Any Motörbike riders here?

Dominic

Caberg Duke is a very good helmet
I only wear open face minimal helmets even when flying around on a supersports/supernaked or the V4S Pannigale because I just can't do with the loss of peripheral vision or the claustrophobia
a full face isn't going to make any difference at the speed I ride .

AK99

I get that. A hand me down from an old biking uncle..for the times you just can't be @rsed with the ATGATT:



Must be relatively safe, it's even got a proper stamp 'n'all

guitargeek62

Tbh I still ride pretty regularly in an open-faced helmet; I know the risks, but it’s my choice at the end of the day, and one I’m sure I’d regret if I needed to test it.

For longer rides however, I have a mix of full and flip-face helmets. My current collection is:

- Shoei Glamster: Lightweight, quiet, all-day comfort
- Schuberth C3 Basic: Quiet, comfortable for touring, great sun-visor & flip-mechanism, but the Shoei’s shape is better for me so this will be replaced at some point, likely with a Shoei Neotec II

I’m also off to look at some of the Nolan flip/ADV-crossover lids this weekend. They benefit from a detachable chin-bar, allowing you the freedom to set it up as a safer full-face, or an open- for your ride. As they’re an ADV-crossover you also get a huge visor with them for maximum visibility - I’d recommend something like this for touring, or as a single-helmet selection to give you the most flexibility for your buck.

Kittyfrisk

AK99 said:

I get that. A hand me down from an old biking uncle..for the times you just can't be @rsed with the ATGATT:



Must be relatively safe, it's even got a proper stamp 'n'all

I had a Griffin Jet years ago Also had the Clubman full face which had excellent visibility.
Graham Hill used to race in them, which gives you some idea of the vintage... 

TheBigDipper

The first instructor I ever worked with (I was learning to run CBTs at his school) used to tell people about the days when he rode a scooter in an open face helmet and landed face down in a crash. He had a nice scar underneath his bottom lip where his teeth went through it. He'd then take out his 4 false front teeth.... 

Flip-fronts are heavier than normal full face helmets. Some are not safe (or legal) if you ride with the front flipped up.

Helmets with built-in sun visors are also heavier than those without. I don't bother. My glasses are reactolites and they change quickly enough to keep me out of trouble going from sunny into dark zones. Quicker than finding the lever to flip the optically-imperfect sun visor (which often doesn't block UVA/B rays, either) out of the way, for sure... 

I'm using an AGV K6 at the mo. It has a larger than usual aperture and decent peripheral vision, too. Also light and quiet. 

Any helmet that is legal in the UK and properly looked after is likely safe enough for most peoples road riding. 

I remember a test in the US once of the lower-rated Dot helmets vs the racing Snell-rated helmets. At normal riding/crashing speeds, the Snell helmets were too stiff and the Dot helmets were actually better for the rider. 

Haych

TheBigDipper said:

Helmets with built-in sun visors are also heavier than those without. I don't bother. My glasses are reactolites and they change quickly enough to keep me out of trouble going from sunny into dark zones. Quicker than finding the lever to flip the optically-imperfect sun visor (which often doesn't block UVA/B rays, either) out of the way, for sure... 

I'm using an AGV K6 at the mo. It has a larger than usual aperture and decent peripheral vision, too. Also light and quiet.  

I tried to find some reactor-lite sunglasses for this very purpose, but they’re not very good as sunglasses and they don’t react to light changes at all!

I’ve modified a pair of regular sunglasses so I can use them with the K6, not quite as convenient as flicking a lever to drop a visor down but not a bad compromise. 

The K6 is an awesome helmet, the field of view is so wide you can almost see behind. And yes, very light and very quiet - so long as I take the screen off the bike. 

I can never seem to find the brow vents when I’m riding though. 

cruxiform

Haych said:

VimFuego said:

cool, thanks. Next question (it's a slow day, humour me) about helmets (it's OK, I won't show you mine if you don't show me yours etc.). Is there a significant safety difference between open face and full face? I get a bit claustrophobic, and I wonder if an open face may be more comfortable. Also, is there any practical difference between a full face and a flip up? I guess maybe a full face is slightly easier on the face in winter?

