My HD half helmet is ready to be replaced this spring. I would like to go to a open face 3/4 helmet. I personally like the look of them compared to the 1/2. I have been searching the forums but have not really found what I am looking for. There are a ton of helmet brands out there. I would appreciate any suggestions/recommendations. I don't really want to drop over $200 on a helmet.

One other question is wind noise. I do use ear plugs but I am wondering if 3/4 helmet will cut down wind noise.

Thanks for your input!

 

This is what I wear, in the dull black color. It's the most comfy helmet I have, and the one I reach for most often when I ride the FXDI.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motor...stream-tourer/

 

A 3/4 will by the fact that it covers your ears. I've owned HJC for the last 10 years, pretty good helmets: all full face though. When it warms up, I'll be wearing my 1/2 shell. I only use my full face in cold weather.

 

I use a Nolan matt black 3/4 in summer,not so thickly padded out but a nice a snug fit,options to fit a peak or a visorand has clip at the back so you dont loose your goggles in a gust of wind.I use earplugs on long trips because of wind noise,think most helmets suffer from that curse..

 

Biltwell makes really cool looking 3/4 helmets, but they aren't DOT approved. I have a Fulmer 3/4 helmet with the stars and stripes pattern. They have a few other vintage-esque 3/4 helmets as well to chose from...just be advised that they run really small, so get a bigger size in the retro fulmers.

 

ACC has a pretty cool looking 3/4 it's called the trooper. It's not available in DOT yet but I contacted them and they said it would be around February. It's what I'm buying after it's available in DOT. Check it out http://carbonfiberhelmets.com/trooper.html

 

Most 3/4 helmets will help with wind noise. Personally I find them a bit uncomfortable and opt for a half helmet. I also however run with a windshield 90% of the time. The WINDSHIELD kills the real loud wind noise making using a half helmet with simple sun glasses (or clear glasses at night) a good option. If I ride with no shield at highway speeds I'd want a full face helmet but personally I'd rather have the shield and not have a full face helmet on. Feels too confining and reduces my vision.

 

I have all 3 types, dont use the 3/4 very often,in fact i think I have only used it for my licence re-test as I let it expire, use the 1/2 in summer with ear plugs and use the modular fullface in winter without ear plugs, the full face is very snug and good ear protection with very little wind noise,