Helmet - 3/4 Vs Full

[AmyF]

I have a 3/4 helmet that I bought new just a couple months ago. Now, yesterday was the first ride I had at actual highway speeds (it was a complete BLAST by the way). What I've noticed is if I turn my head at all, I'll get a big waft of air up my helmet onto my face. I'm thinking a full face helmet would be a better choice since I do plan to ride highways pretty regularly.

[Skullz]

Full face are much better at highway speeds for sure, but you'll still get some air blowing around up there which can be helped with a chin curtain.

[adouglas]

Yes, full-face is better... protection from the wind at high speeds is one reason, but it's far from the best reason. It's because a full-face helmet will protect your good looks.

Observe:


This graphic shows where impacts happen in motorcycle crashes, based on actual data. As you can see, the most likely thing to hit the ground is your chin.

As with the gear bit in your commute thread (sure is fun, that ride, isn't it?)... what do you think will happen if you go down without proper protection for your face?

[LittleRedNinjette]

Originally Posted by Skullz

Full face are much better at highway speeds for sure, but you'll still get some air blowing around up there which can be helped with a chin curtain.

^^ This.

And what adouglas said. This was my experance:


Not the same level as the above pics but you get the point.

[choneofakind]

Full face. Seriously. Full face. Nothing else will do.

You should go to the dealership and try on all the gear you can. Jackets, pants, gloves, boots, helmets. I know it's pricey, but that should be the thing you spend on.

[LittleRedNinjette]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

You should go to the dealership and try on all the gear you can. Jackets, pants, gloves, boots, helmets. I know it's pricey, but that should be the thing you spend on.

Not a bad idea. This is what i did when i was looking for new gear.

You dont have to buy it from there but good to know what fits the best. then off to eBay, amazon and CL!

And talk to someone who is knowledgeable about the helmet fit. When i went to get my 1st helmet i didn't. Turns out i needed a size smaller than i had been wearing for the 2 years prior.

Its amazing how comfortable a proper fitting helmet can be.

[M42]

Don't wear anything but a full face, ever.

Behold: a post-crash 360 degree MRI of a head where the person wasn't wearing a full face.

Don't worry, there's no gore/blood, just 3D bones. They survived, but I bet they wished they hadn't for a few months.

[LittleRedNinjette]

I can just imagine the soft tissue damage....

[ninjamunky85]

@adouglas already posted the same graphic that I was going to. Obviously when the majority of impacts to the head are on the chin, a 3/4 helmet isn't going to do jack squat. lol

[NevadaWolf]

Full face helmets are definitely the way to go.

That said, I'll be a small voice offering an alternative. For times when you need to go into the store, or make a quick run into a building, or need to talk to someone along the highway, a modular helmet works wonders.

I have one that I love. Its a far better fit than my full face (small size surprisingly), very very quiet, and has helped immensely when I need to interact with other people. Also love that I have finally figured out how to put it on without removing my glasses.

Once I get into the 20-30 MPH range, the chin bar comes down and I ride around with my head fully protected. The model I bought has a very sturdy chin curtain that seems to mold to my neck and keeps a lot of the highway wind out.

Bottom line, for any type of speed at all, get something that will protect not only your brain, but you face as well.

[capt_bugaloo]

I used to wear a 3/4 helmet for short summer rides. It is definitely more comfortable in hot weather or if you are claustrophobic, but after I saw some photos of a guy who lost his jaw in a motorcycle crash while wearing an open face helmet, I decided I should stick to using a full-face only.

The 3/4 has been gathering dust in storage for a couple of years now. I should probably throw it in a garbage bin so I'm never tempted to wear it.

[M42]

W/r/t modular helmets, if you wanna get one - make sure it's rated as a full face. Most of them aren't.

[csmith12]

Tip: Add a chin skirt to you helmet for even more wind protection. Some lids even come with them.

[Hero Danny]

Originally Posted by Skullz

you'll still get some air blowing around up there which can be helped with a chin curtain.

a CHIN CURTAIN! That's what they're called! Oh thank you so much, I've been trying to figure out wtf they're called forever! lol thanks!


To OP: You really should have a full face helmet, far better protection should you ever fall. Also having an integrated wind shield is a nice feature, you can tint them out too which is fun 'cause you're anonymous. + they look a million times better than 3/4 shells.

[Yakaru]

Yeah, a quality modular gives all the advantages of a 3/4ths with way more protection (just don't be one of those dummys who rides around with the modular in the up position). I don't ever wear anything but a full or modular.

model-wise I'm a big fan of the Schuberth line, but they're pretty expensive and obviously everyone's head shape is different.

[antiant]

Full face or go home!

[NDspd]

Full Face Full Face Full Face...always....talking from pure experience too.

[Worldtraveller]

Originally Posted by LittleRedNinjette

Not a bad idea. This is what i did when i was looking for new gear.

You dont have to buy it from there but good to know what fits the best. then off to eBay, amazon and CL!

And talk to someone who is knowledgeable about the helmet fit. When i went to get my 1st helmet i didn't. Turns out i needed a size smaller than i had been wearing for the 2 years prior.

Its amazing how comfortable a proper fitting helmet can be.

Unless the price difference with shipping is significant, try to buy local.

Please. If we don't, there won't be 'local' for very long.

This concludes today's public service message.

[LittleRedNinjette]

I buy local if i can.

