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Message started by Greg on 04/17/12 at 11:42:16

Title: A slightly different helmet question
Post by Greg on 04/17/12 at 11:42:16

I have used the search and read what I could find on helmet suggestions. I was set on purchasing a half helmet but I believe I do want some jaw protection. My last helmet, which I can't find right now, was a full face. It was incredibly uncomfortable and hot. Instead of a full face helmet, what do you folks think of a dual sport helmet? They are DOT approved, seem to have more room in front of the face, don't have shields (which I don't want), and it looks like the visor can be removed. I am looking for opinions on both protection and (lack of) style.

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by Serowbot on 04/17/12 at 13:55:33

I think they're just fine... I just like the bug protection of a FF...

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by Cavie on 04/17/12 at 16:14:29

Look at a modular full face. I ride behind a windshield so I don't use the shield. I do use the internal dark pull down goggles. It has 4 vents in front and an always open exhaust vent it the rear. Nolan N90

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by Dave on 04/17/12 at 18:20:17

A friend gave me a full face Simpson helmet and I used it for a month, and it worked fine. It was a little hot in the summer.

I then bought a Dual Sport Helmet and I like it - except for two things. I get a lot more bugs inside my helmet than I did with the full face helmet. The bugs hit my chest and bounce up inside my helmet, and often they fly around in there. The second thing is that the visor and large front really catch a bit of wind when you turn your head to look at something and are going over 50 mph.

When we were in Florida a couple of weeks ago we rented a Harley for a day, and we got half helmets so we could hear each other. The helmets kept sliding back on my head and was like a beanie on the back of my head and it would pull the strap into my neck. Maybe there are some better ones that are more adjustable - but this strap let the helmet slide back no matter how tight you made the strap.

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by SALB on 04/17/12 at 18:37:51

A white or light colored helmet will keep ya feeling ten to fifteen degrees cooler in the summer sun. 8-)

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by aintright on 04/17/12 at 19:00:06

what about a 3/4 helmet, not sure what else they're called.

i'm not one for helmets, even though i know i should be, but i'm going to be looking into the 3/4 helmet. mainly because with a half helmet, my huge melon and no neck make my head and helmet look like a mushroom on a stump.

full face are too hot, so i thought the 3/4 would work out well

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by Starlifter on 04/17/12 at 19:24:11

"we got half helmets so we could hear each other."

Careful, you will lose your hearing permanently over time this way.

Noise protection lowers the volume of all frequencies of noise equally. So voice hearing comprehension is not compromised.

BTW I recommend a FF flip-up.

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 04/17/12 at 21:00:09

Yep,,, modulars kick butt..

Talk about savin face..

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by AlphaBarney on 04/18/12 at 03:35:33

I usually ride with a 3/4 unless it's God awful hot or just around town (small town) and then I'll wear a 1/2. I like the 3/4 a lot. It's got the full face shield if you want, or you can remove it to go old school 3/4 style if you want to. There isn't going to be a lot of chin protection there though. Sure, it covers the sides of the face which is better, but (mine at least) doesn't go far enough in front of the chin that if I hit without the shield on....bye bye chin. My 1/2 also tends to get pushed around/back a bit at highway speeds as others say, but has been better since the addition of a windshield.
I've been looking into getting a FF helmet actually now that I have a little one on the way. That and the mornings here still tend to be a bit chilly. Good luck; let us know what you find.

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by 2stroketim on 04/18/12 at 08:36:51

I've been wearing my Fox V3 MX helmet and it's awesome. Quieter than my FF Shoei, lighter, and less wind buffeting at speed.

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by EJID on 04/18/12 at 08:37:01

745346554B4E41534255270 wrote:

I have to agree with this statement, the other day I had to pickup my duaghter and I let her use my FF while I put on the 1/2 that was in the saddlebag. I couldn't believe how loud the wind noise was without the extra protection from the helmet (but I did get to hear how loud my exhaust really is-louder that I thought) 8-)

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by Dave on 04/18/12 at 09:05:52

527560736D6867756473010 wrote:

I am 56 and have lost a great deal of my hearing already. Most of it from racing motorcycles and running chainsaws 40 years ago before I knew that hearing protection was important. The ride we had on the rental Harley in Florida was not loud - the bike had stock mufflers, it had a large windsheild, and we were on back roads and never went very fast. The most noise I heard from the bike seemed to be the whine of the primary drive.

I can see how a shorty helmet with no windshield could be noisey.

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by Mattdw on 04/18/12 at 09:30:50

4F4D5A45492C0 wrote:

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by Serowbot on 04/18/12 at 09:37:28

If I were going to wear half a helmet,... I'd want the half that covers my face...
60% chance that you'll lead with your face in a crash,.. Plus, that's where the wind and bugs hit...
... plus,.. a face needs a nose... and a chin... :-?...

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by vineman on 04/18/12 at 21:16:33

I ride regularly with a half helmet and if its cold or wet out I wear my full face. I've always thought 3/4's looked silly unless you got a classic style one, style throwback to classic 60's and 70's 3/4's. Every time I see someone with one on it makes their cheeks looks puffy and just, well call me vain but I'd rather have a half. Even if it isn't near as safe.

But don't let looks cloud you're judgement! If you don't feel comfortable in anything but a full or 3/4 face helmet then don't get anything else. ;)

I rode with a full face the first 2 yrs I rode a cycle.

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by ZAR on 04/19/12 at 07:07:18

I rarely wore a helmet back in my early riding days.... and to be honest.....I never had one that fit right. Now getting back into riding after a 20+ year layout I have to wear one for a year(Kentucky law for new liscense holders). I bought an el cheapo 3/4 from wally world that just sucked! wind lift was horrible and the noise and buffeting.......ugh!

I was in Louisville for work a while back and passing by the CycleGear store so stopped in. They had the SevenZeroSeven Brimstone 3/4 helmet on sale for $60. I tried on on and it felt darn good. And it's made by Bell! Looks and feels much like the original Bell Custom helmets from the glory days! After a couple of weeks riding(80 miles commute to work and back plus several hundred miles just putting) I'm happy! This helmet does not lift on me at interstate speeds and the cheek/ear cushions keep the wind and noise out very well.

I use a flip shield for colder mornings or rainy days and have a pair of "old school" goggles for other times. I prefer the flip shield over other snap on shields because I wear eyeglasses and they fog up on cool mornings and the flip shield allows me to get some venting at stoplights or low speed riding.

AND....best of all......with the goggles on it has that "old school" look vineman was talking about! Think flat-track racers from 1963!

Title: Re: A slightly different helmet question
Post by Greg on 04/19/12 at 13:28:12

Thank you, everyone, for your replies. I figure if I am going 3/4, I may as well go full face. I will look into the flip up style and the motocross style.