Topic: full face helmet

[dhall57]

I recently purchased a Shoei TZR full face helmet. I haven't wore a full face in years, but I just thought a little more protection would be a wise decision. Its taken me a little while to get use to it, its so much difference between this and the half helmet Im use to wearing. I like the quietness of the Shoei and its a very nice helmet, but my view of vision is so much less especially being able to see other vehicle's coming up beside me. I have to turn my head to the extreme right or left to be able to see what's coming up beside me witch means of course taken my eyes off of what's in front of me witch I don't like to do. I try to use my mirrors, but when you are running down the interstate at 70mph they aren't that clear. Do all full face riders have the same problem Im having? Any suggestions?
dhall

[Gordon]

I don't think it should be like that, but I've never worn a Shoei.  With my HJC full face I have almost completely unobstructed peripheral vision.  Is it the inside padding or the helmet itself that's restricting your vision?

[gmonkey]

That doesn't sound right at all.  I have a Shoei RF-1000 and I'd say my view is 99% unobstructed.  I have to look pretty hard to the right or left to actually see the edge of the opening.  My glasses get in the way of seeing things more than my helmet does.  Are you sure you have a properly sized one?

[tramp]

i wear a full face and never thought there was a problem with the vision

[dave500]

your not used to it perhaps,ide say youve lost a little pheriphal and it just seems worse,i have a cheap rxt and if i turn my head at speed the visor lifts one or two clicks.

[BobbyR]

I made the same conversion form a half to full face and it was a Shoei. It does seem a bit odd in the beginning, but your left to right peripheral vision should not be obstructed, unless you have a different helmet. I suspect you are not hearing the traffic as you did before. The only problem I see with the full face and vision is looking down. I need to tip my head down to see the gauges, and of course when I am walking.

[72 yellow]

I made the same conversion form a half to full face and it was a Shoei. It does seem a bit odd in the beginning, but your left to right peripheral vision should not be obstructed, unless you have a different helmet. I suspect you are not hearing the traffic as you did before. The only problem I see with the full face and vision is looking down. I need to tip my head down to see the gauges, and of course when I am walking.

I wear a open face helmet when I am walking.   

[Alan F.]

Blind spot mirrors, those little stick-on convex mirrors.  You can get them at pretty much any consumer auto parts store.

http://www.chaparral-racing.com/Product/eyeball-mirror/360-0209.aspx

[74cb750]

The problem with my full face helmet when I look up
to see the stars at 80mph I have to tip my head up.
 

[Hasenkopf]

not supposed to wear it backwards..................

[patricke9]

A few months ago I picked up a '82 Suzuki GS850 cheap & decided to sell it to make some cash to fix my CB550.  Before I sold it I snagged the mirror cushions (that's what they are called in the parts manual) part # is 56700-31001- they go for under $12 each & are still available from the dealer.  I didn't think they would do anything to stop the mirrors from vibrating, the mirrors seem almost loose & floppy, but I was really surprised, they actually work!  I'm running clubman bars & they raise the mirrors up & out about an inch, for the first time I can see behind me clearly, not just a blurry image of my shoulders even at highway speeds. 
Part #4 in the diagram:

[dhall57]

Thanks for the all the input. Let me clear up my helmet issue. I think it might be a misunderstanding of me not being able to see very good out of my new Shoei TZR. If so that's my fault because of the way I phrased the sentences. I really like the helmet and yes it does fit correctly and is comfortable. The only issue I have is when I'm changing lanes I have to turn my head in a much more deliberate fashion rather it be right or left to make sure there is nothing beside me because of the blind spot the full face creates. With the half helmet I could make a quick glance that took only a split second and I was in the other lane and on my way without any hesitation. With the Shoei I have to take my eyes off the road in front of me longer than I like just to make sure its safe to swap lanes and when your running down the interstate at 70 mph and at that speed things can happen so fast  it can make you feel a little unsafe. I know the head turn takes my eye off the road for no more than 1 second, but when your use to 1/2 second or less that extra time seems to long. Here's my Shoei.

[Gordon]

If that's all it is then I'm sure you'll get used to it.  It's been so long since I've worn anything other than a full-face that I can't remember what the difference is when doing shoulder checks.  IMO, it's a small compromise for having far better protection for my noggin. 

And as suggested before, try some small, stick-on blind spot mirrors.  They really do help a lot, especially in more congested traffic situations.   

[azuredesign]

After reading your thread, I went for a long ride yesterday, and it is true that my full face helmet does block some peripheral vision. But as Gordon says, you compensate for it naturally after a while. It's hardest for me to see now when I'm riding a bike with clip ons and have to enter a roadway at an acute angle. I can just barely turn my head enough to see if someone is coming. Even a convex mirror insert won't help here. I'm just the victim of too many pig piles as a kid.

I had a couple of big bugs and stones hit me in the helmet yesterday that would have otherwise got me in the face. You'll certainly be glad for having the full face after a while, and your singing should improve as well!

[tramp]

had a bird hit my helmet at 60mph
looked like a 747 with flaps down and landing gear extended
my full wrap saved the day

[BobbyR]

DHall, I think the theme here is that you learn to accommodate for the difference in helmet styles. I guess I do use my mirrors more than i did back in the day.

[domer]

The only helmet i have that fits right happens to be a mx helmet... that being said, i was cruising a good 30-35 through the sf mission when a #$%*ing pigeon hit me head on and got #$%*ing stuck between the visor and the chin bar. all i could do was hit the brakes and scream. scared the piss out of me. full face from now on.

[BobbyR]

The only helmet i have that fits right happens to be a mx helmet... that being said, i was cruising a good 30-35 through the sf mission when a #$%*ing pigeon hit me head on and got #$%*ing stuck between the visor and the chin bar. all i could do was hit the brakes and scream. scared the piss out of me. full face from now on.

[domer]

 
it was funny after i got the #$%*er out, at least the crowd of people that had gathered sure thought it was...