1/2 shell- shorty- chips helmet in UK, France?
 

Searched the archives and web- can't find anything definitive

I've ridden for 20 years, and except for mc traing, have always worn a shoty, half shell, CHIPS call it what you will, helmet. Visors fog and scratch, can't get the chin over my shoulder to shoulder check, and can't hear the logging truck approaching with a full face. I can't think of travelling not wearing a shorty (looks like a Davida- sort of). It's what all police wear in the Americas. I am NOT talking about a skull cap. I used to live in Wales, rode an MZ and wore my shorty, and never heard a wisper from the fuzz, only fellow bikers telling me to get a "real lid".

What I need to know is

Will I be breaking the law in the UK, Fr and Italy by wearing my shorty?

Even if agaisnt the law, will I be pulled over and ticketed for it?

Justin

Helmet should be legal.

We have a saying in the UK:

"10p head, 10p helmet"

If you value your noggin, invest in a decent helmet that could make the difference between an accident or living the rest of your as a bed-bound vegetable.....

Your choice.

Should be legal I see scooter riders wearing them all the time around London.
Have a great trip

Hey redcoat. Your fine in the UK my friend, and probably will be on the continent and elsewhere. A lot of Davida O/F lids are not UK road legal but they make identical versions that are. I have two (a Modena and a Vespa), both fairly expensive (so I dont know where the saying "10p head, 10p helmet" comes from?!?) I agree that they offer better freedom over full face lids. Either way its your choice my friend.

Hi Redcoat,
Simple, in the UK all helmets must be up to EC 22.05 Standard which I think a shorty is not. If the cops cannot find evidence of this on your helmet they are entitled to stop you riding with it and fine you if you persist. However most ordinary cops don't know this, your big problem is that the ordinary cops are unlikely to pull you for it anyway. The most likely ones to pull you are the specialist Traffic Cops and VOSA Stop Officers and they will notice straight away because apart from anything else there are a high percentage of them who are also bikers. The EC 22.05 is a European Standard so I would bet money the same applies in other countries. I am sure you have already heard all the arguments about shorties being comparatively unsafe so I won't repeat it but bear in mind that many of the cops will think the same so you would be unlikely to get away with a promise to replace it soon, it is more likely the best you will get is ' If you follow me to a helmet store now I will not book you' or words to that effect. Hope this all helps, it's still your decision bit I am with the majority of posters on this and think you should at least get an open face helmet. Having said all that it is worth remembering that if you go to places like Hamburg you will see loads of weekend 'Badasses' riding about on Harleys wearing Brain Cap helmets half as big as your shorty.
Roy

As long as the helmet is E (EC) marked, it should be legal in Europe...

US helmets (typically the style you are talking about) are DOT marked, which don't obviously 'technically' conform to European markings, but as an example, I have a US bought Tour-X that is DOT marked which is identical to my UK bought Tour-X that has EEC/ACU Gold stickers on - in such an instance it's kind of academic and I'm sure you could argue the toss with a copper if they ever bothered to stop you?

The worse they could do you for is 'failure to wear a helmet' - not sure what penalty that carries (and if it varies within Europe)...

xxx

ps. Don't listen to the ATGATT brigade x - as others have said, it's your head, your risk... nothing like cruising along wind in your hair, sunglasses on... although having done that for 100 sunburnt wind-swept miles on the Florida Keys, I was damn glad to put my helmet back on I can tell you!

ps. ah, Fitzneo has provided a more comprehensive answer while I was tapping away with two fingers... x

Back now...report
 

I'm back now. Had not a trace of a problem, only benifits. Didn't even have to remove my helmet for those places that have a sign to take your full face helmet off. If you are riding at slow to moderate speeds like us (50-55mph) I'd say take the risk and enjoy riding as it can be- really interactive with the countryside. Bugs, wind and all!