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Half helmet for everyday riding. Full face for GoPro stuff.
I like having wind hitting my face. With a full face helmet, I may as well hop in the car instead. Just my opinion.
If I had a sport bike and did blistering speeds, then yes, I'd go with full face and not think twice about it. I've been stung in the face doing 75 mph and it sucked. Hate to deal with a bee sting at 120+ mph.
Last edited by TimmyPage; Aug 29, 2018 at 03:03 PM.
I’ve done a complete 360 over tha past few years. Right now it’s mostly fullface, sometimes half shell, and rarely no helmet. I don’t have any problems with visibility with my fullface and never felt too hot in it. I was riding yesterday in it in 93 degree heat and where it’s hotter in some ways than a half shell, it’s better in other ways.... no sun beating down on your face.
I wear a half-helmet most of the time. I recently purchased a 3/4 helmet because I was going to be traveling in the mountains with unpredictable weather to contend with. Like someone above said, I like the wind in my face. A 3/4 helmet allows more air to enter under the shield, and is cooler than a full helmet. It's all about preference.
I wore a half helmet for years until recently when I had an accident. I flew over the bars and, luckily, landed head first on the back of my head and left shoulder...on concrete. I say "luckily", because there's no doubt the half helmet saved my life, but afterwards I got to wondering what would have happened had I landed on my face. Needless to say, I'm a full face helmet convert now.
I wear all three varieties. Have a modular I wore for a few years as my FF . Took it with me on long road trips and had the half helmet on the back for when its really hot or the scenery is nice. I usually wear the open face around my area on days I think it might rain and its just too hot for the FF. Otherwise, its a mix between FF modular and half helmet depending on temperature. But I always wear a helmet unless its an out of the blue ride or something.
As far as what is best, everyone has their own preferences and approach to risk but they will want to browbeat their own ideas on everyone else. Subject has been discussed a million times and probably will end up being a 20-page fight though so expect it to turn into that.
On another note, I recently got a new helmet that will replace the FF Modular. My biggest complaint about modular/FF is visibility. It makes me claustrophobic at times. I was looking at the Bell Bullity but it doesnt fit my head--it is too round. Found another brand--Torc T1 that makes similar design that fits my head shape better. It has everything I like about a half helmet but with more chin safety. A good compromise for me. Still not as much protection overall than a true FF but Its like riding in a open face visibility wise and almost as light and does offer a chin bar It i.s also twice as cheap as the bell in terms of price. Extremely comfortable and its like there is no loss in visibility at all.
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I'm pretty much in this camp (except I never ride without a helmet). Been looking for a replacement for my aging gmax modular. Don't like it because it's heavy, has lots of wind noise, and buffets on the highway. Also not the best peripheral vision. But nice in the cold and rain. Gonna check out this torc.
Mostly I switch between a Daytona dot half and a bell Sena 3/4. The Bell has good peripheral vision, the ear coverage is nice for hearing protection on long rides (this is also it's biggest negative, as it significantly limits auditory situational awareness compared to the half helmet). The Bell actually is cooler than the Daytona as it is vented well. Half has zero venting.
I wore a half for years, then switched to a 3/4 for the additional protection. Now I'm in the midst of migrating to a FF. Figure I've pushed my luck long enough. I bought a Schuberth C3 modular and wear it about half the time now. It's an amazing helmet, but I'm having a hard time not being claustrophobic in it. Not sure where it will go...if the claustrophobia continues, I'll be selling it and will go with something like the Bell Bullitt or the Biltwell Gringo that may not offer as much protection at the Schuberth, but more than the 3/4. We shall see.
My wife and I wear matching Bell Pitboss half helmets about 80% of the time. She prefers a half helmet because of the lighter weight and open feeling. She prefers I wear one because she can see around my head better as a passenger.
I just sold on eBay and here on the forum 6 helmets which include 1/2, 3/4 and a modular. I replaced them all with a Shoei J-Cruise 3/4 and it is the nicest helmet I have ever owned. I will wear it in the winter and I always carry it along on longer rides in case it rains.
I do also plan maybe this winter to add a Shoei Neotech modular. One of each covers me for everything and quality over quantity moving forward.
I have the 1/2....a 3/4...and for my trip this summer I picked up a modular because of more speed on the interstate I was going to have to ride... was surprised how more comfortable the modular was and now use it almost exclusively....all by the way from hD..which the 3/4 and mod are HJC and the 1/2 is a Bell.....you really need to try on several to see how the perifferal feels for vision...each person is different...plus I ride a trike with windshield that helps with buffeting....ultimately your decision on how much safety versus comfort , style,convienience, etc you feel good with......whatever you choose....ride safe
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