[Hellhound78]

Good morning, everyone! I would like to discuss helmets, and not just because of my recent accident, but because I am a bit torn on the subject. As you may know from my post about laying my bike down, I was not wearing my helmet, obviously a big mistake, fortunately I did not suffer any head injury other than some abrasions on my face. I do own a helmet, not a fancy or expensive helmet but it is what I believe they call the 3/4 helmet. Every ride I took previous to the unfortunate one if I was going anywhere but in town 25 mph speed limit, I always had it on. So, my first question is what type of helmet do you guys wear? I am thinking about getting a different one and would like some real-world feedback. One major thing I do not like about my helmet is on warm days it is quite hot! Another thing is the buckle always seemed to catch on my jacket when I would turn my head, also very annoying. And finally and this may be a fitment issue but getting up to highway speeds you could feel it getting lifted by the wind which also gives some extra unwanted pressure on the underside of the chin and neck area. In all honesty I do not like the thought of riding with a helmet because I like the wind in my face and the feeling of the sun on my skin. With that being said I am no fool, I bought and wore my helmet because I am a new inexperienced rider, I know the current times we live in there are people out there paying less attention to the road and driving than they should be and some seem to almost act like they are paying no attention to the what they are doing because whatever their phone is doing is the most important thing in the world. Then there is my wife and kids, I want to be there for them for as long as possible, so safety has to be first. After my recent incident my wife is extra on edge about me riding and will absolutely be on me about my helmet, which I already assured her will never be an issue. So I ask all of you out there for your opinions, experiences, and anything else you would like to throw out there about your helmet of choice and any advice for selecting a great helmet. I thank you all in advance this is truly a great community or really great people and I am proud and honored to be a part of it! Enjoy your rides everyone and ride safe!

 

[crazyoldman]

Hi, I only wear a helmet on trips which I rarely do anymore .If I do its a full face. Always try on many and find one that does not restrict side vision .Be care full and pay attention to speed and your surroundings. Slow down and enjoy the ride! .

 

[theblooms]

I ALWAYS wear my helmet and an armored riding jacket. I have an LS2 Street fighter because I was a new rider, it was Snell rated, and it was cheap. After riding with it though, I'm not really a fan. It doesn't have an option for a sun shade, and because I wear glasses and almost always forget my prescription sunglasses, when the sun is bright, I'm screwed.

I'm currently in the market for a new helmet, one that has an internal flip down sunshade. HJC seems to make a nice one, which I think I'll be ordering soon.

 

[CSRoad]

IMO head shape is critical to fit, determine the shape of your melon first.
Fit is extremely important in the safety of the bucket you choose.

In my case I have a long oval head and take an XXL or larger helmet depending on the manufacturer, that makes selection of options easier due to the limitations.

My regular helmets these days were both on the cheap end of things a Gmax 3/4 helmet, DOT rated and LS2 Rapid Solid full face, DOT and ECE rated.
I use the 3/4 helmet mostly when riding in town, it is less safe, but in stop and go traffic it's less hassle.

I wear glasses and use clip-on shades from Walmart with them, I have not found a drop down visor that didn't annoy me in some way.
One of these days I'll probably get an Arai or another custom fitted Bell, but until then, I'm pretty happy with what I have.

I only go without a helmet when riding in the driveway or on the lawn.

 

[chucke]

Full coverage EVERY time I ride.

 

[A.M.E.]

I have a Nolan 100-5 . It's a modular with an internal flip down sun shade. I installed their com unit for my music and to talk with who ever I'm riding with or my daughter on the back.
I also have a half helmet for short rides on hot days.
I like the Nolan for trips because you can flip it up when going slow through villages or down on the highway or in rain .

 

[KC_97Shadow1100C]

Hellhound - Good post topic!

Until recently, would always wear a full-face helmet except perhaps a test ride in the neighborhood. That said, back in Spring was doing a post-wash ride up/down the street on my dirt bike, sans a helmet or gloves and really hurt myself when the front wheel unexpectedly lost grip turning into the driveway. Hit the ground hard with my right leg pinned between the bike and the asphalt. Fortunately didn't hit my head, but had a very badly bruised kneecap, sprained left wrist/right big toe, and badly scraped hands. All at about 2MPH!
Ever since, even on a short test ride, I always wear helmet and gloves as a minimum.

More to your point, recently got an inexpensive (SkidLid) shorty helmet specifically for test rides on the dirt bikes, or a quick trip around the block on the Shadow. Much cooler option and definitely get a more open feel/breeze when riding, yet decent head protection for lower speed rides.
For any road with a 45MPH or greater speed limit, its always the full face helmet, complete with gloves and riding boots. As with the helmet, also got myself a lower cut set of riding boots for more casual riding and short hops. Amazing how vulnerable your feet are too, so do get some boots if you don't already have some.Got mine at Big5 for under $40, very affordable. Kevin 🌵

www.big5sportinggoods.com/store/details/response-gear-6-delivery-ii-mens-service-boots/5385104970013/_/A-4335618

 

[Peppysfireball]

I cant see or breathe in my schoei full fave so I bought. Badass half helmet
It has 1 hand removal

 

[Hellhound78]

Hellhound - Good post topic!

