What are y'all thoughts on "beanie" type helmets. I'm guessing they aren't the safest helmet, but they seem like they would feel less confining.
i have what i believe is considered a 3/4 helmet. not the full face. doesn't feel confining at all. not sure i'd feel safe in a 1/2 helmet.
i always thought the 3/4 was called full coverage. bell's were pretty cool, with the tiny visor that was squared in front, 3 snaps. luckily i don't throw anything away, ever, so having the access to one in good condition has totally reshaped whole daily riding experience, there was no padding inside except around the ears and the strap leather near the ears was nearly gone, so i cut some foam rubber so is wasn't so sloppy loose, but i don't know how many years now it's been since wearing it. thing about it most interesting isn't the fact that it has no rated safety features for any get-offs except for the visor if you're laying on side of the road and can't move but the sun might be in your eyes, if the visor stayed on, but it's like a hat, i don't take it off in the grocery store or hardware stores, or just hanging out with someone. so i don't have to carry a helmet or leave it on the bike. trip to anywhere ride up the front door on the sidewalk, park do what you gotta do in a few minutes and then go back. except at the emergency center entrance, they came lookin for me and said i couldn't park there on the sidewalk 10 ft from the door. i don't think there is any trade off for a "more safer, full faced helmet" of any kind starting with the home made football face protector to the most modern simpson. couple months ago a good checker friend of mine, raced his entire life, starting in the 60s on a triumph, he's close to 60, it was but a couple years ago he pulled a number 1 plate flat track expert 500 class, and has always rode a street bike. he lives in small desert town, he got hung up with a semi truck trailer wheel, in a tight corner, it drug him down the road a little bit. his leg was amputated, that sucks. i don't know if his lid played a role in him still being here.