basic rider course

coachninja · April 20th, 2013, 08:33 AM

I will be taking my basic rider course in may. I currently have a tinted shield on my helmet, are they going to give me problems for this? Do I need to buy a new one just for that weekend?

himynameisjoe · April 20th, 2013, 08:36 AM

I can't see why it would be a problem. Unless its really dark for some reason? If its sunny out, it's more reason to have it.

coachninja · April 20th, 2013, 08:44 AM

Its not super dark. Its still very see through. I just know they say you shouldn't even wear a full face mask. That is all I have though. So that is what I plan to wear at mine.

himynameisjoe · April 20th, 2013, 09:00 AM

Full face mask? As in full faced helmet? I've never heard that mentiond in a MSF. Those that showed up at my class with less than a full face were incouraged to replace theirs with a full face.

coachninja · April 20th, 2013, 09:04 AM

Yes, a full face helmet. Sorry I also play hockey and the helmets have full face masks on them. I forget to change my frame of mind sometimes!

Joshorilla · April 20th, 2013, 09:06 AM

You could always phone them and ask.

Corona · April 20th, 2013, 09:13 AM

they will probably have loaners anyways. no need to buy new helmet or visor

beazy411 · April 20th, 2013, 09:13 AM

Do some searches on here and other sites about where the most common damage to helmets is. You'll note that it is the chin bar area where your jaw would be meeting the pavement with a halfshell or 3/4.

Is your field of view diminished with a full face helmet? Sure, but by so little that it doesn't really matter since you should be doing a head check anyway.

At the end of the day, it's your choice but I'd get a clear shield for night time. Try driving with dark glasses on and that's what a tinted shield at night is like. Just my .02$.

ChaoSS · April 20th, 2013, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corona

they will probably have loaners anyways. no need to buy new helmet or visor

Ewww.

xSean13 · April 20th, 2013, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachninja

I just know they say you shouldn't even wear a full face mask.

If some idiot instructor from the MSF told you that, I'd go take it somewhere else.

ChaoSS · April 20th, 2013, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xSean13

If some idiot instructor from the MSF told you that, I'd go take it somewhere else.

I dunno, the MSF class never gets going very fast, and a full face helm can impede your ability to hear the instructors.

fleemos · April 20th, 2013, 10:43 AM

When I took the basic rider course I used a loaner helmet and it as well as all the other loaner helmets are full face. The course has a section about why you should wear a full face helmet. They even show a diagram with a helmet the percentages of impact to each region to make the point. With this in mind I concur with xSean13 that the instructor who said that is an idiot.

tfkrocks · April 20th, 2013, 11:17 AM

A safety course that encourages riders to forego safety for the sake of convenience is totally missing the point. That sounds super sketchy.

CycleCam303 · April 20th, 2013, 12:24 PM

Hmm. The 2nd day I wore a motocross helmet, motocross jersey, jeans, and work boots. Lol I had bmx gloves on too. It was 85 degrees and you spend a lot of time sitting on an idling bike. It gets really really hot. Being uncomfortable will make your learning experience a disaster. They are probably suggestion the 3/4 helmet specifically for the class. Not for real world riding situations.

The thing with the full face is that they will make you flip the visor down or let you leave it slightly cracked. You'll be tasting your own breath for about 4 hours a day. Do whatever makes you comfortable. Remember that unless you dump the clutch bouncing off the rev limiter those bikes will not see more than 25 mph on the course. It's very low speed. If you do crash, which should never happen in that class, it'll be like crashing on a bicycle. The chances of severe injury are low.

Vergil · April 20th, 2013, 12:55 PM

When I took the safety course full helmets were mandatory. No issues if your visor was tinted though it did have to be below eye level or you had to wear eye protection with it flipped up.

Alex · April 20th, 2013, 06:42 PM

Full helmet will be fine. If you can see through the visor clearly, it will be fine as well.

LittleRedNinjette · April 20th, 2013, 06:45 PM

At the one i took in NJ they have loaner helmets that are all full face (they spray them with lysol after each day but i still find it nasty). They let you wear you on half if you want but the helmet needs to be DOT and Snell approved. Some of the guys at mine had shaded visors and didn't have a problem with it. they just want you eyes covered with the visor or safety glasses.

