Full Face Helmet

[Scooby]

I have been riding with a half helmet for alot of years, but I think Iam going to move to a full face because of the safety factor, I have gotten over the "look" factor.

What are my choices for a "don't break the bank" helmet that is full face?  I do not need fancy graphics, just plain gloss or flat black will do, maybe with a smoked or chrome face shield.  Is there anything that is adjustable for the area around your cheeks?  I think that is why I always stayed away from full faced helmets, because the seemed to squish my cheeks and it always felt like a instant headache coming on.  Any and all help will be appreciated.

Thanks-
Scooby

[hubcapsc]

I have been riding with a half helmet for alot of years, but I think Iam going to move to a full face because of the safety factor, I have gotten over the "look" factor.

What are my choices for a "don't break the bank" helmet that is full face?  I do not need fancy graphics, just plain gloss or flat black will do, maybe with a smoked or chrome face shield.  Is there anything that is adjustable for the area around your cheeks?  I think that is why I always stayed away from full faced helmets, because the seemed to squish my cheeks and it always felt like a instant headache coming on.  Any and all help will be appreciated.

Thanks-
Scooby

Can't help with a brand - mine broke the bank... but I can say - go someplace with a bunch of them, try a bunch on.
Go somewhere else if you can't find one that doesn't pinch your cheeks (or whatever)... there's one out there for you,
and you won't want to wear one that isn't comfortable... I think those ones that flip up and have internal
visors are really cool, but I think they weigh more. And A couple of companies make carbon fiber ones that weigh practically
a pound less than my X-11 does, but they're really $pendy...

-Mike

[fuzzy2bucks]

Been doing a lot of research on helmets.  

POLYCARBINATE is the material the cheaper helmets are made of, these helmets can only survive a low to moderate speed crash.  There is also ADVANCED POLYCARBINATE offered by some manufactures but I can't find any facts on it to see if it is actually better?

Next safer helmet is made of FIBERGLASS OR A FIBERGLASS WEAVE.  
Built for a high impact or high speed crash.  Usually cost $200 bucks plus.  Can be found online at closeouts for much less $.

Next safest helmet is a COMPOSITE material or a FIBERGLASS / COMPOSITE material.  $280 plus

HJC helmets that are not made of COMPOSITE material are excellent helmets with removable pads.
I squish down cheek pads with heavy Iron weights and that helps a lot.  Shoei is also an excellent helmet and lighter (because partially or all COMPOSITE).  Arai helmets are good to excellent, but very very expensive.

Hope this general info helps.

[98valk]

Been doing a lot of research on helmets.  

POLYCARBINATE is the material the cheaper helmets are made of, these helmets can only survive a low to moderate speed crash.  There is also ADVANCED POLYCARBINATE offered by some manufactures but I can't find any facts on it to see if it is actually better?

Next safer helmet is made of FIBERGLASS OR A FIBERGLASS WEAVE.  
Built for a high impact or high speed crash.  Usually cost $200 bucks plus.  Can be found online at closeouts for much less $.

Next safest helmet is a COMPOSITE material or a FIBERGLASS / COMPOSITE material.  $280 plus

HJC helmets that are not made of COMPOSITE material are excellent helmets with removable pads.
I squish down cheek pads with heavy Iron weights and that helps a lot.  Shoei is also an excellent helmet and lighter (because partially or all COMPOSITE).  Arai helmets are good to excellent, but very very expensive.

Hope this general info helps.

disagree. If its DOT rated and/or the latest SNELL rating or the latest european rating it is a safe helmet. helmet material does not matter the rating does.
material only affects the weight of the helmet and features.
The new HJC with internal flip down dark eye shield are nice.  www.helmetshop.com usually has very good prices.

[X Ring]

I use flip face helmets.  I currently use a Nolan N102 with the external sunshade.  When I have to replace it the HJC Symax II will be in the running along with the N103, which I need to lay my hands on first.  I've actually test fit the HJC.  A lot of the helmets have different size cheekpads so you can adjust them to your noggin.

Marty

[Valker]

Very highly rated are the ZR-1 helmets. I think they run about $100. I have an HJC flip front. I have shelved both my Shoei and Arai full face ones after trying the flip front. I like it way better.

