Do I want a flip front helmet?

[nzspokes]

Thinking about a new lid. Are flip fronts a good idea? Or do they just add weight?

Say something like this, http://www.cycletreads.co.nz/product...p_face_he.aspx

Doesnt have to be that one though.

[hellokitty]

My Dad has a BMW one and loves it - I can see the benefits - flip the front up at the gas station etc rather than taking helmet off.
Ask people that have them - I was talking to a guy (Caseye I think) and he said that his wife had a flip front helmet that broke when she had a accident. I would worry about that.... Surely there must be testing and statistics ??

[nzspokes]

My Dad has a BMW one and loves it - I can see the benefits - flip the front up at the gas station etc rather than taking helmet off.
Ask people that have them - I was talking to a guy (Caseye I think) and he said that his wife had a flip front helmet that broke when she had a accident. I would worry about that.... Surely there must be testing and statistics ??

Yeah that bothers me. I would love a Shoei Qwest. But $700!!.

Ive tried one and its sooo nice. But not flip.

[Urano]

Are flip fronts a good idea?

nope.

problems with flip-ups are mainly two:

1- as you said, they are heavy. and they cost more than full face. and they are intrinsically less safe than full face (even if SHARP spots models with 100% safe mechanism...).

2- then there is the problem of their use. what do you want it for? the advantage is that you can enter in the dairy keeping the helmet and just flipping the chin guard. or that you can wear it without taking off your glasses, or that you can smoke a cigarette in the parking with the helmet on.
are those "advantages" real, and more important than the said drawbacks? in my opinion no, they are not.
and much more than that, there is always the possibility that you'd be tempted in riding with the chin guard up, which is MUCH MORE DANGEROUS than riding with a jet helmet.


so...
if you want the possibility to go "en plein air", buy a givi x01 instead...
but i've got it, and i'll buy a normal full face next...

[scumdog]

Just go with an open face - they still make them you know so they must be safe...

[hellokitty]

well said Urano.

[hellokitty]

Just go with an open face - they still make them you know so they must be safe...

and eat all those bugs? (As well as the obvious safety issues and the fact I love my teeth)

[nzspokes]

nope.

problems with flip-ups are mainly two:

1- as you said, they are heavy. and they cost more than full face. and they are intrinsically less safe than full face (even if SHARP spots models with 100% safe mechanism...).

2- then there is the problem of their use. what do you want it for? the advantage is that you can enter in the dairy keeping the helmet and just flipping the chin guard. or that you can wear it without taking off your glasses, or that you can smoke a cigarette in the parking with the helmet on.
are those "advantages" real, and more important than the said drawbacks? in my opinion no, they are not.
and much more than that, there is always the possibility that you'd be tempted in riding with the chin guard up, which is MUCH MORE DANGEROUS than riding with a jet helmet.


so...
if you want the possibility to go "en plein air", buy a givi x01 instead...
but i've got it, and i'll buy a normal full face next...

Thats fair. You convinced me. Normal full then. Going to go try the Shoei. Not much else to do on a rainy sunday than bug m/cycle retailers.

[Laava]

I have a shoei multitec and to be honest would not have another flip front. More because of noise and hassle factor than safety.
However a pinlock is a must IMO.

[Corse1]

Never had a problem with my Nolan flip front. It is a little quieter than my AGV...I would never buy another one though. As said the benefits are just not there.

[george formby]

I use a Caberg, not the quietest or lightest helmet but not bad at all. The flip face is a boon for petrol. shops, talking to Constabules etc but by far the biggest thing is the internal sun visor. Worth it's weight in gold IMHO.

If you do come off & bang your head the helmet just need to do it's job once, any helmet goes in the bin after a bounce.

If you forget to pull the front down when you ride off it's instantly noticeable, cold air on the chin hairs.

For me, the convenience out weighs any perception of less safety.

[Woodman]

I got a flip front and quite like it. Left it up once (forgot) and bent down to go under a tree branch and it almost took my head off, but otherwise they are fine.

[thepom]

I,ve had flip fronts,........2 bmw,s ,and now on a shoei multitec.......the bmw,s all fell apart and the shoei is by far the best .........when closed they are as safe as any full face and I ride most of the time with it up and as I like the wind in my face...............

[Urano]

when closed they are as safe as any full face

no, unfortunately it is not...

and I ride most of the time with it up and as I like the wind in my face

that's a huge problem mate.
as i've said this behavior is common to most bikers with flip helmets.

just consider this: ECE regulations need helmet to be tested on everything that exceed 2 mm (yep, two millimeters) above the shape surface.
everything, air vents, spoilers, visor levers... have to be tested to confirm that it's easily breakable and that wouldn't offer any locking point while sliding on the ground.
this to prevent that a spot will act as a pivot to start a rotational moment on your head. in ECE is included a slant crash test.
rotational damage are very dangerous on your brain, equally than direct impact ones and could have snapping effect on your neck too.

so you buy a 700$ helmet thought to be sleek and with all the 2 mm mess, then you deliberately decide to add on it 4 fingers of a chin guard left open...


if you like wind on your face buy an open face helmet. and keep good relations with your dentist...

[Oblivion]

I have one that I got as a first helmet. Like everyone else says, they are heavy things. Not to mention that they are loud even with it closed. Can't talk to myself when riding because my voice gets buffeted.

When this one goes, I'm getting a full face one. Even if it means going for a trip to the optometrists to get some contacts.