Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Proper helmet?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 26, 2024 | 03:00 PM
  #1  
jrap's Avatar
jrap
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 58
Likes: 25
From: Atlanta
Default Proper helmet?

I own a Road Glide, looking to maybe add a 2011 Fat Boy like this with no windshield. Every time I ride a "naked" bike, no wind screen, with my half helmet, the wind grabs my helmet like mad and makes for a very uncomfortable ride. With my Road Glide fairing, it's not a problem. I'd rather not go full face helmet and I need a helmet due to local law. What's the best helmet suggestions for a comfy riding experience on a bike like this Fat Boy?


 
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2024 | 03:22 PM
  #2  
KK0G's Avatar
KK0G
Road Captain
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 518
Likes: 593
From: Central Iowa
Default

Originally Posted by jrap
What's the best helmet suggestions for a comfy riding experience on a bike like this Fat Boy?
I know you said you didn't want to go with a full face helmet but that's honestly the best suggestion I can give. I can ride my windshield-less Softail for days on end with a full face helmet but I probably wouldn't last a couple of hours with an open face.
 
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2024 | 03:36 PM
  #3  
04FXDI's Avatar
04FXDI
Stellar HDF Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3,415
Likes: 1,122
From: USA
Default

I have 6 helmets, 7 actually, but one has gone MIA. I do have a couple beanie helmets I'll throw on for back and forth to work (4 miles round trip) But 99% of the time I'll grab one of my FF. I just bought a Shoei RF-1400, added the new Cardo Palktalk Pro, let me tell you this combo is the best in my opinion, at least for me it is. I agree with @KK0G FF for the win.
 
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2024 | 04:01 PM
  #4  
brakeless's Avatar
brakeless
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 5,915
Likes: 5,929
From: NorCal
Default

If you want to ride with a half helmet it's best to not have a visor, it catches the wind. In any case, you need to screw it on tighter when riding without a windshield.
 
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2024 | 06:56 PM
  #5  
Cap77's Avatar
Cap77
Seasoned HDF Member
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 5,884
Likes: 11,267
From: NE Ohio
Default

something like this





a 3/4 with shield
'round town and at lights, shield is up
down when on the hi-way


..L.T.A.
 
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2024 | 07:33 PM
  #6  
hattitude's Avatar
hattitude
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 10
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,144
Likes: 11,219
From: San Diego, CA
Default

I ride 90% of the time with a small half-helmet. I have four bikes, two without windshields. I obviously feel more wind on the bikes without a windshield, but I don't notice it pulling my helmet up...

I buy DOT helmets, but always try to get the thinnest DOT helmet I can find. IMHO, the thick ones not only give you mushroom head, like Kazoo from the old Flinstones cartoons, but they act like a parachute catching the wind.

I have an old "Outlaw" DOT helmet. It is super thin, has the thin straps (new ones have thicker straps), and it actually has a small visor on it.... I cinch down the chin strap and have never felt it pulling on my head/chin on any of my bikes.

Have you tried something like this one...?

https://bikerbeaniehelmets.com/produ...oaAh9lEALw_wcB
 

Last edited by hattitude; Aug 26, 2024 at 07:35 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2024 | 07:47 PM
  #7  
jrap's Avatar
jrap
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 58
Likes: 25
From: Atlanta
Default

Originally Posted by Cap77
something like this





a 3/4 with shield
'round town and at lights, shield is up
down when on the hi-way


..L.T.A.
I actually have a couple like that, could work, it's a good suggestion. I just hate the "full" helmets riding here in the South in the summer, sort of defeats the purpose.of a wide open bike. I think I might get more "air" on the road glide with the half helmet!
 
Reply
Old Aug 26, 2024 | 07:49 PM
  #8  
jrap's Avatar
jrap
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 58
Likes: 25
From: Atlanta
Default

Originally Posted by hattitude
I ride 90% of the time with a small half-helmet. I have four bikes, two without windshields. I obviously feel more wind on the bikes without a windshield, but I don't notice it pulling my helmet up...

I buy DOT helmets, but always try to get the thinnest DOT helmet I can find. IMHO, the thick ones not only give you mushroom head, like Kazoo from the old Flinstones cartoons, but they act like a parachute catching the wind.

I have an old "Outlaw" DOT helmet. It is super thin, has the thin straps (new ones have thicker straps), and it actually has a small visor on it.... I cinch down the chin strap and have never felt it pulling on my head/chin on any of my bikes.

Have you tried something like this one...?

https://bikerbeaniehelmets.com/produ...oaAh9lEALw_wcB
I actually have that exact one! It's what I use all summer on the Road Glide
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 28, 2024 | 09:58 AM
  #9  
fatboy medic's Avatar
fatboy medic
Intermediate
10 Year Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 4
From: Indiana
Default

I've been rockin a Biltwell Bonanza Rootbeer Megalflake for years. Super comfy, and one of the lowest profile 3/4 on the market. I have a 01' Fatboy with no windshield.
 
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2024 | 10:47 AM
  #10  
ehummelman's Avatar
ehummelman
Cruiser
5 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 119
Likes: 65
From: Atlanta
Default Hamrhead

I ride both of my bikes with no windshield or fairing and used to get helmet lift. Just got a new hamrhwad from blackbeards and it fits great and no lifting in the wind. They advertise it as the solution to mushroom head.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:05 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE