Helmets: open faced or full faced?

[dudley]

I have an open face w/full shield it only mists when I am stationery.
Sometimes I remove the shield on a nice day but always put it back on for cold days and love bug season.

[payneib]

Thanks dudly, that's the kind of answer I was looking for.

Do you find it better than a full face for vision? Does the visor keep the wind out well enough to see properly?

[rockynv]

I have used both and have settled on full face modular. Those with good venting do not fog. Open helmets catch a lot of wind causing neck strain and do not offer much protection to your face. After a few hours riding at over 45 mph you'll appreciate the protection of the full face helmet. Even a non-modular with a flip-up face shield will let you take care of a runny nose.

Open face just is not worth the risk.

It would be sad to just fall off the bike after a panic stop and then spend months with your jaw wired shut drinking from a straw due to wearing a half or open face helmet.

[danno711]

I don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but I get the impression many riders who refuse to wear a full faced helmet, or a helmet at all, do so because they don't think it's "cool."to wear a full face helmet. They're concerned about their "rebel" image will be diminished if they're seen wearing a helmet that's considered "safe."

[wutzthedeal]

Feb 14, 2013 13:04:00 GMT -5 danno711 said:

I don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but I get the impression many riders who refuse to wear a full faced helmet, or a helmet at all, do so because they don't think it's "cool."to wear a full face helmet. They're concerned about their "rebel" image will be diminished if they're seen wearing a helmet that's considered "safe."

Whatever the reasons, it's not smart. If you think you're a superstar that will never wreck, you may be right, but you CANNOT predict what other riders will do, or when your tire(s) may blow; get the full face protection and relax in the knowledge that those of us with brains will see you as smarter for it.

Also, if you ever plan on wearing a helmet cam inside your helmet, forget about hearing anything unless you have full face (full wind) protection.

[payneib]

Feb 14, 2013 13:04:00 GMT -5 danno711 said:

I don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but I get the impression many riders who refuse to wear a full faced helmet, or a helmet at all, do so because they don't think it's "cool."to wear a full face helmet. They're concerned about their "rebel" image will be diminished if they're seen wearing a helmet that's considered "safe."

TWATS TWATS TWATS.....twats. It enrages me that people refuse helmets. Even on pedal cycles (I do a lot of mountain biking and road riding), its a must.

My only issue with the full face is vision. I had my first ride in what could be considered "normal conditions" tonight, and it was great. Wrapped up warm, full face on, visor up, no rain, no wind, no snow. Brilliant.

But being in a temperate climate, that's rare. When it starts to rain, even just spitting, I have to chose between rain coated glasses with the visor up, or a fogged visor and a strip of cold wind into the eyes. When the temperature drops right down, the difference between the temp inside my helmet and the temp of the wind coming in the visor gap, can actually make my glasses fog.

Obviously this is a massively dangerous situation, to the point where the likelihood of a crash increases exponentially.

Will an open faced helmet, with a full length visor/face shield solve this problem, and prevent me from crashing?

[inuyasha]

Hi
Try these product
www.fogcitysolutions.com/
Ive had good results with them on my helmets i use while riding my sled
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

[payneib]

Thanks Hank, that's really useful (as ever from you). I'll do some reading up them, and see if they're worth the effort. They seem like a really good idea.
Ian

[danno711]

Feb 14, 2013 18:17:42 GMT -5 inuyasha said:

Hi
Try these product
www.fogcitysolutions.com/
Ive had good results with them on my helmets i use while riding my sled
Take care and ride safely
Yours Hank

Every year my wife asks me the same question. Every year I struggle with finding an answer.....not this year....now I know exactly how to answer my wife when she asks "What do you want for your birthday?"

Thanks Hank

[payneib]

I think this might actually be the answer, after some discussions on some motorcycle forums (via a google search) about the fogcity insert being a bit hit and miss:

www.lidsdirect.co.uk/box-fz-1-rising-sun-red-2.html

I'll get the spare lid eBayd ASAP and get myself on of these I think.

[wutzthedeal]

Also if you're looking for a quick fix and you have a polycarbonate shield, Clarity DefogIt works like a dream, but only for about 4 RIDING hours per application below 40 degrees F. I personally would recommend a pin lock system but if you want a quick fix or a per application solution, Defog It works.

[payneib]

I'll definitely get the pin lock. There was another thread on another forum, from my google search about fogcity that had exactly my problem: glasses get wet with visor open, visor fogs with it shut. He found the glare at night with fogcity made the visor unusable. Apparently the double glazing of the pin lock system gives you weird reflection of lights at night, but not so bad you can't see.

Thanks for your help guys,
Ian

[skuttadawg]

I use Scots Antifog from CycleGear around 4 bucks . Clean it with eyeglass cleaner not ammonia based glass cleaner with may damage coatings as my optometrist warned me about using on my eyeglasses

I like the feeling of safety with a FF helmet but I hate the fogging when it rains or very cold . I crack open the visor which helps .

In my search for another helmet I like the 3/4 helmets that look like a fighter pilot helmet like this one www.cyclegear.com/eng/product/bilt_pilot_open_face_motorcycle_helmet/web1001071 I looked at a Bilt modular but it felt cheaply made and I worry about the hinge breaking in a bad wreck . My parents picked up a used modular helmet an offbrand and I sorta liked it as it is a hassle to put on FF with a balaclava and eyeglasses where sometimes I wear sun or night glasses over glasses as I have bad eyes .

I have a problem in my neck so breathing is restricted so many times I have to breathe with my mouth which casues fogging as I learned to only breathe with my nose when younger and in much better health .

