Being this is the first bike I've actually owned (I've ridden many others in the past, but were friends bikes) I went shopping for helmets yesterday. After trying a few and wearing them for 10 or 15 minutes or so, I kept on going back to this particular one becasue of fit and I liked it better than the traditional "skid lid" style that drops down after the ear. This one dropped down right after the temple. I ended up getting a fiberglass vented Vega half helmet with a zip out cold weather neck curtain / ear cover and a detachable visor. I did not try on any of the full face or 3/4 helmets. But now that I have it home, I am thinking about trading it in for a full face version. When talking with the sales person he said that the full face helmets are not as heavy as some proclaimed (tossing your head around in the case of a wreck) and some have a pivoting chin bar that lets you lift it to cool off when needed. He also said that they provide protection for your face and where most fatal head injuries occur; at the base of the skull where it attaches to your spine. He wasn't trying to hard sell me on any particular one, and told me to buy what felt best to me and what style I liked. He probably spent a good 20 minutes with me describing the differences between the styles before letting me start trying them on. It's still way to crappy out here to ride and will probably be so until late April or May before I get out so I have time and I'm coming here for some recommendations. I know the full face helmets don't have the "cool factor" the skid lid & half helmets do and that heat build up is an issue with the full face helmets in the summer. What do you folks have? And do you have any advice and/or experience you could share in helping me make my decision?

Helmets are such a personal choice that there is no clear answer to your question but rather what is right for you. I prefer a skid lid and ofcourse it is not as good a protection as a full. I'm sure you'll get many different responses to your question but in the end it will be what you are comftorble with.

Buying a helmet is a personal decision, and ultimately you will have to decide on what you want for yourself.

I have worn both full-face and half helmets. My current one is a H-D half helmet with the zip-out ear cover.

A full-face helmet will protect you better from road debris, insects, inclement weather and extreme cold better than any other helmet. If these things are paramount to you, your choice is easy.

A half helmet gives better visibility (at least for me, some will argue this point), cooler riding in warm weather, and a sense of speed (the wind in your face tells you how fast you're going, a full-face can mask this sense).

A half helmet will require goggles or wrap-around sunglasses to prevent tearing of the eyes.

A full-face will protect you better in most any accident.

A half helmet has more of a "traditional" appeal, if this matters to you.

You can walk into a conveinence store with a half helmet on without looking like a robbery suspect, and be understood by the clerk when you are in a hurry. ;)

I have ridden down to 33* in a half helmet w/goggles (and zip-on ear cover), but wouldn't want to do it for more than 10 miles or so.

Basically, you have to choose what's important to you when ya ride. I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions here. Good luck.

:laugh great point about the convenience store.

Hi MidWest XL

I'm a member of another H-D forum here in the UK, and there's been a fair bit of discussion on this subject. Quite a few folks reckon that full face helmets may save your face from being shredded, but are much more likely to break your neck. Something about how the chin piece hits the breast bone in a crash?

I'm not saying this is true, just what I've heard, and I'm not trying to scare you, but it's something to bear in mind.

I've got two helmets myself, an Arai Freeway (Classic/m in the States) which I guess you'd call a 3/4 helmet (most half helmets aren't legal over here), and a Roof Boxer which is a full face but with a swivelling chin piece that goes right over the back. I wouldn't want a full 'full face', it'd just be too claustrophobic for me.

I much prefer the Arai. I find that it gives me much better vision, it's lighter, fits better, and looks cooler too! I wear glasses (Bollé Nylsun) to keep the wind out of my eyes.

But, the glasses don't cover everything, and rain hits pretty hard at 70mph (even at 50). Still, I stick with the open face in anything but the heaviest, most prolonged, rain. And in very cold weather (I ride down to a few degrees above freezing) the cold wind gets very painful around the eyes. This is when the Roof comes in. I find it mists up like crazy (this is with the chin piece closed) so I have to leave the visor open a bit; then I still get some cold wind around the face!

Hope this helps.

