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Full Face vs. Open Helmet

vagabondmatt

vagabondmatt

New member
Joined
Apr 16, 2014
Location
Down San Jose Way
Moto(s)
'93 DR350S
Name
Matt B.
Hi All,

Shoot me if this has been exhaustively covered already. What are your thoughts on full face vs. open face helmets? I bought a new open face when I got my recent bike, but the more I lurk on the net, the more I start to get the sense that maybe a full face would have been a better choice. Thoughts?

PS - I ride mostly here and there 2-3 times/week for shorter distances, don't commute to work, and only take freeway when I have to - i.e. when I need to get up to SF or a meet up that is further away.
 
It offers better protection in the event of a crash, and your face isn't covered in bugs.
 
icon-airframe-statistic-helmet-0.jpg
 
I wouldn't consider an open face helmet for anything, any time for any reason.
Fortunately, I am told I have a great face for radio, so it's as much a public service as it is a safety concern.
 
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A slide across asphalt and a bump into a curb trashed my full coverage but left me pretty inside that helmet. The chin bar section and the face shield sacrificed themselves for my beauty. Something an open-face could never do.

Proslytizing believer here.
 
For the ambivalent, there's always the modular. Full face for me...
 
I lost the front end on my DRZ on Morgan Territory Rd a couple years ago, and the front of my helmet was on the asphalt before I knew the tire slipped.
I have a Road King now and frequently think about getting an open-face helmet, but I just can't talk myself into it. The thought of my teeth grinding on pavement keeps me in the full-face.
 
mean dad said:
I lost the front end on my DRZ on Morgan Territory Rd a couple years ago, and the front of my helmet was on the asphalt before I knew the tire slipped.
I have a Road King now and frequently think about getting an open-face helmet, but I just can't talk myself into it. The thought of my teeth grinding on pavement keeps me in the full-face.
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Picking gravel out of your forehead sucks.
(been there, done that)
 
Shall I tell the story an EMT friend shared with me about the guy who's jaw was violently amputed from his face by a car bumper while wearing an open face helmet? Or the kneepuck that bounced into my friends face while wearing a full face and still got his nose broken but probably would have been killed had he not been wearing it?
 
rugbydawg13 said:
Shall I tell the story an EMT friend shared with me about the guy who's jaw was violently amputed from his face by a car bumper while wearing an open face helmet? Or the kneepuck that bounced into my friends face while wearing a full face and still got his nose broken but probably would have been killed had he not been wearing it?
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Yes. Please tell us these stories.
 
I just recently had a car turn left in front of me. It was a relatively low speed collision, but my helmet bounced off the side of his car. I wouldn't want to do that with an open face helmet.
 
I've managed to get scrapes on the chin bar of two different full face helmets so far. I won't ride with anything less.

Here's the most recent one (Oct 2003):
helmet.jpg
 
RightCoastBias said:
I just recently had a car turn left in front of me. It was a relatively low speed collision, but my helmet bounced off the side of his car. I wouldn't want to do that with an open face helmet.
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You and the bike ok?
 
mean dad said:
You and the bike ok?
Click to expand...

The bike is probably donzo. I came out of it with no broken bones. But with a badly sprained/swollen/bruised right hand. Moderately sprained left hand and right foot.

But, I've got a deposit down on 09 Street Triple and I'm awaiting my insurance payout.
 
RightCoastBias said:
The bike is probably donzo. I came out of it with no broken bones. But with a badly sprained/swollen/bruised right hand. Moderately sprained left hand and right foot.

But, I've got a deposit down on 09 Street Triple and I'm awaiting my insurance payout.
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:thumbup

Glad you're ok, and yay, new bike! :ride
 
ironandtime said:
PS - I ride mostly here and there 2-3 times/week for shorter distances, don't commute to work, and only take freeway when I have to - i.e. when I need to get up to SF or a meet up that is further away.
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The asphalt won't quiz you on how often you do this before causing pain to your face.
 
Roadstergal said:
The asphalt won't quiz you on how often you do this before causing pain to your face.
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Take ^^^ her word for it! Have you seen that gorgeous mug she's gotta protect?!?! ;)

I had my face reconstructed after a bicycle get-off when I was 6. I can't imagine grinding my face down at adult speeds. :wow
 
When motorcycle magazines review helmets, they pretty much start out by saying that if you're considering a half helmet or an open face helmet, you're not too concerned about safety, so we'll go on from here and talk about full face or modular helmets only.
 
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