FF helmet without face shield - how safe?
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 9
From: la grange, il (near chicago)
FF helmet without face shield - how safe?
i always wear a ff helmet. but when it's hot i leave the face shield up and just wear glasses. a lot cooler to let the air blow around.
i have attempted to find if this is unsafe or doesn't matter.
have seen numerous pictures of ff helmets after accidents with the face shield all scratched up, but i would think that the chin gaurd would not allow that to be your nose/face.
anybody have knowledge/experience about this.
i have attempted to find if this is unsafe or doesn't matter.
have seen numerous pictures of ff helmets after accidents with the face shield all scratched up, but i would think that the chin gaurd would not allow that to be your nose/face.
anybody have knowledge/experience about this.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
RE: FF helmet without face shield - how safe?
Not sure what would happen in an accident, but I doubt the face shield plastic offers much protection. I think it's mostly to keep bug and debris off your face. As long as you're wearing good eye protection(high velosity impact resistant) I doubt it matters.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 485
Likes: 0
RE: FF helmet without face shield - how safe?
I was told years ago the only difference between a Full face or Half helmet was a open or closed casket. I live in Fla and seldom wear one but the big thing is eye protection and having your head on a swivel. Ride safe and God Bless
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 0
From:
RE: FF helmet without face shield - how safe?
A full face helmet is the only type that will provide real protection in case of a nasty fall.
A visor will protect you from insects and rocks, though.
I had the windshield of my wife's BMW shattered by a pebble thrown by a truck.
You don't want one of those hit you in the face, do you?
Goggles are ok, and will protect your eyes, but a face shiled is added protection, and will protect your whole face.
A visor will protect you from insects and rocks, though.
I had the windshield of my wife's BMW shattered by a pebble thrown by a truck.
You don't want one of those hit you in the face, do you?
Goggles are ok, and will protect your eyes, but a face shiled is added protection, and will protect your whole face.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,881
Likes: 34
From: USA
RE: FF helmet without face shield - how safe?
I wear a 3/4 jet with a face shield because the FF is too closed in for my comfort. I am always amazed at how many rocks hit the face shield on the freeway. FWIW, I was hit by a cage 30 years ago while wearing a Bell 3/4 with a fixed snap on face shield. I ended up clearing the cage and landed on my forehead and slid about 150 feet face down. Amazingly the face shield did not detach and took the grinding. My Yammi was totalled, helmet broken and I got up and stepped into the ambulance. I suffered 2 fractured verts in my neck and lots of road rash but not a scratch on my face. 
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From:
RE: FF helmet without face shield - how safe?
How fast have you gone with the face shield flipped up? I dothis on slow short runs. However, I wouldnt dothat on the Interstate for fear that the wind could rip off the facesheild and/or yank my neck in the process. The instructions warn against it.
Otherwise, I dont think the increased risk to facial injury with the visor up is that significant.
Barton
Otherwise, I dont think the increased risk to facial injury with the visor up is that significant.
Barton
ORIGINAL: mark10
i always wear a ff helmet. but when it's hot i leave the face shield up and just wear glasses. a lot cooler to let the air blow around.
i have attempted to find if this is unsafe or doesn't matter.
have seen numerous pictures of ff helmets after accidents with the face shield all scratched up, but i would think that the chin gaurd would not allow that to be your nose/face.
anybody have knowledge/experience about this.
i always wear a ff helmet. but when it's hot i leave the face shield up and just wear glasses. a lot cooler to let the air blow around.
i have attempted to find if this is unsafe or doesn't matter.
have seen numerous pictures of ff helmets after accidents with the face shield all scratched up, but i would think that the chin gaurd would not allow that to be your nose/face.
anybody have knowledge/experience about this.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From:
RE: FF helmet without face shield - how safe?
I wear a FF and almost always leave the shield up. I do wear some perscription Oakleys that do a very good job of eye protection.
I think common sense tells us there is more protection with it down. Recently while riding something got into my eye andI ended up going to the doctor who had to remove the debris from the cornea of my eye with a needle. Ultimately everything was OK. But without a doubt the whole episode would not have happened with a shield down.
Do what you want but yes, it is safer with the shield down.
I think common sense tells us there is more protection with it down. Recently while riding something got into my eye andI ended up going to the doctor who had to remove the debris from the cornea of my eye with a needle. Ultimately everything was OK. But without a doubt the whole episode would not have happened with a shield down.
Do what you want but yes, it is safer with the shield down.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From:
RE: FF helmet without face shield - how safe?
ORIGINAL: Barton
How fast have you gone with the face shield flipped up? I dothis on slow short runs. However, I wouldnt dothat on the Interstate for fear that the wind could rip off the facesheild and/or yank my neck in the process. The instructions warn against it.
Otherwise, I dont think the increased risk to facial injury with the visor up is that significant.
Barton
How fast have you gone with the face shield flipped up? I dothis on slow short runs. However, I wouldnt dothat on the Interstate for fear that the wind could rip off the facesheild and/or yank my neck in the process. The instructions warn against it.
Otherwise, I dont think the increased risk to facial injury with the visor up is that significant.
Barton