Open face helmets

[Bulldog9]

Are open face helmets more dangerous than the most common ones with the chin guard? I’ve always preferred being able to open the visor on occasion and having a generally more open view.I have the LS2 but it’s 10 years old and I’m shopping.

I've always worn a full face helmet. Several variables from standard to flip up chin bar, to a hybrid/modular Nolan with detachable chin bar.

For me it is more the full coverage of the windscreen from bugs, rocks, debris, and birds, all of which have committed suicide on my visor over the years.

I've only had one major 'rider down' incident in 40 years riding. That was over 20 years ago, and if I wasn't wearing a full face Snell Shoei, my left cheek and chin would have been ground to the bone rather than my helmets left side chin to ear as I low sided at 60-70.

Not even an issue for me, especially if doing long distance sport touring rides as I most often do.

I had a Soldier a few years back have a low speed drop and face planted on the curb with an open face skull cap. Was as Ugly as you think it would be. Had another who couldn't hold a curve and got tangled in a guard rail. Helmet caught an upright and tore his head off. Nothing's 100%

Safer? For head strikes on the top back and sides, probably equal unless it is a skull cap Harley type. Front, be it debris, curbs, etc. There really isn't a discussion is there? Assess your risk and ride your ride.

[Griso8V]

I will put in my 0.02 here on something that has not been yet bought up.  I have on several occasions been "hit" by very large flying bugs in the face shield.  My thought was "I am sure happy that the face shield took that big splat and not my face...".  One time I had to pull over to clean the windshield so that I could see!  I don't know what it was but it was a big one!
One other time I was hit by a rock, I don't think it was a very big rock but I sure would not want that thing to come in contact with my bare face...
Again my 0.02 from experience...
Me:  Full Face, All THE TIME...  I remember what my first instructor told us about helmets:  Open Face Helmet, Closed Coffin...
Tony C

[Tkelly]

I rode thru a swarm of honeybees with an open face helmet.The windshield took all of them but one that hit the bridge of my shades.I started wearing face shies after that.

[slowmover]

Hold on. When I say open face helmet I mean like this but almost always with the visor down.

[OCRider]

Somewhere near Winslow, AZ I was behind a semi on highway 40.  The semi kicked up a large rock that hit the chin-piece on my FF helmet leaving a huge gouge in it.  I imagined how my chin would have taken that impact and have continued to use a FF helmet ever since.

[john fish]

Somewhere near Winslow, AZ I was behind a semi on highway 40.  The semi kicked up a large rock that hit the chin-piece on my FF helmet leaving a huge gouge in it.  I imagined how my chin would have taken that impact and have continued to use a FF helmet ever since.

Anybody else immediately start singing that song?

[slowmover]

It's a girl, my Lord, in a flatbed Ford
Slowin' down to take a look at me

[rocker59]

Hold on. When I say open face helmet I mean like this but almost always with the visor down.

That will protect you from bugs, but without the chin bar of a full-face helmet, a faceplant onto the pavement will not be pretty.  I went down several times in my youth and each time the chin bar of the full face Bell helmet protected my face.

[Kev m]

You guys do know what you sound like right?

It's the same as every Karen that walks up to you at a gas station saying how dangerous motorcycles are, how her sister in law's, cousin's, step son died on one of those murdercycles because they are so unsafe, bla bla bla...

Some ride motorcycles, most do not.

Some are ATGATT, some (most?) are not.

Some (most?) wear FF, some do not. Hell how many don't wear helmets at all?

Do you guys always wear life jackets on a boat? Or only if the boat is a certain size? Or only during certain conditions on the lake or at sea?

I swear by the sound of it some of you guys are ATGATT in the shower.

OP asked, he got the question answered. Do you really think anyone else here still has a question about this?

