FULL Face Helmets -V- OPEN Face Helmets! Folklore -V- THE FACTS!
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- čas přidán 21. 04. 2021
- Are open face crash helmets dangerous? Whenever this subject comes up it usually sparks a furious debate peppered with horrific tales of severe facial injury and brain damage. Whilst there is an increased risk with an open helmet, Lets see if we can sort some of the wheat from the chaffe!
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I fully concur with you balance appraisal Stu. there are plenty of weekend road warriors who consider themselves experts on these subjects but actually have very little knowledge on these subject. As you know I was in traffic for 10 years. I hope you don't mind but one thing you didn't touch on was the incidents of unconscious riders vomiting in full faced helmets after an accident and essentially drowning! I've seen this phenomena 3 times. where death was attributed to the wearing of a full face helmet not allowing the vomit to drain away! That wouldn't have happened with an open helmet!
Yeah I have heard of this was regularly mentioned in training. The only experience I have of it was a near miss when a good Samaritan saw what was happening and took steps to protect the rider while the ambulance arrived. could have turned out to be a fatal if she hadn't stepped in.
@@stuartfillingham Sorry I've made some grammatical errors in my comment but you tube wont let me edit it?!
Terrific and true response Alpha Tango. I have sren one such non fatal case in the mid 90s..in helmet vomitus, alcohol induce, patient had aspiration pneumonia- but survived! Being lost to follow ip, have no idea whether there wete any changes in the alcohol use habit. Amazingly, this person had no skeletal or internal injuries! Fortune works in strange ways indeed.
... And linked to this is that medical care and resuscitation can be given without having to remove the helmet and the helmet can be removed without having to manipulate the neck as much, I'd have thought..🤔
@@alphatango5668 Ah no worries, it might be because I pinned your comment, would you like me to unpin it so you can edit it?
I’ve always worn a full face. In 40 years of continuous riding I’ve had three accidents. In two the type of helmet I was wearing made no difference to my subsequent (minor) injuries. In the other prang, I got T boned by another bike, I went up the road face down and wore though my visor and made a mess of the chin piece. I’m really glad that I had a full face lid on that occasion.
I started with road bikes in the early 80's with a full face helmet simply because that was the most common style then. In the last five years I've gone to an open face which I tend to prefer; I don't dispute the added safety and common sense of the face bar, it is just my choice, and possibly that could change in the future.
This. It is not about if you wear an open helm you are bound to mess your chin and face in a crash, it is about that it CAN happen and it is better to be prepared for it even if ones ego and fashion sense takes a hit. You'll get over it.
That said, if one wants to wear an open helmet when cruising around a town in hot days then it is fine. It is a minor risk but damn it the whole act of riding a motorcycle is a risk so who cares. Might as well stay home if that is a problem. But when traveling further distances and going on highways at high speeds I personally would (and do) wear a fullface or modular helmet at all cost. If nothing else, those damn bugs hitting your face hurt like hell. 😅
I've had two mates who've done this, one was a bit over the limit on a gravel hill and landed on his half face helmet visor broke and went into his face, he had a big scar. Other mate was nearly t boned managed to just clip the front of the car went airborn for 20 feet or so then landed on his face, full face helmet was worn down nicely, but he was fine. These are why I stopped wearing half face, that and heavy rain in winter here in Australia gave me the willies with the half face. I can see why Stuart uses them in Summer in UK though.
Re: thoracic armor, they finally figured that out: airbag vests
I got an open face helmet a few months ago for use on my "classic" bikes. After years of full face helmets I was amazed to rediscover the much better peripheral vision and situational awareness they provide.
John Cooper - and for those two reasons alone the only full face helmet I now use when riding in colder weather to give me a little more draft and temperature protection is the Bell Bullitt. No other FFH gives you that feeling of wearing the 3/4 helmet, the periferal vision is unbelievably good for a closed helmet design.
I own 6 helmets, 5 open face and the Bullit. Been riding for 32 years now.
3/4 helmets are also generally much lighter than full face helmets, which makes them less fatiguing to wear all day. For me personally, the biggest benefit is the extra fresh air which makes them cooler, and less stuffy in summer heat.
Agreed
I really want to get one but what can we do about the dust and pollution hitting your face?
@@nirbachanpattanaik4553 wear a mask and goggles
Reminds me of that old joke, "How do you recognise a happy motorcyclist? He's got flies on his teeth!"
Bugger the pros and cons. We're all big boys. Lets just be thankful we still have a choice what to wear!
Some of remember wen we really had a choice and we were not forced to wear any kind of helmet
@@elephantsmemory3142 lucky you! I have never had that option. Legally that is😉. Helmet wearing came in about three years before I could ride(legally😉) on the roads. 1973 I think🤔
@@elephantsmemory3142 Gary Busey wasn't wearing a crash helmet....he has brain damage now... T. E Lawrence would probably have survived his motorcycle crash. So many young men died needlessly, even back in my time 1963/4. Sometimes legislation is the only way.... Bit like wearing a face mask in 2021
@@brianperry TE Lawrence was a self confessed speed freak. If his road craft had been a little better he would not have had the accident. speeding over a blind rise in the road is never a sensible idea. Its also relevant to remember that 60 and 70mph speed limits on unrestricted roads were not imposed until the end of 1965, so excessive speed was the major cause of road deaths in the early 60s.
@@brianperry I am not saying don't wear one Just that I believe in freedom of choice I was born in 1944 so my time is the same as yours
I have conducted my own research with an open face on a Harley. Car coming other way turned right in front of me. Nowhere to go, I stuffed my bike into it and flew over the top ending tens of meters down the road. Open face helmet. No facial or head damage. Also raced bikes with full faced. No facial or head injury. That is all I have.
Rear ended a car recently. My full faced helmet saved me from certain face injuries. Having said that, it does get hot in the summer.
Imagine if you lived in tropical country and riding motorcycle for daily commuter. There is no way of using full face
@@gelluny I'm from India.
@@hawkeye4359 well. Still you have season. Like you mention. Im from indonesia and summer is all day long. So get hot everyday on helmet. But we know what best for us right
Have been riding most everything for 58 years and only had one serious crash. I can’t cite a study and won’t by cut and paste what others have written. Just my own accident. I wrecked a Monster. Was wearing an Arai Signet and totally shattered the face bar and put a 1/4 inch crease in the shield which popped off. Basically my face was slammed into the pavement. I was told I locked the front brake and the bike was vertical before I finally went down. Even discolored the front tire. The other rider I was with thought I was dead. The shield, which is also well made, did not crack. I was unconscious for several minutes and have no memory of exactly what went wrong. Broke an arm and cracked 4 ribs. Had a headache several days from the concussion but no lingering head problems. My neurologist, who examined me at the hospital, said there is no question that the helmet saved my life. I will never pull out of my driveway without my full face Arai.
So you were giving it the beans? (UK talk for fast 🤣)
100% agree that if you ride generally fast you need a full face
I went high side and then like a starfish down the road on my front. It was so quick I had no choice in my position on the road - face down. I have a small scar under my chin, but I still have a chin due to my full face motocross helmet. My worst accident sent me over a bonnet and flew about 30 feet like Superman. I hit a pedestrian with my head and then the pavement (face down). I was unconscious at that point. Once again my (new fibreglass) full face helmet saved my good looks.
30 years later, I try not to fall off any more and do own an open face helmet and a full face. The open is carbon fibre, very light and comfy. The Germot (German) full face is heavier and also comfy, but hot in summer. If nipping out in summer I weigh the risk vs comfort. If going to work, on the motorway or out for a blast - then I always put on the full face .
You make a solid case for wearing one… I live in Minnesota and it seems 80% of Harley riders I see have nothing on their heads but hair or a do rag… I get it.. live free .. be a rebel, all of that … but it’s not smart… 3 days ago.. I was at a T and on the right.. as far right as I could go without going off the pavement.. the T kinds had a weird angle and coming from the top right side you have to take a wide turn to stay in your own lane… some lady was turning from the right and was looking to the left and came right into my lane.. I was at a complete stop.. and she missed me by 1 foot.. she did t see me until her door was exactly next to me..if her window was down I could have slapped her.. scary shit.. you can be a great rider.. you can look out for everything,, I’m always trying to foresee any possible scenarios always looking for my escape route.. but you cannot control what other people do.. and even the best rider can have a moment where you just don’t react proper or miscalculate or take an unnecessary risk…
Hi Stuart, during the 1970's my father had a Honda C50 which he used on a daily basis, a new bike, new open faced helmet, while coming home from work the centre bolt which holds the main frame and sub frame together came out, the nut had vibrated off, Honda updated the nut shortly after from memory, I was about 12 years old at the time and as my mother had passed away some years earlier I ended up having to apply the ointment to his eye's when he was released from hospital, his face was an absolute mess, thankfully he made a full recovery, carried on riding with an open faced helmet. I have now been riding for 40 years and would only wear a full faced helmet from the above experience, however as you say, each to their own choice.
Stuart...you've done it again! Speaking the truth. In my decades of medical hospital practice in India and riding, I am inclined to agree with you on the occurance of facial injuries being consequential to front-on direct hit injuries. Further, being 70 years old, I value my peripheral vision which is a major asset in both urban and non urban riding conditions. The question of fogging is certainly something I dont like at all and open face-visor helmets are great. Thanks again. Shashi. Stay safe. Ride safe. Wish you and your loved ones good health.
Being a motorcycle instructor, this trope is one I come across an awful lot. My role is to advise new riders about the benefits and disadvantages of different helmet types. It is then up to the individual to make their own decision - there is no right or wrong decision. I get people claiming that jet helmets should be illegal - no, of course not. It is a matter of personal taste and personal decisions based on the risk/benefit analysis. Different people will make different decisions. The biggest disadvantage of the jet style helmet is the lack of weather protection, especially in winter. On the other hand, they allow better peripheral vision. My own preference is for the flip front helmet. I find the weather protection on the bike combined with the ability to easily talk to people when off the bike works for me. Again, I get people trying to tell me that this is a dangerous type of helmet. Nope, there are risks and benefits and I've made my decision.
As for studies (not just in this field) they are frequently poorly carried out, seeking a preconceived result and all too often statistically insignificant. Providing the helmet meets the minimum legal requirements it's a matter of personal preference. Buy what works for you.
I wear different helmets based on "threat assessment". I'm going slower speeds riding in my subdivision and my open face helmet is fine. Highway speeds I prefer a full face helmet.
During my CBT I virtually had a panic attack and suffered from heat exhaustion, it was a very warm day, wearing a full face helmet. My instructor recommended I purchase an open face helmet, I did, problem solved. Now look forward to riding on a bike and when one day I need to do motorway riding, I will try a Bell Bullit.
