What's up with open face helmets?

[vfrboy]

I've done it plenty of times on my old XR400, never went out once without breaking a clutch or brake lever, not that i intended to fall off. Have just seen some horrible pics of aftermath of open face helmets

[Big Dave]

It's also about discression - as I've flown over the handlebars and face planted into a sandstone wall I was glad i had the XR900 on for sure. But i would not have been riding so fast as to come off like that if i was in an open face. You just don't do it.
I could argue that because i ride significantly slower when in an open face, that for me they are in fact safer.
Open face helmet and the naked t'bird 90kph feels satisfyingly fast.
Full face on the fully faired trophy and 125kph is comfort central.

My davida is legal, comfortable, approved, quiet and well made. A matter of horses for courses. If you are jumping on a R1 and going for a thrash down 22 in one i'd say you are a bit loopy.

[Waylander]

Used to ride with an open face all the time. Hell still plan on it everynow and then. Nothing wrong with it really other than a few peaple who worry about every little thing that could possibly hurt them. But my open face helmet is DOT approved. What really gets me is the folks on scooters or those damned mini-choppers wearing bicycle helmets...

[John]

It's also about discression - as I've flown over the handlebars and face planted into a sandstone wall I was glad i had the XR900 on for sure. But i would not have been riding so fast as to come off like that if i was in an open face. You just don't do it.
I could argue that because i ride significantly slower when in an open face, that for me they are in fact safer.
Open face helmet and the naked t'bird 90kph feels satisfyingly fast.
Full face on the fully faired trophy and 125kph is comfort central.

My davida is legal, comfortable, approved, quiet and well made. A matter of horses for courses.

remeber its not your riding its the other peoples DRIVING that will cause the problems.

[Big Dave]

remeber its not your riding its the other peoples DRIVING that will cause the problems.

They haven't hit me yet.

[Ixion]

They haven't hit me yet.

Must be that you're such a small target

[Big Dave]

Must be that you're such a small target

Yuh - And perhaps I shouldn't be so vocal - but it's a personal choice and relative risk and all maner of other things should be considered.
A newbie shouldn't wear one - But I have more than a million K's in the saddle and ride pwofessionally - relative risk.

[Motu]

Actualy I tell a lie (surprise?) sifting through my eroded memory banks (must plant some wry grass) I remember a couple of times I have damaged my face,both off road.Once out of control down a very steep bank into a deep narrow ditch I plowed my face along the dirt,I think a full face may have caused neck damage in that situation.Another time crossed up and leaning right over the front wheel of my CT2 175 Yamaha...when it spun out I smashed my mouth on the low steel guard,split my lips - a full face would of been good there,even a mouth guard like the MX guys wore in those days.Trials riders still wear open face....but of course they are the most skilled riders in the world.....

[SARGE]

Trick is not to fall off.

Beats falling off a push bike wearing tights and a bit of foam on your head.

damn skippy.. i dont know why we have to be subjected to every roll and bulge of the spandex bikie shorts( on males anyway.. i am totally in favor of the spandex shorts for the fit attractive women ( of course.. very few of them ride pushies..they are all in the BMW's and 4WD's)

i DID see a very fine young lady on a scooter the other day on Gt North rd wearing a VERY short skirt at a light.. i made sure i filtered ahead of her and looked in my mirror../giggle/
more power to her i say..

[inlinefour]

When I was eight. Once I had my licience I got a MX type skid lid and dropped the open face from the top of a very tall building. Sure enough the open face did not survive. I've done one face plant into the road while coming off my bike. Really pointed out to me the benefits of not having a open faced skid lid. I dont believe that I'd ever get another open faced nor will any of my family be getting one while I'm about...

[Dafe]

BEWARE - THE CAGERS IN DISGUISE!!!

Only well to recognise the ill educated cager - Open faced helmets.

[Bonez]

I've done it plenty of times on my old XR400, never went out once without breaking a clutch or brake lever, not that i intended to fall off. Have just seen some horrible pics of aftermath of open face helmets

Folk have been killed inside of cars during crashes, yet they still allow folk to drive the dangerous things............................

[laRIKin]

I still wear one, around town and when doing small trips. (not at speed)
But mainly when I am working on the bikes and test rides so I do not have
to take the helmet on and off to adjust things and you can hear the motor
better.
When I was younger not many people had full face helmets.
Even MXers used open face helmets. (but not all their teeth because of flying rocks)

[Lou Girardin]

Some people get claustrophobic in full faces, some just don't like 'em, others like feeling the breeze on their face.
We're a wonderfully diverse organism.
(Although Labour is doing their best to change that)

[sunhuntin]

Some people get claustrophobic in full faces, some just don't like 'em, others like feeling the breeze on their face.
We're a wonderfully diverse organism.
(Although Labour is doing their best to change that)

i ride open faced with sunnies and goggles at night or when im headed out of town. i wore a "pudding bowl" while in canada and now even my open facer feels too closed in for my liking. prefer to have the wind in my face, the smells in my nose and all that stuff. i feel visibility is better too. if the goggles or glasses get bug guts all over, they can be removed easily. visors can only be pushed up and theres still the bottom of them marring vision.