Open faced helmets for an R65

[HESIMEUSTIC]

Hi all,

just getting into riding season up here in Toronto and am considering some open-face helmets for the 79 R65.  I have an Arai full face however it's from my track days and the McCoy replica looks a little funny.

I was thinking something like this:
http://the-cafe-racer.com/motorcycle-open-face-helmets/premier-jet-vintage-double-visor-helmet-u9bm-matt-black
with a visor -- do any of you have any good things to say about your helmets? Likes or dislikes?  

Many thanks in advance.

[Luca]

A 3/4 helmet will protect your brain and cheekbones, but not your chin/jaw.  A visor might keep it from lifting up in the wind and trying to roll off the back of your head like half shell helmets tend to do.

Not sure how the wind noise is with a 3/4.

While a 3/4 helmet will be cooler than a full face in the heat, consider that it will also be cold on a cool day and might trim the ends of your riding season.

If you really need the wind in your face or can't take the heat at traffic lights, I'd suggest a modular full face helmet so that you can drop the jaw-bar once you get over "bicycle speeds."  It won't look the part like a 3/4 helmet, but it will keep your teeth on the inside of your mouth.

[msbuck]

I will say that full face helmets seem to be much noisier to me, but I'd rather have the protection.  Been there, done that with a open face - have a broken cheekbone to show for it, too.  So I've opted for the modular style helmet.  I can lift the chin bar up out of the way at gas stops, etc, but still keep the full protection out on the road.

I like the white one with the black checked pattern on it!  I can see owning one of these as a secondary helmet, for short romps ... maybe. . . .  

[Motu]

In summer I sometimes wear my MX helmet, lots of airflow so it's cooler, and better vision too.  On our back roads it's hard to get above 120kph, so have no problems with the peak.

[Bob_Roller]

With all of the debris, etc... that has hit my face shield in 35 years of riding, I don't think I would ride with anything other than a full face helmet .

Even in 120 F. heat here in the low deserts of Aridzona .

[wilcom]

HESIMEUSTIC,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

For an open face helmet that is a very stylish model, I like it.

[RSMike]

It looks cool, but it will be horribly noisy above about 35mph, I tried something similar a couple of years back, but gave it away.

Not cool looking but infinitely quieter and more practical is the AFX-FX50: http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/afx-fx-50/
I own own of these, its my favorite open face. ( those are my comments under MT on webbikeworld)
PS: It does come in colors other than the dayglo yellow  

I won't ever buy a helmet without reading its review on webbikeworld. Their reviews are an invaluable resource.

[montmil]

I will say that full face helmets seem to be much noisier to me, but I'd rather have the protection...

msbuck brings up an excellent point.

Tying helmet choices into wind noise into hearing protection as mentioned in my recent, "She called me a Biker" thread...

I wear a modular helmet. I also remove my hearing aids and add ear plugs for every ride. Some of my hearing loss is from many years of engine and wind noise generated by my motorcycles.

You cannot recover hearing loss. Not ever! Don't be "that guy"... ME  

[clonmore1]

Looks great, but prefer the additional protection.

I'm in healthcare and have seen too many serious facial injuries to the lower jaw.

Noise, discomfort cool looks, who cares, maximum protection all the way...

[steve hawkins]

I have a Davida Jet open face helmet that I sometimes use in the summer.  It is great and you get a much better field of view from it than from most full face helmets, some of which it is like peering out of a letterbox.  In traffic, in a urban environment the open face wins hands down.  Freeway? - A different story.

I would have both.  There are some days that only an open face will do.  And some days when a full face is the only answer.  I use an open face for slower local rides when I know the weather is going to be good.  I wear the modular full face when I a doing some distance at speed and cannot guarantee the weather.

A visor is a must.  Goggles and sun glasses are a pain.  Even rain stings at 30mph.  My soft baby face cheeks don't like it! I am about to buy a bubble visor for my Davida.....

Always wear ear protection - roll up ear defenders are a must when ever you are out on the bike.

Cheers

Rev. Light.

[Matt Chapter]

My two cents: full face helmets might be nosier than other types, but it's hard to make generalizations like that across categories.  I can't say, I either go with out or a full face.

If you must have the quietest full face, money no object, I would buy a Schuberth.  They have their own giant wind tunnel to play with while designing.  The trade off, generally speaking, is between ventilation and noise.  That said, I would ALWAYS ride with ear plugs, a la monte.

I suspect my next helmet will be this scorpion. Or maybe this one.


At first I had linked the scorpion exo-900 which is a flip up helmet.. That's not what I meant..  My next helmet, coming up soon, will be a full face.

[Barry]

I have a full face and an open face (what you guys call a 3/4).  I've not tried a really good full face but my full face is definitely nosier and while I know the open face offers less protection I prefer it. Even in the winter it's not that bad, I think the pain receptors in your face get used to it to some extent except when it rains which is not fun at all.   Insects are not a major problem although in parts of the world where you have bigger ones I can see they might be.

On the other hand didn't Ted Simon ride around the world in an open face.

[DerekM]

I have an Icon Airframe and quite like it. Good air flow and fits snug. i don't care for half helmets, you wont get laid without a jaw.  

[disco51]

I have a Bell custom 500 vintage that I wear riding around town.  I'm looking for a full coverage helmet, but for now the majority of my riding is fairly short distances.  I admit, I bought it for the looks.  It's comfy.  No complaints.  I've been wearing some goggles or shades.  
I looked at the Nolan helmets as well (online).  They got some bad reviews as far as wind control and noise.  I liked the look, but didn't pull the trigger.  
I still think I should get a full face helmet… that's the right think to do.  Somehow I keep wearing the Bell.

[nhmaf]

Years ago  (like 30+) I used to wear open face helmets, but I am also a believer of the "save your face" plan and have used full face helmets exclusively for the past 20 years or more.  So, if you really want an open face helmet, I cannot suggest anything that I have any experience with.

I try to always wear hearing protection - you'd be amazed at what the wind noise can do to your hearing over the course of hours of exposure.   I don't always wear it for short trips round town, though I should practice that as part of the ATGATT philosophy I follow.