Full face, open face or flip-up??

**Hitcher** · 9th January 2004, 11:54

What's everybody current wearing?
Discuss your preferences as well.

LB · 9th January 2004, 12:10

Personally, I would never wear an open-face, and I have an inherent distrust of flip-up helmets. Currently wear a Shoei XVR and am looking at upgrading soon to a Shoei XR1000. I LOVE the current graphics I've got (called Myazaki/Trump/Ace depending on where you look) and am not that fussed on the current graphics available, though will probably go for the blue/black/white rather than plain. Although I understand that plain white is supposed to be very good for visibility.

I like the look of some of the Arais but the Shoei fits my head better.

**Coldkiwi** · 9th January 2004, 12:16

always worn a full face, always will. heard to many horror stories from my sister about guys coming into the Emergency dept in PA hospital in Brisbane looking like they've been attacked witha cheese grater after crashing in an open face.
as for flip up... well, maybe ok (great idea in theory) but just how much of a knock is needed for them to fail? I personally like my facial features the way they are.
Using a KBC galaxy atm for shear value ($400 from mT eden) but I really like the feel, fit and look of the Sharks. One's on my list!

**jrandom** · 9th January 2004, 12:31

Originally Posted by Coldkiwi

Using a KBC galaxy atm for shear value

As opposed to, say, the chinguard on a flip-up, which poses a shear risk?

**jrandom** · 9th January 2004, 12:43

Shoei Raid, cheap at 'arf the price ($600 back in '02 iirc) fits a treat and comes in the One True Colour. Arais just don't seem to go on my head very well, and I've heard too many dodgy stories about AGVs to consider buying one.

I don't think I'll ever buy a helmet with graphics.

Anything other than a full-face was never even a consideration. I like my rugged, manly jawline with that un-grated look

**James Deuce** · 9th January 2004, 12:48

I have a Nolan N100E Flip-up that is just bloody brilliant. The pin-lock anti fogging system is the best anti fogging system I have ever used and the vents actually work. The only thing I would complain about is it is a bit heavier than a normal full face.

On top of that it recently won an EU sponsored safety contest in the impact category, so I am quite confident that it is safe. It is also rated as safe for racing in GB.

I don't ride around with it open though.

**Coldkiwi** · 9th January 2004, 13:07

Originally Posted by jrandom

As opposed to, say, the chinguard on a flip-up, which poses a shear risk?

indeed... smartarse

hehe

I like the Nolan range too although like you say, they do appear a bit heavier than the others. I rate the sharks also because of their thicker visor to help prevent fogging. I've used one briefly in winter with a fog city insert and I had a lot of trouble getting it steamed- what a difference! And despite Jrandom's assertions, some of those graphics are dead sexy!

About the AGV's, they look ok but they seem to have a bit of an underdog, low quality reputation despite Rossi wearing one. Whats up with that??

**Hitcher** · 9th January 2004, 13:07

Originally Posted by Jim2

I have a Nolan N100E Flip-up that is just bloody brilliant. The pin-lock anti fogging system is the best anti fogging system I have ever used and the vents actually work. The only thing I would complain about is it is a bit heavier than a normal full face.

On top of that it recently won an EU sponsored safety contest in the impact category, so I am quite confident that it is safe. It is also rated as safe for racing in GB.

I don't ride around with it open though.

I really like the look of those Nolans. I would own one except for the fact that Nolan don't make them big enough! I've tried their so-called XXL but it sits on top of my "massive cranium" like a thimble. Same problem too with the other manufacturers of flip-ups. That's the only reason I ride with a Shoei full-face. Hobson's choice, I think it's called...

**wari** · 9th January 2004, 13:23

Originally Posted by Hitcher

... their so-called XXL ... sits on top of my "massive cranium" like a thimble ...

How does your head compare with Andre the Giants ??? ... now thats a BIG cranium !!! Cant imagine he was a biker tho'

**jrandom** · 9th January 2004, 14:21

Originally Posted by Coldkiwi

had a lot of trouble getting steamed ... even though some of those graphics are dead sexy!

Well, we all know about those metrosexual issues now, don't we?

About the AGV's, they look ok but they seem to have a bit of an underdog, low quality reputation despite Rossi wearing one. Whats up with that??

'scos they're Italian and therefore very sexy, also very likely to fall apart. Do a Google Groups search for AGV-related comments on uk.rec.motorcycles for more pithy remarks than you can shake a stick at.

**James Deuce** · 9th January 2004, 14:25

Originally Posted by wari

How does your head compare with Andre the Giants ??? ... now thats a BIG cranium !!! Cant imagine he was a biker tho'

Bit difficult as he died a number of years ago.

He had the child onset form of Acromegaly called gigantism which is a thickening of the skeletal structure. There are heaps of other complications caused by this hormonal disorder such as diabetes and increased chances of colon cancer. Ultimately his heart conked out in '93. He was over 7ft tall.

**Hitcher** · 9th January 2004, 14:26

Originally Posted by wari

How does your head compare with Andre the Giants ??? ... now thats a BIG cranium !!! Cant imagine he was a biker tho'

65cm for me. I have no idea how that compares with Andre

**wkid_one** · 9th January 2004, 14:49

Hasn't this thread been done in some form?

**Big Dog** · 9th January 2004, 15:08

Originally Posted by Hitcher

65cm for me. I have no idea how that compares with Andre

Is that all you got? Try 66cm with an abnormaly long stretch between crown and chin.

The only helmet I could get my light bulb shaped head into was a hjc full face or a agv semi open face (after trying for four weeks of sending away on sale or return to 7 manufacturers) like on the state add. Even then My jaw creates a seal around the chinguard if my hair gets to be any longer than a #4, this causes major problems with ventilation and means I can only comfortably ride for about an hour before my head starts to swell.

I used to wear a nz made brand 2peice (flip front)with a custom interior shell. But they are out of business. I'm told that overall these are safer as they allow some flex on impact. At high speed ie illegal speeds in nz they become less safe by comparison. I found my old flip face more convenient and more comfortable even before it was customised as there is less road noise.
JM2C

**Hitcher** · 9th January 2004, 15:15

Originally Posted by Big Dog

Is that all you got? Try 66cm with an abnormaly long stretch between crown and chin.

The only helmet I could get my light bulb shaped head into was a hjc full face or a agv semi open face (after trying for four weeks of sending away on sale or return to 7 manufacturers) like on the state add. Even then My jaw creates a seal around the chinguard if my hair gets to be any longer than a #4, this causes major problems with ventilation and means I can only comfortably ride for about an hour before my head starts to swell.

I used to wear a nz made brand 2peice (flip front)with a custom interior shell. But they are out of business. I'm told that overall these are safer as they allow some flex on impact. At high speed ie illegal speeds in nz they become less safe by comparison. I found my old flip face more convenient and more comfortable even before it was customised as there is less road noise.
JM2C

So what are you wearing at the moment? I've had no luck with HJC fit-wise.
:disapint: