Full face helmet
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 428
From: Northern NY
I have this one = https://www.harley-davidson.com/stor...modular-helmet
I like that it can be flipped up for ease of putting in on/taking it off. Flip it up at stop lights or when going slow for cooling. It also has 2 vents that can be opened for cooling when needed. Vision is good too. And it has a drop down sun visor built in.
I like that it can be flipped up for ease of putting in on/taking it off. Flip it up at stop lights or when going slow for cooling. It also has 2 vents that can be opened for cooling when needed. Vision is good too. And it has a drop down sun visor built in.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 1,122
From: 48.067222,12.863611
well I think my new helmet is gonna be a full face. Can you full face riders out there give me your pros and cons of the helmets your using and maybe some pics? I know that weight is my major concern right now and a helmet with the best perifferal view is really important!
Last year, I finally decided it was the year to wear a real helmet. I skipped right past the 3/4 because I knew if I was going to wear one, I was going to wear one, nahmean?
I bought a Shoei GT Air. It's amazing. I love it. I can't imagine riding without one now. Started wearing it in 2016. Ended up moving to a helmet state last year (in Las Vegas now) and other than being warmer in the desert, it's not even bothersome. In fact, I ride more aggressively now
I *may* buy a 3/4 in the future for the summer, but I really have been okay with it. Even up to 115. Granted, I'm moving and not stuck in traffic if riding in those temps.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Unfortunately not all helmets are created equal! Different brands seem to place emphasis on different features and, regardless of their style, some are going to be noisier than others. Back in the 1970s we were recommended in the bike press to wear ear plugs, something I've been doing ever since. Best tuning aid known to man! Takes the 'sting' out of helmet noise - something every one of them creates.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 597
Likes: 208
From: Southern Oregon
The wife and I just pulled the trigger on a pair of Arai full face helmets before our summer road trip: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/road-...pic-heavy.html
We pretty much lived in them for most of two weeks, so we had plenty of time to evaluate them (we used to use both half and 3/4 helmets).
The only real drawback to the full face helmets IMHO (other than the expense) is that they are pretty hot, although my wife's helmet seems to vent better than mine (although I find it really annoying to have to take it completely off to drink water). The Arai's are pretty light, about the same as our 3/4 Harley/HJC helmets. Peripheral vision is good, the limiting factor being the edge of my sunglasses, same as the half or 3/4 shell. The chin bar is below the fairing/gauges line of sight, no real loss of visibility there. The initial feeling of claustrophobia fades pretty fast, and at lower speeds its easy to flip the face shield up for more air.
Of course safety is the primary advantage to the full face, but there are other advantages as well. Wind noise is almost non-existent and the performance of the WHIM headsets is vastly improved (we previously had them mounted on our 3/4 helmets). The music sounded vastly superior and audio multi-tasking function worked much better (although we did have to turn up the sensitivity) because there is no wind noise to confuse the headset.
We got caught in a nasty crosswind coming across the Northern Arizona desert in 100 degree heat. The heat was bearable and the side buffeting and wind noise were much less fatiguing, so overall I'd call it an improvement.
These are expensive helmets, so they may not be for everyone, but I'd have to say I'm pretty happy with their performance so far.
We pretty much lived in them for most of two weeks, so we had plenty of time to evaluate them (we used to use both half and 3/4 helmets).
The only real drawback to the full face helmets IMHO (other than the expense) is that they are pretty hot, although my wife's helmet seems to vent better than mine (although I find it really annoying to have to take it completely off to drink water). The Arai's are pretty light, about the same as our 3/4 Harley/HJC helmets. Peripheral vision is good, the limiting factor being the edge of my sunglasses, same as the half or 3/4 shell. The chin bar is below the fairing/gauges line of sight, no real loss of visibility there. The initial feeling of claustrophobia fades pretty fast, and at lower speeds its easy to flip the face shield up for more air.
Of course safety is the primary advantage to the full face, but there are other advantages as well. Wind noise is almost non-existent and the performance of the WHIM headsets is vastly improved (we previously had them mounted on our 3/4 helmets). The music sounded vastly superior and audio multi-tasking function worked much better (although we did have to turn up the sensitivity) because there is no wind noise to confuse the headset.
We got caught in a nasty crosswind coming across the Northern Arizona desert in 100 degree heat. The heat was bearable and the side buffeting and wind noise were much less fatiguing, so overall I'd call it an improvement.
These are expensive helmets, so they may not be for everyone, but I'd have to say I'm pretty happy with their performance so far.
Last edited by duckbagger; Jul 27, 2018 at 01:04 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 54
From: GA
I own an Arai FF and a Sheo Neotec 2 modular helmet (in addition to a half helmet). FF is lighter but the modular is more convenient with the sun shield and ability to flip up the front for taking a drink, talking clearly, wanting more wind on your face a slower, in town, speeds. The reason I chose the Shoei is their reputation, how people liked the Neotec 1 and the integrated Sena system (although I've yet to receive it and I've had the helmet for 3 months but that's another issue.)
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 456
Likes: 205
From: Manchester, MI
I guess you really have to consider comfort and safety. The real Full Face helmets will give you the best crash protection. As others have mentioned, some of the modulars are SNELL rated but that does not mean they are safer. That just means that they meet a minimum requirement. The Australian ongoing study mentioned earlier still rate the full face better on impact tests.
Last edited by jimglassford; Jul 27, 2018 at 05:05 PM. Reason: spelling
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 54
From: GA
There were 4 helmets that passed the SNELL M2010 certification although none have met the latest M2015 certification. The LS2 met it in 2013 and only in L, XL and XXL and the other was a Zeus (?). None of the current line of modular helmets meet the current SNELL certification that I've seen. I don't live and die by SNELL but if someone were to look for a current modular helmet expecting SNELL, you'll be out of luck...at least for now.
http://www.smf.org/certlist/std_M2015
http://www.smf.org/certlist/std_M2015
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 140
Likes: 25
From: Lake Placid,Fl.
I use a Shoei GT Air....This hat is very quite,flows good air thur the vents and is comfortable...It is expensive but at this point if I was to buy another it would be a GT -Air unless the market comes up with a Helmet as quite as this one.....I use a free wire so all electronics are in the hat....Don't think I could use anything else....Maybe a modular if they could get one quite enough.....Riding a 18 Road Glide....