Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Camping Equipment and all Clothing
Helmets - flip-front or full face ? Helmets - flip-front or full face ?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Camping Equipment and all Clothing Tents, sleeping bags, stoves etc. Riding clothing, boots, helmets, what to wear when not riding, etc.
Photo by George Guille, It's going to be a long 300km... Bolivian Amazon

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by George Guille
It's going to be a long 300km...
Bolivian Amazon




Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 12 Jul 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Otago, New Zealand
Posts: 63
Thumbs up Helmets - flip-front or full face ?
I have to decide on purchacing helmets for a bike rental situation.
I'm thinking flip-front is the best of both worlds - what are others views of this ?
I want to keep it simple without needing every option, and open-face is out for safety reasons.
:confused1:
__________________
Howie
V-strom 650, Transalp 650, DR-Z250
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12 Jul 2006
Wheelie's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oslo, Norway
Posts: 658
Flip fronts are quite noisy, even with earplugs.

Personally I hardly ever ride with the helmet open unless I am navigating at really slow speeds.

I think the greatest benefit of the flip front is whenever you stop to speak to someone, take a drink, etc.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Jul 2006
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
I have yet to find a non open face helmet i can wear with my glasses.. and without them I doubt i would make it out the lane
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 13 Jul 2006
Dodger's Avatar
Large Golden Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 1,085
To flip or not to flip ,that is the question .
I have a Nolan flip front , it's not noisy and I comfortably wear sunglasses with it all the time .At slow speeds I flip the front up out of the way and just use the sunglasses [ safety glasses actually ] as eye protection .
IMHO flip fronts are great although they must give slightly less protection than full face .
For a rental situation I would opt for a brand that has a washable, removable liner so that you can keep the helmets clean and sanitary .
Also I don't think it would be wise to buy high end helmets for a rental business as they will invariably be ill-treated by the renters .
Nolans are good mid market helmets ,they don't excel in every aspect but they are cheap enough to replace without breaking the bank .
Just my sixpenneth worth !

Dodger
__________________
Blessed are the cracked, for they let in the light. - Spike Milligan
"When you come to a fork in the road ,take it ! When you come to a spoon in the road ,take that also ."
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 13 Jul 2006
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw
I have yet to find a non open face helmet i can wear with my glasses.. and without them I doubt i would make it out the lane

When chosing glasses - take a helmet with you.. I do .. and I ask for frames that are as narrow as can be .. they fit better inside helmuts.
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13 Jul 2006
cozcan's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Izmir, Turkey
Posts: 101
It depends on the conditions you are going to ride. If you are riding relatively slow and any possible crash is not a big bang on the head, flip fronts are more than fine. But if it is going to be a serious fast ride under harsh conditions I would definitely go full face.

Regards

cozcan
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 14 Jul 2006
muthaf9cka's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: London
Posts: 124
Just a thought, have you thought about some motocross style helmets? They give almost the same protection as full face and have good visibility.
__________________
"On that? You're nuts!" - My cousin's boyfriend

Current Bikes - Kawasaki KLE500 '05 (May 06)
Previous Bikes - Hyosung GF125 (Oct 05 to May 06)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 24 Jul 2006
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Otago, New Zealand
Posts: 63
Thumbs up
Thanks for your thoughts guys - flip-front helmets obviously aren't everyones cuppa tea, but I think I will persevere with them for my situation as tourists will be regularly stopping for photos, chats and refreshments - all much easier with a "flipper".
__________________
Howie
V-strom 650, Transalp 650, DR-Z250
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 26 Jul 2006
Gold Member
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Orpington, Kent. UK
Posts: 14
I have a Caberg Tourisimo (flip front with integral sunvisor) which is great.

It is a tad noisy, but I cancel this with earplugs. When using the earplugs, the helmet is no noisier than my old Arai. It is brilliant for slow cruising around towns and such (I also wear sunglasses to prevent the odd projectile landing in my eyes) and particulrly handy when asking directions etc.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 14 Jan 2007
Hindu1936's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Yongin, South Korea
Posts: 327
We just bought (don't everybody scream "stupid" now) HJC flip front helmets after comparing the feel and price of several others, including Nolan. We ride a scooter, highways only, never any offroad stuff, and after 50+ years of riding and two accidents, decided that the flipfront for us was great, and the comfort of the HJC was better than the Nolan-closer to the face and lighter "felt" weight-and half the price. Might be the same for riders who are much higher off the ground on cycles, ride faster, and can't throw into a broadside slide as quickly as a scooter. The HJC will satisfy a couple of old foggies and maybe even some young ones. Oh we both wear wide frame polar guard glasses to protect against cataracts and the helmets work just fine
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 17 Jan 2007
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Edmonton, AB
Posts: 2
Lightbulb Interesting side note(?)
I was at the Bike Show here last weekend and I was talking with a helmet rep about flip front lids in general. Apparently bikers who smoked were the major driving force behind the demand/development of the flip front.
And to a lesser degree; drinkers - I actually saw a cup holder on a bike at the show!
I own a full face, so I cant speak from experience, but I think the flip front is quite practical.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 17 Jan 2007
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Colorado, USA
Posts: 72
I have several helmets, but for most road riding, I use the HJC flip front helmet. Not too noisy, and the abiulilty to flip it up without removing it is nice. When stopping for gas, to talk to anyone, to take a drink or have a snack quickly without removing the helmet is great.

It's too heavy for any off road riding, so the MX helmet gets lots of use, too.

I have some 3/4 helmets that I wear seldom.
__________________
Done with Prudhoe Bay and Ushuaia.

http://www.errant-ronin.com/PrudhoeBayUshuaia.htm
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 17 Jan 2007
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: On the road
Posts: 157
THe BMW Series 3 flip front was quite neat I used it for over a year. But after a year I've gone back to a regular full face - mainly due to the noise and the extra weight. Yes the full face is a pain with the glasses I have to wear but it just feels 'better' (how about that for a real useful technical description!!)
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 17 Jan 2007
Moderator, Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Lancashire England
Posts: 313
Hi There,

for convenience sake you can't beat a flip front however, for safety you're better with a full face.

I've changed from BMW's System 4 flip front to BMW's Enduro helmet and the weight saving and extra levels of comfort are very noticable.

Regards

Reggie AKA The Cameraman
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 17 Jan 2007
Redboots's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: On the border - NE FR
Posts: 865
the trouble with fli[-fronts is that, with it open, you look like a chipmonk

J
__________________
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
schuberth j1 open face helmet. Jake Equipment Reviews 3 20 May 2008 04:17
Helmet review Wheelie Equipment Reviews 43 4 Jul 2007 18:16
Schuberth Flip Front _ Australia Rene Cormier TRAVEL Equipment for Sale / Wanted 5 19 Jul 2006 01:35
Grex Flip front simmo Equipment Reviews 0 18 Jan 2004 21:53
Front Loads Jason Smolka Kawasaki Tech 4 9 Mar 2003 01:33

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:03.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top