Full face helmet changes all sensory input
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 709
Likes: 1
From:
There is no convincing anyone who has decided they will never wear a full face helmet. But for those that want to give a FUll Face Helmet a try. Spen the money on a good one and spend the time trying on all of them. They are made differently and each fits differently. But you do get what you pay for. I find Shoei to be the most comfortable. 1 good tip I have found is to look for one with Ear Pockets it makes a helmet so much more comfortable.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 15
From: Senoia, Ga., by way of Miami, Fl..
I'm with the less, the better, crowd. I bought a FF because I ride the highway a good bit and thought espescially in the winter time, I'd like it.. Well, I did like the comfort and wind reduction in the cold or wet weather. BUT, the clostraphobic(?) feel was unfomfortable. I dont care who makes it, you cannot get the range of vision or motion from your neck with that big chunk of junk on your head... If you get used to it, thats fine. I'll wear mine again, but its not my prefered helmet by any means.. Part of my issue comes with the apes, my arms are at shoulder level. So, the "chin" protector gets in the way pretty quickly. I'm definitly in the to each his own crowd too.. I'm just not too clear on, if a crash is first and foremost in one's mind, why they even bother getting on a bike.. I see so many people posting about preparing for an accident, and though I do believe its wise to recognize the possibility, its hard to understand how you could enjoy the ride if it consumes every thought.. It just seems like it takes the fun out of riding, leaving it more of a nescisarry function than a hobby..
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
From: Dikes, windmills & wooden shoes
Having ridden with a mandated helmet in California for years after not having them required, I always wore a full-face because I have a bunch of FF helmets from racing. Arais, because they're the most comfortable on my pointed head.
I'm in Oklahoma for awhile, so I took off for a ride without the helmet. Yeah, it was nice, but after awhile I got tired of the wind whipping my face and hair and bouncing my glasses. I DID kinda appreciate the extra vision, but I didn't see anything I wouldn't have seen with my helmet on.
I can definitely understand the appeal of NOT wearing a helmet.
But after about a hundred miles, I stopped. And when I went to get back on the bike, I just put my helmet on. Habit, I guess. I was just more comfortable with it on, partly because I'm used to it. I have adapted. I just move my head if I need to see.
( I've seen where the brain will accomodate and adjust to vision changes. In experiments, people are given glasses that make everything look upside down. After a while, the brain adapts, and they see things right-side up again. I think that's why people who ride with FF helmets don't feel like their vision is obstructed. )
And then it started to rain. No way was I taking my helmet off. It's more comfortable in the dry. In the wet, it's a no-brainer. There's a joke in there somewhere.
I'm in Oklahoma for awhile, so I took off for a ride without the helmet. Yeah, it was nice, but after awhile I got tired of the wind whipping my face and hair and bouncing my glasses. I DID kinda appreciate the extra vision, but I didn't see anything I wouldn't have seen with my helmet on.
I can definitely understand the appeal of NOT wearing a helmet.
But after about a hundred miles, I stopped. And when I went to get back on the bike, I just put my helmet on. Habit, I guess. I was just more comfortable with it on, partly because I'm used to it. I have adapted. I just move my head if I need to see.
( I've seen where the brain will accomodate and adjust to vision changes. In experiments, people are given glasses that make everything look upside down. After a while, the brain adapts, and they see things right-side up again. I think that's why people who ride with FF helmets don't feel like their vision is obstructed. )
And then it started to rain. No way was I taking my helmet off. It's more comfortable in the dry. In the wet, it's a no-brainer. There's a joke in there somewhere.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
From: Durban South Africa
Having ridden with a mandated helmet in California for years after not having them required, I always wore a full-face because I have a bunch of FF helmets from racing. Arais, because they're the most comfortable on my pointed head.
I'm in Oklahoma for awhile, so I took off for a ride without the helmet. Yeah, it was nice, but after awhile I got tired of the wind whipping my face and hair and bouncing my glasses. I DID kinda appreciate the extra vision, but I didn't see anything I wouldn't have seen with my helmet on.
I can definitely understand the appeal of NOT wearing a helmet.
But after about a hundred miles, I stopped. And when I went to get back on the bike, I just put my helmet on. Habit, I guess. I was just more comfortable with it on, partly because I'm used to it. I have adapted. I just move my head if I need to see.
