So I was wondering if there are any advantages or disadvantages to a full face helmet over a full face v open face helmet or is it more a matter of personal preference. I think a full face would offer more protection but it seems it may be more restrictive. I've never worn a full face helmet so I'm pretty much a novice.
Greg Kamer
"It's better to be not riding and wishing you were than be riding and wishing you weren't."
USAF, 20 years, retired
Sheriff's Office, 23 years, retired
A full face offers much more protection. Smash your face off the road in an open face and you'll wish you had a full face. It all depends on how lucky you think you are.
+1 In a rain storm or hail, a full face is the way to go. I just feel more protected with my full face on. I was rear ended at a stop light and my full face had several deep gauges in the frontal and side areas....without it, I would have been seriously hurt. It takes a while to get used to it, but you will be glad you have it on.
I traded my 2014 RT for a 2017 Mr. White RT-S. I am George Lewis. I live two miles from Boerne, TX. I am 89, retired USAF and Sony Corp. I also have a GW MotorTrike. My email: scoot62@aol.com
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Full face is the best protection. Depending on your ryding and risk taking there are other options. We have gotten used to the modular allowing in traffic slow ryding to have it open to a 3/4 type and for faster freeway ryding close it to a full face. These are like trail bikes that are good for the on road and off road but not the best for either one. Stop by your local bike shop and try the different types out. Happy hunting...
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Full face is the best protection. Depending on your ryding and risk taking there are other options. We have gotten used to the modular allowing in traffic slow ryding to have it open to a 3/4 type and for faster freeway ryding close it to a full face. These are like trail bikes that are good for the on road and off road but not the best for either one. Stop by your local bike shop and try the different types out. Happy hunting...
I most often ride with a modular helmet. Just nice in rain and whatever else nature throws at you, or a passing car. Got a nice little chip from a little rock not long ago.
Here in Arizona, at least half the riders don't wear a helmet. I'm happy to live in a state that gives us the right to choose whether or not to wear a helmet (and also give us the right to open carry our sidearms, but that's for another forum). I choose to wear a helmet.
I have been riding for 38 years without a crash. I have always worn a 3/4 helmet, not so much because I'm worried about crashing, but because of the crap that flies through the air. Over the years, my helmets have been hit by birds and bird****, gigantic insects, rocks, and pieces of tires. I'd rather get dings and splats on my helmet than on my skull.
I have known people to survive motorcycle crashes with, and without helmets. One friend in particular crashed 4 years ago while wearing a helmet, and she can still barely walk without assistance. Another friend crashed without a helmet, and after a month of rehab, was riding again (still without a helmet). It all boils down to each person's individual comfort level.
I have a Can Am ST-1 hybrid with a vented jaw that I like. The built in sun visor is way better than wearing sunglasses. You can switch back and forth from shaded to clear lens with the push of a button and the sun visor doesn't buffet in the wind like sunglasses. Lot's of other brand helmets have the same features.
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Always used to ride with an open face helmet until one day arrived at a scene of an accident that had just occurred where a motorcyclist travelling at speed (in outback Australia) was rearend by an idiot attempting to over take him. Long story to short he had an open face helmet and when I got to him amongst many other injuries (tragically he passed away) his jaw bone was pretty much warn away from chin to ear on one side of his face. The very next bike shop I arrived at I purchased a full face helmet and have been wearing a full face unit ever since.
Full face is the best protection. Depending on your ryding and risk taking there are other options. We have gotten used to the modular allowing in traffic slow ryding to have it open to a 3/4 type and for faster freeway ryding close it to a full face. These are like trail bikes that are good for the on road and off road but not the best for either one. Stop by your local bike shop and try the different types out. Happy hunting...
Exactly what I do. Cooler at slower speeds. I use the tinted section when the chin is up. Oklahoma law requires eye protection. Helmet is optional but I dont even move my spyder without a helmet on.
So I can add something new to my list of things I've learned since coming here. I think modular is the way to go. Seems to offer the best of both worlds. Thanks for all your input.
Greg Kamer
"It's better to be not riding and wishing you were than be riding and wishing you weren't."