[AmyF]

I plan to buy local. I do a lot with craigslist. That's where I got a super deal on the Kurakyn bag and the bike

[NevadaWolf]

Especially with helmets. Helmets are so crucial when it comes to proper fit and making sure that you can walk around the store with it on your noggin for awhile to see if any hot spots develop.

Much as I enjoy buying online, some things need to be tried on and having a wide variety to find the perfect one makes all the difference. Love local shops!

[Legengary]

Definitely full face, offers a lot more protection

[AmyF]

Ok - got a full face helmet yesterday and will post a picture of it - a Nolan N100. Very limited time with it - this one has the chin curtain/guard (?) and this breath guard (channels breathing down to help keep the visor form fogging up). Now, this is a used helmet, but the gentleman had it for appx 2 years and only wore it maybe a handful of times. It looks to be in great condition.

I've only had that full face on last night and had to keep the visor open otherwise it would fog up. But, I was also still figuring out how to adjust the vents, etc on it. I couldn't help but feel almost a little clostrophobic in it, almost as if I couldn't breath as easy as in my 3/4 helmet, plus it feels like it has a smaller field of vision than my 3/4 does. For now I think I'll stick with the 3/4 and perhaps try the full face model out in parking lot areas to try and get a better feel for it in a more controlled environment. I'll post a picture of it here in a minute.

[M42]

I remember that feeling. It only feels like that for a week, max. You'll get used to it and wonder how you ever let yourself ride without one. It's like your nose - somewhat in your field of view, but you don't notice it at all.

[AmyF]

I think my other issue was the roads were wet and it was getting dark so that combo made me nervous. I haven't done a lot of night riding or wet road riding.

[AmyF]

I guess the pics were too large. 2nd attempt at posting.

[ninjakuma]

I don't understand why people wear open face helmets. They are ugly as all hell, they don't protect squat and as for airflow you are face-shot air-blasted. You get plenty ventilation with a full face, your face isn't going to melt on the pavement and you look badass, oh yeah and you aren't required to wear sunglasses that will fly off immediately following any impact exposing your eyes to debris.

People who wear 3/4 face helmets remind me of people that go shirtless with a gatorback on

Don't even get me started on bubble shields...

[AmyF]

Sorry - trying again with the helmet pictures

[crippled minnow]

Like they say, the "face plant" is the most common type of landing-get an expensive full face that is very snug.
The expression "C.Y.A." (cover your ass) is no joke. all that junk in our trunks scraps off really easily when sliding on road materials.
No I don't believe that load about "if you wear protective clothing, you're just inviting accidents." Locally, we call those ijits wearing flip flops, tank tops and short shorts "organ donors".
One of my less favorite things is to put my 3/4 or modular shield up and have a blast of wind jerk the helmet such that the chin strap is working at strangling me.
Classy new full face helmet first, plain, tough leather gloves next priority. Then boots that cover ankles. Then abrasion resistant riding jacket. Spendy riding pants last on the list.
My own experience is that any buckles on boots, or metal studs on gloves really cause injury when crashing i.e.; bruises and burns.
Good quality goat skin is the most abrasion resistant leather when wet, and most light and flexible compared to cow.
The fabric riding suits are great, but I'm vain, and love to wear black leather. My first goatskin jacket lasted twenty years.
Oh yeah, next on the list is pants. At least canvas. Blue jean material shreds really easily. chaps are also for those who can afford skin and bone grafts on the base of their spine.

[snot]

^^this and the what csmith12 said about the chin skirt.

[capt_bugaloo]

Originally Posted by ninjakuma

I don't understand why people wear open face helmets...

I've worn both. If you suffer from claustrophobia, a full face feels as though you are being constantly smothered or choked.

I have an old 3/4 helmet gathering dust in the closet. For the last couple of years I've forced myself to wear a full face. Let me tell you, as someone with claustrophobia it was an extremely difficult transition.

[fast1075]

Proper fit has been mentioned. The reality is a lid that fits Bob perfectly won't work with Betty at all.

Head shape matters. I am one of those with "Alien" head shape. A lot of helmets are for "Round" heads. My head is longer than wide by a fair amount.

I can't tell you how many helmets I bought that felt OK in the store that when riding created bad pressure points front to back. Then the tendency is to go too large. Then the helmet is too loose side to side.

Standard mods always included stripping the liner out, and ball peening the foam to relieve pressure. Not an especially good idea.

Arai makes helmets with head shape in mind, and market a model with "Long Oval head shape. It is a "Signet Q". It is an upper/medium priced lid ($500.00 range).

Last week, after suffering a long ride in 98 degree heat with my head in a vise (heat really affects fit), I went shopping. I could not find a Signet Q in my XL head size. I tried on a Scorpion Model 410. It is a "Medium Oval", and it fits far better than any helmet I have had besides my old dinosaur Bell Star from the 70's.
It comes with a chin curtain, and had "channels" for glasses, and a non fog lens. It is medium heavy, but the best fitting lid I have had in a long time. It is less noisy than my alternate Joe Rocket carbon.

[Tigerpaw]

+1 more for sticking with a full face helmet.

When I went down, the chin area of my full face was scraped just like most others. It's a statistic, because it's true.

Modular is not a good alternative in my opinion.

Glad you are enjoying riding and learning. It's all part of the experience!