Helmet help...

[SteveC]

I need to find a full-face helmet that works well in 90 degree weather, i.e. lots of ventilation.  Not interested in 1/2 helmets or flip-ups.  I live in a no-helmet state, and it's getting real tempting.  I need to be safe AND cool.
Steve

[cookiedough]

I like modular helmets never had one until last year bought one.  Not great ventilation but I doubt too many helmets regardless of how many tiny vents in them being full faced or modular (flips up) will be cool inside. 

I always flip my modular helmet up in town driving to cool off some with airflow and close it back down when on the hwy.

[R J]

I have worn Fulmer helmets for years.    Any helmet is only good for about 3 years in hot areas.   I replace helmets every 3 to 5 years.   My latest one has a flip bar in front.    I'm learning to like it instead of the full non moveable bar full helmet.

They always seemed to me to have plenty of ventilation.   The latest one has a vent in the top of it.

You will sweat with any helmet, so get an under helmet liner.     You put it on your head 1st and then add the helmet.

When you stop, take the liner off and hang it on a mirror or some part of the bike that will hold it open to a degree.     That way while making a short pit stop the sun will dry the sweat out of it to a degree while stopped.

If it is a very hot day, take the liner into the restroom and soak it in cold water.    Put it on under the helmet and enjoy the coolness for maybe 30 minutes or less.

On a very hot day, you can soak your shirt the same way.    10 miles down the road the shirt will be dry and you can wet it down again.

[Cliff]

This helmet gives you the flexibility of a full face helmet that safely becomes a 3/4 helmet.  When in the 3/4 helmet setup looks far better than a traditional modular helmet that is left flipped up.
Pricey? Yes, but great helmet. 

http://www.helmetcity.co.uk/categories/SHOP-BY-BRAND/Shark-Helmets/Shark-Evoline-3/

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/shark-evoline-3-st-helmet-solid-colors

[Foozle]

First off, no full-faced helmet is going to be adequately vented - and on a 90 degree, will cook your noggin.  Having said this, Arai lids (IMHO) tend to be better than most in this regard.  They're pricey, but you also get the added functionality of the pinlock visor system (which I love for changing between tints).  I have an Arai Signet-Q (fits an oval-shaped melon) and have found it to offer the best balance of safety and "comfort" for a full-faced helmet. Still, on a hot day, it's a far cry from being air conditioned. As always, YMMV. Terry

[Marinakorp]

I have also found a few full face helmets with the air vents on the top... more for a forward leaning rider. I was riding on a cooler night, and my head was still sweating... leaned forward and the cold air rushed in. It was only a few degrees of angle... but was heavenly.

(I don't have pictures) -So I modified 2 plastic ice maker / water filter 90 degree screw in "thingies"... drilled them out so there was almost no restriction (and almost no strength left.. they would crack off in a crash) , pained to match helmet... and screwed them in. Looked like 2 little periscopes (I don't care how it looked... they were small and most wouldn't notice on the road).

Like a RAM AIR for cooling down my head.

MAN did they ever work well...really well.

[hubcapsc]

First off, no full-faced helmet is going to be adequately vented - and on a 90 degree

On our two 10-day trips to InZane in 95-100 degree temps in the last few
years, I wore all my gear all the time. We were all hot, but my buddies with
their half-helmets/no-helmets/tee-shirts and stuff were cooked-like-food,
Joe's scalp was sun-burned. I remember standing in the full sun in the
gas station parking lot and putting on my Shoei X-12... ahhh... shade...



-Mike

[Curley Wolf]

SteveC, I saw a new one that looked interesting in current Popular Mechanics magazine. It sounded pretty good to me. Might check it out.

[Alien]

I ride nearly every day, and that includes our 100+ degree temperatures most of the summer/fall.  The helmet I wear is a no frills Shoei full face in gloss black.  I hate being hot but with vents in the chin bar, top front and rear of the helmet, I've always been comfortable, even behind my windshield.  I'm a loyal customer ever since one of these Shoei's saved my life in a bad crash 10 years ago.