When I started riding I found it very claustrophobic putting on a full face helmet, so I opted for a flip-front helmet for my first one.

I don't think I'd choose to ride with a flip-front helmet now though.  Generally they are heavier, which is a big deal for me, and in the event of a crash they might not remain closed, so your face might become a meat crayon.  I found a test chart online once which had crash test results of various helmets, the particular helmet I had only stayed closed 3.5 times out of five doing the tests!

Same with open face - if your face plants the tarmac you're likely to do a lot of damage.

My first "proper" helmet was (still is) the AGV K6, the only thing I don't like about it is that it doesn't have an internal sun visor.  I also more recently bought a HJC RPHA70 (because it does have an internal sun visor) and while it's still a good helmet I much prefer the AGV.

To be honest, I could quite easily collect helmets, I think they're quite arty.  Other helmets I would like: AGV Legends X3000, Bell Bullit (supposed to be really noisy, but looks so cool), Bell Eliminator, Sheoi Glamster and Aria Quantic, among others.

Pic of my lids, wish I'd chosen a different colour for the AGV but that just gives me an excuse to acquire another

Big fan of HJC helmets. They fit my head just right. I own 3 of them.

guitargeek62

@VimFuego - the above is pretty key btw, go and try on lots of different brands and models and pick what fits your head best - you’ll appreciate the extra effort in the long-run

AK99

Haych said:

I’ve modified a pair of regular sunglasses so I can use them with the K6, not quite as convenient as flicking a lever to drop a visor down but not a bad compromise. 

I can never seem to find the brow vents when I’m riding though. 

The Arais have a groove between the upper and lower side pads on each side to take the stems of glasses and sunglasses - which is a nice feature. If you can get the hold of sunglasses with straight legs (no hooks over the ear) they work well.

On the latter point btw - I have never been able to sort the bloody vents on the move, and there must be at least half a dozen of the damn things on my lid  

VimFuego

guitargeek62 said:

@VimFuego - the above is pretty key btw, go and try on lots of different brands and models and pick what fits your head best - you’ll appreciate the extra effort in the long-run

yeah, it's not one of those things you should really skimped on. 

Kittyfrisk

VimFuego said:

guitargeek62 said:

@VimFuego - the above is pretty key btw, go and try on lots of different brands and models and pick what fits your head best - you’ll appreciate the extra effort in the long-run

yeah, it's not one of those things you should really skimped on. 

It's not primarily about the cost either, it's more about the fit & comfort. Take your time & try as many as possible.
Uncomfortable = practically unusable & potentially dangerous.

p90fool

I can be quite flippant about helmets, any £24.99 lid will do me tbh, but with newbies it can be quite a journey. 

Our singer Jess is on her fourth mail order helmet since she started riding last October, we did try to tell her it's the one thing you really need to visit a shop for, preferably with a knowledgeable friend. 

Haych

AK99 said:

Haych said:

I’ve modified a pair of regular sunglasses so I can use them with the K6, not quite as convenient as flicking a lever to drop a visor down but not a bad compromise. 

I can never seem to find the brow vents when I’m riding though. 

The Arais have a groove between the upper and lower side pads on each side to take the stems of glasses and sunglasses - which is a nice feature. If you can get the hold of sunglasses with straight legs (no hooks over the ear) they work well.

On the latter point btw - I have never been able to sort the bloody vents on the move, and there must be at least half a dozen of the damn things on my lid  

It’s not the lack of a groove for the arms, it’s that the arms are always too flipping long so when the helmet is on they go on so far and then hit the rear padding of the helmet!

I just cut the arms short on a cheap pair and they now work brilliantly. 

boogieman

Don’t get an open face helmet. When I was 17 I had one. I went over the bars of my bike courtesy of an old dear pulling out in front of me. I landed on my face. I’ve now got a mouthful of dental bridges and other assorted bits of metal. If I’d been wearing a full face helmet I probably would’ve been ok. 

