Does Open Face = No Face?

[kentfallen]

I'm giving serious consideration to getting one of these - http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk...?catRef=230270

I want one for riding in hot weather (although of late it doesn't seem to happen very much). I ride pretty sedately on minor country roads.

I'm fed up wearing a full face helmet on a hot day. I realise that this thing won't provide the same level of protection in a collision.

I've always been a great fan of AGV helmets. Those of you old enough to remember the 1970's and 80's will remember that AGV and Bell were by far the most used helmets in those 2 decades.

What do you think?

[Stretcher Monkey]

I guess it all depends on your own risk assessment. I had an altercation with the side of a car in the mid-eighties. I was wearing a full-face "Achilles", big heavy fibreglass thing. The impact removed a 10cm piece of the chinguard, and still fractured my jaw, although I didn't realise it until I tried to eat a piece of toast!

My jaw is still visibly out of kilter to this day, although luckily for myself and the local female population, I continue to grow more handsome by the day. I reflect from time to time on how I would look without my mandible - a "chinless wonder"?

[ekaphoto]

I dress to crash, not to ride, then hope I don't crash. Think of doing a face plant and skidding face down on the roads you ride on, then make your decision.

[Bill Ryder]

Perhaps try a cooler runinning full face or a flip front. Here in the states we can buy a full coverage flip front for the price of the helmet you linked to. I too have slid on my face and had lots of gear and a full coverage helmet on.....

[colebatch]

There's was a good 2 way discussinon a few months back here ...

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...d-v-full-33766

Lots of thoughts on both sides.

There is no correct answer, just lots of different opinions. For some the risk of accidents was far too great to consider an open face while for others the lessened experience of touring in a full face (nothing to do with how hot n stuffy they are) meant that you might as well go round the world in a 4WD if you must put safety first.

I have my own take on that discussion, but at the end of the day they are both totally valid perspectives and it depends what your priorities are.

[Threewheelbonnie]

Originally Posted by ekaphoto

I dress to crash, not to ride, then hope I don't crash. Think of doing a face plant and skidding face down on the roads you ride on, then make your decision.

I dress to ride not to crash, on account of doing more of the former. Seeing a hazard and reacting, being comfortable and therefore awake, not having your own smoke screen inside the lid (misting), making eye contact with the other drivers (rather than looking like a Dr. Who extra) all have their advantages and real world uses. Avoid the battle rather than wear the armour IMHO.

Yes, if you slide on your face at something like 35 mph you will be better with whatever Mr. Rossi is wearing this season, but don't live in the dream world of "I'm wearing £1000 worth of polystyrene and nylon weave and am safe". Any helmet is the 80% factor in not getting killed in a crash, the other features give 5-10% either way. Of course if the better protection is just as comfortable wear it.

Somewhere soon, someone who maybe feels guilty/smug for spending £700 on a Shoei is going to post a picture of a chap with no nose. This (in)famous picture is from a speedway track, so while it makes the point about the protection, it doesn't make the case against the vision/weight/comfort advantages of an open face on the road. There is no right answer. Go with what you are comfortable with.

Personally I wear a flip front Schuberth on the motorway, a Roof that can be worn open or closed for my commute and an open face for the city. When they invent a helmet

Andy

[Warthog]

I, too, have been considering an open face for riding my sidecar outfit (lower likelihood of low-side/high-side, I hope).

However, I have got two full face lids. One is a Motocross. If you want more cooling breeze, the defintely try one. Yes its noisier, but then so are open faces.

If you are not wearing googles, the the field of view is a lot bigger too. Have a try...best of both?

[Hornet600]

It really does come down to personal risk assessment. If open face helmets didn't offer protection they would not be legal in the UK. Personally I own a caberg with removable flip front. In the summer there is nothing nicer then cruising with the front removed but I personally wouldn't hit hard fast A-roads with the front off.

If your just planning a lazy Sunday ride then the open face is perfect!

[Caminando]

Originally Posted by kentfallen

I'm giving serious consideration to getting one of these - AGV Blade White Matt XS

I want one for riding in hot weather (although of late it doesn't seem to happen very much). I ride pretty sedately on minor country roads.

I'm fed up wearing a full face helmet on a hot day. I realise that this thing won't provide the same level of protection in a collision.

I've always been a great fan of AGV helmets. Those of you old enough to remember the 1970's and 80's will remember that AGV and Bell were by far the most used helmets in those 2 decades.

What do you think?

Hi Kent

Like you I like open face (or jet) helmets. That is until I read an article on Horizons all about helmets etc. This told me that a high percentage of injuries are to the front of the helmet ie your face.

I still have a helmet like the one you mention for use in cities (for 100% ) vision, but I shouldnt be using it; Check out the article - sorry I forget the title...

[peter-denmark]

I took my licence in a full face and bought a quality one right afterwards (shoie xr1000). I have had it for 4 years and it has served very well, so I guess I am biased.

I would never consider myself "safe" in an openface helmet, but I can udnerstand why others (who started riding in other times) feel they are.

As said. Many accidents will scrape your chin and with a full face this is nothing, but with an openface the result would be really ugly for your smile.

Even if you ride safe other people dont and you have to do your best at protecting yourself against them. Especially if you familiy!

[stuxtttr]

If you feel like you want an open face helmet and you can afford it, then give it a try. Like others have said there are valid points for both but dont knock it till you tried it.

Also the family thing is a good point but Bikes can be dangerous if youre family love you as you them why would they deny you of one of lifes great pleasures.

Life is risky if not it would be borring. I can respect that some people take more risks than others just as I would hope that someone can respect me to take more risks than them.

On that note check out youtube skydiving without a parachute, crazy but sure looks like a buzz.

[Big Yellow Tractor]

I use an HJC MX helmet and it is plenty airy enough.

If you don't want to restrict your vision, try wearing safety glasses instead of googles. They come in various degrees of tint.

X-ACT Safety Spectacles - Protec Direct PPE

The chin guard on mine is pretty bashed and scratched so it must be doing it's job.

[Jake]

Try looking at the shuberth j1 I have put a lot on this site about them, open face with chin bar / face protection, flip down dark visor, very comfortable, quite and high quality but costly. I have used one for years on all my travels, even in the coldest places - well north of the arctic circle as well as pretty damn hot countries. would never consider a full face again I really feel closed in wearing a full face hat. They are no doubt a compromise between full face and open face protection but you pays yer money and makes ya choice. (ps did you know full face hats cause more broken necks than open face - its all statistics you know just try not to be one.

[Big Yellow Tractor]

Originally Posted by adventure950

(ps did you know full face hats cause more broken necks than open face - its all statistics you know just try not to be one.

I suppose that makes sense; your face gets used as a "crumple zone"

[Threewheelbonnie]

It's one of the less useful features of helmet testing that they don't quantify such features. I too have heared mention of a case where the chin bar of a full face lid struck a kerb and the result was similar to the effect of the hangmans knot, dislocated vertebrea and a very dead rider. But, because they only test impact (a shaped weight strikes the lid) abrasion and fit, no one really knows if this is a real factor or a fluke made up of a particular rider, kerb, lid, speed etc. The people with the money to find out go for the simplest solution: take the edged kerbs off the race track. The helmet manufacturers then meet a basic impact criterea and the rest is graphics and mouldings to sell them. I wouldn't imagine broken necks due to helmets are a big factor for adult riders, but honestly I think we just don't know.

Andy