Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Helmets and Gear Full face vs. Open face...that is the question.

I'm picking up a 2007 Speedmaster this weekend (I live in the congested north east - Jersey). I know it's a matter of preference, but I'd like to hear a discussion about full face vs. open face. I am looking at the Shoei TZ-R or RF1000 vs. the Daytona Halk. I may just pick up both...but wanted to hear if anyone has any experience with either of these helmets...or perhaps you have another recommedation.

The more cars there are around me not paying attention to motorcycles the more protection I want. Just my 2 cents.

I just picked up a bargin Full Face to try-after 35 years of half and 3/4 helmets. Got a cheapie to try to see if I can get used to it. Others?

I am a relatively new rider so I don't have a lot of experience to draw on. I really wanted to get some kind of open face helmet. I like the look and the comfort. But I got a modular because I simply thought it was much safer. While I haven't had any serious tests of that decision, I have to say I am stunned at how many things "whack" me on the face shield.

A full-face is warmer.
It's also the reason I still have front teeth.
The best bet is a modular helmet with a flip-up chin bar.

A 3/4 with a flip up face shield is a good option

I like my full face in cold and rainy weather. On nice warm days I prefer my 1/2 helmet.

Just remember, if you come off the bike there is a good chance you will lead with your chin..........

Get a full face, yes they can be hot, but I ride with one year round in Florida. The underarmour head do-rag thingy does help keep your head cooler.

Get a Scorpion 700 Full Face. It has protection, Anti-fog, and great venting for hot weather.

A modular is another option. I use an HJC SyMax and like it.

open face.it,ll make a man of ya i,ve got one cost me £49.00 had it for years looks cool.as i,ve said on previous thread motorcycling is dangerous get used to it.

Another vote for modular - like two helmets in one


Helmet for around a hundred
http://search.ebay.com/vega-summit_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQdfspZ32QQfromZR40QQfsprZ1QQssPageNameZWD8B

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/vega-summit-II/

I have only good things to report from having one of these for 21,000 miles. The innards are adjustable via adding or removing foam or similar material to the removable padding pockets.

As a geezer in training, I run with a wind shield most of the time. I can ride with the helmet hatch open at 100 MPH with no helmet vs. wind issues.

I used to ride with an open face helmet until I was involved in an accident .....When I came off I led with my hands......that was quickly followed by my chin, cheek and nose....gravel rash hurts like h***.

I've 40k miles now in a SHOEI RF-1000, and it being 4 years old now, I want a new one. And I want another one just like what I have (I can't see spending the extra dough for the graphics - mine is solid Black). I have not one time ever regretted having to put it on to ride, or ever considered not wearing it when I go to mount up. It completes the pre-ride check, and I would not ride as much if I did not have it. It makes me want to ride more, and has never made the ride feel too long becuase it was on my head.

It does not get much hotter anywhere than what I put up with here in SouthEast Texas, but I have never felt like the helmet made me hotter than I would have been without it. That may be a mental thing, but when it's 90+ degrees out, it's still 90+ degrees out - whether you're naked or not.

I never drive a car without my seatbelt on - I feel more secure in it. I never ride without my helmet, either, and the full-face offers a lot of benefits that a 1/2, a 3/4, or even a 3/4 with face shield can't begin to touch. It works as "system" to keep your head warm or cool, and the venting also serves to keep the shield clear in cooler weather, or even in the rain.

I can ride almost as hard and fast in the rain as I can when it's dry - but only becuase I wear a full-face helmet that affords me the protection and confidence to do so. I have to feel for the other bikers I see out in the rain in their 1/2 or 3/4 open-face helmets. If they are out in it at all, they aren't going anywhere fast, that's for sure. I would hate to have to be held up by a "buddy" who could not "keep up" due to his lack of protection from the elements. (I would hate to be the one holding up my "buddies" if I were the one not properly equipped.)

