What's up with open face helmets?

[vfrboy]

Why is everybody suddenly riding Vespa's with open face helmets, saw 3 today in 10 min's. Have they not seen a picture of what happens when you hit the deck with an open face????

[Sniper]

Apparently they are easier to take and get off. I like my chin and jaw though.

[Motu]

You wanna see a picture of me?? It's not a pretty sight because I have not only crashed many times with an open faced helmet,but also many times without a helmet at all! I could of been a famous actor and a pin up boy on every girls bedroom wall....but alas,I was stupid enough to wear an open face helmet....

[Big Dave]

I wear an open face helmet - around town and cruising - been doing it for 30 years and i'm still beautiful.

Go for a full face when sports and touring, but for low speed work it's a risk i'm willing to take.

It's a far nicer way to ride - outside and all.

[Big Dave]

You wanna see a picture of me?? .

YEP!...........

[vfrboy]

Was just amazed people are more concerned about looking good on a bike than protecting themselves, e.g. wearing skirts and shorts, t shirts. How stupid really. Also the fact that scooters seem dangerous as they don't have any extra power/speed to get one out of a dodgy situation if it arrises.

[John]

I wear an open face helmet - around town and cruising - been doing it for 30 years and i'm still beautiful.

:X


You gotta pretty mouth boy

[Motu]

I must admit - image is everything for me.But I've ridden many scooters and never got into trouble through lack of power,or handling - mind you carrying a car battery in the front basket of my FA50 on a gravel road was asking for trouble,but I didn't crash anyway...so it didn't matter if I had on my open face.

[Scorpygirl]

Apparently it is easier if you wear glasses - don't have to take them on and off. But for me I wore a full face even with glasses. I have had laser surgery now but still need sunnies. However I feel more comfortable with a full face that protects my chin and jaw!!

[Rhino]

Why is everybody suddenly riding Vespa's with open face helmets, saw 3 today in 10 min's. Have they not seen a picture of what happens when you hit the deck with an open face????

I can suggest a likely reason for this:

The rider is a newbie (migrating from a car to save on fuel costs) who has never ridden a bike before, so has no knowledge regarding protective gear etc. The distributor who sold the scooter may have sold them a "Package Deal" of bike and the cheapest open face helmet and gloves etc.

Unfortunately some dealers are more interested in a quick dollar, rather than retaining a long term customer base.

[Big Dave]

:X


You gotta pretty mouth boy

'Are you over six feet tall, self made and successful? - Cocky bugger aren't you!' - Classified advert Monty Pythons Paperbok - 1975

Just under the classified ad that said:
'Arthur Penis has changed his name - from now on he wishes to be known as Art Penis'

[TwoSeven]

Why is everybody suddenly riding Vespa's with open face helmets, saw 3 today in 10 min's. Have they not seen a picture of what happens when you hit the deck with an open face????

Trick is not to fall off.

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

[vfrboy]

Thats for sure, but i think that a vespa/scooter MIGHT just be able to go a little faster than a pushie and so injuries would be worse, but not falling off in the first place is definately the way to go.

[Scorpygirl]

Trick is not to fall off.

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

Been off a pushy without a skid lid - b4 they were legal. Lady came out in front of me in a cage and then I collected her. She was a nurse coming off night shift out of the hospital grounds turning right and I was going straight ahead. Hit the ground hard - blood pissing out of my nose and face everywhere - glasses gone west but not broken, just a little bent. Nurse was very upset and took me back up the road to AE. Nothing broken thankfully and it was winter in Rotorua was I had a good jacket on, good pants and gloves - don't know how I would have faired otherwise. Always wear good gear on the motorbike though even as a pillion!!!

[Motu]

As 2/7 says,it pays not to fall off in the first place,that's the only time you will need the helmet.I've crashed many times...open face,full face and no helmet at all,and not once has my head hit the deck.There is a skill in crashing,if you search you may find a thread we did on it.Watch the MotoGP on sunday night and look at the crashes - how many go along the track with their face planted on the road? Not many....they hold their head up and look where they are going,even when down.As I keep hammering on this site - riding is a total experiance,you gotta do the whole bit,knowing how to handle yourself in a crash is another art in selfpreservation.