I have both a Shoi full face that I wear on th open road, particularly on cooler days and yer typical half helmet for thise quick around town jaunts. Never liked a full face till I got one. Once I got used to it, I can't see travelling without it.

I've no desire to enter into a helmet debate. These are my tastes and opinions only.

Since I like to ride regardless of the weather, I have a full face that does, in fact, with the press of a button, lift the entire jawpiece, exposing like a 3/4, I suppose....I use it for cold/rainy weather and the snomobile in the winter...

For most nice weather, I have a HD half-helmet with the zip out ear pad...

I'm glad I don't have to choose between them....I need them both....

I only have half helmets!! Get to hot here in Texas for a Full Helmet!! :D

Just my .02!!!

Will,

You're just plain wrong !!!



(okay lame attempt at getting Will into a debate :D)

Helmets are a very personal decision, only you know what balance of style, comfort and safety are right for you. Like Will said it doesn't hurt to have more than one helmet either, and if you're single having two helmets is required ;)

Gazza

Will, if you're single having two helmets is required Gazza
It's an unwritten law :clap

Indeed, get what ever you are comfortable with wearing and confident riding with. The only thing I would suggest is that whatever style you get be sure it is a DOT rated helmet. Don't fool with these so called "novelty" helmets. They are light and sexy looking but I wouldn't trust my life to one.

be sure it is a DOT rated helmet.I'll second that.

Gazza

Dot appproved is manatory. Snell approved is the best!!!

Dot appproved is manatory.I know a few guys, and I'm sure you do too Will, that ride with those cheesy novelty helmets.

Gazza

I know a few guys, and I'm sure you do too Will, that ride with those cheesy novelty helmets. Gazza
How much is yer head worth?

How much is yer head worth?A lot more than looking sexy in a cheesey novelety helmet !!!

I've no desire to enter into a helmet debate.Hey Will... I pulled you into a silly debate :laugh :laugh :laugh :clap :clap ;)

Gazza

:tour You could say I'm a wuss. I ride this time of year w/full face (HJC flip-up) and a windshield. When warmer I'll still use the full face. I've gotten used to it and it doesn't seem heavy. Last Saturday here in St. Louis a biker went down on a city street (no doubt going too fast and probably tanked) during the Mardi Gras festivities, slid over 100 yards on his face. Full face might have helped. . .not being drunk and flying probably would have helped more though . . .

Lefty

Hey Will... I pulled you into a silly debate :laugh :laugh :laugh :clap :clap ;) Gazza
so you did :p okay, let's have the damn debate. :clap

I wouldn't say your a wuss. I have an HJC full face also. I don't wear it too often cause I was always fogging up the visor, so I'd leave it up, then I realised how much I like the air hitting my face and got a half helmet. I still own the ful face though and wear it in nasty weather.

Sliding on your face is a good point though. I remember several times as a kid getting thrown off the back of a snowmobile and skidding over a cornfield face first. Having a full face helmet kept me pretty so all the gals could enjoy me later on.

so you did :p okay, let's have the damn debate. :clapI don't want to debate, I just wanted to sucker you in :p

Gazza

:slid over 100 yards on his face. Full face might have helped.
A lot of stats go into impact values and so on. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to intuit abrasion resistance.

Back some years ago when I raced stock cars at the local level, I remeber a particular driver's meeting.

The track management was informing us that our helmets were going to be inspected, and that it would be expected of us to only use quality helmets.

One guy stood up, pissing and moaning about how he couldn't afford a $100+ helmet.

A veteran racer replied: "If you got a ten dollar head, wear a ten dollar helmet".


Bart

"If you got a ten dollar head, wear a ten dollar helmet"ROTFLMAO
Thats a great line !!!