Seems I'm one of the few who has broken my neck .. broken most of my teeth and taken most of the skin from the underside of my jaw after an accident in 1961 while I was wearing an open face Bell helmet.
I have since read that the design of the early Bell open face helmet was copied from the fighter pilot lid and as such had a lower than advisable rear neck curtain.
In a head on collision such as mine where 'suprtman' nutted an overhead roadsign the head snaps back and the helmets dislocates the 3rd vertebrae. I understand Bell
My dad had to have his face reconstructed, not after the slide, but after the road furniture stopped the slide. I sometimes wear my flip up helmet open, but I am very aware of the risks and act accordingly.
I've often wondered about the weird slightly off kilter weight balance when flip-ups are open, not to mention the possibility of added leverage should the flip-up part be the first thing to connect with something.
Like Stu said, not enough data to make an informed decision, but based on my gut feeling, I've never fancied one... Although to he fair, I've never tried one either lol :-)
@@handycrowd I never open it outside of pottering around. It could snap your neck easier in an slide, and adds a lot of wind resistance. These days it's great for covid shopping; I leave the helmet on and use my existing face mask
@@handycrowd If the helmet is designed to be worn like this it's OK. Look for the long number on the strap. If it has a /P then it is designed to be worn closed. If it has P/J then it has been tested in both the open and shut positions. Usually such helmets have the front able to slide right back like the Shark helmet or it comes off like the BMW one.
@@markellott5620 Good tip! 👍
So, the next time I ride to the coast, if I keep my open face helmet on while I consume my ice cream, I am less likely to drown on the way home? 😅😅😅
give it a try and report back to me!
Worth having open face helmet when eating an ice cream 🍦 to protect you from seagull attacks...
I'm still hunting for the seagull which made off with me pasty from the world famous pasty shop in Padstow. I paid about eight of your English earth pounds for it and had only taken one bite 😔
@@jeffslade1892 I heard he folks in Launceston have been putting up the seagulls to do this in Padstow - but just wait next summer - I have been hearing rumours about Padstow arranging a bunch of crows to give Launceston a visit.
@@jeffslade1892 Ooooh, Pasty wars!
Sliding for me is not the main worry. Its my face directly coming into contact with say a car, pavement, road sign that worries me most. So its 9always) a full face Arai for me.
Thanks Stuart. This kind of video is what you do best. And frankly, no other channel comes close when you present a well researched investigation into some motorcycling issue.
Curling into a foetal position is exactly why I keep my mobile in my jacket’s breast pocket and not my trouser pocket. If I have an accident, I could do with my phone working afterwards
I wear a fullface in the winter simply to keep warm,i am now wearing my openface.Another good video Stu keep them coming👍🤓
I live in India where many people prefer open face helmets... One of my friends wearing an open face helmet on a 110cc scooter was traveling at 30kmph and slipped on a puddle of water on bad road and fell down... She broke her jaw in 3places and had to undergo surgery with wiring to get her jaw straightened out.... So ya I am a propegator of Full face helmets... In our country majority of the 2 Wheeler accidents are not high speed accidents but low speed ones and due to bad roads and and unpredictable traffic conditions (pedestrians, stray dogs, cows etc suddenly crossing ur path etc.) So in these events the lack of a full face helmet leaves u vulnerable to facial injuries due to the suddeness of the impact... So though it is comfortable to use an open face helmet in the hot weather that we have in Chennai, I always prefer a Full face helmet.
Its important to remember Jacob that animals and vehicles do not appear from nowhere! a major part of road craft is visual scanning and anticipation which can reduce these sort of incidents remarkably. Rather than riding with tunnel vision and relying on your gear to make up for your lack off defensive observation.
worn open face fer 45 years had a crash nealy killed me had a open face lid i find yer cant see proply or hear myself have been down the road so many times its the luck nt seeing more and hearing better far out way wearing one on in india havent got standerds uk has its a choice i ;ike open face myself its a choice up to you
Coming off is our biggest threat for sure. Bees, wasps and flicked up flying stones are another reason I'll stay full face. Good video, well evidenced 👍
I have ridden motorcycles on the road around the world since I was a teenager, I am now 64. I was also a motorcycle trainer in the UK. The way I have survived is to treat every other road user as an idiot. They can and will do the most stupid things you have ever seen. I agree with what you said in that our brain if used correctly is what keeps us safe the majority of the time. Still things happen but if we are aware of our surroundings and what may happen it will stand us in good stead. I have worn both types of helmet through the years, provided the helmet fits correctly and is also fastened correctly there is not a lot of difference safety wise. With an open face helmet you do have better vision and I find usually less wind noise as they fit more snugly around the ears. You do feel more a part of your surroundings with an open face helmet and not so isolated from the world. When travelling you also find you appear less threatening to people in an open faced helmet. Keep up the good work. I love your videos, they are impartial and informative. Thank-you for putting in the tremendous effort required to do this. All the best, stay and ride safe. John
I loved to hear an educating rant from you Stuart 👍 Never dull, always informative.
4 years ago I had another Mid-life crisis and bought a motorcycle to my wife's utter disbelief and naturally for me bought an open face Helmet as I had worn as a young lad back in the day, my first ride was in November to a petrol station early one Sunday morning before the masses got up and out onto the roads, my verdict was bugger that my face was numb my eyeballs frozen in the open position that lid went in the landfill dustbin that very day. On the plus side uncle Stu you are from the north and I'm a mere southern softy ha ha great video much enjoyed.
