3/4 Helmet knowledge
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 980
Likes: 176
From: PA
3/4 Helmet knowledge
Hey All, getting ready for a trip to Tennessee and considering a 3/4 Helmet for protection.
I live in PA and rarely where my 1/2 helmet. I have a bad neck and don't want to waste the money if:
1. with the 3/4 shield will the air come up inside the shield ? and bang my head around ?
2018 Streetglide, no lowers or wind deflecting shields
I live in PA and rarely where my 1/2 helmet. I have a bad neck and don't want to waste the money if:
1. with the 3/4 shield will the air come up inside the shield ? and bang my head around ?
2018 Streetglide, no lowers or wind deflecting shields
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 894
Likes: 69
From: Ca
Hey All, getting ready for a trip to Tennessee and considering a 3/4 Helmet for protection.
I live in PA and rarely where my 1/2 helmet. I have a bad neck and don't want to waste the money if:
1. with the 3/4 shield will the air come up inside the shield ? and bang my head around ?
2018 Streetglide, no lowers or wind deflecting shields
I live in PA and rarely where my 1/2 helmet. I have a bad neck and don't want to waste the money if:
1. with the 3/4 shield will the air come up inside the shield ? and bang my head around ?
2018 Streetglide, no lowers or wind deflecting shields
Road Master
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,045
Likes: 188
From: West Chester, Ohio
I have the HD 3/4 and have no issues with wind blowing my head around as long as the vent in the faring is open. But I do have lowers, Almost no wind hits my face with the shield down, so much that I raise it sometimes to get some breeze on my face.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 980
Likes: 176
From: PA
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 307
From: Houston, Texas
I've always preferred a 3/4 with full face shield. I wore a half helmet once and couldn't stand the way the wind would pull up on it and the strap would dig into my chin. I find the 3/4 very comfortable and love the full face protection from wind, sand and bugs. You can get the occasional dirt coming up from underneath but it's rare. It's cooler and less claustrophobic than a full face but so much more protection than a half.
As far as buffeting, that will depend on you and your bike. As mentioned, the vent should help but it all depends on your height vs your windshield. If your windshield deflects the wind across the top of your head instead of over it, your going to get buffeting. If you have a short or basically no windshield and the wind hits you directly in the face, the helmets are designed to be pretty aerodynamic so it should be good then. Preferably the wind is going well over your head. I ride a Road King with no lowers but I do have the fork baffle ( not the fangs ).
As far as buffeting, that will depend on you and your bike. As mentioned, the vent should help but it all depends on your height vs your windshield. If your windshield deflects the wind across the top of your head instead of over it, your going to get buffeting. If you have a short or basically no windshield and the wind hits you directly in the face, the helmets are designed to be pretty aerodynamic so it should be good then. Preferably the wind is going well over your head. I ride a Road King with no lowers but I do have the fork baffle ( not the fangs ).
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 69
Likes: 44
From: Long Island, NY
I have a Shoei RJ Air and a Nolan 3/4. No problems with either regarding buffeting. The Nolan has a full face shield and was great when I had a Sportster with no windshield, great protection from bug and debris. the RJ Air has no shield but I have a FLHTK now so the windshield is all I need. Never loved the 1/2 helmets, seemed to catch the wind more and pull. Plus the 3/4 cuts wind noise and I can still hear the stereo and the pipes just fine. Try them out in person and get one that fits your head right you won’t regret it.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
I ride with a 3/4" (Bell Sena 9, IIRC), with face shield. The fairing and windshield keeps most of the airflow off of my face. Maybe couple times when I was riding fast, in very strong cross wind, some turbulence caught the face shield and tried to lift it. It was more annoying that anything, and only happened a couple times.
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
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From: Mountain Top, Alabama
" no lowers or wind deflecting shields"
^^^ That ^^^ right there is a big factor in your decision, and may be unique with many commenters in the Touring Section.
^^^ That ^^^ right there is a big factor in your decision, and may be unique with many commenters in the Touring Section.
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