Helmets: 1/2 vs 3/4 vs fullface
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 161
From: Between Chicago & Milwaukee
RE: Helmets: 1/2 vs 3/4 vs fullface
ORIGINAL: JeffreyLebowski
I guess I'm the same as most folks...I have a Shoei half helmet for little rides, a KBC full face for longer rides and inclement weather. If you have to get just one helmet, get a full face.
Make sure you get a helmet that fits correctly. This is really important. If the dealer has a helmet that you like but it's a little to big, the hell with it. It's worthless. Helmets need to fit pretty snugly to be effective. Frequently the girls working the clothes area are responsible for the helmets- they may or may not know how to fit a helmet. Caveat emptor.
I guess I'm the same as most folks...I have a Shoei half helmet for little rides, a KBC full face for longer rides and inclement weather. If you have to get just one helmet, get a full face.
Make sure you get a helmet that fits correctly. This is really important. If the dealer has a helmet that you like but it's a little to big, the hell with it. It's worthless. Helmets need to fit pretty snugly to be effective. Frequently the girls working the clothes area are responsible for the helmets- they may or may not know how to fit a helmet. Caveat emptor.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 18,304
Likes: 26,543
From: Northwest of Los Angeles
RE: Helmets: 1/2 vs 3/4 vs fullface
I'm wearing the new HJC Carbon full face, which is the same as the H-D FXRG except for the graphics and the price.
H-D gets $450 for the FXRG; the HJC version is $275 on eBay. Click here.
HJC also makes a carbon half helmet for Harley, which dealers sell for $205. I haven't yet seen a generic HJC version.
I more or less hate wearing a full-face, but I'm a big boy so I do it anyway because I know it's good for me.
The carbon is definitely the way to go. Very light, to the point where you forget about it after a while. Also, the
shield is very easy to change out, so I use a dark smoke shield during the day, eliminating the need for sunglasses, and a clear shield at night. Great helmet.
Philip
H-D gets $450 for the FXRG; the HJC version is $275 on eBay. Click here.
HJC also makes a carbon half helmet for Harley, which dealers sell for $205. I haven't yet seen a generic HJC version.
I more or less hate wearing a full-face, but I'm a big boy so I do it anyway because I know it's good for me.
The carbon is definitely the way to go. Very light, to the point where you forget about it after a while. Also, the
shield is very easy to change out, so I use a dark smoke shield during the day, eliminating the need for sunglasses, and a clear shield at night. Great helmet.
Philip
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 921
Likes: 0
From: Alamogordo, NM
RE: Helmets: 1/2 vs 3/4 vs fullface
I personally like the modulars. You have the benefit of a full face, but if you are not going too fast or have a weenie-shield...you can also lift it for a minute or so for more air circulation, to scratch your nose, take a drink, etc. I have a halfie that I use to ride to work on our 90+ degree days. (It is only 10 miles round trip.) Outside of that, I wear the modular. I'm a nurse and used to work in the ER. Your intructor is right on about the facial trauma. I figure...I'm ugly enough as is!
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 56
From: California
RE: Helmets: 1/2 vs 3/4 vs full face
In the past 3 months or so, I have tried all three types of helmets since I started seriously riding again this year. By far I feel the best in the full face contrary to what i would have thought.
I was in AZ a couple of months ago and rode without a helmet as the law allows. Just felt too vulnerable, and this coming from someone who NEVER wore helmets in the past (OK, I was 20 yrs old then). I tried the half helmet (BELL) and it was nicer than a full face in terms of getting the breeze on me. For the protection I was giving up, it just didn't seem like that was enough.
I would really like to keep my face and teeth where they are at the moment, and after having just spent 3000 dollars on dental work that is even more reinforced.
I would prefer to ride with the half or nothing for all of the reasons everyone else would, but I just am not in a place in life where the risk is worth it.
Some say that if someone is that concerned with safety they should not ride at all. Well, I love to ride, so I take the precautions I can, get the gear that will make impact less damaging and the rest of it isn't up to me anyway. I make the best choices and let go of the outcome.
I currently ride with a Shoei RF 1000 and really like the comfort and ventilation. I often ride with the shield all the way up. I am considering one more helmet that covers almost as much as a full face, but still has the 3.4 open feel. It is German and would need to be ordered from abroad as they do not carry the J1 in the States. This is one cool helmet!
J1 Helmet
[IMG]local://upfiles/6415/CC96BA0A4D7746CBBFE376C0CA1F9ECD.jpg[/IMG]
I was in AZ a couple of months ago and rode without a helmet as the law allows. Just felt too vulnerable, and this coming from someone who NEVER wore helmets in the past (OK, I was 20 yrs old then). I tried the half helmet (BELL) and it was nicer than a full face in terms of getting the breeze on me. For the protection I was giving up, it just didn't seem like that was enough.
I would really like to keep my face and teeth where they are at the moment, and after having just spent 3000 dollars on dental work that is even more reinforced.
I would prefer to ride with the half or nothing for all of the reasons everyone else would, but I just am not in a place in life where the risk is worth it.
Some say that if someone is that concerned with safety they should not ride at all. Well, I love to ride, so I take the precautions I can, get the gear that will make impact less damaging and the rest of it isn't up to me anyway. I make the best choices and let go of the outcome.
I currently ride with a Shoei RF 1000 and really like the comfort and ventilation. I often ride with the shield all the way up. I am considering one more helmet that covers almost as much as a full face, but still has the 3.4 open feel. It is German and would need to be ordered from abroad as they do not carry the J1 in the States. This is one cool helmet!
J1 Helmet
[IMG]local://upfiles/6415/CC96BA0A4D7746CBBFE376C0CA1F9ECD.jpg[/IMG]
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
RE: Helmets: 1/2 vs 3/4 vs full face
I'm sure some of you are getting sick of seeing this picture, but this is facial road rash obtained while wearing a 3/4 helmet. As you can see, not much protection for the face. I always recommend that if someone's going to wear a helmet, go with the full face! Personally, I only wear a helmet when I am in a state requiring one.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,629
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From:
RE: Helmets: 1/2 vs 3/4 vs fullface
[quote]ORIGINAL: Biggol
The full face modular I wear is like this one but with a different "limited production" graphic. It's black with copper color classic/western looking decals.
http://www.harley-davidson.com/mcm/m...bmLocale=en_US
[quote]
I have the same helmet and love it.... I don't want to imagine my face taking a ride across the asphalt!
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