Open-face helmets?

**1200custom** · 19th February 2008, 19:47

what are opinions on them from people here, brands etc good, bad or indifferent?????

**BiK3RChiK** · 19th February 2008, 20:05

Originally Posted by 1200custom

what are opinions on them from people here, brands etc good, bad or indifferent?????

Not that I've been riding forever or anything

but I've got a full faced helmet and I can tell you that when that bug/wasp/bee etc hits my visor I am grateful I have my full faced gear!

**swbarnett** · 19th February 2008, 20:12

Try diving head first of your bike on to the road in an open-face helmet. Chances are you won't have much of a face left. Personally I won't wear any helmet that is not full-face. And while we're on the subject I don't like those full-face helmets that have a hinged chin piece. From what I've heard they're not much good in side impacts - the hinge mechanism doesn't leave much room for padding.

**Subike** · 19th February 2008, 20:15

Use to use them on my sporty back in the 80's. was the "done thing" then
Now?
wouldnt ride with anything less than a full face.
I,m ugly enough as it is, dont want the road to make it any worse, and an open face is no protection from a face grind, nose job, and new teeth!

**Jiminy** · 19th February 2008, 20:17

Full helmet all the time.

I sometimes ride with the visor on and when I hit the occasional big bug, aouch, I close it presto!

I've also ridden a couple of times with an open-face helmet with a big visor (is that called a 3/4?) and the wind was catching below visor everytime I was turning the head, making the whole bike quite unstable.

**JimO** · 19th February 2008, 20:18

its all about the "image"

**bucket boy** · 19th February 2008, 20:19

After having a pokeko hit in the face at open road speed visor shut was glad i had a full face helmet still managed to bust visor broken nose and cut up mouth i would not like to of seen the out come with open face helmet

**craneman** · 19th February 2008, 20:23

open face helmets ar ok for local rides on nice days, as long as you dont mind the bugs etc,or the rain (it really stings at motorway speeds)or, have a crash (theres nothing as good as a quality fullface in a crash).

**James Deuce** · 19th February 2008, 20:27

Sigh.

Cue safety lectures.

**Steam** · 19th February 2008, 20:33

I read that around 20% of helmet impacts are on the chin-bar area. So in an open-face that'd be you actual chin. Goodbye chin!

But I do have an open-face helmet, just for fun. Once in a while it's enjoyable. Plus they look fucking awesome with a skull mask.

**Big Dave** · 19th February 2008, 20:37

Well I ain't afeared.
I wear a Davida Jet from Motomail. The leather interior is very comfortable and durable.
I use it on Harleys and classics quite a lot.
Well made, excellent quality and quite legal.

**Waylander** · 19th February 2008, 20:37

Originally Posted by bucket boy

After having a pokeko hit in the face at open road speed visor shut was glad i had a full face helmet still managed to bust visor broken nose and cut up mouth i would not like to of seen the out come with open face helmet

"open road speed" Maybe if it was the German Autobahn.

Used to ride with an open face helmet and to be honest, here it's not a good idea. Not for any safety reasons, your body your decision, but damn those bugs hitting your face hurt and are really nasty when they go splat near your mouth.

**Motu** · 19th February 2008, 20:39

Originally Posted by Jim2

Sigh.

Cue safety lectures.

If open face helmets were banned,only criminals would have open face helmets! Do we want our society to come to this?! Can you change your oil in a full face helmet? Do full face riders only use synthetics,and open face riders use dino oil? Did you wave today....I suspect you didn't....do you have proof?

We need to fit beer in here somewhere,but I've run out.

**swbarnett** · 19th February 2008, 20:44

Originally Posted by Big Dave

and quite legal.

So is riding in shorts and a t-shirt but I wouldn't do that either. Each to their own. After all, it's all just opinion.

**Paul in NZ** · 19th February 2008, 20:58

Originally Posted by Motu

If open face helmets were banned,only criminals would have open face helmets! Do we want our society to come to this?! Can you change your oil in a full face helmet? Do full face riders only use synthetics,and open face riders use dino oil? Did you wave today....I suspect you didn't....do you have proof?

We need to fit beer in here somewhere,but I've run out.

Motu's right - you just cant enjoy a beer while riding with an open face helmet... I have 2 - for local riding...