Many years again a friend of mine had a helmet with a great chunk missing from the chin area from coming off his bike. Ever since seeing that I've always worn a full face. As far as I'm concerned though other people can wear ( or don't wear ) what they like. Saying that I've got a flip up helmet that I wear on my Royal Enfield 500 with the sidecar so I can wear either open face or full face on that as you don't usually fall off those. Also with a head like mine I wear full face so I don't scare small animals and young children.
I had a half face before, It saved my head from cracking after that crash. Right after I felt much better I looked for damages on my gear because I didn't know what happened since I blacked out. My half face helmet had a crack on it's back left side. I give my great gratitude to that half face of mine.
Brilliant video as always Stuart and I’ve used both types - full and open face, and I wear both types depending on my mood or how I want to look😊👍🏻
Well written and unbiased opinion. Thank you for doing the research and putting this across.
Stuart, great video as per usual.
Thanks for a sane, balanced, well researched and argued piece. Again. I must be one of the unfortunate few who has sustained serious facial injuries wearing an open face, but I still wear one for all the reasons you state. Circumstances were unusual - I was riding in a bus lane in London (permitted) during rush hour when a car coming the other way did a RH turn across my path. My R1200RT (deceased) had considerable road presence with its twin headlights and my hi-viz jacket, white helmet etc but was clearly still invisible. I didn't see him until he popped through a gap in the traffic just 5 metres ahead, a distance which at 25-30 mph gives no opportunity to taking effective evasive action. The bike t-boned the car, the sudden decelaration flinging my face onto the top edge of the screen. The gash it cut in the corner of my mouth has healed up fine, and implant replacements for the four teeth I lost are under way. If that sounds bad, it's nothing compared to the groin damage. My other half who is a retired A&E nurse was actually quite impressed - I think she mentioned something about a ripe banana and a pair of aubergines (This is a warning, not a challenge!)
So why do I still wear an open face? Its all about balance of risk and quality of riding experience. My prang was the first in over 40 years and 750k miles of riding. I no longer do a daily 70 mile round trip commute into London, my Enfield Classic doesn't have a screen and spends its time moseying around relatively traffic free B roads and country lanes where likelihood of a similar collusion is lower than in highly built up areas during rush hour. An open face presents less intimidating image to others, enables me to see and hear what is going on and there are plenty of ways of keeping your face warm. I would still consider a FF if planning a long, cold and wet journey, but at my time of life that's less and less likely.
Clears up a lot of things Stu! I’ve had many riders tell me open face helmets are a huge risk and none of them have had the pleasure of wearing. Thanks for this video, appreciate sharing the right context.
Glad i watched this, i have been on the fence for a long time but always thought my awareness would be better. I will look at buying a nice RE one. Thanks for the facts Stuart
Very informative and helpful, thank you for putting in the homework in on this subject, your video makes for very credible listening Stuart. Thanks and best.
Fascinating analysis by Stuart. I too have been in the full-visor-is-best camp, but Stuart makes great points. And, I also often pondered about the 'benefit' of that sense of nature and freedom on a motorcycle, while encased in a full face plastic shell, noise dampening ear buds and full visor.
Thanks for this Stu. OF helmets have been my preference too since my return to biking in 2009. I brief foray into flip-face initially, I found I was riding with it in the open position most of the time. I do accept that a FF helmet gives the ultimate protection but I have always found them to be claustrophobic and very limiting with regard to angle of view. My own preference is therefore an open face especially for town and in busy traffic - which is invariably where we spend 80% of our journeys. So, in short it's all about managing risk. For me, knowing precisely what's around me at all times tips the balance in favour of an OF rather than the inherent blind spots of a FF. Me and Kels currently have a Shark Nano each. A very good OF with the benefit of a full length visor. This comes right down and tucks under the chin slightly providing a little bit of chin protection.
Thanks Stuart for your review and deepness! I started riding only 2 years ago, being over 50 and first had a closed helmet which my bro lended me, and then two openface helmets up to now, currently an Arai - but I am looking at getting a closed helmet for the colder seasons and specially for the noise of the wind, which bothers me, when speeding ... I had several accidents with cars when I was young - but since 1987 not one again - accidents from my point of view happen when your generally not in control of life - my lesson!
Interesting video, thanks for sharing your view. Very much agree what you said about visibility, I moved to an open face Nolan 2 years ago for that reason but now have a Bell MX9 MIPS without a visor. Worn with goggles I found that it gives visibility on par with the Nolan and I don’t have to worry about steaming up. I rode it throughout this winter with a face covering and the vents taped up which was fine and it’s nice and airy for the warm days we’re enjoying.
Think it just boils down to personal choice and finding the best that works for you
Here in the US, The most prevalent anti helmet myth is that wearing a helmet will increase the chances of breaking your neck in an accident. I've also heard the smashed face narrative with an open face helmet. I have both types and wear them interchangeably depending upon conditions. When I was younger I rode without one and liked the more complete input from my surroundings. But now I prefer the idea of not getting a skull fracture. Also, I live in Northern Wisconsin, and there are so many suicidal insects, songbirds, and whitetail deer, etc. during our riding season, that a helmet and the corresponding facial protection are just a good idea. Two of my friends have died in Deer/Motorcycle collisions, and I know of many more who have been injured in the same. Basically, as you say it all comes down to personal choice and what you prefer. Thank you Sir, as always, I've enjoyed this video and the information that you always convey. Ride safe.
