the UV rays burnout your retina’s.
Some have extra visors with UVA/UVB blockers available from that vendor, but may not come with it.
And as always, grab some ‘CatCrap’ Anti-Fog Cleaner, & keep a microfiber cloth stashed on your Ryde!
Good hunting out there!
I have a Scorpion modular helmet that has a removable chin bar. I like this style since I can rotate between full face or 3/4 depending upon my needs/wants.
A DOT rating is critial otherwise it's just one of those novelty plastic brain buckets shaped like a bowl or a German WW2 helmet or some such. ECE/SNELL aren't as important and are NEVER found on a 1/2 or 3/4 lid and rarely found on a modular. One of the problems with ECE/SNELL ratings is that they're not "true" ratings. They're subjective as there aren't VERY specific testing parameters. Also, DOT/ECE/SNELL are pass/fail tests. The DOT/ECE/SNELL rated lid you're about to buy may have barely passed the testing process or may have excelled at it. The cheapest, most basic, most flimsy "legal" 1/2 lid will have a DOT sticker on it. That doesn't mean it offer any real protection. All of this is one reason why I tend to disregard a DOT/ECE/SNELL sticker on a helmet.
The newest helmet ratings are FIM and SHARP. Both are relatively new. I'd be surprised to see a FIM rated lid on much of anything outside a pure race helmet (since that's why it was created).
All that being said, fit is more important than specific rating. Assuming a DOT (or other) rating, a cheap WELL FITTING lid will protect better than an expensive ILL FITTING lid.
HAGO!
FWIW, at one time Snell did test and approve 3/4 helmets, and I had a couple Bells that were Snell rated. I think they continued
up into this century, but couldn't swear to it.
I had no idea that Snell had ever rated a modular helmet.
I am of the “if your number’s up, it’s up”, camp. I can’t find it now, but I saw a recent post of a guy talking about the gear he wore, and why. He had relatives with 2 differing helmet experiences....
The first, his father (or possibly father-in-law), was nudged out of his lane, separated from his bike, and flew across the median strip. He was wearing a half helmet and t-shirt. He suffered very bad road rash, but no facial/head injuries.
Then, he had a cousin wearing a full face, who was involved in an accident with a truck. A star picket came loose from the truck and went straight through his full face, killing him instantly.
Every crash is different. Do your research, determine the level of risk you are prepared to take, and wear what you are most comfortable wearing. I wear a Shoei J-Cruise 3/4 as the helmet wraps around the jaw more than many 3/4 helmets, and despite earlier comments to the contrary, it does indeed give better peripheral vision that my Shoei Neotec, which I no longer wear.
Pete
Luck beats skill (or preparation) every time. But you can't count on it. You simply increase your odds by wearing better gear. It's not a guarantee. After 33 years in the fire service where we ran a much higher rate of medical aids than fires, I've settled on a quality, full face helmet. This chart is only statistics. But seeing these statistics play out in the real world definitely got my attention. Physics are not negotiable.
The yellow area is essentially what you lose in protection with a 3/4 helmet. You actually lose a bit more because the 3/4 doesn't cover quite as much at the bottom as a full face. This constitutes sacrificing over 45% of the protection afforded by a full face helmet.
CBCHIEF you are finding out how passionate people are about their choice in helmets. Here's my backstory and what I wear now...
In 1980 I had a C30 dump truck pull out in front of my 1979 HD. I woke up two weeks later in an ICU with among other issues a tracheotomy, fractured mandible, missing teeth, and a concussion.
I wasn't wearing a helmet. I still deal with issues from that event.
Today I wear a Shuberth C3 modular helmet, a riding jacket with armor, boots and motorcycle gloves.
In essence I'm an all the gear all the time rider. (ATGATT)
I don't care in the least what other think. Conversely, I don't comment or lecture them for what they wear or don't wear.
Everyday we go through life playing the odds.
Powerball is up, I may just have a chance...
I swear all my 3/4 helmets over the years were to Just" Keep my earbuds in" but I haven't had to use one yet and I still need them to keep my earbuds in Soo their not going anywhere.
I wear a Modular GMax 54 for head and face protection. ATGATT.
My previous Fulmer 3/4 was destroyed when I went down in a headon incident with a driver texting.
Note the shield and side of the helmet.
Always had a full face helmet, even in MotoX days, but the 1st time I saw the modular I was keen.
I like the full face protection it provides, and the fact I can pop up the chin piece for negotiating things like getting optic glasses, sunny's on. Its also a godsend when you ride with mates who spend half the trip away "getting ready to go" on hot days, I can at least open the chin piece to give them a gentle gee up - mates some days ya love em, some days you wish you have to try hard not to leave em behind :)
Part of what we do as motorcyclist is mitigate the risk of riding when we wear the gear. I wear all the gear all the time. You have to decide how much risk you want to take in the type of gear you wear. If your comfortable with no gear go for it or find the level of gear you are comfortable with and wear that. When buying any gear check the fit and comfort as you could be wearing it for hours.
I would like to point out, contrary to the belief held by many, a rider's decision as to how much protection he/she wears does NOT have consequences ONLY for the rider. If a rider has no or inadequate PPE and ends up in a crash, the medical and or funeral effects can impact many other people. If he is fortunate enough to survive with good medical care the cost of that care is placed onto every person who pays an insurance premium, or in the case of the uninsured, by a share of taxes spent to take care of the uninsured. If the person survives, but is permanently disabled, the burden of taking care of him can sometimes be horrendous, and always hard on someone. If the rider is killed that often can have severe impact on those left behind. Children might be left without a parent, or a spouse left alone. Even if the deceased has life insurance that is no guarantee the economic impact won't be significant on the family. It is indeed a rare person whose demise leaves no lasting impact on others.
When the first frontiersman entered the wilds of the west he could pretty well live as he damn well pleased. But as soon as the second frontiersman moved in, his personal freedom began to be curtailed. The more people you interact with, the less freedom you have to live as you damn well please.
Remember, personal freedom of choice NEVER trumps personal responsibility. If you want to live with absolute total freedom to live as you want, go find a desolate island somewhere where you will be the sole occupant.
We are starting to digress from the OP original subject.
Is is getting time to close the thread??