Author Topic: Helmets? (Read 9022 times)

eoddom · « **on:** October 13, 2015, 11:25:29 AM »

So now that I have a bike, I guess I should really be looking for a helmet. I haven't worn one since High School (riding on the back of my dads bikes) and it was a full face. I think I'd prefer an open face helmet as I get a little claustrophobic in a full face. I almost fear looking like a hipster at this point though (hair in a bun, 70's honda and a open face helmet).

What's a good solid, basic and safe open face helmet? I was looking at this one http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/bell-custom-500-helmet-solids as it is basic and priced well.

Pat_at_APE · « **Reply #1 on:** October 13, 2015, 11:37:45 AM »

I think an open face helmet is only acceptable if you have a windshield.... Based on my personal experience taking impacts from bumble bees, grasshoppers, and once a mating pair of dragon flies I know I'm right (had to pull over on that one).

I chose the bell revolver helmet because it is full face but flips open (not while riding) so if you get stuffy when stopped you can get some air. Also, the drop down tinted inner visor is really great to have.

Good luck with whatever you decide on and ride safe!

Regards,
Pat at APE

calj737 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 13, 2015, 11:41:31 AM »

Well-priced? What is your life worth? Do NOT skimp with safety items, especially helmets. Full face units are safer, quieter, and offer much better protection. Modular helmets (flip up chin bars) may be your better bet to offer the safety and convenience of an open face (as Pat suggested). Shoei makes a couple, Schubert, Bell and others.

You really need to go to a shop and try every helmet you are considering on your head. They all fit very differently, even within the same manufacturer. Each model is designed for a different skull shape, so find the one that fits very comfortably on your head. There is absolutely nothing worse while riding than a helmet that doesn't fit. (Like hiking in sand with a stone in your shoe).

BobbyR · « **Reply #3 on:** October 13, 2015, 11:44:23 AM »

You have asked about safe open face helmet. With so much of your face exposed they cannot really be safe.

The new full face units have a wide field of vision and good ventilation. You can crack open the visor a bit which for some reason makes it seem more open.

I made the transition and the closed in feeling goes away after a couple of days. Sometimes it can be comforting.

flatlander · « **Reply #4 on:** October 13, 2015, 11:48:04 AM »

open face may be fine for puttering around town but not for higher speeds. your impression will turn from claustrophobic to comfortable the first time you ride through rain at highway speed. then there's the safety aspect of course...
i have a shark evoline that can be used open or closed. its chin part folds back completely.

indeed, try them on for some time. a friend of mine picked one in a shop that seemed to fit but has to stop and take it off every 20mins or so coz it starts hurting then. totally useless.

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #5 on:** October 13, 2015, 12:14:19 PM »

Aside from parade speeds (like the DGR), I ride with a full-face helmet. An open-face helmet will not protect your mouth, nose, jaw, etc. if you have contact with the ground or other objects. Imagine having your jaw ground down and ripped off by asphalt. Not a pretty image.

Try on as many models as you can to find the right fit. It should be snug and not allow movement independent of your face but not be so tight that it is uncomfortable after 15 minutes. Also note that the liner will give a little as the helmet breaks in and give you some additional room. You do not want slop in the fit.

If you wear glasses, make sure you can slide them on after putting on your helmet. My Bell modular full-face, for instance, is extremely difficult to use with my glasses.

Do NOT buy the cheapest helmet you can afford. By the best helmet you can afford that fits. You only have one skull.

eoddom · « **Reply #6 on:** October 13, 2015, 12:23:29 PM »

Alright thanks for the feeback gents. And I'm not looking for a cheap helmet, just something affordable in the 200-300 range which looking around seems very possible. I like the look of that bell revolver, and the fact chin part lifts up as well. My dad always kept me in the nicest helmets possible, and if it hadn't been for him working at a yamaha dealer, they would have been quite expensive.

calj737 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 13, 2015, 01:34:46 PM »

I live by the maxim: the most expensive helmet is still MUCH cheaper than the least expensive trip to the ER. Worth thinking about if you plan to ride for years and many miles.

ofreen · « **Reply #8 on:** October 13, 2015, 02:33:06 PM »

An open face helmet may be better than nothing. As long as you are content with surviving looking like one of the biters from the Walking Dead.

Stev-o · « **Reply #9 on:** October 13, 2015, 03:23:46 PM »

I like my Arai....

SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan · « **Reply #10 on:** October 13, 2015, 03:26:40 PM »

Quote from: eoddom on October 13, 2015, 12:23:29 PM

Alright thanks for the feeback gents. And I'm not looking for a cheap helmet, just something affordable in the 200-300 range which looking around seems very possible. I like the look of that bell revolver, and the fact chin part lifts up as well. My dad always kept me in the nicest helmets possible, and if it hadn't been for him working at a yamaha dealer, they would have been quite expensive.

I own a Bell Revolver EVO Warp. I wanted to try a modular helmet. My only complaints are that it is a somewhat noisy helmet (wind noise) and that it is VERY difficult to slide glasses on when wearing the helmet.

I much prefer my Arai Vector 2 Phil Read.

Gene · « **Reply #11 on:** October 13, 2015, 03:30:19 PM »

Helmets - yes, get one.