( I've seen where the brain will accomodate and adjust to vision changes. In experiments, people are given glasses that make everything look upside down. After a while, the brain adapts, and they see things right-side up again. I think that's why people who ride with FF helmets don't feel like their vision is obstructed. )
And then it started to rain. No way was I taking my helmet off. It's more comfortable in the dry. In the wet, it's a no-brainer. There's a joke in there somewhere.
I'm in Oklahoma for awhile, so I took off for a ride without the helmet. Yeah, it was nice, but after awhile I got tired of the wind whipping my face and hair and bouncing my glasses. I DID kinda appreciate the extra vision, but I didn't see anything I wouldn't have seen with my helmet on.
I can definitely understand the appeal of NOT wearing a helmet.
But after about a hundred miles, I stopped. And when I went to get back on the bike, I just put my helmet on. Habit, I guess. I was just more comfortable with it on, partly because I'm used to it. I have adapted. I just move my head if I need to see.
( I've seen where the brain will accomodate and adjust to vision changes. In experiments, people are given glasses that make everything look upside down. After a while, the brain adapts, and they see things right-side up again. I think that's why people who ride with FF helmets don't feel like their vision is obstructed. )
And then it started to rain. No way was I taking my helmet off. It's more comfortable in the dry. In the wet, it's a no-brainer. There's a joke in there somewhere.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 29,598
Likes: 19
From: Oregon
Don't forget, HJC makes most of Harley's helmets and you pay a real premium for the HD logo.
$.02
Last edited by JBaker421; Sep 17, 2008 at 06:16 AM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 4
From: GA
I go back and forth on this issue in my own mind a lot. Part of it is that because I grew up in and lived in helmet-free states for most of my life, that I spent most of my riding life (since 1978) riding without a helmet. It still feels very good and comfortable to ride in a t-shirt without a helmet - kind of natural.
Now I live in a helmet law state and have to wear something. I usually wear a half helmet, but recently bought my first full face - the HJC. I wanted to see if I could stand to wear it before I dropped $500+ on an Arai. In some ways, it is actually more comfortable that the half (less noise, etc.) and riding in the rain is a treat. When it gets cooler here, it will feel very nice, I'm sure. Then I spend a weekend in Daytona and take the helmet off altogether and well, there you go.
I have heard it said that you don't dress for the ride, you dress for the fall. Those are wise words and I know if I fall down again someday, I would be very happy if I was wearing my armored mesh jacket and my full face helmet instead of a t-shirt and the half helmet. That inner conflict between safety (head) and the feeling of riding free (heart) has yet to resolve itself.
Have I confused anyone else, or just me?
Now I live in a helmet law state and have to wear something. I usually wear a half helmet, but recently bought my first full face - the HJC. I wanted to see if I could stand to wear it before I dropped $500+ on an Arai. In some ways, it is actually more comfortable that the half (less noise, etc.) and riding in the rain is a treat. When it gets cooler here, it will feel very nice, I'm sure. Then I spend a weekend in Daytona and take the helmet off altogether and well, there you go.
I have heard it said that you don't dress for the ride, you dress for the fall. Those are wise words and I know if I fall down again someday, I would be very happy if I was wearing my armored mesh jacket and my full face helmet instead of a t-shirt and the half helmet. That inner conflict between safety (head) and the feeling of riding free (heart) has yet to resolve itself.
Have I confused anyone else, or just me?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,754
Likes: 4
From: GA
I have a shoei and it isn't half as comfortable (for my head shape maybe) as the HJC I posted the link to, above. It doesn't feel lighter weight and doesn't have vents that are as good, either imho.
Don't forget, HJC makes most of Harley's helmets and you pay a real premium for the HD logo.
$.02
Don't forget, HJC makes most of Harley's helmets and you pay a real premium for the HD logo.
$.02
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,494
From: Decatur, Alabama
For those of you who have tried a full face and didn't like it, remove the shield and get a pair of sunglasses/goggles. You won't get that claustaphobic feeling as bad. The loss of peripheral vision thing is an illusion. The loss of your face after a wreck using a half or 3/4 helmet isn't.
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
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 521
Likes: 5
From: Port St Lucie, FL
I have a shoei and it isn't half as comfortable (for my head shape maybe) as the HJC I posted the link to, above. It doesn't feel lighter weight and doesn't have vents that are as good, either imho.
Don't forget, HJC makes most of Harley's helmets and you pay a real premium for the HD logo.
$.02
Don't forget, HJC makes most of Harley's helmets and you pay a real premium for the HD logo.
$.02