FF Study
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,133
Likes: 504
From: Lake County, IL
This is what I have been wondering as well. Football helmets have this, just look at quarterback helmets, big field of vision.
One thing I didn't like about this study was the rider was on a fixed position with a 130 degree horizontal view. That won't give a ride a full 180 degree side to side peripheral view. I think that would have been a more useful test. It's a start but the report is a little weak for me. I wrote a paper in grad schedule about helmet laws and though the paper always comments on whether the rider had a helmet or not, the lack of helmet may not have been the cause of death. Potentially the rider had their femoral artery cut when the bike fell on them and they bleed out. Maybe the rider was blunt force trauma to the chest but their head was completely fine. The motorcycle statistics don't do a good job of breaking out the cause of death, just that there was a death.
One thing I didn't like about this study was the rider was on a fixed position with a 130 degree horizontal view. That won't give a ride a full 180 degree side to side peripheral view. I think that would have been a more useful test. It's a start but the report is a little weak for me. I wrote a paper in grad schedule about helmet laws and though the paper always comments on whether the rider had a helmet or not, the lack of helmet may not have been the cause of death. Potentially the rider had their femoral artery cut when the bike fell on them and they bleed out. Maybe the rider was blunt force trauma to the chest but their head was completely fine. The motorcycle statistics don't do a good job of breaking out the cause of death, just that there was a death.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,348
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From: Vegas, baby!
The most important statistic, IMO, is never reported and can never be known. That is how many incidents occur after which the rider can get up and walk away instead of being taken to a hospital. Or a morgue.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: Albuquerque, NM
If this study is true, then I guess someone (maybe the OP) needs to design a better FF helmet that will not limit your Field Of View, but still be "safer" than a half or 3/4 helmet.
Of course, we have to also question whether the rider in the FF helmet COULD have been "distracted", by music/phone/etc., that MIGHT have contributed to the accident, right?
Call me cynical if you want, but it seems that almost every "study" has certain criteria, but they don't always take into account EVERY detail, and they tend to "omit" other details, so that they can somewhat "skew" the results to look the way they WANT them to. I tend to want to look at WHO is commissioning the study, WHY they want the study, WHAT are they looking FOR (what is the goal of the study supposed to show; i.e. what do they WANT it to say), and HOW and WHERE are they getting the data. Those factors will usually show how "skewed" the results will be.
Of course, we have to also question whether the rider in the FF helmet COULD have been "distracted", by music/phone/etc., that MIGHT have contributed to the accident, right?
Call me cynical if you want, but it seems that almost every "study" has certain criteria, but they don't always take into account EVERY detail, and they tend to "omit" other details, so that they can somewhat "skew" the results to look the way they WANT them to. I tend to want to look at WHO is commissioning the study, WHY they want the study, WHAT are they looking FOR (what is the goal of the study supposed to show; i.e. what do they WANT it to say), and HOW and WHERE are they getting the data. Those factors will usually show how "skewed" the results will be.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Pa.
So, in other words... you are admitting that you are cherry picking data. 
You realize that this "study" you are citing is all simulator data, right? What does the real world data say? Answer: helmets save lives and reduce brain injuries; FF and open face helmets do this better than half helmets. A FF helmet offers more protection, both from the elements and from frontal impacts. These are the facts.
You realize that this "study" you are citing is all simulator data, right? What does the real world data say? Answer: helmets save lives and reduce brain injuries; FF and open face helmets do this better than half helmets. A FF helmet offers more protection, both from the elements and from frontal impacts. These are the facts.
What I know personally is the only time I ever wore a FF helmet was back in '83 when I borrowed a friends bike and helmet. I was scared to death and couldn't wait to get home and get that obstruction off my head. Couldn't see or hear anywhere near what I was used to with an open 3/4 helmet. Since then, I've never considered wearing a FF helmet. That's my own "study". JMHO.
Last edited by AJSHOVEL; Nov 21, 2018 at 12:09 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,348
Likes: 647
From: Vegas, baby!
What I know personally is the only time I ever wore a FF helmet was back in '83 when I borrowed a friends bike and helmet. I was scared to death and couldn't wait to get home and get that obstruction off my head. Couldn't see or hear anywhere near what I was used to with an open 3/4 helmet. Since then, I've never considered wearing a FF helmet. That's my own "study". JMHO.
I'm not promoting a FF just sharing my experience.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,014
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From: Ca
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 505
Likes: 194
My decision on what to put or not put on my head while riding is based on my experience acquired during my years of riding. I care more about my opinion and experience than I do about about any study that is out there. And a lot of studies are "out there" .
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
You believe what you ant to believe - Ill believe what I want to believe... I would have lost my face if not for a ff helmet. I dont care how I look, I dont give a **** that racers use it. If its not a FF that is Snell rated, I dont wear it. How you ride is your choice and thats ok, its not wrong, its not my choice. My SHoei and Arai helmets have outstanding visability and I hear just fine... I also find an open or a 1/2 helmet is too noisy..
Last edited by uncle kebo; Nov 22, 2018 at 11:42 AM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Ca
Sadly there are lots of people out there (without awareness) happy to make the decision for us on what's good for all bikers.
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