SuzukiSavage.com - A slightly different helmet question

Greg

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A slightly different helmet question
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.

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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28625 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: A slightly different helmet question Reply #1 - 04/17/12 at 13:55:33 I think they're just fine... I just like the bug protection of a FF...
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Cavie Full Member Offline My wife made me do it Posts: 107 Port charlotte Fl Gender:	Re: A slightly different helmet question Reply #2 - 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
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Dave

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Re: A slightly different helmet question
Reply #3 - 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.

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SALB Serious Thumper Offline FSO Posts: 668 Whittier, AK Gender:	Re: A slightly different helmet question Reply #4 - 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.
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aintright

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Re: A slightly different helmet question
Reply #5 - 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

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Starlifter Serious Thumper Offline It only snows seven months of the year here. Posts: 3746 Eastern Michigan Gender:	Re: A slightly different helmet question Reply #6 - 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.
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: A slightly different helmet question Reply #7 - 04/17/12 at 21:00:09 Yep,,, modulars kick butt.. Talk about savin face..
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AlphaBarney

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Re: A slightly different helmet question
Reply #8 - 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.

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2stroketim YaBB Newbies Offline Posts: 39	Re: A slightly different helmet question Reply #9 - 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.
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EJID

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Re: A slightly different helmet question
Reply #10 - 04/18/12 at 08:37:01

Starlifter wrote 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.

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) Cool

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Re: A slightly different helmet question
Reply #11 - 04/18/12 at 09:05:52

Starlifter wrote 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.

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.

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Mattdw Full Member Offline Posts: 193 Frisco, TX Gender:	Re: A slightly different helmet question Reply #12 - 04/18/12 at 09:30:50 Cavie wrote 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 +1
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Serowbot YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline OK.... so what's the speed of dark? Posts: 28625 Tucson Az Gender:	Re: A slightly different helmet question Reply #13 - 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... ...
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vineman

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Re: A slightly different helmet question
Reply #14 - 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. Wink

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

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