Open face helmets

[daytona-supersport]

Open face helmet. Yep, nice and cool.

Go for it, providing you don't mind getting your face busted up if you ever hit the deck or and other immoveable obstacle, also braches and brambles can be a right sod as they whip across your face. A thorny bramble branch cutting across you face is always good for a laugh.

Seriously mate. forget it. Used to compete and ride with an open faced helmet years ago.
That's why I have a bridge across my front teeth and a seriously rebuilt nose. I don't mean just a bit broke, I mean seriously mashed as well as some other facial damage. I was lucky to keep my eyes intact, they were glued up with the dried blood and took a while to get open once I regained consciousness. Also some sod came along and painted me practically from head to toe with ketchup while I was having a kip.

Yep, nice and cool though. Go for it.:laugh:

PS, Anybody else go any more daft ideas?

ooooeeer, I'll get my coat

Understood but just cos you came a cropper that a full face would have made a difference in doesn't necessarily follow that all other open face users will do the same. Of course increases the risk a tad but if we follow that to it's natural conclusion then few of us would be riding a bike. My lovely, comfortable, quick, gadget laden Volvo is way, way safer than even your full face helmet but I prefer the higher risk of using a bike sometimes instead of driving the car, similar thing with open v full face, you takes your choice, etc, etc Not necessarily a daft idea just cos a different one to yours (thumbs)

I don't give a shit what anybody decides to wear on a motorcycle, horse, pushbike, whatever. It really is their choice. A bit like riding in shorts, tee shirt and trainers. I think that its bloody daft, but, not my problem so I don't care. If that is their thing, go for it. If it turns out bad. So what? their choice.

I'll ask a friend if he will let me post some pictures of his face taken after it got banged up, a bit gorey, but not too bad if you are used to seeing accident casualties, also a picture of the scar that he is left with. Makes shaving a bit tricky around the upper lip. :laugh: :laugh:

Yep, Still think choosing to ride with an open faced helmet is daft. But some people will always go for the cool option. That's evolution for you.

Er. Ground, rock, tree, car, etc are all hard surfaces. face - soft and squiggy. :laugh: :laugh: It's not rocket science? :laugh: :laugh:

If you want to prove the principle. Try this simple experiment. try punching or dragging the knuckles of your hand across a brick wall. Did it hurt? Now imagine how hitting the road with your face at speed will feel. Will it hurt more or less? :laugh:

If my comment save just one person from unnecessary injury. Great. JOB DONE. (thumbs)

[skipper]

I have a theory that riding with open face or indeed no helmet is safer than riding with a full face helmet. In the event of an off the ff wins every time but the improved vision ,hearing and general awareness you have with an open face or no helmet would reduce the risk of an accident. The problem is that even though the risk of accident is reduced it still exists.But then choosing to ride a motorcycle is in itself an increase in risk etc etc. pay your money and take choice. Its only a theory!!

[Barftone]

All the points are relevant. I went open face about 8 years ago on the road. Tried one and found the vision improvement and lightness mean I now struggle with full face claustrophobia. I use one for commuting and also green laning. The comments about looking human are also true. I think people generally (pedestrian's and drivers) acknowledge me much better now. I am aware of the risks and also the noise on longer journeys. Current one is a Shark RSJ with large visor and slide down sun visor. I would say try it and see how you feel.

[the enthusiast]

Answered similar query on another thread . Shoei J cruise is the best helmet i've ever had, swopped from a Shark Evoline 3 . Shark is a good lid but used it permanently with the chin bar open . Its heavier /bulkier than the J cruise by a mile and the J cruise is just so easy to wear and quiet .

j

[OB1]

I, too, have a Bultaco open face helmet and can say that it's the most comfortable open face helmet that I've ever worn. It costs around £100.

Yes, you're more vulnerable in an open face, so you ride appropriately. I only wear it for local riding: anything further and I'll wear my Shoei Hornet DS.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[The Sarge]

Q. If open face helmets are so dangerous why (living in the nanny state tbat we do ) are they still legal and very popular ?

I wear one for comfort and nothing to do with looking 'cool' but being cool in temperature definitely, I have had many accidents on and off road over 40 years of riding, lost teeth, broken jaw and every sort of cuts from stones being thrown up, to brambles being dragged across the face, thats off road riding. One of the closest calls though was catching the over sized peak of my motocross style helmet in a low hanging branch, nearly broke my neck, that was only 2 years ago and I have not worn that helmet since.

So , IMO its a matter of choice, personal preference. and I prefer my open face with good glasses or goggles.

DSC_0450.JPG (44.81 KiB) Viewed 1831 times

[Trev]

Q. If open face helmets are so dangerous why (living in the nanny state tbat we do ) are they still legal and very popular ?

I wear one for comfort and nothing to do with looking 'cool' but being cool in temperature definitely, I have had many accidents on and off road over 40 years of riding, lost teeth, broken jaw and every sort of cuts from stones being thrown up, to brambles being dragged across the face, thats off road riding. One of the closest calls though was catching the over sized peak of my motocross style helmet in a low hanging branch, nearly broke my neck, that was only 2 years ago and I have not worn that helmet since.

So , IMO its a matter of choice, personal preference. and I prefer my open face with good glasses or goggles.

DSC_0450.JPG

What glasses you have on in the pic, do you know whether they are available with clear lenses?

[The Sarge]

Q. If open face helmets are so dangerous why (living in the nanny state tbat we do ) are they still legal and very popular ?

I wear one for comfort and nothing to do with looking 'cool' but being cool in temperature definitely, I have had many accidents on and off road over 40 years of riding, lost teeth, broken jaw and every sort of cuts from stones being thrown up, to brambles being dragged across the face, thats off road riding. One of the closest calls though was catching the over sized peak of my motocross style helmet in a low hanging branch, nearly broke my neck, that was only 2 years ago and I have not worn that helmet since.

So , IMO its a matter of choice, personal preference. and I prefer my open face with good glasses or goggles.

DSC_0450.JPG

What glasses you have on in the pic, do you know whether they are available with clear lenses?

Trev,
These are UVEX safety glasses, absolutely brilliant for what I want, fully adjustable and much tougher lenses than your usual goggles. You can get them from Screwfix or Arco, pretty sure they come in clear also ?

Sarge

[simonw]

What glasses you have on in the pic, do you know whether they are available with clear lenses?

Trev - just to jump in here in case it helps; I ride with a full face lid with the visor open most of the time and use these: With very thin arms they fit between liner and head easily. (thumbs)

[macvisual]

I greatly appreciate the amount of replies/response here guys, great stuff, keen them coming if need be.

I know this sounds strange but isn't there something about yellow tinted glasses that makes you actually see better ?

Thanks;
Peter