Topic: I hate helmets but..........

[dpen]

I've just attended an accident (in an official capacity) that has given me a new slant on helmets.

This bloke on a small Kawasaki swerved to avoid a pushbike, came off & slid 6 metres to come to rest under a parked car.

The thing is that he slid the whole way on his face!

He was wedged under the car so badly that four coppers & I had to lift the back of the car so the Ambos could get him out.

He'll lose an eye (his visor shattered) & his head is slightly rat#$%* in shape but he was talking to us while the Ambos were putting him in the ambulance.

His helmet looked like it had been taken to with an angle grinder on the front.

I know it's the "luck of the draw" but it's made me think about my old open face.

[Jim Shea]

You wouldn't catch me in an open face helmet. I have a brand new one that was a present and I have never used it.

[clarkjh]

Wouldn't wear anything but a full face.  Face planted 14 years ago into the sod, thank god, and not pavement.  Riped the shield of the helmet, lost my glasses, and my sight due to a cuncussion, got it back about what seemed like eterity, but was 2min.  Since then only a full face will do.

James

[Einyodeler]

I`ve had 2 serious motorcycle accidents , both times the front of my full face helmets were almost totally destroyed.
I broke my jaw in 4 places in 1 accident , so if I would have had an open face helmet on then I wouldn`t have this handsome face anymore
I was also a volunteer fireman in Germany for 18 years and after seeing the results of bike wrecks first hand I will always wear full face helmets.

[seabird]

I've had four "Offs" in my motorcycling life (since 1956) and each one was under 10 mph.  And in each one my head (enclosed in a full face helmet) bounced on the back of the helmet.
Result?  four helmets cracked or otherwise out of commision permanently , one skull unmarked.
And I too, still am devilishly handsome(hur, hur)!

Full face - the only way.

Terry

[mwar]

What do you guys think of this type of design?
 http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2000123/showCustom-0/p-2000123/N-111+10211+600013860/c-10111

I just bought a '74 CB750 a couple of weeks ago and I'm in the market for a helmet. This is my first bike in many years, my last accident left me with a fractured skull-- I was young and foolish with no helmet, but now I won't do any real riding without one.

[eldar]

You will probably get all the "expert" opinions and while there are helmets that are better than others, at least you are going to get one. I have seen these and seem to fit just fine and are fairly hefty and thick. The flip up modular part may not be quite as strong but that is something that would be hard to test in a lab even.

It is still a full face and will still protect better than a half helmet and way better than no helmet!

these is a very good read on helmets that I will try to find for you.

[eldar]

Here it is. Very good article.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/hatz/

[GoatBaSS]

I wear my half helmet when I drive my truck ( when my 2yr old lets me borrow it, likes to wear it in her child seat/rollcage). People tell me I look "special". They seem to get out of my way quickly...
Wouldnt wear it driving the bike, had a teacher tell me a great story about a brother in law, a half helmet, a bee, a swolen face, a trip to the ER.
And if you have any friends in the medical field.....

[cbjunkie]

thanks, L-dar,
an excellent article. thanks a lot! i am sending it to my father as well who rides a "hardly"...   

i was wearing a HJC AC3 (pictured) during my accident on october 5. a Snell approved lid - i flew 15' (reportedly) and came down on the middle third of the top of the helmet which did its delaminating and the EPS did it's crushing - my jello sloshed and made a little bruise which caused me some confusion, there is yet a little bit...but not so bad i didn't make it all the way through that article 

since i'll be looking for another helmet come springtime, i'll def use this info to guide me.

j'lo...

i wonder if you guys have seen that aerogel stuff? i wonder what a little layer of that could do inside a helmet..?

[mwar]

Here it is. Very good article.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/hatz/

Eldar,
Thank you for the excellent article. I just finished it. My finance department (wife) also thanks you.

[eldar]

There is a lot too it. Nice info to have.

Women are always happy when their bank account lives!

[SteveD CB500F]

Sounds like a post we had on here a couple of months ago Sky.  Same subject but the pictures got a little gory.

After several complaints, I removed them (please don't post them again)

The pic of the bike buried in the sub-compact was entertaining though (note to fellow Brits - sorry about the language but couldn't think of another word that our American friends would understand...)

[Dennis]

I started riding before there were helmet laws, while very young and stupid. I was LUCKY enough to escape unscathed. I too hate helmets, but being very much older and just a little bit wiser, I hate pain and suffering much more. I wear a good quality full face helmet.

[seaweb11]

Great article, very informative
I always keep a lid on, you never know what might happen.

[dpen]

I started riding before there were helmet laws, while very young and stupid. I was LUCKY enough to escape unscathed. I too hate helmets, but being very much older and just a little bit wiser, I hate pain and suffering much more. I wear a good quality full face helmet.

I also started riding before helmet laws (and breath testing).

I've always worn an el-cheapo open face (for over 30 years) but, as mentioned, it may be time for a change.

Interesting thing about his visor though, eye would still be in one piece if the visor hadn't shattered.

[Jim Shea]

The visor shattering worried me also, I thought these were re-enforced to prevent this? What would happen if you were hit in the visor by a stone at 70mph?

"I have a modular (flip up) full face" I have been told that these are definitley not as strong as a full face helmet?

[Einyodeler]

The visor shattering worried me also, I thought these were re-enforced to prevent this? What would happen if you were hit in the visor by a stone at 70mph?

Clear safety glasses under the visor

[Jim Shea]

Ah, but what do you wear under the safety glasses in case they break? 
I am just about to buy a HJC bike helmet, anyone had any experience of these?

[SteveD CB500F]

Jim.  Stop arsing around and buy and Arai or Shoei...

[Jim Shea]

Steve,
Strong words, remember that I am retired, I can't afford a posh brand! when a HJC is probably as good? I hope all the non Shoei & Arai helmet users will give Steve some abuse for his email? 
Jim.

[mcpuffett]

he's bullying you jim    mick open face helmet with jet flip visor .

[Jim Shea]

He is a bit of a bully! 
Are you still high bidder on the gold CB?

[kghost]

Pretty funny stuff 

Lets see if I can sum all this post up..........

We are All in agreement on ...........

Any helmet is better than no helmet

A full Face helmet is better than a half helmet.

I have been fortunate to never wreck a bike on the street.

I have also been fortunate enough to have my very own crash test dummy.
Aint friends great? I have one who crashes on just about an annual basis.
Really! Three times in three years. All under various real world street conditions

The net result? Three bashed helmets.
My point? Every single one of those helmets wound up with scratches and damage to the chin guard.
Doesnt seem to matter too much..When the bike flings ya or you fling the bike.........
Some part of the front of your face seems to come in contact.

Buy a helmet. Whatever you can afford . Then wear it

[Jim Shea]

Nicely summed up sir...