I stand with you on the challenge for evidence of an open face helmet accident. It reminds me a little of a retired Sherrif's observation regarding the popularity of 12-15 round capacities for semi-auto pistols where he laments: "Apparently you plan on missing a lot." 😊
As Sister Margret Ann PhD pounded into my young head "a study is someone finding what they are looking for".
Well said Stuart. I think the ability to see peripherally is a positive safety factor. I have three helmets for myself (all Shoei because they fit me well), a flip up Neotec 2; a full-face and a J-O open face with a drop down visor. The open face is the lightest which is also a factor when I’m deciding which one to wear. Reducing wind noise is a consideration too, as well as warmth. Today i wore the neotech 2 which is legal in his flip-up position. So it was flipped up in town and villages and slow lanes, then closed for the twenty miles of fast dual carriageways. By the way, its great to hear you look at fallacious arguments. Cheers.
Brilliant video! I was going to post about improved visibility and general awareness of what is around you, risk compensation etc. but you covered it all at the end. Also lighter weight so if you are involved in a severe accident, less risk of neck damage.
It seems to me that most riders these days are a bit girly? Health and safety has just gone crazy. Back in the day you had a few spills you picked up some scars and it didn't matter because you were a man! now all they seem to worry about is whether they are going to hurt themselves! If you want to be safe DO NOT ride a bike. lock yourself in your home and don't do any DIY!
Nice one Stuart. I use to wear open face helmets as a younger man riding Harleys. I now own a Bell Bullitt which is a full face helmet and also offers superb peripheral vision.
I was 17, I was traveling down hill turned to look at the tall leggy blonde walking by the side of the road I then turned back and was about 2 meters from a head on crash. The acceleration of my head whilst holding on to the handlebars was Hugh. My head hit the bonnet so quickly I thank my lucky stars I’m still hear today. It was a full face helmet and I personally believe it saved my life. Both my bike and the car were a write off, my two wheels were touching. It’s that one time I needed it and luckily I had it. It’s swings and roundabouts I personally would wear either. It’s a dangerous ride out there and I think that the evidence is ,both open face and closed face have pros and cons. Great video Stuart 👍🏼Certainly makes you think 😁
Thanks once again Stuart for a fair and balanced review. I wear both types and agree that the open face type gives better vision and more awareness of surroundings., plus added comfort in urban riding. I agree that there is much hype and skewed statistics to sift through. Safe, responsible riding practices is the key to avoiding accidents / injury. Keep up the good work . Cheers. 🏍👍🇨🇦
Great video Stu and as always very informative. Thankyou sir.
Well informed debate, as usual, Stu. Interestingly when I first threw my leg over a Bike, it was pre Helmet legislation, but most of the guys I rode with always wore helmets. The only ones available were open face. We all had offs at some stage of our early days of riding, but not one of us had any facial injuries. Then during my time in the Job, I only ever saw 2 facial injuries out of around 60 Bike related RTC’s with open face helmets.
Personally, I wear full face in the winter, and open in the summer, because as you mentioned, in some countries it gets HOT,HOT,HOT!
Just out of interest, I was taken out by a car on the Highway couple of years ago, and interestingly got flip over onto my stomach, and slid a few meters down the Tarmac. Luckily I was wearing a leather cut, which took all the damage. My only injury was to my elbow, when the slide moved the elbow armour a tadge, and I collided with the concrete divider on the road, the edge of the armour was forced into my elbow and It needed a couple of stitches to repair the resulting gash. No injuries to my face, even with an open face. Kind of ironic that the very thing invented to protect my body, actually caused the only injury. Go figure!
Thanks, as ever Stuart, for an intelligent and informed viewpoint. I’m relatively new to riding and am certainly no expert, but I can say one thing with conviction. Riding with an open face helmet increases my enjoyment and puts a smile on my face and ultimately, that’s why chose to get a motorcycle.
Thanks Stu for a well put together video using the available evidence as to present the facts. Honestly you couldn’t have timed this video more perfectly as I have my first open face helmet arriving today. I went for a Bell 500 custom as the combination and expression of my genes mean I have quite a small head, and the 5 different shell sizes offered by Bell should mean I don’t look like a mushroom. I’m not a fast rider, I never have been really, and I am much more interested in the environment I’m travelling through now.
Great points Stu, I personally love riding with the open face (jet as we called them ) Stadium:Mk 7 was my go to helmet in the 70s, would love a Davida , but I must admit when those insects hit you in the cheek at speedE it hurts and I don’t like using the goldfish bowl visor or glasses/ goggles so I choose a Schubert flip, take care 👍
Looks like a great weekend for weather
Interesting video Stu, thanks. I have both open and full face helmets and like them both. For me it's up to each individual to determine what they prefer and is best for them, and to not judge others for using a different style of approved helmet. The key point for me though is the need to always wear an approved helmet. I simply cannot relate to the no helmet crowd (especially in the US where the majority of states don't require helmets for adult riders over a certain age). It's a very significant risk of death or serious injury that I would never take.
People get too preachy. I wear a full face because they’re more comfortable for me. I don’t care if others wear half helmets, 3/4 helmets, no helmets, Santa hat, or whatever.