[fuzzy2bucks]

Been motorcycling for 45 years and have no confidence in a DOT or SNELL approved helmet.
Have 10 helmets at home including one Composite helmet that was DOT approved that fell apart like an egg shell from a short fall off a shelf. The polycarbinate really looks like very cheap crap.

I I put it back together with Super-Glue but the wife said that the helmet needed to be put in the trash.  Looks like those ratings are subject to something slipped under the table.

Helmet manufactures often don't tell you what the helmet is made of because they want to hide the real facts and cover them up with 3 and 4 letter abbreviations that only impress the folks not willing to do the necessary research and keep the manufactures honest.

[TearlessTom]

Been motorcycling for 45 years and have no confidence in a DOT or SNELL approved helmet.
Have 10 helmets at home including one Composite helmet that was DOT approved that fell apart like an egg shell.

Not wanting to doubt what you are saying but it needs a bit of clarification. 

The helmet is suppose to crack like an egg shell. That is how it disperses the energy from the impact around you head instead of through your head.  Kinda like the crumple zones of a car.

Granted some crack more easily than others.

[Cliff]

I have a HJC Symax II.  Very happy with this flip up full face helmet with intgrated visor.

[TearlessTom]

I have a HJC Symax II.  Very happy with this flip up full face helmet with intgrated visor.

I have two of these. One for me and one for SO.  I like them but have had problems with both the visor and the shield mechanism breaking. HJC has either repaired or replaced two times.

[Joe Hummer]

I have a Shark Evoline Series 2 (mine is in Silver).  it is a flip-front but the chin-bar flips to the back of the helmet which allows you to wear it as a 3/4 helmet.  I have had it for 3 weeks now and have worn it about every day on my commute back and forth to work.  I have also had the opportunity to spend 6-7 hrs in it on a recent road trip.  Mostly comfortable helmet.  I say that because I think my head is a little oddly shaped...particularly at the hairline with the forehead.  I did have to take the foam pad they have in that area out of the helmet.  Once I did that, it was MUCH more comfortable.  It looks like it will do very well in the wet.  i haven't had a chance to ride with it in a downpour, but the seal with the face-shield is all the way across and appears to seal very well. 

Negatives...when the face-shield is up, it rattles in the wind.  It is a bit noisy in the wind...when i raise above the windshield.  The chin-bar pivot action is a bit tough.  Not sure if it is supposed to be like this or not but it is a bit of trouble to flip the chin-bar back down (just releasing it from its full back location). 

Positives...you can wear it as either a 3/4 or full face helmet.  The chin bar in the "up" position doesn't make the helmet seem out of balance and it looks good.  Water handling abilities appear to be very nice.  (Although you have to dismantle the side pieces to do this) installation of a headset leaves a very smooth finish.  Speakers are tucked inside the side foam and nothing is visible with the ear pieces in place.  The only way you know there is speakers in the helmet is by the cords to connect to the bike.  I personally think it is a good looking helmet.  Internal Sun shield is a nice feature especially if used in conjunction with my sunglasses.  It gets REAL dark in there...  

One word of caution...passed on from the CycleGear Sales Guy...do not get the Matte finish.  Was told that bugs are near impossible to get off them. 

Second word of caution...if you order this helmet, make sure you get the Series 2.  The original Evoline had water handling issues.  The sealing strip did not go all the way across the face-shield like they do in the Series 2. 

I picked mine up for $310 off of ebay (new helmet).  Prices are normally $350-400. 

My Shark replaced a Nolan N103 Modular. 

[1FAST6]

http://www.jafrum.com/Shop-By-Brand/HCI-Flip-Up-Helmets

[Bruce J.]

Two sources for helmet reviews.

 http://www.webbikeworld.com        http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

My latest is the Zox Nevada R flip up. I also like the GMAX GM68S for a full face helmet. The Iron Pony has a good selection:  www.ironpony.com

[hubcapsc]

Two sources for helmet reviews.

 http://www.webbikeworld.com        http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/

My latest is the Zox Neveda R flip up. I also like the GMAX GM68S for a full face helmet. The Iron Pony has a good selection:  www.ironpony.com

I found this one there... I like the idea of "light"...  http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/akuma-phantom-2/

-Mike

[Flat6Valk]

I have a bell brand full face.  Also the mag 8 bell which is nice because the face shield tucks away and the sun visor portion is pretty large to hide the face shield when its up. 

[sugerbear]

i try to stay with HJC, saved my nogin twice now,

keep the broken ones to remind me.

prices are about middle of the road too.

style?  what ever fits your head.