Worse case get a cheap pair of clear safety glasses to wear too.

lgk · April 20th, 2013, 07:28 PM

You'll hear the instructor just fine with the full face helmet.

People that say it reduces sound as if you wearing ear plugs don't understand how sound works.

Reswob · April 20th, 2013, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coachninja

I will be taking my basic rider course in may. I currently have a tinted shield on my helmet, are they going to give me problems for this? Do I need to buy a new one just for that weekend?

What you want to do is wear a pair of sunglasses or safety glasses under your helmet during the class so that you can leave the visor up all day. You're basically going to be sitting on your bike going less than 10mph for 4-6 hours, it's going to be HOT if you have to keep the visor closed.

GearMonkey · April 22nd, 2013, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CycleCam303

Hmm. The 2nd day I wore a motocross helmet, motocross jersey, jeans, and work boots. Lol I had bmx gloves on too. ..... They are probably suggestion the 3/4 helmet specifically for the class. Not for real world riding situations.

...

The thing with the full face is that they will make you flip the visor down or let you leave it slightly cracked.

On day 1 I wore a motocross helmet and bmx gloves too. LOL
My full face helmet came in the mail overnight so I had it for day 2. Everyone was require to wear either a full face helmet or half helmet and sunglasses. Visors could stay up as long as you were wearing sunglasses. Full face helmets were highly recommended by MSF and I agree 100%.

JohnnyBravo · April 27th, 2013, 01:33 PM

We had to wear safety glasses(mandatory) and everyone wore sunglasses. we all had full face helmets. A few folks had tinted shields, it was hot out and most folks rode visors up cause we had "safety" glasses anyhow

ChaoSS · April 28th, 2013, 02:58 AM

They made you wear glasses even if you had the visor down?

JohnnyBravo · April 28th, 2013, 05:41 AM

I should have wrote we had to have safety glasses, I can't say they made us wear them with our visors down. Everyone had glasses on with the visor up cause it was hot humid South Georgia days. Oh except the guy with the on road off road helmet that wore goggles.

April 20th, 2013, 08:33 AM	#1
coachninja ninjette.org member Name: Jessica Location: fraser, mi Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 18	basic rider course I will be taking my basic rider course in may. I currently have a tinted shield on my helmet, are they going to give me problems for this? Do I need to buy a new one just for that weekend?

April 20th, 2013, 08:36 AM	#2
himynameisjoe ninjette.org sage Name: Joe Location: Lancaster, PA Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250(Totaled) Posts: 984 Blog Entries: 2	I can't see why it would be a problem. Unless its really dark for some reason? If its sunny out, it's more reason to have it. __________________________________________________ "I am a creationist, I believe man created god."

April 20th, 2013, 09:00 AM	#4
himynameisjoe ninjette.org sage Name: Joe Location: Lancaster, PA Join Date: Nov 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Ninja 250(Totaled) Posts: 984 Blog Entries: 2	Full face mask? As in full faced helmet? I've never heard that mentiond in a MSF. Those that showed up at my class with less than a full face were incouraged to replace theirs with a full face. __________________________________________________ "I am a creationist, I believe man created god."

April 20th, 2013, 09:13 AM	#8
beazy411 ninjette.org member Name: Aaron Location: New Orleans Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 Posts: 159	Do some searches on here and other sites about where the most common damage to helmets is. You'll note that it is the chin bar area where your jaw would be meeting the pavement with a halfshell or 3/4. Is your field of view diminished with a full face helmet? Sure, but by so little that it doesn't really matter since you should be doing a head check anyway. At the end of the day, it's your choice but I'd get a clear shield for night time. Try driving with dark glasses on and that's what a tinted shield at night is like. Just my .02$. __________________________________________________ ~B.

April 20th, 2013, 06:42 PM	#16
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Full helmet will be fine. If you can see through the visor clearly, it will be fine as well. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

April 20th, 2013, 08:44 AM	#3
coachninja ninjette.org member Name: Jessica Location: fraser, mi Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 18	Its not super dark. Its still very see through. I just know they say you shouldn't even wear a full face mask. That is all I have though. So that is what I plan to wear at mine.

April 20th, 2013, 09:04 AM	#5
coachninja ninjette.org member Name: Jessica Location: fraser, mi Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2004 Ninja 250 Posts: 18	Yes, a full face helmet. Sorry I also play hockey and the helmets have full face masks on them. I forget to change my frame of mind sometimes!