Another excellent video Stuart!
I'd always worn a full face helmet on my road bikes. About 20 years ago I bought a bike with a tank mounted speedo. I'll admit to being a bit of a compulsive gauge watcher and found that wearing a full face lid necessitated having to dip my head down momentarily to check my speed and so on, which proved to be a bit annoying. I bought a Nolan N41 open face lid and problem solved! Just a downward glance and no need to move the head. This helmet features both a sun visor type shade peak and a flip-up UV rated clear visor. Living in the far northern tropics of Queensland, Australia, skin cancer caused by repeated facial sunburn is a real issue. Never suffered another case of sunburn with this style of helmet. I've now had three of them and wouldn't use anything else.
My personal view on the full face VS open face safety argument is this; We ride bikes because that's our passion, we love it. We also accept a much higher risk of injury should things go pear shaped. Anyone who loses sleep over another person's choice of helmet would perhaps be better off looking for a nice safe non-motoring related hobby. 😉
Right on bro👍👍✌️
Excellent video
Really well put and incredibly suitable for all our motorcycling needs
Precisely.
Excellent video, Stuart!
Many thanks.
Absolutely brilliant review!
I wore a half face helmet for years with no problems whatsoever including a disembarkation over a bonnet. It was only at my motorcycle test that the instructor showed me a half face helmet going into a table edge and this put me off and I ended up riding full face from there on in.
I am definitely going back after this great video review.
Great video... Only started wearing an open face when I got my Bonnevillle Bobber and I love it. I don't feel any less safe and your comments make a lot of sense.. Nice one 👍
Top work Stu....
All da very best 2u
Thanks for the video. I rode my first motorcycles in the late 70,s and used the helmet, an open face, that came from the previous owner. Having no money made decisions like that easy. As I got more experienced and upgraded my bike I bought a full face. I soon found out that I preferred the open face helmet for tootling around Liverpool and enjoyed the full face for faster trips up motorways. Sport bikes became popular and safety seemed to be erring on the side of full face. Now, I have both and I agree with Stu about open face helmets and I am looking for an open face that keeps the noise down. ps: on this note: I bought a shorty and it's impossible to use with the wind noise. Ride your own way !
Well said Stuart i always used full face helmets since i started riding in the mid 70's but always hated having my vision restricted and sweating like mad in the summer but i stuck with them as i believed them to be safer than open faced helmets, then i became asthmatic and always felt out of breath and claustrophobic when i rode my bike even with the visor open and the anti mist nose cover removed, so i bought a Caberg Hyper X helmet because it can be used as a open or full face helmet and to tell the truth i wished i had bought one years ago, i have better vision i can breath better and never use it as a full face but i still carry the full face adapter in my top box just in case and now my Expensive AVG is only kept as a spare
Another enjoyable and informative video Stuart. Take care and stay safe.
As always, well thought out and well presented.
Nice touch - the Union Flag neck tube for St George's Day and a very interesting video. Look forward to the helmet review.
Another super and educational video. Very well put together and argued points.
I had the most unfortunate experience wearing an open face helmet. While following a car down an A road about 50mph the rear door window was opened and someone shook what I know now to be an old nappy out the window which ended up with my helmet and face being covered in Sh*t, true story, I spent the next 20mins throwing up by the side of the road, what the chance of that, I alway wear full face now, nothing to do with safety
I was once riding in the city centre when someone on the pavement flicked a lit cigarette on to the road it landed in my helmet as due to fogging I had had to open the visor so I could see. It lodged between the chin bar and my chin, nearly crashed my bike fighting the pain trying to get it out. Nearly 40 years ago still have the burn scar on my chin today.
Well done Stuart, if you want to ride with an open face, you go ahead and enjoy it. I love the style, freedom and practicality of them. Too many people have too much time to object to too many things these days.great video again thanks😉
In my opinion it depends on what type of riding one is doing. In bad weather or high speed a full face is better and some have wider vision than others. Ok they can steam up but try riding at speed in the rain on the motorway with an open face. I've used both and goggles steam up. In my youth I had an accident in which I was lucky. A friend had let me test his bike, he had just fitted tt100s, I was accelerating up to 60mph in a straight line when suddenly it broke into a speed wobble, I didn't know how to come out of it and ended up going down the road face down! My new leather jacket was quickly worn in! And the front of my premier full face was worn down. I'm sure today I would look a lot different if I hadn't been wearing that full face. The choice is yours?
I do agree that my greatest concern at times is fogging and rain covered shield and eyeglasses. Riding blinded by rain in traffic is the paramount danger I've faced.
Very well put Uncle Stu and your spot on I feel a lot safer when I ride with my open face helmet on looking forward to the helmet review 👌👍
Im 68 Stuart and started riding motorcycles at 19,the most common areas of damage that i ever suffered was knees, hips, elbows and hands, no head or face injuries because i wore helmets full and open, my choice of helmet now is one that is full face thats warmer in winter with removeable chin piece which becomes an open face helmet that makes it cooler in the summer, as far as i know only one helmet manufacturer which is Italian, thanks Stu love your vids mate.
Thanks stu. U allways give nice balanced view.
Interesting vid! well presented information as usual! I used to wear an open face lid, but have changed to only full face. Is that partly because now I’m on a sports bike? Absolutely. A full face helmet gave me personally more confidence and comfort on the road. The vision you get wearing an open face helmet is considerable, so that makes a different. Now I am getting a retro inspired bike next March, I may have to consider an open face helmet as well, especially for the 10-15 minute drive to work!