[Kymbo]

R Jays Tour Tech helmet with flip up sunshade 

[BOZ]

I have the Nolan N102 and like it very much. The newer version (N103) is not very different and about $75 more.
I think this is a pretty good price ($282) for the N102, but if you poke around the Internet, you might beat it.

http://www.jafrum.com/Shop-By-Brand/Nolan-Helmets-on-Sale/Nolan-Helmets-Nolan-N102-N-Com-Helmet-Black

[hlevin]

Depending on what your definition of "expensive" is, you can try the Scorpion EXO1000.  Fully adjustable cheek pads with a little air pump in the helmet: pump it up when you put it on, and deflate when you remove.  About $300.  Flip down internal sun visor and good venting.  Also pretty quiet.

In the end, you really need to try some on, because everyone's head is a slightly different shape.  With the exception of the EXO1000, which fits me well, the general rule is that the more expensive the helmet is, the more shell sizes the manufacturer produces, so you may get a better fit.  Brands like Shoei and Arai have S/M. M/L, L/XL. and so forth, so that when you buy a small helmet, you aren't getting force-fit into a larger hat with added padding.  Still, Shoei fits me well, while I look like a pumpkin trying to be forced into any Aria helmets, so shape is just as big a deal.

[fuzzy2bucks]

My idea of expensive is a Military Jet Fighter Pilot's helmet.  I have a Chinese military propeller type aircraft helmet mainly for a curio, cheap on EBAY.

A U.S. military Jet aircraft helmet costs at least 2K for a cheapie and 5K or more the latest state of the art version, gives the ultimate protection at very high speed.

[Chrisj CMA]

My idea of expensive is a Military Jet Fighter Pilot's helmet.  I have a Chinese military propeller type aircraft helmet mainly for a curio, cheap on EBAY.

A U.S. military Jet aircraft helmet costs at least 2K for a cheapie and 5K or more the latest state of the art version, gives the ultimate protection at very high speed.

my "97 red and white is very fast, but I dont think it quite breaks the sound barrier.......my helmet does not need an F-16 rating.......well, maybe an A-10..........lol......my HJC flip with internal sunvisor is good enough $200 with a fighter piliot looking internal sunglass shield that is kinda cool (maybe)

[Jack]

I use a Fulmer modular helmet.  It was reasonably priced, lighter weight than my HJC, and fits well(on my head anyway).  I thought I would never go full-faced until a dealer offerred to let me wear one for a weekend and I could return it if I didn't like it.  I've been wearing one for 8 yrs now.

[Mildew]

Evel Knievel wore a Bell. Walmart sells them cheap.

[Quicksilver]

I bought a Scorpion exo 900 transformer helmet. About 350$. After a while it caused my jaws to ache, too narrow on cheeks. I removed some of the styrofoam from behind the removable padding and find it very comfortable now.

[stude31]

I have the Nolan N102 and like it very much. The newer version (N103) is not very different and about $75 more.
I think this is a pretty good price ($282) for the N102, but if you poke around the Internet, you might beat it.

http://www.jafrum.com/Shop-By-Brand/Nolan-Helmets-on-Sale/Nolan-Helmets-Nolan-N102-N-Com-Helmet-Black

Boz,

I love my Nolan n102 as well... I got mine here for about 229.00.  Looks like you can pick one up for 219.99 now.  Great people to deal with as well..   http://www.compacc.com/p/Nolan-N102-N-Com-Platinum-Helmets-Closeout

[JetDriver]

Just a thought on the modular, flip-up helmets.  They look like a nice compromise between full face protection and 3/4 comfort, but the flip down portion is deceiving.  The guy at my bike accessories shop (Iron Pony) says he's seen tests where if the flip down face shield impacts the surface first, it pops right off the helmet.  Take a look at the certifications; you will find NO modular helmets that are Snell certified.  That's because a modular helmet is tested under the same standards as a full face helmet, and none of the modular helmets provide the amount of protection over the face as a full face helmet.  Take that same helmet and remove the flip down portion, it would be tested under the standards for a 3/4 helmet and probably would receive a Snell certification.  I'm not saying they're not good and that they don't have their place, but a modular helmet does not have the same strength, durability and protection over the face as a full face helmet.

