Any riders out there that simply must wear a full face helmet?

[Gryphon Rider]

The only time I don't wear a helmet is for slow speed bike games.

It used to be that I would always wear a half helmet unless the weather required a full-face helmet for comfort.

Now I wear a full-face helmet unless the weather is too hot for it and the riding speed will be slow.  The exception, when I was a motorcycle instructor, was when I used a half helmet to be able to speak and hear clearly with a helmet on.

My full-face helmet is white for conspicuity and for heat reflection.

Every adult has to make their own decisions when balancing protection against freedom, convenience, comfort, and fashion.  I won't criticize anyone's decision to be less crash-protected than I am, although I have been known to argue against incorrect information concerning motorcycle safety.

[Black Pearl's Captain]

The numbers you see on each section of this Icon Airframe helmet below represent the exposure of that section in a crash. And that 19,4% means that the chances to hit the asphalt with your chin are not low. In fact, it's the most exposed part in the event of an accident.  

Actually there is a 34.6 percent chance you'll hit your chin. 19.4 is for one side.

[Avanti]

The numbers you see on each section of this Icon Airframe helmet below represent the exposure of that section in a crash. And that 19,4% means that the chances to hit the asphalt with your chin are not low. In fact, it's the most exposed part in the event of an accident. 

Actually there is a 34.6 percent chance you'll hit your chin. 19.4 is for one side.

That is exactly correct my friend!

[Motodad71]

Love my modular helmets, will never go half or 3/4.

Modular with a sun visor is a must for me...I use the 3/4 on the snowmobile in the winter when I am trapping and that is it....I know the modular isn't 100% of a full face but it's better that chin first!!!

Modular is a full face IMHO, mine is always full face unless I am stopped in traffic or filling up my tank. I have the Scorpion AT950, fabulous helmet for the money.....and I have owned more than one Shoei.

[northernvalk]

Love my modular helmets, will never go half or 3/4.

Modular with a sun visor is a must for me...I use the 3/4 on the snowmobile in the winter when I am trapping and that is it....I know the modular isn't 100% of a full face but it's better that chin first!!!

Modular is a full face IMHO, mine is always full face unless I am stopped in traffic or filling up my tank. I have the Scorpion AT950, fabulous helmet for the money.....and I have owned more than one Shoei.

Just going by some of the testing results that show a slight decrease in protection from the modular vs a fixed chin design.

[MAD6Gun]

Love my modular helmets, will never go half or 3/4.

Modular with a sun visor is a must for me...I use the 3/4 on the snowmobile in the winter when I am trapping and that is it....I know the modular isn't 100% of a full face but it's better that chin first!!!

Modular is a full face IMHO, mine is always full face unless I am stopped in traffic or filling up my tank. I have the Scorpion AT950, fabulous helmet for the money.....and I have owned more than one Shoei.

Just going by some of the testing results that show a slight decrease in protection from the modular vs a fixed chin design.

That is why modular helmets can't be Snell certified only DOT. Either way I love my Shuberth. Another good point of a modular. If you wear glasses you don't have to take them off to put your helmet on.

I would be curious to know. How many modular helmets have opened in an accident?   

[Motodad71]

Love my modular helmets, will never go half or 3/4.

Modular with a sun visor is a must for me...I use the 3/4 on the snowmobile in the winter when I am trapping and that is it....I know the modular isn't 100% of a full face but it's better that chin first!!!

Modular is a full face IMHO, mine is always full face unless I am stopped in traffic or filling up my tank. I have the Scorpion AT950, fabulous helmet for the money.....and I have owned more than one Shoei.

Just going by some of the testing results that show a slight decrease in protection from the modular vs a fixed chin design.

That should only be if the mechanism were to somehow fail and it flips open, HJC arguably has the worst hinge and latch system. Regardless that should in theory still give better protection than any half or 3/4 even upon a failure. I simply cannot own a helmet now that isn't a modular, I couldn't go back to a full face non modular ever again.

[Serk]

Wore a skid lid my first several years on two wheels.

Eventually got tired of sun burns on the face, goggles wearing out, getting lost, bugs and gravel (Hard to tell which is which at 90) hitting my face, etc.

Switched to a nicer HJC modular, with the built in retractable sunshade, Bluetooth speakers for tunes and helmet to helmet communications.

Better wind control, I'd argue even better in hot weather since it blocks the furnace of hot air from hitting me straight on and instead allows a controlled breeze to pass through.

Besides, this face is too pretty to be ground off by asphalt!

I had it told to me once, look down as you're riding, you're basically sitting atop a high speed belt sander. Wanna stick your face into that?

Having said all that, that is my choice, for me, and I fully support YOUR legal right to wear what ever kind of helmet you want, or lack thereof if you choose, I won't judge you for it or lobby to have you shot for not wearing a helmet. (Since all laws, no matter how innocuous or "well intentioned" are ultimately enforced at the end of a gun.)

[rocketray]

using the above helmet #'s  60% of the strikes are to your face which is what I have always heard--the foam in the helmets gets hard after 5 years I recall reading so time for a new lid...there was some buzz not to far ago about slip technology helmets where the damaged layers would slip aside new layers giving a 50% increase in layer thickness..I have one pt who was drunk and did a face plant slide and now has no nose--and deep scarring abrasion wounds.....

