Three quarter helmets....

[vielzebub]

...any thoughts?

Like any good BMW owner I think I've done my research and I understand there are greater risks than with a full face. It's time for a new helmet though and I'm thinking of the hot commutes in the heat of summer. Being more exposed to the breeze sounds like a good idea. That's part of the reason I went with a naked bike.

I'm dreaming of a SHOEI RJ-AIR PLATINUM R, but I won't know if that's the helmet for me until I try one on.

Other than the safety issues, what am I not thinking of?
Any and all comments appreciated.

e.

[Hoosier Rider]

I've had 2 of the Shoei RJ Platinum Air helmets. Both were excellent. Another 3/4 helmet that I have used is the Nolan ( don't remember the model). The Nolan was also very comfortable, the only problem I had with it was that the padding was very snug at the temples so if you wear sunglasses, they must have slim earpieces. I like the Nolan chinstrap fastener better than "D" rings.

[NCGS]

...any thoughts?

I've been riding since 1964, back when very few riders wore a lid. When I did start wearing a helmet (mandatory on military bases), it was a Bell. I now own both, a 3/4 and a full-face, but for the most part my head stays in the 3/4. It's probably more of a habit, and personal comfort level than anything else.

[reidmct]

Other than the safety issues, what am I not thinking of?
Any and all comments appreciated.

Rocks and bugs smacking you in the face (though I guess that's a safety issue).

Slightly faster dehydration of skin and body.

Possibly higher noise.

[ShinySideUp]

"What am I not thinking of?"
Jaw loss.

Seriously, I find that with modern well-vented helmets (I use a Shoe X-Eleven in the summer), if one rides with the screen in the open position, or, in sustained 100 degree temps, taken off entirely and wear shatterproof lens, the airflow is adequate.

I had a bicycle accident at 15 mph (front fork crown failure) and busted up my jaw very badly. I'll never ride a motorcycle without full face protection. YMMV.

[vielzebub]

Rocks and bugs smacking you in the face (though I guess that's a safety issue).

Slightly faster dehydration of skin and body.

Possibly higher noise.

Yeah....the noise has me a little worried.
If the Shoei fits I'm gonna go for it though. See if it becomes my personal preference like it has for NCGS.

Suggestions for goggles or sunglasses also welcome....

[vielzebub]

"What am I not thinking of?"
Jaw loss.

Sobering and true.
I might still risk it though...assuming I like the fit of the shoei.

Thanks for your input.

[ErikM]

Arai RX7 Corsair here.. I get pleanty of air in the hot months. I applaud your courage, I could never wear an open face helmet, I'd rather ride in a tank top and flip flops than risk my face..

[Echo]

A friend slid 30 feet down the road after hitting some sand in the corner. The chin guard on her full face Shoei was cracked and severely abraded but she only suffered a minor headache.

Two hours before the crash she was complaining that her helmet was too hot and was going to get a 3/4 one. She decided to get another full face Shoei.

My friends who wear the flip-up helmets are very pleased. I'll stick with the Arai full face for now.

[big papa]

Since picking up my RT, I too have been thinking about 3/4 lids, now that I am mostly behind a windshield. For now, when it's warm enough, I ride around in my Arai or Scorpion full face, w/o the shield installed. Open enough, but still somewhat protected. W/ eye protection of course.

[OlyVR]

If you have a chance, see if they let you take it for a quick spin for two reasons:

1) I had too much buffeting from wind hitting just under the visor and pulling my head back - so if you can check the air flow on your bike, with your height etc. that would be great.

2) Attachment of the visor to the helmet. On mine it wasn't very tight and the rattling of the snaps in the wind was driving me bonkers.


Yes, it does offer a little less protection, but if it makes you happy go for it.
I absolutely hate it when the Safety Advocates turn these posts into "You must be stupid if you don't..." bash-fests.

The OP clearly stated that he looked into it and accepted an increased risk for comfort.
Can't we just let it go? Those that feel the need to always extoll the virtues of ATGATT need to realize that there is no line that's safe/not safe.
Motorcycling is not a safe sport. If you want to be safe, don't ride - period. There are plenty of safer and cheaper methods of travel. Let everyone decide for themselves where to draw the line.

Climbing off my soapbox...

[Echo]

I'm not calling anyone stupid. I don't really care if people ride with no helmets and no protective gear. In fact, some of my riding buddies don't wear helmets. Their choice. I ride a motorcycle so every other person thinks I have a death wish. And getting hit square in the visor with a paintball while going 75mph down the interstate didn't help my cause..


But if you ask for an opinion, you will get it, especially when I saw the chin guard keep a rider's jaw attached to her head firsthand.

Off my soapbox and please send some nice weather north.

[ShinySideUp]

I absolutely hate it when the Safety Advocates turn these posts into "You must be stupid if you don't..." bash-fests.

