Full Face Helmet, how hot during summer
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 81
Likes: 2
Heat vs. color
I did this last June;
I have two Arai full-face helmets, a white Signet and a black Renegade. Both have dark smoke shields. After reading this thread I got them out and put them in direct sunlight about an hour ago (3:00 EDT). I used a remote probe cooking thermometer for my testing. Ambient temperature was 88.4F. Vents closed.
Started with eyeports facing the sun. Left them for 20 minutes. Both interiors were at 100.
Turned them around and opened the faceshields to let them air out for 5 minutes. Both interiors were 95.
Closed the shield and left for 10 minutes. Checked the white first. It was 97.
Did the same with the black. It was 100.
Just for grins I opened the vents for 10 minutes still 100.
I have two Arai full-face helmets, a white Signet and a black Renegade. Both have dark smoke shields. After reading this thread I got them out and put them in direct sunlight about an hour ago (3:00 EDT). I used a remote probe cooking thermometer for my testing. Ambient temperature was 88.4F. Vents closed.
Started with eyeports facing the sun. Left them for 20 minutes. Both interiors were at 100.
Turned them around and opened the faceshields to let them air out for 5 minutes. Both interiors were 95.
Closed the shield and left for 10 minutes. Checked the white first. It was 97.
Did the same with the black. It was 100.
Just for grins I opened the vents for 10 minutes still 100.
Last edited by marshrat; May 19, 2010 at 07:13 PM. Reason: Oops- forgot to mention the colors!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,500
Likes: 332
From: Blue Grass (KY)
While I don't wear it all the time, I have a Fulmer modular...and I like it very much. Not too heavy and the ear pockets for speakers are very roomy and comfortable...I know it's not the best or most expensive, but it beat nothing....
Banned
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 20,823
Likes: 1,506
From: Nowhere
I wear a FF modular all year round in the Phoenix area. Personally, the heat from the FF does not seem like much of a problem for me. Sitting still is very uncomfortable, but the heat coming off the motor or wearing my jacket is more uncomfortable. While riding, I tend to keep the helmet buttoned up, which may seem counter intuitive. The thing is... that blast of hot air (in the summer, on the freeways, air temps can get to 140, which is exactly like sticking your head in an oven) is very hard to take. Slowing the air flow down and regulating it actually makes a big difference in helping keep me cool.
Around town, the FF is probably less comfortable than a 3/4 of half, but carrying around some kind of shade for the noggin is still better than being cooked by the sun.
Around town, the FF is probably less comfortable than a 3/4 of half, but carrying around some kind of shade for the noggin is still better than being cooked by the sun.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 800
Likes: 27
From: In the Pacific Northwest, a few hours east of Seattle.
I use a ff Shoei when touring in the summers, usually in August. I like to cruise the slab for 10-15 days or so, and for touring they make sense - rocks tossed up by trucks, rain, and (worse of all) grasshoppers - the huge ones that slime you like in "Men in Black"!
As others have said, the reduction in wind vibrating my (prescription) lenses around, the reduction in noise volume, the reduction in sunburn and windburn on my face and ears, and the ample venting in the Shoei make it actually more comfortable than touring with a half helmet and earplugs (for me at least). I've tried it both ways, and occasionally I'll break out the half helmet mid-way through the trip (I generally throw it in the bag anyway), but for overall comfort on multiple 7-8 hour days I keep going back to the ff Shoei. It's just a more comfortable ride all around for long-distance touring IMHO.
YMMV.
As others have said, the reduction in wind vibrating my (prescription) lenses around, the reduction in noise volume, the reduction in sunburn and windburn on my face and ears, and the ample venting in the Shoei make it actually more comfortable than touring with a half helmet and earplugs (for me at least). I've tried it both ways, and occasionally I'll break out the half helmet mid-way through the trip (I generally throw it in the bag anyway), but for overall comfort on multiple 7-8 hour days I keep going back to the ff Shoei. It's just a more comfortable ride all around for long-distance touring IMHO.
YMMV.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 61
Likes: 1
From: Powell, OH
We've got a Z1R Dome for in-town riding, but the SO wanted something more for on the road. We ended up on Bell MAG-8 as a compromise (in Pearl Blue, of course).
Makes her happy, which in turn makes me very happy . . .
Makes her happy, which in turn makes me very happy . . .
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
I heard someone once say "it's better to sweat than bleed"
There are some good reviews here. http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...le-helmets.htm
I personally like this one and it will most likely replace my Arai Quantum 2.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motor...uma-phantom-2/
I also have a Scorpion 1/2 EXO 100.
Ps Check out the Road Glide review on the webbikeworld home page.
There are some good reviews here. http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...le-helmets.htm
I personally like this one and it will most likely replace my Arai Quantum 2.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motor...uma-phantom-2/
I also have a Scorpion 1/2 EXO 100.
Ps Check out the Road Glide review on the webbikeworld home page.
Last edited by Willy G.; May 19, 2010 at 04:19 PM.
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