About five years ago I was hit on a roundabout by a negligent car driver. He was not looking in front of him as he entered the roundabout at speed whilst I was exiting. I was thrown off the bike with some force and initially fell and slid on on my front before flipping over onto my back. I got away with a bruised shoulder and ribs, but when I took off my full face helmet the whole front chin-piece and the visor was badly scarred making the helmet a write off. It had saved me from serious face injury. I ride with a Shark flip front helmet which I often use in the open face position, so I don’t label open face helmets as dangerous, but wearing one is a conscious choice you make knowing the risks. A little like motorcycle riding!.
I probably would have suffered facial injuries if I had been wearing an open face helmet. You have to make a personal choice about your riding equipment based on your environment. In a country with high accident rates you need to think more about the equipment you wear which may help you avoid serious injury. That equipment may also be different depending on the different weather conditions. As I said in my comment, its a personal choice to ride, and that applies to helmets and what to wear.
Haha great stuff Stu as usual. I love my Davida, also the quietest helmet I've ever had...
Another very informative video Stu.
I wear an open face helmet for exactly the reasons you do. Much better vision around you. I tried wearing a pair of vintage Google with it but I hated them because it was like riding with blinkers on. Also I live in Queensland Australia which has a semi tropical climate, too warm for me to wear a full face.
Full face in the winter, open face in the summer. I don't ride a sports bike on the road.
It's worked for me for the last thirty years.
Great video I had never worn an open face helmet until I got my interceptor and bought one purely for retro looks and it was great all round vision, yes was worried about the safety issues but I actually feel safer riding in it 👍
Thanks Stu. Informative and some amusing facts too. I must admit that I haven’t worn an open faced helmet since the seventies only because of the fact brigade. I keep looking at them though. Think you’ve helped put my mind at rest. Cheers.
I've worn both and when I wore a open face helmet, I never felt I was being foolish or taking a chance and think you are quite right, that safety wise there is not a great difference - however in foul weather, I do find the full helmet more comfortable. As for fogging, I simply open my visor one click and that seems to work very well, however you need a visor which will stay where you put it and not slam shut in the wind!
Really interesting stuff Stuart I will say at the outset I have always worn full face helmets because I don't like a lot of wind in my face and I must say I feel a bit more secure I guess, but having said that I do agree with you about the peripheral vison thing I do not see well at junctions and do also agree that with an open face your vision is a whole lot better and you are more aware of things around you a lot of the people I ride with do so with open face, but I think really it is just a wear what you feel best in . : )
Hi Stuart, great topic. Like you, I have been riding motorcycles for just over 40 years, I have had and used both open face and full face helmets in the past. Open face helmets are my preferred helmet because of visibility, awareness, and most importantly I look at drivers when passing, in the mirror and at stop lights & signs. At stops I stand and turn and look directly at drivers. They see me because I am not hidden by a full face helmet. To a driver I am a person with sunglasses on. I also crashed once in Germany at 60mph, and just like you said, I instinctively curled into the fetal position while sliding & tumbling down and off the road into the rhubarb. Luckily no broken bones, totaled the motorcycle and broken pride. That was many years ago and I am still riding with an open face helmet. Keep riding and keep the shinny side up.
I’ve got a few full face helmets that I wear in the winter, but I have an open face for warm weather, and I love wearing it, I can see so much more without moving my head. In the accidents I’m ashamed to say I’ve had where I hit something, only the top or side of my helmet hit anything. Seems to be that survival instinct you mentioned making me turn my face away. Where I just slid off on some oil or something and slid down the road, my helmet never touched anything, just my back or side as you say.
As we've come to eclectic from you uncle Stu, a very balanced and sensible look at the subject. Just as an aside, you ought to try sitting at the traffic lights with a full face helmet on in 40 plus Celsius like we get here in south Australia sometimes!
Back in the day I wore an open faced helmet because really that was all that was on offer, I bought a full face in the 80s because I thought it would give better protection and it would be better in the Yorkshire winters Brrrr....
In the 90s I bought a BMW flip front because a full face and wearing glasses is a pita.
I tried open faced again when I bought my RE but I prefer my flip front
I don't disagree with any of your comments, I aim never to find out how my helmet will protect my head...... My own observation is that some riders get fully kitted up and ride like they are indestructible what keeps a lot of us safe is knowing we are not and riding accordingly
Good video Stu thank you
Hi Stuart, great channel. I'm all for personal choice and it's everyones right to wear an open or full face helmet. I used to wear an open face on the road some of the time and raced scrambles for years in the 70s with an open face helmet, lots of crashes and no facial injuries. However year later I got high sided at low speed on an Aprilla and landed taking the impact equally on my face and one hand. The hand was broken and the front of the Arai RX7 was very badly scraped, visior ripped off etc. I was amazed at the amount of damage and will be forever grateful for the protection it gave. My point is, these accidents can and do happen, hopefully rare though for the reasons you decribe. My view is that as long as people are aware of the risks they should be allowed to choose for themselves. Keep up the good work, great channel
Isn’t the point rather to ask yourself what would you rather be wearing if you know you’re going to crash? If it’s full face, fine, if it’s open face, fine. I sold my Bell Custom 500 and replaced it with a Glamster as I felt vulnerable with an open face. But horses for courses and I don’t care what someone else wears! 🤙
Excellent analysis 🧐
The other issue is specs wearers. I wear specs and they were always an issue when wearing a full face helmet. Not only did my visor steam up but also the lenses on the specs - a double wammy! This became an obvious hazard particularly in humid or cold riding conditions. I’ve just bought myself an Interceptor and an open face helmet 🪖. Already I’ve removed the steaming up issue and feel my hearing and vision are improved and also removed that sense of isolation from the environment that a full face helmet creates. I would definitely concur with everything Stu has said on the matter 👍
Excellent video, Uncle Stu. I had been wondering whether or not to buy a new full-face or an open face helmet when I do get a new Interceptor. I may well go for an open one, given my older (and wiser) years!
