Open-face helmets?

**Waylander** · 19th February 2008, 20:59

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

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

Um, are you sure you've got that right?

**scumdog** · 19th February 2008, 21:02

80% to 90% of my riding is done with a shorty opn-face helmet and padded skull mask.

Bugs are not that bad, even a bumble-bee right on the tip of my nose at 100kph stung only for a second or two.

But as mentioned by others - they don't do much for you when ya face-plant the road - and that's the only negative comment I can make on open-faced jobs.

Personal choice and responsibility and all that.

**Motu** · 19th February 2008, 21:16

Originally Posted by scumdog

Personal choice and responsibility and all that.

The Collective disagrees - you will be assimilated.....

Unfortunately this means they will have to wear tassels.

**P38** · 19th February 2008, 21:19

I like open faced helmets and used to wear one almost exclusively at one stage.

I also like having a nose and chin.

In fact I like having a nose and chin more than I like wearing a open face helmet nowadays.

Guess thats what a few more years under ya belt does for ya.

**yungatart** · 20th February 2008, 07:26

I binned and slid down the road. My visor was munted completely.
Now, I ain't the prettiest thing around here,but if I'd been wearing an open face, I'd probably be one of the ugliest!
If you're not worried about such things, go for it!

**James Deuce** · 20th February 2008, 07:35

I'm going to buy an open face, just to piss you lot off. I've got my eye on a Momo with a checkerboard pattern down the centre, and a fighter pilot type visor. It will go nicely with the Katana.

**Usarka** · 20th February 2008, 07:36

I went for a ride without a helmet yesterday. Completely different experience, might have to try one of these open facers (a cool one though).

Fuck it, another bang on the head and I'll probably be one of those people drooling and masturbating in public anyway.....

**Okey Dokey** · 20th February 2008, 07:43

Hi! As I understand your post, you were just asking for opinions on what style helmet people wear. Seems like their are valid opinions on both sides.

I wear a full face because I think it is more comfortable than an open face style, and also because the protection is better. I haven't actually ridden with an open face helmet, so I'm relying on my imagination and other people's comments on what they are like at 100kph.

It may help in your decision making to make a list of pros/cons for each type, or according to different values. I'm thinking along the lines of Style preference, Safety, Open road vs town riding, etc

Good luck with your decision. Try on lots of helmets and get the very best one you can afford.

**James Deuce** · 20th February 2008, 07:51

Originally Posted by Okey Dokey

Try on lots of helmets and get the very best one you can afford.

Get the one that fits best. Price is irrelevant when all helmets sold in NZ have to meet the same base standard. Price doesn't mean better.

**Okey Dokey** · 20th February 2008, 08:00

Sorry, jim2 is right. The correct fit is most important. I didn't express that very well.

**sunhuntin** · 20th February 2008, 08:01

Originally Posted by scumdog

80% to 90% of my riding is done with a shorty opn-face helmet and padded skull mask.

Bugs are not that bad, even a bumble-bee right on the tip of my nose at 100kph stung only for a second or two.

But as mentioned by others - they don't do much for you when ya face-plant the road - and that's the only negative comment I can make on open-faced jobs.

Personal choice and responsibility and all that.

agreed. ive done all of my riding in an open facer. only time ive ridden full face, aside from when i was a kid, was right after my wreck and i hadnt got a new lid yet so borrowed dads. a bee somehow got INSIDE the visor and caused a bit of panic while i worked out how to get rid of it.

ive done wangas to paeroa, and wangas to bluff twice, plus a few thousand k inbetween those trips [nearing about 30thou k travelled] and the worst ive encountered would be: cattle trucks, hail and hay trucks. bugs hurt for a few seconds and tend to bounce off. i often see riders scrubbing their visors at work... i dont have to do that.
and yes, ive been hit by a car while wearing an open facer, and my face is still fully intact. i landed on my back after playing superman. i feel the brain subconciously trys to protect the bits that are exposed. my most protected part, my legs, is what copped the most damage.

i am considering taking a full face to burt munro for shit weather [ie, when i cant see shit due to sunnies fogging when pushed right up to protect my eyes from drops] but we will see.
i am going to buy my girlfriend a new helmet, cos shes wearing my one and its too damn small. i think im gonna go full face for her... i dont mind my maybe being hurt, but wont let her take any chances.

but hell... nothing beats riding past the local strawberry fields on a hot summers day and breathing in the scent of the berries.

**CookMySock** · 20th February 2008, 08:08

aint no way I would wear an open faced helmet over 80km/hr. A large bumblebee will knock yer fucken eye right outa its socket at 100k's, and it will come at you like a thief in the night. Many many large bugs every day richochet off my helmet like a bullet, leaving a massive guts trail cleanup job. You CANT see them coming, and if you do its all over in the blink of an eye, if you still have one.

You will wear a full face helmet on the open road over 80k's wont you ? at least a visor of some sort ? Good.

DB