Flip front helmets - how safe are they?

[KiwiKat]

As I've been out of biking for a while can you help?

I'm wanting to get my wife to join me on the bke but she finds full face helmets claustrophobic. How safe are flip front helmets.

HJC Helmets?

Specs don't say a lot. What happens when your head hits the ground?

[Broomrider]

As I've been out of biking for a while can you help?

I'm wanting to get my wife to join me on the bke but she finds full face helmets claustrophobic. How safe are flip front helmets.

HJC Helmets?

Specs don't say a lot. What happens when your head hits the ground?

I'm not sure about flip front helmets, the MOT always wore them, not sure if that's a recommendation though, they needed to lift the front up to talk to the custies.

What value do you put on your head... all helmets we have in NZ have to meet the safety standard, but I would rather wear one that exceeds the standard rather than just meets it... Climb up a ladder, then drop a water melon from the top... thats basically what happens when an uncovered head hits the road, if your wife wears an open face helmet the bits that meet the road will be removed from her face... .. don't fall off and all will be good.. safe riding..

[riffer]

Not too sure on HJC, but my Shoei Multitec utilises metal pins and hooks to hold the front together, and you have to actively click it together. It meets ACU Gold and ECC 22.05 standards.

Rely on the standards mate. If a helmet meets them, it should be good.

[cs363]

From the Snell website (http://www.smf.org):

Why won't Snell certify some types of helmets like flip up front designs?
Snell does not dismiss out of hand any helmet design that strays from the conventional. Snell does not point out any design specifications other than general requirements in our standards. We are however, always concerned with innovations and new designs that may effect the helmet's ability to protect the wearer, or in some cases the helmets potential to cause injury. At present the Foundation has not had the opportunity to test any of the flip up front type helmets for certification. We do not find any fault with these designs as long as they are used according to the manufacturers instructions and meet all of the requirements of the standard. We will also certify any size of helmet as long as it meets the same requirements as any other Snell certified helmet.


I'm not a big fan of flip front helmets, but I would take one any day over an open face for exactly the reasons that Broomrider outlined above.
Just make sure that the front is properly latched, as that would seem to be the only possible problem area.

[Griffin]

I also have the Shoei multitec - its a great helmet and very handy for when you stop and dont want to take the helmet off - just pop up the front. However - I am relying on the fact that it meets the safety standards when it comes to an accident. Obviously I havent had to test it for myself and hopefully never will.

The Motorbike Police still utilise the flipface helmet (unsure which brand tho) so that must be an endorsement of some kind...

[Subike]

Have had a flip front now for 5 years. Due for a new one.
I have found it to be very practicable, as I wear glasses, it makes life very easy. No removal of helmet for fuel stops or dairys.
I have an HJC, comfey as,the lining can be removed and washed.
The visor lifts seperatly to the chin gaurd and a new model has built in tinted flip down screen.
Thats what I will be getting next.
Be sure you get a good fit, like any helmet the fit is IMO the most important thing.
A loose helmet is not safe.
But dont ride with the front up, its a wind catcher.

[Chickadee]

Mine stood up to the test.

I have/had a Nitro flip face which has been my fav out of the two I've owned. I've binned it properly and its protection was awesome. Comfy helmet. Saw a Nolan flip face last year and was tempted to get it. Better make and neat features. You get what you pay for with the finish, but my Nitro certainly was a great basic flip up and safe.

Nice gouges in my helmet shell from my bin, won't be wearing it again - but that's elementary my Dear Watson after any bin for any helmet.

Make sure she gets a good fit, and pay attention to how easy it is to get on/off. Will she be wearing sunnies or glasses with the helmet (see how easy she finds it to take them off/off - and comfortable to wear with the helmet).

[swbarnett]

I don't wear one and saw tales of one accident that has put me off wearing one unless I had a specific need to remove the helmet frequently as is the case for a cop (and even then I wouldn't wear one for weekend jaunts or touring). From what I can gather the better ones that have strong fastening mechanisms are just as good as a normal full-face helmet except for the area where the hinge sits. In this area there isn't as much impact resistance. A good whack to the side of the helmet sends the hinge in to the side of your head for a nasty concussion.

[portokiwi]

I had a pair of flip tops in Portugal. i had them sent from the states, I only got them as my lady use to get costaphobic in the full face. It just gave her that option to raise it every once and a while.
They were great helmets.
Bit noisy on long trips though.
Now she is happy with the full face. Just took time to get use to wearing.
The option I had was get flip ups and she went on the bike, get half face ones which I dont like.
or get full face and she wouldnt get on due to the custophobia.
You have to do whats best for her.

[MarkH]

As I've been out of biking for a while can you help?

I'm wanting to get my wife to join me on the bke but she finds full face helmets claustrophobic. How safe are flip front helmets.

HJC Helmets?

Specs don't say a lot. What happens when your head hits the ground?

I have a Nolan 103 and I like it. Wouldn't want to have it flipped up while riding though - I wouldn't feel safe and it would catch a lot of wind. I am not sure that it would be any less claustrophobic when latched down, but it sure is handy when you stop and don't want to bother taking your helmet off. I also love the inside tinted visor. Damn tricky one when you feel claustrophobic with your head inside a helmet, but risk death when you don't have your head in a helmet.

[portokiwi]

claustrophobic is that how you spell it Cant spell and dont get it.
But my lady does and bad. The flip top helped her a lot. untill she got ok to wear a full face.
My thoughts are to take your wife to a cycle shop and ask her to try on the helmets with the top up till she gets use to it.
If she dosnt like it you cant force her.
at the end of the day it will be her choise. (cant spell that either)

[Robbo]

I have owned and used a flip face helmet and don't consider them to have any safety issues provided that they are of a reputable brand and meet the required safety specifications. I did, however, find them to be rather noisy when riding so i went back to my normal HJC full face helmet which has always been very quite and comfortable.

[quickbuck]

I'm not sure about flip front helmets, the MOT always wore them, not sure if that's a recommendation though, they needed to lift the front up to talk to the custies.

Yes, part of the uniform.... If they had a choice they wouldn't wear one.

[Subike]

Yes, part of the uniform.... If they had a choice they wouldn't wear one.

flip the top ! the thought of a cop with no unifrom on a bike,!!
Gastly bloody gastly,
Naked coppers riding bikes wearing flip tops!!

[riffer]

Yes, part of the uniform.... If they had a choice they wouldn't wear one.

Interesting comment, although most likely ignorant too.

Speaking from real life, my Father-in-law is an ex MOT bike cop, and still wears a BMW system flip helmet EXACTLY as per police issue, with the notable exception of comms.

Are you a Police quartermaster?