Brilliant informative video, I will continue wearing my openface helmet. One thing I don't like about my full face helmets compared to my open face helmets is the restricted vision.
Hi Stuart,Very interesting and well researched discussion.I have both open face and full face helmets,but I find full face virtually impossible to wear with glasses worn.I have thin wire type glasses but difficult to get helmet on and extremely uncomfortable.Thanks again for the video,should provoke plenty of comment.
I agree with your considerations. I like to wear open face helmets. They have some vintage style that I’m identified with (I was a Jim Clark and Jochen Rindt fan, you know) but I also strongly appreciate the much better peripheral vision they provide. Anyway, I wear them only for commuting and short distance trips. For longer journeys I wear full face.
A very interesting and considered argument. I absolutely agree with your argument. I own both, and in the main I prefer an open face helmet. I tend to favour the Full face when I am riding long distances, and there will be a lot of necessary motorway work where I am likely to be riding at higher speeds for prolonged distances. Also, I feel that the full-face helmet is a better choice in inclement weather. I used to ride a lot more than I do now during the winter, and actually enjoyed riding in heavy conditions. The additional total concentration gave me great satisfaction, reading the road conditions. However, I do agree that an open face gives a more satisfying experience and connection with the environment. I always buy the best Helmet I can afford, fibreglass with a high rating. What must be avoided are the poly-carb helmets.
I was talking to a Police Motorcyclist some time ago when I was on a course that was organised by the local police. They had a helmet from a local accident where a motorcyclist had gone into a hedge. When he started his bike he tickled the carbs, got fuel on his fingers, and when he buckled up the plastic helmet, he touched the same place. This made a small area brittle, which coincided with the hawthorn branch which penetrated his helmet and temple, killing him instantly.
I wonder if the surveys that you cited noted what material the helmets the open face helmets were made from. A poly-carb helmet is more likely to deteriorate due high UV light levels in hot countries.
Excellent work, Stuart. Consider your Vids essential viewing.
Well done! You make excellent points.
Thank you for the video!
Correlation is not causation, excellent observation, Stu! Any researcher worth their salt knows this, I only wish this principle was more widely understood.
very nice, peripheral vision and hearing are the advantages of open face helmet to avoid accident on first place.
Thanks for making this video. I'd noticed you wear a 3/4 helmet and wondered why. You're obviously no dummy, and with what you've mentioned about picking up body parts at crash sites, you know better than most what the risks are. I'm 51 and looking at getting my first ever motorcycle and, while I think I'll stick to a full-faced helmet, I really appreciate hearing an informed opinion that goes against "common wisdom."
Excellent vlog full of great information as always. I wanted an open faced helmet but couldn’t bring myself to do it so I bought a Shoei Ex zero which is the shoei jo with a chin guard. I wear goggles with it and it’s awesome if a bit noisy. Eye plugs are a must. But each to there own we are all adults wear what you like 👍. I wear Kevlar jeans but most of the time I don’t put the armour in, my choice my body. I wish people would just concentrate on themselves.
Hi S’tu, Thank for a great site, it is very informative.
Question which type of helmet is better with glasses?, l am having enough trouble with them steaming up with a mask!
Another balanced opinion Stu. Absolutely agree with your sentiments regarding better awareness with OFH, and as you say personal choice. I had had a big off when the tractor unit of a lorry pulled in front of me on a motorway link roundabout, and as you tend to do when your forced to stop suddenly, (hit something immovable)I went straight over the bars, the chin guard on my FFH was smashed but my face was intact. I have both styles of helmet and still wear OFH especially when I ride my Lambretta, as you say it’s personal choice, riding a motorcycle is more dangerous than jumping in a car, and I would say the chance of a facial injury is increased by wearing an OFH, but as you point out the risk is possibly offset by increased sensual awareness, and possibly increased awareness of ones own vulnerability. You pays your money, and you takes your choice.
I have both and it depends on how far I am going and how warm it is which I wear.
"You'll regret that when you're sliding down the road on your face bla bla bla". What a load of cobblers. Try wearing a full face helmet anywhere south of London in summer for longer than 5 minutes. Paris, Barcelona, Madrid or Milan in the summer is just mental. An open face helmet is absolutely necessary or your brain will cook! Hey, even the Police wear open face helmets on the Continent. Does anyone criticise them?
Excellent analysis. The best example of flawed studies when they were examining bullet holes in WW2 planes returning to base with the view that it would help them identify where to put the armour plating. They concluded no protection was needed around the pilot as returning planes were not being hit in this area. Spot the flaw! Well if you hit the pilot the plane doesn’t return.