[fuzzy2bucks]

The only two reasons I wear a helmet is the Law says I must and for my own safety, and it has always been obvious that a modular helment is not nearly as safe as a Full Face helmet.

[Valkflyer]

^{In the end, you really need to try some on, because everyone's head is a slightly different shape.  With the exception of the EXO1000, which fits me well, the general rule is that the more expensive the helmet is, the more shell sizes the manufacturer produces, so you may get a better fit.  Brands like Shoei and Arai have S/M. M/L, L/XL. and so forth, so that when you buy a small helmet, you aren't getting force-fit into a larger hat with added padding.  Still, Shoei fits me well, while I look like a pumpkin trying to be forced into any Aria helmets, so shape is just as big a deal.}

I’d agree here, you're most likely going to find as many opinions about helmets out there as there are about riding on the dark side.  My personal opinion is this…most of the top manufactures make a number of very good full-face helmets.  But what you really need to do is go to a shop that has a variety of types and sizes and try them on.  One, because heads come in different shapes and sizes.  Two, spending 20 minutes with one on your head while your looking around the store is going to tell you a lot about fit and comfort.

And don’t forget……you’ve only got  one brain and one skull, why would you compromise your safety for something less expensive?  I don’t care what other say….you get what you pay for in most cases.  If you do your homework your going to want to take in a number of factors:  In addition to Safety there is Weight, Visibility, Noise, Airflow with-in and Airflow over, and ease of shield detachability to name a few.  

I’ve purchased 2 street helmets in the last twenty years, both were somewhat costly but then I’ve never been sorry, I’ve always enjoyed my riding experiences because I’ve never had a second thought about my helmets bothering me.  Not only that, the first one did indeed saved my face from what would sure have been an unrecognizable end.  Bottom line, take your time do your research and try them on for an extended period of time.  

[KerryNolan]

I have purchased several helmets at helmet city .com    http://helmetcity.com/
They have a good return policy, (I've used it) and get the order to you very quickly at a good price. They sell many brands, so finding a helmet to suit your needs should be fairly painless. I like the Shoei RF 1000, but they have been replaced by the newer RF 1100. They run about 350, but quality is top notch. If you want to go nuts, you can get an Arai Corsair V for 700 bucks...Ouch!
Kerry

[fuzzy2bucks]

This morning I was watching one of those House Repair programs on TV and they were laying a floor base made out of Polypropolene and the host said that Polypropolene was used by the Military in new Aircraft Pilot helmets because it is an excellent impact absorber.  HJC makes a Helmet with Polypropolene, ordered one and will be here this week, its a HJC FS-15 Surge.

I rarely buy at any online merchant unless they have a Closeout, or a bargain type area to order from, there are just way too many Helmets on the market to pay anywhere near retail.
 

[valkyriemc]

Very highly rated are the ZR-1 helmets. I think they run about $100. I have an HJC flip front. I have shelved both my Shoei and Arai full face ones after trying the flip front. I like it way better.

Better in a crash for your noggin, per independent M/C mag test.

[98valk]

Just a thought on the modular, flip-up helmets.  They look like a nice compromise between full face protection and 3/4 comfort, but the flip down portion is deceiving.  The guy at my bike accessories shop (Iron Pony) says he's seen tests where if the flip down face shield impacts the surface first, it pops right off the helmet.  Take a look at the certifications; you will find NO modular helmets that are Snell certified.  That's because a modular helmet is tested under the same standards as a full face helmet, and none of the modular helmets provide the amount of protection over the face as a full face helmet.  Take that same helmet and remove the flip down portion, it would be tested under the standards for a 3/4 helmet and probably would receive a Snell certification.  I'm not saying they're not good and that they don't have their place, but a modular helmet does not have the same strength, durability and protection over the face as a full face helmet.

brucesboat
Member

Posts: 13

Cleveland, OH


     Re: Full Face Helmet
« Reply #12 on: July 01, 2010, 03:46:08 PM » Quote 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Two sources for helmet reviews.

 http://www.webbikeworld.com        http://sharp.direct.gov.uk/


the sharp site tests the modulars.

[Valker]

Not so on the modulars and Snell. Snell says the reason their are no Snell certified modulars is that they have never tested one. They also said the reason they have never tested one is because no manufacturer has asked them to test one. I have a couple of 3/4 open face helmets which are Snell certified, so obviously, the chinbar  hold up is not part of the certification requirement.