Oh crap, now I sound like Huzo.... </thread>        

[kennneee]

"It's the same as every Karen that walks up to you at a gas station saying how dangerous motorcycles are, how her sister in law's, cousin's, step son died on one of those murdercycles because they are so unsafe, bla bla bla..."
Kev m- I was just talking about the buzz kill we have all experienced like you describe above. I mean, riding, singing a song in you helmet (face shield down), while passing through Winslow, AZ.... Been there done that. Stop for fuel and you have to listen to the story so they feel better about being too fearful to ride a MC. Makes you want to spray some gas on them and light a match :). The difference is that any of us that are here are asking for some helmet dialog. Some of the stories are not pretty but they make a point. Bottom line we are all big boys and girls and we might benefit from some of this dialog and then make up our own minds. Enough said, now I am going to listen to an old Eagles album...... Ken
 

[Anomaly]

"Enough said, now I am going to listen to an old Eagles album...... Ken

Please keep the volume down-- we're already listening to Jackson Browne in this thread. Thx 😊

[Joliet Jim]

I'm just here for the "I crashed 6 times and my full face saved me every time" and wondering why do you crash so often.

[rocker59]

You guys do know what you sound like right?

It's the same as every Karen that walks up to you at a gas station saying how dangerous motorcycles are, how her sister in law's, cousin's, step son died on one of those murdercycles because they are so unsafe, bla bla bla...
 

This would be an even more boring place if the conversation went as:

OP - "Are open face helmets more dangerous than the most common ones with the chin guard?"
1st Answer - "yes".
no following answers.

For what its worth, I don't wear a full face helmet every time.  Sometimes its open face.  Other times, its no helmet.  And, the women I encounter at gas stations are always asking for rides of one kind, or another...

 

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

Some of the newer modular helmets are rated as if they were full face helmets, and as mentioned also approved for riding with the chin up. Personally I used to only wear modular or dual sport helmets (chin bar is a ways from your chin) due to a bit of helmet claustrophobia where for the modular helmet I'd flip the chin up while stopped. I ended up trying a full face helmet with a large field of view, the HJC F70, and that has been a very tolerable full face helmet. Not for everyone though, different head shapes will determine which helmets fit and are safe for an individual.

[kingoffleece]

I tend to agree with kev m. One needs to decide what amount of risk is acceptable.
But if I'm going out on a bike, it's gonna be spectacular in nature, worthy of LOTS of bourbon at the service.  Not because of a 10mph slide that knocks my chin into my shoulder blades.  And after 25 years I still kiss my wife, so there's that.  But we pick and choose what's right for us.

It IS possible the OP was unaware of the percentages are relating to chin impact.  The helmet chart spells it out quite clearly.

It's the same when we were diving with tri-mix and even NITROX.  Best to know all the "ins and outs" and where the flash point is prior to entering the water.  Get all the facts, then make a decision seems to sum it up well.

[Ncdan]

I hope I don’t regret this but…….
I removed a FF bell race quality helmet from a dead kid on a crotch rocket, I also was on the scene when EMS removed a non DOT skull bucket from a Harley rider who was alive and talking, lying on the highway but his arm was still inside the car he flew through.
I’ll admit I have no answers for the whys or why nots.
I wear a half helmet, skirt zipped in during the cold months. I simply can’t deal with the discomfort and anxiety a FF helmet causes me, it’s a dangerous distraction for some riders, thus rendering a FF less safe.
Like oils, seats and leather vs textile ridding gear, you decide and be willing to accept the outcomes.

[john fish]

Hold on. When I say open face helmet I mean like this but almost always with the visor down.

I am going to buy an open face helmet soon.  I need something that's not as hot as my full face Nolan.  Is the one above OK?  I've seen one of the LS2s in person and it seemed good quality.  I need the drop down internal sun shade.  I like the idea of a sun visor too, like the bill on a baseball cap, for sun protection. 

What open face helmets are yinz using? 

[SIR REAL ED]

Somewhere near Winslow, AZ I was behind a semi on highway 40.  The semi kicked up a large rock that hit the chin-piece on my FF helmet leaving a huge gouge in it.  I imagined how my chin would have taken that impact and have continued to use a FF helmet ever since.