Gazza

I'm one of those rarities. Back in '75, in an off road race I had a helmet brake my neck. I hit face first into a very large boulder, wearing a 3/4 with snap on face guard. Either the guard, boulder or both tore into my face removing a good size chunk of my chin and breaking four teeth. My jaw survived intact. The back of the helmet broke the top vertebrae at the base of my skull. To this day, my neck crackles and hurts 24x7, but hey, everything works, no paralysis! Fortunately, helmet shapes have changed since 1975. The rear portion or mine and my wifes current 3/4s curve up quite well in the back to avoid such repeats(I hope). I also own a 1/2 helmet. I've got visors on all and flat full shields that I use for high speed highway. In addition, on the 1/2, I have a 1/2 shield that snaps on the visor. It keeps the wind out of the eyes. That's only an issue when I run without my windshield. With the windshield I can run helmetless, which is legal in Arizona, and I do occasionally. So, all I lack is the ultimate in safety, the full face. I had one and gave it away since it gripped and vibrated my prescriptions glasses so bad it was more of a safety hazard than benefit.


Ed in Az

Gary, the silence was deafening after he said that.

It was such a great comeback. :D


Bart

Nothing is perfect, in fact Sonny Barger was the first to help break the California law using that same arguement. Bottom line is this: If you live in a mandatory helmet state or you prefer to wear one , fer gawd sake wear a decent Snell or at least a Dot approved one. There's lotsa folks that bought those novelty helmets that wished they hadn't. Problem is, they don't post in here. They're very dead, very disabled and no longer ride.

You'll hear about the Snell rating. The Snell foundation that tests and rates these helmets are the family of a boy killed wearing an inferior helmet. They know from whence they speak.

and please don't ask who Sonny is.

and please don't ask who Sonny is.

There's probably only 1% of the guys here who don't know who he is.... :p ;)

There's probably only 1% of the guys here who don't know who he is.... :p ;)

*groan* :nocomment

There's probably only 1% of the guys here who don't know who he is.... :p ;)

Don't get him started!!!! :yikes

:laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

Don't get him started!!!! :yikes :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

:soap :laugh :laugh :laugh

When you guys get to be my age (3 months from 1st Social Security check) you will realize how great it is to wake up every morning and how fragile your old body has become, and you will wear FULL FACE HELMETS along with crash suits!! Life is precious...especially when you have kids and grandkids! Staying alive is more important than your appearance!!

BTW who is Sonny Barger!!!! :yikes

:laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

;)

BTW who is Sonny Barger!!!! :yikes

:laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

;)

Wasn't he the other half of Sonny and Cher? :p :frownthre

BTW who is Sonny Barger!!!! :yikes :laugh :laugh :laugh aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh :headbang :headbang :headbang :headbang :headbang :headbang

AKA Ralph Hubert Barger, Jr.

Born: 1938
Birthplace: Modesto, CA

Gender: Male
Ethnicity: White
Sexual orientation: Straight
Occupation: Criminal

Level of fame: Famous
Executive summary: Founder, Hells Angels

Military service: US Army (1955)

Mother: (abandoned family)
Wife: Noel (wife #3, separated)
Girlfriend: Zorana

High School: (expelled)

Hell's Angels
Murder acquitted
Drug Dealing served 5 years
Racketeering acquitted
Conspiracy served 5 years
Domestic Violence arrested 7-Mar-2003
Italian Ancestry Maternal
Risk Factors: Smoking, Cocaine

FILMOGRAPHY AS ACTOR
Hell's Angels Forever (1983) Himself
Gimme Shelter (06-Dec-1970) Himself
Hells Angels on Wheels (26-Jul-1967) Himself

Wasn't he the other half of Sonny and Cher? :p :frownthre

Yeah, that's the guy!!!

:laugh :laugh :laugh :laugh

AKA Ralph Hubert Barger, Jr. Level of fame: Famous Executive summary: Founder, Hells Angels
Sonny was/is a hell of a guy but I don't think he founded the HA. That happened after WWII. He started the chapter thing and became the first National Pres. aka the grand poobah later to be come world famous.

... and that's as far as I'm goin'

Full face saveed my ass twice while racing SCCA sports racers -- maybe not as cool on a Harley -- but hey I haven't been cool since 1968 and I KNOW they work -- mine is a silver ICON the first full helmet I ever had that was actually comfortable for me. Snell and DOT approved so I can use it in SCCA events -- I'm glad I found it!!