Ride Safe,

Alien

[Jess from VA]

No advice on full face helmets, but if you tie a wet bandanna around your neck, the evaporative cooling helps your head.  They sell these magic water holding crystals in bandanas that stay wet for days instead of a half hour.  I also had a doo rag with a forehead strip of crystals/water that I could wear with my half helmet if the crystal strip was pushed down below the helmet brow, but I doubt this would work with a full face.  I'd soak them up with water, put them in a plastic bag and keep them in the fridge.  Throw them on the bike in the morning, and put them on later when it got hot.  Right out of the fridge, they were too freaking cold.

http://www.fullsource.com/miracool-bandanas/?gclid=COy6_rfVgMgCFQgXHwodgawAhA

http://www.amazon.com/MiraCool-Cooling-Bandanas-Pack-Bandanas/dp/B003Y5XMI0

They're cheap, so get a couple.

[hubcapsc]

Allan taught me about the wet-bandana-around-the-neck trick on those
InZane trips... saved my bacon...

-Mike "saved my neck from becoming bacon...."

[WintrSol]

There are always forced-air helmets, but you have to provide the air supply: http://pyrotectstore.com/product/pro-airflow-side-forced-air/

[DK]

First off, no full-faced helmet is going to be adequately vented - and on a 90 degree

On our two 10-day trips to InZane in 95-100 degree temps in the last few
years, I wore all my gear all the time. We were all hot, but my buddies with
their half-helmets/no-helmets/tee-shirts and stuff were cooked-like-food,
Joe's scalp was sun-burned. I remember standing in the full sun in the
gas station parking lot and putting on my Shoei X-12... ahhh... shade...



-Mike

Re:  your Picture.  Was that taken on hwy. 14 in Arkansas?

I passed through there about a month ago & there was a huge crowd in and around that structure. Must have been their homecoming.

The roads in that area are great.

Dan

[_Sheffjs_]

Like most here I have a collection of helmets and currently using a new Full Face Shoei GT-Air. Florida is a sweltering place in the summer and I would love to take my helmet off but I will not, ever.   It is what it is I guess.   

[hubcapsc]

Was that taken on hwy. 14 in Arkansas?

Yep 

I remember plenty of good roads in Arkansas... my cooked buddies
have less of a fond memory of Arkansas...

-Mike

[Jersey mike]

within the last year I switch from a half helmet to the Nolan N-104 Modular and I installed their B4+ audio system and I love it. I have music, radio, Bike to Bike and intercom. on hot days I can open the face with the inside visor still down or in slow areas I can slide the whole chin and face shield up and when the road return to higher speeds very easily rotate the helmet back to full face.

I have to say modular helmets are nice. finds a decent dealer with a LARGE inventory to try on what fits right.

Once you leave the store, there will not be any returns if decals or any way shape or form it looks used or they think its used.

[Gryphon Rider]

webbikeworld.com rates the ventilation of the helmets they review.  Choose one and buy it in white to be coolest.  White will also be the most visible, next to day-glow colours.  It's what I did.

[_Sheffjs_]

webbikeworld.com rates the ventilation of the helmets they review.  Choose one and buy it in white to be coolest.  White will also be the most visible, next to day-glow colours.  It's what I did.

Sorry for the hijack here - I love this color combination and I haven't seen one in person. More than the Red/Black Interstate I had, this has the rear fender painted as well and I like the tourer saddle bag paint.    Sweet ride what year is this? 

[CajunRider]

I use a Shoei GT Air in southern Louisiana. 

No way around the fact that you're gonna sweat in that kind of temperature, but the Shoei does do a good job of moving air around. 

It's a lot of $$$... but so far I've been satisfied with it.  (Got mine on sale for just under $500.)

http://www.shoei-helmets.com/Helmet.aspx?GT-Air&h=22&t=1

[Jersey mike]

I need to find a full-face helmet that works well in 90 degree weather, i.e. lots of ventilation.  Not interested in 1/2 helmets or flip-ups.  I live in a no-helmet state, and it's getting real tempting.  I need to be safe AND cool.
Steve

if you are really against modular (flip-up's) I would seriously consider a real nice 3/4 helmet, because a true full face in heat on a street bike (IMO) can be a big PITA with not getting good air when you really want it.

