Recommend a helmet

Syd

Hi

I'm thinking of getting a new helmet, and was wondering does anyone have any recommendations. I was looking at the open face ones, with the full visor. Does anyone know if these are as safe as the ones that have the whole chin guard thing? Also, how are they for blocking out wind (and rain especially, rain can corkscrew round corners to get on my glasses, they're very attractive to water).

Thanks for any opinions.

Syd

Krusty_Clown

Nobody's replying, and I've never owned one, but I'd imagine in terms of safety, you're looking at:
#1: Proper helmet
#2: Flip up helmet
#3: Open Face helmet

I just don't see how an open face helmet could protect you at all, in a forward spill. I remember seeing this guy in the US who was missing half of his lower face.. Dunno what happened to him, but immediately I figured he must have been wearing one..

In terms of blocking out wind and rain (of which we seem to have both in equal ample measure these days) can't see how they'd block these either..

Maybe if you lived in California where the sun always shines, and only drive on soft rubbery roads, you'd be ok..

Just my 2c though... Never worn one, never will...

*Edit*: Apparently there's a picture of someone after a similar incident on rotten.com (which isn't a very work-safe or lunch-safe site).

Syd

Thanks

I was thinking of one of the ones that have a full visor, but no chin guard. I ended up finding the information I wanted on Wikipedia anyway

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motorcycle_helmet

Seems I should go for the full one. The visor on an open face one is just for wind.

Thanks again

Try a flip up helmet. I have a caberg justissimo. Its comfortable and when the chin bar is down it feels as secure as a full face lid.

art

Deleted User wrote:

Try a flip up helmet. I have a caberg justissimo. Its comfortable and when the chin bar is down it feels as secure as a full face lid.

I was just about to recommend that one too but note, it comes with a kit that allows you to remove the chin bar completely so you can use it as an open face helmet, say, during the summer (whenever the **** that is) and then switch* back to a full face helmet during the winter. The Justissimo comes with a built in sun visor as well as normal visor so you get great set of options all with the same helmet.


*Important PS - I've never done this myself so don't know how difficult it is to do etc. If you are interested, better get them to demonstrate in the shop.

Its pretty simple to do, only takes 2 minutes with a flat head screwdriver. But I wouldn't feel safe with the front off. The built in sunvisor can be pretty handy but the wind always gets in under it and if you put the main visor down the sun visor fogs up which is annoying. But other than that its a pretty good helmet.

Hotblack Desiato

Krusty_Clown wrote:

I remember seeing this guy in the US who was missing half of his lower face.. Dunno what happened to him, but immediately I figured he must have been wearing one..

Seen it. Shotgun suicide attempt gone wrong (or right?!?), nothing to do with a bike.

In terms of blocking out wind and rain (of which we seem to have both in equal ample measure these days) can't see how they'd block these either..

Actually an open face with full length visor blocks wind and rain pretty well.

art

Deleted User wrote:

Its pretty simple to do, only takes 2 minutes with a flat head screwdriver. But I wouldn't feel safe with the front off. The built in sunvisor can be pretty handy but the wind always gets in under it and if you put the main visor down the sun visor fogs up which is annoying. But other than that its a pretty good helmet.

I got one of them pink waxy stick things, can't remember the name of them: you rub it on the inner visor, wipe off, and no more fogging! Works really well.

richie_rvf

I'll answer your question with another;

How much do you value your head?

Go to a reputable motorcycle dealer and buy the best you can, I have been in a number of motorcycle accidents over the years and I can honestly say that every time there was a lot of damage to the helmets and in some there was a lot of damage to the chin area!

I would recommend getting a full face Arai, there are plenty of choices regarding colour and patterns to suit everyones tastes.

Whatever you decide best of luck.

Richie.

Oryx

The safest type of helmet is full face, as it covers more of your head, and is less likely to come off as it fits more snugly (assuming youre wearing the correct size) It also protects against the elements better.
An open face helmet is ok, but is more for cruiser riders and slower bikes, I think. Its never going to be as safe, and you will have more of a problem with rain, but probably less with fogging up etc.

A flip helmet is a compromise between the two, as with anything, buy the best you can afford. Find a mechanism that needs only one hand to open and that cant be opened accidentally.

And as a recommendation? Full face Arai. Try to get the visor fitted with pinlock antifog, whichever helmet you get.

Edit: Just read richie above, snap, lol. If you are set on an open face, nolan do a pretty good one, model N42.

Esel

Shoei all the way ftw!