Buy one that fits properly - what ever you do. We all have different head-shapes, and certain helmets are better suited to certain shaped heads. If it is not comfortable, then you won't wear it (like a poor-fitting pair of shoes). Mine fits so well I am very hesitant to try any other - even another model SHOEI, like the Multi-Tec modular. A good idea, but I just don't know if it would fit the same way, or be as comfortable. I will probably try one on when I get ready to buy, but it will be a full-face or modular, for sure, and I won't risk saving a few bucks and chancing a cheaper helmet that I may not want to wear. SHOEI happened to me. I tried on a few different helmets at the dealer's, and when this one went on, I knew it was the one. I found it for less elsewhere, but knew it was the right one for me.

modular was my choice! I can sneeze, cough, pick my nose, put chap stick on, scratch, get some sun, or a breeze, eat a sandwich, kiss my girl good bye, spit, or have full protection from weather rain, cold, bugs, dust.
I chose a nolan
Scott

I use a Nolan modular. A little easier to talk to your riding buddy at stops by popping it open instead of shouting through the helmet of a regular full yet still gives you full face protection. Get one with good venting. Also better on wind noise then open face.

Lady Bird Johnson's Highway Beautification program mandated a full face helmet for me.....

After 40+ years of riding with an open face, I finally switched to a closed face, Shoei TZ-R last fall. I was looking at the RF-1000, but your head shape will determine which you get. The TZ-R is more oval and the RF-1000 is more round. The TZ-R is great in the winter, but I have not ridden it in 90+ weather yet. Quality is top notch.

I think I prefer the 3/4 with face shield. Don't like the wind in my face all the time. Also the 3/4 has a better field of vision. Also with a face shield you are protected from those bugs at 50+ MPH. I had one smack on the cheek when I was wearing a 1/2 helmet and yes it freakin hurt!

Did the first ride yesterday with the full face helmet. Not nearly as bad as I was expecting.

Thanks for everyone for their replies. Special thanks to Blackwind for the review of the Shoie. I decided to go with the RF1000 (Metallic Black)...the fit was much better than the Arais I had tried. Looking forward to my first ride. I may pick up a DOT jockey/polo helmet for my summer country rides...but hard to find one not made in China. Thanks again for all the comments. This forum is great.

I have a very small head (XS size)and I find that when I wear a full face, my head is so far back in the helmet that it cuts way down on my peripheral vision...

I just got in a couple of hundred miles with my Vega Summit II modular full face and it does everything I want it to do. Pretty good lid, good ventilation, good viewport.

Get one that is comfortable, for if its not, you wont wear it.

I have the Shoei RF 1000 (Yellow) and wear it in the cooler weather, and a Carbon Fiber Helmets 1/2 helmet for hot.

I figure I'm wearing the helmet in case of a wreck, and if I wreck I think I'd prefer to have a full-face on. Discomfort is temporary.

So, if its uncomfortable as all ******, it doesnt matter?
That would be enough distraction, or fatigue, or what have you to facilitate lesser concentration and an accident.

Full face vs Open face. The pic below is from a study in Germany that shows the areas of impact on a full face helmet. Based on left side and right side totals, you're looking at 35% of impacts in the chin area.



Even with all of the above evidence though, I still go without a helmet most of the time around town. There's no justification for doing it. I just like riding most of the time without one on. For long trips, I take a 3/4 helmet with a built in face shield, but that's more for wind/debris protection and to alleviate fatigue, than it is for protection.

Very interesting stats/diagram Derek, many thanks for posting it.

Some will never wear helmet, regardless of data galour. Others will wear, but comfort is the largest consideration to the type. My view is that its better to wear a helmet one is comfortable with ( you convince yourself of what works for you ), than not at all. I like the 1/2 I have, I like the full, but at times, the full one(s) really bother my neck, give me headaches, so I go with the 1/2. Its better than nothing.

helmet laws suck
fibre glass military climbing helmet is what i wear

full face on cool days, 3/4 on hot.

Living in the UK - full face the only option! Wind, rain, stones, rain, flies, rain, flying things, rain, hail, rain, snow, rain and yes I almost forgot RAIN! And when summer is over we get .... colder rain. Open face... no channy!

A modular helmet does not give any better frontal protection then a 3/4.

I have a full face and a Harley style skid lid. I like the lid sometimes but if I gotta chose for most riding conditions I go with the full face one. Safer, I can hear better, and if a cager get to close and scares the crap outta me I can 1 finger salute em and they are no wiser as to who I am. All kidding aside. The full face is the wiser choice IMHO.

HELMET LAWS SUCK
LET THE RIDER DECIDE