Thinking about getting a full face helmet; Pros/Cons?
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 585
Likes: 3
From: Holland, Ohio
I have a full face I use for colder weather and a half helmet for warmer weather. I prefer the half helmet as I have better visibility, but the full face is much better when the weather turns cold.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 470
Likes: 2
I know I should wear a FF at all times. Even when riding around town when accidents are most likely to happen but I just love the openness of the 1/2.
Pros - better head and face protection.
Cons - nothing can be a con enough to forego safety.
That said I still wear a 1/2 helm now and again but I know the risks
Pros - better head and face protection.
Cons - nothing can be a con enough to forego safety.
That said I still wear a 1/2 helm now and again but I know the risks
Tourer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Upstate NY
Be careful about assuming a modular is a real full face helmet...it's not.
The convenient thing about a modular, the ability to flip it up, makes it dangerous. The flip is a hinge, held on by two PLASTIC tabs and a PLASTIC latch at the chin bar. Tests have shown they snap pretty easily in a wreck.
There is a reason that no Modular that I know of is Snell rated, and no racer wears one in competition
The convenient thing about a modular, the ability to flip it up, makes it dangerous. The flip is a hinge, held on by two PLASTIC tabs and a PLASTIC latch at the chin bar. Tests have shown they snap pretty easily in a wreck.
There is a reason that no Modular that I know of is Snell rated, and no racer wears one in competition
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Findlay, OH
Thank you all for all of your responses; WOW!
Alot of information you've provided me (and others) to digest.
I will take my time and find the best fitting and safest (hopefully) one I can find, taking into account all of your shared info.
Thank you all again.
Have a Great Thanksgiving Holiday and Keep those in your prayers who have served and continue to serve this great county;
as well as those less fortunate than us!
Ride Safe.
Alot of information you've provided me (and others) to digest.
I will take my time and find the best fitting and safest (hopefully) one I can find, taking into account all of your shared info.
Thank you all again.
Have a Great Thanksgiving Holiday and Keep those in your prayers who have served and continue to serve this great county;
as well as those less fortunate than us!
Ride Safe.
Last edited by faapilot; Nov 21, 2011 at 03:28 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Houston
Full face
PROS:
1) get to keep your face if you go down
2) don't have to ride it out and stop after catching a bug in the eye
3) **** that vehicles in front of you kick up at 70 MPH flying right at your face doesn't hit your face
CONS:
1) doesn't look cool on a Harley
2) heavier
3) less airflow in summer
non-full face
PROS:
1) light
2) better airflow
3) your face will develop "character" because of the "cons" - chicks dig character face
CONS:
1) **** other vehicles kick up in front of you flying towards your face at 70 MPH
2) bugs
3) when you go down, you might lose your chin or chunks of your face
PROS:
1) get to keep your face if you go down
2) don't have to ride it out and stop after catching a bug in the eye
3) **** that vehicles in front of you kick up at 70 MPH flying right at your face doesn't hit your face
CONS:
1) doesn't look cool on a Harley
2) heavier
3) less airflow in summer
non-full face
PROS:
1) light
2) better airflow
3) your face will develop "character" because of the "cons" - chicks dig character face
CONS:
1) **** other vehicles kick up in front of you flying towards your face at 70 MPH
2) bugs
3) when you go down, you might lose your chin or chunks of your face
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 535
Likes: 1
From: CA
I have all three like alot of people. I bought the full face about a year ago and it is the only one I wear now. I might throw on the 1/2 for a quick trip, but it is almost always the full. Definitely go with a modular. They come in handy for talking at lights and taking a quick drink.
I have 7 helmets, 2 FF, 1 Mod, 1 3/4, and 3 1/2, I just recently started wearing the FFs all the time, after first hand seeing how the FF can protect your face in a crash, I didn't need to be convinced anymore.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,465
Likes: 15
From: Corona, Ca
I just got a bell arrow full face and i gotta say it is really nice especially right now since its getting cooler out.
I didnt think it would be very comfortable but suprisingly it is, ill most likely always wear it now..
I normally wear a jockey style novelty brain bucket, but now that i have my daughter im trying to be a little safer.
I didnt think it would be very comfortable but suprisingly it is, ill most likely always wear it now..
I normally wear a jockey style novelty brain bucket, but now that i have my daughter im trying to be a little safer.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: ohio
myself i`ve always wore arai full face , right now i`m runnin a profile series the only downside is the shield fogs and now since i wear glasses, my glasses too so i open the shield slightly no biggie. i never ride without it
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 871
Likes: 0
From: ohio
Quite, can be safer in certain accidents, quality ones like mine's shield flip up easily and become almost as good as bennies and maker provides different size interiors for fit. (mines xl but I run large cheek pads (they are thinner since the L and EL shell is the same.
I ride all winter and I can bundle my hoodie to stop up holes since the chin flap and nose flap make it a real pain to deal with.
Cons
Some what of a pain since I wear glasses and need to remove them to get it on. Really hot weather can be a pain. Real Harley people beat you up. (Especiall with Shoei on it. Interesting I have an HJC AC3 3/4 exactly like a friend but his says Harley Davidson. He beats me up for having the HJC also. Mine has 5 vent levers. However 1 notch up on visor fixes most fogging and until I get going over 35 when it below 45 degrees or so I start 1 up.
Both mine say Snell and Dot--not sure but I think to be Snell requires minimum of 3/4.. Need to try it on. However great deals on EBay. Got mine for 1/3. When dealer wants $400 more I cain't be loyal
I ride all winter and I can bundle my hoodie to stop up holes since the chin flap and nose flap make it a real pain to deal with.
Cons
Some what of a pain since I wear glasses and need to remove them to get it on. Really hot weather can be a pain. Real Harley people beat you up. (Especiall with Shoei on it. Interesting I have an HJC AC3 3/4 exactly like a friend but his says Harley Davidson. He beats me up for having the HJC also. Mine has 5 vent levers. However 1 notch up on visor fixes most fogging and until I get going over 35 when it below 45 degrees or so I start 1 up.
Both mine say Snell and Dot--not sure but I think to be Snell requires minimum of 3/4.. Need to try it on. However great deals on EBay. Got mine for 1/3. When dealer wants $400 more I cain't be loyal