The really scary bit is the helmet actually split. Helmets weren’t even compulsory back then but my dad insisted if he was going to help pay for my first bike then it was only if I bought a helmet at the same time. That split in the helmet would’ve been my skull otherwise. 

Dominic

You are right ,no doubt.
I just can't wear a full face .......my peripheral vision is just too compromised .
I also hate the closed-in feeling ........I want to feel the wind in my face not a sweaty encapsulation. No point being on a bike if you have to forego the wind in your face and fists in the wind. I rode 100 miles today in the heat .....sweat running down my neck even in an open face . Then again I also wore shorts and a T shirt .
 Not a safe option but my life /my choice.
If I had to dress up like a Power Ranger I'd rather just get in the car .
In Spain and Italy nobody dresses up in all that gear in summer and there are 10 times as many bikes on the road .You see people in their suit going to work on a powerful bike .......it's normal.

Haych

Dominic said:

In Spain and Italy nobody dresses up in all that gear in summer and there are 10 times as many bikes on the road .You see people in their suit going to work on a powerful bike .......it's normal.

How do people ride to work in a suit?!  Anytime I swing my leg over a bike I become a bug magnet - I’d turn up to work looking like Armani fly paper! 

AK99

Dominic said:

You are right ,no doubt.
I just can't wear a full face .......my peripheral vision is just too compromised .
I also hate the closed-in feeling ........I want to feel the wind in my face not a sweaty encapsulation. No point being on a bike if you have to forego the wind in your face and fists in the wind. I rode 100 miles today in the heat .....sweat running down my neck even in an open face . Then again I also wore shorts and a T shirt .
 Not a safe option but my life /my choice.
If I had to dress up like a Power Ranger I'd rather just get in the car .
In Spain and Italy nobody dresses up in all that gear in summer and there are 10 times as many bikes on the road .You see people in their suit going to work on a powerful bike .......it's normal.

I agonise over this all the time. I really do feel bikes should be about enjoying the open air, and not being covered head-to-toe in body armour, leather and viewing the world through a fibreglass and acrylic lid. And yet..against that, for me bikes are mostly about hustling around twisty Irish backroads, and carving satisfying lines between the hedges. If you like making progress on those kind of roads, you have to give yourself a fighting chance with some semblance of protective gear.

It feels to me like you have to choose between one or the other. I cant really picture doing both. Wimp..:I know

p90fool

In most parts of the world bikes are a shorts and flip-flops thing, just like they are for me this week.

Head-to-toe boiling hot leathers is definitely a northern European obsession, partly because it's usually cold enough anyway, but my God I've seen some uncomfortable people this week. 

TheBigDipper

Dominic said:

You are right ,no doubt.
I just can't wear a full face .......my peripheral vision is just too compromised .
I also hate the closed-in feeling ........I want to feel the wind in my face not a sweaty encapsulation. No point being on a bike if you have to forego the wind in your face and fists in the wind. I rode 100 miles today in the heat .....sweat running down my neck even in an open face . Then again I also wore shorts and a T shirt .
 Not a safe option but my life /my choice.
If I had to dress up like a Power Ranger I'd rather just get in the car .
In Spain and Italy nobody dresses up in all that gear in summer and there are 10 times as many bikes on the road .You see people in their suit going to work on a powerful bike .......it's normal.

Like you say, once you're clear in your own mind about the difference in expected personal damage, it becomes a personal choice. There's no compulsion to do anything other than wear a helmet. 

Personally, I never ride without gloves (I'm a guitarist, for heavens sake!) or footwear with some element of ankle protection. For those who may not know, there's a British company called Knox that specialises in motorcycle clothing that doesn't look like it but is also protective wear. Not cheap, but there's some nice Mesh-based stuff for hot weather riding. I don't have anything myself, but I've got riding mates who do, and they love it. 

Haych

I’m middle of the road. I gave up on leathers, they’re uncomfortable, hot, stiff, creaky and nobody looks good in leathers!

A decent pair of boots with ankle protection, Kevlar jeans and a mesh jacket is my choice for this weather. 

Yep, there are safer options out there but that’s where I draw my personal line.