Helmet question (no, it's not about whether or not to wear one)

[doubletee]

Anyone with a standard or tourer without fork deflectors wear a half helmet? I'm considering getting one for Inzane X (MI is a mandatory helmet state), but I'm concerned about the airflow that comes up around my tank catching the underside of a half helmet and trying to rip it from my head.

Experiences, anyone?

[Black Dog]

Your concern is valid...  Didn't have fork deflectors for the longest time, and didn't really notice too much buffeting, even with my 1/2 helmet...  Once I put the fork deflectors on, I realized how much better things were.

It won't drive ya nutz, without deflectors, but it is quite a bit better, with them.

Black Dog

[Dodis]

When I first bought my Valk, it had a Memphis shades and no deflectors. I bought a half helmet to get home with, and it was ALWAYS rattling around from buffeting and trying to crawl down the back of my neck. It was the only helmet he had that fit me, so I didn't have much choice at the moment.

Now I have a Hondaline shield and that helmet only crawls when I get some BIG wind. And now with Baker air wings, even less over the tank wind. I still have to get out and install the fork deflectors I recently bought, so I should feel like I am in the house with very little wind.

I think on a tourer or with a Honda shield, you will be OK.

Now if I take the shield off for cleaning and take a quick ride, the half helmet only covers the back half of my head, it won't stay on top at all. Most likely still a wrong size but that is the only time it gives me problems. That and I think I am distantly related to Mr. J. Box! 

---
In fact, I wear the half most of the time because of the drone in my 3/4 from my glasspacks. Heck the drone goes away if I put the straight pipes on in place of the glasspacks, just keeps setting off all the neighborhood car alarms though. I read about extending the pipe to the end of the stacks, will try that when I get some shop time.

[doubletee]

Quick clarification:  I have a standard with a National Cycle shield and Bakers.

[Jack]

You guys don't worry about the effect a crash may have on your face???????  Just curious.  It IS your choice.

[doubletee]

You guys don't worry about the effect a crash may have on your face???????  Just curious.  It IS your choice.

Sorry, Jack. As mentioned, I didn't start the thread to discuss the relative merits of wearing vs not wearing a helmet, or what kind to wear (half, 3/4, full face, etc). There are already tons of threads on the board pertaining to that, or a new one can be started for those interested.

[Jack]

You guys don't worry about the effect a crash may have on your face???????  Just curious.  It IS your choice.

Sorry, Jack. As mentioned, I didn't start the thread to discuss the relative merits of wearing vs not wearing a helmet, or what kind to wear (half, 3/4, full face, etc). There are already tons of threads on the board pertaining to that, or a new one can be started for those interested.

Your right..  Sorry.  I use to wear a half-helmet and then a 3/4.  I found I was getting neck strain at higher speeds and I like traveling fast.  I switched to the full faced helmet only 8 yrs ago and find it overall more comfortable.  Of course, any helmet is uncomfortable in the heat and in traffic.

[doubletee]

You guys don't worry about the effect a crash may have on your face???????  Just curious.  It IS your choice.

Sorry, Jack. As mentioned, I didn't start the thread to discuss the relative merits of wearing vs not wearing a helmet, or what kind to wear (half, 3/4, full face, etc). There are already tons of threads on the board pertaining to that, or a new one can be started for those interested.

Your right..  Sorry.  I use to wear a half-helmet and then a 3/4.  I found I was getting neck strain at higher speeds and I like traveling fast.  I switched to the full faced helmet only 8 yrs ago and find it overall more comfortable.  Of course, any helmet is uncomfortable in the heat and in traffic.

We have full faced helmets now and do use them occassionally. Last trip to MI was a lot of short run, stop at places of interest, and then back on the bike for another short run, repeat. Found it a pain to get the full face helmets on and off that frequently, not to mention the communication problems they cause between the wife and me. And you're right about the heat.

[Gryphon Rider]

I have a Tourer without fork deflectors.  When my hair was buzzed short around the back and sides my half helmet stayed in place.  Now that I wear my hair longer, my helmet moves around with wind gusts, enough to sometimes be annoying.  These days, unless it's unbearably hot, I wear my full face helmet, not due to the previous issue, but due to a change in my safety philosophy.

[Dodis]

I too would wear a full-face, as soon as I can find one that is comfortable. The few shops I have been in that even had XXL or 3XL have been very uncomfortable fitting. Plus, they push my fat cheeks toward my eyes, making it just a little harder to see well.

My 3/4 is more comfortable than my half, I just need to be able to get to my tools and finish the pipe extensions to get the exhaust all the way to the back of the stacks and see how that helps on the drone. Plus I still have the ends off of the old cans to make my silencers, just need to get my

[Jess from VA]

I think you would like the Scorpion EXO-100.  It is a half, but the best coverage and fit of any half I ever owned (6-7), and the design of the front is different from the norm, there is no little bill to catch wind and rattle on the snaps.  You still have a front sun shade without the bill, and a half visor to drop down when cold or wet or riding into the sun.  And the half visor also works great to block wind at superslab speeds.  Liner comes out to wash, and with full zip-off ear/neck curtain, it is warm and has speaker pockets.

http://www.newenough.com/street/helmets_eyewear/open_face/scorpion/exo_100_matte_motorcycle_helmet.html

The Helmet Harbor talks about the Scorpion EXO-100	powered by Aeva

[BF]

"Anyone with a standard or tourer without fork deflectors wear a half helmet? I'm considering getting one for Inzane X (MI is a mandatory helmet state), but I'm concerned about the airflow that comes up around my tank catching the underside of a half helmet and trying to rip it from my head.

Experiences, anyone?"