FF helmet?

Isn't FF a shoe size width?  Or maybe a bra cup size?

[SIR REAL ED]

You guys do know what you sound like right?

.......

Oh crap, now I sound like Huzo.... </thread>        

That is a badge of honor no matter where you go!!!

Wear it with pride!!

[SIR REAL ED]

I tend to agree with kev m. One needs to decide what amount of risk is acceptable.
But if I'm going out on a bike, it's gonna be spectacular in nature, worthy of LOTS of bourbon at the service.  Not because of a 10mph slide that knocks my chin into my shoulder blades.  And after 25 years I still kiss my wife, so there's that.  But we pick and choose what's right for us.

It IS possible the OP was unaware of the percentages are relating to chin impact.  The helmet chart spells it out quite clearly.

It's the same when we were diving with tri-mix and even NITROX.  Best to know all the "ins and outs" and where the flash point is prior to entering the water.  Get all the facts, then make a decision seems to sum it up well.

Since this has morphed into a song reference thread:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfmYCM4CS8o

[SIR REAL ED]

I hope I don’t regret this but…….
I removed a FF bell race quality helmet from a dead kid on a crotch rocket, I also was on the scene when EMS removed a non DOT skull bucket from a Harley rider who was alive and talking, lying on the highway but his arm was still inside the car he flew through.
I’ll admit I have no answers for the whys or why nots.
I wear a half helmet, skirt zipped in during the cold months. I simply can’t deal with the discomfort and anxiety a FF helmet causes me, it’s a dangerous distraction for some riders, thus rendering a FF less safe.
Like oils, seats and leather vs textile ridding gear, you decide and be willing to accept the outcomes.

Yep.  Spoken like a responsible adult who understands risk and reward.

None of us know where that line will be drawn.

[slowmover]

I’m getting the LS2 Copter helmet above to replace  my 10 year old LS2 open face.They also have a Versa model. They are on the cheaper side. My old one functioned ok for the riding I do. I stay off interstates and keep it under 60 mph. It is a noisy helmet.

[PICKLEKOOKEN]

The biggest thing is it comfortable. the better it fits the more often, and longer you will ware it. The newer helmets are coming with bigger eye ports. Don't forget quiet! I have a Shoei neotech 3 with safety glasses and ear plugs and I can ride all day all night get up and do it again. whatever kind FIT and COMFORT!

[Huzo]

Oh crap, now I sound like Huzo.... </thread>        

You’ve got a ways to go before that happens Kev…

[SIR REAL ED]

You’ve got a ways to go before that happens Kev…

Encouragement is always good for the yungons!

Dare to be bold Kev M!

[john fish]

I’m getting the LS2 Copter helmet above to replace  my 10 year old LS2 open face.They also have a Versa model. They are on the cheaper side. My old one functioned ok for the riding I do. I stay off interstates and keep it under 60 mph. It is a noisy helmet.

I ordered the LS3 Copter, too.  For me, being cooler in an open face is safer than being heat fatigued in a full face helmet.  I will still have my Nolan Modular to use as needed.

[TN Mark]

The new Shoei J Cruise 3 is being released shortly in the US. I have a Shoei Neotec 3 and will also add the J Cruise 3 for our hatter Summer months.

Understand that the chin bars in full face helmets are not included in helmet testing. Strange.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

The new Shoei J Cruise 3 is being released shortly in the US. I have a Shoei Neotec 3 and will also add the J Cruise 3 for our hatter Summer months.

Understand that the chin bars in full face helmets are not included in helmet testing. Strange.

It is included in ECE and SHARP helmet testing, DOT is just lagging behind as usual.

[Bulldog9]

Somewhere near Winslow, AZ I was behind a semi on highway 40.  The semi kicked up a large rock that hit the chin-piece on my FF helmet leaving a huge gouge in it.  I imagined how my chin would have taken that impact and have continued to use a FF helmet ever since.

I wonder if that rock was thrown from the tire of a passing flatbed Ford?