Are you riding w/ or w/o a windscreen? that's a big difference on how much air flow the helmet will get.

I've always thought Shoei made some of the best/nicest 3/4 helmets.

[SteveC]

Thanks to all who responded.  I followed the advice to go on Webbikeworld.com, and chose a Kabuto Aeroblade 3 Linea in Pearl White.  Nope, never heard of them either, but I already have a Shoei, and it's not enough ventilation.

Thanks,
Steve

[Gryphon Rider]

webbikeworld.com rates the ventilation of the helmets they review.  Choose one and buy it in white to be coolest.  White will also be the most visible, next to day-glow colours.  It's what I did.

Sorry for the hijack here - I love this color combination and I haven't seen one in person. More than the Red/Black Interstate I had, this has the rear fender painted as well and I like the tourer saddle bag paint.    Sweet ride what year is this? 

Thanks! It's a 2000. This colour on a Tourer is quite common around here.

[Willow]

I need to find a full-face helmet that works well in 90 degree weather, i.e. lots of ventilation.  Not interested in 1/2 helmets or flip-ups.  I live in a no-helmet state, and it's getting real tempting.  I need to be safe AND cool.
Steve

As I was riding in to work this morning I was thinking of this post.  These days I ride a lot with a full face modular even though my preference is a half shell.  It's a long story but it has to do with a doctor two years ago telling my loving wife that a reason for the C1 fracture was the choice of a half helmet as opposed to a three quarter or full face.

Back to the issue.  I ride almost always with the visor open.  I've known riders that ride with the visor removed.  If you practice just a little bit the removing and replacing the visor can become quick and easy.  The sleeve of an old long sleeved tee shirt will provide protection for the visor allowing you to carry it in a saddlebag or other luggage.  Removal of the visor doesn't significantly reduce the protection in a crash as the full face will still keep your face off the pavement.

Riding without a visor will really eliminate the concern for vents unless you have a really good wind effective shield and then all the vents in the world wouldn't help you.

Almost any brand of full face helmet will allow you to ride without the visor.    

[Wizzard]

I have worn Fulmer helmets for years.    Any helmet is only good for about 3 years in hot areas.   I replace helmets every 3 to 5 years.   My latest one has a flip bar in front.    I'm learning to like it instead of the full non moveable bar full helmet.

They always seemed to me to have plenty of ventilation.   The latest one has a vent in the top of it.

You will sweat with any helmet, so get an under helmet liner.     You put it on your head 1st and then add the helmet.

When you stop, take the liner off and hang it on a mirror or some part of the bike that will hold it open to a degree.     That way while making a short pit stop the sun will dry the sweat out of it to a degree while stopped.

If it is a very hot day, take the liner into the restroom and soak it in cold water.    Put it on under the helmet and enjoy the coolness for maybe 30 minutes or less.

On a very hot day, you can soak your shirt the same way.    10 miles down the road the shirt will be dry and you can wet it down again.

We got to get the ladies to do the last one.   

[Kunkies]

Agree with CajunRider, Shoei GT-Air is by far the most comfortable, lightweight and quiet helmet with amazing air flow.

Highly recommend

[miscott]

If your interested in a Modular helmet with tons of vents, I can vouch for the GMax GM54S.
Closable vents on the top, sides and back. Works great at letting cool air in and the vents in the back draw the air out for circulation. I use one and can't see myself switching to another brand.
Closed is a full face, open is a 3/4's lid! Visor is also adjustable in many positions between open and closed and comes in custom colors. I'm partial to the mirrored, myself.
Does come an with interior retractable sun shield, which I love. Clears my glasses and I don't need to worry about having sunglasses with me.
Also comes with an available built in brake light for the back of the helmet.
There may be better helmets out there, but, for the money, I don't think this one can be beat.
 Check out this link for some great demo vids and info....
    
                    http://thehondavalkyriepages2.blogspot.com/2014/11/gmax-gm54s-modular-helmet-review.html