I have seen and thought of trying a motorcross Ff with goggles and see how it would be . Yeah it may look out of place but I do not care as I ride for myself and not seeking others approvals but I feel much safer in traffic with a helmet on as I do not trust cagers as in SC we have too many idiots , drunkards and texters on the roads .

In the summer time its too hot for me to wear my FF as I get sick when I get hot as I am sort of a polar bear who prefers the cold weather so I can wear my leather coat , gloves and boots instead of shorts and tennis shoes . I have looked at some skateboard helmets for summer riding since they have way more vents than motorcycle ones and the goofy bicycle foam helmets offer no protection to the front or sides which you are most likely to hit instead of the top

[wutzthedeal]

I understand that sentiment, Skutta. But personally, my face would freeze and fall off without a FF helmet. If I had to crack the visor, that would be frostbite territory for me so I absolutely had to find an anti-fog solution (not sure if you remember but I actually started a petition to try to make anti-fog visors, windshields, and all other types of glass/plasti-glass fog-proof from air traffic control towers to airplanes to taxi cabs mandatory for sellers/manufacturers in the US due to the safety risks). I'm probably going to a pinlock soon; I don't care about perfect visual acuity.

[skuttadawg]

Amazon has pages of balaclavas which is a face mask to block wind and rain . I was using a Freeze Out balaclava but it is so windproof I can not breathe since it covers my mouth . I have some knit balaclavas like a winter cap that are not water or windproof do block some wind and help retain heat .

I saw where some ARAI helmets have vents in the visor but me and many others can not afford to spend 300 to 900 for a helmet and 80 for replacement shield as my GMax shield was only 20 bucks

The Scotss Antifog works great for 5 to 7 days more if you ride in rain and only 4 dollars . Cycle Gear also sells single use wipes for 99 cents and again lasts for a few days . NEVER use RainX . RainX works great on automitive glass but fogged up my shield and eyeglasses worse than when untreated and I had to run both under hot water to wash it off .

If your up north where it gets real cold then maybe a snowmobile helmet with built in defroster might be an option for some.

I would love to have a wiper or pair of wipers on my FF that used a rechargeable battery instead of wiping over and over with my gloves . I have seen the wiper blade that fits over a gloved finger but have not used it

[wutzthedeal]

I'll bet somebody has built one... just have to get your Google on. If not, there will be a RIPE market for an add-on wiper!

[danno711]

There's a patent on one

www.patentdata.com/report_full.php?aid=1184&pid=679

[danno711]

This looks to be an add on

[danno711]

A demo of the Zeibe Anti Fog Cleaner Pads. This is a must have item for anyone riding. Keep these in your motorcycle for rainy or foggy days. One application lasts weeks.

Works on any motorcycle or scooter helmet.

The new Zeibe Motorcycle Product line available from MRP
Made in Spain the best cleaners on the earth perfect for your scooter or motorcycle available from www.mrp-speed.com

[wilds]

This one should help you keep the visor mist-free without having it opened!
e-tintproducts.com/

[WarrenS]

This is similar to the one I have. It is a flip open while mine slides up and down. It is the double pane shield with an air space that keeps the fog away.
www.shadetreepowersports.com/Flip-Shield-p/5500-1.htm

[doomsday]

I have 2. I have a 3/4th with no face shield and I also have a modular helmet.
Here is the modular helmet I got last year: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003WLVJTK/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
It was around 50 bucks I believe. So far it has worked out well.

[wutzthedeal]

Danno, are you sure one application lasts weeks? In colder weather? (of the Zeibe)

[danno711]

Feb 16, 2013 20:16:04 GMT -5 wutzthedeal said:

Danno, are you sure one application lasts weeks? In colder weather? (of the Zeibe)

Actually,I copied and pasted that from the person who posted the you tube video. That's their claim.

[wutzthedeal]

I'm just getting the FogCity insert, tired of having to treat it every day that I want to take a long ride.

[danno711]

Feb 17, 2013 8:12:32 GMT -5 wutzthedeal said:

I'm just getting the FogCity insert, tired of having to treat it every day that I want to take a long ride.

Let's us know what you think after you've used it a while.
It seems to have mixed reviews.

[payneib]

Ditto to that: all the more info the better! I was gonna mark this thread as solved, but I'm half tempted to ask to have it marked as a sticky. There's been some really good responses. I'm almost certainly going to get a pin lock, but not for a while probably.

[rockynv]

Guess I am fortunate as the venting on my Hawk full face modular keeps the visor clear for me. I ride every day and even this past Thursday in the pouring rain in mid 50 to low 60 degree temps the 45 minute ride home from work was no a problem. No real fogging problems even in the mid to upper 30's.

Hawk Modular Helmet on top, Guardian rain suite (with my armor on underneath), Bilt Demon waterproof gloves, freshly waterproofed boots and all was well. Arrived home safe and dry to a nice hot pot of soup waiting on the stove.

[spandi]

AHH! Hot soup, the perfect way to end a scoot ride in inclement weather.

[jarlaxle]

Feb 12, 2013 19:30:04 GMT -5 payneib said:

Lol, do they fit over specs?

I found my old combat gigs from Afghan the other day, I might have to dig them out again and wear contacts as I doubt I can get the prescription lenses for them anymore, lol.

If you can bring them to your optometrist's lab, they can usually take the current lenses out and use them as templates for replacements. The frames I wear have been discontinued for years (got them in 2008) and they have done this several times for me.