For some reason, I ended up with a closet full of helmets, but I find myself, like others, using the full-face (SuperGlide H-D) half the year, and the half helmet (H-D) the other half...I'll admit though that the full face has felt safer and the more I wear it the more I like it, but there's just some days when that half helmet is just the ticket...I must have sensitive ears, 'cause my ears begin to hurt about 1/2 hour into my rides with the 1/2 (pain from the wind, not the noise of the pipes!), so I started carrying earplugs and that helped...plus it's saving my hearing, too, so I guess that's not a bad thing! I have a noise dosimeter here at work...I think I'll do a little study (when it's a little warmer), and see what kind of readings I get at certain mph's...I know just the road noise can get loud...I'll let you all know what figures I get! Back to the thread...I think I need both helmets! Just my .02.

I use the full face helmet always when weather is bad: cold, wind, rain in some combination. Especially early spring and late fall [below 10`C]. I wear the half the rest of the time.

I wore only full face for the past dozen years that i have been riding. At the beginner course one of the teenagers went over the front of his bike. He survived but his full face helmet had serious dammage on the chin. They passed his helmet around the class. The instructor said that his face would have been in very bad shape with a smaller helmet. This impressed me enough to not even consider anything else for 12 years or so.

Also, i have been "on the ground" twice, once for 60', the other for 150'. Both times my head hit the fround like a sledge hammer hitting concrete. I will never forget those experiences. The helmet saved me.

BUT: there is, as others have mentioned, the COOL FACTOR. The need to be cool, to be like everyone else. To not be a wuss [or whatever a suckie is called this year]. So IronMick finally went with the half helmet.

I've got a full face Shoei and also have a half helmet. I prefer the half if I'm riding around town during the day, but night time and highway runs I wear the Shoei. Friend said, "I bet your just about the only person who rides a Harley in a FF". LOL. He needs to get out more.
I'd say if you think you want a full face then buy one but keep the other helmet too because there will be times when you opt to wear it.

I just have to add my .02.

FF helmets are not "cool" with the HD crowd generally, that is a given. But take stock of the motorcyclists around you in your area. Do you see sportbike enthusiasts (croch rocketeers) with novelty teeny weenie beenie helmits? Does a Buell rider have on a 1/2 helmut?
Does your motor patrol officer have a skid lid?

My point is this: I wear a full face HJC (white with reflective tape) and ride in any weather. I marvel a the level of substitute protection other riders will provide for their own heads. I dont need a Schwarma face mask to ride in the cold- my helmet keeps my cheeks warm. I dont need a windshield to keep out the painful pin prick raindrops (they hurt at 35MPH). It quiets down the wind enough so's I don't need earpluggers.

Make up yer own mind- but check out the greater community of motorcycling bretheren.

I wear a FF helmet year round. The temps that I ride in down here vary from 35 deg F to about 120 deg F. I wear my FF in the summer because it keeps me cooler than wearing an open face. Riding in 120 deg heat with 10% humidity is like staring into a hairdryer, and it keeps my face from getting burned. I could give a s#it less what anyone else thinks of my bike or the gear that I use.

I own 2 FF helmets, and Arai Signet/e and Signet/GT. I find the Arai is vented much better than my old Shoei and weighs less, but I had one of the cheaper Shoei models (RF700) so that's not really a fair comparison.

2 pieces of advice:

1. Buy a helmet that fits. I think you've got that one covered, the salesman that sold you your lid seems to know how to fit a helmet.

2. Do not buy a helmet made from "thermoplastic." Plastic helmet shells turn brittle when exposed to UV light, which is why Snell will not certify any of them.

I had one of the cheaper Shoei models
Shoie's are not considered cheap!

No matter what anyone says it's your choice.
Personally.. I wear a full face. Been down.. FF saved.. Well.. my face.. I'd like to keep it that way if it ever happens again.