I have a '97 standard with the oem Hondaline windshield and Bakers....no fork deflectors.  I wear a HJC AC-2 half-helmet 99.9% of the time.  Can cruise all day at highway speeds just fine.  Helmet never moves.....even on hot days with the Bakers turned outward to direct air flow towards the engine and me, the helmet never moves. 

However,  if it's a perticularly windy day and I'm getting alot (and usually it takes alot) of cross winds, I will get some air that feels like it's coming up from and around from the tank area......but it still doesn't effect the helmet at all.

The only time I have helmet issues is when I have the windshield off.....and even then, it's only at highway speeds that'll make it move around.   

Does that help you?

[Tonysax]

 I have a tourer without fork deflectors. When using the half helmet at higher speeds it wants to act like a dragster parachute. One scary time at a high speed it did just that, slid off my head and the strap digging into my Adams apple (very distracting and unsafe). I learned a trick from a guy on a M109. He wears a baseball cap backwards underneath. The brim stops the helmet from moving. It works great.

[BF]

I can't help but wonder if it has something to do the the helmet itself?  The company, the design.  My HJC doesn't move like that. 

I also have one of those little novely half helmets (pos, don't even know why I bought it) and it moves around......alot.  It tries to slide off of the back of my head and when it does, the strap feels like it's trying to choke me to death.  Doesn't matter if the windshield is on or off....it moves around. 

Look for a quailty helmet.  Like the Scorpion or HJC and I'd think you wouldn't have problems.

[doubletee]

Thanks for the input, everyone. The Scorpion looks like a winner. I'll slip over to the local Scorpion dealer for a hands-on look. Maybe they'll even let me 'test drive' one. 

[Spirited-6]

Thanks for the input, everyone. The Scorpion looks like a winner. I'll slip over to the local Scorpion dealer for a hands-on look. Maybe they'll even let me 'test drive' one. 

Wife just bought a EXO-100 for my birthday. Have not worn it yet, feels good sitting in my recliner. I have a fullface Scorpion EXO-400 also. I think they run a little on the small side. I wear a L in all my others but it took a XL in Scorpions. I like the idear of the drop down shield. Good luck in your purchase. 

[Jess from VA]

I wear a L in all my others but it took a XL in Scorpions.

Exactly the same for me.

[fudgie]

Not sure if I can answer this correctly since I have fork defl and a batwing but hear goes.  Do you seem to get alot of wind in your face from the shield or is it just come up and under? Reason I ask is when I wear my Novelty (sorry Jack  ) I get more of the wind going around it instead of a up lift. Real close to like a bobble head effect. Never pulls up on the neck. A few guys I know ride without a shield with a 1/2 and it has never caused a problem.

[doubletee]

Not sure if I can answer this correctly since I have fork defl and a batwing but hear goes.  Do you seem to get alot of wind in your face from the shield or is it just come up and under? Reason I ask is when I wear my Novelty (sorry Jack  ) I get more of the wind going around it instead of a up lift. Real close to like a bobble head effect. Never pulls up on the neck. A few guys I know ride without a shield with a 1/2 and it has never caused a problem.

It definitely is coming from up and under. The reason I'm sure of that is because it always tries to stand my moustache straight up. 

[Ice]

Here's my two cents, (if they are worth that much)

2009 I bought my first full face helmet in over 12 years, my wife Petra and I were planning to go to the European Inzane III in Finland, and considering that my good buddy Oliver and I planned on leaving Stuttgart and ride via Checz Republic, Poland, and several other East block countries to the event, (more on the ride in the future, if anyone is interested) I decided that it was time to retire mine and my wifes (over 10 Year old) helmets.  At the Motorrad Messe Stuttgart, I found a set of Shubert Modular helmets (great price) that we liked, and I will tell you it was a world of difference. My Valk does not have the fork deflectors, just the standard windshield and at well over 90 MPH down the Autobahns I did not have an issue with the wind blowing up under the Brain Bucket, the only issue I have had with wind getting under the helmet was when it was warm enough for me to open my sleves on my jacket and the wind tunnel affect tried to pop my helme off like a champaigne cork. Could it be the helmet that you are riding. I have never had fork deflectors, so I do not know if there would be any difference.

Again just my two cents,

Greetings Yuri

[stormrider]

Here's my two cents, (if they are worth that much)

2009 I bought my first full face helmet in over 12 years, my wife Petra and I were planning to go to the European Inzane III in Finland, and considering that my good buddy Oliver and I planned on leaving Stuttgart and ride via Checz Republic, Poland, and several other East block countries to the event, (more on the ride in the future, if anyone is interested) I decided that it was time to retire mine and my wifes (over 10 Year old) helmets.  At the Motorrad Messe Stuttgart, I found a set of Shubert Modular helmets (great price) that we liked, and I will tell you it was a world of difference. My Valk does not have the fork deflectors, just the standard windshield and at well over 90 MPH down the Autobahns I did not have an issue with the wind blowing up under the Brain Bucket, the only issue I have had with wind getting under the helmet was when it was warm enough for me to open my sleves on my jacket and the wind tunnel affect tried to pop my helme off like a champaigne cork. Could it be the helmet that you are riding. I have never had fork deflectors, so I do not know if there would be any difference.

Again just my two cents,

Greetings Yuri

Am interested in the ride report to European Inzane III, and photos too.

Steve

[Ice]

Hey Steve,

Once I find enough time I will post the trip as well as pictures of the ride to Inzane III, it was a great ride.

With regards to the Original question here I have ridden my Stadard with both open face and full face and I have to admit that the full face is less busy on the melon, the open face seemed to vibrate more. As I stated though never had fork deflectors. Hope it helps.

Greetings Yuri