Hi guys. Here i am seeing a lot of guys wearing open helmets, very cool helmets by the way with cool bubbles too (Bell Bullits, Bitwells etc) . In fact those seems to fit the Bonnie very well. I have a Bell Qualifier (great one) and i prefer closed ones because i feel more safer. I have some friends with "difficult moments" on route and some of them could probably avoid a lot of problems with closed helmets. Nevetheless i am very tempted with one of those open helmets for low speeds and urban use, principally when the sun is brave, but i still think that its a vogue and one of those with a ray ban will not work very well. So, what you think? Open Helmets is a fashionable "non security" helmet or they do the job very well?
Probably going to get shot down here, but the resurgence of open face is probably to do with the "hipster" look, with the obligatory beard and sacrificed classic (jap or brit) bike turned into a POS brat bike. Personally, I feel in the modern riding world, open face helmets have no place as a safety item. Un-aerodynamic, provide no protection to the lower part of the face and necessitating the need to wear goggles, whats the point?? Still everyone has the own view.......... just mine, I value my head!
I wear an open face helmet most of the time now. Partly because our british winters have become so mild. Another deciding factor for me is the fact I now ride a bonneville. I have accepted my days of riding high powered bikes at silly speeds is over. I realise you can have an accident at any speed but for me the risk is now reduced. I have a flip top helmet for longer trips as well. I personally love the feeling of freedom and increased visibility with an open lid. I'm old enough to have ridden without a helmet, before they were made a compulsory wear too. The risk factor in wearing open face helmets can only be a personal decision. But if we weren't happy to accept some risk none of us would be riding motorcycles anyway. JJ
I'm with Johnjo. I ride 100% of the time with an open face jobby and I do so for the feeling of freedom and close-to-nature. I accept that perhaps it's not going to give as much protection as a full face helmet, but I don't like the closed -in feel of them. And I don't ride a Bonny anymore...........................
Ditto to the above two comments, while I agree not good safety wise its a personal choice and I've worn open face all the time, though I do have a few full face Roof helmets if needs be.
I knew I get flamed! The consensus seems (as it should be) personal choice prevails If you do come off..... try not to land on your chin There again if you have got the "Hipster" look the beard should save you!
Been riding since the early 70's when any helmet was an accessory as they were not a legal requirement, I even went on the anti-helmet protest ride through Southend to try to stop them being compulsory, then had 'Jet' type as it was then called, then AGV came up with the full face helmet, followed by Shoi etc, and vowed never to back to open faced, until recently when I discovered flip fronts, now I don't wear anything else! So more convenient as they are accepted in most garages against f.f., useful as a full face at speed, cooler in summer, BUT, get a decent one! My AGV is homologated to be ridden as open, with or without the built in sun shield down or as a full face, suits me the best. All those years ago when I protested against any at all, now even if it was legal I dont think I'd ever ride with-out one. What pisses me off though was the VAT was dropped some years ago as they are classed as safety wear, but saw little difference at the time in price drop, certainly not the % of VAT then, but if it was re-imposed I bet they'd go up the full 20% over night.!
Been riding on the road since 1966 and always used to ride with a open face helmet,,,full face wtf were they back then , which was way before the introduction of compulsory law in 1973. Since full face helmets became available I have always used one,,,,,,except when I was competing in trials up to national level in the 70’s & 80’s, used an open face jobby for obvious reasons. If peeps want to use a open face because it makes them look cool or want rain hammering in their face, it’s their choice,,,,mind you I don’t think the hipster/cool brigade venture out if there’s rain due within 3days Me I’ll stick with a full face that fits correctly thanks
I have an open face AGV cafe racer helmet, which in all honesty I bought for riding with on the Bonnie because I think it looks the part. I did a trip to Germany in it and it was horrendous - driving rain at motorway speeds with a soaked bandanna was no fun (you can't breathe for a start). The helmet also lifts at motorway speeds and is uncomfortable and the goggles hurt around my eyes after 4 hours of riding. I still wear it occasionally for short trips or the DGR but now prefer my flip front helmet but might consider a Bell Bullitt or similar as a compromise this year.
Those that have had the privilege of meeting my good self will undoubtably agree that a such a handsome face like I have been blessed with should not be hidden away behind a full face skid lid I therefore use a Shark Evo One This very comfortable helmet is of course in the colour of SATIN BLACK But more importantly with its flip back chin bar mechanism it allows me to ride around with my undoubted good looks on display for the world to see ,as I think that if like myself you have been gifted such an awesome looking clock it should be shared In times of inclement weather or high speed long distance cruising the chin bar can be brought to the forward position ....unfortunately making me look like any other full faced helmet riding ugly fecker (you know who you are)
Just in case there’s any doubters out there Here is the evidence I know I know UNFAIRLY HANDSOME You can look/admire and dream ...but you can’t touch ...I’m spoken for...SORRY
PMSL! My reasons for wanting an open/flip very closely relate to yours mate, but even I confess I cant match your clock!
each to their own i can understand why some would wear open face helmet but i wouldn't consider one,safety reasons in case of a crash, i also use ear plugs but any decent plugs will only dull certain sounds down and imho would not be a safety issue.
I Agree that the hipster look is not "security friendly" . Even looking some bikes with old tires or lights... In fact i am 100% agree with Triumph vision about offering ABS, ESP and all the technology available on those "classic bikes" or "modern classic bikes"... In my case, i think a little bit in my kids, wife and me... i always no matter how many °C on the road, wear full helmet and gloves. Also If i go to the route i have a jacket with protections. There are a lot of alternatives even if you like the hipster look right now. Maybe a more American Soccer Motorcycle helmet would solve some of the security problems on open lids.
Bump........ I have both open and full face helmets. Only use the open face if I'm bimbiling around the lanes. Always use the full face for longer runs and touring as the open face helmet is useless above 45mph... Wessa