[Avanti]

OK, so adding all strike zones including the 8.4% on the top, not shown here equals 94.3 % of the time you hit your head in a get off.  So falling over at a complete stop, being thrown down with 800lbs plus of force could end up being called a "dead stop".  

This is however not a reason to stop doing what we enjoy! It is however a risk that we need to be aware of and to manage as each sees fit. I choose full coverage, so I can ride and finish well.

[Gryphon Rider]

OK, so adding all strike zones including the 8.4% on the top, not shown here equals 94.3 % of the time you hit your head in a get off.  So falling over at a complete stop, being thrown down with 800lbs plus of force could end up being called a "dead stop".  

This is however not a reason to stop doing what we enjoy! It is however a risk that we need to be aware of and to manage as each sees fit. I choose full coverage, so I can ride and finish well.

Here's the original diagram and numbers created by Professor Dietmar Otte, as used in Proficient Motorcycling by D.L. Hough, in which all the numbers actually add up to 100%:

[Avanti]

OK, so adding all strike zones including the 8.4% on the top, not shown here equals 94.3 % of the time you hit your head in a get off.  So falling over at a complete stop, being thrown down with 800lbs plus of force could end up being called a "dead stop". 

This is however not a reason to stop doing what we enjoy! It is however a risk that we need to be aware of and to manage as each sees fit. I choose full coverage, so I can ride and finish well.

Here's the original diagram and numbers created by Professor Dietmar Otte, as used in Proficient Motorcycling by D.L. Hough, in which all the numbers actually add up to 100%:

It would appear that you can not miss your head. So we can be perfect.

[RP#62]

OK, so adding all strike zones including the 8.4% on the top, not shown here equals 94.3 % of the time you hit your head in a get off.  So falling over at a complete stop, being thrown down with 800lbs plus of force could end up being called a "dead stop". 

This is however not a reason to stop doing what we enjoy! It is however a risk that we need to be aware of and to manage as each sees fit. I choose full coverage, so I can ride and finish well.

Here's the original diagram and numbers created by Professor Dietmar Otte, as used in Proficient Motorcycling by D.L. Hough, in which all the numbers actually add up to 100%:

It would appear that you can not miss your head. So we can be perfect.

Yes, but it looks like if you put your helmet on backwards, you'd dramatically improve you chances of not getting struck in the facial area.

-RP

[northernvalk]

OK, so adding all strike zones including the 8.4% on the top, not shown here equals 94.3 % of the time you hit your head in a get off.  So falling over at a complete stop, being thrown down with 800lbs plus of force could end up being called a "dead stop". 

This is however not a reason to stop doing what we enjoy! It is however a risk that we need to be aware of and to manage as each sees fit. I choose full coverage, so I can ride and finish well.

Here's the original diagram and numbers created by Professor Dietmar Otte, as used in Proficient Motorcycling by D.L. Hough, in which all the numbers actually add up to 100%:

It would appear that you can not miss your head. So we can be perfect.

Yes, but it looks like if you put your helmet on backwards, you'd dramatically improve you chances of not getting struck in the facial area.

-RP

[Gryphon Rider]

using the above helmet #'s  60% of the strikes are to your face which is what I have always heard--the foam in the helmets gets hard after 5 years I recall reading so time for a new lid...there was some buzz not to far ago about slip technology helmets where the damaged layers would slip aside new layers giving a 50% increase in layer thickness..I have one pt who was drunk and did a face plant slide and now has no nose--and deep scarring abrasion wounds.....

What this "slip" technology (commonly called MIPS [Multi-directional Impact Protection System] technology) actually does is allow the outer surface of the helmet to shift relative to your scalp, reducing the maximum rotational acceleration applied to your head (and brain).  Where that slippage occurs within the structure between the outer surface and your scalp differs depending on the designer's approach.  Some early approaches had a skin attached to the outside of the helmet which slipped on the surface of the helmet shell.  More recently, helmets have been designed so the EPS liner can slip within the shell, but is attached to the shell with elastic tethers so the shell doesn't rotate out of position too much.  Others have a slippery layer next to your head, so your head is allowed to slip within the helmet.

[HayHauler]

Plus, I feel like a superhero when riding with my tinted visor down.

Yeah. RoboDork........lol.....

Now, Now...  haha

Hay 
Jimmyt

[MAD6Gun]

Plus, I feel like a superhero when riding with my tinted visor down.

Yeah. RoboDork........lol.....

Now, Now...  haha

Hay 
Jimmyt

He actually started it. Chris called me that when I first got my Schuberth. When he said he felt like a superhero I couldn't resist returning the favor...lol...

[BobB]

If you have a windshield you need a full face. When I was taken down by a Harley at 35 mph lowside I went through the windshield was glad I had a full face

During my incident last Sunday, I had on my Scorpion c110 half helmet that has a flop down visor.  The helmet appears to be undamaged.  I too went into the windshield but the Honda windshield gave way but did not break.  I now believe it saved me from much more serious injury.  A full face or modular helmet would have prevented the deep gash on my chin which I believe was caused by the edge of the windshield.  

I used a Shoei full face years ago but it was a pain if you were wearing glasses.  Modular helmets may be the ticket but, with the scar on my chin, I'll look more like Harrison Ford...    

[KUGO]

Very glad to see you post again, and glad your mishap didn't break your sense of humor!  Keep healing!