Not any stupid calling from here. No bash-fests...

Just sharing my own personal experience and conclusions reached based thereon: When every bite of food or sip of beverage I put in my mouth for the rest of my life risks dribbling down my chin because I have no feeling in my lower lip due to a severed nerve; and when my upper teeth don't match my lower teeth by a 1/4" because I wouldn't let them rebreak my jaw and wire it shut for 6 weeks after having endured 6 hours of surgery to reconstruct a smashed trachea (requiring breathing through a tracheotomy for 2 months), well... these things tend to inform one's experience... in such a way that I actually LIKE having my face protected.

If, after digesting my food for thought, you choose otherwise, no judgments here. As I said, YMMV, as it obviously does! I'm cool with that. Heck, I even respect people who think black is the fastest color!

My full-face preference also doesn't mean that I fail to recognize that motorcycling is inherently dangerous. It would take a colossal leap of faulty logic to reach that conclusion, whose relevance I miss. Extending it to the absurd: A) Biking is dangerous. Therefore, B) ride nude! (Well maybe not in Chicago right now!)

[NeilS]

At the MSF classroom where I teach, we have a sample helmet marked with the probabilities of impact to its various parts. The numbers are based on a study of several thousand motorcycle crashes. Care to guess the probability of impact to the chinbar? Would you believe 40%?

No judgment, just information...

[vielzebub]

I appreciate all the replies.

My new helmet search is going to focus on comfort, but comfort that's defined two ways.
First is physical comfort. Will the helmet be comfortable in warm weather and comfortable while riding at speed?
Second is psychological comfort....does the 3/4 face helmet make me feel exposed and unsafe?

A lot of the decisions I make regarding motorcycling are based on whether or not I'm comfortable. Comfortable with my speed, comfortable with my level of protection, comfortable in my gear.
Ultimately, my comfort is my decision, but I always like hearing what others have to say. Often it's illuminating.

So thanks again everyone for taking the time to post.
I'll let you know what I end up with....even if it's the Shoei Hornet DS:

http://www.shoei-helmets.com/road/produ ... netds.aspx

e.

[vielzebub]

At the MSF classroom where I teach, we have a sample helmet marked with the probabilities of impact to its various parts. The numbers are based on a study of several thousand motorcycle crashes. Care to guess the probability of impact to the chinbar? Would you believe 40%?

No judgment, just information...

Yup, I'd believe it.
I stumbled across a chart last year that showed the probability for impact on each side of the helmet. If I remember correctly, the right side chinbar had a higher probability of impact than the left side. The right side number was something like 37%...close to your 40%.

Surprising numbers for sure...

[Salub]

I use to ride with open faced helmets and singlets when I was riding Harley Davidson’s but thinking back it was for show not go. With the chances of skin cancer http://www.sunsmart.com.au/ and gravel rash I will stick with the helmet that fits me best the Shoei XR1000.

[dirty red]

Like many, I prefer it best when people have a chioce. For many years I seldom if ever wore a helmet but as of last spring, after picking up my R1200R I always wear a helmet. I too have a story of how a helmet saved my life or at least from sitting in a corner for the rest of my life. In the Northwest corner of Illinois we go thru every possible riding season. Comfort is a BIG issue. I have had full face, flip top and 3/4 helmets no half. For all around comfort I prefer my Shoei JR Air. It is light, comfortable and easy to get in and out of. But like many, I sometimes prefer more protection from the elements and more safety. That's why I also own a Shoei Air Wing. I would have to describe it as more of a 7/8 helmet. If you saw one you would know what I mean. It is also very light, very comfortable, has a very easy to remove shield. However, without the shield you can get the occasional bug in the ear. The only drawback I can find from this helmet is that I wear glasses and due to it being a 7/8 helmet I have to remove them to get this thing on. Other than that I find this thing to be darned near a perfect helmet. Something you may want to consider looking at.

See you on the road

[Ves]

"What am I not thinking of?"
Jaw loss.

Seriously, I find that with modern well-vented helmets (I use a Shoe X-Eleven in the summer), if one rides with the screen in the open position, or, in sustained 100 degree temps, taken off entirely and wear shatterproof lens, the airflow is adequate.

I had a bicycle accident at 15 mph (front fork crown failure) and busted up my jaw very badly. I'll never ride a motorcycle without full face protection. YMMV.

+1 on that. There's a lot of well ventilated full face helmets out there.

Have you seen that image that DJ just posted on his Snowy Mountain Ride? The guy that crashed? See how scratched up that helmet was? You really want that to happen to your face? I literally would have gotten my face scraped off in one accident I had. No way, never anything but a full face helmet.

[Skippy]

You could also look into this helmet from Shubert the J1. Don't know if you can get them though in the USA.

http://www.schuberth.de/index.php?id=22