Yeah I know whatcha mean. Kin you jest imajun the brok harted ladies if anytin happens to dis pretty face? :smoke

I have a FF Shoei RF900 really like it. Wouldn't ride w/o a helmet, probably not w/o a FF... when I was a kid, I hit our dog with my minibike and highsided, landed on my face on the asphalt driveway. I lived, and still have my dashing good looks, but I had a good case of roadrash for a while. Don't want to imagine landing on my head at higher speeds. I'm not nearly as immortal as I was. I really like the protection a visor gives against rain, wind, rocks, and big bugs. All of them have pelted my FF helmet, not my face.

Try on lots of different helmets. A cycle shop that sells Arai should offer a good fitting session- that's Arais main selling point (but man, are they pricey). Different brands fit different heads. Shoeis are more round shaped, while Arais are more oval shaped. Good fit is very important for full protection. A properly fitting helmet will fit a bit tight- they break in after a while too. Don't know if I could trust my head to a helmet made in China- most of your cheaper helmets are likely made there.

Will,

I didn't mean to imply that the RF models were cheap, but a more fair comparison to my Arai would have been a Shoei X- model. My Arai Signet/GT(in plain black) cost $400 new, roughly double the price of an RF900 in a solid color, IIRC.

As helmets get pricier, they don't really protect any better, but the ventilation improves, the weight goes down and usually they have removable liners. Back when I bought my GT, I would have had to pay $500 for a plain RX7RR (the Quantums don't fit me at all) to have a helmet with a removable liner. Wearing a bandanna under my helmet is much more cost effective. :)

An interesting story.

Some years back, Shoie stopped making their helmets in white. The popular trend was going towards colors and designs. A friend of mine, Bob Brewer, called and specifically asked for a white helmet and could they provide one. Bob was informed that the white Shoei's were no longer produced. After considerable arguing and pointless conversation, Bob then asked about potential liability. He went on to explain that if he were lying in the middle of a dark road unconcious and wearing a dark helmet, would Shoei be able to defend itself in a negligence lawsuit. Shortly thereafter, the white Helmets became available again.

I have one riding buddy that always wears a full face helmet. He was a fireman for 30 years, wonder what he knows?

Gazza

Here is a link from another HD forum about a guy who didn't wear a helmet. Midwest, I assume you posted this same question on another HD forum, so I think you have seen this link. After clicking on the link, go down (way down) to all the kings horses.

www.rotten.com (http://)

I have one riding buddy that always wears a full face helmet. He was a fireman for 30 years, wonder what he knows?

Gazza
also about what he's seen....my uncle's a fireman in Fairfax Va., he incessantly rags on me about wearing a "better" helmet....funny thing is, he don't even like me...Mike 74xlh

Not that enought hasn't been said already on the subject, but the night (here) is still young and I'm wide awake. Lets be honest. Almost all of us here ride motorcycles because we enjoy them. We know they bring more danger to our fragile selves than a cage, but we accept that risk to enjoy the benefits...freedom, sense of empowerment, wind in the hair, etc.. Putting on a helmet is a recognition and partial mitigation of that danger we have willingly put ourselves into in the first place. If you want a really safe "helmet" you need to strap on a 3 ton SUV with a 5 point seatbelt, front and side airbags! At the other end of the spectrum is no helmet at all. Unfortunately, statistics have shown that our two wheeled brothers and sisters in this category suffered dramatically greater head injury and death than those who wore any type of head protection. Therefore anything is better than nothing, but lets be honest...total safety is not to be had on a motorcycle! To me, it is not what type of helmet is "best" but rather what level of risk am I willing to live with while enjoying the pleasure of the inherently risky motorcycle. I like the feel of wind in my hair and the unrestricted vision and sense of freedom that comes with biking helmetless. I indulge in this self destructive behavior on occasion on low traffic country roads, or when I give up my helmet to a passenger. I have a full face helmet I really don't like, not because it doesn't fit well, but because it deprives me of much of what I enjoy about riding a motorcycle. The helmet I finally settled on after a lot of experimentation, is a 3/4 HJC with an add on flip-up face shield. As much protection as I can get and still be open enough to enjoy the wind and vision. Bottom line? personal choice, but realize you are not choosing safety, you are rationalizing the risk you voluntarily place yourself into.

