Open Face Helmet .v. Full Face Helmet ?

[kentfallen]

I thought it would be a good idea to discuss the merits/disadvantages of wearing an OPEN faced helmet in the Summer when the weather is fine as an alternative to a FULL faced one. I like the idea of an open faced helmet when it's hot but will I be taking an unacceptable risk by wearing one in the UK? My riding is likely to be 70% road (in heavy traffic) 30% offroad (nothing to technical or muddy cos I don't like to get my bike dirty!).

An open faced helmet appeals to me because it is likely to be much cooler...

I don't want to spend much more than about £80.

[Martynbiker]

OPEN FACE is my choice off road.

but watch out for the wasps!

Your better off with a Motocross type lid & Goggles!

Martyn

PS GET IT DIRTY! you know you want to!

[Vaufi]

Depends on what you mean by "open" helmet - moto-cross or pilot type helmet? The enduro is ok, but the second type I consider as potentially dangerous, no matter how good your riding skills are. Things do happen now & then, like broken jaw etc. when going for a loop.

[oldbmw]

I could not find a 'full ' helmet with a chin protection that i could wear with my glasses. I used an open faced one with peak until last year when i bought another open faced one with screen. The reason for the change was the aforementioned wasps ( and hornets) and the odd stone that would bounce off my bikes fairing. I do miss the peak. Oddly the new helmet is noisier an I hope this year to fit a slightly taller screen. But I feel safer from the threat of a small flying stone going through a lens on my glasses.

[juddadredd]

Caberg Justissimo Flip Up, as I like to filter with it up and for hot weather slow riding around town (inner visor protect my eyes), and as soon as I reach 40 flip it down from protection.

As you know I'm far far too pretty not to look after my face, hell I've only got the one.

As for off road, the Berg is ok with good visability but I also own an enduro lid and googles.

[MarkLG]

Originally Posted by kentfallen

I like the idea of an open faced helmet when it's hot but will I be taking an unacceptable risk by wearing one in the UK?

That's really for you to decide - everybody's idea of an acceptable risk is different.
Personally I'd never wear an open face helmet, either on the road or off-road - I like my face and teeth arranged the way they are.
For low speed road riding in hot weather I'll wear my MX lid with sunglasses. Off-road it's the MX lid with either sunglasses or goggles. For normal road riding out of town I use my road lid whatever the weather.

[Frank Warner]

Originally Posted by oldbmw

I could not find a 'full ' helmet with a chin protection that i could wear with my glasses.

Next time you go to buy glasses .. chose ones that work with a helmut! The distance from the hindge to the lens should be small - minimusing the width. I take my hemut with me .. if the glasses don't fit .. I try the next shop.

[Macp1]

Originally Posted by oldbmw

I could not find a 'full ' helmet with a chin protection that i could wear with my glasses. .

I use a Schuberth J1 - open face Jet style with some chin protection and I can wear my specs too.

[indu]

I'm afraid a open face helmet might give the words "jaw dropping" a new - and more literal - meaning. So I prefer my Schuberth full face for touring and my HJC cross helmet for offroading. But that's just me. Others prefer otherwise, I'm sure.

[maxwell123455]

I have heard in a few places that some MX lids and even some flip down lids are no better than an off face lid in a crash as the chin bar is not that strong so just breaks on impact. cant remember where i heard this.

Personally i like a full face helmet even if it is hot, 1 for protection and 2 i ride a motorX type bike so no fairing, and can get very windy. Also the weather here in the UK changes very quickly. For off roading at the moment i dont have a MX lid but will hopefully get one soon with a set of googles.

Dont know what it is but i just feel more safe, properly because its enclosed more

[Martynbiker]

Originally Posted by Vaufi

Depends on what you mean by "open" helmet - moto-cross or pilot type helmet? The enduro is ok, but the second type I consider as potentially dangerous, no matter how good your riding skills are. Things do happen now & then, like broken jaw etc. when going for a loop.

Vaufi, I totally agree on your points there. But the Enduro type lid & Goggles are no good if you are a spectacle wearer like Myself. I can't wear Contacts, tried n Failed at that. so what do I do?
So, I use a fully open lid. Jet style, OK, it offers no lower face protection, and I know that, it is a risk I am prepared to take. I have ridden perhaps most of my road miles and definitely all my off road miles in a lid of this type. I know the risks and wont moan if I lose half my face if /when I come off!
I DO own a full face lid, and I hate it... I feel claustrophobic in it. I only wear that if on a long journey on road now.

As for a Broken Jaw, Yes, Been there, done that! ( Pushbike)

Martyn

[Jake]

I use a schuberth J1 also this is great, its open face has a removable Bar type chin jaw protector a flip down dark visor as well a superb full face clear shield visor, the helmet is very comfortable and stable at all speeds, even the visor up position the helmet is fine at speeds upto 100mph without the visor flipping down and virtually no drag from the visor being up either. I have used this helmet since its release on the market about 2 1/2 years now and have never returned to wearing a full face since. The internal ventilation works really well as well giving a definate stream of air jetted onto the top of your head cooling the bonce when its hotter. I ride all weather snow rain sun whatever and find the helmet warm and comfortable in every situation ( save for a bit coolness around the chin (a windstopper tube saves that problem). downside is its pricy - currently about £250 from some retailers.

[Warthog]

Full face.

For me, the likely damage to your face in the event of a crash is too horrendous to consider wearing an open face. I have worn a motorcross lid with goggles for when its raining or windy etc and this has been fine. I should point out that I have always had the Arai fullface too and do not find it claustrophobic, but the motorcross lid was used on our S America trip to good effect. It was very airy.

Like Martynbiker, I also wear glasses: always have done and I have never had problems with googles. However, my frames are not massive, but they are not tiny either...

I really do feel that, if a conventional full face is not to yor taste, a motorcross lid is your best bet for ventilation (but it will be noisy at speed). Flip-up lids? These look like to be a nice compromise, but in the UK they are only classed as a Type A EC approved lid with the chin section down. Once raised the helmet no longer conforms: something to consider from an insurance point of view...

[Vaufi]

Originally Posted by Martynbiker

I DO own a full face lid, and I hate it... I feel claustrophobic in it. I only wear that if on a long journey on road now.

As for a Broken Jaw, Yes, Been there, done that! ( Pushbike)

Martyn

You weren't going too fast on your pushbike, were you? Be honest :-)


I'm so used to my closed helmet - sometimes it's even protection from heat. In Africa temps once reached nearly 50°C. Closing all vents was more comfortable than incoming air, which felt like the blast of the furnace .

Hans

[Martynbiker]

Originally Posted by Vaufi

You weren't going too fast on your pushbike, were you? Be honest :-)

Hans

Yep, I was, I was 15 and on my Dads Bike too. Bent the frame!

Martyn