April 20th, 2013, 09:06 AM	#6
Joshorilla Bass Master General Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 24	You could always phone them and ask.

April 20th, 2013, 09:13 AM	#7
Corona ninjette.org member Name: Carlos Location: Mo Val Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R (Crashed/Unexistent) / 11 Ninja ZX6R Posts: 83	they will probably have loaners anyways. no need to buy new helmet or visor

April 20th, 2013, 10:43 AM	#12
fleemos ninjette.org guru Name: Darren Location: Sandy Springs, GA Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Yamaha FZ6R, 2014 Suzuki GSX-R600 Posts: 299	When I took the basic rider course I used a loaner helmet and it as well as all the other loaner helmets are full face. The course has a section about why you should wear a full face helmet. They even show a diagram with a helmet the percentages of impact to each region to make the point. With this in mind I concur with xSean13 that the instructor who said that is an idiot.

April 20th, 2013, 11:17 AM	#13
tfkrocks ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rebecca Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 Ninja 300 w/ ABS, 2014 NC700X, 2008 Ninja 250 (sold), 2002 Ninja 250 (sold) Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '18, Sep '13	A safety course that encourages riders to forego safety for the sake of convenience is totally missing the point. That sounds super sketchy.

April 20th, 2013, 12:24 PM	#14
CycleCam303 King Hamfist Name: Cameron Location: NorCal East Bay Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2007 Crf 150R, 2011 Hypermotard 796 Posts: 940	Hmm. The 2nd day I wore a motocross helmet, motocross jersey, jeans, and work boots. Lol I had bmx gloves on too. It was 85 degrees and you spend a lot of time sitting on an idling bike. It gets really really hot. Being uncomfortable will make your learning experience a disaster. They are probably suggestion the 3/4 helmet specifically for the class. Not for real world riding situations. The thing with the full face is that they will make you flip the visor down or let you leave it slightly cracked. You'll be tasting your own breath for about 4 hours a day. Do whatever makes you comfortable. Remember that unless you dump the clutch bouncing off the rev limiter those bikes will not see more than 25 mph on the course. It's very low speed. If you do crash, which should never happen in that class, it'll be like crashing on a bicycle. The chances of severe injury are low.

April 20th, 2013, 12:55 PM	#15
Vergil Laser Quest Name: Austin Location: Ventura county Join Date: Apr 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 Black Ninja 250r Posts: 245	When I took the safety course full helmets were mandatory. No issues if your visor was tinted though it did have to be below eye level or you had to wear eye protection with it flipped up.

April 20th, 2013, 06:45 PM	#17
LittleRedNinjette Certified Troublemaker Name: Teri Location: Hamilton, NJ Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Ninja 250r "Pikachu", 2017 Ninja 650 "Epona" Posts: A lot. MOTM - Aug '13, Aug '14, Feb '17	At the one i took in NJ they have loaner helmets that are all full face (they spray them with lysol after each day but i still find it nasty). They let you wear you on half if you want but the helmet needs to be DOT and Snell approved. Some of the guys at mine had shaded visors and didn't have a problem with it. they just want you eyes covered with the visor or safety glasses. Worse case get a cheap pair of clear safety glasses to wear too.

April 20th, 2013, 07:28 PM	#18
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	You'll hear the instructor just fine with the full face helmet. People that say it reduces sound as if you wearing ear plugs don't understand how sound works. __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

April 27th, 2013, 01:33 PM	#21
JohnnyBravo Certifiable nontundrum Name: Harper Location: NC Milkshake stand Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16	We had to wear safety glasses(mandatory) and everyone wore sunglasses. we all had full face helmets. A few folks had tinted shields, it was hot out and most folks rode visors up cause we had "safety" glasses anyhow

April 28th, 2013, 02:58 AM	#22
ChaoSS ninjette.org sage Name: Tim Location: Goshen CA Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2012 red 250 ninja Posts: 740	They made you wear glasses even if you had the visor down?

April 28th, 2013, 05:41 AM	#23
JohnnyBravo Certifiable nontundrum Name: Harper Location: NC Milkshake stand Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much. MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16	I should have wrote we had to have safety glasses, I can't say they made us wear them with our visors down. Everyone had glasses on with the visor up cause it was hot humid South Georgia days. Oh except the guy with the on road off road helmet that wore goggles.

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