I have a 3/4 face with a flip shield. It's hard to find something that fits my head . . . wish that was a joke. Before the helmet laws I never wore one - which was stupid, but I was lucky.

As everyone has said, get the best fitting, finest helmet you can afford. I've heard good things about Biltwell, but never owned one.

70CB750 · « **Reply #12 on:** October 14, 2015, 03:41:03 AM »

I wore open face for quite a while; switched to modular and I am very happy with it.

strynboen · « **Reply #13 on:** October 14, 2015, 06:49:05 AM »

i have used a open helmet once..it have a click on visir,vho can be pushed up.. at 150 kmt..it jump to full open...have almost lost my head in that vind blow...
..have got a flip up helmet..with sun shiels integred..at slow speed i can ride it open..its the best kompromise..but vind make a hell of buff/ larm
..a full closed helmer are a bit more komfortabel..

Dunk · « **Reply #14 on:** October 14, 2015, 12:24:19 PM »

If I didn't wear a full face I wouldn't have a face. Do your future self a favor and wear a full face, even if it's a cheap $100 helmet. For $200-$300 you can get a pretty decent helmet. I have a Bell Bullitt with bubble shield. It's the most open feeling full face I've worn and I like the period correct style.

vfourfreak · « **Reply #15 on:** October 14, 2015, 01:00:31 PM »

+1 on not skimping on cost. Think about flying an airline that slashed their maintenance budget.

And wear ear plugs.

Kev

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #16 on:** October 14, 2015, 02:17:04 PM »

Had various bits jump up and hit me right in my faceshield at highway speeds. 2X4s, nuts, bolts, bugs.
That 2X4 that jumped up in my grill would have done major damage if it wasn't a full-faced helmet.

scrapvalue · « **Reply #17 on:** October 14, 2015, 02:17:58 PM »

Bubble wrap is cheap, and stylish!

Mantree · « **Reply #18 on:** October 14, 2015, 03:03:45 PM »

Quote from: Dunk on October 14, 2015, 12:24:19 PM

If I didn't wear a full face I wouldn't have a face. Do your future self a favor and wear a full face, even if it's a cheap $100 helmet. For $200-$300 you can get a pretty decent helmet. I have a Bell Bullitt with bubble shield. It's the most open feeling full face I've worn and I like the period correct style.

Same here I use to ride without a helmet but after a close call with a wet road and worn rear tire I started wearing a full face and it let me keep my face

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RAFster122s · « **Reply #19 on:** October 14, 2015, 08:32:22 PM »

You might imagine that you can keep your face off the road if you go down. Reality is that you often end up tossed like a rag doll and letting your body relax is better to resist injuries.

Also, how easy can you pop off the faceshield on your open faced helmet. Road will make it really easy to pop off.

A pair of jeans are going to last less than 7 seconds in a slide.
IF you want a reality check search for road rash images from motorcycle spills.
There's a website where a pretty cheerleader type girl went off the back of a crotch rocket at speed and she tells her story and shows all the skin grafts and scars she received. It is eye opening for those who ride with flipflops and shorts.
David

Mantree · « **Reply #20 on:** October 15, 2015, 03:25:21 AM »

Quote from: RAF122S on October 14, 2015, 08:32:22 PM

You might imagine that you can keep your face off the road if you go down. Reality is that you often end up tossed like a rag doll and letting your body relax is better to resist injuries.

Also, how easy can you pop off the faceshield on your open faced helmet. Road will make it really easy to pop off.

A pair of jeans are going to last less than 7 seconds in a slide.
IF you want a reality check search for road rash images from motorcycle spills.
There's a website where a pretty cheerleader type girl went off the back of a crotch rocket at speed and she tells her story and shows all the skin grafts and scars she received. It is eye opening for those who ride with flipflops and shorts.
David

I spent about a month looking like raw hamburger where my t-shirt shredded legs went bad but there were places that the jeans had ripped, my surgeon asked to keep what was left of my helmet and got a photo of me in my hospital bed holding the helmet to take to schools to teach about helmets.

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eoddom · « **Reply #21 on:** October 15, 2015, 03:58:59 AM »

Oh I can imagine what can happen. It was hard enough to get my fiance on board with me getting a bike (her uncle died on one) so I intend on always keeping safety a priority. It doesn't help that people in this town drive like maniacs.

Also, as a kid, I remember going over my handlebars on my bicycle going down hill. I slid quite a ways down that steep road on my face. It was bad enough that now, at 28, there are parts of my face that wont grow hair.

So thanks for the input fellas. I'll invest in a nice full face helmet. I already have quite a few pairs of boots I can use for riding, and intend on getting some kind of jacket.

Mantree · « **Reply #22 on:** October 15, 2015, 08:08:14 AM »

That can be a whole thread on its own maby we should just start a safety gear thread

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eoddom · « **Reply #23 on:** October 15, 2015, 08:22:27 AM »

I agree. It would help newer riders like me get a better idea of general safety items we should consider. I know if I just went with what I saw people wearing around my town on their bikes, I'd be in shorts, sneakers and a tank top riding my bike....

Mantree · « **Reply #24 on:** October 15, 2015, 03:13:45 PM »

I see people in shorts and flip flops with no shirt all the time drives me nuts

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Author Topic: Helmets? (Read 9022 times)

scrapvalue