This is not a criticism of anyone else's opinions, just my own thoughts.

Well put gilx....I "choose" to ride with 1/2 helmet because of helmet laws, I guess it's called a novelty helmet, that's why I put all the novelty stickers on it, sh!t why not put joke stickers on a joke helmet?

gilix... I gotta ask. Does everyone in Utah ride around like that? (yer avatar) :laugh :laugh :laugh

Two Best helmets I have ever had are both not sold in the US mostly european.
Roof Boxer-Great helmet wondergful airflow great fit!
Momo Devil-different feel but equally a great wearing helmet....

Most experts will tell you a half helmets are useless in a spill. In an accident you will hardly ever land on the top of your head and the helmet will usually get knocked off anyway.
3/4 for minimum protection, full for good protection. Personaly I wear a 3/4 helmet. In my opinion, halfs are just to meet some state laws, they are tempting for me but I shy away when ever I see them in the shops.

gilix... I gotta ask. Does everyone in Utah ride around like that? (yer avatar) :laugh :laugh :laugh

Ha! They do when they are riding passenger behind their wife on an ATV when she decides to pull a 90 degree wheelie! :yikes :yikes :yikes

That expression is supposed to be abject terror mixed with good measure of "thank god I'm still alive!"

Ha! They do when they are riding passenger behind their wife on an ATV when she decides to pull a 90 degree wheelie! :yikes :yikes :yikes

That expression is supposed to be abject terror mixed with good measure of "thank god I'm still alive!"

Now that's some funny doo-doo. NOW I get your avatar...

I use a full...I'm ugly enough as it is..... :D

After reading the pros and the cons I am going to buy a Flip full face and wear it from now on. I was smacked in the kisser with a rock doing oh bout 50mph. Im too pretty for that kinda damage. Also will make my wife happier ( which means I might score WWHHHOOOPPPEEEE) But I take my kids for long rides and I think it will be just safer all around for us. I found a really nice filp-full face good price; might buy 2. I am getting older so I think glasses are in the future for me so I need to keep them covered. I would like to buy the Panoptix prescription lense but they are more that the helmet. And they don't protect my head. Oh well

There is one absolute about helmets that has not been mentioned. You want a quality helmet. There is a certification that will insure the helmet has been tested and passed the testing. There are two standards. DOT and SNELL. I only consider SNELL to be the standard. Ready why; http://www.smf.org/faqs.html Imagine yourself in a terrible crash, thats why we buy helmets, what helmet do you want on. I use a full face Arai on my sportster, year round. For you, find a SNELL certified helmet that is comfortable and meets your possible needs, then buy it. Good luck.

Motorcyclist magazine did a little comparison of the Snell requirements vs. the DOT requirements, and the article is quite an eye-opener. Snell might want to rethink some of its testing methodology.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/hatz/index.html

That being said, the DOT's methodology of letting the manufacturers certify themselves is a JOKE. As I'm sure you know, the DOT only tests a random sample of the helmets that have DOT stickers.

I wear a Suomy Spec 1-R. I know its a racing helmet on a sporty but it looks cool, has great air flow, is light, and is BSI certified. I used to ride w/o a lid but riding to work on the freeway in rushhour made me rethink that choice.

Check out this link for some good info on helmet safety certifications:
http://www.suomy-usa.com/ssafetya.htm

Cheers,
Luke

I agree with most of what's been said here. Helmets are probably THE most personal choice you make as a motorcyclist. My feeling is, why limit yourself to one helmet? I have two now, and will probably get at least one more. I have a snell rated full face for cold weather and riding in "high risk" areas. I've got a DOT half shell for warmer weather. I'm thinking that a 3/4 with a face shield would be a good compromise, and I might try it out. The only absolutes I would say are:
1. Buy the best quality helmet that you can comfortably afford.
2. Make sure it's properly fitted and in good, servicable condition.
3. Wear it - always.

If you want a good deal on a good helmet, try helmet city. Look under "closeouts" sometimes they've got fantastic deals.

http://www.helmetcity.com/