Full face Helmet recommendations?

Arnie · July 26, 2015, 09:56:01 PM

I have a Shoei/Bell/HJC shaped head. I can wear any of those comfortably.
My most recent helmet purchase was an HJC Symax II flip-up or modular helmet.
It has/had the sunscreen inbuilt, but I had to trim the notch so it didn't hit the bridge of my nose.
It broke soon after at one of the mount points. :-( I don't really miss it though.
I wear glasses and they have "transition" lenses that get dark if its bright out.

As stated by most others who have replied, get a helmet that fits comfortably.
I'd add to that, make sure replacement visors are readily available as a 2yr old helmet with a scratched visor that you can't find a replacement for is dangerous.

Arnie

TexasDave · July 26, 2015, 09:56:54 PM

I have had full face, open face and now have a modular. Modular is the way to go especially if you wear glasses or want to wear sunglasses. I will stick with modular from now on. Dave

movenon · July 26, 2015, 11:03:31 PM

I had a HJC Flip Up helmet on during my get off in Petaluma. The helmet took a good hit to the front top area, deep scratches down the windscreen and into the chin area. It preformed as advertised. But anything is possible. I am with Derek in his opinion. Currently I have a "standard" full face because it was given to me (by a person that it didn't fit) and fits me perfectly but when I decide to replace it I will go back to a flip up mostly because I wear glasses.
George

giantkiller · July 26, 2015, 11:24:53 PM

I love my Bell rs1. Then I found a Bell Star rally red (matches the 86) for $179 @ motorcycle closeouts. If you find a helmet you like that fits good. Check motorcycle closeouts. Might save hundreds of $$. On yah love the star. And the auto darkening sheild (interchangeable with vortex,rs1,and star)

yamaha fj rider · July 27, 2015, 12:37:39 AM

Quote from: giantkiller on July 26, 2015, 11:24:53 PM
I love my Bell rs1. Then I found a Bell Star rally red (matches the 86) for $179 @ motorcycle closeouts. If you find a helmet you like that fits good. Check motorcycle closeouts. Might save hundreds of $$. On yah love the star. And the auto darkening sheild (interchangeable with vortex,rs1,and star)

+1 on this. Most important, find a helmet you like. Comfort is number one. We stop for fuel or other short stops, I don't take my helmet off. I wear a Bell RS-1 with the transitions face shield. I buy the smallest helmet that will fit on my head in the store and let it brake in.

Kurt

Bones · July 27, 2015, 02:08:13 AM

I've got an RJays modular and I reckon their great, when you stop for a break you don't need to take it off for a drink, when you pop in to pay for fuel, eat, talk to people etc. Another thing I like is the flip down sun visor, my eyes are at the stage where bright sunshine hurts them and low light or shaded areas with sunnies on makes everything blurry, so instead of stopping all the time to put sunnys on or take them off, I just flick the lever for the visor to suit the conditions.

They are a great invention, two helmets rolled into one, open face or full face, the choice is yours.

jo-sommer · July 27, 2015, 06:48:59 AM

Only Schuberth (sometimes Shoei) fits good to my head shape; good for safety and comfort, bad for the purse...

My last 3 helmets have been Schuberth flip-ups (C1, C2, now C3) with included pinlock and sun Visor. Pinlock works fine down to -25°C, only humidity matters. When it is too humid ice-flowers are growing slowly in between the visor and the pinlock. Nice to watch, annoying to get rid of.

No need to mention that wearing comfort and safety are premium class at this Price Level; I wore those Schuberths about 100K Kms each, had to replace the internal padding once or twice. Noise Level is acceptable for a flip up (louder than full face due to the gaps), no noticeable uplift at higher speeds (>200 km/h).

Spare parts are expensive as well...

But the last crash (when I "entered" a motorhome head first through the rear window) convinced me about the stability of this bucket; just a few scratches were the only visible damages.

Cheers Jo

PaulG · July 27, 2015, 10:03:47 AM

Like many have said : Fit is #1. I own two HJC's, one full-face and the newer one a modular. The modular is a bit noisier, but that can vary also between brands as some are almost as quiet as a full face.

I went to this dealer http://gpbikes.com/ and the salesman -er - salesperson to be PC - was very knowlegeable (and patient). We went through several brands (they had a sale on their whole stock). None of the Shoeis and Arais fit - which is odd cuz I used to own a Shoei. They squeezed my face like in a vise while the back of my head was OK. And these were $400-$500 helmets. I settled on the HJC because it fit the best, and the price was very agreeable ~$200. Once you find one that fits, leave it on for several minutes. Any pressure points will start to make themselves known. Also make sure the salesperson manipulates the helmet for you to make sure it fits snug. Comfort is necessary but a loose helmet is a liability. Sorry - don't mean to be such a nanny.

My modular has the flip-down sun visor. My only (minor) gripes with it, is it does touch the bridge of my nose (which I will eventually grind out-just keep forgetting to), and the gap between my cheeks and the visor is too large letting glare in sometimes. My eyes are quite sensitive to sunlight (a result of baby-blues), so I usually have shades on and I will also use the sun visor in addition if needed, as it is not tinted that dark.

Most manufacturers also explicity state that a modular helmet should never be worn open while riding - no matter what speed - at least my HJC did. They state it is due to potential injuries caused by the front being up and not allowing the helmet to function as designed in an impact - or something like that. Anyhow, I've never seen that stop anyone from doing it (including me). An element of thruth to it, but I think it's more of a legal disclaimer than anything.

On a side note; if you also end up going headlong through a motorhome I would hope you would use the helmet as a planter from then on. Just because an impact may only cause a few scratches doesn't mean the internal shells are intact, as they are designed to fracture to dissipate the impact. Some manufacturers would actually test them if you sent them in (don't know if they still do). That would be worth it if you had an $800 Arai. But for a $200-$300 helmut just put some petunias in it and buy another one. Just my 2.83 cents worth (adjusted for inflation).

jo-sommer · July 28, 2015, 01:59:42 AM

Quote from: PaulG on July 27, 2015, 10:03:47 AM
On a side note; if you also end up going headlong through a motorhome I would hope you would use the helmet as a planter from then on.

You are absolutely right. I basically meant the same writing "visible" damages. Forgot to mention, but any helmet has to be replaced after Impact; no matter which price-level it is. Not worth the money for testing, Crash helmets are objects to be displayed in the "remember-me-corner" of the garage/workshop.

Cheers Jo

PaulG · July 28, 2015, 08:56:43 AM

Quote from: jo-sommer on July 28, 2015, 01:59:42 AMCrash helmets are objects to be displayed in the "remember-me-corner" of the garage/workshop.

.... that reminds me...

.... time to make some shelf space in my basement ....

gumby302ho · July 29, 2015, 09:33:27 PM

I use the Bell RS-1 with the transition lens, it fits my mellon great but my only complaint with this bucket is when I am in kookaloo mode and fully tucked down close to the tank my eyes see the top of the helmet so I am forced to tilt my head up even more, this is my only issue with the RS1. I wonder if the other big dollar helmets would be the same, I would like to try an aria or shoei to see if its better when the boiler is on full!

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Full face Helmet recommendations?