Until recently, would always wear a full-face helmet except perhaps a test ride in the neighborhood. That said, back in Spring was doing a post-wash ride up/down the street on my dirt bike, sans a helmet or gloves and really hurt myself when the front wheel unexpectedly lost grip turning into the driveway. Hit the ground hard with my right leg pinned between the bike and the asphalt. Fortunately didn't hit my head, but had a very badly bruised kneecap, sprained left wrist/right big toe, and badly scraped hands. All at about 2MPH!
Ever since, even on a short test ride, I always wear helmet and gloves as a minimum.

More to your point, recently got an inexpensive (SkidLid) shorty helmet specifically for test rides on the dirt bikes, or a quick trip around the block on the Shadow. Much cooler option and definitely get a more open feel/breeze when riding, yet decent head protection for lower speed rides.
For any road with a 45MPH or greater speed limit, its always the full face helmet, complete with gloves and riding boots. As with the helmet, also got myself a lower cut set of riding boots for more casual riding and short hops. Amazing how vulnerable your feet are too, so do get some boots if you don't already have some. Got mine at Big5 Sporting Goods, for under $50, very affordable! Kevin 🌵

Thank you I thought it might be a solid topic. Definitely appreciate your insight and info. I'm definitely thinking full helmet for sure!

 

[theblooms]

Also, when shopping for a helmet, make sure it's ECE certified, instead of just DOT. It's the European standard, and is far more stringent than what's required in America. ECE is even higher than Snell (which is still higher than DOT).

It's your melon, so insist on the best.

 

[Rocketmouse77]

Full coverage EVERY time I ride.

Agreed... Always same here. Need a more breathable jacket for hot days...but other than that I'd rather suffer being hot than all scuffed up or worse. Only rode without a helmet once in my life and that was back when I was 16. The breeze feels great, but not worth the risk to me. So it's full-face helmet all the time here.

 

[D's Spirit]

Shoei GT-Air for me. Vents really well, very quiet in the wind and has removable innards. Also, Shoei offers different sized innards for a custom fit.

I highly recommend Cycle Gear for helmets. They will help you get the right fit and they offer great pricing. Different manufacturer's helmets fit different shaped heads and Cycle Gear offers a good assortment of manufacturers . They will also let you take up to a week to test fitment and then return if it does not work out. (At least pre-covid they did!)

Anyway, I bought mine on sale at a nice discount. I believe it was the prior season's color.

Remember, your noggin is kinda important. Keeping it safe should be a high priority!

 

[BryaninGA]

When I bought my Phantom, I was given an LS2 Rapid with the purchase. It was ok to start off with but, I wanted a modular helmet. I ended up with the HJC C91. It has decent ventilation and, a drop down visor. I was able to source a cardo g9x for $75.00 for music/communications (if needed). I am happy with the fit of the helmet and, to be able to lift the front at a light for additional air.

Being a new rider, I don't ever feel like I could/would want to wear anything less than a full face.

 

[Old Pat]

Sedici Systema 2 Modular. The drop down sun shield is just dark enough that I don't need sunglasses. The full face shield has the pinlock liner so no fogging. If I'm cruising neighborhoods I'll pull the chin bar up like the local cops, but over 35 and the chin bar is down with the face shield up and sun shade down. Over 50 and the full face shield is down.

 

[stanman13]

I've ridden with a half helmet for many years. No visor, no sunshade. Same setup in any weather conditions. I wear my prescription glasses which are photochromic. When I was young I would go without, but having had two people close to me go through close head injuries, I will not do that anymore. That is a tougher battle than any road rash. It's a risk assessment/risk mitigation problem, and you decide where your risk tolerance is.

 

[ButchA]

I have two helmets, neither are FF, as I can't wear one of those. I get all "weird" if I put on a full face helmet, and get claustrophobia or a feeling like I can't breathe, and I immediately rip the helmet off my head.

LEFT: HJC CL-33 open face 3/4 helmet with different ratcheting face shields. My primary helmet for interstates, overall commuting, etc...
RIGHT: HJC CS-2N 1/2 helmet. This is a great summertime helmet when it feels like 128° in the shade. Extremely comfortable too! Just wear earplugs as the wind turbulence will cause Tinnitus real quick!

 

[Menhir]

I always wear a helmet. I used to choose modulars and wore them for years but I found myself, on long trips on hot days, getting drowsy from the warm air trapped in the helmet. It was like having a warm blanket on my face.
Eventually I switched over to 3/4 helmets with a face shield, preferably with a drop-down sun screen.

I am fully aware of the better protection offered by full face/modular helmets, but getting drowsy and inattentive seemed to be the bigger risk. It was a choice. Also, I find the heavier helmets more problematic since I developed degenerative disc disease some years ago. The additional weight became a small, but real, factor.

As of now, I have a half-helmet that I'm retiring. A full face that I still might wear occasionally, but has been mostly sidelined. My go-to helmet is a 3/4 as described above. It's a Z1R Road Maxx. Not elegant, but I like it. DOT and ECE rated.

Although I didn't get my latest helmet there, my first stop when searching for helmets is Cycle Gear because of their wide range of offerings and the fresh inventory. Plus they have a reasonable return period.

 

[theblooms]

Since you have disc disease, have you looked into carbon fiber? Yeah, they're pricy, but with your issues, it's probably worth it.

 

[PhantomRider64]

I wear a half helmet 95%+ of the time. I do also have a Shark modular helmet but rarely wear it.

Eric


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[1shadowsabre]

Everyone can have a reason NOT to wear a good quality full face helmet until you eat a face full of gravel. If your full face helmet is too warm lift the visor, many also have very wide fields of vision if you shop around. Don't cheap out on your head, face, and brain protection. Modulars are great.