USAF, 20 years, retired
Sheriff's Office, 23 years, retired
Good luck, but a final point for you -- make triply sure it fits!!! Can you do head checks easily? Does it add or minimise buffeting? Does it have a lot of nice vents for hotter weather?? and for fogging-up? I have a shelf of helmets which I thought fit (in the shop) and which were OK while riding, but now that I've finally found one that is perfect for me, I can see and feel the amazing difference a good-fitting helmet makes - less buffeting, less noise, better visibility etc etc. Oh to answer your query, when I first started riding I was oh so claustrophic in a full face -in the shop- so went for an open face with shield - too many bugs and too cold, so tried a full face and haven't looked back, got used to it very quickly on the bike.
+1 for the modular. We like the ability to get in and out of the easier and the ability to leave the chin down but still lift the clear shield. The drop down tint is really nice too. We have HJC's currently but just tried on the Shoei Neotech and really liked those.
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I've used full faced helmets since they first became available to me in the mid '70s, primarily because I have no desire to shave with concrete or asphalt. I also use full face helmets vice modular helmets because full face helmets also carry a Snell rating and, to me, that's a big deal.
Others my look at it differently.
Phil
I may be old, but I got to see all the cool bands.
I want to get a modular helmet and watched the review on the Shark Evoline 3, I noticed that with the chin guard up, you can still have the face shield down as well as the sun visor. The others I looked at didn't. Seems to me that if/when you had the chin guard you would still like the face shield to come down. Am I missing something here?
The other thing that puzzles me is what makes a price difference between $150 and $600 in a helmet?
One of the hardest decisions you'll ever face in life is choosing whether to walk away or try harder.
Works best for me can put on with shades/glasses or not, need to sneeze, spit, sip.. np & no mess quick & ez. Found currant one @ HD & has a extra shade vizor built in, can add extra tint when I may need it. @flip of a lever. Shop around & make sure fits right!
I want to get a modular helmet and watched the review on the Shark Evoline 3, I noticed that with the chin guard up, you can still have the face shield down as well as the sun visor. The others I looked at didn't. Seems to me that if/when you had the chin guard you would still like the face shield to come down. Am I missing something here?
The other thing that puzzles me is what makes a price difference between $150 and $600 in a helmet?
I have the Scorpion EXO 900 modular, and the only time I have the face shield down is when it's raining, or when I get a phone call. I also wear over the glasses sunglasses as well, so I have a good bit of coverage. If I didn't, I think I would use the sun shield and possibly face shield, but the face shield restricts a lot of air flow. I wore mine as a 3/4 once, and will never do that again. Took too much road debris. As far as cost goes, some difference is materials and manufacturing costs. I believe some of it is name too.
My choice is the Shark. I love it, not cheap but. supposed to meet EU racing standards, because a lock for the chin, if you did not catch that feature (push in to lock). If, for ever reason you want to use it as a 3/4, it stills good as in the video. I use as a 3/4 for funeral escort and maybe riding around town on hot days. To be honest, I have been out on the freeway with the bar back, no buffeting or anything like that. Some modulars can not be ridden over 25 or so with bar back.
The internal, slide up sun shade should be a feature on any helmet. Riding n the Blue Ridge, nice sunny day----nice very dark tunnel, one hand slide, clear vision. I am not a mail order fan. I want to make sure the helmet fits.
Any helmet is better then none. Yes, over the last 60 plus years of riding, I have seen a few survive crashes without a helmet, but I have seen lots more that lived or suffered way less injuries because of a helmet. Take a tomato outside and slide it on the pavement. Enough said. It should your choice however, no big brother.
Why do I push for helmets and safe gear ? No pics, but about a hundred mile a hour slide down a black top road in a outlaw race many years ago. My BSA Gold Star did not do well. My helmet would called a 3/4 now, but "jet Style" in those days (top of the line then). Bubble shield on front had a hole worn through it. Foam core visible in more then one place on helmet Leather jacket and pants shreded all to pot, USAF issued "jump Boots" about the same. I kind of hobbled away with no major injuries
Last edited by Oldmanzues; 07-13-2015 at 08:58 AM.
Reason: added a couple words
Helmet pro's and con's
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Originally Posted by Chupaca
