Flip Front Helmets

[rktmanfj]

Just the other day, I noticed that one of my favorite vendors had an outstanding price on flip-front helmets (in this case HJC CL-Max), but nagging safety concerns kept me from ordering.

Then, over the weekend, a good friend of mine was seriously injured while wearing one (a Fulmer model).

Details of the accident vary, but no one disputes that the 18 year old female failed to yield right-of-way, and pulled out in front of him.  He t-boned her car, and flew some 150 feet, landing on the pavement.  He was wearing a Teknic jacket, which did it's job well.  I doubt if he was wearing any lower body armor, and his left leg is broken in three places (two pins).  He also got a dislocated finger.

What really concerns me is the head injuries... broken jaw and orbit.  It appears that the entire front of the helmet came off upon impact with the car,leaving him partially unprotected for the subsequent impact with the pavement. It also appears that his facial injuries occurred upon initial impact with the car.  While it no doubt saved his life, I have to wonder if a conventional full face helmet would have performed better.

Randy T
Indy

[Arnie]

What type of construction does the Fulmar flip helmet have?  The HJC Symax has a metal reinforcement across the chinbar front of the helmet and twin metal latches.  I'd be surprised if that was less sturdy than a fibreglass or thermoplastic chinbar, but ?  pretty hard to determine.  You'd also have to wonder how much of the force of the impact was absorbed by ripping the front off the helmet.  Better idea - watch out for 18 yr old felmales - they are rarely paying attention to where they're going.

Sorry to hear that your friend is paying for her stupidity.

Cheers,
Arnie

[ddlewis]

Been thinking about a new flip-face helmet myself.  My old Arai is getting some years on it.

Go on advrider and search on flip helmets.  It seems not uncommon that the jaw-piece rips off upon face plant.  Seen some bad looking pictures of those helmets fubared with the jaw/flip part broken and it's always at the hinge.  Not sure if it's particular brand(s) or is it just the hinge design.

Don't think I've ever seen a full face break like that, have you?

[pdxfj]

Flip up helmets are convenient, but I would never trust one. 

It seems all too common that they come apart in a crash.  Don't know if I've ever seen any full face helmets come apart like that in a crash.  I would guess the amount of force needed to to that would be quite a lot.

[the fan]

I broke the chinbar on an older ARAI several years ago. I have also broken, and witnessed others breaking the chinbars on offroad helmets.

IMO I consider most of my safety equipment to be disposable. It hits the ground hard once and its over.  I find it very doubtful that the energy it takes to break the chinbar off of a flip front helmet would be fully disipated by a standard full faced helmet, much less that floppy hinge we call a spine.

With any safety equipment you are forced to make compromises for comfort or convenience, Otherwise we would all be riding in full leather and steel plate. Personally I will take my chances with nicely perfed leather or textile and a comfortable, well ventilated helmet. A flip front offers quite a bit more protection than a skull cap or bandana.....

[mst3kguy]

so, randy, you're really trying to f*ck with me now, aren't you?  or have you taken on a second job at newenough.com?  i bought my flip-up from them, and since have seen on their site a conventional full-face helmet at a super discounted price that i really like the colors.  but i keep saying "i have a perfectly good, new helmet in my garage".  grrr...

( :

[rktmanfj]

so, randy, you're really trying to f*ck with me now, aren't you?  or have you taken on a second job at newenough.com?  i bought my flip-up from them, and since have seen on their site a conventional full-face helmet at a super discounted price that i really like the colors.  but i keep saying "i have a perfectly good, new helmet in my garage".  grrr...

( :

Well, if I'd known that you'd actually followed through and bought one, I definitely would have fcuked with you...   

I was watching the HJCs at NE for a while, and was about to pull the trigger one of the CL-15s then they went and put the CL-Max on closeout, too...  and I have ordered neither, duh.

I didn't think they had any of them in plain white, though.

Maybe they'll even discount more if we buy two CL-15s     They're pretty darned cheap as it is...

Randy T
Indy

PS: Rick's jaw is wired shut now.  The orbital fracture they are leaving as is for now, as it is providing a natural relief for the swelling from his concussion.  Ended up being two fractures to the femur, and one each, tib/fib.

[mst3kguy]

randy,

i got the cl-max at N/E.  i had it at the spring rally, didn't you notice?  oh, wait, you probably had trouble seeing it thru the dust i was leaving you behind in.  at.  to.  ( :

[racerman_27410]

after wearing the modulars for many years i finally got paranoid and went back to full face helmets. Figured i had rolled the dice enough times.


i have had several flip fronts and the only one that i couldnt get to open (by twisting the helmet in my hands) was the schuberth.... damn shame its the most uncomfortable hemet i have ever put on my head.

[rktmanfj]

randy,

i got the cl-max at N/E.  i had it at the spring rally, didn't you notice?  oh, wait, you probably had trouble seeing it thru the dust i was leaving you behind in.  at.  to.  ( :

Had we been in the same riding group even once this year, I have no doubt that you would have...  but then, I never claimed to be fast.     

Randy T
Indy

[ddlewis]

after wearing the modulars for many years i finally got paranoid and went back to full face helmets. Figured i had rolled the dice enough times.

i have had several flip fronts and the only one that i couldnt get to open (by twisting the helmet in my hands) was the schuberth.... damn shame its the most uncomfortable hemet i have ever put on my head.

Hey the shuberth is one featured in the pictures with the chin bar broke all to shit in the aforementioned advrider thread. 

I'd still consider a flip for the convenience if I could find one that fit well.  The only thing I can say about my next helmet is no more Arai til they fix the piece of crap "super adsis" visor system. 

[andyb]

Simple way to view things....


Do racers use flipfront hats?

[Bob]

Simple way to view things....
Do racers use flipfront hats?

And they ride with full race leathers. 

I would not wear my 'stich on a race track, nor would I wear my Nolan flip up helmet.  But I think both are good choices for street riding.

[mst3kguy]

hah, you know i'm just joshing you, we've been in the same riding group for years it seems.  i think you're a really good rider, despite having so much more extra weight.

<ducks>

( :

randy,

i got the cl-max at N/E.  i had it at the spring rally, didn't you notice?  oh, wait, you probably had trouble seeing it thru the dust i was leaving you behind in.  at.  to.  ( :

Had we been in the same riding group even once this year, I have no doubt that you would have...  but then, I never claimed to be fast.     

Randy T
Indy

[rktmanfj]

hah, you know i'm just joshing you, we've been in the same riding group for years it seems.  i think you're a really good rider, despite having so much more extra weight.

<ducks>

( :

randy,

i got the cl-max at N/E.  i had it at the spring rally, didn't you notice?  oh, wait, you probably had trouble seeing it thru the dust i was leaving you behind in.  at.  to.  ( :

Had we been in the same riding group even once this year, I have no doubt that you would have...  but then, I never claimed to be fast.    

Randy T
Indy

Can you tell my internet has been down for a week?

Damned top posters, anyway...   

Randy T
Indy